[Prev][Next][Index]
Ayodhya debate on SCI, 3
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 15:14:31 EST
From: Dinesh Agrawal <DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Message-ID: <95054.151431DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Re: Ayodhys Temple/Mosque dispute 2
References: <95048.101550DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu> <3i77p5$amm@nntp.Stanford.EDU>
<95050.182132DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu> <3if31q$852@nntp.Stanford.EDU>
Mr. Farooq continues:
>Well, I am pleased to see that we have made some progress. Let me try
>to summarize: There are three intertwined aspects to this problem
>which I will now try to summarize, and leave for Mr. Agrawal to comment
>on:
>
>The Historical/Religious aspect:
>
>There is *no* evidence that I have seen or read that would suggest
>that Babar or his lieutenent, Mir Baqi destroyed an existing functioning
>temple and built a mosque on its site. I would request Mr. Agrawal
>to produce any if has it. (please dont barrage us with 20 page articles,
>a short paragraph would be nice)
There are plenty of authentic documentary evidence for those who have eyes to
see them available that unequivocally prove that the site on which the disput-
ed structure was built, was taken from Hindus, and Hindus had never given up
their right to worship or regain it, they kept coming back to the site for
worship. There are even some sources which suggest that in some periods the
Hindus even used the Masjid itself. These documentary evidences include Muslim
testimonies, records of European travellers, revenue records, and archaeologi-
cal surveys.
Now Mr Farooq, is the above paragraph satisfies you that there are evidences
that a Hindu temple did exist there? If not , howabout the paragraph I cited
in my Part 1 of this response from Maulana Hakim Abdul Sayyid Hai's Arabic
original book? Is that an evidence? If not why? Please explain.
How about the following paragraph:
"...the mosques built on the basis of the king's orders (ba farman-i Badshah)
have not been exempted from the offering of the namaz and the reading of the
Khutba (therein). The places of worship of the Hindus situated at Mathura,
Banaras adn Awadh (Ayodhya), etc., in which the Hindus (Kaffir) have great
faith - the place of the birth of Kanhaiya, the place Rasoi Sita, the place of
Hanuman, who according to the Hindus, was seated by Ram Chandra over there
after the conquest of Lanka - were all demolished for the strength of Islam,
and at all these places mosques have been constructed. These mosques have not
been exempted from juma and jamiat (Friday prayers). Rather it is obligatory
that no idol worship should be performed over there and the sound of the
conch shell should not reach the ear of Muslims..." (Sahifa-i Chahal Nasaih
Bahadur Shahi, or Bahadur Shah Nama written by his daughter, Aurangzeb's grand
daughter in early 18th century, and as quoted by Mirza Jan in his Hadiqa-i-
Shuhada, 1856, page 6).
Is this paragraph an evidence for you? If not please tell us why?
How about the following paragraph?
"...The past Sultans encouraged the propagation and glorification of Islam and
crushed the forces of unbelievers (kuffar), the Hindus. Similarly, Faizabad
and Awadh (Ayodhya) were also purged of this mean practice (of kuffar). This
(Ayodhya) was a great worshipping center and the capital of (the kingdom of
Rama's father. Here they broke the temples and left no stone-hearted idol
intact. Where there was large temple, a big mosque was constructed, and, where
there was a small pavallion, there they erected a plain camp mosque/enclosure.
Accordingly, what a majestic mosque Babar Shah has got constructed in 923 AH
under the patronage of Sayyid Musa Ashiqan! Its date is "khayr Baqi". It is
still known far and wide as the Sita ki Rasoi mosque. (Hadiqa-iShuhada, by
Mirja Jan, 1856, page 4-5)
Is this paragraph an evidence for you? If not please tell us why?
How about the following paragraph?
"The mosque which had been built by Saiyid Musa Ashikan in 923 AH in compliance
with the order of Zahiruddin Badshah, Delhi, after demolishing the private
apartments (mahal sarai) of Raja Ram Chabder and the kitchen of Sita, as well
as the second mosque built by Muiuddin Aurangzeb, Alamgir Badshah (in fact)
both these mosques had developed cracks at various places because of the
ageing character. Both these mosques have been gradually mitigated by the
Bairagis and this very fact accounts for the riot. The Hindus have great
hatred for the Muslims..." (Zia-i Akhtar by Haji Muhammed Hasan, 1878,p 38-39).
Is this paragraph an evidence? If not, please tell us why?
How about the following paragraph?
"To the east of this dargah is mohalla Akbarpur, whose second name is also
Kot Raja Ram Chander ji. In this Kot, there were few burjs (towery big halls).
Towards the side of the western burj, there was the house of birthplace (makan-
i paidaish) and the kitchen (bawarchi khana) of the above mentioned Raja. And
now, this premises is known as Janamsthan and Rasoi Sita ji. After the
demolition and mitigation of these houses (viz. Janamsthan and Rasoi Sita ji),
Babar got a magnificent mosque constructed thereon." (in Gumgashte Halat-i
Ajodhya Awadh (Forgotten Events of Ayodhya), i.e. Tarikh-i Parnia Madina
Alwaliya (in Persian), Lucknow 1885, by Maulvi Abdul Karim)
Is this paragraph an evidence for you? If not, please tell us why?
How about the following paragraph?
"Babar built a magnificent mosque at the spot where the temple of Janamsthan
of Ramchandra was situated in AYodhya, under the patronage of Saiyid Ashikan,
and Sita ki Rasoi is situated adjacent to it. The date of construction of the
mosque is Khair Baqi (923 AH). Till date, it is known as Sita ki Rasoi. By its
side stands that temple. It is said that at the time of the conquest of Islam
there were still three temples, viz. Janamsthan, which was the birthplace of
ram Chaderji, Swargdwar alias Ram darbar, and the Treta ka Thakur. Babar built
the mosque after having demolished Janamsthan."
(Tarikh-i Awadh by Alama Muhammad Najamulghani Khan Rampuri, 1909, this was
brought out by Dr. Zaki Kakorawi in an abridged edition, vol.II pp.570. Let me
mention here that the learned author of this book had used as many as 81 sourc-
es (manuscripts and books) covering the history of India/Awadh from the 17th-
19th centuries, comprising mostly Muslim authors.)
Is this paragraph an evidence for you? If not please tell us why?
How about the following paragraph?
History and Geography of India, by Joseph Tieffenthaler (published in French by
Bernoulli in 1785): Tieffenthaler, the Austrian Jesuit priest who stayed in
Awadh in 1766-71, reports that Babar destroyed the birth-place temple of Ram
and constructed a mosque by using its pillers. However, Hindus refused to give
up the place and in spite of the Moghuls' efforts to prevent them, they were
coming to the place for worship. They had constructed the Ram Chabootra in
the mosque's courtyard, which they used to perambulate thrice, then to
prostrate on the ground. (pp. 253-54)
....to be continued...
Dinesh Agrawal...
