A Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices| Class 12 History Notes

Chapter 6 of your Class 12 History looks into the vibrant mosaic of religious beliefs and practices that flourished in medieval India, roughly between the 8th and 18th centuries. The chapter discusses the efforts to integrate various cults, with the Brahmanas composing and preserving Puranic texts in accessible language to spread their ideas. In this blog, We’ll look at different religious practices and beliefs, talk about the Mosaic of Religious Practices and Beliefs, and much more!

A Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices| Class 12 History Notes

Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices

Following is the mosaic of religious beliefs and practices:

• From the seventh to the seventeenth centuries, the Bhakti Movement, Islam, and the Sufi Movement all had a significant impact on medieval Indian history.
• According to historians, there were at least two stages. The first was the spread of Brahmanical concepts. This is made clear by the writing, gathering, and preservation of Puranic books in straightforward Sanskrit poetry, which were specifically created to be understandable by women and Shudras, who were typically shut out of Vedic education.
• The Brahmanas’ acceptance and modification of these and other social types’ ideas and customs constituted the second step. In actuality, a constant conversation between “little” and “great” Sanskritic Puranic traditions across the nation reshaped a great deal of ideas and practices.
• There are clear examples of integration in goddess cults. For instance, veneration of the goddess, who was frequently represented just by an ochre-smeared stone, was common.
• Tantric worship practices were frequently connected to the goddess.
• Tantric techniques were popular throughout the subcontinent; practitioners frequently disregarded caste and social distinctions when performing rituals, and they were open to both men and women. Shaivism and Buddhism were greatly affected by many of these concepts, particularly in the eastern, northern, and southern regions of the subcontinent.
• When we compare the Vedic and Puranic traditions, the differences are probably the most noticeable.
• Agni, Indra, and Soma, the three main deities of the Vedic pantheon, are reduced to supporting roles. The rich Puranic mythology had nothing in common with the Vedic mantras, which only showed glimpses of Vishnu, Shiva, and the goddess.
• Despite these glaring differences, the Vedas were nevertheless regarded as authoritative.
• Conflicts also occasionally arose; people who respected the Vedic tradition frequently denounced actions that extended beyond the strictly controlled touch with the divine through the offering of sacrifices or the exact recitation of mantras.
• Tantric practitioners often disregarded the Vedas’ authority.
• It was common for devotees to portray their preferred god—Vishnu or Shiva—as the almighty. Relationships with other traditions, such as Jainism or Buddhism, were often frequently tense, if not outright hostile.
• These forms of worship frequently included the singing and chanting of devotional songs. This applied especially to the Shaiva and Vaishnava faiths.

The Integration of Cults

There were two processes at work:

• Promoting Brahmanical concepts that were specifically designed to be understood by women and Shudras, who were typically left out of Vedic education.
• Brahmanas acknowledge and refining their practices and ideas. For instance, the primary deity of the Puri Temple in Orissa was eventually recognised as Jagannatha, also known as the Lord of the World, a manifestation of Vishnu.
• Such examples of integration may also be seen in goddess cults.
• Buddhist goddess, associated with Bhakti-Sufism
• Bihar’s Buddhist deity Marichi serves as an illustration of inclusion.

Differences and Conflict

• Tantric customs were common throughout the subcontinent in several areas.
• Both men and women might enter.
• Caste distinctions were disregarded.
• These concepts inspired Buddhism and Shaivism. Throughout the following millennium, these beliefs would be categorised as Hindu.
• Adherents of the Vedic tradition disapproved of customs that extended beyond the strictly controlled communion with the divine via offerings or incantations. In the meanwhile, adherents of Tantric techniques often disregarded the Vedas’ authority.
• Relationships with other traditions, such as Jainism or Buddhism, were often frequently tense, if not outright hostile.

People Also View:

• The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Class 10 History Notes Chapter 1
• CBSE Revision Notes for Class 12
• CBSE Class 10 Social Science Notes
• CBSE Class 12 History Previous Year Question Paper

Chapter 6 A Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and Practices- FAQs

What is called mosaic?

A mosaic is a design or picture created from tiny, irregular, or regular pieces of coloured stone, glass, or ceramic that are applied to a surface and secured in place using cement or plaster. Mosaics were very common throughout the Roman Empire and are frequently employed as wall and floor decorations.

What is a mosaic of religious beliefs and practices?

A Patchwork of Spiritual Practices and Beliefs From the seventh to the seventeenth centuries, the Bhakti Movement, Islam, and the Sufi Movement all had a significant impact on mediaeval Indian history. According to historians, there were at least two stages. The first was the spread of Brahmanical concepts.

What is the religious history of the Bhakti Sufi tradition?

Hindu mystics and saints from South India, including the Alvar and Nayanar saints, had a major role in spearheading the Bhakti movement, which started in the seventh century CE. Sufis, or Islamic mystics, were the main leaders of the Bhakti movement in Islam, which was known as Sufism and started in the eighth century CE in Central Asia and Persia.

What are the 3 main types of mosaic?

Mosaic art may be broadly classified into five categories: classical, organic, industrial, artisanal, and prefabricated custom. In

Who made the first mosaic?

The earliest known examples of mosaic art date from a third-millennium B.C. Mesopotamian temple. Seashells, ivory, and stones were used to create this artwork. Small pebbles were utilised by Greek painters to create mosaics. The development of intricate patterns in mosaic art was also made possible by the Greeks.