Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex

• 25 Apr 2024

Why in News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is conducting a scientific survey at the medieval-era Bhojshala complex on High Court's direction. It has sought eight more weeks to complete the exercise.

• Bhojshala complex is located in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• Hindus consider Bhojshala, an ASI-protected 11^th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community call it Kamal Maula Mosque.
• As per an arrangement made by the ASI on 7^th April 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.
• The high court had on 11^th March 2024 ordered the ASI to conduct a "scientific survey" of the Bhojshala-Kamal Moula mosque complex within six weeks.
• According to ASI, a detailed survey of the complex and its peripheral area is in progress using scientific tools, and the team is conducting detailed documentation of the entire monument.
  • Excavation, which is a very systematic and slow process, is also in progress, and more time will be needed to understand the nature of exposed portions of the structures.
  • On close examination of the monument, it is observed that later filling in the entrance porch is hiding the original features of the structure, and its removal is to be done very carefully, without causing any damage to the original structure, which is a slow and time-taking process.
• The ASI has requested the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to conduct a Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey.
  • A team from the NGRI and their scientists were surveying the entire area regularly, strictly complying with the directions passed by the High Court.

Note: The National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is a geoscientific research organization established in 1961 under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)

• Archiological Survey of India (ASI) uses GPR to produce a 3-D model of buried archaeological features.
• GPR operates by introducing a short radar impulse from a surface antenna and records the time and magnitude of return signals from the subsoil.
• Radar beam spreads like a cone, causing reflections before the antenna passes over the object.
• Radar beams spread out in a cone, leading to reflections that may not directly correspond to physical dimensions, creating false images.