[Solved] Baba Farid's Verses in the Adi Granth: Sufi-Sikh Link

Baba Farid's Verses in the Adi Granth: Sufi-Sikh Link

The verses of the Sufi saint Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar (Baba Farid) are incorporated into the Adi Granth. His Punjabi poetry reflects deep spiritual devotion shared by both Sufi and Sikh traditions.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II

Archived: 1994

Updated: 25 Feb 2026

The thought of which of the following Sufi saint have been incorporated in the religious book 'Adi Granth' of the Sikh?

[U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 1994]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) is a unique syncretic scripture that includes the works of not only Sikh Gurus but also various Hindu and Muslim saints (Bhagats).

Authentic Source Evidence

Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, popularly known as Baba Farid, was a 13th-century Chishti Sufi saint. Guru Arjan Dev incorporated 112 'Shalokas' and 4 'Shabads' of Baba Farid into the Adi Granth because they resonated with the core Sikh values of humility and love for God.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option C is correct. Baba Farid’s Punjabi poetry is among the oldest preserved literature in the language and is a cornerstone of the Adi Granth.

Logic 2: While Muinuddin Chishti (A) and Nizamuddin Auliya (D) are major Sufi figures, their specific verses were not formally included in the Sikh canon in the same systematic way as Baba Farid's.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did the Sikh Gurus include Sufi and Bhakti verses in their scripture?"

To emphasize the universality of Truth and to show that spiritual wisdom is not the property of any single religion or caste.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The inclusion of Baba Farid's work in the Adi Granth is a supreme example of the 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb' and the shared spiritual heritage of the Indian subcontinent."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Adi Granth 2 Chishti Silsila 3 Guru Arjan Dev 2

Analysing authentic U.P.P.C.S. Prelimsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Syncretic Traditions of India helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Baba Farid Adi Granth and Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →