UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 69: History and Culture
With reference to the religious history of medieval India, the Sufi mystics were known to pursue which of the following practices?
- 1.Meditation and control of breath
- 2.Severe ascetic exercises in a lonely place
- 3.Recitation of holy songs to arouse a state of ecstasy in their audience
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Sufi mystics pursued varied practices: meditation and breath control (Indian Sufis were influenced by yogic techniques), severe ascetic exercises in solitude, and sama, the recitation of devotional songs or poetry (as in qawwali) to arouse ecstasy in the audience. All three are correct.
- 1. Meditation and breath control were practised, influenced by yogic methods.
- 2. Severe ascetic exercises in lonely places were common.
- 3. Devotional songs (sama) were used to arouse ecstasy.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Meditation and breath control were practised, influenced by yogic methods.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Devotional songs (sama) were used to arouse ecstasy.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incomplete: recitation of holy songs to arouse ecstasy is also a practice.
- (b) Incomplete: meditation and breath control is also a practice.
- (c) Incomplete: meditation and ascetic exercises are also practices.
- (d) Correct: meditation and breath control, asceticism, and devotional songs.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.