With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:1.Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.2.Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A

   1 only

   Siddhas only. Tamil Siddhas/Sittars were broadly monotheistic and criticised idol worship, but Lingayat positions on rebirth and caste are also correctly stated. 1 alone is incomplete.

2. B

   2 only

   Lingayats only. Basava’s vachana tradition did question rebirth and caste hierarchy, yet statement 1 on Siddhas is also accepted in this item. 2 alone is not the key.

3. C

   Both 1 and 2

   Both 1 and 2. Siddhas (Sittars) of the Tamil country leaned to one God and condemned idolatry. Lingayats of the Kannada country, following Basava, rejected caste hierarchy and questioned the theory of rebirth. That stored letter is the official key.

4. D

   Neither 1 nor 2

   Neither. Both medieval cultural statements are treated as correct, so ‘neither’ is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (c) both 1 and 2. Tamil Siddha monotheism and anti-idolatry sit beside Kannada Lingayat rejection of caste and rebirth. Honour the stored letter (c).