Context

The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district.

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Row: What is the Dispute?

• Objective: To bring out the nature and character of the structure and demystify and free it from the shackles of confusion.
• Constitution of an Expert Committee: An expert committee is to be constituted by ASI  to conduct a complete scientific investigation (by adopting carbon dating method for ascertaining the age, life of various structures); survey and excavation, through adoption of latest methods and techniques and submit the report within six weeks.
• Petitioners: A group called the Hindu Front for Justice has petitioned the courts to revive the original status of the complex and seek to transfer the property to Hindus.
  • They argued that Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed during the reign of Alauddin Khilji between the 13th and 14th centuries by destroying and dismantling ancient structures of previously constructed Hindu temples.
• Present Status: As per an arrangement in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays
  • For Hindus, the complex is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while for Muslims, it is the site of the tomb of the Sufi saint Kamal Maula Mosque.

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex

• An ASI-protected site: The structure is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, which is a disputed site  notionally claimed by both Muslims and Hindus
• Location: It is situated in the middle of the medieval circular city of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh.
• Built by:  It is believed that it was originally a temple of goddess Sarasvati built by Paramara King Bhoja in circa 11th Century AD and The city was long one of the capitals of Malwa.
  • Noted as a great patron of art and literature, Bhoja is said to have established a school, now known as Bhojashala in the complex.
  • Delhi Sultanate: Malwa came under the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century, and soon after that, a hypostyle mosque was constructed using parts from fallen temples. 
  • After the death of Chishti Sufi saint Kamal-al-Din in 1331 CE, his tomb was placed next to the mosque, and the building became known as Kamal Maula mosque. This suggests the building was constructed before 1331.

• Architecture of Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex:

• • Pillars: The complex has numerous sandstone pillars of varying design dating to the 11th and 12th centuries. 
    • During the construction of the mosque the pillars were re-cycled as well as put one on top of the other to raise the height of the ceiling  following the building practices seen at Ajmer and the Qutb complex in Delhi.
  • Style of construction:  Domes of trabeate construction, decorated with intricate cusping and lotus forms, have been added. 
    • The mihrab and minbar are later in date, being added in the 1400s by the kings of Mandu in the time of the Malwa Sultanate.
  • Inscriptions: The complex contains a range of stone panels with Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions installed on the walls and floors. These include Sanskrit grammar rules and esoteric diagrams.
    • The inscription on the pedestal (bhojshala)  mentions a statue of Vagdevi (Sarasvatī), showing that the Sarasvati at Dhar was the Jain form of this goddess.

News Source: The Hindu