Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Medieval India: Bhakti Sufi Traditions

Question:

Amir Khusrau, the great poet and musician, was the disciple of which Sufi saint?

Options:

Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Dehli

Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya

Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki

Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar

Correct Answer:

Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) → Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya

Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), the great poet, musician and disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, gave a unique form to the Chishti sama‘ by introducing the qaul (Arabic word meaning “saying”), a hymn sung at the opening or closing of qawwali. This was followed by sufi poetry in Persian, Hindavi or Urdu, and sometimes using words from all of these languages. Qawwals (those who sing these songs) at the shrine of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya always start their recital with the qaul. Today qawwali is performed in shrines all over the subcontinent.