800-year-old evidence found in MP’s Bhojshala:Evidence of education center found in Sanskrit inscription; HC seeks claims and objections

The Indore bench of the High Court heard the Bhojshala case from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday. The court has directed all petitioners and respondents to submit their objections and suggestions on the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report within two weeks. The next hearing will be on March 16, where further action will be determined based on the responses filed. On the High Court’s order, ASI conducted an investigation, a survey, and limited excavation in the premises and within 50 meters of its perimeter for about 100 days from March 22, 2024. The team included archaeologists, epigraphists, chemists, and other experts. Inscriptions suggesting educational center found
The report found evidence of inscriptions from the 12th to the 20th century. These include Sanskrit-Prakrit inscriptions in Nagari script and inscriptions written in Arabic-Persian. Some inscriptions indicate religious activities, while others suggest the possibility of it being an educational center. Signs of reuse after erasing writing on some stones
According to the report, 56 Arabic-Persian inscriptions were found in the Bhojshala complex, containing prayers, names, and religious verses. Additionally, Sanskrit-Prakrit inscriptions from the 12th-16th centuries were also found, which include references to Parijatamanjari-Natika and Avanikarmasatam. Some stones also show signs of being reused after erasing previous writing. The report also states that this site was used for religious, educational, and social purposes during different time periods. It also mentions conservation efforts from the British period until now. Reference found to drama written by Parmar King’s guru
Inscriptions containing texts like Parijatamanjari Natika, Avanikarmasatam, and Nagbandh have been found. These are also mentioned in ASI’s books ‘Epigraphia Indica and Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum’.
Parijatamanjari Natika was written by Madan, the guru of King Arjunvarman of Dhar’s Parmar dynasty. The preface states that this play was first performed in the temple of Goddess Saraswati. One inscription contains two poems in the Prakrit language, each containing 109 verses. The first poem is called Avanikarmasatam. It is believed to have been composed by Maharajadhiraj Bhojdev. Inscriptions related to education and grammar found The Nagbandh inscriptions found in the Western Pillar Hall are considered important from an educational and grammatical perspective. These indicate that this place must have been an educational center at some point. It is believed that it was established by King Bhojdev. During the investigation, fragments of about 50 inscriptions from around the 13th century were found. Along with this, a broken part of a statue’s base was also found. The writing on many stone slabs was deliberately erased, and later these were used in construction work. Additionally, 34 small carved names have also been found. Some of these names are from the 13th century, while most are said to be from the 16th century. Damaged idol of Lord Vishnu found, along with a mention of Mahmud Shah. 56 Arabic-Persian inscriptions found in the premises The ASI team has found 56 inscriptions in the Arabic and Persian languages. Of these, 43 are written in ink. These inscriptions contain names of visitors, religious verses, prayers, and Persian poetry verses. Names of visitors like Qazi Jalaluddin, Azizuddin, Syed Anwar, and Qalandar Beg are written. During the excavation, a small and damaged idol of Lord Vishnu was found. Remains of temples were also discovered. An article also mentions that in 1905, Gwalior state’s deputy engineer, Syed Hussain, came here. Inscriptions have also been found on four graves in the premises containing Kamal Maula’s tomb. These have verses from the Quran written on them. Reference to Malwa’s Sultan Mahmud Shah also found One inscription mentions Sultan Mahmud Shah I of Malwa. It provides information about the construction of the verandah, courtyard, rooms, well, bathhouse, and other buildings in the dargah premises. This construction is said to have taken place in Hijri 861 (1456-57 CE), while the inscription was carved on stone in Hijri 866 (1461-62 CE). Another inscription also mentions the reconstruction of old mosques of Dhar during the Tughlaq dynasty period. Used as a religious site during different time periods According to the report, inscriptions also indicate that this complex served as a religious site, educational center, and public gathering place during different time periods. The inscriptions found here demonstrate the multi-layered historical and cultural significance of this site. Conservation journey from 1902 until now
The report states that the first conservation plan was made during the British period in 1902-03. In 1951, it was declared a ‘Monument of National Importance’. During the 1972-73 excavation, pre-Mughal era artifacts like glazed pottery and copper rings were also discovered here. Both parties’ views on ASI report… Bhoj Utsav Committee coordinator Gopal Sharma said that the evidence found in the report proves that Bhojshala has been a major center of the Sanatan faith. A grand temple of Maa Saraswati and a Gurukul were established here. This is a positive result of years of struggle and a matter of pride for the Sanatan community. Muslim community president Abdul Samad said that we have been objecting to this survey from the beginning. ASI’s own surveys in 1903 and 1904 determined that this place is a mosque. The structure is also like a mosque. Many facts appear to have been changed in the new survey report. We will file our objections in court.