Role played by Bhakti Movement in laying the foundation of Indian Renaissance

Published on 22 Oct 2025

The Bhakti movement played a significant role in laying the foundation of the Indian Renaissance, a period of intellectual, social, and cultural transformation that emerged in India during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Social 

• Equality and Inclusivity: The caste system was condemned and there were Bhakti poets from lower caste for instance 

• Example: Janabai belongs to the low caste shudra family. 

• Critique of Traditionalism: They were highly critical of ritual observance as maintained and fostered by the Brahmin priesthood.

• Women Empowerment: The women saints rejected traditional women’s role and social norms by leaving husbands and home altogether.

• Example: Akka Mahadevi of Lingayat sect and Mirabai

• Emphasis on Individual Spirituality: Bhakti movement gave to people simple religion, without complicated rituals. The new idea of a life charity and service to fellow human beings developed

• Cultural 

• Promotion of Vernacular Language: The Bhakti movement promoted growth of vernacular language in different parts of the country, since various preachers spoke and wrote in regional languages.

• Example: Kabir in Hindi, Chaithanya Mahaprabhu in Bengali.

• Cultural synthesis: With the synthesis of sufism and Bhakti tradition, unity among the two communities fostered, it also resulted in many cultural interactions.

• Example: Development of Urdu as language.

• Bridging North-South Divide: Bhakti tradition reduced the North South divide and gave a basis for cultural unification in the later times.

• Example: Ramananda of Allahabad was a follower of Ramanuja of the south. 

• Development of different philosophies: The Indian renaissance accepts the multi religious philosophies which evolved during the period of Bhakti.

• Example: Shankaracharya’s Advaita, Madhvacharya’s Dvaita philosophy and Nimbraka’s Dvaita advaita philosophy which helped to diversify religious thoughts. 

• Emergence of art forms: Different classical dances and music emerged gaining inspiration from Bhakti movement can be linked as a part of cultural renaissance.

• Example: Manipuri, Kathak, etc are part of cultural renaissance.

Thus, the Bhakti movement inspired social reformers during the Indian Renaissance, such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi. The emphasis on social equality, individual freedom, and religious harmony provided a philosophical foundation in shaping the course of modern India.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Role played by Bhakti Movement in laying the foundation of Indian Renaissance Bhakti Movement Indian Renaissance Janabai equality Akka Mahadevi of Lingayat sect Mirabai Individual Spirituality Vernacular Language Kabir in Hindi Chaithanya Mahaprabhu in Bengali Urdu Cultural synthesis Ramananda of Allahabad Ramanuja Shankaracharya Advaita Madhvacharya Dvaita philosophy Nimbraka Dvaita advaita Manipuri Kathak classical dance Raja Ram Mohan Roy Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Indian Heritage and Culture