Travelogues refer to Ayodhya as Lord Ram's birthplace: 'Ram Lalla' to SC

19:28 August 14

Travelogues refer to Ayodhya as Lord Ram's birthplace: 'Ram Lalla' to SC

The hearing for the Ramjanma Bhumi- Babri masjid dispute case continued for the 6th day today with Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan, the counsel for deity 'Ram Lalla', citing Skanda Purana, Mahabharata, French and foreign travellers' documents to establish the presence of the temple in Ayodhya.

Vaidyanathan said that Mughal emperor Babur ordered his millitary to build the mosque, to which Rajeev Dhawan intervened and said that pages mentioning this episode in the autobiography of Babur, 'Baburnama', were missing. 

Vaidyanathan added that mosque was demolished before 1786 but there is still doubt on who demolished it.

He said that the temple was demolished twice, once by emperor Jahangir and the second time by Babur. 

English merchant William Finch, who visited India in 1608-1611, recorded in his travelogue that there was a fort in Ayodhya where Hindus believed Ram was born, the counsel for deity 'Ram Lalla' added.

15:05 August 14

Vaidyanathan presents the excavation reports carried out by A.K Narayan and D.D Dutt in 1980s

Vaidyanathan points out that an excavation was carried out by A.K Narayan and D.D Dutt in 1980s in Ayodhya.

According to the scholars, during the early Gupta period, the Brahmanic religion became famous in the city of Saket, now known as Ayodhya. The city emerged in the 2nd Millenium together with other cities like Mathura and Varanasi however after the Gupta period Mathura and Varanasi lost its significance but Saket (Ayodhya) remained important.

14:31 August 14

Vaidyanathan presents research done on the development of the city of Ayodhya

C S Vaidyanathan makes a reference to a publication based on research done by Hans Baker relating to the development of the city of Ayodhya.

14:15 August 14

Submissions resumes post-lunch

Vaidyanathan resumes his submissions post-lunch. 

12:34 August 14

Vaidyanathan mentions a book with the reference of the mosque built by Babur

Vaidyanathan mentioned that the first reference of the mosque having been built by Babur is in the book written by Montgomery in 1838.

Some passages in the book record that pillars of the mosque had pictures which were non-muslim and could have been taken from the temple or from the palace of Lord Ram.

11:55 August 14

Vaidyanathan claims Babur ordered to build the mosque, Dhavan objects it

Vaidyanathan cited that Babur ordered his millitary to build the mosque.

Though, Rajeev Dhavan, who spearheads the arguments on behalf of the Muslim side, objected to it and saying that pages mentioning this episode in Baburnama are missing.

C S Vaidyanathan: 

"French traveller William Pinch had  visited Ayodhya between 1608-1611 and the absence of reference of a mosque is significant to the non-existence of a mosque. There has been demolition of the temple twice, once by Emperor Babur and the second time by Emperor Jahangir. It is not clear whether the structure was buit by Babur or not but there existed the deity. The mosque was demolished before 1786 thought there is still doubt on who demolished it."

Justice Bobde -When was the Mosque first called Babri Masjid?

Vaidyanathan - It was called Babri Masjid in the 19th Century.

Justice Bobde - Has it been mentioned in the Baburnama?

Vaidyanathan - No Mylord.

 

11:30 August 14

Advocate C S Vaidyanathan presents a early traveller's book which describes Ram temple

Advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for a Hindu party, said,

"During the reign of Akbar and Jahangir, there were early travellers to India like William Finch, William Hawkins who made references in their writing about Ayodhya. Wiliiam Foster published a book 'Early Travels in India' which contains accounts of seven English travellers to India. The books describe Ayodhya and building of Ram temple."

10:50 August 14

Ayodhya Dispute LIVE: Hearing commences for the 6th day

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday continued its day-to-day hearing in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya.

The Constitution bench has assembled for 6th day of the day-to-day hearing in the case.

Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, appearing for deity Ram Lalla Virajman, begins his submissions for the day.

The lawyer will be providing the historical facts and archaeological evidence to establish the presence of the temple.