The developments that followed the coming of Islam were not confined to ruling elites; in fact they permeated far and wide, through the subcontinent, amongst different social strata - peasants, artisans, warriors, merchants, to name a few. However, these universal features were often overlaid with diversities in practice derived from sectarian affiliations (Sunni, Shi'a), and the influence of local customary practices of converts from different social milieus. For example, the Khojahs, a branch of the Ismailis (a Shi'a sect), developed new modes of communication, disseminating ideas derived from the Qur'an through indigenous literary genres.
The lines left out at the end name the genre through which the Khojahs spread these ideas. Which of the following correctly identifies it?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Ginan, devotional poems sung in special ragas during daily prayer meetings
Option (1) Ginan, devotional poems sung in special ragas during daily prayer meetings — Correct. The Khojahs, a branch of the Ismailis, spread ideas from the Qur'an through the ginan. The word comes from the Sanskrit jnana, meaning knowledge. These poems were in local languages and sung at daily prayer meetings.
Option (2) Malfuzat, conversations of Sufi saints written down by their disciples — Incorrect. Malfuzat are records of a Sufi saint's talks kept by disciples. They belong to the Sufi silsilas.
Option (3) Qawwali, devotional songs sung by musicians at the shrines of Sufi saints — Incorrect. Qawwali is music performed at Sufi shrines such as dargahs. The Khojahs used a different genre at their daily prayer meetings.
Option (4) Sama, musical gatherings held in Sufi khanqahs for spiritual ecstasy — Incorrect. Sama is the Sufi practice of music and dance to reach ecstasy. It belongs to the khanqahs and is a practice.
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