Topic: Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2) Unlike the dark middle ages of Europe, India’s middle ages brought about a very rich tradition of devotional literature and poetry which dispels its assumption of a dark period of India’s history. Comment. (250 Words)
NCERT Class IX & X History
WHY THIS QUESTION
Bhakti literature has been at the core of India’s history of diversity and unity since ages. Middle ages in India are usually labelled as dark ages due to stallment of scientific, technological and political progress. However, the period produced rich bhakti literature and poetry in which a number of women also took participation. This contradicts the claim of medieval dark ages of India. The question is related to GS-1 syllabus- Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
KEY DEMAND OF THE QUESTION.
The question wants us to discuss why India’s middle ages were not like the dark ages of Europe and quote important works, writers, poets of that times. Giving examples is the key here.
DIRECTIVE WORD
Discuss- we have to write into detail about the medieval bhakti literature and poetry and their contributors. We also have to discuss the richness and refinement of the bhakti works and highlight their significance.
STRUCTURE OF THE ANSWER
Introduction- introduce your answer by briefly describing the key facets of bhakti movement, when it started etc.
Body- divide the body into parts. In one part, discuss the salient features of bhakti literature and poetry; its themes, beliefs, closeness to common man etc.
In the other part, mention the famous works, writers, poets who produced bhakti literature and poetry e.g Kabir, Lal Ded, Bavasna, Vidyapati, Sri CHaitanya, Jagannath Das etc.
Conclusion- in the end, present your conclusion and mention some other aspects of medieval literature and poetry e.g love ballads and heroic poetry of Punjab- KISSA and VAR, evolution of Urdu language and quote some important works in Urdu of medieval times.
