• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its scientific survey report of the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex to the Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court. 

• On March 11, the High Court ordered the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the complex, in Dhar district and had given six weeks for the task. 

• The ASI, which started the survey on March 22, approached the High Court two times to seek extension to complete it. 

• Earlier, on April 29, the High Court had given ASI eight more weeks to complete the survey and had asked it to submit the report by July 2. 

• However, the agency had moved a plea seeking a four week-extension.

• On July 4, the High Court ordered the ASI to present by July 15 the complete report of the nearly three-month-long survey on the premises of the disputed 11th-century monument. 

Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque Complex

• The Hindu community considers Bhojshala as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side calls it Kamal Maula mosque. 

• It is believed that it was originally a temple of goddess Sarasvati built by Paramara King Bhoja in circa 11th Century AD.

• The mosque was reportedly built using structural members of the temple. 

• The monument also retains some slabs inscribed with Sanskrit and Prakrit literary works. 

• Noted as a great patron of art and literature, Bhoja is said to have established a school, now known as Bhojashala.

• In April 2003, the ASI issued an order concerning access to the monument after a controversy erupted. 

• As per the order, which has been in place for the last 21 years, Hindus are allowed to worship in the Bhojshala on Tuesdays, while Muslims can offer namaz at the place on Fridays. 

• The Hindu Front for Justice has challenged this arrangement in its petition. On April 1, the Supreme Court refused to stay the scientific survey of Bhojshala but said no action should be taken without its permission on the outcome of the exercise. 

Who was Raja Bhoj of Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty?

• Bhoja was the greatest emperor of the Pratihara dynasty and is considered the actual founder of the empire. 

• The Gurjara-Pratiharas rose to prominence in the second quarter of the 8th century, offering successful resistance to the Arabs. Known as Gurjara-Pratiharas, they ruled over Kannauj for a significant period. 

• The word “Pratihara” means doorman.

• The Pratiharas were engaged in a tripartite struggle with the Palas and Rashtrakutas for dominance in the regions of Kannauj, Malwa, and the upper Ganga valley. 

• Bhoja I, also known as Mihir Bhoja (836 – 885 AD), defeated the Pala king Devapala and the Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha, establishing the Gurjara-Pratiharas as the dominant power in northern India during his reign.

• Mihirabhoja ascended to the throne in 836 AD and ruled for more than 46 years, becoming the most popular Pratihara king. He reorganized and consolidated the empire, ushering in an era of prosperity. 

• Kannauj, also known as Mahodaya, served as the capital of his empire, with the Skandhavara military camp at Mahodaya mentioned in the Barrah Copper Plate inscription.

• Arab travellers reported that the Pratihara rulers had India’s strongest cavalry. 

• Mihirabhoja was a devout follower of Vaishnavism and assumed the title ‘Adivaraha’. The Arab traveller Al-Masudi referred to him as King Baura. 

• His supremacy was acknowledged by the Arabs of Sindh, the Chandalas, and the Kalachuris.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)