MP High Court Indore Bench to Review ASI Survey Report on Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is scheduled to hear objections and suggestions regarding the comprehensive survey report prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex located in Dhar district. The hearing is set for Monday, marking a critical juncture in the long-standing dispute over this medieval-era monument.
Court Proceedings and Judicial Directives
A division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi has listed the matter at number 45 on the court's agenda. This follows earlier proceedings on February 23, when the same bench, while hearing a series of petitions concerning the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex, directed all involved parties to formally submit their objections, opinions, suggestions, and recommendations pertaining to the ASI's findings.
The Indore bench is handling these petitions under specific directions from the Supreme Court of India. The apex court had previously ordered that the voluminous ASI report—spanning ten volumes and over 2,000 pages—be unsealed and copies distributed to both the petitioners and respondents to ensure transparency in the judicial process.
Comprehensive Scientific Survey by ASI
The Archaeological Survey of India conducted an extensive 98-day scientific survey at the disputed complex, acting on orders from the High Court. This meticulous investigation was carried out by a five-member expert committee that employed the latest archaeological techniques, including:
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys
- Detailed photography and videography documentation
- Advanced carbon dating methods
- Archaeological excavations and analysis of retrieved artifacts
Findings of the Archaeological Survey
The ASI's report presents significant conclusions about the origins and construction of the Kamal Maula mosque in Dhar. According to the survey findings, the existing structure was constructed using parts of earlier temples, with the report noting that the building was erected without much attention to symmetry, design, or uniformity centuries after the original temple components existed.
The official ASI statement elaborated: "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."
Historical and Religious Context of the Dispute
The medieval-era monument in Dhar has been at the center of a protracted religious dispute for many years. Hindu groups claim the site as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vaghdevi (an aspect of Saraswati), while Muslim communities identify it as the Kamal Maula mosque. This conflicting claims have made the site a focal point of cultural and religious tensions in the region.
The upcoming court hearing represents a crucial step toward resolving this complex historical and religious controversy through judicial examination of archaeological evidence. The court's consideration of objections and suggestions to the ASI report will likely influence future determinations about the site's status and management.
