Sambhal Masjid controversy, history and facts: The dispute over the survey of Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh turned violent on Sunday. Four people have died in this incident and 25 people including some security personnel have been injured. When the survey team reached here, the violent mob pelted stones at the police and set them on fire. Then the situation worsened and the police used tear gas shells and lathicharge to control it. At present, 15 people including two women have been detained in this case. The system has ordered closure of schools up to class 12 and imposed a ban on the internet.
What is the case of Sambhaal violence?
While hearing the petition to declare Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh as Harihar Temple, the court ordered a survey of the mosque. Meanwhile, the survey started on the night of 19 November and on 24 November the survey team reached the mosque again. With the consent of the mosque committee, the survey was to be conducted in the presence of both parties, but a large number of people came out against the proceedings of the mosque survey and staged a violent protest. When the survey started after the court order, the mob attacked the police, pelted stones and set fire to many vehicles.
NSA will take action against infiltrators
To control the situation, the police had to use force and also detained some miscreants. In such a situation, the survey team did its work, the report of which will be presented in the court on November 29. During this, every party will get a chance to give their opinion. According to the police, this incident is the result of provocation and action will be taken against those accused of violence under the National Security Agency (NSA). A constable suffered serious head injuries and a deputy collector’s leg was broken in the Sambhal violence. However, a motorcycle parked on the roadside was also set on fire. Investigation into the violence has begun and extremists are being identified.
Was Jama Masjid built by demolishing any temple?
The question regarding the Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal is whether this mosque was actually built by demolishing an ancient Hindu temple? Historical and archaeological investigation of this claim was conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under E.S. Many shocking facts came to light in a report prepared in 1875. This report was prepared by ACL Carlyle and published under the title “Tours in the Central Doab and Gorakhpur 1874-1875 and 1875-1876”.
It is mentioned several times in this report that the Jama Masjid of Sambhal was constructed by demolishing a temple and the report prepared by ASI is also said to be based on this.
An attempt has been made to hide it by plastering it on the pillars of the temple.
A report prepared by ACL Carlyle, then officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, “Tours in the Central Doab and Gorakhpur 1874-1875 and 1875-1876” Contains a detailed survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal. According to reports, the pillars inside and outside the mosque are said to be from old Hindu temples. Besides, an attempt was also made to hide this pillar by applying plaster. While removing the plaster from one of the pillars of this mosque, an ancient pillar of red color was found, which is similar in design and structure to the pillars used in Hindu temples.
The ASI survey claimed that the mosque has many signs and remains that point to its antiquity and its connection with a Hindu temple. However, the matter is pending in the court and the current findings of the survey will be presented in the court on November 29.
What is the claim of the Hindu side regarding this mosque?
Regarding the Shahi Jama Masjid of Sambhal, the Hindu side claims that it was built by demolishing an ancient Hindu temple. An attempt has been made to corroborate this claim with the help of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and historical evidence. In the ASI report of 1875, an inscription present in this mosque has been described as the largest.
The inscriptions of the mosque are evidence of the temple
According to the report, there is an inscription in Jama Masjid of Sambhal. In which it is written that this construction work was completed by Hindu Beg in 933 Hijri. Mir Hindu Beg was a courtier of Babar, who converted a Hindu temple into a mosque. According to ASI, this inscription is evidence that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu religious site.
Was there a temple of Lord Vishnu there earlier?
Regarding the Jama Masjid of Sambhal, the Hindu side claimed that this mosque was built by demolishing the Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu. The basis of this claim is being said to be Baburnama and the report of Archaeological Survey of India.
Highlights of ASI report
- The ASI report of 1875 contains several pieces of evidence which point towards the existence of a Hindu temple.
- Mosque Pillar: The Hindu pillar of the mosque is different from the Muslim pillar and is a symbol of pure Hindu architecture.
- Renovation of the dome: According to the ASI, the dome of the mosque was renovated during the reign of Hindu emperor Prithviraj Chauhan.
- Archaeological remains: Several traces of a Hindu temple were found in the structure of the mosque, which Later it was covered with plaster.
Hindu side petitioner Harishankar Jain relied on Baburnama
Hindu party petitioner Harishankar Jain has mentioned Baburnama in his petition. The Baburnama is the autobiography of Babur, and was translated by the British Orientalist Annette Beveridge. It is written on page number 687 of this book that after the orders of Babar, his courtier Mir Hindu Beg had converted the Hindu temple of Sambhal into Jama Masjid. These details also match the inscription, which mentions the name of Mir Hindu Beg and the construction of the mosque in the year 33 Hijri.