Ram Mandir inauguration: A look at 500-year timeline, from Babri Masjid to Lalla Virajman

livemint.com:

Ayodhya dispute has been a contentious matter for many years, entangled in numerous court actions by Muslim and Hindu religious groups. 1528: A mosque was built on the site by Mughal emperor Babar which Hindus allege to be the birth place of Lord Ram and where a temple earlier existed. 1530-1605: There were multiple allegations of conflicts and incidents of sectarian violence in relation to the Mandir-Masjid debate.

During the time of Akbar, a platform was constructed in front of the mosques. As per reports, a royal order was passed stating that Hindus shouldn't be stopped from performing puja at the platform. 1853: First recorded incidents of communal violence at the disputed site take place.

1859: British officials erect a fence to separate the places of worships, allowing the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus. 1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files a suit seeking permission to build a canopy on Ram chabootra but his plea was rejected a year after by the Faizabad district court. 1949: Idol of Lord Ram surfaced inside mosque.

Muslims claimed that it was kept there by the Hindus. Muslims protested, and both parties filed civil suits. The government proclaimed the premises a disputed area and locks the gates.

18 January, 1950: First title suit is filed by Gopal Singh Visharad asking for the right to worship the idols installed at ‘Asthan Janmabhoomi´. The court restrained the removal of idols and allowed the worship to continue. 24 April, 1950: The State of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the injunction order.