As unresolved debates over Sambhal’s Jama Masjid and Ajmer Sharif Dargah persist, a new controversy has arisen involving Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid. Vishnu Gupta, the leader of the Hindu Sena, has sparked fresh discussions by alleging that Hindu idols are buried beneath the mosque’s stairs. Known for previous claims, including one about a Shiva temple beneath the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Gupta has now approached the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to investigate his assertions regarding the Jama Masjid.
Gupta’s claim hinges on references found in Maasir-e-Alamgiri, a historical chronicle of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb‘s reign (1658–1707). Authored by Saqi Mustad Khan under the patronage of Inayatullah Khan Kashmiri, the text documents various events during Aurangzeb’s rule, some of which remain contentious.
Gupta highlights a specific entry dated May 25, 1679, which describes the demolition of temples in Jodhpur and the subsequent transportation of idols to Aurangzeb. According to the book, these idols—crafted from gold, silver, copper, and stone—were ordered to be embedded in the stairs of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. Gupta interprets this act as a deliberate attempt by Aurangzeb to demean Hindus by placing their sacred idols beneath the feet of worshippers entering the mosque.
In a letter to the Director General of the ASI, Gupta has requested a thorough survey and excavation of the mosque’s stairs to substantiate his claims. He alleges that remains of numerous Hindu temples, including idols, lie concealed beneath the structure. He has also called for the retrieval and restoration of these idols to their original temples, contending that such actions would expose what he calls the “truth of Aurangzeb’s era.”
This development has added fuel to ongoing debates surrounding historical monuments and their alleged pre-Islamic pasts. Gupta’s claims echo similar controversies, where demands for archaeological surveys of religious sites have intensified tensions between communities. The Jama Masjid, managed by the ASI, holds immense historical and cultural significance, and calls for excavations could provoke further unrest.
Critics argue that such claims aim to rewrite history and could disrupt communal harmony. However, supporters of Gupta’s stance see it as an attempt to reclaim cultural heritage and rectify historical injustices.
The ASI’s response to Gupta’s request remains to be seen. While archaeological investigations could provide clarity, they also risk inflaming an already sensitive issue. Whether the ASI conducts a survey or dismisses the petition will likely shape the course of this unfolding controversy. For now, the debate over Delhi’s Jama Masjid adds another layer to India’s complex discourse on history, faith, and identity.
Jama Masjid of Delhi was constructed in 1650–56 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahān, a noted patron of Islamic architecture whose most famous work is the Taj Mahal, in Agra. Jama Masjid, now the second largest mosque on the Indian subcontinent, is also an impressive example of Mughal architecture.
