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Medieval Religious Movements

Guru Nanak and Sikandar Lodi | Foundation of Sikhism

Guru Nanak Dev founded the Sikh religion during the regime of Sikandar Lodi. He began his spiritual ministry in the late 15th century while the Lodi dynasty ruled North India.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII History

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In whose regime Guru Nanak Dev founded Sikh religion?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


The birth of Sikhism coincided with the late Sultanate and early Mughal periods, flourishing amidst the broader Bhakti and Sufi currents of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Authentic Source Evidence


Guru Nanak Dev (1469–1539) began his spiritual mission during the reign of the Lodi dynasty, specifically under Sikandar Lodi (reigned 1489–1517).

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: Guru Nanak's formative years and initial 'Udasis' (travels) occurred while the Lodi Sultans ruled from Delhi.

  • Logic 2: He later witnessed the transition to Mughal rule under Babur, but the foundation of his community and primary teachings occurred during the Lodi era.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What core tenet distinguished Guru Nanak's teachings from contemporary orthodoxy?"

    His emphasis on 'Ik Onkar' (One Universal God) and the rejection of caste hierarchy and ritualism in favor of internal devotion and service.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Guru Nanak's message of equality was a radical response to the rigid social and religious structures of the 15th-century Delhi Sultanate."

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