Digging Up Hallowed Ground.

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  • Author(s): Bagla, Pallava
  • Source:
    Science Now. 8/28/2003, p1-2. 2p. 1 Black and White Photograph.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      ARCHAEOLOGICAL excavations; RELIGIOUS disputations; DISPUTE resolution
    • Subject Terms:
      UTTAR Pradesh (India); INDIA
    • Abstract:
      In March, state court of Uttar Pradesh, India ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to research the claim that a temple predated a mosque, in hopes of resolving the land dispute. Barely 2 weeks after completing an excavation of the 3900 square meter site, ASI reported uncovering evidence of 50 pillar bases characteristic of those found at remains of Hindu temples in North India. The excavation also yielded, among other things, a mutilated sculpture of a divine couple and carved architectural remains that include an amalaka (a cogged piece of carved stone exclusively placed on the spires of North Indian temples), artifacts bearing a lotus motif, and a circular shrine having pranjala or water chute (another typically Hindu temple artifact). Swarajya Prakash Gupta, chairman of the ASI and veteran of previous excavations at Ayodhaya, India, believes that the report provides evidence that a temple existed at the site. Hindu activists are celebrating while Muslim organizations are prepared to challenge the findings.