Question

Identify the correct statements regarding the early Bhakti movement in South India: I. Alvars and Nayanars travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil.
II. One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, Amuktamalyada, described as Tamil Vedas.
III. Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Andal were the women devotees of Nayanar and Alvar tradition.
IV. Both Nayanars and Alvar saints were revered by the Vellalas peasants.

• A. I, II and III are correct.
• B. II, III and IV are correct.
• C. I, II and IV are correct.
• D. I, III and IV are correct.

Hint:

Alvars = Vishnu devotees, Nayanars = Shiva devotees. Their hymns were in Tamil and aimed at common people.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Analyze statement I. 
Alvars and Nayanars were Bhakti saints who spread devotion through hymns in Tamil and travelled across regions. Hence, statement I is correct. 

Step 2: Analyze statement II. 
The major anthology of Alvars is Nalayira Divya Prabandham, not Amuktamalyada. Amuktamalyada is a Telugu work by Krishnadevaraya. Hence, statement II is incorrect. 

Step 3: Analyze statement III. 
Karaikkal Ammaiyar (a Nayanar saint) and Andal (an Alvar saint) were important women devotees in Bhakti tradition. Hence, statement III is correct. 

Step 4: Analyze statement IV. 
Both Alvars and Nayanars were popular among common people, including Vellalas (peasants), and were widely revered. Hence, statement IV is correct. 

Step 5: Conclusion. 
Thus, statements I, III, and IV are correct. 

Final Answer: I, III and IV are correct.