ASI Survey Finds Temple Evidence; Muslims May Seek Land for Mosque in Dhar
Key Points:
- MP High Court declares Bhojshala a Goddess Saraswati temple, quashing ASI’s 2003 order
- 98-day ASI survey uncovers Sanskrit inscriptions, Paramara-era temple architecture
- Muslim community allowed to apply for alternative land in Dhar for a mosque
NEW DELHI – The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the 11th-century Bhojshala monument in Dhar is a temple of Goddess Saraswati, a verdict backed by a 98-day Archaeological Survey of India scientific survey of the site.
The Archaeological Survey of India conducted a scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex for 98 consecutive days. The survey report noted that the existing structure appeared to have been built in haste.
Moreover, the construction had incorporated components from an older temple. These components included Sanskrit-Prakrit inscriptions and images of deities. Sufficient evidence of Paramara-period inscriptions and temple-style architecture was also found within the complex.
The bench, comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, delivered the ruling on a writ petition filed by the Hindu Front for Justice and others. The court stated that historical literature establishes the place as a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with Raja Bhoj.
In addition, the bench held that the religious character of the site is that of a Bhojshala temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati. The court also noted that Hindu worship had continued at the site over the years, though in a regulated form.
However, the bench quashed an order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India in 2003. That order had restricted the rights of Hindus to worship freely within the complex and had permitted the Muslim community to offer namaz there. The 2003 arrangement had allowed Hindus puja only on Tuesdays and Muslims namaz on Fridays.
On the other hand, to protect the religious interests of the Muslim community, the court permitted them to submit an application for allotment of suitable land within Dhar district for constructing a mosque. The state government would consider any such application in accordance with the law, the court said.
The central government and the ASI have been directed to take a decision on the administration and management of the Bhojshala temple and Sanskrit learning activities within the property. However, the ASI will retain overall administrative authority over the site.
The court also remarked that every government carries a constitutional obligation. “The preservation and protection of ancient monuments, temples of historical and archaeological importance, including their sanctums and deities, is a duty no government can sidestep,” a knowledgeable legal source said, paraphrasing the ruling.
The dispute has deep historical roots. Hindus regard the site as a temple of Goddess Saraswati, also called Vagdevi. Muslims, on the other hand, consider it a mosque. The shared-use arrangement of 2003 had governed the site for over two decades before the court proceedings began.
Counsel for the Hindu petitioners argued that the Bhojshala dates to the reign of King Bhoja. They cited archaeological, historical, and inscriptional evidence supporting the existence of a pre-existing Hindu religious site. In contrast, counsel for the Muslim parties argued that historical records from the Khilji period mention no destruction of any Saraswati temple at Dhar. They also cited a 1935 Alaan issued by the former Dhar ruler permitting namaz at the site.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Jain community sought the right to offer prayers at the site. They argued that an idol found at the British Museum belonged to the Jain Goddess Ambika. Furthermore, they contended that the site’s architectural features resemble those of temples at Mount Abu.
However, the government’s counsel argued that the 1935 Alaan was not valid. The site had already been declared a protected monument under the Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1904. Subsequently, under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Site and Remains Act of 1958, the ASI became its custodian.
Heavy security was deployed outside the Bhojshala complex when the verdict was delivered, as it fell on a Friday. The district administration also warned against spreading rumours on social media. Like the Gyanvapi mosque dispute, the Bhojshala case has been regarded as highly sensitive across the country.
