Bhojshala was demolished in 1456 According to historians, the Mughals invaded the country in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1456, Mahmud Khilji built the tomb and dargah of Maulana Kamaluddin in Bhojshala. Besides, the ancient Saraswati Temple Bhojshala was demolished and its remains were converted into a Bhojshala. Even today, ancient Hindu Sanatani remains are clearly visible in Bhojshala. Since then, the controversy regarding the liberation of Bhojshala continues. During the survey conducted during the rule of the British, during the excavation done here, the statue of Mata Saraswati Vagdevi, previously installed in Bhojshala, was found, which they later took with them. The Bhojshala, which remained deserted for centuries and amidst controversy, used to fill grass and fodder for the horses of the royal family during the princely times. Meanwhile, the health of the then king of Dhar, Anand Rao Pawar IV, deteriorated. When his health did not improve, the Muslim community asked for a place in the banquet hall, asking for prayers. The then Diwan Khanderao Natkar had given permission to the Muslim community to offer Namaz in Bhojshala in 1933. At the same time, Hindu society kept organizing events here every year on Basant Panchami.
The then Digvijay government issued a one-sided order
The Bhojshala dispute escalated into a legal battle. The incident in 1995 made things worse. The administration allowed Hindus to offer worship on Tuesday and Muslims to offer Namaz on Friday. In 1997, the administration banned the entry of common citizens into Bhojshala. During this period, Hindus were allowed to offer namaz once a year on Basant Panchami and Muslims were allowed to offer namaz every Friday from 1 to 3 pm. On 6 February 1998, the Archaeological Department banned entry into Bhojshala until further orders, but Muslims continued to be allowed to offer namaz. The controversy deepened further due to this one-sided order issued by the then Chief Minister Digvijay Singh’s government. Through the court, Hindus got permission to worship again in 2003 and paid banquet hall was also opened for tourists. Since then, the court battle regarding Bhojshala is going on continuously. Every year on Basant Panchami, Hindu society organizes programs here. But, due to Basant Panchami falling on Friday, sometimes disputes arise. In such a situation, the entire Dhar district is under tension.