Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi Masjid-Kashi Vishwanath temple case, on Thursday claimed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found remnants of a large Hindu temple inside the Varanasi mosque.
Citing the 839-page ASI survey report, he said the mosque – which stands adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Mandir – was built on the remains of a grand Hindu temple after it was demolished in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Remnants Of Hindu Structures Found In Gyanvapi
He claimed that remnants of the statues of Hindu gods had been found in two basements during the court-ordered survey.
“The ASI has said that the pillars and plasters used in the existing structure were studied systematically and scientifically for the enlargement of the mosque and construction Sahan. he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Sculptures Of Hindu Deities Found
Jain claimed ASI has said that sculptures of Hindu deities and carved architectural members were found buried. He claimed The Arabic Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb. Hence the preexisting structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century.
Indian Scripts Found
The lawyer said the survey also found 32 inscriptions written in the Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts. They include inscriptions in the Devanagari, Grantha, Telugu and Kannada scripts. The reuse of earlier inscriptions in the structure suggests that the earlier structures were destroyed and their parts were reused in the construction repair of the existing structure.
On Wednesday last week, district judge A K Vishvesh ruled that the ASI survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex would be given to both the Hindu and Muslim sides.