Mosque In Bhojshala Complex In Madhya Pradesh Was Built From Temple Remains

The Archaeological Survey of India report submitted to the Madhya Pradesh High Court says the mosque was built from temple remains’

Following controversy over the Bhojshala complex, the court had asked the ASI to survey a plea alleging that the mosque at the site was built by destroying temples.

In the report submitted to the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the agency said that the archaeological remains recovered during its scientific survey reveal that the pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara dynasty period.

“From art and architecture of decorated pillars and pilasters, it can be said that they were part of earlier temples and were reused while making colonnades of the mosque over the high platform of basalt”.

The court had ordered the survey after a group called the ‘Hindu front of Justice’ claimed that the mosque was constructed after destroying Hindu temples.

 The 11th-century structure, protected by the ASI is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims. While the Hindus believe that the Bhojshala is a temple dedicated to Devi Saraswati, the building is a mosque for the Muslim community.

Under an arrangement made by the ASI, the Hindus perform prayers on Tuesdays while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays in the complex.

In 2022, the ‘Hindu Front for Justice’ filed a public interest litigation against the arrangements done by the ASI in 2023.

The Hindu group has argued that the Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed during the reign of Alluddin Khilji between the 13th and 14th centuries by destroying and dismantling ancient structures of previously constructed Hindu temples.

 After this, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the ASI to carry out a scientific survey using ground-penetrating radar and a global positioning survey system.

This historic building is located in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

Bhojshala means hall of Bhoj.

The name is derived from celebrated king Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty of central India, a patron of education and the arts, to whom major Sanskrit works on poetics, yoga and architecture are attributed.