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 c

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Q: 92 (IAS/2016)
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?

question_subject: 

History

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,170,101,30,55,170,16

keywords: 

{'caste hierarchy': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'siddhas': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'medieval india': [0, 0, 1, 3], 'tamil region': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'kannada region': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'lingayats': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'idolatry': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'cultural history': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'sittars': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'rebirth': [0, 0, 0, 4]}

Option 3: Both 1 and 2, are correct statements.

Explanation:

1. The Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.

The Siddhas were a group of mystics and spiritual teachers who lived in the Tamil region during the medieval period. They were followers of Shaivism, a major sect of Hinduism that worships Lord Shiva as the supreme deity. However, unlike mainstream Shaivism, the Siddhas were monotheistic and believed in the existence of only one God.

The Siddhas rejected the traditional Hindu practices of idol worship and temple rituals. Instead, they emphasized the importance of spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, and self-realization. They believed that the ultimate goal of human life was to attain spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

The Siddhas also played a significant role in the development of Tamil literature and culture. They wrote poetry and prose in Tamil, which expressed their spiritual and philosophical ideas. Some of the well-known Siddhas include Tirumular, Agastyar, and Pattinathar.

2. The Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.

The Lingayats were a reformist movement that emerged in the Kannada region during the medieval period. They rejected the traditional Hindu caste system and emphasized the equality of all human beings. They believed in the existence of one God, who they referred to as Shiva or Basavanna.

The Lingayats rejected the traditional Hindu concept of rebirth and believed in the idea of salvation through devotion to God. They emphasized the importance of ethical behavior and social service as a means of attaining spiritual liberation.

The Lingayats also played a significant role in the development of Kannada literature and culture. They wrote poetry and prose in Kannada, which expressed their spiritual and social ideas. Some of the well-known Lingayat poets include Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, and Allama Prabhu.

In conclusion, both statements are correct as they accurately describe the beliefs and practices of two important cultural movements in medieval India. The Siddhas of Tamil region rejected idol worship and emphasized monotheism, while the Lingayats of Kannada region rejected the caste system and questioned the traditional Hindu concept of rebirth.