GYANVAPI
SITE - ART & CULTURE
News:
ASI Report Says Temple
Was On Gyanvapi Site
What's
in the news?
●
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
in its scientific survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex has concluded
that “there existed a Hindu temple prior
to the construction of the existing structure” at the site.
Key
takeaways:
●
The legal tussle dates back to a 1991
petition filed in Varanasi district
court, seeking the restoration of Gyanvapi land to the Kashi Vishwanath
temple.
●
The claim was that the mosque was
constructed under the orders of Aurangzeb,
who allegedly tore down a part of the temple in the 16th century.
Legal
Tussle:
●
In 2019, a petition was filed (in Varanasi
district court) after the SC's Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute verdict.
●
The court directed the ASI to conduct a
scientific survey, sparking a series of legal actions and reactions.
●
For example, in 2021, the Allahabad HC put a halt to proceedings in
the Varanasi court, emphasising the Places of Worship Act 1991.
○
The Act prevents changes in the religious
character of a place of worship as of August 15, 1947.
ASI
Report:
●
The ASI was tasked by the Varanasi
district court in July 2023 to conduct a scientific survey of the mosque and
ascertain if it was “constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu
temple”.
●
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
in its scientific survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex has concluded
that “there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing
structure” at the site.
Key
Highlights of the ASI Report:
●
The pre-existing structure was probably
destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb.
●
A loose stone with an inscription engraved
on it recorded the construction of the mosque during the reign of Mughal
Emperor Aurangzeb between the years 1676 and 1677.
●
According to Maasir-i-Alamgiri (1947) by Sir Jadunath Sarkar, the pre-existing
structure was destroyed after Aurangzeb issued orders to the governors of all
provinces to demolish the schools and temples of the infidels.
●
According to the Emperor’s command his
officers had demolished the temple of
Vishwanath at Kashi on September 2, 1669.
Inscriptions
in the Mosque:
●
Inscriptions
in Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts with names of deities found.
●
During the survey, a total of 34
inscriptions were recorded.
●
These are inscriptions on the stones of the pre-existing Hindu temples, which
have been re-used during the construction/ repair of the existing structure.
●
The report added that names of deities like Janardhana (another name of Vishnu), Rudra (another name of Shiva), and “Umesvara” were found in the
inscriptions.
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Terms such as Maha-muktimandapa (while mukti means freedom, mandapa means
platform) mentioned in three inscriptions are of great significance.
●
Parts of the pre-existing temple were
mutilated for reuse.
●
Vyala
(a Hindu mythological creature) figures carved on either side of the lotus
medallion were mutilated for reuse and the area between the corners decorated
with floral design after the stone mass was removed.
●
The
central chamber and main entrance of the pre-existing structure are part of the
existing structure.
●
According to the report, the pre-existing
temple had one big central chamber and at least one chamber to the north,
south, east and west respectively.
●
The report noted that pillars from the
pre-existing temple were reused to make cellars in the eastern part of the
platform to accommodate a large number of people for prayers.
●
Moreover, sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found
under the dumped soil in one of the cellars.