Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.
The early Bhakti Movement was led by Alvars and Nayanars. It was the period of the 6 th Century. Alvars are those who were disciples of Vishnu and Nayanars were those who claimed themselves the followers of Lord Shiva. They travelled place to place and would sing devotional songs in Tamil in the name of Shiva or Vishnu as the case may be. Apart from being a religious movement it was a social movement too. Many historians are of the view that Alvars and Nayanars gave a blow to the caste system and Brahminism. This is corroborated by the fact that the movement was open to people from diverse background. The Bhaktas came from the castes of Brahmin to artisans to even those that were considered untouchables. Virashaivas was a movement of the 12th Century that took place in Karnataka. The movement was led by a Brahmin named Basavanna (1106-68), who was a minister in the court of Chalukya king. The followers of Basavanna are called Virashaivas and they worshipped Shiv. They were also called and perhaps more often Lingayats, which literary means wearer of Lingas. They challenged the caste system and they challenged the idea of any caste being pollutant. This helped them grow support among marginalised sections of the society. Virashaivas also attacked some evil practices supposedly not approved by Shashtras, such as post puberty marriage and remarriage of widows. Further they also questioned the theory of rebirth.
NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:
This question is important because it tests key concepts from the NCERT syllabus and is frequently asked in CBSE exams.
This question is based on core NCERT concepts explained in the chapter and should be revised thoroughly before exams.
Students often lose marks by skipping steps, writing incomplete explanations, or misunderstanding keywords used in the question.
The early Bhakti Movement was led by Alvars and Nayanars. It was the period of the 6 th Century. Alvars are those who were disciples of Vishnu and Nayanars were those who claimed themselves the followers of Lord Shiva. T...
Step-by-step explanation:
• The early Bhakti Movement was led by Alvars and Nayanars
• It was the period of the 6 th Century
• Alvars are those who were disciples of Vishnu and Nayanars were those who claimed themselves the followers of Lord Shiva
• They travelled place to place and would sing devotional songs in Tamil in the name of Shiva or Vishnu as the case may be
• Apart from being a religious movement it was a social movement too
Stay updated with our latest educational content and study tips
Pay upfront, or pay off less and over time? The truth depends on four factors most consumers will never compare at the same time: the interest rate on the house loan, the interest rate on the savings account, the rate of home price appreciation, and the cost of renting the home until you actually buy … Read more
Read More
Thirty is when the question starts to get raised and you’re able to do something because you know you have the experience—you know you have the responsibility. Here are some ways to consider the choice based on a realistic assessment without idealizing either aspect. Restlessness is one of those things that appears in your early … Read more
Read More
It’s not about starting over if you took a break to care for children, take care of yourself, be healthy or for any other reason. This is a realistic strategy for the recovery of skills, selection of the right job, and overcoming the resume problem. One year, three years or 10 years of a career … Read more
Read More
There’s no need to score 95% or achieve a JEE/NEET rank. You don’t need to score 95% or rank in JEE/NEET to build a solid career. A candid and pragmatic guide to the routes that actually work for students who have an average mark and what to do when faced with the options. If … Read more
Read More
Student Discussion
Be the first to comment.
ADD NEW COMMENT