Ample evidence to show temple’s existence at mosque-site

Survey of ‘Gyanvapi’ site by Archaeological Survey of India

Varanasi (UP) – The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) surveyed the Gyanvapi mosque site based on the District Court’s order. Its report has been given to Hindus and Muslims who are the parties to this case. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu petitioners, held a press conference on 25th January and revealed the important points cited in this report. The report mentions that there was a big temple at the site of the Gyanvapi mosque, which was demolished, and its remains were later used in the construction of the Mosque. The 839-page report mentions 32 proofs regarding the existence of a temple.

When was the survey conducted ?

In May 2022, the Court Commissioner conducted a survey, and later ASI also surveyed for 84 days using ground penetrating radar (GPR), photographs, videos, etc. The report was prepared in 36 days. It took 30 days to prepare a GPR report. This report was prepared by GPR survey experts from the USA.

Proofs mentioned in the report confirming the existence of a temple

1. Different names of Deity Shiva such as Janardan, Rudra, and Omeshwar were found.

2. The pillars of the demolished temple were used in the construction of the mosque.

3. The wall to the west of the mosque clearly shows that it belonged to a temple. This wall was built 5,000 years ago in Nagara architectural style.

4. 1000-year-old remnants were also found beneath the wall.

5. The dome of the mosque is only 350 years old.

6. Broken idols of Deity Hanuman and Shri Ganesh have been found.

7. There is a trident carved on the wall.

8. A stone slab from Aurangzeb’s era was also found in the mosque.

9. Idols of Hindu Deities were found in the S-2 basement.

10. ASI has accepted the inference from historian Jadunath Sarkar’s research, that the temple was demolished on 2nd September 1669.

11. The words ‘Samvat 1669’ were carved on the pillars, while it is written that Aurangzeb built this mosque during 1676-77.

12. Writings in Kannada, Telugu and Devnagari scripts were found on the walls.

13. The rooms of this mosque have floral designs.

14. Bells and lamps are carved on one of the pillars, with ‘Samvat 1669’ (i.e. 1st January 1613) written on it.

15. A huge stone was found in one of the rooms on which it is written in Arabic and Persian that the construction of the mosque was carried out in 1676-77 during the regime of Mughal Ruler Aurangzeb.

16. It is mentioned on the same stone that the maintenance and upkeep of the mosque was carried out in 1792-93. ASI also has a photo of this stone. In a recent survey, this stone was found in one of the rooms of the mosque, but the content regarding the construction and expansion was rubbed off.

17. There is a reference to Aurangzeb’s order to demolish all schools and temples in the area in his biography ‘Maasir-i-Alamgiri’. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple was demolished following that.

18. Pictures of animals and birds were found carved on the door. There is also a well in the area.

19. An inscription was found on the premises with the words ‘Mahamukti Mandap’.

The survey by ASI won’t stand valid before professional archaeologists: Asaduddin Owaisi

Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad (Telangana) – ‘This survey report will not stand valid before scientific research by professional archaeologists or historians. This report is based on assumptions and makes a mockery of scientific research. A great scholar had once said that the Archaeological Survey of India is a puppet in the hands of Hindutva forces’, Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM President and MP, said in a post on ‘X’ in response to the ‘Gyanvapi’ survey conducted by ASI.

Editorial Perspective

A classic example of sour grapes ! Owaisi would not have expressed this opinion if the report had been in favour of Muslims.  

Muslims should voluntarily hand over Gyanvapi to Hindus : Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain

Adv Vishnu Shankar Jain

New Delhi – ‘Hindu litigants will never compromise hereafter with the Muslim litigants. Muslims should voluntarily hand over Gyanvapi to Hindus’, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing Hindu petitioners in this case, said in an interview with Aaj Tak news channel. He said, ’It is evident in ASI’s report that the mosque was built by demolishing a temple. We will demand a survey of Wazu Khana (area to wash hands and feet before offering namaz) by ASI. We shall soon get back the Gyanvapi temple through a legal battle.

Advocate Jain further said, ‘As per ASI’s report, the mosque was built by using the remains of an old temple which existed before the mosque. Enough proofs of the temple’s existence have been found at the site where the mosque was built’.

Editorial Perspective

Considering the Muslim mentality so far, it doesn’t seem likely that they will voluntarily hand over the mosque sites; therefore, Hindus will have to fight legally to get back ‘Gyanvapi’ and ‘Shrikrushna Janmabhoomi’ at Mathura.

We shall acquire all temples that were demolished for constructing mosques !

‘Our legal fight will go on till we get back all temples in this country. We are going to acquire all temples that were demolished to construct mosques such as Kashi, Mathura, Teele Wali Masjid, Taj Mahal, and Qutub Minar’, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain said.

Editorial Perspective

The temple’s existence was established in Shriram Janmabhoomi’s survey too and the Supreme Court handed over the site to Hindus. Now, instead of waiting for the Court’s decision, Muslims should voluntarily hand over the ‘Gyanvapi’ site to Hindus and prove their secular and non-religious credentials and how they treat all religions equally. Hindus feel that political parties with similar ideologies, such as Congress, Trinamool Congress, NCP, Samajwadi Party, etc. should take the initiative for this.