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

Question

With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

The twelfth century witnessed the emergence of a new movement in Karnataka, led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-68) who was initially a Jaina and a minister in the court of a Chalukya king. His followers were known as Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga).The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the "pollution" attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth. These won them followers amongst those who were marginalised within the Brahmanical social order.Siddhas (Sittars) Saiva school in Tamil Nadu held the monotheistic puritan creed and roundly condemned idolatry; their history is not well known, but they seem to have been most active during the 16th and 17th century.Source Attribution:NCERT: Themes in Indian History Part 2NCERT: Our Past - Bhakti Movements