# Basava

> 12th-century Hindu philosopher, statesman, Kannada Bhakti poet of Lingayatism

**Wikidata**: [Q771686](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q771686)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basava)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/basava

## Summary
Basava was a 12th-century Hindu philosopher, statesman, and Kannada Bhakti poet recognized as a leading figure in Lingayatism. He is best known for his dual role as a high-ranking civil servant in the government and as a spiritual reformer who composed influential devotional poetry.

## Biography
*   **Known for:** 12th-century Hindu philosopher, statesman, Kannada Bhakti poet of Lingayatism
*   **Field(s):** Philosophy, Politics, Poetry

## Contributions
Basava contributed to the cultural and political landscape of the 12th century through his work as a statesperson and a poet. As a proponent of Lingayatism, he utilized Kannada poetry to express Bhakti (devotional) philosophies. His role as a statesman involved high-level government office, though specific policy outcomes are not detailed in the provided source.

## FAQs
**What are the different names for Basava?**
Basava is known by several aliases, including Basavanna, Basaveswara, and Bhaktibhandari.

**What historical period did Basava live in?**
Basava was a 12th-century figure who lived and worked during a time of significant philosophical and political development in the region.

**What professional roles did Basava hold?**
Basava held high government offices as a statesperson and civil servant, while simultaneously being recognized as a philosopher and poet.

## Why They Matter
Basava matters because he bridged the worlds of governance and spiritual philosophy in the 12th century. His work as a Kannada Bhakti poet contributed to the religious movement of Lingayatism, providing a literary foundation for its beliefs. By serving as a statesperson, he demonstrated the application of philosophical principles in high government offices, influencing both the political and religious structures of his time.

## Notable For
*   Being a 12th-century Hindu philosopher.
*   Serving as a statesperson in high government offices.
*   Composing Kannada Bhakti poetry.
*   Being a central figure in Lingayatism.
*   Holding the alias "Bhaktibhandari."

## Body
### Identity and Aliases
Basava is identified as a human member of the species Homo sapiens. He is referred to by multiple names across different contexts. His primary aliases include Basavanna, Basaveswara, and Bhaktibhandari. These names are used interchangeably to refer to the same historical figure in various texts and traditions.

### Professional Roles
Basava held distinct and overlapping titles during his life. He is recognized as a **philosopher**, defined as a person with extensive knowledge of philosophy. He also served as a **statesperson**, a term denoting a civil servant or politician holding high government offices. Additionally, he was a **poet**, a person who writes poetry. These roles categorize him as a multifaceted figure who operated within both the administrative and artistic spheres of his era.

### Literary and Philosophical Work
As a poet, Basava wrote in Kannada. He is specifically categorized as a "Kannada Bhakti poet," indicating his work focused on devotional themes. This literary output is closely tied to his identity as a Hindu philosopher. His poetry and philosophy are central to Lingayatism, a tradition for which he remains a key figure. The description of him as a "Bhakti poet" highlights the devotional nature of his literary contributions.

### Data Context
According to structured property data, Basava has a sitelink count of 37 and is the subject of the Wikipedia title "Basava." The Wikidata description for the entity summarizes him as a "12th-century Hindu philosopher, statesman, Kannada Bhakti poet of Lingayatism." While he is categorized broadly as a "human" (a category with a sitelink count of 273), his specific roles as poet (sitelink count: 171), philosopher (sitelink count: 108), and statesperson (sitelink count: 51) distinguish him within the broader knowledge base.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/basava)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. Quora