The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), commissioned by the Varanasi district court in July 2023 to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, has determined that "a Hindu temple existed before the construction of the current structure" at the location.
Hindu claimants allege that the mosque was erected on the grounds of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple following its demolition in the 17th century.
The ASI, assigned to determine whether the mosque was "built over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple," presented its report to the court last month in a sealed envelope. The court distributed copies of the report to both Hindu and Muslim litigants involved in the dispute over the site.
The report stated: “Based on scientific studies/survey carried out, study of architectural remains, exposed features and artefacts, inscriptions, art and sculptures, it can be said that there existed a Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure.”
“The Arabic-Persian inscription found inside a room mentions that the mosque was built in the 20th regnal year of Aurangzeb (1667-77). Hence, the pre-existing structure appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb and part of it was modified and reused in the existing structure,” it stated.
“Existing architectural remains, decorated mouldings, on the walls, karna-ratha and prati-ratha of central chamber, a large decorated entrance gate, with Torana on the eastern wall of the western chamber, a small entrance with mutilated image of lalatabimba, birds and animals carved for decoration in and outside suggest that the western wall is remaining part of a Hindu temple. Based on art and architecture, this pre-existing structure can be identified as a Hindu temple.”