Ayodhya a flashpoint since riots of 1853

When did the Ayodhya controversy erupt? 

 
According to recorded history, Babri Masjid was built in 1528 by Mir Bank who was Babur's viceroy in that region. There is no historical record stating that the site had a temple that was destroyed to build a mosque. The mosque was known by several names, including Masjid-i Janmasthan, Jami Masjid, Sita Rasoi Masjid and so on. The District Gazetteer of Faizabad documents that the mosque was a place of worship for both religions. Incidents of communal violence over the ownership of the site started from 1853 and the British government tried to resolve it in 1859 by erecting a fence that divided the mosque into an inner and outer court. Hindus were allowed to construct a raised platform (chabutra) in the outer court, while the inner court was to be used only by Muslims.

Did the two-nation theory have an impact on the mosque? 

 
It is well known that the two-nation theory worked as a major divide between both communities in most parts of the country. The mosque did not remain untouched, as the site started witnessing communal riots since early 1910s. A major riot erupted in 1934 when police had to be called in to control the situation.

Read more: Ayodhya a flashpoint since riots of 1853 - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ayodhya-a-flashpoint-since-riots-of-1853/articleshow/6582225.cms#ixzz0zvclPQhu