Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Social community of South Asia}} {{Infobox caste | region = [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] | languages = [[Hindi]],[[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bBXLCQAAQBAJ&dq=lingayat+language+telugu&pg=PT240 | title=The Penguin History of Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300 | isbn=978-93-5214-118-0 | last1=Thapar | first1=Romila | date=June 2015 | publisher=Penguin Books Limited }}</ref> | religions = [[Hinduism]] | image = | caption = |country=[[India]], | classification = [[Forward caste]]<ref>https://ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/cl/maharashtra.pdf</ref> |related=''[[Veerashaiva]]''<br>''[[Maratha (caste)|Marathas]]''|ethnicity=Indian|jati=[[Marathi people|Marathi]]|guru=[[Jangam]]|heraldic_title=Appa , Rao , Desai <ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=bfAMAQAAMAAJ&dq=Awte,Bagmare&pg=PA1515&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=lingayat%20wani&f=false</ref><ref>https://x.com/dp_satish/status/1647855013174149120</ref>|gotra=Veer(Veerabhadra)<ref>https://karnatakaitihasaacademy.org/cult-of-warrior-god-veerabhadra/</ref>|population=8.5 to 10 Million in Maharashtra<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-lingayats-are-up-in-arms-in-maharashtra-2323305-2023-01-18</ref>}} The '''Lingayat Vani''' community ([[Marathi language|marathi]]: लिंगायत वाणी) is an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who are native to [[Maharashtra]] ([[Mahrattas|Mahratta]]) in western India. They belong to [[Veerashaiva|Veershaiv]] sect of [[Hindus|Hindu]] [[Shaivism]] and are also referred to as Veershaiv-Lingayat ''Vanik'' or Lingayat ''[[Balija]] or Vira Banajiga or Bir Vanigas''. The name Vani is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Vanijya' which means trade. The Vira Banajigas were a trading caste. They rejected the custodial hold of [[Brahmin]]s over [[Vedas]] and [[shastra]]s but did not outright reject the Vedic knowledge. They worship all gods and believe them to be a form of [[Shiva]] only.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Prasad |first=Leela |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm69734509 |title=Poetics of conduct: oral narrative and moral being in a South Indian town |date=2007 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-13920-5 |location=New York |oclc=ocm69734509}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |title=Siva's Warriors: The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha |date=July 2014 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691604879}}</ref> The 13th-century Telugu Virashaiva poet [[Palkuriki Somanatha]], the author of the scripture of Lingayatism, for example asserted, "Virashaivism fully conformed to the [[Vedas]] and the shastras."<ref name="leelaprasad">Leela Prasad (2012), Poetics of Conduct: Oral Narrative and Moral Being in a South Indian Town, Columbia University Press, {{ISBN|978-0231139212}}, page 104</ref><ref name="roghair7">{{harvnb|Velcheru Narayana Rao|Gene H. Roghair|2014|p=7}}</ref> == Origin == Starting in the thirteenth century, inscriptions referring to "''Vira Balanjyas''" (warrior merchants) started appearing in the Andhra country. The ''Vira Balanjyas'' represented long-distance trading networks that employed fighters to protect their warehouses and goods in transit. These traders formed collectives called ''pekkandru'' and differentiated themselves from other collectives called ''nagaram'', which probably represented Komati merchants. The ''pekkandru'' collectives also included members of other communities with status titles Reddy, Boya and Nayaka.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Talbot |first=Cynthia |title=Political intermediaries in Kakatiya Andhra, 1175-1325 |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/001946469403100301 |journal=The Indian Economic & Social History Review |date=1994 |language=en |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=261–289 |doi=10.1177/001946469403100301 |issn=0019-4646}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/1041706962 |title=Re-searching Transitions in Indian History |date=2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-429-48756-9 |editor-last=Seshan |editor-first=Radhika |location=London ; New York |oclc=1041706962 |editor-last2=Kumbhojkar |editor-first2=Shraddha}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Stearns |first=Peter N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oREvuAAACAAJ |title=The Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged |date=2001 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |isbn=978-0-395-65237-4 |language=en}}</ref> The Five Hundred guild, known as ''Ayyavole'' in [[Kannada]]'', Ayyavolu'' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]]'', Aryarupa'' in [[Sanskrit]] operated in [[South India|Southern India]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. They became more powerful under the [[Chola Dynasty|Cholas]].<ref>''Nagapattinam to Suvarnadwipa: reflections on Chola naval expeditions to Southeast Asia'' by Hermann Kulke, K. Kesavapany and Vijay Sakhuja, p.xviii and p.181</ref> They were protectors of the Veera-Banaju-Dharma, that is, law of the heroic or noble merchants. The Bull was their symbol which they displayed on their flag; and they had a reputation for being daring and enterprising.<ref>''Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka: Indian Babas and Nonyas--Chitty Melaka'', by Samuel Dhoraisingam, p.3</ref> A rock shaped like an axe on the Malaprabha river bank north of the [[Aihole]] village in [[karnataka]] is associated with the legend of [[Parashurama]],<ref name="CottonBurn1908p129">{{cite book |author1=James Sutherland Cotton |url=https://archive.org/details/imperialgazettee05grea/page/129/mode/1up |title=Imperial Gazetteer of India. Volume 5 |author2=Sir Richard Burn |author3=Sir William Stevenson Meyer |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1908 |page=129}}</ref> the sixth Vishnu avatar, who is said to have washed his axe here after killing abusive Kshatriyas who were exploiting their military powers, giving the land its red colour.<ref name="muniswamy848">{{cite book |author=R Muniswamy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j-di9C6HtpAC |title=Karnataka State Gazetteer: Bijapur District (Bagalkot District Included) |publisher=Karnataka Gazetteer Department |year=2006 |pages=40, 847–848}}</ref><ref>Sigfried J. de Laet and Joachim Herrmann, [https://books.google.com/books?id=WGUz01yBumEC ''History of Humanity: From the seventh century B.C. to the seventh century A.D.'']. UNESCO, 1996.</ref> A 19th-century local tradition believed that rock footprints in the river were those of Parashurama.<ref name="CottonBurn1908p129" /> == Varna Status == The Vira Banajigas were a trading caste. Historians like [[Velcheru Narayana Rao]] and [[Sanjay Subrahmanyam]] noted that the emergence of this left-hand caste as trader-warrior-kings in the [[Nayaka dynasties|Nayaka]] period is a consequence of conditions of new wealth produced by collapsing two varnas, [[Kshatriya]] and [[Vaishya]] into one.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=RAO |first=VELCHERU NARAYANA |last2=SUBRAHMANYAM |first2=SANJAY |date=2009 |title=Notes on Political Thought in Medieval and Early Modern South India |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0026749x07003368 |journal=Modern Asian Studies |volume=43 |issue=1 |pages=175–210 |doi=10.1017/s0026749x07003368 |issn=0026-749X}}</ref> After being placed in the shudra category in the 1881 census, Veershaivas demanded a higher caste status.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chekki |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Modernization_and_Kin_Network/QNv7EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22lingayats%22+are+shudras&pg=PA25&printsec=frontcover |title=Modernization and Kin Network: With a Foreword by K. Ishwaran |date=2023-07-31 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-66646-7 |language=en}}</ref> Lingayats persisted in their claims for decades,{{sfn|Bairy|2013|p=143}} and their persistence was strengthened by Lingayat presence within the government, and a growing level of literacy and employment in journalism and the judiciary. In 1926, the Bombay High Court ruled that "the Veerashaivas are not Shudras."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bairy |first=Ramesh |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203085448 |title=Being Brahmin, Being Modern |date=2013-01-11 |publisher=Routledge India |isbn=978-0-203-08544-8}}</ref> == Social Status == Lingayat Vani belonged to the upper caste and therefore were strict [[vegetarian]]s. Devout Lingayats do not consume meat of any kind including fish. The drinking of [[liquor]] is prohibited.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ishwaran |first=Karigoudar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54gRAQAAIAAJ |title=Religion and Society Among the Lingayats of South India |date=1983 |publisher=E.J. Brill |isbn=978-90-04-06919-0 |language=en}}</ref> Lingayat Wanis migrated to Maharashtra from North karnataka like the Lad-Shakhiya Wanis who migrated from [[chittorgarh]], [[Rajasthan]] in 13th century.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf1dXvEZQYs |title=History Of Lad Wani Samaj- BY WCCIA |date=2020-12-17 |last=Wani Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture |access-date=2024-07-22 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Both Lingayat wani and Ladwani were excluded from the list of backward castes by the Maharashtra Government.<ref>{{Cite web |last=National Commission for Backward Classes |title=CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA |url=https://ncbc.nic.in/Writereaddata/cl/maharashtra.pdf}}</ref> Both the communities have deep and historical, social and familial bonds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Log in or sign up to view |url=https://m.facebook.com/groups/564798883663480/posts/1076264702516893/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=m.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref> In Maharashtra, The [[Veerashaiva|Veershaivas]], the [[Gurjar|Gujjars]] and the [[Rajput]]s are three important communities. The Veershaiv Vanis who migrated from north Karnataka are found primarily in south Maharashtra and [[Marathwada|Marthwada]] while Gujjars and Rajputs who migrated from north India have settled in north Maharashtra districts. These communities were rich, used to keep weapons like sword, guns etc. and usually were local village heads. Next to Marathas, Lingayat Vanis were seen to be a dominating community in politics as well as local markets.<ref>{{cite book |author=Rajendra Vora |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=78rfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA217 |title=Rise of the Plebeians?: The Changing Face of the Indian Legislative Assemblies (Exploring the Political in South Asia) |publisher=Routledge India |year=2009 |isbn=9781136516627 |editor1=Christophe Jaffrelot |page=217 |quote=[In Maharashtra]The Lingayats, the Gujjars and the Rajputs are three other important castes which belong to the intermediate category. The lingayats who hail from north Karnataka are found primarily in south Maharashtra and Marthwada while Gujjars and Rajputs who migrated centuries ago from north India have settled in north Maharashtra districts. |editor2=Sanjay Kumar}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Glushkova |first1=I. P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YFhuAAAAMAAJ&q=lingayats%20dominated%20market%20in%20maharashtra |title=Home, Family and Kinship in Maharashtra |last2=Vora |first2=Rajendra |date=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-564635-1 |language=en}}</ref> They precede [[Basava]]nna, the founder of Lingayatism and differ themselves from Lingayats and belong to Veerashaiva Hindu sect.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 2015 |title=Shivasharana Movement and Veerashaivism in karnataka |url=https://www.worldwidejournals.com/indian-journal-of-applied-research-(IJAR)/recent_issues_pdf/2015/May/May_2015_1492499501__155.pdf |journal=Indian Journal of Applied Research |volume=5 |issue=5 |issn=2249-555X}}</ref> == Festivals and Gods == They are religious people and worship all Hindu gods and goddesses, considering them forms of Shiva. Their chief family deities are [[Tulja Bhavani Temple|Ambabai of Tuljapur]], Banali and Danammái in [[Jat, Sangli|Jat]], Dhanai in the Konkan, Esai, Janai, and [[Jyotiba Temple|Jotiba]] of Kolhapur, [[Khandoba]] of [[Khandoba Temple, Jejuri|Jejuri]], Mahadev, Malikarjun near Vyankoba in Tirupati, [[Sri Revanna Siddeshwara Swamy Temple|Revansiddheshvar]] in [[Satara (city)|Satara]], Shakambari in Bádámi, [[Siddheshwar Temple, Solapur|Siddheshvar]] of Sholapur, [[Yellamma Temple, Saundatti|Yallamma of Saundatti]] in Bijapur, [[Virabhadra|Virbhadra]] of [[Mukhed]] in [[Nanded]], to all which places they go on pilgrimage.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WRIIAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA75 |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Sholápur |date=1884 |publisher=Government Central Press |language=en}}</ref> {{Infobox deity | type = Hindu | image = Virabhadra Daksha.jpg | caption = | name = Virabhadra | affiliation = [[Shiva]] | consort = [[Bhadrakali]] | planet = Angaraka (Mars) | day = Tuesday | deity_of = | weapon = Trident, sword, arrow, discus, conch, spear, staff, thunderbolt, two varieties of shields, bow, noose, goad, axe, and club. | texts = [[Shiva Purana]] | battles = | abode = [[Mount Kailash]] | mount = {{hlist|[[Horse]]|[[Nandi (bull)]]}} | festivals = {{hlist|[[Maha Shivaratri]]|[[Shravana (month)|Shravana]]}} | other_names = * Veerabhadreshvara *[[Rudra|Veerarudra]] *[[Shiva|Veerashiva]] | mantra = *oṃ vīrabhadrāya namaḥ *oṃ vīrarudrāya namaḥ *oṃ śrī vīrabhadreśvarāya namaḥ }} === Family Deities === Their chief clan gotras are Nandi, Vir(or Veer or veerabhadra),vrishabh, skand and bhringi. They worship lord [[Virabhadra]] or [[Narasimha|narsimha]] as their [[Kuladevata|kula devata]] and some have [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bhavani|Bhavani mata]] or [[:mr:सटवाई|Satvai mata]] as their kul devi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=James MacNabb |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXbuEAAAQBAJ&dq=are+returned+as+numbering+21%2C308+and+as+found+all+over+the+district+but+chiefly+in+Shol%C3%A1pur.+They+seemto+have+come+into+the+district+about+two+hundred+years+ago.+According+to+the+Nandikeshvar+Pur%C3%A1n%2C+Basveshvar%2C+the+founder+of+the+Lingayat+sect%2C+was+born+of+a+Br%C3%A1hman+woman+at+B%C3%A1gev%C3%A1di+in+Kal%C3%A1dgi%2C+and+claiming+divine+inspiration%2C+founded+the+Ling%C3%A1ya&pg=PA75 |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Vol. XX |date=2024-01-16 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-385-31583-9 |language=en}}</ref> Lingayat vanis from nanded worship virabhadra of [[Mukhed]] as their [[Kuladevata|kul daivat]] and the priest is usually a lingayat vani only.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Parāñjape |first=Tārābāī |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Em0uAAAAMAAJ&q=mukhed+cha+veerabhadra+lingayat+wani+in+marathi |title=Sīmā pradeśātīla bhāvagaṅgā |date=1985 |publisher=Marāṭhī Sāhitya Parishada, Āndhra Pradeśa |language=mr}}</ref> The worship is carried out by [[jangam]]s and is the same as that of [[Brahmin]]s except that they offer their gods neither red flowers nor [[Pandanus tectorius|kevda]] flower.<ref name="auto"/> Virashaivas believe to be originated from Shiva's Jats and therefore worship lord virabhadra as their ancestral god. They believe in having qualities of a Bhrahman, Kshatriya and vasihyas and neglect discrimination(same was the purpose of virabhadra to kill daksha).<ref>{{Cite book |last=गुरु |first=श्रीभागवतानंद |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eixREAAAQBAJ&dq=%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A4%20%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF&pg=PA304 |title=अमृत वचन: Amrit Vachan |date=2021-11-26 |publisher=Shri Bhagavatananda Guru |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Civarāman̲ |first=Akilā |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SXwDdBdMJPwC&dq=veerbhadra+daksha&pg=PA402 |title=sri kandha puranam (english) |date=2006 |publisher=GIRI Trading Agency Private |isbn=978-81-7950-397-3 |language=en}}</ref> They carry Marathi surnames like [[Deshmukh]], Devane, Kalyani, [[Desai]], Gowda, Nandedkar, Eklare, Rao, [[Appa (title)|Appa]], Bagmare, Dongre, Falke, Naik, Umre, Nandkule etc.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfAMAQAAMAAJ&dq=Awte,Bagmare&pg=PA1515 |title=Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles |date=1996 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-0-19-563357-3 |language=en}}</ref> Many veerashaiva rulers had Lord Virabhadra as their family deity and special lunches used to be prepared.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Naikar |first=Basavaraj S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiOBi3DNj5kC&dq=virabhadra&pg=PA12 |title=The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories |date=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0127-2 |language=en}}</ref> Many of then warriors having heroic slogans of "Jai Veerbhadra", repeatedy hacking and pierching enemies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Naikar |first=Basavaraj S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiOBi3DNj5kC&dq=virabhadra&pg=PA22 |title=The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories |date=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0127-2 |language=en}}</ref> Lingayat Vani marriages have a Gugul Ceremony in which special prayers are offered to Lord [[Ganesha]] and Lord Virbhadra. It is performed by the bride or bridegroom and their mothers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Customs and Rituals to Expect at Lingayat Weddings |url=https://www.tumblr.com/celebritieswedding/139043352586/customs-and-rituals-to-expect-at-lingayat-weddings |access-date=2024-07-11 |website=Tumblr |language=en-US}}</ref> They are widely distributed in the western Maharashtra(konkan, pune, kohlapur) and eastern Maharashtra-[[marathwada]] region([[Parbhani]], [[Nanded]],Latur, udgir,Yeotmal and ahmednagar) and the north karnataka region. They speak [[Marathi language|marathi]] and some also speak [[kannada]](north karanataka region).Lingayats traditionally believed themselves to be equal in status to [[Brahmin]]s, and some orthodox Lingayats were so anti-Brahmin that they would not eat food cooked or handled by Brahmins.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Srinivas |first=M. N. |date=1956 |title=A Note on Sanskritization and Westernization |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2941919 |journal=The Far Eastern Quarterly |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=481–496 |doi=10.2307/2941919 |issn=0363-6917 |jstor=2941919}}</ref> === Veera gotra === [[File:Jagadguru_Shri_Renukacharya.png|thumb|Jagadguru Shri Renukacharya, incarnating from the Somevara linga.]] The veera [[gotra]] belongs to the gotrapurusha [[Renukacharya]] (also known as Revaṇārādhya or Revaṇasiddha) who was the teacher of the great sage [[Agastya]] of Pañcāvati.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shaivam.org/devotees/virasaiva-panchacharyaru/|title=vIrasaiva panchAchArya|website=shaivam.org}}</ref> This saint is said to have consecrated 30 million [[Lingam|liṇgas]] at the behest of [[Ravana]]'s brother, [[Vibhishana|Vibhīṣaṇa]], after [[Ravana|Rāvaṇa's]] death. Renukacharya originated from the [[Sadyojata]] head of Lord Shiva. He takes [[avatar]] at the beginning of each [[Yuga cycle|yuga]] and establishes Veerashaivism. At the beginning of the present Kaliyuga, he took avatara from [[Someswarar Temple|Someswara]] Linga at [[Kulpakji|Kolanupaka]] (Kolipaka), Telangana.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exploring the Legend of Renukacharya |url=https://www.vedadhara.com/renukacharya-god |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.vedadhara.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Western Chalukya Empire|Chalukya]] kings of [[Kalyan]], were daily worshippers Lord Someshwara.<ref>{{Cite web |last=aravindgj |date=2021-03-06 |title=Someshwara Temple, Haralahalli |url=https://aravindgundumane.com/2021/03/someshwara-temple-haralahalli/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Treks and Travels |language=en-US}}</ref> The gotra of Veerabhadra is also shared by Jat community like the Lingayat Vani community. Virabhadra and [[Daksha]]|'s daughtergana's womb originated the Jats. Virabhadra had five sons and two grand sons named ''Pon Bhadra, Jakh Bhadra, Kalhan Bhadra, Brahma Bhadra, Ati Sur Bhadra, Dahi Bhadra'' and ''Anjana Jata Shankar''. Seven major Jat gotras are named after these seven descendants of Vir Bhadra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virabhadra is a gotra of jats |url=https://www.jatland.com/home/Virabhadra |website=www.jatland.com}}</ref> == History == They were merchants, traders, agriculturists and [[Zamindar|Zamidars]] and some were also [[Jagir]]dars before the 19th century. They were given the titles of [[Desai]], [[Shivappa Nayaka|Appa]], [[Rai (title)|Rao]], [[Deshmukh]] or [[Patil (title)|Patil]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Provinces (India) |first=Central |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PiQmAQAAIAAJ&dq=dattatreya+krishna+rao&pg=PA91 |title=Central Provinces District Gazetteers |date=1908 |publisher=Printed at the Pioneer Press |language=en}}</ref> Banajiga have been mentioned in several Vijayanagar documents as wealthy merchants who controlled powerful trading guilds . To secure their loyalty, the Vijayanagar kings made them [[Desai]]s or "superintendents in the country".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1088965414451425&id=861228817225087&set=a.958387807509187 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> === Lingayat Vanis and Marwari Rajputs === In the middle of 12th century, during the [[Western Chalukya Empire|kingdom of kalyana]], one of Basava's apostles, is said to have gone to [[Marwar]] kingdom of [[Rajput]]s, and brought back 196,000 [[Marwari people|Marwari]] converts and spread them all over the [[Pancha-Dravida|Panch Dravid]] country or Southern India. The names in common use among men are Baslingappa, Vishwanath rao, Gopalshet, Krishnappa, Malkarjun, Maruti, Rajaram, Ramshet, Shivappa, Shivlingappa, hanumant appa, and Vithoba ; and among women, Bhagirthi, Chandrabhaga, Janki, Kashibai, Lakshmi, Rakhumai, and Vithai.<ref name="auto"/> === Veershaivas and The Bhonsle Clan === [[File:Maloji_Bhonsle.jpg|thumb|Shrimant Maloji Bhonsle]] The [[Bhonsle (clan)|Bhonsles]] had a special affection towards the Veerashaiva faith. [[Maloji Bhosale|Maloji Bhonsle]], grandfather of [[Shivaji]], was a devout shaivite and built multiple temples and one of them was a large 49 acre tank built for a lingayat [[matha]] of village [[Singnapur|Shingnapur]] in the [[Satara district|satara]] district. [[Rajaram I|Rajaram Bhonsle]], son of shivaji, also made some grants for the temple in the name of lingayats living there.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zRCAQAAMAAJ&dq=lingayat&pg=PA251 |title=Indian Antiquary |date=1898 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |language=en}}</ref> Karnataka's [[Deputy Chief Minister - India|Deputy CM]] [[Govind Karjol]] claimed "Shivaji’s forefather Belliyappa was from [[Soratur]] in [[Gadag district|Gadag]] district in Karnataka. When there was drought in Gadag, Belliyappa left for Maharashtra. Shivaji was the fourth generation of the family". This shows even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was ‘a [[Kannadigas|Kannadiga]]' like the Lingayat vani community which migrated to Maharashtra from Karnataka centuries back.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-31 |title=Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was 'a Kannadiga', claims Karnataka Deputy CM Govind Karjol |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-was-a-kannadiga-claims-karnataka-deputy-cm-govind-karjol-7169125/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chhatrapati Shivaji was 'Kannadiga' |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/cm-thackrey-doesnt-know-history-chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-was-a-kannadiga-karnataka-deputy-cm-govind-karjol/articleshow/80621339.cms |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}</ref> === Lingayat Desais and The Marathas === The founders of the family of the Lingayat [[Desai]]s of [[Kittur|Kittoor]] are said to have been two brothers of the name of Haraimullappa and Chickmullappa, merchants by profession, who resided at [[Sampgaon|Sumpgaum]].This suggests the Desais would have been equivalent to Lingayat Vanis in social manner. By some means or other the family seems to have risen to distinction under the Kings of [[Bijapur]], from whom it received the title of "Sumsher Jung Bahadoor", together with the more substantial favours of sundry inams and offices in and about Kittoor.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NBQfF2XfN1MC&dq=lingayat%20Dessaees&pg=PA195 |title=A Memoir of the States of the Southern Maratha Country |date=1869 |publisher=Government at the Education Society's Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shintri |first=Sarojini |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-05uAAAAMAAJ&q=samsher%20jung%20bahadur%20title%20bijapur |title=Women Freedom Fighters in Karnataka |date=1983 |publisher=Prasaranga, Karnatak University |language=en}}</ref> [[Baji Rao II|Bajirao Sarkar Peshwa]] remembered with gratitude the help and co-operation extended to them by Raja Mallasarja in defeating [[Tipu Sultan|Tippu Sultan]] of [[Srirangapatna|Srirangapattana]] in 1781. Mallasarja showed extraordinary cleverness in escaping from the prison of [[Kabbaldurga|Kapaladurga]]. Besides he was a very able administrator of his kingdom. In recognition of his valour, cleverness and ability Bajirao conferred the title of 'Pratap Rao' on Raja Mallasarja.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Naikar |first=Basavaraj |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X61ODQAAQBAJ&dq=Bajirao%20and%20Mallasarja&pg=PT39 |title=The Queen of Kittur: A Historical Novel |date=2016-10-17 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-8619-1 |language=en}}</ref> == Veershaiva Merchants of Vijaynagar Empire == The Veershaivas likely were a part of the reason for the success of the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijaynagar empire]] in territorial expansion and in withstanding the Deccan Sultanate wars. Many kings were veerashaiva in faith and belonged to the Karnataka and Lepakshi region.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SQ8IAQAAIAAJ&dq=lingayat+vijayanagar+success&pg=PA229 |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ka'nara (2 pts.) |date=1883 |publisher=Government Central Press |language=en}}</ref> They were an important part of the Vijayanagara Empire army.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rao |first=B.V. Sreenivasa |date=1969 |title=Veeraśhaiva Empire and Saluvas. (1419-87 A.d.) |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44138384 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=31 |pages=294–297 |jstor=44138384 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref> Virasaivas merchants turned warriors of the Vijayanagara empire defeated the Deccan Sultanates in the [[Lepakshi]] region (Karnataka-Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh border region). Virupanna and Viranna, two Veerashaiva merchants, both brothers who were Governors under the [[Vijayanagar Empire]], built [[Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi|Veerbhadra temple in Lepakshi]] around the late 16th century. Virupanna chose this particular form of Siva to demonstrate the contempt the Veerashaiva community had for the caste-bound, rigid hierarchical order of society prevalent then. The shields, daggers and assorted weaponry of the figures sculpted all over the temple complex suggest also the militant aspirations of this community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SUDHA MAHALINGA |date=2021-03-06 |title=The grandeur of the Vijayanagar era temple at Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/heritage/the-grandeur-of-the-vijayanagar-era-temple-at-lepakshi-andhra-pradesh/article33913347.ece |access-date=2024-07-26 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref> After the collapse of the Vijayanagara empire, the Veershaiva Keladi/Ikkeri dynasty ruled coastal Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stein |first=Burton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OpxeaYQbGDMC |title=The New Cambridge History of India: Vijayanagara |date=1990 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-26693-2 |language=en}}</ref> They fought the Bijapur Sultans, and the Virasaiva leader SadasivaAppa Nayaka played a key role in leading the capture of Sultanate fortress such as at [[Kalaburagi Fort|Kalaburagi]]. This success led to Nayaka being appointed as the governor of the coastal Karnataka Kanara region. This emerged as a Veerashaiva dynasty, called the [[Nayakas of Keladi]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kudva |first=Venkataraya Narayan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x0NuAAAAMAAJ&q=sadashiv+nayak+keladi |title=History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats |date=1972 |publisher=Samyukta Gowda Saraswata Sabha |language=en}}</ref> == The Veerashaiva Theology == In [[Veerashaiva]] theology the '''''Panchacharas''''' denote the five codes of conduct to be followed by the devotee. The ''Panchacharas'' include<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Panch-achara |url=https://www.virashaiva.com/panch-achara/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Welcome to Spiritual World of Veerashaiva's. |language=en-US}}</ref> * '''Sivāchāra'''– acknowledging [[Shiva]] as the supreme divine being and upholding the equality and well-being of all human beings. * '''Lingāchāra'''– Daily worship of the individual Ishtalinga icon, one to three times day. The wearing of Linga was not universal amongst the Shaivas before [[Basava]]; he however made wearing the Linga universal. * '''Sadāchāra'''– One should follow a vocation and lead strictly a moral righteous and virtuous life. If a community has to be self-sufficient, everyone, irrespective of social status and distinction should be prepared to contribute his share of work, manual or intellectual, as long as work is necessary for the maintenance and development of the community. ** {{transl|hi|Kala beda}} (Do not steal) ** {{transl|hi|Kola beda}} (Do not kill or hurt) ** {{transl|hi|Husiya nudiyalu beda}} (Do not utter lies) ** {{transl|hi|Thanna bannisabeda}} (Do not praise yourself, i.e. practice humility) ** {{transl|hi|Idira haliyalu beda}} (Do not criticize others) ** {{transl|hi|Muniya beda}} (Shun anger) ** {{transl|hi|Anyarige asahya padabeda}} (Do not be intolerant towards others) * '''Bhrityāchāra'''– Compassion towards all creatures. * '''Ganāchāra'''– Defence of the weak and the community and its tenets. Use of Power but should be truthful and only if necessary. == Freedom Struggle == === Bhakti Movement === Lingayatism is known for its unique practice of [[Ishtalinga]] worship, where adherents carry a personal [[Lingam|linga]] in a silver box necklace, symbolizing a constant intimate relationship with Shiva. A radical feature of Lingayatism is its staunch opposition to the caste system and advocacy for social equality, challenging societal norms of the time.<ref>Schouten, J. P. (1995). Revolution of the mystics: On the Social Aspects of Vīraśaivism. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.</ref> === Hyderabad Liberation === They were involved in the liberation of Hyderabad state from nizams and helped in the process internally. There were freedom fighters from latur, namely Bhimrao Mulkhede, Laxman tuljaram devane, datta raghoba Devane, who actively participated in the liberation struggle of Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahotsav |first=Amrit |title=Pandurang Laxman Indrale |url=https://cmsadmin.amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?18746 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India |language=English}}</ref> Whereas in Nanded region, VishvanathRao appa, Hanmantappa Devane killed nizam saudagar(local headman appointed by nizams in every village) and looted local British banks creating more chaos for the nizams internally. The mundaragi camp headed by sivamurthy swami hiremath and chenappa wali succeeded in protecting victims of [[Razakars (Hyderabad)|razakaars]] and also attacked razakars creating a necessary internal chaos and defeat of princely state of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HfQLAAAAIAAJ&q=nanded+%22%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%87%22 |title=Svātantrya sainika caritra kośa |date=1971 |publisher=Bhāratīya Svātantrya Āndolana Itihāsa Samitī |language=mr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Patil |first=Shankaragouda Hanamantagouda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R84n-Wv1S-8C&dq=lingayats+in+hyderabad+liberation&pg=PA252 |title=Community Dominance and Political Modernisation: The Lingayats |date=2002 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-867-9 |language=en}}</ref> === Modern Period === From 1918 to 1969, Lingayats were seen to dominate in the freedom struggle movement, and later in the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] party. From 1956 to 1969, Congress had four chief ministers who were lingayats(S. Nijalingappa, BD Jatti, SR Kanthi and Veerendra Patil). After that its [[Hindutva]] ideology lead the community to support [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] extensively<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-01 |title=From independence movement to Karnataka elections 2023: Understanding the role of Lingayats |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/from-independence-movement-to-karnataka-elections-2023-understanding-role-lingayat-2354337-2023-04-01 |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> == Hindu Veershaiv Lingayat Manch, Maharashtra == [[File:HinduVeershaivLingayatManch,_Maharashtra.jpg|thumb|Hindu Veershaiv Lingayat Manch, Maharashtra]] A [[Protest|protest meeting]] was held on behalf of Hindu Veerashaiva Lingayat Manch, [[Pimpri-Chinchwad|Pimpri Chinchwad city]] at Mahatma Basaveshwar Memorial, Bhakti Shakti Chowk, [[Nigdi]] to protest against the 24th session of the All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha concluded at [[Davanagere|Davangere]] in the state of [[Karnataka]] in protest ''against'' the appeal that the word Hindu should not be written in the column of religion in the upcoming census.<ref>{{Cite web |last=रत्नदीप |first=क्रांतिवीर |date=2024-01-12 |title=PCMC:हिंदू वीरशैव लिंगायत मंच,पिंपरी चिंचवड शहराच्या वतीने निषेध सभा संपन्न. |url=https://maharashtrajanbhumi.in/protest-meeting-held-on-behalf-of-hindu-veerashaiva-lingayat-manch-pimpri-chinchwad-city/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=महाराष्ट्र जनभूमी |language=en-GB}}</ref> The debate over the religion of the Veerashaiva Lingayat community has now come to an end. Social activists are creating controversy over religion in such a way as to deliberately create a gap between Hinduism and Lingayat society. Mahatma Basaveshwar Putala Samiti President, Shri Narayan Bahirwade, appealed that everyone from the Lingayat community should register as [[Hindus|Hindu]] in census. The community rejected the claims of politically funded organizations to divide the lingayat community for vote bank benefits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/HinduVeershaivLingayatManch |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref> == Historical Rulers == * [[Nayakas of Keladi|Keladi Nayakas]] * [[Shivappa Nayaka]] , Indian king and ruler of the [[Keladi Nayaka]] Kingdom. * [[Keladi Chennamma|Queen Chenamma]] - was queen regnant of [[Keladi Nayaka|Keladi Veerashaiva Kingdom]] in [[Karnataka]] between 1677 and 1696. * [[Rama Raya|Ramaraya]] - King of Vijaynagar Empire. * [[Belawadi Mallamma|Belawadi Malamma]] - Queen of Belawadi Province, Famous for defeating [[Shivaji|King Shivaji]] in a battle out of a misunderstanding between both. Latter proclaimed her as an incarnation of Goddess [[Bhavani]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Naikar |first=Basavaraj S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiOBi3DNj5kC&dq=belawadi+malamma&pg=PA28 |title=The Rebellious Rani of Belavadi and Other Stories |date=2001 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |isbn=978-81-269-0127-2 |language=en}}</ref> == Notable People == * [[Shivraj Patil|Shivraj Vishwanath Patil]] - [[Minister of Home Affairs]] of India (2004–2008) and10th [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha]] (1991–1996).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-19 |title=NDTV.com: Who is Shivraj Patil? |url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/mumbaiterrorstrike/Story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20080074668&type=News |access-date=2024-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319172120/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/mumbaiterrorstrike/Story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20080074668&type=News |archive-date=2012-03-19 }}</ref> * [[Baba Kalyani|Babasaheb Neelkanth Kalyani]] - Indian billionaire businessman, chairman and managing director of [[Bharat Forge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashishgupta |date=2022-04-22 |title=The Success Story of Baba N Kalyani |url=https://medium.com/@ashishgupta93102/the-success-story-of-baba-n-kalyani-48d90da4505e |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> * [[B. S. Yediyurappa|B.S. yediyurappa]] - 13th Chief Minister of Karnataka and a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. * [[Jagadish Shettar]] - 15th Chief Minister of Karnataka and a member of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]](earlier [[Indian National Congress|INC]]). * [[Veerendra Patil]] - 7th Chief Minister of Karnataka. * [[Ajit Gopchade|Ajit Madhavrao Gopchade]] - [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]] , activist from [[Maharashtra|Maharashra]] and one of the [[Kar Sevak]], part of the demolition of [[Babri Masjid]] in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=Ex-Congress leaders Milind Deora, Ashok Chavan nominated for Rajya Sabha polls |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-led-mahayuti-targets-maha-vikas-aghadi-congress-leaders-rajya-sabha-elections-2502286-2024-02-15 |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> * [[Basavraj Madhavrao Patil]] - Member of the 13th [[Maharashtra Legislative Assembly]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=कांग्रेस को एक और झटका, मराठवाड़ा के बड़े चेहरे बसवराज पाटिल ने दिया इस्तीफा |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/maharashtra/basavraj-madhavrao-patil-leave-congress-big-setback-for-party-after-ashok-chavan-8099577.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=News18 हिंदी |language=hi}}</ref> * [[Murugesh Nirani|Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani]] - Indian politician, Former Cabinet Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries and [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]] loyalist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Soumya |date=2021-07-26 |title=Four Lingayat contenders in BJP's list to replace Yediyurappa as Karnataka CM |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/four-lingayat-contenders-bjp-s-list-replace-yediyurappa-karnataka-cm-152942 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> * [[Basangouda Patil Yatnal|Basanagouda R. Patil]] - Indian Politician == References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{Reflist}} ==Sources== * {{cite book|author1=Velcheru Narayana Rao|author2=Gene H. Roghair|title=Siva's Warriors: The Basava Purana of Palkuriki Somanatha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5hwABAAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-6090-6}} [[Category:Hindu communities]]'