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However, the two hypotheses may be related in that some [[Ahmadiyya|Ahmadis]] hold that the Roza Bal structure is not the tomb of Jesus, but a monument to his earlier proposed visit to the location before his crucifixion.<ref name=BABrown>''Three Testaments: Torah, Gospel, and Quran'' edited by Brian Arthur Brown 2012, ISBN 1442214929 [[Rowman & Littlefield]] page 196</ref> Instead of being a tomb for Jesus, Roza Bal may contain the remains of two Muslim holy men who were later buried in the structure.<ref name=BABrown/>
However, the two hypotheses may be related in that some [[Ahmadiyya|Ahmadis]] hold that the Roza Bal structure is not the tomb of Jesus, but a monument to his earlier proposed visit to the location before his crucifixion.<ref name=BABrown>''Three Testaments: Torah, Gospel, and Quran'' edited by Brian Arthur Brown 2012, ISBN 1442214929 [[Rowman & Littlefield]] page 196</ref> Instead of being a tomb for Jesus, Roza Bal may contain the remains of two Muslim holy men who were later buried in the structure.<ref name=BABrown/>
The conclusion that this is the tomb of Jesus is based relics allegedly found within the tomb, and on claims that eye-witnesses saw Jesus in India after the crucifixion.{{fact|date=January 2013}} A local scholar, Aziz Kashmiri, argued in his 1973 book, Christ in Kashmir, that Jesus survived the crucifixion some 2,000 years ago, migrated to Kashmir and was buried in Roza Bal.{{fact|date=January 2013}}
Previously, an entire religious group formed around the belief that Roza Bal is the tomb of Jesus.{{fact|date=January 2013}} Mirza Ghulam Ahmad founded the movement on 23 March 1889.The Ahmadiyya Muslim community boasts of having a ‘œmembership exceeding tens of millions’ in over 195 countries worldwide. A more definite number or estimation of the community's overall membership varies between sources.


Early in the 21st century, the tomb at Roza Bal began to gain popularity among western tourists as the possible tomb of Jesus.<ref name=BBCRoz>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8587838.stm|title=Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir|publisher=BBC|accessdate=27 November 2010|first=Sam|last=Miller|date=27 March 2010}}</ref> According to the [[BBC]], the old story may have been recently promoted by local shopkeepers who "thought it would be good for business" to have tourist arrive, and its inclusion in the [[Lonely Planet]] travel guide to India helped drive the tourist business.<ref name=BBCRoz/>
Early in the 21st century, the tomb at Roza Bal began to gain popularity among western tourists as the possible tomb of Jesus.<ref name=BBCRoz>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8587838.stm|title=Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir|publisher=BBC|accessdate=27 November 2010|first=Sam|last=Miller|date=27 March 2010}}</ref> According to the [[BBC]], the old story may have been recently promoted by local shopkeepers who "thought it would be good for business" to have tourist arrive, and its inclusion in the [[Lonely Planet]] travel guide to India helped drive the tourist business.<ref name=BBCRoz/>


In recent years independent researchers have continued to suggest that this is Jesus's tomb. Beginning with he research of Aziz Kashmir (Christ in Kashmir,Roshni Publications,1988)detailed descriptions and photographs were given about the relics found within the tomb. These included carved footprints with wounds that exactly match the crucifixion wounds on the Shroud of Turin,a rod, over 8 feet in length that came with written documentation and genealogy of Jesus, tracing the Rod from King David to Jesus.{{cn|date=January 2013}} Other artifacts include a sword and a cross, all dated to a pre-Islamic period.{{cn|date=January 2013}} These were documented by Fida Hassnain, Director of History and Archives, for the Government of India. Since then books, articles and independent films worldwide have published continuing research into Roza Bal. The Bhavishyat Mahapurana (volume 9 verses 17-32) contains an account of Issa-Masih (Jesus the Messiah). It describes Christ's arrival in the Kashmir region of India and his encounter with King Shalivahana, who ruled the Kushan area (39-50AD), and who entertained Christ as a guest for some time. Although this does not place Jesus Christ in Roza Bal tomb, it attests to his presence in the region long after the crucifixion. According to Professors Aziz Kashmiri, Fida Hassnain, and author Holger Kersten, all who has studied this tomb, there are carved footprints on the grave stones and when closely examined, carved images of a crucifix and a rosary. The footprints of Yuz Asaf have what appear to be scars represented on both feet, if one assumes that they are crucifixion scars, then their position is consistent with the scars shown in the Turin Shroud (left foot nailed over right). Crucifixion was not practiced in Asia. The tomb is called by some as "Hazrat Issa Sahib" or "Tomb of the Lord Master Jesus". Ancient records acknowledge the existence of the tomb as long ago as 112AD (Source ending). The Grand Mufti, a prominent Muslim Cleric, himself has confirmed that Hazrat Isa Sahib is indeed the tomb of Yuz Asaf in a Court decree dated 1776 CE (The Fifth Gospel by Fida Hassnain, Dastgir Publications, 1988, p.265)
In recent years independent researchers have continued to suggest that this is Jesus's tomb. Beginning with he research of Aziz Kashmir (Christ in Kashmir,Roshni Publications,1988)detailed descriptions and photographs were given about the relics found within the tomb. These included carved footprints with wounds that exactly match the crucifixion wounds on the Shroud of Turin,a rod, over 8 feet in length that came with written documentation and genealogy of Jesus, tracing the Rod from King David to Jesus.{{cn|date=January 2013}} Other artifacts include a sword and a cross, all dated to a pre-Islamic period.{{cn|date=January 2013}} These were documented by Fida Hassnain, Director of History and Archives, for the Government of India. Since then books, articles and independent films worldwide have published continuing research into Roza Bal.


The structure consists of a low rectangular building on a raised platform, surrounded by railings at the front and an entry. Inside is a rock carving that is said to show feet bearing crucifixion wounds. The body is buried according to the Jewish tradition of directions and not according to the Islamic tradition.<ref name="doc"/> However, the building also houses the burial tomb of a local Muslim saint, Mir Sayyid Naseeruddin, who was buried in line with Islamic directions.<ref name="doc"/> The structure was previously maintained by the local community, but is now maintained by a Board of Directors consisting of [[Sunni Muslims]].<ref name=BABrown/> In 2003, [[BBC]] first televised a documentary that included a section on the story of Yuz Asaf titled "Did Jesus Die?"<ref name="doc">{{cite web
The structure consists of a low rectangular building on a raised platform, surrounded by railings at the front and an entry. Inside is a rock carving that is said to show feet bearing crucifixion wounds. The body is buried according to the Jewish tradition of directions and not according to the Islamic tradition.<ref name="doc"/> However, the building also houses the burial tomb of a local Muslim saint, Mir Sayyid Naseeruddin, who was buried in line with Islamic directions.<ref name="doc"/> The structure was previously maintained by the local community, but is now maintained by a Board of Directors consisting of [[Sunni Muslims]].<ref name=BABrown/> In 2003, [[BBC]] first televised a documentary that included a section on the story of Yuz Asaf titled "Did Jesus Die?"<ref name="doc">{{cite web

Revision as of 07:51, 30 January 2013

Roza Bal

Roza Bal is the name of a shrine located in the Khanyaar quarter of the city of Srinagar in Kashmir venerated by some Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Locals have traditionally referred to the sage buried there as Yuz Asaf.[1]

Beginning in the 18th century the idea that Yuz Asaf may be Jesus of Nazareth appeared, based on the assumption that the non-Muslim positioning of the tomb suggests that it is that of someone who arrived from the west (and was hence not cremated) and was considered a saint before the arrival of Islam.[1] In the 19th century Mirza Ghulam Ahmad had separately advocated the view that Jesus did not die by crucifixion, but traveled to the Indian subcontinent and died there.[2]

This theory that Jesus died in India is distinct from the 1894 suggestion of Nicolas Notovitch that Jesus traveled to India in his earlier years (before the start of his ministry) during the lost years of Jesus. Notovitch's claims of Jesus' travels to India have been totally discredited by modern scholarship as a hoax.[3] Modern scholars generally hold that there is no historical basis to substantiate any of the claims of the travels of Jesus to India.[4][5] Modern scholarships holds that Jesus' death was due to crucifixion by Pontius Pilate.[6][7]

However, the two hypotheses may be related in that some Ahmadis hold that the Roza Bal structure is not the tomb of Jesus, but a monument to his earlier proposed visit to the location before his crucifixion.[8] Instead of being a tomb for Jesus, Roza Bal may contain the remains of two Muslim holy men who were later buried in the structure.[8]

Early in the 21st century, the tomb at Roza Bal began to gain popularity among western tourists as the possible tomb of Jesus.[9] According to the BBC, the old story may have been recently promoted by local shopkeepers who "thought it would be good for business" to have tourist arrive, and its inclusion in the Lonely Planet travel guide to India helped drive the tourist business.[9]

In recent years independent researchers have continued to suggest that this is Jesus's tomb. Beginning with he research of Aziz Kashmir (Christ in Kashmir,Roshni Publications,1988)detailed descriptions and photographs were given about the relics found within the tomb. These included carved footprints with wounds that exactly match the crucifixion wounds on the Shroud of Turin,a rod, over 8 feet in length that came with written documentation and genealogy of Jesus, tracing the Rod from King David to Jesus.[citation needed] Other artifacts include a sword and a cross, all dated to a pre-Islamic period.[citation needed] These were documented by Fida Hassnain, Director of History and Archives, for the Government of India. Since then books, articles and independent films worldwide have published continuing research into Roza Bal.

The structure consists of a low rectangular building on a raised platform, surrounded by railings at the front and an entry. Inside is a rock carving that is said to show feet bearing crucifixion wounds. The body is buried according to the Jewish tradition of directions and not according to the Islamic tradition.[10] However, the building also houses the burial tomb of a local Muslim saint, Mir Sayyid Naseeruddin, who was buried in line with Islamic directions.[10] The structure was previously maintained by the local community, but is now maintained by a Board of Directors consisting of Sunni Muslims.[8] In 2003, BBC first televised a documentary that included a section on the story of Yuz Asaf titled "Did Jesus Die?"[10]

In 2010, the Govt. of India's Film Division produced a comprehensive documentary film on the subject, titled "The Rozabal Shrine of Srinagar." It was written & directed by Yashendra.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Jesus Lived in India by Holger Kersten (Dec 31, 2001) Penguin Books India ISBN 0143028294 page 273
  2. ^ Merriam Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia by Mark A. Stevens (Jan 2001) ISBN 0877790175 page 26
  3. ^ Ehrman, Bart D. (2011). "8. Forgeries, Lies, Deceptions, and the Writings of the New Testament. Modern Forgeries, Lies, and Deceptions". Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why the Bible’s Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are (First Edition. EPub Edition. ed.). New York: HarperCollins e-books. pp. 282–283. ISBN 978-0-06-207863-6. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ All the People in the Bible by Richard R. Losch (May 1, 2008) Eerdsmans Press ISBN 0802824544 page 209
  5. ^ Van Voorst, Robert E (2000). Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 0-8028-4368-9 page 17
  6. ^ Jesus Remembered by James D. G. Dunn 2003 ISBN 0-8028-3931-2 page 339
  7. ^ Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey by Craig L. Blomberg 2009 ISBN 0-8054-4482-3 pages 211-214
  8. ^ a b c Three Testaments: Torah, Gospel, and Quran edited by Brian Arthur Brown 2012, ISBN 1442214929 Rowman & Littlefield page 196
  9. ^ a b Miller, Sam (27 March 2010). "Tourists flock to 'Jesus's tomb' in Kashmir". BBC. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
  10. ^ a b c "Did Jesus die?". BBC. Retrieved 2009-05-25. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

Further reading

  • A Search for the Historical Jesus by Fida Hassnain, ISBN 978-1878115171 2006 Down-to-Earth Books
  • The Fifth Gospel by Fida Hassnain and Dahan Levi ISBN 978-1577331810 Nevada, Bluedolphin Publishing
  • Ancient Monuments of Kashmir by Ram Chandra Kak, India society, 1933
  • Jesus in Heaven on Earth by Khawaja Ahmad Nazir, ISBN 0913321605, Ammadiyya Anjuman Ishʻat Islam Lahore, 1998
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