Temple or tomb? Archaeological Survey of India clarifies what the Taj Mahal really is

For the first time, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stated in a court that the Taj Mahal is a tomb and not a temple. It was a 1920 notification to protect the Taj Mahal that has been made the basis for this affidavit in a local court. The Union culture ministry in November 2015 had already clarified in the Lok Sabha that there was no evidence of any temple at the Taj.

In April 2015, the Agra district court had admitted a suit filed by six lawyers that the Taj Mahal is a Lord Shiva temple (Tejo Mahalaya) and Hindu devotees should be allowed access inside the premises. The court had issued notices to the central government, Union ministry of culture, home secretary and ASI to file their replies.

The ASI submitted its reply on Thursday and once again challenged the jurisdiction of the local court to 'hear and decide' the case. The court while giving time to the plaintiffs in the case to file their reply fixed September 11 as the next date of hearing. The ASI also challenged the 'locus standi' of the plaintiffs in the matter arguing that while Taj is a Islamic structure, the latter belonged to different religions with no such religious offering intended there ever. "Historically and even according to records as available there is an ancient monument named as Taj Mahal alone at the bank of river Yamuna at Agra duly declared by the government to be of national importance having gained the worldwide recognition as the 7th wonder of the world. As per available records right from the British period since 1904, the monument Taj was declared a protected monument by notification on December 22, 1920, ASI stated in its affidavit.

The archaeological body categorically denied evidence of temple or Shiv Linga as stated by the plaintiffs existed in the Taj Mahal.