The cultural development in India from 1300 to 1500 was marked by the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, significant architectural advancements, and social and religious changes resulting from the interaction between the Turks and Indians. This period saw the emergence of new artistic and architectural styles, enriched by the fusion of Arabo-Persian and Indian traditions. Despite challenges, this era laid the groundwork for a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage in India.

The Bhakti movement centered around the worship of Rama and Krishna, incarnations of Vishnu.

• The Bhakti movement in north India developed around the worship of Rama and Krishna, incarnations of Vishnu.


• The childhood escapades of the boy Krishna and his dalliance with the milk-maids of Gokul, especially with Radha, became the themes of a remarkable series of saint-poets who lived and preached during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.


• These poets used the love between Radha and Krishna in an allegorical manner to depict the relationship of love between the individual soul and the supreme soul.

• Chaitanya did not reject the scriptures or idol-worship, though he cannot be classified as a traditionalist.


• Their philosophical beliefs were influenced by Vedantic monism, emphasizing the unity of God and the created world, notably influenced by Vallabha, a Tailang Brahman.


• The saint-poets' approach was broadly humanistic, emphasizing the sentiments of love and beauty in all their forms.


• Despite their efforts, they did not effectively breach the caste system, but they softened its rigidity and promoted a platform for broader unity.

• The Bhakti movement found resonance with Sufi mysticism, particularly the monistic ideas of the great Arab philosopher, Ibn-i-Arabi, and his concept of the Unity of Being (Tauhid-i-Wajud).


• Sufi poets and saints, influenced by Bhakti songs and ideas, helped create a common platform for inter-religious understanding during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries.


• During the fifteenth century, the monistic ideas of Ibn-i-Arabi became popular among broad sections in India.


• Arabi's doctrine of Unity of Being is known as Tauhid-i-Wajud, which points that all beings are essentially one, and everything is a manifestation of the divine substance.


• The Indian Sufis started taking more interest in Sanskrit and Hindi, with some, including Malik Muhammad Jaisi, composing works in Hindi.


• The Bhakti songs of the Vaishnavite saints written in Hindi and other languages touched the hearts of the Sufis more than Persian poetry did.


• Abdul Wahid Bilgrami wrote a treatise, Haqaiq-i-Hindi, explaining Sufi mystic terms using Hindi words like 'Krishna', 'Murli', 'Gopis', 'Radha', 'Yamuna', etc.