Following a court in Ajmer accepting a petition for a survey of the Ajmer Dargah, a renewed demand has emerged for a similar survey of the historic Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, one of India’s oldest mosques.
Ajmer’s Deputy Mayor Neeraj Jain has claimed evidence suggests the site originally housed a Sanskrit college and temple before being demolished by invaders. Drawing parallels to the destruction of ancient centres of learning like Nalanda and Takshila, Jain stated, “This was an attack on our culture, civilization, and education, and the Jhonpra was one such site,” reports The Indian Express.
Located a five-minute walk from Ajmer Dargah, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a monument under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Jain highlighted that ASI has documented over 250 artefacts from the site, including swastikas, bells, and Sanskrit inscriptions dating back over 1,000 years. He called for halting current religious activities at the site and urged the ASI to restore its original cultural significance.
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According to ASI records, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra was commissioned by Qutubuddin Aibak around 1200CE. It features intricately carved colonnades, a pillared prayer chamber divided into nine octagonal compartments, and central arches adorned with Kufic and Tughra inscriptions, making it an architectural marvel.
In May, Vasudev Devnani, Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly and MLA for Ajmer North, requested an ASI investigation of the site. His appeal followed a visit by Jain monks and Vishwa Hindu Parishad representatives, who claimed the location was once home to a Sanskrit school and temple.
