LUCKNOW, Aug 25: Indian archaeologists claimed on Monday they had found evidence of a temple under the ruins of a 16th century mosque, in a new twist to a row at the heart of tensions between Hindus and minority Muslims.

There was evidence of a “massive structure” just below the 16th century Babri mosque destroyed by Hindu zealots in 1992, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said after a five-month excavation of the disputed site in the northern town of Ayodhya.

More than 3,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in clashes after the mosque was destroyed, the worst rioting in the country since independence in 1947.

Hindu activists have long been demanding construction of a temple at the site, saying it is the birthplace of god-king Ram and that a temple existed there before it was destroyed by Muslim Mughal invaders in the 16th century.

Muslims dispute this and want the mosque rebuilt.

“The lotus motifs, circular shrines, 50 pillar bases in association of a huge structure are indicative of remains which are distinctive features found associated with the temples of north India,” the ASI claimed in its report.

The Allahabad High Court, which has been trying to resolve the dispute over Ayodhya had ordered the excavation and on Monday it made public the experts’ report.

Muslims make up 12 per cent of India’s billion-plus population.—Reuters