Scientific survey of ‘Bhojshala’ in Dhar (MP) starts from today

Survey report to be submitted by 29th April

Dhar (MP) – Madhya Pradesh High Court’s Indore Bench has ordered a survey of ‘Bhojshala’ by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). In this context, a team of ASI will be visiting ‘Bhojshala’ and start the work from 22nd March 2024. ASI has asked Dhar Administration and the Superintendent of Police (SP) to provide adequate security during the survey, so that the survey would be completed as per the schedule. Pro-Hindu organisations claim Kamal Maulana Mosque is the temple of Goddess Shri Saraswati. Raja Bhoj had built ‘Bhojshala’ in 1034 as a college to study Sanskrut, which was later, attacked by Mughals and damaged to build a mosque in its place.

‘Hindu Front for Justice’ of advocate H.H. Hari Shankar Jain of Supreme Court had filed a petition in High Court demanding scientific survey of ‘Bhojshala’ on which Indore Bench of High Court ordered a scientific survey.

The Court advised detailed scientific inspection of the site using ‘Carbon Dating’ method to determine the period of existence of the structures on land and underground.  The Court also ordered to video shooting of the survey in the presence of representatives of both the parties to the litigation. The next hearing will be held on 29th April 2024 and the Court has ordered submission of the survey report before this date.

History of ‘Bhojshala’

About a thousand years ago, Dhar was ruled by the Paramara dynasty. Raja Bhoj was the ruler from AD 1000 to 1055. He was an ardent devotee of Shri Saraswati Devi. He set up a college in AD 1034 which came to be known as ‘Bhojshala’. Hindus started considering it as a Saraswati Temple.

In 1305, Alauddin Khilji destroyed ‘Bhojshala’ and in 1401, Dilawar Khan Ghori built a mosque in a part of ‘Bhojshala’. In AD 1514, Mahmood Shah Khilji also built a mosque in another part of ‘Bhojshala’.  

During the excavation undertaken in AD 1875, an Idol of Shri Saraswati Devi was found. It was taken to London by Major Gen. Williak Kincaid. Presently, the Idol is in London Museum. The petition filed in High Court also demands that the Idol be brought back to India from London.

Editor Perspective

Hindus now think that the Union Government should conduct scientific survey of all the places across India where Muslim invaders constructed mosques by demolishing Hindu temples.