Question

Who was Al-Biruni? Why is he famous in History? OR Describe the main principles of Bhakti Movement.

Hint:

Al-Biruni's Kitab-ul-Hind is a must-know source for medieval Indian history. For the Bhakti Movement, remember its core ideas: "Devotion, Equality, and Simplicity" as a reaction against the rigidity of orthodox Hinduism.

Answer 1

Solution (Al-Biruni):

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the identity of Al-Biruni and the reason for his historical significance, particularly in the context of Indian history.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Who was Al-Biruni?
Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (973-1048 AD) was a Persian scholar, polymath, and traveler from Khwarazm (modern-day Uzbekistan). He was a contemporary of Mahmud of Ghazni. When Mahmud conquered Khwarazm, he took Al-Biruni as a hostage to his court in Ghazni. From there, Al-Biruni traveled to India and spent many years here.
Why is he famous in History?
Al-Biruni is famous primarily for his monumental book, the Kitab-ul-Hind (or Tahqiq-i-Hind, meaning 'History of India'). His fame rests on the following aspects of this work: \begin{itemize} \item Comprehensive Account: It is an encyclopedic work that provides a detailed and objective account of the religion, philosophy, sciences, geography, customs, social structure, and political systems of India in the 11th century.
\item Scholarly Approach: Unlike other chroniclers of his time, he did not just record events. He adopted a scientific and comparative method. He learned Sanskrit, studied Indian texts like the Puranas and Bhagavad Gita, and compared Indian knowledge with that of the Greeks.
\item Objective Observer: Despite being part of a conquering group, his account is remarkably free from religious prejudice and is considered a valuable, impartial source for understanding medieval Indian society. He is often called the "founder of Indology".
\end{itemize}

Step 3: Final Answer:
Al-Biruni was an 11th-century Persian scholar who is famous for writing the Kitab-ul-Hind, a comprehensive and scholarly account of India's society, sciences, and culture, which is considered a primary source of great historical value.

Solution (Main Principles of Bhakti Movement):

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the core ideas and principles that characterized the Bhakti movement, a significant socio-religious reform movement in medieval India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Bhakti movement was a devotional movement that emphasized love and devotion to God as the primary means of salvation. Its main principles were:
\begin{itemize} \item Monotheism: A belief in one God, who could be worshipped with different names and forms (e.g., Rama, Krishna, Allah).
\item Intense Devotion (Bhakti): The path to God was through intense love, devotion, and personal surrender, rather than complex rituals, sacrifices, or intellectual knowledge.
\item Equality of All: The movement strongly opposed the rigid caste system and preached that all humans are equal in the eyes of God. A devotee's caste or gender was irrelevant to achieving salvation.
\item Rejection of Ritualism: The Bhakti saints criticized elaborate rituals, idol worship (in some cases, like Nirguna bhakti), and the dominance of the priestly class (Brahmins). They emphasized purity of heart and mind.
\item Use of Vernacular Languages: To make their teachings accessible to the masses, the saints composed hymns, poems, and songs in local languages like Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and Bengali, rather than Sanskrit.
\item Importance of the Guru: The role of a spiritual teacher (Guru) was considered essential to guide the devotee on the path to God.
\end{itemize}

Step 3: Final Answer:
The main principles of the Bhakti movement were belief in one God, salvation through intense personal devotion, rejection of the caste system and empty rituals, and the use of vernacular languages to spread the message of love and equality.