High Court considered Hindu temple as heritage, know the thousand years old glorious history of Bhojshala built by Raja Bhoj

Dhar Bhojshala History: A big and important decision has been taken regarding the historical Bhojshala complex located in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. Indore Bench of the High Court in its decision has considered this disputed complex as a Hindu temple. Since this decision, the name of Bhojshala has been echoing across the country. This question is arising in the minds of many people that what is the history of Bhojshala and who got it constructed. This historical building is not just a controversial structure but it has been a living symbol of India’s ancient education, culture and glory. Let us know the entire story of Raja Bhoj from the time till now which tells about its glory and struggle.

What is its history?

This glorious story begins from the year 1034. At that time Malwa region was ruled by the glorious ruler of Parmar dynasty, Raja Bhoj. Raja Bhoj built a huge building in Dhar for the study of knowledge and worship of Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, which was called Bhojshala. It was not just a temple but a huge residential Sanskrit university like Nalanda and Takshashila. Students from all over the country and abroad used to come to this university to get education. Resting on hundreds of carved red pillars, the top of this huge building was decorated with beautiful statues of gods and goddesses which reflected its grandeur.

great scholars have done the work

The design of the banquet hall and the artwork on its walls were amazing. The great scholars of their time like Magha, Banabhatta, Kalidas, Bhavabhuti, Bhaskar Bhatta and Dhanapal used to study and teach in this holy building. Beautiful lattice windows were made on the north and south walls of the building, in between which statues of gods and goddesses were carved. A big Yagya Kund was established right in the middle of this huge complex where havan and puja was performed regularly. In the year 1035, on the holy festival of Vasant Panchami, a very beautiful and supernatural statue of Mother Saraswati was consecrated here.

Maharaja Bhoj was knowledgeable about 36 types of weapons science.

Maharaja Bhoj is considered a very capable and mighty king in history. He himself was a great expert in 72 arts and 36 types of weapons science. His glorious tenure lasted till 1065. During his reign, he built many grand temples, beautiful ghats, big ponds and schools for the welfare of the people and for the spread of education.

Bhojshala remained the center of knowledge for 271 years

Apart from being a great scholar himself, Raja Bhoj also respected other scholars a lot and patronized them in his kingdom. During his time, Abhaydevji of Jain sect had attained the post of Suri and the great Pandit Bhava Brihaspati of Kashi had propagated the principles of Shaiva sect. From its inception for the next 271 years, this Bhojshala remained the largest center of knowledge in the whole of India.

Islamic state was established again

The cycle of times changed and the center of this rich knowledge fell under the evil eye of external invaders. In the year 1269, Kamal Maulana of Arab origin came to live in Dhar as per a well thought out plan. After this, in the year 1305, Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi launched a major attack on the Malwa region, which was considered strong for the Parmars. After this attack, Islamic state was established there.

Many religious places were destroyed

Khilji’s army badly destroyed many places of historical and religious importance in Malwa including Bhojshala. After this, in the year 1401, Dilawar Khan Gauri took control of Malwa and damaged the Vijay Temple built there.

Attack on Bhojshala in 1514

Efforts to completely transform the Bhojshala continued. In 1514, Mahmud Shah Khilji II attacked Bhojshala and made every effort to convert this ancient Saraswati temple into a mosque. It was this Khilji ruler who had built a tomb in the memory of Kamal Maulana just outside the premises of Bhojshala.

That’s why the controversy started

The surprising thing is that Kamal Maulana died in Ahmedabad in 1310, but about 204 years after his death, Khilji got his tomb prepared near Bhojshala so that his claim on this place could be strengthened. From then till today there has been a controversy regarding this place on which now this big decision of the court has come.

Also read: Bhojshala Case: What is the whole controversy of Bhojshala? Temple or Mosque, High Court gave important decision