ASI finds Ganesh, Brahma, Narasimha images at Bhojshala complex, tells court that ‘existing structure was made from parts of earlier temples’

Hindus regard the ASI-protected complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims consider it the site of the Kamal Maula mosque. Under an arrangement made in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.

On the structure’s nature and age, the ASI report states that the “retrieved architectural remains, sculptural fragments, large slabs of inscriptions with literary texts, Nagakarnika inscriptions on pillars, etc suggest that a large structure associated with literary and educational activities existed at the site”.

The ASI studied a total of 94 sculptures, sculptural fragments, and architectural members with sculptural depiction. (Wikimedia Commons)

“Based on scientific investigations and archaeological remains recovered during the investigations, this pre-existing structure can be dated to the Paramara period,” the report states.

According to the ASI, the Mihrab (a niche in the wall of a mosque) in the western colonnade “is a new construction and therefore it is beautifully decorated. It is made of different material than the entire structure”.

“Walls of the mihrab in the west abut against the platform made of basalt and having mouldings running under it. The material of the platform and the walls of the mihrab are different. Images carved on previous structure, pillars, pilasters, beams, windows, were chopped off to reuse them in the present structure. A number of large inscriptions in Sanskrit and Prakrit were damaged… by chiselling written surfaces,” the report states.

The structure is decorated with 106 pillars and 82 pilasters. “Art and architecture of these pillars and pilasters in colonnades suggest that they were originally part of temples. For their reuse in the existing structure, figures of deities and humans carved on them were mutilated,” the report states.

The ASI studied a total of 94 sculptures, sculptural fragments, and architectural members with sculptural depiction. “Sculptures of four armed deities were carved on windows, pillars and beams used in the existing structure. Images carved on these included Ganesh, Brahma with his consorts, Narasimha, Bhairava, gods and goddesses, human and animal figures. Images of animals in different mediums include lion, elephant, horse, dog, monkey, snake, tortoise, swan, and bird…,” the ASI report states.

Since “human and animal figures are not permitted in mosques, at many places such images have been chiselled out or defaced,” the ASI submitted.

“It is noteworthy that kirtimukha with human, animal and composite faces carved on a number of pillars in western colonnade were not destroyed. Small figures of deities carved on frames of windows fixed in north and south walls of the western colonnade are also comparatively in good state of preservation,” the report states.

The ASI submitted that from the art and architecture of decorated pillars and pilasters, “it can be said that they were part of earlier temples and reused (to make) colonnades of the mosque…”

The report states that while the ASI studied Arabic and Persian inscriptions at the site, the ones in Sanskrit and Prakrit are older, “indicating that users or engravers of the Sanskrit and Prakrit inscriptions occupied the place earlier”.

“Based on scientific investigations, survey and archaeological excavations, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, sculptures, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that the existing structure was made from the parts of earlier temples,” the report states.