Leader Online Desk : A bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Devnarayan Mishra of the Indore High Court has given permission to carry out an archaeological survey of the Bhojshala temple and Kamal Maula mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh. In its order, the bench also said that a complete scientific investigation, survey and excavation of the premises of Bhojshala Temple and Kamal Maula Masjid should be done and a report submitted within six weeks, reports 'ANI'.
The bench, in its order, said that an expert committee of five or more senior officers of ASI, headed by the Director General or Additional Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, should be constituted to survey the Bhojshala temple and the Kamal Maula Masjid complex. They should submit a proper documentary report of the survey to the court within six weeks.
A detailed scientific investigation by carbon dating method should be done to determine the period of underground structures in the complex. The court also clarified in its order that the survey proceedings should be photographed and videographed in the presence of two representatives nominated by each side.
What is the 'Bhojshala' controversy?
A petition was filed in the Indore High Court demanding installation of an idol of Saraswati Devi in Dhar Bhojshale and videography of the entire complex. The petition has also demanded to stop namaaz here.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain tweets, “My request for ASI survey of bhojshala/dhar in Madhya Pradesh is allowed by Indore High Court…” pic.twitter.com/MzJdLbCDq5
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2024
What does history say?
A thousand years ago, the Parmar dynasty ruled Dhar. Raja Bhoja ruled here from 1000 to 1055. Raja Bhoj was an ardent devotee of Goddess Saraswati. He established a college here in 1034, which later came to be known as 'Bhojshala'. Hindus also consider it as Saraswati temple. Bhojshala is said to have been destroyed by Alauddin Khilji in 1305. After this in 1401, Dilawar Khan Gauri built a mosque in a part of Bhojshale. In 1514, Mahmud Shah Khilji also built a mosque in another area. Excavations are believed to have taken place in 1875. An idol of Goddess Saraswati was found in this excavation. British officer Major Kincaid took this idol to England. It is currently in the London Museum. The demand to bring it back has also been filed in the High Court.
