ASI says Kamal Maula mosque at MP’s Bhojshala built using ancient temple remains

The Bhojshala is regarded by the Hindu community as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the 11th century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

The Kamal Maula mosque at Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar was built using parts of ancient temples, according to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), “based on scientific investigations, survey and excavation, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, inscriptions, art and sculptures”.

As per the ASI report, submitted to the Indore bench of MP High Court in the year 2024, the existing structure was built centuries later “without much attention to symmetry, design, or uniformity”, the Times of India reported.

During proceedings on Monday in the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque case, the bench instructed that the ASI report be made accessible to all sides. Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi asked the parties to file their objections and responses within a fortnight, listing the next hearing for March 16.

The Bhojshala is regarded by the Hindu community as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the 11th century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The ASI-protected complex was surveyed by the agency on the high court's directions, and a detailed report was submitted two years ago.

On January 22, the Supreme Court ordered the high court to open the ASI’s scientific survey report submitted in a sealed cover on the disputed complex.

Advocate Vinay Joshi, counsel for petitioner organisation Hindu Front for Justice, told PTI that the ASI prepared a report of over 2,000 pages in 10 volumes after conducting a 98-day scientific survey of the disputed complex.

He said the report contained detailed descriptions of coins, symbols associated with Sanatan Dharma, and idols of deities found at the site, adding that the nature of the complex would be determined by the court's final verdict.

“The survey conducted by ASI -- the report that has come out -- establishes that the entire structure dates back to the Paramara dynasty. It was built by Raja Bhoj, and also by his forefathers. The structure is approximately 950 to 1,000 years old,” Hindu Front for Justice state vice-president Ashish Goyal was quoted by TOI.

He said the report was deeply encouraging for the Hindu community, adding that the decisive battle would soon reach conclusion.

Following the emergence of the dispute over the historic complex in Dhar, the ASI had issued an order on April 7, 2003, allowing Hindus to worship at the site every Tuesday and Muslims to offer prayers there every Friday.