Mandir, mazaar and Charminar

With reference to the report on a lecture held at Lamakaan, ‘ASI takes up temple issue’ (DC, Aug. 26), Arvind Acharya, a management consultant, has sent the following rejoinder.

I believe the article is biased. Here is why. The speaker, (ASI Superintending Archaeologist of Hyderabad Circle) Mr Milan Kumar Chauley, was supposed to talk about conservation. Very quickly, his talk changed from conservation to more of what was his observation.

Mr Chauley spent most of his time castigating agencies such as the State department of archaeology and museums, GHMC, the state government, etc. A large part of Mr Chauley’s presentation was focused on the Bhagyalaxmi temple. In passing, he also mentioned the mazaar (shrine) located inside the Charminar.

While Mr Chauley produced photographic evidence to prove that the temple was not there some years ago, he failed to mention anything about the mazaar.

After listening to his harangue about the temple for several minutes, I took advantage of the Q&A portion to ask about the mazaar.

Mr Chauley instantly replied that it was built after the temple came into existence.

Almost immediately, some people in the audience leapt to their feet, as they claimed to know of the mazaar. Audesh Rani Bawa said that the mazaar came into existence several years ago.

This brings two points into consideration. If Mr. Chauley did not know of the mazaar, he could have said so. When he blurted out his response, he effectively reduced my level of belief in his expertise or information gathering. I concluded that he was playing to the gallery  at that meeting, there was a large group of heritage enthusiasts who were loudly cheering each time Mr Chauley mentioned something about the temple or its origin and its recency.

Mr Chauley explained that the temple has cut into the South East minar. Hence he wants it moved.

Using the same logic, the mazaar has completely intruded into the monument. Why, then, didn’t he want it moved?

According to Audesh Rani Bawa, the mazaar actually has nothing in it. In other words, where you expect somebody to be buried, there is nothing here in this mazaar. Since I don’t know better, I am assuming this to be true. If it is true, then what are the faithful worshipping when they go there?

Many in the audience dismissed it as nothing but just a chilla. There was a spirited discussion about it, and it was attributed to Maharaja Chandulal’s actions. They said there was nobody buried there. Some even derisively called it “Chandulal’s chilla”.