"Broken Shiva linga, terracotta objects depicting deities recovered in Gyanvapi mosque survey": ASI report

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 26 (ANI): The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque has stated that a lot of Terracotta objects including figurines of deities and fragmentary figures of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha were found from debris in the western wall area of the premises.
ASI also mentioned that during its scientific survey two glass objects, a pendant and a broken Shiva linga were also found.
"Different types of stone objects include sculptures of deities, pestles of varying dimensions and other household items, inscribed slabs, etc. Among the listed sculptures mentioned may be made of Shiva linga, Vishnu, Krishna, Hanuman, Ganesha etc. Different types of terracotta objects recovered during the investigations include figurines of deities, male and female figures, bricks and tiles, sling balls, etc. Fragmentary figures of Hanuman and Ganesha were found from debris in the western wall area," the report read.
"During the survey two glass objects, i.e. a pendant and a broken Shiva linga were found," it added.
Archaeological Survey of India also stated that coins belonging to different periods were also retrieved from the premises.
"These coins belong to different periods. Three coins have legends in Persian and were issued by Shah Alam. Numbers of British-India coins were found including a hoard of 64 coins. They include coins belonging to the East India Company, Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V, and some were difficult to identify due to corrosion. One copper coin of Madhav Rao Scindia was also found," the report read.
After the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) released its survey report on the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, Islamic Centre of India chairperson Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali said that the report needs to be studied first and only after that, anyone can comment anything on it.
"The ASI has given its 839-page report to the concerned parties and the Muslim side has to study the entire report first and give their opinion. We have full hope that whatever decision will be taken will be taken on the basis of reality. The case is going on in the court. The ASI report will be studied first and only then anything can be said," Maulana Khalid Rasheed said.
The ASI report on the Gyanvapi mosque complex revealed that a pre-existing structure appeared to have been destroyed in the 17th century, and "part of it was modified and reused," adding that based on scientific studies, it can be said that there "existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure." (ANI)