1. ASI’s recent report reveals the historical significance of the Gyanvapi mosque case.
2. Findings indicate the existence of a substantial Hindu temple at the site before the mosque’s construction.
3. The comprehensive scientific survey, ordered by a district court in July 2023, led to these significant revelations.
Varanasi, Jan 26: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently published a report that could have profound implications for the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque case, shedding light on the historical context of the site.
According to the ASI findings, there was a significant Hindu temple present at the location before the construction of the Gyanvapi mosque.
This revelation is a result of a comprehensive scientific survey initiated by a district court in July 2023.
During the ASI’s survey, 34 inscriptions were uncovered on both current and pre-existing structures, with 32 estampages taken. These inscriptions, discovered on stones from pre-existing Hindu temples, were repurposed during the construction or repair of the existing mosque structure.
The western wall of the mosque was specifically identified as part of the destroyed temple, and there were observed attempts to erase symbols on the temple pillars. This discovery raises questions about the historical layers present at the site.
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The Gyanvapi Mosque, constructed in Varanasi in 1669 CE during the rule of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, stands adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The mosque is a blend of Mughal and Hindu architectural elements and has been at the center of a long-standing dispute regarding its religious significance and ownership.
Local priests initiated a petition in 1991 to worship within the mosque complex, asserting that it was originally part of the demolished Kashi Vishwanath temple.
The controversy deepened in 2022 when the ‘wazukhana’ area of the mosque was sealed following the discovery of what was claimed to be a ‘Shivling’. This discovery was contested, with the Muslim side referring to it as a fountain.
The ASI’s survey aimed to ascertain whether the mosque was constructed atop a pre-existing Hindu temple structure.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, has emphasized that the ASI’s findings are conclusive, indicating the presence of a substantial Hindu temple before the mosque’s construction.
The Varanasi district court has urged the public release of the ASI report, and copies have been provided to both parties involved in the dispute.
The Gyanvapi mosque case, with its complex historical and religious dimensions, has become a contentious issue between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
The recent revelations from the ASI report may influence future legal decisions regarding the site, potentially reshaping the narrative surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque.
