The Bhakti movement, emphasizing 'personal connection' to the divine, had a profound impact on various aspects of Indian society. Highlighting the main features of the Bhakti movement, discuss its contribution towards the development of vernacular languages across the country.

Bhakti movement started in 6th-9th centuries as a response, reaction to brahmanical orthodoxy, caste system, discrimination and inequality in South India and later spread to North India.

Main features of Bhakti movement

1. Emphasis on devotion and personal connection with divine. (Ex)- Hirabai's Krishna Bhakti

2. Equality and open to all castes and classes, religions. (Ex)- Kabir stressed upon Unity of all religions

3. Rejected brahmanical supremacy, orthodoxy, and caste system.

4. Universalism and oneness was promoted

5. Rejection of elaborate rituals and use of poetry, songs, dances to connect with god. (Ex)- Dohas, Bijaks, Bhajans were used.

6. Use of vernacular languages to spread their ideas.

Contribution of Bhakti movement towards development of vernacular language

1. Composition of poems, songs in vernacular language. (Ex)- Kabir - Dokas, Bijak - Hindi, Urdu Tulsaram - Marathi Basavana - Kannada Chaitanya Mahabpabhu - Bengali Mirabai - Krishna Bhajans

2. In south India, languages like Tamil, Telugu kannada were used to produce literature. (Ex)- Alvars - Nalayiradivya prabandham

3. Nlasidas's 'ramadharivarana' also spread ideas of Bhakti in vernacular language.

4. On global arena also literature of bhakti gained prominence

5. It influenced sufi literature as well.

Bhakti movement is not just an religion, ideological movement but also a linguistic, social movement.