1) CUET-PG: how Sufism is tested
Sufi Movement questions frequently appear as:
- match-the-following (silisila ↔ feature/practice)
- statement-based MCQs (role of khanqah, sama, relation with state)
- conceptual comparisons with Bhakti (devotion, love, critique of formalism)
- identification questions:
- what is silsila?
- what is khanqah?
- what is pir–murid relationship?
This module focuses on:
- core ideas and institutions of Sufism in India
- how Sufi orders spread and interacted with society and politics
- what “movement” means: multiple orders over time, not one uniform group.
2) What is Sufism (tasawwuf) conceptually?
Sufism is the mystical–ethical dimension of Islam emphasizing:
- inner purification
- love and devotion to God
- disciplined spiritual practice under guidance
- ethics: humility, compassion, service, self-control
Exam caution: Sufism is not outside Islam; it is a stream within Islamic religious life, with diverse interpretations.
3) Key concepts and vocabulary (high-yield)
Silsila (order/lineage)
- a chain of spiritual transmission linking masters and disciples
- provides authority and continuity
Pir–murid relationship
- pir: spiritual guide
- murid: disciple This relationship shapes:
- training, discipline, and ethical formation
Khanqah and dargah
- khanqah: lodge/center where teaching, living, and service occur
- dargah: shrine (often associated with saint’s tomb), becomes:
- pilgrimage site
- community space
- locus of devotion and charity.