The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a detailed survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque
The Bhojshala, initially established as a college by the legendary Raja Bhoja in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, was a major center of learning
It was later transformed into a mosque named Kamal Maula Mosque, when the college was long gone and was in ruins
The mosque part of the complex has a large open court, a porch in front, and a large prayer hall at the back, with elements such as carved pillars and ceilings that may belong to the original Bhojshala
Recovered slabs from the site contain Prakrit odes to the Kurmavtara (tortoise incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and a drama, Karpuramanjari, highlighting the historical and cultural layering of the site
Inscriptions found on pillars in Sanskrit praise the successors of King Bhoja, Udayaditya and Narvarman, reflecting the linguistic and scholarly significance of the site
The complex is currently maintained by the ASI, allowing Hindus to offer prayers at the temple on specific days and Muslims to offer Namaz on Fridays
The existence of a Saraswati Temple at the site before it became a mosque has been a point of contention, indicating the complex's role in religious and historical debates