Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment.

Emergence in different religious milieu:

1. Bhakti movement → emerged as a reformist movement against the orthodoxy and prevailing social evil sanctioned by the religion of the time Eg Basavanna established veerashaiva movement as counter to orthodox brahmanism

2. Sufi movement → 'suf' = wool. It emerged in middle east by the people who wore suf i.e fakirs who strived towards liberal interpretation of Islamic scriptures, and emphasised on love, tolerance and restraint.

Convergence in devotion and dissent:

1. Both emphasised on devotion to the god as means of salvation or peace ↳ devotion by love and chanting → Kabir das, Sur das, Guru Nanak → Kwaja Moinuddin chisti

2. Similar ideology: dissented orthodoxy ↳ Critique of caste & class based division and discrimination ↳ Criticised women subjugation → Mira bai ↳ Promoted brotherhood, equality and tolerance

Socio-religious significance:

1. Syncretic traditions: Mutual borrowing of ideas like yoga, sacred water (pahal) by sufi saints from Bhakti saints

2. Exchange of views as in Ajmer sharif dargah promoted interfaith dialogue

3. Commingling of hindu-muslim enhanced → hindus visiting dargahs, muslims participating in bhajan

4. Various religious literature emerged outlaying the unity and oneness of mankind

5. Sikhism founded by Guru Nanak → himself was disciple of Kabir das and Ramanand (as sufi and bhakti saint)

6. Reflection in arts and architecture → aided Indo-Islamic fusion eg: Deccan Bijapur sultan adopted title of jangama (bhakti saint)

7. Led to peaceful and large scale conversion