Kamal Maula Mosque at MP's Bhojshala constructed using parts of ancient temple: ASI

Indore: The Kamal Maula Mosque at Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district was constructed using parts of ancient temples, according to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report, which was submitted to the Indore bench in 2024.

What is there in the report?

The ASI report, which was submitted to the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on July 15, 2024, states that the Kamal Maula Mosque was constructed using parts of ancient temples "based on scientific investigations, survey and excavation, study and analysis of retrieved finds, study of architectural remains, inscriptions, art and sculptures."

As per the ASI report, the existing structure was built centuries later "without much attention to symmetry, design, or uniformity", the Times of India reported.

What did the High Court say?

During the hearing on Monday, the bench comprising of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi granted all parties two weeks to submit their objections, views, suggestions and recommendations on the scientific survey report.

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday, while hearing separate petitions in the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque case, said that the report had already been opened and copies provided to the parties. 

The court said that the parties had so far not placed their objections, opinions, suggestions and recommendations on the report before it. 

"In view of this situation, the parties are granted two weeks to submit their objections, opinions, suggestions and recommendations on the report," the court said. 

The court has given March 16 as the next hearing date in the matter. 

What is Bhojshala?

The Bhojshala is regarded by the Hindu community as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the 11th century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The ASI-protected complex was surveyed by the agency on the high court's directions, and a detailed report was submitted two years ago.

On January 22, the Supreme Court directed the high court to open the ASI’s scientific survey report submitted in a sealed cover on the disputed complex.