Basavanna was a poet, social reformer and philosopher of the Lingayat sect in the Shaiva tradition. He served as Chief Minister of the Kalachuri king Bijjala. Beliefs: Condemned social discrimination, rituals, superstition and sacrifices, prevalent in Brahmanism. Promoted non-violence. Rejected temple worship: He preached to people to be the temple by purifying one’s body and…
Ramanujacharya (1017-1137 CE) Ramanujacharya was born into a Tamil Brahmin family in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, during the rule of the Cholas. Ramanujacharya is revered as a social reformer and Vedic philosopher. Ramanuja was originally known as Lakshmana/ Llaya Perumal but later came to be known as Ramanuja. He was a South Indian Brahmin and…
Halebidu Halebidu is a city located in the Hassan District of Karnataka, India, is a gem for those intrigued, artwork, and structure. Once the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century, Halebidu, which means ‘Old city’, is renowned for its extraordinary temples, with the Hoysaleshwara and Belur Halebidu temples status as testaments…
Sharangdeva was a 13th–century musicologist from Kashmir. Due to the Muslim invasion of Kashmir, he migrated to the Yadavas kingdom in Deccan and settled there. He worked as an accountant in the court of the Yadava king Simhana. He authored Sangita Ratnakara. It is a Sanskrit work on music drama. It means “Ocean of Music…
Sant Dnyaneshwar Sant Dnyaneshwar, a name that resonates with devotion and enlightenment, remains one of the most revered saints in the annals of Indian spirituality. Born in the 13th century, Dnyaneshwar was a Marathi saint, poet, philosopher, and yogi. During Bhakti movement, he has significantly contributed to the Marathi language’s literary and spiritual landscape. His…
Chand Bardai (1149-1200 CE) composed the epic Prithviraj Raso, which describes the reign of the Chahamana King Prithviraj III. He was Prithviraj’s court poet. It covers the Battle of Tarain II 1192 CE. As per the poem, Chand Bardai helped Prithviraj kill Muhammad Ghori after the defeat.
Hemachandra Suri (1088A.D.-1172A.D.) Acharya Hemachandra was an Indian Jain scholar, poet, and polymath who lived in the 11th century. He is credited with writing on grammar, doctrine, prosody, and contemporary history. He was noted as a prodigy by his contemporaries and was bestowed the title ‘Kalikal Sarvagya’, literally meaning “the all-knowing of the Kali Yuga …
Hanthigumfa inscription was inscribed by the Jain ruler Kharvel of Chedi kingdom (earlier Kalinga) between the 2nd-century BCE-1st century CE. Fig: A portion of the inscription (Image source: Wikipedia) The inscription is incised in a Cavern called Hanthigumfa of the Udaigiri Hills in Odisha. It consists of 17 lines written in Prakrit language using Brahmi…
Kalhana Kalhana, a name synonymous with the historic chronicle of Kashmir, is known for his book, “Rajatarangini” (The River of Kings). As a historian and poet, Kalhana’s work remains a useful asset in understanding the rich tapestry of Kashmir’s past. His contribution to the region’s dynasties, politics, and culture has endured as a cornerstone of…