"Ayodhya, a temple town steeped in the depths of myth, history, and spirituality, is celebrating a momentous occasion with the inauguration of the Ram Mandir. This ancient city, located on the banks of the sacred Sarayu river in the state of Uttar Pradesh, is revered as the birthplace of Lord Ram, the protagonist of the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Over centuries, Ayodhya has evolved, reflecting the diverse epochs of Indian history, from ancient times through various dynasties, colonial rule, and into the modern era of independent India. The Ram Mandir is a culmination of centuries-old aspirations. The inauguration of the temple represents a new chapter in Ayodhya's history. "
1528: Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, constructs a mosque at the disputed site, believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Rama.
1853: The first recorded Hindu-Muslim clash occurs over access to the site.
1855-1859: A legal dispute arises regarding control of the site, eventually settled with a compromise allowing both Hindus and Muslims access.
1885: A plea to build a canopy outside the mosque on Ram chabutra is filed by Mahant Raghubir Das in Faizabad district court. It was rejected.
1949: Idols of Rama and Sita are mysteriously placed inside the mosque, leading to tensions and a subsequent lockout of Muslims.
1950-1959: Hindu groups file lawsuits seeking access to the site for worship and possession of the land.
1962: Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board claims ownership of the mosque.
1984: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allows Hindus to perform symbolic worship at the site, further escalating tensions.
1985-86: VHP begins a mass movement to demand a Ram Mandir at the 'disputed' site in Ayodhya.
1990: BJP leader LK Advani launches a pan-India Rath Yatra but is stopped and arrested in Bihar.
1992: Babri Masjid is demolished by a mob of kar sevaks, triggering widespread communal violence across India.
1994: Liberhan Commission appointed to investigate the Babri Masjid demolition.
2002: Communal violence results in the deaths of thousands of Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat.
2002: Allahabad High Court begins hearing lawsuits related to the disputed land.
2003: Archaeological Survey of India conducts excavations at the site, finding evidence of Hindu structures beneath the mosque.
2010: Allahabad High Court rules that the disputed land be divided into three parts, allocated to Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla, represented by Hindu Mahasabha.
2011-2019: All parties file appeals against the Allahabad High Court decision in Supreme Court.
2019: Supreme Court delivers the landmark verdict, awarding the disputed land to a trust for the construction of a Ram temple. It also directs the government to allocate alternative land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.
2020: Bhoomi pujan ceremony marks the commencement of Ram temple construction.
2024: The inauguration of Ram Mandir on January 22.