The conflict over the Ayodhya site has been long-standing and complex. Here's a summary of the key events:
- 1856–57: Hindu-Muslim riots erupted at the disputed site. The colonial government of India intervened, building a wall to divide the site: the inner part was allotted to Muslims, while the outer part was given to Hindus, allowing them to retain structures like the Sita Rasoi (kitchen) and Ram Chabutara (platform). This division did not resolve the conflict, and disputes continued.
- 1934: Hindu-Muslim clashes damaged the dome of the Babri Masjid, which was later repaired.
- December 22, 1949: The mosque was desecrated when murtis of Ram were placed under its central dome. The government issued an attachment order, appointing the chairman of the Municipal Board of Faizabad (now Ayodhya) as the receiver of the inner courtyard and restricting public access.
- 1959: The Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu organisation, filed a lawsuit claiming ownership and management rights of the site, arguing that the 1949 attachment order obstructed their rights.
- 1961: The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqf and nine Muslim residents of Ayodhya sued for title of the land, asserting that the Babri Masjid was built on land granted by Mughal emperor Bābur and demanding the removal of the murtis.
- 1989: Senior advocate Deoki N. Agarwal filed a suit on behalf of the deity, claiming legal status for the birthplace and the murti.
- July 10, 1989: All key lawsuits were transferred to the Allahabad High Court. This period also saw the Rathyatra led by BJP president Lal Krishna Advani, which spurred massive protests and communal riots.
- December 6, 1992: A mob of Hindu activists destroyed the Babri Masjid, leading to widespread communal violence.
- September 30, 2010: The Allahabad High Court ruled that the disputed land be divided into three parts: one-third for the Nirmohi Akhara, one-third for the Sunni Waqf Board, and one-third for Lord Ram. The decision was appealed.
- January 8, 2019: The Supreme Court of India set up a five-judge bench to hear the appeals. On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court awarded the entire disputed land to the deity (Lord Ram) and directed the central government to form a trust to manage the temple's construction. It also declared that the Babri Masjid’s demolition was unlawful and instructed the government to provide an alternate site in Ayodhya for a mosque.