Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report 2023 Vol 1

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Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report 2023 Vol 1 : Structures – contain the documents and facts that were used before the Varanasi Court to validate the facts that were provided by both the parties. In addition to Vol 1, ASI has also released other three volumes namely Volume 2: Scientific Studies , Volume 3: Objects and Volume 4: Illustrations.

Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report 2023 Vol 1 : Structures almost contains 150 pages dividing the report into three sections namely Introduction, Structures and Summary. We are not going to look at each and every aspect of it, we will be leaving the technical details and only covering the trivial parts and the pictures that were found. For the original report you can download the compilation of all four volumes at the end of the article.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.1.1 Court Directives and Compliance
  • 1.1.2 Constraints
  • 1.1.3 Location
  • 1.1.4 Settlement Plot No. 9130
  • 1.1.5 Study Area
• 1.2 Structures
  • 1.2.1 Cellars
  • 1.2.2 Existing Structure
  • 1.2.3 Pillars and Pilasters
  • 1.2.4 Western Wall
  • 1.2.5 Inscriptions
  • 1.2.6 Mason’s Marks
  • 1.2.7 Measurements
• 1.3 Summary
  • 1.3.1 Reply to the Observations of the Court
  • 1.3.2 Brief Findings of the Survey.

Directions of the Hon’ble District Court, Varanasi

• conduct a detailed scientific investigation by using GPR Survey, Excavation, Dating method and other modern techniques.
•  investigate the age and nature of construction of the western wall of the building in question through scientific methods.
•  prepare a list of all the artefacts which are found in the building specifying their contents and carry out scientific investigation.

Scientific Investigation/ Survey by the ASI

• According to the directions of the Hon’ble Court and extension of time granted for submission of report by orders dated 02.11.2023, 18.11.2023, 30.11.2023 and 11.12.2023 the report is to be submitted by 18.12.2023.

Constraints

• Work within the fenced area was restarted from 4 August 2023 onwards in the presence of both the parties involved in the case, their representatives and lawyers. 
• the accumulated debris was a big hindrance in any scientific investigation/ survey and getting meaningful results from them.
• The disposal of debris removed from the surface was another inherent issue. Since the open spaces within the fenced area is very less and the fact that every part needed to be cleaned created the issue of disposal of debris.
• The presence of security check posts at regular intervals, some in use and others vacant, also hampered smooth and swift movement around the area. The narrow passages on along the north, south and east also hindered ease of movement. Labours had to be stationed at select points to transfer head load.
• The team worked in difficult weather conditions from blazing sun with soaring temperatures to high humidity of the monsoon season. The cellars below the open platform had their own localized ambient weather conditions. The south cellars had only one entrance to the south and similar was the case with the north cellars. There were no light and no electricity connections in either of them.
• South cellar in particular was full of discarded materials of various kinds which made even stepping on to the surface a difficult task. For the first few days team worked in the cellars with torch light and reflectors to illuminate the interior. The humidity within the cellars was much higher than on the outside. The lack of air circulation within was another issue. Since the north cellars were under lock and key the level of humidity within was comparatively higher than the south.
• With the onset of monsoons, preventing accumulation of rain water and run off muddy slush was a significant issue. The use of tirpal was made to protect the exposed structures after debris cleaning and prevent accumulation of water in open areas. The water sogged debris would present another challenge along with the slippery surface. Work speed was affected considerably.
• Menace of monkeys was another ever present threat. Not only did they disturb free movement within the fenced area but after the close of work they would disturb the area. During monsoons they would often tear up the tirpals after close of day’s work.

Location

• Kashi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in India. It is situated the highly fertile Middle Ganga Plain. This ancient city was known by varied Names Kasi, Kashi, Varanasi or Benaras.
• The ancient settlement is located on the left or northern bank of the River Ganga. It stretches from 82° 50 to 83° 10 E and 25° to 25° 16’ N.
• Its lateral boundaries are formed by confluence of the Varuna and the Assi with the River Ganga. This confluence of Varuna and Assi with the Ganga is understood to have given rise to the name Varanasi.
• On the basis of various sources, i.e. literary, travelers’ accounts, epigraphical and archaeological finds its historicity can easily be traced back to the second millennium BCE.

Literary Sources used in Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report

• There are several sources that mention the names ‘Kasi’ and ‘Varanasi’. Kasi is the oldest name of the city and its first mentioned is in the Atharvaveda. Many other ancient literary sources have also discussed about the historicity and importance of Kasi such as Satpatha Brahamana, Gopatha Brahamana, Brihdaranyaka Upanishad, Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, etc.
• Anusashanparva of the Mahabharata refers to Divodasa as a king of Kasi with his capital in Varanasi. Buddhist texts such as the Mahavastu, Buddhacarita as well as several Jatakas prominently refer to Kasi or Varanasi.
• The Puranas variously refer to Kasi, Kasipuri, Kasikapuri and Kasinagari to denote the ancient settlement. The Skanda Purana also refers to the ancient city by the names Vaisveswaripuri, Visvesvaravasa, Visvesvara-rajdhani among others.
• Yet another name for Varanasi was ‘Avimukta’. The name is associated with the legend of Lord Shiva where it is mentioned that Shiva will never leave Kasi. During 9th century CE, Shankracharya refers to the city as ‘Vimuktinagari’ – a city of salvation.
• During the medieval period, Kasi or Varanasi was popularly known as Banaras. It was a great centre of trade and commerce since ancient times. Patanjali in his Mahabhasya mentions about Kasi cloth.
• The ‘Kashi Khanda’ of the Skand Purana refers to the seven preeminent holy places and Kasi is named first on that list.

Travellers’ Account

• Several foreign travellers visited Kasi throughout history and left behind detailed information about the city and the life of its people. Chinese travellers Fa-Hlen (399-413 CE) and Hieun-Tsang (7th century CE) both mention the name Varanasi (Po-lo-ni-sse) and Kashi in their accounts. Another Chinese traveller, l-Tsing, also visited this ancient city and mentioned the name as ‘P’O-LO-Nl-SSE (Kasi or Varanasi).
• Several European travellers visited Benaras during the medieval period. Peter Mundy, who visited the Varanasi in 1632 refers to Cassibessuua or Cassibesuva, which is used for the Vishweshwar temple. He also made a sketch of the Shiva linga which was under worship in the temple and an image of Ganesha.
• During the British rule in India, Benaras continued to be known by this name.

Epigraphical Reference

• Many inscriptions and other Epigraphical sources also speak about Kasi or Varanasi. The Paharpur Copper-plate grant of the Gupta Year 159 (478 CE) mentions about a vihara belonging to the Panca-stupa section (Nikaya) of Kasi.
• Another inscription is the Kamauli Plate of Govindchandra, King of Kanauj (V.S.1184/ 1127 CE). It refers to the king moving to Benaras or nearby.

Seals and Sealing

• In excavations various seals and sealing have been unearthed which throw light on the past of Kashi or Varanasi. A seal found from the excavation at Rajghat also throws light on the religious aspect of the city. It shows a seated bull to left in front of a combined trident and battle-axe symbol (trisula-parasu). The legend on it reads Avimuktesvara-bha(ttarakah).
• Another sealing datable to the medieval period reads Sri-Avimuktesvara in the script of about 8th century CE. A fragmentary sealing in Allahabad Museum has the legend Avimuktesvara on it. It shows a seated bull above and below it the symbol of a flowing river indicated by a wavy line between two straight lines. Another sealing also in Allahabad Museum reads Sri-Avimuktesvarasya and depicts a bull seated between two trisula-parasu symbols and a sun symbol above.

Archaeological Evidence

• Varanasi is believed as one of the oldest cities in the world. Excavations at a number of sites spread over different parts of the city and its adioiqing areas like Akhta, Asapur, Kotwa, Rajghat, Ramnagar, Sarnath, and Tilmanpur have demonstrated that human settlement can be traced back from later Vedic period up to present.
• From the history of archaeological expeditions carried out in Varanasi, the city has witnessed its earliest settlers at Aktha around 1400/1300 BCE. Ancient remains of Varanasi which were unearthed at Kashi-Rajghat could demonstrate that this site was inhabited around 9th century BCE. Sarnath, the place of first sermon of Gautam Buddha, which was located on the northern periphery of the city, is known to have retained archaeological remains from the time of the Maurya king Asoka.
• The cultural occupations at Rajghat based on the material findings can be roughly categorised as
  • Period-I-Later Vedic, 
  • Period-II-Janapada Period, 
  • Period-lll- Maurya-Sunga, 
  • Period-IV-Kusana, 
  • Period-V-Gupta/Late Gupta, 
  • Period-VI-Post- Gupta 
  • Period-VII-Early Medieval, 
  • Period-VIII-Medieval period followed by the British period.

Settlement Plot No. 9130

• As per old revenue records, the ‘Khasra’ of Mauza Shahr Khas, Pargana Dehat Amanat, District Benares Settlement Plot No. 9130 included – ‘Pacca’ Juma mosque with a ‘pucca’ courtyard at the back thereof; one pucca platform and one graveyard compound towards the north; ‘pucca’ steps in front of the door together with a ‘pucca’ enclosure on all the four sides; one ‘pipal’ tree and two cypress trees; one ‘pucca’ well having saltish water, possessed by the Muslims being under the management of Mouivi Qutbuddin Vakil; one pipal tree towards the southern platform (both the enclosures appertaining to the mosque).

Study Area

• Major part of the Settlement Plot No. 9130 has been fenced by two rows of strong steel grills. The smaller grill, about 10 feet in height was put up around thirty years back and the safety of the structure was further enhanced subsequently by providihg another grill of similar nature but almost double in height on the outside.
• As directed by the court to conduct detailed scientific investigation/ survey to find out as to whether existing structure has been constructed over a pre-existing structure of Hindu temple, similar terms are used for them. Remains of Hindu temple, predating construction of mosque are called “pre-existing structure” and the structure constructed over that is termed “existing structure”. 
• Area where scientific investigation/ survey was carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India in settlement plot no. 9130 is described here in brief, in order to indicate relative locations of different parts/ areas and the terms used for their identification. For easy understanding and clarity of the readers, these areas are also marked on the site plan (volume 4 ). 

Cellars

• Settlement plot no. 9130 where exists the disputed structure is of uneven surface having slope towards east. Pre-existing structure was constructed on the western side of the plot. When it was modified and extended towards east by making a large platform, a series of cellars were made below it. These structures made below the surface level of main structure are termed as Level 1.
• Cellars made at Level 1 are located at different places below the main structure (Level 2). According to their entrances, from the north and the south, they have been placed in two broad groups. Two units to the north and one unit in the south were opened and used by people for various purposes. Entrance to the first unit in the north is closer to the north-eastern corner.
• This is a cluster of three halls interconnected with each other. They have been numbered, from east to west, as N1, N2 and N3. The next unit of cellars (two in numbers) is below the existing structure to the northwest (numbered as N4 and N5), behind the present security station to the right of the entrance to the fenced area . The three cellars to the south (S1, S2 and S3) are directly opposite to those to the north.

Cleaning and Study

• Heaps of soil and debris were noticed inside the cellar. In order to observe architectural details and features of the floor level, pillar bases and doorsill, debris were cleaned at a selected place within the cellar. On removal of dumped soil on the floor level, door sills of the 3rd entrance of both the eastern and western walls could be seen. The door sill of the entrance in western wall showed the continuous leaf motif pattern similar to that as observed in the stone skirting of the main western wall of the pre-existing structure.
• The base and foundation of the pillar with bell motif in the eastern row could also be seen after clearance of debris. The base of the pillar has deep groove on all four sides. The foundation of the pillar is made up of stone slabs placed all around it.

Artefacts

• In cellar N2, loose dumped earth was found accumulated against the eastern wall. It covered the area near 1st to 3rd entrances in the eastern wall. On removal of this dumped earth revealed pilasters of varying sizes placed on the debris filled floor. On stylistic ground, these pilasters can be dated to the late medieval period when temple construction activities got impetus from the Maratha patronage. In addition, small architectural members were also found.

Inscriptions

• A number of inscriptions were also found in these northern units. The pillar with bell motif in the eastern row has a dated inscription on the surface with arched niches. Some other inscriptions were found on the ceiling slabs of the eastern aisle. In the lintel of the 2nd entrance of the western wall an inscription was found wedged inside. Yet another inscription was found engraved on the underside of a stone slab used in the cornice above the entrance in the north wall.
• Some decorated architectural pieces were found embedded in the wall matrix at different places. A fragmentary frieze depicting the chaitya arch motif was found in the wall matrix of the south wall in N3.
• A decorated brick of historical period having diamond pattern was found embedded in the inner face of the eastern wall.

Sanskrit and Dravidian Inscriptions

• During the scientific investigations/ survey of existing structure a number of Sanskrit and Dravidian inscriptions were noticed on the pre-existing structure and existing structure. Most of these inscriptions which can be dated from 12th to 17th century have been reused in the structure, suggesting that the earlier structures were destroyed and their parts were reused in construction/ repair later.
• Of the 32 inscriptions, which were copied, only one inscription gives date as Samvat 1669, which corresponds to 1613 CE, January 1, Friday. All the other inscriptions can be dated on the basis of palaeography. Of the 34 inscriptions, 1 each can be dated to 12th and 15th century CE, 2 inscriptions to 16th century CE and 30 inscriptions to 17th century CE.
• From the information preserved in the inscriptions, four kinds of activities of the pilgrims can be noticed
  • to offer obeissance to the deity (5 inscriptions)
  • to do some pious work, exact nature is not clear (3 inscriptions)
  •  to make provision for burning a lamp (1 Inscription) and
  • to burn a perpetual lamp (1 Inscription).
• The inscriptions provide a mine of information on personal names. Total 14 personal names have been identified: Sajalla (Insc. No. 1), Aryavati (Insc. No. 2), Sumbhaji, Sonaji (Insc. No. 5), Mallana-bhatlu, Narayana-bhatlu (Insc. No. 6), Jivantadeva (Insc. No. 8), Narayanan Raman (Insc. No. 9), Pamdita Malavidhara (Insc. No. 17), Raghunatha (Insc. No. 18), Dodarasayya, Narasamna (Insc. No.26), Kasi (Insc. No. 27), Kanha (Insc. No. 28).

Arabic and Persian Inscription

• A loose slab lying in the lower store room made in south corridor of the existing structure was copied and compared with the previous record available with the ASI. Inked estampage of the loose slab, curvilinear in shape was prepared after proper cleaning.
• Gist of the Inscription
  • This Arabic and Persian inscription comes from a loose slab and runs in 6 lines of which last two lines have been mutilated purposefully. The inscription states that this mosque was constructed in the 20 regnal year of Aurangzeb Alamgir corresponding to 1676-77 CE and was repaired with Verandah and other parts in 1207 Hijri corresponding to 1792-93 CE.

Mason’s Marks

• A variety of symbols/ marks or small epigraphs are found engraved on different parts of ancient structures. They are unique, individual marks to identify the owner/ professional mark of the master craftsman. These marks are known as mason’s marks. There are different opinion among the scholars about the exact purpose of these marks. These engraved symbols/ letters on dressed stone blocks used in the construction of ancient buildings and structures are classified in three broad groups. The Banker marks – to identify the mason who had prepared the stones blocks to their paymaster; the Assembly marks – to ensure the correct installation of important pieces of stonework; and the Quary stone marks – to identify the source of a stone, or occasionally the quality.
• In Indian context, mason’s marks are common in secular buildings as well as in religious structures of different pantheon. During the medieval period these mason’s marks were very common on all types of structures. Not only the mason’s marks but some of the specific symbols used in building are also common and found on all types of structures belonging to different periods.
• During the course of scientific survey of the structures standing on the Settlement Plot No. 9130 at Varanasi, various types of symbols have been found on the wall surface. Seven different types of symbols have been recorded out of them Trident and Swastik are maximum in number.
• The most common and most important mark is the ‘swastika’. It is known to be one the most ancient symbols in the world, and has been used in all old civilization. In India this symbol is considered very auspicious by Hindus.
• Another important symbol is the ‘trishula’ (trident) the distinct weapon of Lord Shiva. This divine symbol is commonly used as one of the principal symbols by Hindus, particularly by Shaivites and also Shaktas.

You can download the Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report 2023 Here : Gyanvapi Mosque ASI Survey Report 2023 pdf

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