CBSE| HISTORY|CLASS 7| Old and New Religions (700–1750 CE)

 

Old and New Religions (700–1750 CE)

The thousand-year period between 700 and 1750 CE was a time of dynamic religious transformation in the Indian subcontinent. This era saw the evolution of existing religious traditions, the rise of new devotional movements, and the arrival of new faiths that reshaped society, belief systems, and power structures.

🧠 1. Nature of Religious Belief

• Religion was not just a personal experience but deeply collective in nature.

• It was closely tied to social and economic life, often reflecting the structure and changes within local communities.

• As societies transformed, so did their religious beliefs and practices.

🛕 2. Evolution within Hinduism

This period saw significant developments in the traditions now called Hinduism:

🔸 New Deities and Temples

• Emergence of the worship of new deities.

• Royal patronage led to the construction of large temples, which became both spiritual and economic centres.

• These temples often reflected the power and prestige of the rulers.

🔸 Rise of the Brahmanas

• Brahmanas (priests) gained prominence through their knowledge of Sanskrit texts.

• They were respected and patronised by rulers, becoming dominant social figures.

• Their role as ritual specialists connected religious authority with political power.

🙏 3. The Bhakti Movement

• A major religious development of this era was the Bhakti tradition.

• Bhakti emphasized a personal connection with a loving deity.

• Key features:

  • Devotion (bhakti) could be expressed by anyone, regardless of caste.

  • Rejected elaborate rituals and the intermediary role of priests.

  • Stressed love, surrender, and equality before God.

• Bhakti created space for inclusive spirituality and reshaped regional religious expressions (more in Chapter 6).

🕌 4. Arrival and Spread of Islam

• Islam was introduced in India by merchants and migrants in the 7th century.

• Its teachings were based on the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the word of God (Allah).

• Core beliefs:

  • Monotheism – belief in one God.

  • Equality before Allah, irrespective of caste or class.

  • Emphasis on mercy, love, and justice.

🔸 Patronage and Spread

• Many rulers became patrons of Islam and supported the ulama (religious scholars and jurists).

• Islam spread through:

  • Trade and migration

  • Sufi saints

  • Political integration under Muslim rulers

🧕 5. Diversity Within Islam

• Like Hinduism, Islam too was not monolithic; it evolved in various ways:

🔹 Shia and Sunni Sects

• Shia Muslims: Believed Ali (Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law) was the rightful leader.

• Sunni Muslims: Accepted the early caliphs (Khalifas) as rightful leaders.

🔹 Schools of Islamic Law

• Different legal schools interpreted Sharia (Islamic law) differently:

  • In India, Hanafi and Shafi’i schools were most prominent.

🔹 Sufism

• A mystic tradition within Islam that emphasized love, devotion, and union with God.

• Sufi saints played a major role in spreading Islam through compassion and simplicity, often attracting non-Muslim followers too.

📚 Conclusion

Between 700 and 1750 CE, the Indian subcontinent experienced profound religious changes:

• Hinduism evolved with new devotional paths and ritual authority.

• The Bhakti movement offered an inclusive, emotional alternative to traditional rituals.

• Islam, with its message of equality and monotheism, became a major force, adapting itself to the Indian context in diverse forms.

This period was thus marked by religious diversity, adaptation, and dialogue, shaping the spiritual map of India as we know it today.