ASI Says Well Unearthed Under Demolished Saharanpur Mosque Could Be 200 to 300 Years Old After an illegal mosque inside the Saharanpur collectorate complex was demolished, an ASI team has examined an old well found at the site and says the structure looks 200 to 300 years old, with full details expected only after excavation. A dispute inside the collectorate premises in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has taken a new turn after officials found an old well hidden beneath an illegal mosque that was recently demolished on the site. The discovery has triggered fresh debate in the area, and a team from the Archaeological Survey of India, or ASI, has now visited the spot to examine how old the structure really is. How the Dispute Began The administration had earlier demolished a mosque standing inside the Saharanpur collectorate complex, calling it an illegal structure. That action sparked a controversy that has continued ever since, with the matter remaining a talking point locally. While clearing the debris after the demolition, officials came across a structure beneath the ground that resembled an old well. Its sudden appearance raised fresh questions about how old it was and what it actually was, prompting the administration to call in experts to examine it. ASI Team Climbs Down a Ladder to Inspect the Structure On Monday, an ASI team reached the collectorate premises and began a preliminary examination of the well-like structure. To inspect it closely, officials climbed down into the structure using a ladder and studied its shape and construction from inside. The inspection was led by ASI official Manoj Kumar Yadav, who briefed the media on the initial findings once the examination was complete. Structure Estimated to Be 200 to 300 Years Old Yadav said the structure appears to be around 200 to 300 years old, meaning it would have existed well before the mosque itself was built. He was quick to add that finding such old structures is not unusual, and similar ones could well exist at other sites in the region too. At the same time, he made clear that officials cannot yet confirm with certainty that the structure is indeed a well at all. According to him, it could be linked to civilisation from the post-medieval era, though this will only be confirmed once further investigation is carried out. Excavation Seen as Key to the Full Picture The ASI official explained that detailed information about the structure will only emerge once it is excavated. He said the excavation itself would have to be carried out by the administration, and that work could begin only after the administration grants its permission. For now, the administration has only sought to establish how old the structure is, information that will guide any decision on what happens next. Mosque Committee's Mutawalli Responds The mutawalli of the mosque committee has also issued a statement on the matter, saying that wells inside the mosque had long been used by worshippers for wazu, the ritual washing performed before namaz, and that the well now found was one among them. That account suggests the structure was very much a working part of the mosque's use, even as the ASI's preliminary assessment places its origins earlier than the mosque itself. With the two accounts pointing in different directions, attention now shifts to the excavation and the ASI's final report, which should offer a clearer picture of the well and the dispute surrounding it. What this means for you The story is centred on the Saharanpur collectorate premises, but cases involving religious structures and archaeological findings often become reference points for similar disputed sites elsewhere in the country. • Across India: Whenever an old structure surfaces beneath a religious site, a government agency's report, such as one from the ASI, tends to be treated as legal and historical evidence. How the administration handles this case could set a precedent for similar disputes elsewhere. • In Saharanpur: If excavation is approved at the collectorate premises, movement and routine work there could be disrupted for a while. Local residents and the mosque committee will have to wait for the excavation and the ASI's final report before the matter is settled. • Legal angle: Only a preliminary examination has been done so far, so neither side should draw final conclusions until the excavation is complete. • Historical value: If the structure is confirmed to be 200 to 300 years old, it could help establish the area's history and may even spark calls for it to be declared a protected site. Why this happened The entire episode traces back to the demolition of an illegal mosque inside the Saharanpur collectorate complex. When the mosque was pulled down, the old well beneath it came into view, raising questions about its age and true identity. • Action against illegal construction: The administration demolished the mosque standing in the collectorate premises after calling it illegal, which sparked local controversy. • An old structure found in the debris: Once the mosque was removed, a well-like structure appeared beneath the ground, prompting widespread discussion in the area. • Administration sought expert opinion: As the controversy grew, the administration decided to get the Archaeological Survey of India, or ASI, to examine how old the structure is. • No final answer yet: The ASI official has made clear that it is not even confirmed whether the structure is truly a well, so the complete picture will only emerge after excavation. Questions & Answers 1. Why did this dispute start in Saharanpur? The administration demolished an illegal mosque inside the collectorate premises, and a well found afterward at the spot sparked a new controversy. 2. Which team examined the well? A team from the Archaeological Survey of India, or ASI, visited the site on Monday to examine the well. 3. What did the ASI official say about the well's age? ASI official Manoj Kumar Yadav said the structure appears to be around 200 to 300 years old. 4. Is it confirmed that this is definitely a well? No, the official said it cannot yet be confirmed with certainty whether the structure is actually a well. 5. When will full details be available? Officials say detailed information will only emerge after the structure is excavated. 6. Who will carry out the excavation? The excavation would be carried out by the administration, and only after it grants permission. 7. Which era is the structure believed to belong to? It is said to be linked to civilisation from the post-medieval era. 8. What did the mosque committee's mutawalli say? The mutawalli said the well was one of several that had long been used for wazu inside the mosque. https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/uttar-pradesh-ke-saharanpur-men-dhahi-masjida-ke-malabe-se-nikala-kuan-asi-ne-bataya-200-300-sala-purana-29350 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.