| |
|
Yes. In 1975–80, the Archaeological Survey of India, under the leadership of Prof B B Lal, took up extensive excavations, in different parts of India, to establish the various sites mentioned in Ramayan. Similar excavations were undertaken in Ayodhya, including in two places around the Babri structure. The team was able to establish that the Shri Rama Janmabhoomi site was occupied prior to 7th century BC.
Muslim records attest to the fact of the destruction. European visitors, prior to the British rule, mention the fact of the destruction. Archaeological studies have found the existence of buildings prior to the construction of the Babri structure. Land revenue records, maintained by the British, have identified the site as Janmasthan. There is even legal judgement of 1886 that avers the fact that the structure was constructed on a site that was holy to Hindus.
In December 1990, the above facts, along with many others, were compiled by the VHP and presented to the Government of India. A copy was given to the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, and was also published by the VHP. Neither the committee, nor the so-called secular historians have refuted the evidence.
In December 2002, on the order of the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court, a radar survey was undertaken to determine what existed at the site. In conclusion, the agency conducting the survey concluded as follows: “The Ground Peneteration Radar Survey reflects in general a variety of anomalies ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 meters in depth that could be associated with ancient and contemparneous structure such as pillars, foundations, walls, slab flooring extending over a large portion of the site. However, the exact nature of those anomalies has to be confirmed by systematic ground truthing, such as provided by arachaeological trenching.”
The Archaeological Survey of India was then asked to do undertake the necessary survey and it has confirmed the above conclusion. Based on both these surveys, India Today made a pictorial representation of the Babri structure on top of the pillars of the temple that was destroyed in 1528 AD. This is included as Plate -----. |