Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque Dispute: History and Case

Explore the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, its historical roots, ASI surveys, legal battle, and communal significance in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

Table of Contents

Context

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has announced a site visit to the Bhojshala complex in Dhar following the 2024 ASI survey report, which concluded that the existing mosque was constructed using the remains of a pre-existing temple structure.

About Bhojshala

Founder: The Bhojshala was originally constructed by Raja Bhoj (reigned c. 1010–1055 AD), the most famous ruler of the Paramara Dynasty.
Purpose: It was established as a prestigious Sanskrit college (shala) and a center for learning.
Dedication: The site is dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati). The iconic statue of Vagdevi, originally housed here, is currently in the British Museum, London.
Architecture: Originally built in the Maru-Gurjara or Nagara style of temple architecture, characterized by intricate carvings on basalt stone.

About Kamal Maula Mosque

Historical accounts suggest the structure was converted into a mosque during the Malwa Sultanate period (roughly 14th–15th centuries) under rulers like Alauddin Khalji and later Dilawar Khan Ghori.
It is named after Sheikh Kamal Maula, a Sufi saint who lived in Dhar for several decades.

Paramara Dynasty

● Capital: Initially Ujjain, later shifted to Dhar.

● Raja Bhoj: He was a polymath and authored works like Saraswati-Kanthabharana (on grammar) and Samarangana-Sutradhara (on architecture).

● Territory: Centered around the Malwa region of present-day Madhya Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan/Gujarat.

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