2002 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 99: History and Culture
Who among the following was the first Bhakti saint to use Hindi for the propagation of his message?
aDadu
bKabir
cRamananda
dTulsidas
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Ramananda (fourteenth-fifteenth century), who taught at Banaras, is regarded as the first Bhakti saint to preach in the popular language, Hindi, rather than Sanskrit. Kabir was his disciple and carried the practice further. Tulsidas (sixteenth century) wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi, and Dadu (sixteenth century) also came much later.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Dadu came later, in the sixteenth century.
- (b) Kabir was Ramananda's disciple and followed him.
- (c) Right: Ramananda.
- (d) Tulsidas wrote in Awadhi in the sixteenth century, long after Ramananda.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.