Which of the following is the earliest known account of the medieval bhakta to be found in a single work?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A) Bhaktamal

Explanation:
• 'Bhaktamal' (The Garland of Devotees) was composed by Nabhadas around 1600 CE. It is the earliest and most comprehensive biographical anthology of Indian saints (Bhaktas).
• It contains short verses (chappays) on about 200 devotees, ranging from legendary figures of the Puranas to contemporary saints like Kabir, Tulsi Das, and Mirabai.
• The work is significant because it provides a unified history of the Bhakti movement, transcending different sects and castes. It helped in the institutionalization of the Bhakti tradition by providing a 'canon' of saints.
• Later, in the 18th century, Priyadas wrote a commentary on it titled 'Bhakti-rasa-bodhini', which expanded on the brief accounts of Nabhadas.

Information Booster:
• Nabhadas was a disciple of Agradas and belonged to the Ramanandi sect.
• Bhaktamal is written in Braj Bhasha.

Additional Knowledge:
• Chaurasi Vaishnavon ki varta (Option C): Attributed to Gokulnath, it focuses specifically on the 84 disciples of Vallabhacharya (Pushtimarg sect).
• 252 Vaishnavon ki varta (Option D): Also associated with the Pushtimarg, it details the disciples of Vitthalnath (son of Vallabhacharya).
• Vaisnavatbja Bhaskar (Option B): A later theological work on Vaishnavism.