Bhojhshala Dispute: ASI Finds Hindu Deities Sculptures In Kamal Maula Mosque
The report submitted by Archaeological Survey of India in the Madhya Pradesh High Court has revealed that the structure of Kamal Maula mosque was built using parts from temples dating back to Parmara dynasty
The report submitted by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court has revealed that the structure of Kamal Maula mosque was built using parts from temples dating back to Paramara dynasty. The ASI survey found that that present Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex has sculpted images of several hindu deities including Ganesh, Brahma with his consorts, Narasimha, Bhairava, and other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
The ASI report finds artefacts of several hindu gods and goddesses crafted from basalt, marble, schist, soft stone, sandstone, and limestone, the Live Law reported.
According to the report, the ASI scientific survey has unveiled 94 sculptures, sculptural fragments, and architectural elements featuring intricate carvings. The ASI has also found several inscriptions in Sanskrit and Prakrit. One particular inscription mentions King Naravarman of the Paramara dynasty, who ruled between 1094-1133 AD.
The report also mentions small deity figures carved on the window frames, which are relatively well-preserved. The Survey found Images of several animal sculptures including lion, elephant, horse, dog, monkey, snake, tortoise. It also mentions the presence of mythical and composite figures that include a variety of kirtimukhas human face, lion face, etc.
The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque is located in Dhar and is protected by the ASI. For Hindus, it is the temple of Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims believe it to be Kamal Maula mosque. The dispute reached the high court this year after the Basant Panchami fell on February 15 which was a Friday.
ASI allows Hindus to pray on the disputed site on Tuesdays and on Basant Panchami, and Muslims are allowed to offer namaz on Fridays. This year, Basant Panchami fell on a Friday.
Hindus were allowed to offer prayers for Basant Panchami at Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque from dawn to noon and again from 3.30 PM to dusk. Muslims were asked to offer weekly Jumma Namaz between 1PM and 3PM.
However, the hindu side contended that the site be given to them for the entire day.
In March, the MP high court while directing ASI to conduct the survey said that it is a constitutional as well as statutory obligation of the ASI to have a scientific survey, study convened at the earliest of the Bhojshala Temple cum Kamal Maula Mosque.
It was argued that that under Section 16 read with Section 21 of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (‘the Monuments Act,1958’), determining and entertaining the true character of any ancient monument is a starting point for the ASI to discharge its statutory duty.
The petitioners have relied upon a number of historical documents and research material done by foreign as well as Indian Scholars which have mentioned that Bhojshala complex with the Vagdevi temple pre-existed the Kamal Maula Mosque hundreds of years before it. The documents relied upon by the petitioner's side disclose that the mosque had been constructed by destroying and dismantling the ancient structures of previously constructed Hindu temples for construction of the Mosque.
"This construction of the mosque on the pre-existing Bhojshala temple took place during the reigns of Alaudim Khilji at the turn of 13th - 14th century. Subsequently, the Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed during the regime of Mehmood Khilji (II) sometime in the year 1514. Even the study reports of the ASI prepared from time to time have stated that originally constructed Bhojshala and Vagdevi temple was destroyed / dismantled to install and construct a mosque over at the instance of Islamist rulers and forces." The petitioners argued in the high court.
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