Basavanna

Basavanna was a 12th-century philosopher, poet, and social reformer from Karnataka who founded the Lingayat movement . 
•  He served as a minister under King Bijjala of the Kalachuri dynasty. 
•  He advocated a spiritual and social reform movement that challenged caste hierarchy and ritualism.
•  Basavanna opposed caste-based discrimination and rigid social hierarchies. 
•  He criticised ritualistic practices and priestly dominance in religion. 
•  He addressed gender exclusion by promoting women’s participation in religious and social life. 
•  Experts highlight that Basavanna promoted equality, rational devotion, and personal spiritual experience over rituals. 
•  He emphasised the dignity of labour through the idea that work is worship. 
•  He propagated his ideas through Vachanas , which are short, simple poems in Kannada. 
•  His teachings made complex spiritual ideas accessible to common people. 
Development of Lingayat Movement
•  The Lingayat movement emerged as a social reform movement against Brahmanical dominance. 
•  It promoted an egalitarian community structure based on devotion and ethical living.