 Varanasi remained the centre of activity for intellectuals and theologians during the Middle Ages , which further contributed to its reputation as a cultural centre of religion and education . Several major figures of the Bhakti movement were born in Varanasi , including Kabir who was born here in 1389 , and Ravidas , a 15th @-@ century socio @-@ religious reformer , mystic , poet , traveller , and spiritual figure , who was born and lived in the city and employed in the tannery industry . 
 Varanasi remained the centre of activity for intellectuals and theologians during the Middle Ages , which further contributed to its reputation as a cultural centre of religion and education . Several major figures of the Bhakti movement <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> born in Varanasi , including Kabir <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>was born here in 1389 , and Ravidas , a 15th @-@ century socio @-@ religious reformer , mystic , poet , traveller , and spiritual figure , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>was born and lived in the city and employed in the tannery industry . 
Varanasi remained the centre of activity fir intellectuals and theologians during da Middle Ages , which further contributed to its reputation as a cultural centre of religion and education . Several major figures of the Bhakti movement was born in Varanasi , including Kabir was born heaa in 1389 , and Ravidas , a 15th @-@ century socio @-@ religious reformer , mystic , poet , traveller , and spiritual figure , was born and lived in the city and employed in tdatannery industry .