Consider the following statements.

1. Namdhari movement started after Anglo Sikh wars.
2. Namdhari movement was also known as Kuka movement.

Select the correct statement using the codes given below.
a)1 only
b)2 only
c)Both 1 and 2
d)Neither 1 nor 2

Ans-[C]

Explanation– After the fall of kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, there were several attempts to raise the old glory of the Khalsa. Several movements to reform the Sikhism were started. First one being Namdhari movement, which was started by Baba Ram Singh Namdhari after anglo Sikh wars. He was a soldier in Khalsa army. Namdhari movement was also known as Kuka movement. It had its origin in the north-west corner of the Sikh kingdom, away from the places of royal pomp and grandeur. It harked back to a way of life more in keeping with the spiritual tradition of the community. Its principal object was to spread the true spirit of Sikhism shorn of tawdry customs and mannerism, which had been growing on it since the beginning of Sikh monarchy. In the midst of national pride born of military glory and political power, this movement extolled the religious obligation for a pious and simple living. They were called “Kukas” because of their peculiar style to recite the Gurbani (Sayings of the Gurus). This style was in a high pitched voice, called Kook in punjabi, and thus Namdhari Khalsa’s were named Kukas.

Nirankari movement was started by Baba Dayal. He preached against the rites and rituals that were creeping into Sikhism. He saw that Sikhism was being assimilated into Hinduism in front of his eyes. His main target was the worship of images against which he preached vigorously. He re-emphasized the Sikh belief in Nirankar the Formless One. From this, the movement originating from his message came to be known as the Nirankari movement.