• Who was Raja Bhoja, the maker of Bhojshala? Bhojshala complex has a Kund and Iron Pillar too. What are key points in the MP HC Order? Article has more examples of Hindu Monuments in Malwa that invaders made Muslim. 

I travelled to Malwa (Dhar is a part of it) in 2018 and saw various Hindu monuments now called Islamic so not taken aback by Madhya Pradesh (MP) High Court (HC) order on Bhojshala. Examples below –

Mandu. Behind Somkund is Darya Khan Tomb. Having a Kund is a Hindu concept, found across India just like Bhojshala has JAL Kund. 

Read  Why do Temples have Tanks and Step Wells

Ram Kund, Surya Mandir, Modhera, Gujarat. 2018. 

Temple Tank, Belur Temple, Karnataka. 2012.

2. Mandu – Hindu style brackets in Darya Khan Tomb. 2018.

4a. Asirgarh Fort near Mandu. ASI Board. Constructed in 1590 A.D. name of the builder is given in Sanskrit and Arabic. 2018.

5. In Asirgarh Fort, close up of left side minaret. Lower level has black stone. Where black stone ends are seen beautiful brackets and mouldings in Hindu style to support the chajjas above. 2018. It appears that the temple sanctum was destroyed and a minaret constructed.

See pics in album from 14 onwards.

In Malwa’s Burhanpur (Indian name Bhrignapur taking its name from Bhrigu Rishi) there is a Sanskrit inscription on walls of Jama Masjid according to Anuradha Goyal, founder www.indiatales.com, in her article What to see in Burhanpur

5a Sanskrit inscription on walls of Jama Masjid, Burhanpur, MP.  

Adhai-din-ka-Jhopda Ajmer. Close up of column. Design resembles Kiradu Temple, Rajasthan. 2021.

On Adhai din ka jhopda, a 2007 article in Tribune Chandigarh said, “This mosque was a Sanskrit college in the 12th century. The interior of the mosque is more like a Hindu temple, with a main hall supported by numerous columns. Three pillars are placed over each other while the roof is supported on square bays. The columns are of an uncommon design, heavily decorated and quite similar to Hindu and Jain rock temples. Their bases are large and bulbous, tapering as they gain height. Although the original pillars and the roof of the pre-Muslim structure were allowed to remain, many of the original carvings were defaced by the conquerors.” To see album

Unfortunately, I visited Dhar on a Friday in 2018 so could not see it as that day was reserved for Namaz. I had earlier written How Temples destroyed by Invaders could be claimed back by Sanatanis

Who was Raja Bhoj (Parmar dynasty) maker of Bhojshala Temple (BHT)

Dr Ujjwala Anand, Conservationist, Architectural historian wrote, “According to the Prabandhachintamani by Merutunga, Raja Bhoja constructed 104 prasadas in Dhara Nagari. As our ancient shastras call Temple –‘Prasada’, it is evident that he constructed multiple temples in the city that he planned- Dhara Nagari. Bhoja’s architectural vision was shaped by his treatise, Samarangana Sutradhara, which is considered one of the most significant texts on Vastu Shastra.”

Samadisvara Mandir, Chittorgarh Fort was built by Raja Bhoj.

Indic scholar Subhash Kak wrote about Raja Bhoj, “The Bhoj Lake, 18.5 miles long and 7.5 miles wide, was constructed using three now-breached dams. He also built a tank Bhojapāla भोजपाल (an oblong tank, पाल) and the city that arose near it became Bhopal.”

“The Iron Pillar of Dhar, originally almost twice as tall as its counterpart in Delhi, is preserved in the compound of the Lat Masjid (‘lat’ means ‘pillar’). The Dhar pillar is in three pieces, placed horizontally on a platform in the mosque compound. When standing vertically, the pillar would have soared 14 meters high.” 6 Read  A new study on the Dhar Iron Pillar’ by Dr Prof R Balasubramaniam, Prof of Metallurgy at IIT Kanpur, published in Indian Journal of history of Science. 

Close-up of Dhar Iron Pillar. 

Key Points made by the MP HC Order on Bhojshala (242 pages)

1. Since BHT is a protected monument under the 1958 law, managed by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) not covered by the Places of Worship Act 1991.

2. Plea by petitioners was not for title of property but right to pray in BHT, seeking enforcement of a fundamental right under Article 226 of the Constitution, the constitutional power of the HC cannot be overruled by legislation. 2

3. The Supreme Court had asked the MP HC, in January 2026, to decide the matter by examining the ASI Survey Report. 2

4. BHT is a protected monument under the 1958 Act with effect from March 18, 1904, over which the ASI will have full supervisory control. 2

5. “Since the religious character of the area was held to be a temple of goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), the court struck down the ASI order of 2003 to the extent that it permitted offering of prayer by the Muslim community.” 2

6. Petition Pg 5, “Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction restraining the Respondents from allowing the Muslims to perform prayer or worship in any manner within the temple complex.” 1

Petition Pg 6, “ASI be directed to re-establish the idol/pratima (statue) of goddess saraswati and make provisions of darshan, pooja and worship of goddess Saraswati and also to make proper arrangement of Sanskrit learning in consonance with the bhojshala as originally established.” 1

Petition Pg 8, “The petitioners are espousing the cause of Hindu community for enforcement of right to religion guaranteed under Article 25 and right to conserve cultural heritage under Article 29 of the Constitution of India. The petitioners have also prayed to re-establish the idol of goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi) which was established according to them by King Bhoj in the year 1034 AD for the purposes of imparting education of Sanskrit, Literature, Grammar, the education of Astrology, Astronomy, Vedas and Shastra.” 1

Petition Pg 12, “In the year 1903 AD Lord Curzon took away the idol of Vagdevi found within temple complex and the same has been kept in a museum in England.” 1

Petition Pg 12, “Two pratima, together with the pratima of 3 Jinas (tirthankaras): one of Vagdevi and another of Amba. Both forms Vagdevi and Amba represent the divinity of Saraswati.” 1

The term Bhojshala was first coined in 1908. 1

Petition Pg 22, “The scholars, on the basis of research made by John Malcolm & Michael Willis further opined regarding grammatical inscriptions that:- (i) The building also contains two serpentine grammatical inscriptions. These records prompted K. K. Lele to describe the building as the Bhojsala or Hall of Bhoja because king Bhoja was the author of a number of works on poetics and grammar, among them the Sarasvatikanthabharana or "Necklace of Sarasvati.” 1

Petition Pg 25, “Mosque can only be constructed on land that belongs to the Waqf Board land.” 1

Petition Pg 27, “Muslims had never offered namaz at this place till 24.8.1935.” 1

Arguments by Shri Salman Khurshid starts at Pg 31. Petition by K Tiwari and Others starts at Pg. 38. Petition by S C Jain starts at Pg. 47.

Pg 55 pray, “The counsel prayed that the Court acknowledge existence of Jain sculptures, Ambika iconography, Jain architectural similarities, and Jain scholarly association with the site.” 1

9 Saraswati pratima in Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu.

Pg 81 Arguments by Sunil Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India. Pg 82, “Thus, ASI relies on the findings such as Sanskrit inscriptions, Sculptural elements and temple style pillars and slabs. These indicate that materials from a pre-existing Hindu structure were used.” Pg 85, “The ASI report records extensive material indicating temple architecture and iconography, Sculptural Evidence. Total 94 sculptures and fragments recovered. Depictions include Ganesha, Brahma, Narasimha, Bhairava, Animal and mythological figures such as Lion, elephant, horse, snake, tortoise, etc. 1

For Notifications issued by ASI Pg 139. ASI submitted its report in 10 volumes Pg. 180. A Jain scripture record that --- Pg. 184.

“Our ancient sages have described Goddess Saraswati in the most ancient scripture Rigveda. The scholars have opined that Ambitame and Ambaa in the Rigveda is the same Amba mentioned on the inscription of Bhojshala Saraswati Pratima. Pg. 201 1

“The existing structure has long colonnades in all four directions decorated with 106 pillars and 82 pilasters. These pillars and pilasters reused in the structure were studied systematically and scientifically.” Pg. 213 1

“It is noteworthy that kirtimukha with human, animal and composite faces carved on a number of pillars in western colonnade were not destroyed.” Pg. 214 1 Kirtimukhas found in Hindu and Jain temples.

Ten Principles of Ayodhya Judgement starts on Pg. 215. Is the murti/pratima a Jain one or Saraswati starts Pg. 232.

“Our ancient sages have described Goddess Saraswati in the most ancient scripture Rigveda. The scholars have opined that Ambitame and Ambaa in the Rigveda is the same Amba mentioned on the inscription of Bhojshala Saraswati Pratima.” Pg. 233 1

For Court Directions read Pg. 241 of 1

Relevant parts of HC Order highlighted. To read click on PDF Copyright MP HC.

Extracts from Volume 1 of the Cultural Heritage of India published by the Ramakrishna Mission –

“The Yaksas and their spouse Yaksinis as a class had existed in popular belief and in literary tradition of the Hindus much earlier than the rise of both Buddhism and Jainism. The Yaksas are, in Indian tradition, regarded as the presiding spirits over wealth and there it is apparent that the Jainas who represent the mercantile class esp. endeared themselves to this cult. According to Jaina belief Indra appoints a Yaksha & Yaksini to serve as attendants of each Tirthankara.” Pg 640

“Ambika – This Yaksini of Neminatha has Sevetambara description of a goddess riding a lion and carrying a bunch of mangoes, noose, a child in her four hands. The Digambara Yaksini Amra also rides a lion and has two hands. She carries a bunch of mangoes and a child in in her hands.” Pg 646

“Vidyadevi or goddesses of learning are 16 in number. Besides, Jainas of both sects admit one Srutadevi or Sarasvati closely resembling the Brahmanical goddess of the same name. Through the worship of Vidyadevis the devotee gets knowledge, character, religion, mental qualities etc. Most of the names of the Vidyadevis are in common with those of the Yaksinis, the attendant spirits of the Tirthankaras.” Pg. 649

“Saraswati – Svetambaras viewed her as riding a swan, having 4 hands holding lotus, varada, book, rosary. Digambara texts give her a peacock vehicle.” Pg. 649

Conclusion  

Bhojshala was not the only monument converted by Muslim Invaders. The article gives examples of other monuments in the regions. The MP HC has presented its reasons for the monument being Bhojshala well and quoted appropriate provisions of law and history. Let us see what the SC decides.

Also read and References

1. MP HC Order of 15^th May 2026.

2. Hindustan Times – 1991 Law does not apply to BHT

3. Indian Express – Origins of Dispute

4. Subhash Kak – Raja Bhoja the great scholar king

5. Volume 3 and 5 of The History and Culture of Indian People published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

6. Hindustan Times Goddess Vagadevi, Amba, Saraswati

7. Album Art Gallery Dhar

8. Samkhya and Jaina Darsana