Question

Consider the following statements:
I. Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest the caste system and the dominance of Brahmans or at least attempted to reform the system.
II. Alvars and Nayanars always supported the caste system in the society.
III. The importance of the traditions of the Alvars and Nayanars was sometimes indicated by the claim that their compositions were as important as the Vedas.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the attitudes of Alvars and Nayanars towards caste system?

• A. Only I
• B. I and II
• C. I and III
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Bhakti movement in the south was led by Alvars (Devotees of Lord Vishnu) and Nayanars (Devotees of Lord Shiva). Nayanars and Alvars belonged to the 7th and 8th centuries. There were 63 Nayanars and 12 Alvars. They all belonged to different caste background. They were against the system of caste in society. They preached the idea of Bhakti through hymn and stories in regional languages. The Chola and Pandya rulers built temples at places visited by them.