Q. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:

  1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
  2. Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 only
  • Both 1 and 2
  • Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Notes:
  • Almost all the Siddhas believed in the oneness of all creation i.e monotheism and they preached a philosophy of love and service and condemned idolatry.
    • ​Almost all of the ‘Siddhas’ songs were composed in the twilight language.
    • Siddhas worship Shiva and Shakti in their benign, ascetic and fierce forms.
  • Basavanna is the founder of Lingayatism and is strongly against the rigid practices of the caste system.
    • Basavanna (1106-68) was a Brahmana and 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 believed that there is no rebirth and on death, the devotee reunites with Shiva never coming back to the World. 
    • Hence Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.
basavanna
Basavanna
Lingayats
  • The term Lingayat denotes a person who wears a personal linga, an iconic form of god Shiva, on the body which is received during the initiation ceremony.
  • Lingayats are the followers of the 12th-century social reformer-philosopher poet, Basaveshwara.
  • Basaveshwara was against the caste system and Vedic rituals.
  • The Lingayats are strict monotheists. They enjoin the worship of only one God, namely, Linga (Shiva).
  • The word ‘Linga’ does not mean Linga established in temples, but universal consciousness qualified by the universal energy (Shakti).
  • Lingayats had been classified as a Hindu subcaste called “Veerashaiva Lingayats” and they are considered to be Shaivites.