The Significance of the Bhakti and Sufi Movements in Shaping Indian Culture and Society
Introduction The Bhakti and Sufi movements were two parallel religious and cultural movements that emerged in medieval India, significantly influencing Indian society. The Bhakti movement, which originated between the 7th and 12th centuries, emphasized devotion (bhakti) towards a personal god, rejecting rigid caste distinctions and ritualistic orthodoxy. Similarly, the Sufi movement, rooted in Islamic mysticism,…