Hindu Sena Demands Scientific Survey By ASI To Determine Origin of Ajmer Mosque.

Hindu Sena Seeks Scientific Survey of Ajmer’s Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, Claims Monument Was Ancient Sanskrit College and Temple.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | June 5, 2026:: A fresh controversy has emerged over the historical origins of the centuries-old Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra complex in Ajmer, with Hindu Sena demanding a scientific survey of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument to determine whether it was originally a Hindu temple and a renowned Sanskrit educational institution before being converted into a mosque.

Vishnu Gupta, National President of Hindu Sena, has formally approached Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, urging the government to conduct an extensive scientific investigation of the monument and restore what he describes as its original identity. Gupta has also called for the site to be redesignated as the “Ancient Saraswati Kanthabharana Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya,” asserting that it was once an important centre of Vedic learning.

According to Gupta, a detailed memorandum submitted to the Culture Minister includes historical documents and evidence that, he claims, support the assertion that the structure originally functioned as the Saraswati Kanthabharana Mahavidyalaya, established during the reign of Chauhan ruler Vigraharaja Chauhan. He has demanded that the government initiate a scientific survey of the entire complex using modern technologies similar to those employed in the survey of the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi.

Historical Claims and Evidence Cited

Gupta stated that among the key documents submitted to the government is an 1864 report prepared by Alexander Cunningham, the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. According to Gupta’s interpretation of the report, the structure was originally a Sanskrit college that was later demolished and converted into a mosque.

He further claimed that the monument’s architectural features continue to reflect its alleged pre-Islamic origins. Pointing to the 124 intricately carved pillars within the complex, Gupta argued that many of them contain motifs associated with Hindu traditions, including depictions of deities and sacred kalash symbols.

The Hindu Sena leader also referred to the Mughal-era text Maasir-i-Alamgiri, asserting that it contains references to imperial policies involving the demolition of Hindu temples. Gupta argued that the alleged destruction of the Sanskrit institution in Ajmer occurred within a broader historical pattern and described it as a historical wrong that should now be corrected.

As part of his demands, Gupta has called for the removal of the name “Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra” from official records and its replacement with what he claims to be the site’s original name. He has urged authorities to restore the complex as a Sanskrit Veda Mahavidyalaya and revive it as a centre of traditional Indian learning.

Legal Battle Extends to Ajmer Dargah

The demand for a survey of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra comes amid ongoing legal proceedings concerning claims about the nearby Ajmer Dargah complex.

Gupta has filed a civil suit in the Court of Civil Judge (First), Ajmer West, alleging the existence of a Shiva temple within the dargah premises. The petition has reportedly been filed jointly by office-bearers of Hindu Sena and Maharana Pratap Sena.

A detailed hearing in the matter was held on May 2. During the proceedings, representatives of the dargah, including the Diwan and Khadims, sought to be included as parties in the case. Multiple stakeholders presented legal arguments and documentary evidence before the court.

Speaking after the hearing, Gupta stated that numerous applications filed by various parties were discussed extensively. According to him, the court heard arguments from all sides and subsequently reserved its order.

Historical Background of Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is one of Rajasthan’s most significant medieval monuments and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The structure is widely known as a 12th-century mosque associated with Qutbuddin Aibak, the former slave-general of the Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor.

Historical accounts generally hold that the monument was commissioned following the defeat of Prithviraj III, popularly known as Prithviraj Chauhan, in the Second Battle of Tarain. Qutbuddin Aibak later became the founder of the Mamluk Dynasty, which marked the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.

Over the years, historians and archaeologists have debated aspects of the monument’s construction and architectural evolution, particularly the incorporation of carved pillars and decorative elements that resemble earlier temple architecture. These discussions have periodically resurfaced in public discourse and legal proceedings.

Demand for Scientific Verification

Hindu Sena has maintained that a comprehensive scientific examination is necessary to establish the historical facts surrounding the monument. The organisation argues that technologies such as ground-penetrating surveys, archaeological assessments, structural analysis, and historical documentation reviews could provide clarity regarding the origins of the complex.

Supporters of the demand argue that such an exercise would help resolve long-standing historical questions, while critics caution that interpretations of medieval structures often require careful academic scrutiny and should be based on verified archaeological evidence rather than competing historical narratives.

With legal proceedings underway and fresh representations submitted to the Union Government, the debate surrounding Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is likely to remain a subject of public and political discussion. Any future survey or government action could have significant implications for the interpretation of one of Ajmer’s most prominent historical monuments.
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