NB Explains | Hindu temple existed at site of Gyanvapi; Destroyed by Aurangzeb in 17th century: ASI report

New Delhi, Jan 26: In a significant development, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its scientific survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque has concluded that there existed a Hindu temple at the site of the Gyanvapi mosque prior to the construction of the mosque.

 

 

 

 

As per the report, the pre-existing structure was destroyed in the 17th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The report read, "The pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure. Based on scientific studies/ survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure."

 

 

 

 

As per the reports, sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried underneath. According to the reports of Bar & Bench, the survey was done and the report was prepared after the Varanasi district court ordered the same while hearing suits filed by Hindu parties claiming that a temple existed at the spot prior to the mosque.

 

In July 2023, the Varanasi court had ordered the Director of the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises, excluding the area previously sealed by the Supreme Court (wuzukhana or an ablution pond).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the recent survey, a stone with inscription was recovered from a room in the mosque. However, the lines relating to construction of the mosque and its expansion have been scratched out. This is also brought out by the biography of Emperor Aurangzeb, Maasir-i-Alamgiri, which mentions that Aurangzeb "issued orders to the governors of all the provinces to demolish the schools and temples of the infidels" (Jadu-Nath Sarkar).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried under the dumped soil in a cellar. Existing architectural remains, decorated mouldings on the walls,kama-ratha and prati-ratha of central chamber, a large decorated entrance gate with torana on the eastern wall of the western chamber, a small entrance with mutilated image on lalat bimba, birds and animals carved for decoration in and outside suggest that the western wall is remaining part of a Hindu temple.

 

In August, last year, the top court rejected the plea by the Muslim party challenging the survey and said that the High Court order for the survey does not warrant interference by the apex court at this stage and such a survey was conducted even in the Ayodhya case. Both the district court and the High Court had rejected the same and held the suit to be maintainable.

 

 

 

 

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