It's my belief Ram Mandir must be built in Ayodhya, says BJP MP Diya Kumari

Member of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur and BJP MP from Rajsamand Diya Kumari was among the first ones to claim to be the direct descendants of Lord Rama, drawing an overwhelming response on the social media. Many followed suit, which also triggered a debate on the “real” descendants. However, Diya Kumari refuses to be drawn into the debate and in an interview tells TOI’s Palak Nandi that being a descendant of Lord Rama is a matter of great pride for all Indians and hopes that a Ram Mandir is constructed at Ayodhya at the earliest.

What promoted you to speak about the lineage and genealogy of your family?

When the Honourble Supreme Court raised the question if there were any descendants of Lord Rama, I tweeted the next day that there were descendants of Lord Rama all over the world. Our family, too, has descended from Lord Rama’s son Kush. We belong to the Kushwaha or the Kachhawa clan. Our genealogy started from Lord Rama’s clan and continues till date. My father, Late Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh, was the 307th descendant of Lord Rama. We have documents proving the same in the Pothi Khana of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum (City Palace Museum) in Jaipur. On the request of the media in Jaipur, they were made public.

Have not the claims of being Lord Rama’s descendants swelled in the state of Rajasthan since you made the statement?

Well, others too have made a claim and why should they not? If they have taken a cue from my statement, it’s just as well. My tweet was well received and responded to. This must have spurred the others to speak up as well. Not just in the state, but people from all over have spoken about it. There is no denying that the descendants of Lord Rama are all over the world. Every Indian would feel proud of claiming to be the descendant of Lord Rama.

There has been a debate over who are the ‘real’ descendants. What would you say to the few who have challenged your family’s claims of Ram Janmasthan in Ayodhya being acquired by Sawai Raja Jaisingh in 1717 CE?

I do not want to get into any debate. I have tweeted and stated what I had to. Renowned historian R Nath in his work — ‘A Historical Critique on the Ayodhya Mandir-Masjid Dispute’ — has clearly mentioned that the Temple of Ram was built by Sawai Raja Jaisingh II of Amer - Jaipur (1699–1743). He further added that it was Raja Jaisingh who purchased the land of the Ramkot at Ayodhya in 1717 AD and established a Jaisinghpura there. We have several related documents including pattas, parwanas, chak-namas and letters to substantiate the claims. Our records include one of the oldest Ram Temple related document, dated 1717 CE and written in Persian, which states that a plot measuring 983 square yards was granted to Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh Kachhwaha in Ayodhya for the construction of a haveli, katla and pura by the then Nawab of Awadh. The title of the land was Jagir-i-Muafi, which was a partially rent-free land grant. There are maps of Ayodhya with the Ram Temple distinctly marked which are also available.

You have said while you will provide the proof if need be but do not want to be party to the ongoing case in the Supreme Court. Why is that?

I do not want to get into the legal proceedings of the case. However, if the honourable court asks for any documents from us, we shall gladly provide the same. It needs to be recalled that the Honourable Allahabad High Court had asked for the documents. My father had provided the same in 1992.

Has anybody from the legal team contacted you for the proof?

Not yet.

Your take on the Ram Mandir.

It is my belief that Ram Mandir must be built in Ayodhya, it is a matter of faith for crores of people. I am hoping that with the daily hearings by the Supreme Court, the case will be resolved soon.