Sambhal Mosque Case

• 09 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, the Allahabad High Court sought responses from the Central and State governments, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and local authorities regarding a plea filed by the Shahi Jama Masjid committee in Sambhal, challenging a trial court’s order. 

 Key Points 

• Supreme Court’s Stay: 
  • The trial court had directed an Advocate Commissioner to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid while handling a suit claiming the mosque was built by destroying a temple. 
  • In November 2024, the Supreme Court stayed the trial court's proceedings and instructed that the matter should not be heard until the petition against the survey order is addressed in the Allahabad High Court. 
  • The Supreme Court also ordered that no new suits seeking surveys of any place of worship should be entertained until further notice. 
• Survey and Clashes: 
  • In 2024, the local court ordered a survey of the Mughal-era mosque following a petition claiming the mosque was built in 1526 after demolishing a temple dedicated to Kalki, Lord Vishnu's last incarnation. 
  • The eight plaintiffs in the suit demanded the right to access the mosque. 
  • Violence erupted in Sambhal on 24th November 2024 after clashes between police and protesters against the survey, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries. 

 Historical Context of the Jama Masjid 

• 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. 

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organisation for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. 
  • Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 governs the functioning of ASI. 
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. 
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc. 
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.