A History of Agriculture in India v2.c64.9

v2.c64.9

Kabir (A.D. 1398-1516) was a disciple of Ramanand. According to tradition he was the abandoned child of a Brahmin widow, who was adopted by a Muslim weaver, Niru by name. In Indian miniature paintings Kabir is shown working on a loom (Fig. 9). This great mystic denounced the pretences of the Brahmin priests and the *mullahs* of Benares. Kabir had followers both among the Hindus and the Muslims. His writings, which form the cornerstone of Hindi literature, were compiled by one Dharam Das. When Kabir died, his corpse was claimed both by the Hindus and the Muslims. According to a legend, when the shroud was lifted only a heap of flowers was found, which both the parties divided among themselves. The Hindus cremated them and the Muslims buried them.