The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted a report to the Varanasi district court stating that a temple “appears to have been destroyed in the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb and part of it… modified and reused in the existing structure” of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The declaration also details the 259 “stone objects” found during the survey, including 55 stone sculptures, 21 household materials, five “inscribed slabs” and 176 “architectural members.”
Among the sculptures, there are 15 “Shiva linga”, three sculptures of “Vishnu”, three of “Ganesha”, two of “Nandi”, two of “Krishna”, and five of “Hanuman”.
A total of 27 terracotta objects, 23 terracotta figurines (two of gods and goddesses, 18 human figurines and three animal figurines) were also found and studied during the survey.
The report also lists 113 metal objects, and 93 coins — including 40 of the East India Company, 21 Victoria Queen coins, and three Shah Alam Badshah-II coins.
All objects recovered during the survey were later handed over to the Varanasi district administration, which has stored them.
The ASI report is a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute over the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The findings of the report are likely to be used by both sides in the dispute to support their claims.
The report is also of historical significance, as it provides new evidence about the history of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The findings of the report could help to shed light on the events that led to the destruction of the temple and the construction of the mosque.
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