A recent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report suggests the presence of a substantial Hindu temple within the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, according to advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who represents the Hindu party. The ASI survey, which included a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) examination, raises questions about the historical layers at the site, indicating that the current structure may have been built atop a pre-existing one.
In a press conference, Jain highlighted findings from the ASI report, noting that modifications to the mosque involved reusing pillars and plaster with minor alterations. Some pillars from the Hindu temple appear to have been adapted for use in the new structure, and efforts were made to erase carvings on these pillars.
As per Jain, the report also disclosed the discovery of inscriptions in Devanagari, Telugu, Kannada, and other scripts belonging to the ancient Hindu temple. A total of 34 inscriptions were recorded during the survey, with 32 stamped pages taken.
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“The reuse of earlier inscriptions in the structure suggests that the earlier structures were destroyed and their parts were reused in the construction repair of the existing structure. Three names of deities, such as Janardana, Rudra, and Umeshwara, are found in these inscriptions,” Jain explained.
These revelations follow a Varanasi court’s decision to provide the ASI survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex to Hindu and Muslim parties. The ASI conducted a survey last year to determine if the mosque was constructed over the remnants of a Hindu temple, responding to claims by Hindu petitioners.
This development underscores the ongoing legal and historical investigation into the contested site, emphasizing the need for transparency and sharing of findings between the involved parties.
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