Who led the ‘Virashaiva’ movement in Karnataka around the twelfth-century?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Basavanna
In the twelfth century a new movement arose in Karnataka. It was led by Basavanna (1106-68), a Brahmana who was a minister in the court of a Kalachuri ruler. His followers were called Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). They worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga, and Lingayats are still an important community in the region.
Andal and Karaikkal Ammaiyar were also bhakti saints, but they were women devotees of Tamil Nadu: Andal was an Alvar, devoted to Vishnu, and Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a devotee of Shiva.
NCERT (2025-26): “3. The Virashaiva Tradition in Karnataka … The twelfth century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka, led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-68) who was a minister in the court of a Kalachuri ruler. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). Lingayats continue to be an important community in the region to date. They worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga, and men usually wear a small linga in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder. Those who are revered include the jangama or wandering monks. Lingayats believe that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this world. Therefore they do not practise funerary rites such as cremation, prescribed in the Dharmashastras. Instead, they ceremonially bury their dead.…” |