In a significant revelation, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has concluded that a substantial Hindu temple stood at the Gyanvapi mosque site in Varanasi before the construction of the present structure. Relying on scientific studies, observations, and compelling textual evidence, the ASI’s findings shed light on the historical significance of the site.
The roots of this revelation trace back to the 1669 farmaan issued by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, ordering the demolition of temples and schools of the infidels. The renowned Maasir-i-Alamgiri, a Persian-language chronicle by Saqi Mustaid Khan, provides crucial insights into Aurangzeb’s directive. Historian Jadunath Sarkar’s translation of the farmaan reveals the emperor’s zeal to establish Islam, leading to the destruction of the Vishwanath temple in Kashi and the Keshavdev temple in Mathura.
The 1669 farmaan, while not a blanket order for the immediate destruction of all temples, targeted institutions where specific teachings were taking place. This included the Visvanatha Temple in Benares, according to Maasir-i-Alamgiri. Historians argue that Aurangzeb perceived temples as centers spreading subversive ideas, leading to his policy of demolishing even long-standing Hindu temples.
The destruction of the Kashi Vishwanath temple is believed to have been motivated not only by religious factors but also political considerations. Some theories suggest Aurangzeb’s humiliation by Chhatrapati Shivaji’s escape from Mughal custody in Agra may have provoked the emperor to order the temple’s destruction as retribution.
In the aftermath of the temple’s demolition, the Gyanvapi mosque was erected, likely in the 1670s or ’80s. Historians note that a part of the ruined temple’s wall was incorporated into the mosque, possibly as a symbolic statement about the consequences of opposing Mughal authority. Unlike the Shahi Eidgah built over the destroyed Mathura temple, the patron of the Gyanvapi mosque remains unknown, and it does not find mention in Mughal court documents.
The present-day Kashi Vishwanath temple, standing next to the mosque, was constructed in the 18th century by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. This revelation adds a new layer to the historical narrative of Varanasi, emphasizing the complex interplay of religious and political motives during the Mughal era.
