Madhya Pradesh's Bhojshala ASI Survey: Hear from those who were there

On court orders, representatives of Hindu and Muslim sides accompany ASI experts during the Bhojshala study. TOI speak with them to learn what they have seen


‘What lies beneath will be carbon-dated to ascertain age’
— Gopal Sharma, coordinator, Bhoj Utsav Samiti

ASI experts are using modern equipment and techniques. A ground-penetrating radar was used on Saturday as excavation started at two new places in the main hall, which we claim is the sanctum
sanctorum. Certain spots have been marked out after inspections over the last eight days and it’s possible some important objects could be found.

Officials have told us that apart from finding what is buried beneath the floor, the debris will also be carbon-dated to ascertain when the structure was erected.

An earthmover was used to remove garbage and bushes around 50 metres from Bhojshala and excavation could start in the surrounding areas. ASI officials have also taken measurements of the step well and its surroundings for excavation.

In the last eight days, excavations were carried out at three places towards the rear side of Bhojshala main building. Workers were able to dig up to 10 feet. Many objects have been found from these three pits and the team took pictures of all of them before storing them in plastic envelopes. Some stone artifacts found on Friday will be sent to the laboratory.

The ASI team is using reflectors to click pictures, the same way we see it done in film shoots. Black-and-white screens are being used to direct extra light on the stone pillars, walls and inscriptions to get clearer and sharper pictures and videos. They have taken photos of every object from different angles so that nothing slips their attention.

For the first time, the entire Bhojshala is being digitally preserved.

‘ASI wants to know if a temple was razed to build mosque’
— Abdul Samad Khan, president, Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society

We have been telling the world that this is Kamal Maula’s mosque. ASI has been collecting data and photographing evidence to prove the true nature of the monument. We are certain that facts
will come to fore.
It is also a known fact that material used to construct the mosque was collected from different unused ruins, including Jain architecture. Proper analysis will prove that the mosque has been standing here for centuries.
We are accompanying the ASI team during the survey. No phones are allowed. We have also been told to keep quiet about the findings.
The ASI team has been collecting stones from the foundation to check its age. The team also dug near the foundation to a depth of around 6.5ft to collect samples and ascertain if a temple was demolished to build the mosque or the mosque had its own foundation.
We have been saying for long that the mosque was constructed with pillars and stones collected from various places.
In fact, the area where the mosque is situated is not Bhojshala. It was a 21-bigha area given to Maulana Kamaluddin by his follower Mahmud Shah Khilji. The original Bhojshala was near Raja Bhoj’s fort, 500 meters away — it’s called Rajwada now, built by the Panwar rulers. In the 1100s, Raja Bhoj’s son was defeated by Chalukya kings from Gujarat. They destroyed the fort and Bhojshala and made away with the loot. It was during Mahmud Khilji’s rule, 200 years later, that Maulana Kamaluddin mosque was built.










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