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NATION FEBRUARY 02, 2024 | The Indian Eye 8

Revealed: ASI finds evidence

of ancient temple at the site of Gyanvapi

mosque in Varanasi

The ASI survey was ordered by the district court after the Hindu petitioners claimed the 17th-

century mosque was constructed over a pre-existing temple

OUR BUREAU

New Delhi/Lucknow
n an important revelation, the Ar-
chaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Ireport on the Gyanvapi mosque
complex says that a pre-existing struc-
ture appeared to have been destroyed
in the 17th century, and “part of it was
modified and reused,” adding that
based on scientific studies, it can be
said that there “existed a large Hindu
temple prior to the construction of the
existing structure.”
The ASI also said the “western
wall of the existing structure is the re-
maining part of a pre-existing Hindu
temple”.
“The Arabic-Persian inscription
found inside a room mentions that
the mosque was built in the 20th reg-
nal year of Aurangzeb (1676-77 CE).
Hence, the pre-existing structure ap-
pears to have been destroyed in the
17th century, during the reign of Au-
rangzeb, and part of it was modified
and reused in the existing structure. The Allahabad High Court had allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi in
Based on scientific studies/ survey August last year (ANI)
carried out, study of architectural re-
mains, exposed features and artefacts, Referring to the central chamber came to light on the removal of gar- pre-existing large Hindu temple in
inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can and main entrance of the pre-existing bage and debris. The western wall of the place of the current structure. We
be said that there existed a Hindu structure, the ASI report asserted, the existing structure is the remaining will move to the Supreme Court and
temple prior to the construction of “This temple had a big central cham- part of a pre-existing Hindu temple.” demand that the Vazu Tank area be
the existing structure,” the ASI said in ber and at least one chamber to the Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, opened,” the advocate said.
its report. north, south, east, and west, respec- representing the Hindu side, “ASI has Jain said the ASI had said that
The ASI survey was ordered tively. Remains of three chambers to done a lot of detailed scientific study “parts of pre-existing temples” were
by the district court after the Hindu the north, south and west still exist, in its report. According to the report, reused with little modifications. “Parts
petitioners claimed the 17th-centu- but the remains of the chamber to the an inscription was found in the so- of pre-existing temples, including pil-
ry mosque was constructed over a east and any further extension of it called mosque. The pillars that are lars and plasters, were reused with
pre-existing temple. could not be ascertained physically, as found are from a Hindu temple. The little modifications. A minute study of
“In compliance of the order of the the area is covered under a platform ASI said that the western wall is that pillars and plasters in corridors sug-
District Court, Varanasi, dated July with stone flooring.” of a Hindu temple. Scriptures in dif- gests that they were originally part of
21, 2023, affirmed by the High Court Highlighting the western cham- ferent languages are found.” a pre-existing Hindu temple for their
of Allahabad by order dated August 3, ber and western wall, the ASI report Giving more details, Jain said the reuse in the existing structure, Vyala
2023, and the Supreme Court of In- said, “The eastern half of the western ASI has said there was a “pre-existing figures carved on either side of the
dia by order dated August 4, 2023, the chamber still exists, whereas the su- large Hindu temple” in place of the lotus medallion were mutilated and
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) perstructure of the western half has current structure. after removing the stone mass from
carried out a scientific investigation been destroyed. This chamber was “The ASI has said that terms such the corners, that space was decorated
and survey in a 2150.5-square-meter also connected with the north and as Maha Mukti Mandap are men- with floral design. This observation is
area fenced with steel grills in and south chambers through a corridor tioned in these inscriptions, which supported by two similar plasters still
around the existing structure (exclud- accessible from their north and south are of great significance. ASI has con- existing on the north and southern
ing the areas sealed by the orders of entrances, respectively. The remains cluded that a temple was razed down walls of the western chamber in their
the Supreme Court). of this corridor on the northwest side in the 17th century, and there was a original place,” he said.

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