In the heart of Varanasi, a city of spirituality and historical significance, lies the Gyanvapi Mosque, a site of controversy and contention nowadays. Its origins trace back to the late 16th century when Todar Mal, a courtier of Akbar, and Narayana Bhatta, a renowned Brahmin scholar, purportedly built the Vishweshwar temple at this location.
However, the history preceding this temple is shrouded in debate, with both Hindu and Muslim communities laying claim to the sacred site. Hindu lore recounts a cycle of destruction and reconstruction dating back to the Ghurid invasion of 1193/1194 CE, with subsequent rulers like Hussain Shah Sharqi and Aurangzeb leaving their mark.
The turning point came in 1669 when Aurangzeb ordered the demolition of the Vishweshwar temple, replacing it with a mosque around 1678, potentially constructed by Aurangzeb himself.
Despite the desecration, Brahmin priests retained their presence within the mosque, maintaining their influence over Hindu pilgrimage issues.
Scholars argue that Aurangzeb's motives were primarily political rather than religious, serving as a warning to Banaras' zamindars and Hindu leaders who resisted his rule. This political backdrop, coupled with conflicts with the Marathas and varied policies towards Hindu places of worship, influenced Aurangzeb's actions.
In recent times, the Gyanvapi Mosque has become part of a larger controversy similar to the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.
Beginning in 1984, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu nationalist factions launched a campaign to reclaim mosques constructed on demolished Hindu temple sites, with the Gyanvapi mosque at the forefront. Legal battles ensued, culminating in a landmark Supreme Court judgement in 2020, which ordered an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) investigation.
The ASI survey confirmed the existence of a pre-existing Hindu temple at the site, supported by the discovery of temple pillars and sculptures in the cellars. This revelation reignited the debate over the site's ownership and usage. Recent developments, including a Civil Court's decision to grant permission for Hindu worship based on the ASI findings, signal a new chapter in the longstanding dispute.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the Gyanvapi Mosque stands as a symbol of historical complexity and religious tension.
This mosque could become the next big topic in India, making people think about how different religions and cultures fit together.
