Shamsi Shahi Masjid or Nilkanth Mahadev Mandir: Historical evidence points towards presence of temple

In Uttar Pradesh, the case regarding the Jama Masjid Shamsi in Badaun, built allegedly over the Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir, was scheduled for a hearing in the district court on December 3. This case emerged amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, which Hindus refer to as the Hari Har Mandir. However, the hearing was postponed to December 10 due to the incomplete presentation of arguments by the Muslim side. On November 30, the Intezamia Committee, which manages the mosque, had submitted its explanation of the matter.

Hindu activist Mukesh Patel has claimed that the structure in question originally housed a Bhagwan Shiva Mandir. The court was set to determine whether the case merits a full hearing. A fast-track court has been established to expedite the proceedings, with the Muslim side required to present its arguments first in the Civil Judge Senior Division Fast Track Court. Following that, the Hindu side will present its case. After the government’s argument concluded, the Archaeological Department declared the site as its property in court. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, heightened security measures were put in place at the court.

Counsel of the Hindu side, Ved Prakash Sahu, said that the intention of the advocates of the Muslim side is to prolong the case, and they only waste our time as well as the court’s time in the name of argument in the case.

Hindus assert that Badaun’s Jama Masjid Shamsi was built by demolishing the Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir that once stood at the site. In contrast, Muslims maintain that there is no evidence to support the claim that the mosque was constructed over a temple. They assert that the Shamsi Masjid was built by the Sufi saint Badshah Shamshuddin Altamash, who erected the mosque to worship Allah during his visit to Badaun.

Historical References Supporting the Claim
The controversy draws heavily from historical documents such as the Gazetteer of India Uttar Pradesh – District Budaun, which acknowledges the possibility of the mosque being built over the remnants of a Hindu temple. According to the Gazetteer:

• The Shamsi Shahi Masjid was constructed using materials from a demolished stone temple.
• The mosque stands in the Maulvi Tola Muhalla of the old city on elevated ground, a characteristic often associated with temple sites.
• It is noted that Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, the first governor of Budaun, initiated the mosque’s construction during his tenure from 1202 to 1210 AD.

The Gazetteer further highlights architectural details, such as short carved pillars flanking the mosque’s mihrab, which were allegedly taken from the old Hindu temple. The mosque, measuring approximately 85.3 meters from north to south, is one of the largest in northern India and rivals other grand Islamic structures like those in Jaunpur.

Archaeological Survey and Evidence
Additional claims stem from records of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). According to the Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of India (No. 19):

• Sandstone blocks from ancient Hindu temples were reused in the mosque’s construction, particularly for its foundation up to a height of 12 feet.
• Dwarf pillars on either side of the mosque were reportedly taken from Hindu buildings and shortened to fit their new purpose.

The Report of a Tour in the Gangetic Provinces (1875-76 and 1877-78) also provides context for the claim, suggesting that the mosque replaced a temple named Harmandar, built by Mahipal. This temple was purportedly destroyed during the Islamic conquests.

Architectural Echoes of the Past
The architectural features of Jama Masjid further fuel the debate. The presence of Hindu-style carvings and the use of reclaimed temple materials indicate a synthesis of cultural and architectural elements. Proponents of the temple-origin theory argue that these features provide tangible proof of the site’s original purpose as a Hindu temple.

The ongoing conflict has heightened tensions in the region. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with the Uttar Pradesh and Union governments, have been named as parties in the case. The court proceedings will be guided by the 1991 Places of Worship Act. A case regarding the matter was initially filed in 2022.

Meanwhile, violence in Sambhal on November 24 was triggered by a long-standing dispute over the Shahi Jama Masjid, with many Hindus asserting that the mosque was built over the ruins of a Hindu Mandir, the Hari Har Mandir. For years, Hindus have argued that the mosque’s existence on the sacred site is an affront to their religious heritage and that historical evidence supports the claim of Mandir demolition. The clashes resulted in four deaths, numerous police injuries, and significant property damage.