Other sufis besides the Chishtis were also associated with the state; some even accepted courtly offices. Which pair of a sufi group and the rulers linked with it is correctly matched?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Naqshbandi - Mughals
Option (1) Suhrawardi - Mughals — Incorrect. The Suhrawardi were associated with the state under the Delhi Sultans. This pair gives them the Mughal link, which belongs to the Naqshbandi.
Option (2) Naqshbandi - Delhi Sultans — Incorrect. The Naqshbandi were linked with the Mughals. Placing them under the Delhi Sultans gives them the Suhrawardi link.
Option (3) Naqshbandi - Mughals — Correct. The Naqshbandi were associated with the state under the Mughals. Their link with rulers differed from the Chishti way of keeping a distance from worldly power, and some such sufis accepted courtly offices.
Option (4) Qalandars - Delhi Sultans — Incorrect. The Qalandars were mystics who scorned the khanqah, took to mendicancy and defied the shari'a. Such be-shari'a groups kept away from courts and state service.
NCERT (2026-27): “7.4 Sufis and the state “Other sufis such as the Suhrawardi under the Delhi Sultans and the Naqshbandi under the Mughals were also associated with the state. However, the modes of their association were not the same as those of the Chishtis. In some cases, sufis accepted courtly offices.” |