The status of women and the Bhakti movement in IndiaOriginating from ancient Tamil Nadu, the Bhakti movement in India spread northwards at the end of the Middle Ages, when northern India was under Islamic rule. ruler. The movement was spontaneous and contrary to the predominant caste ideology that divided Hinduism. Followers of the movement had their own expression of devotion. While in the south devotion centered on both Shiva and Vishnu (in all his forms), the northern devotional movement centered on Rama and Krishna, both considered incarnations of Vishnu. Although initially the Bhakti movement was considered unorthodox due to its disregard for caste distinctions and disregard for Brahmanical rituals, it quickly rose to prominence, coexisting peacefully with other movements of the Hinduism. At a time when freedom was limited to upper-caste men, the bhakti movement in India became a means of escape for many. The saints of the movement were not idle philosophers or simple descendants of the wealthy castes. They also came from the lower strata of society and worked for a living. Although sants like Meera, Chaitanya and Tulsidas belonged to the upper class, others like Kabir, Namdev, Nanak and Tukaram belonged to the lower communities. These saints taught that people could put aside the heavy obligations of ritual and caste and the convolutions of philosophy, and simply express their supreme love for God. They believed that one could reach God personally and directly, without resorting to temples or idol worship. Women and members of the Shudra and untouchable communities were now included rather than excluded. Indian women in medieval India were confined within the four walls of the house and among papers. the injustices that prevail in society and, through their poetry, have reached a wide audience. They stood up against criticism and abuse from their families and society and, in a patriarchal society, made a place for themselves not only in the Bhakti movement, but also in the religious and social history of India. Justin.E. and NRGodbole; Stories of Indian Saints; Publication Motilal Banarsidas; India February 4, 2007 (ii) Ho, Cynthia; Bahina Bai and the mystical resistance; Publication on East-West Connections; January 1, 2004(iii) Kamat, Jyotsna; Sant Janabai(iv) Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History: Bhakti Movement(v) Shobha, Savitri Chandra; Social life and concepts in medieval Hindi bhakti poetry; Chandrayan Publication; New Delhi(vi) Wadia, Shernaz; Another light of the Bhakti movement: Bahinabai (1629-1700)