ASI Response on Sambhal Mosque

• 02 Dec 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has requested the civil court in Sambhal for control and management of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, citing its status as a protected heritage site. The request follows the court’s approval of a survey of the mosque.

Key Points

• Controversy Around the Sambhal Mosque:
  • On 19^th January, 2018, an First Information Report (FIR) was filed against the mosque's management committee for installing steel railings on the mosque's steps without obtaining proper authorization.
  • The ASI stated that the Shahi Jama Masjid which was notified as a protected monument in 1920, under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act 1904, falls under its jurisdiction.
  • The ASI argued that the mosque’s management committee made unauthorised structural modifications, which are unlawful and should be restricted.
• Access and Regulation:
  • The ASI maintained that public access to the mosque is permissible, but only if it adheres to ASI regulations.
  • The ASI has sought full control and management of the mosque, emphasizing its responsibility for maintaining the monument and regulating any changes to its structure.
• Violence During Court-Ordered Survey:
  • Violence erupted in Sambhal on 24^th November 2024, during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.
  • Four people were killed, and several others sustained injuries during the clashes.
• Judicial Commission:
  • A three-member judicial commission was formed on 28th November 2024, to investigate the violence.
  • The commission will determine whether the violence was spontaneous or part of a premeditated conspiracy.
  • The inquiry will analyze the events leading to the violence and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
  • It is required to submit its findings within two months, with any extension subject to government approval.
• Survey and Temple Petition:
  • The court-ordered survey was linked to a petition claiming that the Jama Masjid in Sambhal was originally a Hari Har temple located in mohalla Kot Purvi and was converted into a mosque in 1529.
  • Historical Context:
    • The Jama Masjid in Sambhal is one of three mosques constructed during Babur’s reign (1526–1530). The others include the mosque at Panipat and the now-demolished Babri Masjid.
    • Historian Howard Crane described the mosque’s architectural features in his work, The Patronage of Babur and the Origins of Mughal Architecture.
    • Crane noted a Persian inscription stating that Babur ordered the mosque’s construction in December 1526 through his subedar, Jahangir Quli Khan.

Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904

• About:
  • The Act was passed in 1904, during the tenure of Lord Curzon in British India.
  • It aimed at preserving ancient monuments and objects of historical, archaeological, and artistic significance.
• Key Provisions:
  • It empowered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to protect and restore ancient Indian monuments.
  • Regulated the movement and trade of antiquities to prevent illegal trafficking.
  • Provided for control over archaeological excavations in specified areas.
  • Facilitated the acquisition of ancient monuments for preservation in certain cases.
• Significance:
  • Played a foundational role in protecting India’s historical and cultural heritage under a structured legal framework.
  • Enhanced the responsibilities of the ASI in monument conservation.