Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2012 · Medieval History · Question 69

With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?<br/>1. Meditation and control of breath.<br/>2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place.<br/>3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience.<br/><br/>Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 2 and 3

1. Meditation and control of breath — Correct. Many Sufi silsilas practiced zikr, meditation, and even breath-control techniques; some were influenced by yogic practices in India.

2. Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place — Correct. Early and medieval Sufis often emphasized austerity, seclusion (chilla), fasting, and ascetic discipline.

3. Recitation of holy songs to arouse ecstasy — Correct. Sufis, especially the Chishtis, used sama/qawwali to induce spiritual ecstasy among disciples and listeners.

Hence, all three statements are correct.

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