<p>British archaeologist James Prinsep has significantly contributed to India's historiography. Prinsep, who arrived in India more than two centuries ago, is best remembered for deciphering ancient India's Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts. But now, a map drawn by Prinsep&nbsp;has emerged as key evidence in the ongoing Gyanvapi case in India, media reports said on Wednesday (Feb 7).</p>

<p>According to a report by India Today, Prinsep drew the map of the old Kashi Vishwanath temple and showed how the Gyanvapi mosque stood on it. Prinsep lived in Uttar Varanasi (where the Gyanvapi site is located) from 1820 to 1830. The Kashi Vishwanath temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, who has been worshipped for centuries as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gyanvapi-mosque-muslim-side-moves-hc-against-varanasi-courts-decision-allowing-hindu-prayers-686238">Gyanvapi mosque: Allahabad HC refuses Muslim side's plea against Hindu prayers inside 'Vyas ji Ka Tehkhana'</a></strong></p>

<p>In Varanasi, Prinsep built the city's underground sewage system, which is operational, and restored the Alamgir Mosque which was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669. The archaeologist also drew Varanasi's maps.</p>

<h2><strong>A book, and map which will be used as key evidence</strong></h2>

<p>He wrote a book ‘Benares Illustrated, A Series of Drawings’ in 1831. The India Today report said that the book and the map would be used as part of evidence by the Hindu side in the ongoing case of the Gyanvapi complex. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the book, Prinsep discussed the architecture of the temple and how the original place of worship was converted to the present mosque. The British archaeologist mentioned how materials from the demolished temple were repurposed for the mosque's construction.</p>

<p>“The bigotry of Aurungzeb did not allow many vestiges of this more ancient style to remain. In 1660, for some trifling resistance to the imposition of a capitation tax, he took occasion to demolish the principal Shiwalas and constructed mosques with the same materials and upon the same foundations, leaving portions of the ancient walls exposed here and there as evidence of the indignity to which the Hindoo religion had been subjected," he wrote.</p>

<p>The map showed that the temple had eight mandaps. "The principal lingam of Mahadeo stood in an ornamented reservoir in the centre, having a drain below to carry off the Ganges water continually poured over it by day and night," Prinsep&nbsp;wrote in his book.</p>

<h2><strong>The Gyanvapi case</strong></h2>

<p>The Gyanvapi case has been going on for more than 30 years. Some believe that the Gyanvapi mosque was built on the remains of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, while various other petitions in courts, including the Supreme Court have discussed different angles of the case. Last week, the Hindu side in the case filed an application in the Supreme Court, seeking the de-sealing of the 'wazukhana',&nbsp;which is an ablution pond where worshippers wash themselves before they pray at the mosque, the news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gyanvapi mosque: Hindu devotees offer prayers inside mosque complex</strong></p>

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<p>The wazukhana was sealed in 2022 following a Supreme Court order. The Hindu side has said that the fountain-like structure in the Gyanvapi&nbsp;mosque's wazukhana is a "Shivling".</p>

<p>In its application, the Hindu side asked the apex court to allow the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out another comprehensive survey in the area without harming the Shivling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to India Today on Wednesday, BR Mani, Director General of the National Museum, said, "Prinsep has shown the place of Vishweshwar or Mahadev in the centre of the temple and indicates that the principal lingam was located in a water reservoir and that could be the so-called fountain in the wazukhana, which could have been originally the ornamented reservoir having the lingam."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


British archaeologist James Prinsep has significantly contributed to India's historiography. Prinsep, who arrived in India more than two centuries ago, is best remembered for deciphering ancient India's Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts.

British archaeologist James Prinsep has significantly contributed to India's historiography. Prinsep, who arrived in India more than two centuries ago, is best remembered for deciphering ancient India's Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts. But now, a map drawn by Prinsep has emerged as key evidence in the ongoing Gyanvapi case in India, media reports said on Wednesday (Feb 7). According to a report by India Today, Prinsep drew the map of the old Kashi Vishwanath temple and showed how the Gyanvapi mosque stood on it. Prinsep lived in Uttar Varanasi (where the Gyanvapi site is located) from 1820 to 1830. The Kashi Vishwanath temple was dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, who has been worshipped for centuries as Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara. Also watch | Gyanvapi mosque: Allahabad HC refuses Muslim side's plea against Hindu prayers inside 'Vyas ji Ka Tehkhana' In Varanasi, Prinsep built the city's underground sewage system, which is operational, and restored the Alamgir Mosque which was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1669. The archaeologist also drew Varanasi's maps. A book, and map which will be used as key evidence He wrote a book ‘Benares Illustrated, A Series of Drawings’ in 1831. The India Today report said that the book and the map would be used as part of evidence by the Hindu side in the ongoing case of the Gyanvapi complex. In the book, Prinsep discussed the architecture of the temple and how the original place of worship was converted to the present mosque. The British archaeologist mentioned how materials from the demolished temple were repurposed for the mosque's construction. “The bigotry of Aurungzeb did not allow many vestiges of this more ancient style to remain. In 1660, for some trifling resistance to the imposition of a capitation tax, he took occasion to demolish the principal Shiwalas and constructed mosques with the same materials and upon the same foundations, leaving portions of the ancient walls exposed here and there as evidence of the indignity to which the Hindoo religion had been subjected," he wrote. The map showed that the temple had eight mandaps. "The principal lingam of Mahadeo stood in an ornamented reservoir in the centre, having a drain below to carry off the Ganges water continually poured over it by day and night," Prinsep wrote in his book. The Gyanvapi case The Gyanvapi case has been going on for more than 30 years. Some believe that the Gyanvapi mosque was built on the remains of the Kashi Vishwanath temple, while various other petitions in courts, including the Supreme Court have discussed different angles of the case. Last week, the Hindu side in the case filed an application in the Supreme Court, seeking the de-sealing of the 'wazukhana', which is an ablution pond where worshippers wash themselves before they pray at the mosque, the news agency ANI reported. Also watch | Gyanvapi mosque: Hindu devotees offer prayers inside mosque complex × The wazukhana was sealed in 2022 following a Supreme Court order. The Hindu side has said that the fountain-like structure in the Gyanvapi mosque's wazukhana is a "Shivling". In its application, the Hindu side asked the apex court to allow the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out another comprehensive survey in the area without harming the Shivling. Speaking to India Today on Wednesday, BR Mani, Director General of the National Museum, said, "Prinsep has shown the place of Vishweshwar or Mahadev in the centre of the temple and indicates that the principal lingam was located in a water reservoir and that could be the so-called fountain in the wazukhana, which could have been originally the ornamented reservoir having the lingam." (With inputs from agencies)

Gyanvapi case: What does archaeologist James Prinsep's 200-yr-old map reveal about the disputed Indian site?

<p>The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi Mosque complex will be made available to both the Hindu and the Muslim sides, a district court in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi said on Wednesday (Jan 24) in the significant development in the ongoing case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year in December, ASI submitted its 1,000-page "scientific survey" report on the mosque complex to the district judge in a sealed cover.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court said in the latest hearing that both parties shall give an affidavit to keep the report with them and won't make it public.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ayodhya-consecration-miracle-that-modi-is-alive-says-congress-leader-moily-on-pms-11-day-ritual-683138">Ayodhya consecration: 'Miracle' that Modi is alive, says Congress leader Moily on PM's 11-day ritual</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side, said, "The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI's report be made available to both sides."&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added, "As soon as the court passes the order, our legal team will apply for the certified copy."&nbsp;</p>

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<h2><strong>Gyanvapi Mosque Case</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The Gyanvapi Mosque is located in Varanasi, a holy city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was constructed by Aurangzeb in 1669 after demolishing an ancient temple of Lord Shiva , claims the Hindu side.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-mamata-banerjee-west-bengal-chief-minister-injured-in-car-accident-683194">Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, injured in car accident</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>ASI survey of the site was launched after the Allahabad High Court upheld the Varanasi court order, stating that the survey was "necessary in the interest of justice". It added that the survey would benefit both sides in the dispute.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the court's order, the ASI carried out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex premises, located next to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The main aim of the survey was to determine or not whether the mosque was constructed over a Hindu temple.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi Mosque complex will be made available to both the Hindu and the Muslim sides, a district court in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi said on Wednesday (Jan 24) in the significant development in the ongoing case.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report on the Gyanvapi Mosque complex will be made available to both the Hindu and the Muslim sides, a district court in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi said on Wednesday (Jan 24) in the significant development in the ongoing case. Last year in December, ASI submitted its 1,000-page "scientific survey" report on the mosque complex to the district judge in a sealed cover. The court said in the latest hearing that both parties shall give an affidavit to keep the report with them and won't make it public. Also read: Ayodhya consecration: 'Miracle' that Modi is alive, says Congress leader Moily on PM's 11-day ritual Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is representing the Hindu side, said, "The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI's report be made available to both sides." He added, "As soon as the court passes the order, our legal team will apply for the certified copy." #WATCH | Gyanvapi case | Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side, says, "The court listened to both sides today. After hearing both sides, an agreement was reached that a certified copy of ASI's report be made available to both sides. As soon as the court passes… pic.twitter.com/q5E1hWL2oS — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2024 × Gyanvapi Mosque Case The Gyanvapi Mosque is located in Varanasi, a holy city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It was constructed by Aurangzeb in 1669 after demolishing an ancient temple of Lord Shiva , claims the Hindu side. Also read: Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, injured in car accident ASI survey of the site was launched after the Allahabad High Court upheld the Varanasi court order, stating that the survey was "necessary in the interest of justice". It added that the survey would benefit both sides in the dispute. After the court's order, the ASI carried out a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex premises, located next to the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple. The main aim of the survey was to determine or not whether the mosque was constructed over a Hindu temple. (With inputs from agencies)

Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Archaeological Survey of India's survey report made available to both sides

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Gyanvapi case: What does archaeologist James Prinsep's 200-yr-old map reveal about the disputed Indian site?

Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Archaeological Survey of India's survey report made available to both sides