Disputed site was ‘Saraswati Kanthabharan,’ a centre of learning: Petitioner

Indore: The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday resumed proceedings in the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque case, with an independent petitioner drawing on ancient texts and government records to argue that the disputed site was historically a centre of learning known as ‘Saraswati Kanthabharan.'Advocate Manish Gupta, appearing on behalf of petitioner Kuldeep Tiwari, placed before the court a comprehensive compilation of published material from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), alongside books authored by Raja Bhoj Dev. Through these references, he sought to establish that the site once housed a Saraswati temple, complete with an idol of Vagdevi, bearing architectural characteristics distinct to the Parmar dynasty.Arguing before the bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, Gupta cited Raja Bhoj's treatiseSamrangan Sutradhar— a work spanning 89 chapters on architectural styles. "Raja Bhoj wrote numerous books on various subjects ranging from architecture, human sciences to geography. This knowledge indicates that it was fostered through a dedicated centre of learning leading to the learned king," he submitted.Gupta further drew on established texts to argue that the Vagdevi idol was crafted on the express directions of Raja Bhoj. "The idols and temple architecture was peculiar to the Parmar dynasty," he said, noting that the Bhojshala, like other Parmar-era temples, was constructed on raised foundations rather than the deep foundations characteristic of other traditions — a structural distinction he presented as significant.On the question of dating the stone structures, Gupta pointed to the iconography of the idols, specifically the jewellery carved on the Vagdevi figure, which he said mirrors that found on other Parmar dynasty idols. "Since carbon dating is not possible on inorganic material like stones, this similarity is used to ascertain the origin of stone structures. The Vagdevi jewellery shows it was built during the Parmar era," he explained.Gupta also brought to the court's attention a Brahma idol unearthed during excavations at the site. He described the idol as exceptional — notable for depicting Lord Brahma in his prime youth — and produced documents indicating that it too was commissioned by Raja Bhoj.Gupta also highlighted a rare style of inscription known as ‘Sarpbandhi,' found at Bhojshala and in only two other locations: the Juna Mahakal temple within Shri Mahakaleshwar temple complex, and Choubara temple in Oon village in Nimar region. "Both were temples with connected centres of learning. Juna Mahakal temple was situated near a centre for Tantra Kriya learning and Choubara temple also hosted an ancient school," he said, using the pattern to reinforce his argument about Bhojshala's historical identity as a place of scholarship.The court has fixed April 15 as the next date of hearing, when the petitioner's arguments will continue.