gyanvapi mosque  asi survey report 2023 

Volume 1 : structures

[ photos of inscriptions inside ]

We are going to look into the Gyanvapi Mosque  ASI survey report 2023 Volume 1 : Structures

It contains three sections  which are :  1) Introduction 2)Structures 3)Summary

For a detailed summary you can visit the website by clicking the link at the end. For now, we are going have a look at some of the significant 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.

inscription no.1

Mentions the name of a person Sajalla. 

Script : Nagari           

17th Century CE

Lang :  Local Dialect 

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inscription no.2

Mentions the name of a person Aryavart. Other details are not clear.

Script : Nagari           

17th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit 

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inscription no.4

Worn-out. Records the obeisance made in Maha-mukti mandapa.

Script : Nagari           

17th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit 

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inscription no.5

Worn-out. Mentions names of two individuals i.e. Sambhaji and Sonaji

Script : Nagari           

17th Century CE

Lang : Local Dialect

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inscription no.6

It mentions individuals namely Mallana-bhatlu, son of Narayana-bhatlu.

Script : Telugu           

17th Century CE

Lang : Telugu

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inscription no.9

Worn-out. Seems to refer some charity instituted by Narayanan Raman.

Script : Grantha       

17th Century CE

Lang : Tamil

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inscription no.10

Worn-out. Mentions the name of a person Hemoja.

Script : Nagari

17th Century CE

Lang : Local Dialect

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inscription no.13

Mentions Bhriguvasara (i.e. Thursday) in line no. 2 and Dharmajha in line no. 6.

Script : Nagari       

16th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit

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inscription no.17

Seems to record some pious work in the temple by Pam (i.e. Pamdita) Malavidhara 

Script : Nagari       

1613 CE, January 1, Friday

Lang : Sanskrit

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inscription no.24

Seems to record some pious work in the temple by a person (name iost) and it mentions an epithet Paramamaniyakadeva

Script : Nagari       

17th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit

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inscription no.27

Mentions Kasi. Palaeographically datable to 17th century CE.

Script : Nagari       

17th Century CE

Lang : Local Dialect

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inscription no.28

Seems to record some pious work in the temple by a person Kanha, who hailed from Lashumadesa and Kurhkalamandala

Script : Nagari       

17th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit

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inscription no.33

Engraved surface is facing inwards with narrow space. Rubber cast helps in reading some of the words.

Script : Nagari       

12th Century CE

Lang : Sanskrit

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