Crisis in Ayodhya: history of a troubled land.

The Indian city of Ayodhya, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, is located 550 km east of New Delhi. The name Ayodhya means, “not to be warred against,” however it has been the source of tension between Hindus and Muslims for hundreds of years. In recent times the dispute has run along political lines.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishes or VHP is a Hindu activist organization founded in 1964. The VHP runs youth programs in schools, hospitals and orphanages. Its mandate is to support and promote Hinduism wherever it is perceived as threatened.

The BJP, or Bharatiya Janata Party, was formed in 1980. It is a political party formed from the VHP activist group. It is known among supporters as the India People's Party and claims to stand for a nation of Hindu values.

BJP critics say their platform is anti-Muslim. While there is no Muslim-based political party, India's Congress party is popular among the 12 per cent of the population that follows Islam.

July 6, 2005:

Police are on high alert after Hindu groups vow to avenge the attack at the Ram Janmabhoomi holy site where they want to build a temple.

July 5, 2005:

Insurgents detonate a car bomb to break down the wall surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. They try to enter the inner area but are stopped by security forces. Five gunmen are killed, and a sixth man dies from the car bomb. Officials do not know who is responsible for the attack.

2004:

National elections bring the Congress party back into power.

November 2004:

A court in Uttar Pradesh rules to review an earlier order exonerating Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani for his role in the destruction of the Babri Mosque. One month earlier Advani had affirmed his party's dedication to building a temple at the Ayodhya site.

September 2003:

A court rules that seven Hindu leaders will stand trial for the 1992 destruction of the Babri Mosque. Advani does not face any charges.

January 2003:

Archaeologists start a court-ordered search of the religious site. Later that year, the researchers conclude that there is evidence of a temple for Lord Rama beneath the mosque. At the funeral of a prominent Hindu activist, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee vows to build a temple at Ayodhya, as per the dying man's wishes.

April 2002:

A group of hardline Hindus hold a prayer ceremony at the Ayodhya site as part of their campaign to construct a temple. Three High Court judges begin hearings to determine who owns the religious site.

March 2002:

Over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, die in riots in Gujarat following the February train attack. Thousands of police are on high alert as the VHP prepares to hold a prayer ceremony in Ayodhya.

Feb. 27, 2002:

BJP delays committing itself to the construction of a temple until after Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. VHP confirms a March 15 date to begin construction. Hundreds of volunteers converge on the site. Muslim insurgents allegedly set fire to a train filled with Hindu activists travelling from Ayodhya to Gujarat. The attack kills 58 people.

January 2002:

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee sets up an Ayodhya cell in his office and appoints a senior official, Shatrughna Singh, to hold talks with Hindu and Muslim leaders.

December 2001:

Tensions are high on the ninth anniversary of the demolition of the mosque. Now familiar with the activities surrounding this day, officials ban any kind of demonstrations, including Hindu victory day celebrations. Muslim groups however, observe what they call a black day. The VHP vows to rebuild a Hindu temple at the site, regardless of any court decision made against it.

March 1998:

The BJP forms a coalition government under Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Dec. 6, 1992:

A group of Hindu militants destroy the Babri Masjid Mosque and attack other Muslim targets. Over 2,000 people die in the violence. The militants are supporters of the VHP, the Shiv Sena party and the BJP. The attacks spark nationwide riots killing more than 2,000 people. The VHP is charged under India's Unlawful Activities Act for condoning the attacks. It is sentenced to a four-year ban of activities.

1991:

BJP comes to power in Uttar Pradesh state, where Ayodhya is located.

Oct. 30, 1990:

Thousands of VHP volunteers converge onto the Babri Masjid Mosque in an attempt to reclaim the site for a temple. The activists manage to damage tiles and deface the building with orange paint. When police arrive at the scene, they take a moment to pray at the holy site before breaking up the crowd. Authorities then open fire on the crowds and use tear gas, killing at least 17 activists. About 300 die from the unrest in the days that follow. Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar tries over the next year to resolve the dispute through negotiations, but fails.

1986:

District judge orders the gates of the disputed mosque opened to allow Hindus to worship there. Muslims set up Babri Mosque Action Committee in protest.

1984:

The VHP forms a committee to mark the birthplace of Lord Rama by building a temple in his honour. They choose Lal Krishna Advani, home minister and BJP leader, to head the campaign.

1949:

Idols of Lord Rama appear inside the Babri Masjid Mosque, allegedly placed there by Hindus. Muslims protest, and both parties file civil suits. The government proclaims the premises a disputed area and locks the gates.

1859:

The British colonial administration builds a fence to separate the places of worship. The inner court is used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.

1528:

Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, builds a mosque in Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya. Some Hindus say Ram Janmabhoomi is the birthplace of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.