Botvinkin Y. The development of the religious and philosophical Bhakti movement in the North India in XIV–XVII centuries.

The thesis is dedicated to the history of development of the religious and phi­losophical Bhakti movement in the North India in XIV-XVII centuries. Bhakti’s origin and its spreading in the North India are observed here. The main trends of the movement are shown in their relation with the contemporary political situation in the region ruled by Muslim invaders. The meaning of bhakti as a social ideology and its realization in various cults and religious communities are analysed as well as the life of the most prominent leaders of the Bhakti movement. According to the investigation we can conclude that the Bhakti movement was not only a source for spiritual regeneration of the traditional Hindu society, but also a peace-keeping factor in the Hindu-Muslim relations. The religious and educational activities of the Bhakti communities was a non-violent and peaceful reaction of the high-spiritual Indian people to the political and religious chaos in the country.