Babri Masjid
Before the 1940s, the mosque was called Masjid-i Janmasthan ("mosque of the birthplace"). The mosque stood on Ramkot ("Rama's fort") Hill (also called Janmasthan ("Birthplace"). It was destroyed by Hindu nationalists, 150,000 strong, during a planned ceremony on December 6, 1992 despite a commitment to the Indian Supreme Court that the mosque would not be harmed.
Hindu nationalists believe that Babur's commander-in-chief Mir Baki destroyed an existing temple at the site, which Hindus believe was the temple built to commemorate the birthplace of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and ruler of Ayodhya (See Ram Janmabhoomi.).
The Babri Mosque was one of the largest mosques in Uttar Pradesh, a state in India with some 31 million Muslims. Although there were several older mosques in the city of Ayodhya, an area with a substantial Muslim population, including the Hazrat Bal Mosque constructed by the Shariqi kings, the Babri Mosque became the largest, due to the importance of the disputed site.
Architecture of the mosque
Interior View under the right dome, with the octagonal fountain used for ablutions in the foreground.
Under the Central dome (where the mihrab used to be) was placed an idol of Lord Rama separated from this area by a large canvas screen, for several years, before the mosque was sealed by the UP Government, both Muslims and Hindus offered prayers here.
The rulers of the Sultanate of Delhi and its successor Mugal Empire were great patrons of art and architecture and constructed many fine tombs, mosques and madrasas. These have a distinctive style which bears influences of 'later Tughlaq' architecture.
Mosques all over India were built in different styles; the most elegant styles developed in areas where indigenous art traditions were strong and local artisans were highly skilled. Thus regional or provincial styles of mosques grew out of local temple or domestic styles, which were conditioned in their turn by climate, terrain, materials, hence the enormous difference between the mosques of Bengal, Kashmir and Gujarat.
The square CharMinar of Hyderabad (1591) with large arches, arcades, and minarets is typical. This art made extensive use of stone and reflected Indian adaptation to Muslim rule, until Mughals art replaced it in the 17th century, as typified by structures like the Taj Mahal.
The traditional hypostyle plan with an enclosed courtyard, imported from Western Asia was generally associated with the introduction of Islam in new areas, but was abandoned in favour of schemes more suited to local climate and needs.
The Babri Masjid was a mixture of the local influence and the Western Asian style and examples of this type of mosque are common in India.
The Babri Mosque was a large imposing structure with three domes, one central and two secondary. It is surrounded by two high walls, running parallel to each other and enclosing a large central courtyard with a deep well, which was known for its cold and sweet water.
The walls of the Babri Mosque are made of coarse-grained whitish sandstone blocks, rectangular in shape, while the domes are made of thin and small burnt bricks. Both these structural ingredients are plastered with thick chunam paste mixed with coarse sand.
One of the columns of the Babri Mosque.
Some Hindus say it came from a Temple under the site, particularly noting the two flowers (far top of photo) which they say are Hindu-associated lotus motifs.
The Central Courtyard was surrounded by lavishly curved columns superimposed to increase the height of the ceilings. The plan and the architecture followed the Begumpur Friday mosque of Jahanpanah rather than the Moghul style where Hindu masons used their own trabeated structural and decorative traditions.
The excellence of their craftsmanship is noticeable in their vegetal scrolls and lotus patterns. These motifs are also present in the Firuz Shah Mosque in Firuzabad (c.1354) now in a ruined state, Qila Kuhna Mosque (c.1540, The Darasbari Mosque in the Southern suburb of the walled city of Gaur, and the Jamali Kamili Mosque built by Sher Shah Suri this was the forerunner of the Indo Islamic style adopted by Akbar.
The Babri Masjid with its bold and graceful style was universally praised and widely followed.
Babri Masjid acoustic and cooling system
"A whisper from the Babri Masjid Mihrab could be heard clearly at the other end 200 feet away and through the length and breadth of the central court" according to Graham Pickford architect to Lord William Bentinck (1828–1833) The Mosque's acoustics were mentioned by him in his book 'Historic Structures of Oudhe' he says “for a 16th century building the deployment and projection of voice from the pulpit is considerably advanced, the unique deployment of sound in this structure will astonish the visitor”.
Modern Architects have attributed this intriguing acoustic feature to a large recess in the wall of the Mihrab and several recesses in the surroundings walls which functioned as resonators; this design helped everyone to hear the speaker at the Mihrab.
The sandstone used in building the Babri Mosque also had resonant qualities which contributed to the unique acoustics.
Pictured is a six foot (2 m) window grill of the Babri mosque. These together with the thick walls and high roof kept the interior cool.
In the Babri Masjid the high ceiling, domes, and six large grill windows (see picture) all served as a passive environmental control system that brought down the temperature and also allowed in natural ventilation as well as daylight.
Legend of the Babri Mosque’s miraculous well
The reported medicinal properties of the deep well in the central courtyard have been featured in various news reports such as the BBC report of December 1989 and in various newspapers. It was believed drinking water from this well could cure a range of illnesses.
Hindu pilgrims also believed that the Babri water well was the original well in the Ram Temple under the mosque. Local women regularly brought their new born babies to drink from the reputedly curative water.
The 125 foot (40 m) deep well in question was situated in the South Eastern Courtyard of the large rectangular courtyard of the Babri Mosque.
Eleven feet (3 m) in radius the first 30 feet (10 m) from ground level were bricked. The water contained almost no sodium explaining its reputation that the water was ‘sweet.’ To access the well one had to climb on to a three foot (1 m) platform, the well was covered with planks of thick wood with an unhinged trapdoor.
Following the traditional hypostyle plan imported from Western Asia, this opened to a large walled courtyard with a deep drinking water well.
Even though the medicinal properties of artesian wells can be explained by the high amount of calcium and mineral content in the water it, is significant that Hindus and Muslims in Ayodhya considered the Babri Mosque Complex a haven of peace and spiritual tranquillity. Samrat Shri Ramachandra is revered by the devout among the Hindus as a god, also referred to as Rama, believed by Hindus to be an avatar of Vishnu.
Mir Baqi allegedly destroyed this temple at Ayodhya, built by the Hindus to commemorate Rama.
Mir Baqi built a mosque at the site of the destroyed temple. An appeal was filed before the Faizabad District Judge, Colonel J.E.A.
Chambiar who, after an inspection of spot on March 17, 1886, dismissed the appeal. These were reconstructed by the British Government.
On mid-night of December 22, 1949, when the police guards were asleep, idols of Rama and Sita were quietly brought into the Masjid and were planted.
This was reported by constable, Mata Prasad, the next morning and recorded at the Ayodhya police station. The following morning (December 23, 1949), a large Hindu crowd made a "frantic attempt" to enter the Masjid on in order to offer puja to the deities.
Nair has recorded that "The crowd made a most determined attempt to force entry. All of us, officers and men, somehow pushed the crowd back and held the gate.
Nair feared that the Hindus would retaliate and pleaded inability to carry out the orders.
Babur
It is generally thought that the Mosque was built by Babur because an inscription on the mosque records his name. But it is also alleged that the Mosque already existed before Babur, who may only have renovated the building.
The summary of the ASI report indicated definite proof of a Hindu temple under the mosque. The construction of the mosque subsequent to the demolition of the temple is speculated to have occurred anywhere between 1194 and 1528 (with the Ghorid conquests having reached Ayodhya in 1194).
Demolition of Babri Masjid
On December 6, 1992 the mosque was destroyed by Hindu nationalists, 150,000 strong, during a planned ceremony, despite a commitment to the Indian Supreme Court that the mosque would not be harmed.
Inquiry into the demolition
On 16 December 1992, Liberhan Commission was set up by the Government of India to probe the circumstances that led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Politicians like L.K.Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi who were infamously influential in the demolition have since been instated in high positions in the government.
Reaction to the demolition
More than 2000 people, were killed in the ensuing riots following the demolition.