Medieval Indian Literature

1000 1800 A.D.

Medieval India
Began with the rise of the Rajputs (warriors mainly from

central and northern India)

They fought among themselves and weakened the empire. Many foreign invaders came and established kingdoms, bringing with them different customs and beliefs.

Medieval Indian Literature

Dominated by Hinduism and Islam Complex beliefs and traditions due to influx of migration Development of vibrant language and literature

Bhakti Movement
bhakti, (devotion, from Sanskrit bhaj, to share, to

love), in Hinduism, a movement emphasizing the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee toward a personal god and of the god for the devotee Major trend in medieval Indian literature Religious devotion to the gods using poetry Guru Narak, the founder of Sikhism, and Kabir, were key players of the movement Played a sizeable role in bridging emotional connections to religion

Sri Chaitanya
Sri Krishna Chaitanya

Mahaprabhu Vaishnava saint and social reformer in eastern India in the 16th century Was believed to be the full incarnation of the Hindu God Krishna

Chant the Name of the Lord and his glory unceasingly, That the mirror of the heart may be wiped clean And quenched that mighty forest fire, Worldly lust, raging furiously within.
- Sri Chaitanya

Mirabai
Wrote songs to express her

love and devotion to Krishna, almost always as Krishnas wife Role model for a religious movement emphasizing devotion and rejecting traditional divisions

O my mind, Worship the lotus feet of the Indestructible One! Whatever thou seest twixt earth and sky Will perish.
- Mirabai

Medieval Indian Literature in the Mughal Era

Authoritative biographies of rulers in the Mughal Era Baburnama: Depicts Hindustan with grand prose Ain-I-Ikbari and Akbarnama by Abul-Fazl were significant

biographies Numerous regional languages like Hindu, Urdu, Marathi, Bengali, etc.

Recurrence of Classics in Medieval Indian Literature

New languages were

developed, revitalized and recreated classics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata Other works like Panchatantra and other Puranas and myths were redeveloped Inter-relation of classic and modern languages; authors with knowledge of different languages stood out

Influences on Medieval Indian Literature

Topography was a significant factor on evolution of

languages Impact of nature, landscapes, surroundings and life influenced Indian literature Vocabulary and imagery of writers were based on geographic location

Influences on Medieval Indian Literature

Aspect of love and war Conflicts and tensions were widespread, mainly due to the

lack of unity of the Indians Love was the staple theme of many populations, excluding the love of God, unlike the Bhakti movement The failure of love, was a better source of inspiration rather than the triumph of love

Expansion of Medieval Indian Literature

First works were sectarian, made to advance or to celebrate

particular unorthodox groups The Bhakti movement was started with mostly Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) and Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) from South India The Bhakti movement moved upward spontaneously, and were centralized on Krishnu and Rama. The Bhakti movement, for the Hindus and the Muslims, peacefully coexisted wand was popular with the masses

Similarities of Philippine and Indian Culture

Philippines India

Migration of the Chinese,

Migration of different

Malays and other races for trade causing adaptation of new works and complex languages

people to spread religion and change traditions, causing complex languages and literature

Similarities of Philippine and Indian Culture

Philippines India

Traders converted native

Migrations dominated

Filipinos into other religions of their kind

India into two main religions: Hinduism and Islam

Similarities of Philippine and Indian Culture

Philippines India

The conquest of the

Many people have

Spanish helped the Filipinos to do works of literature and art, such as Spanish poems, etc.

educated the Indians with literature and have inspired the mass with the Bhakti Movement

References

www.poetseers.com www.historytuition.com www.ccrtindia.gov.in www.indianetzone.com