upscools
UPSC CSE Pre. 2003, GS Paper I

Syncretic Music of Medieval India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Consider the following statements: 1. Kitab-i-Nauras, a collection of songs in praise of Hindu deities and Muslim saints, was written by Ibrahim Adil Shah II. 2. Amir Khusrau was the originator in India of the early form of the musical style known as Qawwali. Which of these statements is/are correct?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept This question highlights the syncretic nature of Indian music during the Sultanate and Deccani periods.

Explanation Ibrahim Adil Shah II (Bijapur) was known as 'Jagadguru Badshah' for his religious tolerance. Amir Khusrau (Delhi Sultanate) blended Persian and Indian musical elements.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Statement 1 is correct; 'Kitab-i-Nauras' starts with an invocation to Goddess Saraswati and Prophet Muhammad, reflecting Dakhni culture.
Logic 2: Statement 2 is correct; Khusrau is traditionally regarded as the creator of the Qawwali genre and several Ragas.

Active Recall

Question

What title was Ibrahim Adil Shah II given for his musical interests?

Answer

He was called 'Jagadguru Badshah' by his subjects due to his devotion to music and pluralistic views.

Core Insight

Amir Khusrau's 'Qaul' (saying) became the basis of the Qawwali, bridging the gap between sacred Sufi poetry and melodic expression.

Practice Navigation