✅ Answer: A) 1 and 3 onlyStatements 1 and 3 are correct. Kabir rejected both Hindu rituals and Muslim orthodoxy. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas in Hindi. Statement 2 is incorrect — Mirabai was a devotee of Krishna (not Rama). She was a Rajput princess who devoted her life to Krishna and wrote beautiful bhajans (devotional songs) in his praise.

✅ Answer: B) ChishtiNizamuddin Auliya (1238–1325 CE) belonged to the Chishti order. He is called “Mehboob-e-Ilahi” (Beloved of God). His dargah in Delhi is one of the most visited shrines in India. He was the spiritual master of Amir Khusrau. He lived during the reigns of seven Delhi Sultans but refused to meet any of them.

✅ Answer: C) DnyaneshwarDnyaneshwar (Jnaneshwar, 1275–1296 CE) wrote Dnyaneshwari — a Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. He wrote it at the age of 16. It is one of the greatest works of Marathi literature. Dnyaneshwar was a child prodigy who died at age 21. He is the first great saint of the Warkari tradition in Maharashtra.

✅ Answer: A) KabirThe Bijak is the sacred text of Kabir Panthis (followers of Kabir). It contains Kabir’s dohas (couplets), sakhis (sayings), and pads (songs). Kabir’s works are also included in the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh scripture). Kabir’s dohas are famous for their simple language and profound wisdom — criticising both Hindu and Muslim religious hypocrisy.

✅ Answer: C) Annihilation of self in GodFana is the Sufi concept of annihilation of the self in God — the ultimate spiritual goal of Sufism. It means losing one’s individual identity in the Divine. Related concept: Baqa (subsistence in God after fana). Sufis believed that through intense devotion, music (sama), and spiritual practices, one could achieve union with God.

✅ Answer: C) BaburGuru Nanak (1469–1539 CE) was a contemporary of Babur. He witnessed Babur’s invasion of India and wrote about it in his compositions. Guru Nanak founded Sikhism — a monotheistic religion rejecting caste, rituals, and idol worship. He travelled extensively (udasis) to spread his message. The Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib) contains his compositions.

✅ Answer: B) SurdasSurdas (1478–1583 CE) wrote Sur Sagar — a collection of devotional poems on Krishna’s childhood (Bal Leela). Surdas was blind from birth but his descriptions of Krishna’s beauty and childhood are vivid and moving. He was a disciple of Vallabhacharya. He is one of the Ashtachhap poets — eight poets associated with the Pushti Marg tradition.

✅ Answer: B) Vaishnavite traditionAndal was the only woman among the 12 Alvars — Tamil Bhakti saints devoted to Vishnu. She is considered an incarnation of Bhudevi (Earth Goddess). Her works Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi are recited daily in Vaishnava temples. She is said to have married Vishnu himself. Her shrine is at Srivilliputhur (Tamil Nadu).

✅ Answer: B) RamanandaRavidas (Raidas) was a disciple of Ramananda. He was a cobbler (Chamar caste) who became a great Bhakti saint. His compositions are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He is revered by Dalits as a symbol of spiritual equality. Mirabai is said to have been his disciple. His teachings emphasised that God is accessible to all regardless of caste.

✅ Answer: B) Formless, attributeless GodNirguna Bhakti is devotion to a formless, attributeless God — beyond all qualities and forms. Key Nirguna saints: Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas. Saguna Bhakti is devotion to God with form (like Rama or Krishna). Key Saguna saints: Mirabai (Krishna), Tulsidas (Rama), Surdas (Krishna). Both streams were part of the Bhakti movement.