History of Lingayatism

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The history of the Lingayat goes back to the 800 Yrs back with available legal evidence rather than just a script or Inscription, this was founded by Basweshwara. Basava, a native of Bagevadi, was a Brahmin and the son of Madiraja and Madamba. He is preched the Lingayat. His maternal uncle Baladeva was a minister in the court of King Bijjala. There are multiple theories attributed to the appointment of Basava as a minister in the court of Bijjala^[1]:

• When his uncle Baladeva fell sick and was bedridden, the latter's responsibilities was transferred to Basava
• Another theory suggests that Basava successfully deciphered an inscription that disclosed the location of a treasure. This pleased King Vijjala who appointed Basava as a minister.

According to Basavapurana, when Basava assumed power, he began distributing gifts to all the devotees of Lord Siva. The other people felt left out and began instigating King who later cruelly punished two devotees of Siva. This episode had a profound effect on Basava. Another incident was that at the age of 8, he also rebelled during initiation ceremony(holy thread) of the Brahmins^[1].

He then rebelled against the rigid practices of the caste system then prevalent and eventually began expounding his own theosophy with a casteless society at its core. Soon, his philosophy began attracting large numbers of people into the fold. Saints like Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna also played pivotal roles in founding and spearheading the sect.

Basavanna lived and taught in the northern part of what is now Karnataka State. This movement found its roots during the brief rule of the southern Kalachuri dynasty in those parts of the state. Some believers believe that Basavanna is an incarnation of Nandi, Shiva's greatest devotee.

However, according to one school of thought Basavanna only brought about a renaissance in an already existing sect. They attribute the founding of the sect to the Panchacharyas. The Panchacharyas or the 'Five Prophets' consisted of Sri Revanaradhya or Revanasiddha, Marularadhya or Marulasidhdha, Ekoramaradhaya or Ekorama, Panditaradhya and Vishwaradhya. This theory however, is not historically attested and Basava is widely held as having founded this sect.

Sources of Lingayat history

To reconstruct the historical context, origin and development of the Lingayat faith, one will need to draw upon several sources. The various sources that are involved here include folk literature, inscriptions, historical facts, post-Basava developments, the Vachanas, reminiscences, Ragale literature, the lingayat and Jaina puranas and the doctrinal and philosophical works like the Shoonya Sampadane. Following a holistic and comparative study of all these sources, it is possible to reconstruct the origin and development of the Lingayat faith across time and space. Of all the sources, particularly important is the epigraphical evidence. The Arjunavada inscription in particular establishes the historicity of Basava beyond dispute. The Vachana literature, especially the vachanas composed by Basava himself are of vital importance in this studya. Harihara's Ragale is yet another invaluable source.

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