The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) in its report has submitted that it can be said that there existed a large Hindu Temple prior to the construction of the Gyanvapi mosque.
The Varanasi district court, in July 2023 ordered the ASI to conduct the scientific survey of the Gyanvyapi mosque premises after the petitioners claimed that the 17th-century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple.
The ASI was also directed by the Allahabad HC to submit the report on the scientific investigation.
A copy of the brief finding of the report was shared by Bar and Bench. The ASI in its brief findings has said that it has concluded that there existed a temple before the mosque based on the scientific studies and observations of central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure and the existing structure, western chamber and western hall; reuse of pillars and plaster of pre-existing structure in existing structure; Arabic and persian inscription on the loose stone, sculptural remains in cellars, etc.
Here are key takeaways from the report:
1) Sculptures of Hindu deities recovered
The ASI survey report said that sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried under the dumped soil in cellar 2.
2) Architectural remains of temple
The report has said that based on art and architecture of the pre-existing structure it can be concluded that it was a Hindu temple.
"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." the report read.
3) Pillars and Plasters
The ASI has submitted that minute study of the pillars and plasters has revealed that they were part of pr-existing Hindu temple.
The report claims that pillars from earlier structure were reused while making cellars in the eastern part of the platform. A pillar decorated with bells, niches for keeping lamps on all 4 sides, bearing an inscription of Samvat 1669 (corresponding to 1613 СЕ, January 1) is reused in cellar N2.
"For their reuse in the existing structure, vyala figures carved on either side of the lotus medallion were mutilated and after removing the stone mass from the corners that space was decorated with floral design. This observation is further supported by two similar pilasters still existing on the northern and southern wall of the western chamber in their original place." the ASI report added.
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4) Inscriptions
The ASI report said that a total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the present survey and 32 estampages were taken. And these include inscriptions in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts.
"These are, in fact, inscriptions on the stones of the pre-existing Hindu temples, which have been re-used during the construction/ repair of the existing structure. They include inscriptions in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts. Reuse of earlier inscriptions in the structure, suggest that the earlier structures were destroyed and their parts were reused in construction/repair of the existing structure. Three names of deities such as Janardhana, Rudra, and Uměśvara are found in these inscriptions. Terms such as Maha-Muktimandapa are mentioned in three inscriptions."
5) Aurangzeb's order
The survey report also mentions recovery of a loose stone with an inscription which recorded the construction of the mosque in 20th regnal year of Hadrat Alamgir i.e., Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb corresponding to AH 1087 (1676-77 CE). This inscription also recorded that in A.H. 1207 (1792-93 CE) the mosque was repaired with sahan, etc. The photograph of this stone inscription was recorded by ASI in 1965-66, the ASI report said.
"However, the lines relating to construction of the mosque and its expansion have been scratched out." The report said.
The ASI report further quoted biography of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Maasir-i-Alamgiri, which mentioned Aurangzeb issued orders to the governors of all the provinces to demolish the schools and temples of the infidels "(Jadu-Nath Sarkar)."
6) Central Chamber and Main Entrance
The ASI report said that the pre-existing temple had a big central chamber and at least one chamber to the north, south and west respectively. Remains of three chambers to the north, south and west still exist.
The ASI survey report further claims that the central chamber of the pre-existing structure forms the central hall of the mosque. It further claims that animal figures carved at the lower end of the decorated arches of the pre-existing structure were mutilated. The report also states that the main entrance of the temple was from the west which was blocked by stone masonry.
7) Western wall of mosque a part of pre-existing temple
The ASI report has also claimed that the western wall of the existing structure is the remaining part of the pre-existing Hindu temple.
Also Read: Gyanvapi Dispute: ASI Survey Finds Hindu Temple Existed Before Mosque Was Built, Says Hindu Side
Case Background:
On December 12, following the orders of the Varanasi district court and Allahabad High Court, the ASI conducted the survey work and prepared a detailed report and submitted the same in the Court in sealed cover.
The survey was conducted in the entire Gyanvapi mosque except for the "vajukhana" area for over 100 days. On January 3, the ASI filed an application in the Varanasi district court urging the Judge to delay the release of its Gyanvapi Survey Report by four weeks.
On Thursday, the Varanasi court directed that hard copy of the said report be provided to both Hindu and Muslim sides in the case.