Which of the following faiths was followed by the Lingayats?

The correct answer is Shaivism.

Key Points

• Lingayats are a sect of Shaivism founded by Basava in the 12th century.
• They emphasise the worship of Shiva as the universal god.
• Lingayats reject the caste system and the authority of the Vedas.
• They follow the teachings of their holy texts called Vachanas.

Additional Information

• Buddhism
  • Buddhism is a religion and philosophy founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th century BCE in India.
  • It focuses on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to attain enlightenment (Nirvana).
• Vaishnavism
  • Vaishnavism is a major tradition within Hinduism that worships Vishnu and his avatars, mainly Rama and Krishna.
  • It emphasises bhakti (devotion) to Vishnu.
• Jainism
  • Jainism is an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence, non-attachment, and the spiritual liberation of the soul.
  • Mahavira is the last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism.