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Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex’s Disputed Area a Temple
The MP High Court ruled that the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, cancelling the 2003 ASI order allowing Muslim prayers there. The court kept ASI supervisory control over preservation, urged land arrangements for a mosque, and called for repatriation of the Saraswati idol from the British Museum. The verdict follows a protracted legal battle and a prior ASI survey that identified temple-era evidence at the site.
Why It Matters
The ruling reaffirms Hindu claims to the site and affects access to worship, heritage management, and potential future arrangements for a mosque in the district.
Timeline
6 Events
High Court verdict declares Bhojshala area a temple
May 15, 2026
The Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, cancelling the 2003 ASI arrangement. The court stated that the ASI shall have full supervisory control over preservation, retained the Hindu side's right to perform rituals, directed the government to seek separate land for a mosque, and urged the repatriation of the Goddess Saraswati idol from the British Museum. It also noted evidence of a Sanskrit teaching centre and Saraswati temple at Bhojshala and referenced historical ties to Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty.
High Court reserves its verdict
May 12, 2026
The High Court bench reserved its decision in the case on May 12, prior to delivering the final verdict.
ASI submits over 2,000-page report to the court
June 27, 2024
After the 98-day survey, the ASI submitted its report to the court, indicating that a massive structure dating to the Parmar dynasty predated the mosque and that the current structure used repurposed temple components.
ASI begins the scientific survey
March 22, 2024
The ASI began the detailed 98-day scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex.
High Court orders ASI to conduct scientific survey
March 11, 2024
The Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex.
2003 ASI arrangement allows Friday prayers at Bhojshala
2003
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had an arrangement in 2003 under which Hindus and Muslims continued to pray on Tuesdays and Fridays, respectively, at the Bhojshala premises.