Context:
Prime Minister of India attended the 25th edition of Jahan-e-Khusrau, a Sufi music festival honoring Amir Khusrau
Amir Khusrau:
- 13th-century Sufi poet, musician, and scholar.
- Known as – “Tuti-yi-Hind” (Parrot of India)
- Disciple of – Nizamuddin Auliya
- Devotee of the Chishti Sufi order.
- Served as a court poet under the Delhi Sultanate.
- Jalaluddin Khalji bestowed the title Amir
- Also served the courts of Alauddin Khalji and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
- Khusrau’s grave is situated near Nizamuddin Auliya’s dargah in Delhi
Contributions of Khusrau:
- Wrote in Persian and Hindavi, blending Turkic, Persian, and Indian cultural influences.
- Credited with developing Hindavi, the precursor to modern Hindi and Urdu.
- Introduced and popularized qawwali, merging Persian, Arabic, and Indian musical traditions.
- Credited with crafting several ragas and khayal singing style
- Famous compositions include Chhaap Tilak, Zehal-e-Maskeen, and Sakal Ban Phool Rahi Sarson.
- Advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity, fostering India’s syncretic culture.
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Saint Nimbarka was a contemporary of Akbar.
2. Saint Kabir was greatly influenced by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2Answer:(d)
Explanation:
Saint Nimbarka: Preached Vaishnavite Bhakti in Telangana region. Not a contemporary of Akbar, lived in 13th or 14th century. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Saint Kabir: Follower of Nirguna Bhakti, lived in 15th century. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was an Islamic scholar of Naqshbandi Silsilah who lived in the 16th century. Statement 2 is incorrect.
