Skip to content
GK24
Prime
Indian HistoryMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GK

Around twelfth century, Sufi Silsilas began to crystallize in different parts of the Islamic world to signify 1. continuous link between the master and disciple 2. unbroken spiritual genealogy to the Prophet Muhammad 3. the transmission of spiritual power and blessings to devotees Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3

Correct answer

D. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The correct answer is D, 1, 2 and 3. A silsila stood for all three ideas: the master-disciple link, the chain back to the Prophet and the flow of blessings to followers.

Silsila literally means a chain. By the twelfth century Sufis had organised themselves into orders, each traced through an unbroken line of masters (shaikh, pir or murshid) and disciples (murid) going back to the Prophet Muhammad. Through this chain spiritual power and blessings (baraka) were believed to pass to the devotees. A disciple was formally initiated, received a patched cloak, and could later be named the master's successor (khalifa). In India the Chishti silsila, led by Muinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, and the Suhrawardi silsila were among the best known.

Option A is wrong because it leaves out the transmission of blessings. Option B is wrong because it keeps only the genealogy. Option C is wrong because it drops the chain going back to the Prophet.

Exam tip: silsila = chain; shaikh or pir = master, murid = disciple, khalifa = successor, khanqah = hospice, dargah = tomb shrine.

Practice Questions

View all
Q1.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKHard

Which one of the following sources tells us about women protesting against the infidelity of their husbands or the neglect of the wife and children by the male head of the household?

  1. A.The Kitab-ul-Hind
  2. B.Documents belonging to the Village Panchayats of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra
  3. C.Sculptures from Mandor
  4. D.The Ain-i-Akbari of Abul Fazl
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Documents belonging to the Village Panchayats of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra

These records preserve petitions that women sent to the panchayat seeking redress. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries village panchayats settled disputes and punished misconduct.

Q2.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKEasy

Who among the following was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army of independent India?

  1. A.S. M. Srinagesh
  2. B.K. M. Cariappa
  3. C.K. S. Thimayya
  4. D.K. S. Rajendrasinhji
Show answer
Correct answer: B. K. M. Cariappa

General K. M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on 15 January 1949. He succeeded General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British chief, and the day he took charge is celebrated every year as Army Day on 15 January.

Q3.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKHard

Which of the following statements with regard to the speech of Mahatma Gandhi at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University are correct? 1. He charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor. 2. He asserted that our salvation can come only through the farmers. 3. He highlighted the plight of the untouchables. 4. He promised to take up the cause of the mill owners of Ahmedabad. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1, 2, 3 and 4
  2. B.1 and 2 only
  3. C.1, 2 and 3 only
  4. D.3 and 4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 1 and 2 only

At the opening of Banaras Hindu University in February 1916, Gandhi criticised the elite for ignoring the poor and said India's salvation lay with its farmers.