STAGES IN THE EVOLUTION OF INDIAN CULTURE (RELIGIOUS REVIVAL AND THE BHAKTI CULT)

RELIGIOUS REVIVAL AND THE BHAKTI CULT

Besides this, impact of Islam or Hinduism produced important consequences. Islam gives the message of universal brotherhood, introduces equality in society, rejects caste system and untouchability, is opposed to idol-worship and teaches oneness of god. In due course, these ideas began to have a conscious or unconscious effect upon the philosophical Hindu mind and fostered the growth of liberal movements under some saints and preachers who have come to be known in history as religious reformers. They denounced ido- worship and the caste system, preached the fundamental equality and basic oneness of all religions and the unity of godhead, advocated the m9onotheistic faith, protested against the domination of the priestly class, opposed the complicated, elaborate and excessive ritualism and formalities of religious and emphasized simple devotion, faith and puritan life4 as the means of deliverance or salvation for all persons.

The medieval saint reformers not only emancipated the masses from the social and religious tyranny but also contributed substantially to the cultural evolution of the country. The cardinal doctrine which they emphasized was that God is the God of Hindus as well as Muslims, of Brahmans as well as Candelas, and that before Him all are equal. In fact, they preached the simp0le religion of love and complete surrender to an imminent Being who rescued His true and sincere devotees from their miserable plight.

The  second legacy of these saints was their religious revival, the aim of which was to synthesize Hinduism and Islam to ensure communal goodwill and unity and to create an environment of toleration and cooperation. The third legacy of these saints was social and religious reforms. They exposed the futility of all external ceremonies and worship, emancipated at he mind of the people from the domination of the priests and Mullahas, minimized religious favoritism, fanaticism and intolerance which arrested the growth of rational life and self-knowledge. Their fourth legacy was that they safeguarded the Indian Hindu culture, life. Their fifth legacy was that they promoted the growth of vernacular literature of provinces. They stimulated evolution and enrichment of the literature of the spoken languages.

Though the two systems of art differed fund mentally in their ideals and techniques, they mingled together giving rise to a new type of indo – Islamic architecture. It is difficult to ascertain how much the indo – Islamic architecture owed to the Hindu style and how much to the Islamic system. Indo – Islamic architecture derives its character from both sources though not always in an equal degree. The Muslims had added to the Hindu architecture the special characteristics of spaciousness, massiveness, majrstyand width. The new foreign rulers introduced mehrab or arch, dome, miner and tomb in the indigenous architecture. Patterns of subtle curves, intricate and geometrical designs were used for rich decorative treatment. The Hindu schemes of profuse ornamentation were applied to decorate the arches or mehrabs.