The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to submit the final report of the comprehensive scientific survey of Gyanvapi mosque premises to the Varanasi district court on Friday. This extensive survey, lasting approximately 100 days, involved a team of 40 ASI officials employing state-of-the-art equipment in accordance with court directives. The survey, which concluded two weeks ago, excluded the ablution pond area, as sealed by a Supreme Court order, and was initiated on August 4.
During the survey, about 250 articles were discovered by the ASI officials. Following protocol, these findings were submitted to Varanasi’s additional district magistrate (protocol), Bachchu Singh, who safeguarded them in a secure location on the instructions of Varanasi’s district magistrate, S Rajalingam, on November 6. The Varanasi district court had previously instructed the ASI on September 14 to submit any objects or materials retrieved from the specified site. Seeking additional time for compilation, the ASI filed an application on November 2, resulting in the court granting a 15-day extension for the submission of the survey report.
The court-ordered scientific survey aimed to determine whether the mosque was constructed on the site of a pre-existing Hindu temple. Given the substantial nature of the survey, the ASI obtained three extensions from the court to ensure its completion. The process involved a team of experts, including archaeologists, archaeological chemists, epigraphists, surveyors, photographers, and other technical personnel, engaged in data analysis and compilation for the comprehensive report.
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