The twelfth-century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka. Identify the correct statements:
(A) It was led by a Brahmana named Basavanna.
(B) He was a minister in the court of the Kalachuri ruler.
(C) His followers were known as Alvars.
(D) Lingayats were known as Virashaivas, they worship Shiva.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (D) only
(A) It was led by a Brahmana named Basavanna. Correct. The new movement of the twelfth century in Karnataka, the Virashaiva tradition, was led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-68).
(B) He was a minister in the court of the Kalachuri ruler. Correct. Basavanna was a minister in the court of a Kalachuri ruler.
(C) His followers were known as Alvars. Incorrect. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). The Alvars belonged to an earlier bhakti tradition of Tamil Nadu (c. sixth century); they were devotees of Vishnu.
(D) Lingayats were known as Virashaivas, they worship Shiva. Correct. Virashaivas and Lingayats are two names of the same community, who worship Shiva in his manifestation as a linga.
NCERT (2026-27): “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.…” |