In a sensational development that has gripped the nation, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unveiled conclusive findings that have sent shockwaves across Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Media reports, quoting advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu side, have revealed that a large Hindu temple once stood at the site of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. This groundbreaking discovery has reignited the long-standing Hindu-Muslim dispute over the historical and religious significance of the site.

Startling Findings by ASI:

The ASI report, as detailed by Jain and reported by ANI news agency, presents evidence that the mosque underwent modifications using pillars and plaster from the Hindu temple. These findings are based on comprehensive scientific studies and surveys of architectural remains, artifacts, inscriptions, and sculptures. The report reveals that efforts were made to erase carvings on the pillars, possibly to mask the original Hindu structure.

The Dispute and Court Involvement:

At the heart of this controversy is a structure discovered during a court-mandated survey. The Hindu side claims it to be a ‘Shivling,’ a symbolic representation of the Hindu deity Shiva, while the Muslim side asserts it is a fountain. The Varanasi court, following a Supreme Court order, had mandated the ASI report’s public disclosure, leading to this remarkable revelation.

Details of the ASI Report:

Advocate Jain, in an extensive briefing, shared key highlights from the 839-page ASI report. The report mentions finding sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members buried under soil, suggesting the existence of a Hindu temple. An Arabic Persian inscription inside a room in the mosque indicates that it was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb, pointing to the 17th-century destruction of the preexisting structure.

The Architectural Evidence:

A detailed study of pillars and plasters in the mosque’s corridors revealed mutilations and alterations to original Hindu designs. Vyala figures, a mythological creature in Hindu temple architecture, carved on the pillars, were found altered and mutilated, supporting the hypothesis of the temple’s existence prior to the mosque’s construction.

This revelation by the ASI is not just a historical discovery but also a significant moment in India’s cultural narrative. It brings to light the complex layers of India’s religious history and the architectural transformations that religious structures have undergone over centuries. The findings are likely to have far-reaching implications on the ongoing religious and cultural discourse, as well as on the legal proceedings concerning the Gyanvapi site.

  Archaeological Survey of India, Gyanvapi mosque, Hindus, India, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Vishnu Shankar Jain