The Delhi High Court directs Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to consider Hindu Sena’s demand

Hindu Sena seeks directions to rectify the historical narrative surrounding the Taj Mahal

New Delhi – Delhi High Court directed the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to decide on a representation seeking changes in history books pertaining to the construction of the famous Taj Mahal. In his petition, Hindu Sena President Surjit Singh Yadav asserted that the Taj Mahal was originally the palace of Raja Man Singh and was subsequently refurbished by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

The High Court noted that a similar petition was filed by the petitioners earlier in the Supreme Court. The SC had directed them to ASI.

The petitioner said that ASI had not taken any decision so far, which is why the Court should direct ASI to make a decision.

Yadav requested that the ASI, the Union Government, the National Archives of India, and the Uttar Pradesh Government be instructed to eliminate ‘historically inaccurate information’ regarding the Taj Mahal’s construction from historical records. The PIL also called for directives to the ASI to conduct an inquiry into the Taj Mahal’s age and the presence of Raja Man Singh’s palace.

The petitioner contended that he had conducted an extensive and thorough investigation of the Taj Mahal and stressed the importance of correcting historical facts and providing accurate information to the public regarding the monument.

He referenced a book titled ‘Taj Museum,’ authored by ZA Desai, which purportedly mentioned the selection of a “lofty and beautiful” location for the burial of Mumtaz Mahal. According to the petitioner, this site was a mansion (manzil) that originally belonged to Raja Man Singh and was in the possession of Raja Jai Singh, his grandson, at the time of Mumtaz Mahal’s burial. The petitioner also highlighted discrepancies in the information provided by the ASI, claiming that the Taj Mahal was completed in 1648. Yadav argued that these conflicting statements need to be addressed.