On Babri demolition day, a look at Indian mosques under ASI scanner for 'temple presence'

DH Web Desk

Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan

On November 28, a local court in Ajmer issued notices to the dargah committee, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India on the plea seeking to declare the shrine a temple.

|

Credit: PTI Photo

Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh

In November 2024, a local court ordered a survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid, which the petitioners said was built after destroying an old temple.

|

Credit: PTI Photo

Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi

Varanasi's Gyanvapi Mosque is claimed to have built on the remains of the Kashi Vishwanath temple by some groups. Several petitions have been filed in this regards, and various courts have ordered surveys by ASI, addressing different versions of the dispute.

|

Credit: PTI Photo

Shahi Eidgah Masjid in Mathura

Several cases have been filed by the Hindu side seeking the “removal” of the Aurangzeb-era mosque, as they claim it was built after demolishing a temple that once stood there. After the survey, the ASI disclosed an excerpt from a Nov 1920 gazette that stated that a temple of Keshavdev once stood on portions of the Katra mound.

|

Credit: PTI Photo