Gyanvapi Row: Mosque Committee Challenges ASI Report, Claims Varanasi Was Major Centre Of Buddhists; Seeks Opinions From Historians

In response to the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi, the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid committee, responsible for managing the mosque has shown disagreement with the findings.

The ASI, tasked by the Varanasi district court to investigate if the mosque was constructed over a pre-existing Hindu temple, in its scientific survey report mentioned that part of a temple was destroyed during Aurangzeb's reign in the 17th century, with remnants reused in the mosque's construction.

Meanwhile, as reported by Indian Express, S M Yasin, joint secretary of the committee, announced on Tuesday (30 January) that they are scrutinising the ASI report and seeking opinions from 'historians' before submitting objections to the court.

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“We have sent copies of the ASI report to five historians, including some non-Muslim ones. We will wait for their opinion and we have started having conversations with Buddhists here in Varanasi," he said.

“We have got historical books which state that the mosque was built in the 15th century before Humayun’s reign. The document/book is in Persian, which states that Sheikh Suleimani Mohaddis had got this (Gyanvapi) mosque built on an empty plot of land. It seems that there may have been some Buddhist structure there. The whole of Varanasi was a major centre for Buddhists till the Shankaracharya arrived in Varanasi," added Yasin.

The ASI report, spanning four volumes, was disclosed recently after being presented to Hindu and Muslim litigants by the court.

It claims the discovery of 55 Hindu deity stone sculptures within the Gyanvapi complex, including representations of Shiva linga, Vishnu, Ganesha, Nandi, Krishna, and Hanuman.

The report also details the unearthing of 259 stone objects, 27 terracotta items, 113 metal objects, and 93 coins during the survey.

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