The bulk of the literature on Basava and Lingayatism incorporates both the Brahman and Bhakti movements. To do this is to lose sight of innovations that Basava introduced in reaction to his Brahman-dominated environment. Also, to look at Lingayatism as a direct linear descendant of the Hindu tradition is to ignore the revolutionary thrust of Lingayatism in its origin in the twelfth century A.O. and its continuing dynamism in the subsequent centuries.
K. Ishwaran is a Professor of Sociology at York University.
Preface -- 1. Introduction: The Context and the Theme -- 2. Sources -- 3. The Historical Context -- 4. The Story of Basava -- 5. Not an Off-shoot of Hinduism, but a New Religion -- 6. A Sarana Religion, Not a Bhakti Religion -- 7. The Teachings and Doctrines -- 8. An Appraisal -- 9. Some Vacanas of Sociological Significance -- Appendix: Population Growth in Karnataka: 1931-1981 -- References – Index.
