Thread by @GeeKayTalks

Thread on 490 years of history of #RamMandir #Ayodhya
No abuse please - this is sacred for me.
Feel free to contribute.

In 1528, Mir Baqi, one of Mughal king Babur's generals, destroyed a pre-existing temple of Rama and built a mosque called Babri Masjid (Babur's mosque) at the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' site in #Ayodhya

1672: Lal Das's Awadh-Vilasa describes the location of Ram Janmabhoomi without mentioning a temple. All travelers prior to this document mention ruins of a castle. #Ayodhya

In 1717, Jai Singh II purchased land surrounding Ram Janmabhoomi and his documents show a mosque. The map can still be found at a museum in Jaipur. #Ayodhya
The map was available at the below link - it is not working anymore.
booksfact.com/history/babri-…

Historians say, Joseph Tiefenthaler, a Jesuit missionary traveler, who wrote extensively on North India in the mid 18th century, mentions that the mosque stood at the place, that was originally Ram Janmabhoomi.
#Ayodhya

Please note that such is the significance of the Ram Janmabhoomi site, that way after the Mandir was demolished by Mir Baqi, Hindus continued to offer prayers on a "mitti ka chabootra" outside the premises. #Ayodhya

Revenue records in pre-independent India address the Babri Masjid as "Masjid-i-Janmasthan" which means mosque of the birthplace - Ram Janmabhoomi. #Ayodhya

Mirza Rajab Ali Beg Surur wrote in Fasanah-i Ibrat that a mosque was built at Sita ki Rasoi under the aegis of Sayyid Mir Ashiqan. #Ayodhya

In 1853, Awadh was under the rule of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Sadhus from Nirmohi Akhara decided to stake claim to the Ram Janmbhoomi site. #Ayodhya

In 1859, the British erected a fence and separated the Mosque and Chabootra.
#Ayodhya

In 1885, Mahant Raghubir Das sought consent from Faizabad jurisdiction to construct Mandir on the Ram Chabutra, adjacent to the Babri Mosque. The plea was rejected by sub-judge Pandit Hari Kishan Singh. #Ayodhya

On 23rd December 1949, on a chilly winter night, idols of Shri Ram were found at the disputed premises. #Ayodhya

Reportedly, Sant Digvijay Nath of Gorakhnath Math joined the Akhil Bharatiya Ramayana Mahasabha and organised a 9-day continuous recitation of Ramcharit Manas before Ram Sita were spotted in the premises. #Ayodhya

1949, Abhiram Das, a Ram Bhakt was led by a strong-will to establish a Ram Temple at the Ram Janmbhoomi. He told his disciples that he had a recurring dream that Ram made an appearance under the building’s central dome. #Ayodhya

When Abhiram Das told this dream to Guru Dutt Singh, the magistrate, Singh confided of a similar dream. As Singh aged, his conviction grew that he wanted to put Ram back where he believed he belonged. #Ayodhya

Photos of idols installed in the Ram Janmbhoomi premises in 1949. #Ayodhya

1950: First case was filed by Gopal Singh Visharad, Ayodhya secretary of the Hindu Mahasabha, in the district court of Faizabad.
#Ayodhya

On 26 December 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a telegram to Gobind Ballabh Pant, expressing his distress over the “dangerous example being set there which will have bad consequences.” #Ayodhya.

Despite tremendous pressure from the province and Centre, K.K. Nayar, DM Faizabad, refused to remove the idols, sighting danger to public peace. PM Nehru continued to push for removal of idols - in vain. #Ayodhya

1959: Another suit was filed by Nirmohi Akahara, demanding possession of the Ram Janmbhoomi premises.
In 1961, Sunni Central Board of Waqf, UP responded that the Babri Masjid was registered as a public mosque with the board.
#Ayodhya

#Ayodhya came to national forefront when 400 families converted to Islam in Meenakshipuram, Tamil Nadu in 1981. Dharm Sansad was organised in 1984, by Ashok Singhal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, joint general secretary.

Karan Singh, the then independent MP said “We cannot even light a holy lamp” at Ram’s birthplace in Ayodhya. How shameful a matter is it for 80% of this country’s residents who call themselves Hindus?” #Ayodhya
blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/…

Subsequently, 12 day Yatra from Sitamarhi, Bihar to #Ayodhya was started in 1984. Around 50k people gathered at Ayodhya to take oath on the bank of Sarayu. The Yatra was interrupted by unfortunate assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Rajiv Gandhi assumed PM's office, and was charged with appeasement of Muslims when he overturned the Supreme Court ruling on Shah Bano. #Ayodhya

To neutralise sentiments, Rajiv Gandhi permitted locks of Ram Janmabhoomi be removed, and public be allowed to pray to idols placed in the Ram Janmabhoomi premises. #Ayodhya

Umesh Chandra Pandey's petition and pressure from VHP (the group cited there was no official order to lock the Ram Janmabhoomi premises) were acquiesced by PM, Rajiv Gandhi. #Ayodhya

In June 1989, at Palampur, the BJP’s national executive endorsed the demand to build a Ram temple, at “Ram Janmabhoomi". #Ayodhya

Ram Mandir issue had gained such high momentum and populace that it is believed R.K. Dhawan had advised Rajiv Gandhi to launch his re-election campaign from #Ayodhya.

When Rajiv Gandhi did launched his campaign from Faizabad (near #Ayodhya), it is reported that he mentioned "Ram Rajya" which was not a part of the speech written by Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Buta Singh, Home Minster was mandated by PM Rajv Gandhi for shilanyas of Ram Mandir in November 1989. #Ayodhya

VP Singh headed Government was formed, and Lal Krishna Advani was the new centre of Mandir Movement in #Ayodhya
In 1990, he started the famous Rath Yatra from Somnath - another temple that had been demolished by Muslim invaders multiple times.

VP Singh was afraid, violence would spark if karsevaks began construction at the disputed site. In consultation with ilk of Swaminathan Gurumurthy and others, a presidential ordinance was passed. #Ayodhya

Zafaryab Jilani, convener of the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee confronted VP Singh - the government issued a 2nd ordinance that canceled the 1st ordinance. BJP withdrew support and VP Singh's sarkaar crumbled. #Ayodhya

Chandra Shekhar Singh succeeded VP Singh, with support from Congress. Subodh Kant Sahai, MoS in the home ministry started negotiations between Hindu and Muslim representatives. He was confident of success. #Ayodhya

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 - and PV Narsimha Rao became the PM. BJP formed the government in Uttar Pradesh, giving the BJP huge influence on #Ayodhya

In October, Rao asked Subodh Kant Sahai to re-start negotiations. Toward the end of October, called for volunteers. #AyodhyaCase

Nov 1992: Mr. Rao met Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, in New Delhi.
Mr. Rao decided to dispatch more than 20,000 paramilitary personnel to Ayodhya’s surroundings just in case there was trouble.
#Ayodhya

On Dec. 6, 1992: about 4,000 personnel were under strict orders not to use force on 75,000 activists.
450 years hence - Zameen Samtal Ban Gayi.
#AyodhyaVerdict #Ayodhya #Dussehra6thDec