History of Ram Janma Bhumi temple at Ayodhya
as told in HC by Dr. Thakur Prasad Verma, aged about 69 years
(as per his affidavit dated 31.10.2002).
His cross examination followed as under:-
"Insofar as history is concerned, Ayodhya was ruined and established in its existence period. It is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana 7/111/10 that during His lifetime Lord Sri Rama had depopulated Ayodhya and had proceeded to
heaven along with His entire subjects. He had arranged for His sons to rule from outside Ayodhya.
"The elder son Luv was asked to rule with Shrawasti (Sahet-Mahet ) as capital
and till the period of Buddha, this place continued to be the capital of Kaushal estate. Subsequently, in the Maurya period as well this Kaushal estate (province of Magadh empire) was the capital.
The city of Kushawati, which is in the Vindhya region, was established for the rule of the other son Kush and thereafter till date it is famous as Mahakaushal.
"It has also been mentioned in the Ramayana that after Lord Sri Rama, Ayodhya would again be inhabited during the times of Rishabh.
He was the first Tirthkar of Jains and is also known as Adinath.
"It is so believed amongst the Hindus that the credit for inhabitance of Ayodhya for third time, goes to Vikramaditya, king of Ujjain.
It appears from paper no. 107C-1/10, 107C-1/28,
107C-1/35, 107C-1/55 filed in this suit that he had built 360 temples in Ayodhya.
"Few consider him to be king Vikramaditya of Gardbhill dynasty of Ujjain, who had destroyed the Shakas in 57 BC and had started the Vikram era and few consider him to be Chandragupta Vikramaditya of Gupta dynasty. Be that as it may, the Sri Ramjanmbhumi temple was certainly included in those 360
temples.
"The present series of the temple built at Sri Ramjanmbhumi site, is considered to have started in this very period. The temples kept frailing with age and they
were renovated, which work continued till the start of 11th century AD.
Salar Masud came here in 1032-33 AD and damaged the Janmsthal temple.
On 14th June, 1033 he was killed by king Suhel dev in the battle of Bahraich."
"From the 20 line inscription (estampage filed in this suit as paper no. 203C-1/3) found in the debris of the disputed structure demolished on 6th December, 1992 at
Ayodhya, it transpires that during the reign of Gaharwal king Govindchandra (from 1114 to 1154 AD) the ruler of Saket division built a very grand temple at this place. The need for construction of the same arose in view of the fact that it had been demolished about 70-80 years ago, but in this period also worship was taking place here. I have myself seen the estampages and have deciphered them."
"This temple of 11th - 12th century (of Gaharwal period) built by king Anaychandra, was again demolished by Babar's commander Mir Baqi in the year 1528. Babar proceeded towards Gwalior after leaving Mir Baqi at Awadh. The meeting of the two after about 13 months on his return to the area, is mentioned in Babarnama.
"I have written a book titled 'Ayodhya Ka Itihaas evam Puratatva' (from Rigveda to date) along with Dr. S.P. Gupta, which has been filed in this suit as paper no. 289C-1, and only the last chapter-11 has been authored by Dr. S.C. Gupta. I verify the facts written by me in this book. The treatises studied by me in writing this book, have been referred in the book. The descriptions in the book are on basis of historical facts and not due to mala fide or any compulsion."
