The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c11.s8.71

v1.c11.s8.71

To sum up our conclusions regarding the Liṅgāyat movement, we may say that this was originated by Basava himself and that its attack on caste involved a social revolution which shocked society. Ekāntada Rāmayya was one of the earliest and most ardent followers of Basava and became involved in violent controversies with the Jains. This and the fact that Basava apparently used his political position as chief minister in the state to propagate his new ideology made it obligatory for Bijjaḷa to hold the scales evenly between the contending parties. This attitude probably cost him his life as a victim of assassins who conspired to murder him. The stories regarding his persecution of the followers of the new faith must be received with caution. There can be little doubt that in the Karṇāṭaka territory Jainism came off worst as a result of its struggle with the new Śaiva revival during this period.