From the options given below, identify the option which was NOT responsible for the popularity of the Chishti Sufis in India:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → They were closely related to the ruling dynasties.
Option (1) The Chishti Sufis successfully adapted to the local environment. — Correct statement. Of the groups of sufis who came to India in the late twelfth century, the Chishtis were the most influential because they adapted successfully to the local environment.
Option (2) They adopted several features of Indian devotional traditions. — Correct statement. This is the second reason for their influence. Practices such as bowing before the Shaikh, offering water to visitors and yogic exercises were attempts to assimilate local traditions.
Option (3) They were closely related to the ruling dynasties. — Incorrect statement. This was not a reason for their popularity. A major feature of the Chishti tradition was austerity, including maintaining a distance from worldly power. They did accept unsolicited grants from the political elites, but they were not close to the ruling dynasties.
Option (4) They deputed their spiritual successors to set up hospices in various parts of the subcontinent. — Correct statement. Shaikh Nizamuddin appointed several spiritual successors and deputed them to set up hospices; as a result the teachings and organisation of the Chishtis spread rapidly.
NCERT (2026-27): “7. The Chishtis in the Subcontinent … Of the groups of sufis who migrated to India in the late twelfth century, the Chishtis were the most influential. This was because they adapted successfully to the local environment and adopted several features of Indian devotional traditions.… 7.1 Life in the Chishti khanqah … Practices that were adopted, including bowing before the Shaikh, offering water to visitors, shaving the heads of initiates, and yogic exercises, represented attempts to assimilate local traditions. Shaikh Nizamuddin appointed several spiritual successors and deputed them to set up hospices in various parts of the subcontinent. As a result the teachings, practices and organisation of the Chishtis as well as the fame of the Shaikh spread rapidly. This in turn drew pilgrims to his shrine, and also to the shrines of his spiritual ancestors.… 7.4 Sufis and the state … A major feature of the Chishti tradition was austerity, including maintaining a distance from worldly power. However, this was by no means a situation of absolute isolation from political power.…” |