Ayodhya

<h2 id="etymology-and-names">Etymology and names</h2>
The word "Ayodhya" is a regularly formed derivation of the <a href="/facts/Sanskrit/ychfjhlx">Sanskrit</a> verb yudh, "to fight, or wage war".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> Yodhya is the future passive participle, meaning "to be fought"; the initial a is the negative prefix; the whole, therefore, means "not to be fought" or, more idiomatically in English, "invincible".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> This meaning is attested by the <a href="/facts/Atharvaveda/21Nq9UIk">Atharvaveda</a>, which uses it to refer to the unconquerable city of gods.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> The ninth century <a href="/facts/Jain/h0glxhjH">Jain</a> poem <a href="/facts/Adi_Purana/jXFIh3o1">Adi Purana</a> also states that Ayodhya "does not exist by name alone but by the merit" of being unconquerable by enemies. Satyopakhyana interprets the word differently, stating that it means "that which cannot be conquered by sins" (instead of enemies).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a>
"Saketa" is the older name for the city, attested in Sanskrit, Jain, Buddhist, Greek and Chinese sources.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> According to <a href="/facts/Vaman_Shivram_Apte/pXqNB07a">Vaman Shivram Apte</a>, the word "Saketa" is derived from the Sanskrit words Saha (with) and Aketen (houses or buildings). The Adi Purana states that Ayodhya is called Saketa "because of its magnificent buildings which had significant banners as their arms".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> According to <a href="/facts/Hans_T._Bakker/ceASS6jW">Hans T. Bakker</a>, the word may be derived from the roots sa and ketu ("with banner"); the variant name saketu is attested in the <a href="/facts/Vishnu_Purana/ezhpH1tU">Vishnu Purana</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>
The older name in English was "Oudh" or "Oude", and the princely state it was the capital of until 1856 is still known as <a href="/facts/Oudh_State/JJKSnwJa">Oudh State</a>.
Ayodhya was stated to be the capital of the ancient <a href="/facts/Kosala_Kingdom/aVIx1lAw">Kosala kingdom</a> in the <a href="/facts/Ramayana/z2DykxzF">Ramayana</a>. Hence it was also referred to as "Kosala". The Adi Purana states that Ayodhya is famous as su-kośala "because of its prosperity and good skill".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a>
The cities of <a href="/facts/Ayutthaya_(city)/znmGeX19">Ayutthaya</a> (Thailand), and <a href="/facts/Yogyakarta/AHe1fMdI">Yogyakarta</a> (Indonesia), are named after Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a>

<h2 id="history">History</h2>

See also: <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_(legendary_city)/mcADmWhx">Ayodhya (legendary city) § Historicity</a>
Ancient Indian <a href="/facts/Sanskrit/ychfjhlx">Sanskrit</a>-language epics, such as the <a href="/facts/Ramayana/z2DykxzF">Ramayana</a> and the <a href="/facts/Mahabharata/EKbN9XwS">Mahabharata</a> mention a <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_(legendary_city)/mcADmWhx">legendary city called Ayodhya</a>, which was the capital of the legendary <a href="/facts/Ikshvaku_dynasty/AR7otF7b">Ikshvaku</a> kings of Kosala, including Rama.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> Neither these texts, nor the earlier Sanskrit texts such as the <a href="/facts/Vedas/yQgc8B2x">Vedas</a>, mention a city called Saketa. Non-religious, non-legendary ancient Sanskrit texts, such as Panini's Ashtadhyayi and Patanjali's commentary on it, do mention Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> The later Buddhist text <a href="/facts/Mahavastu/t5gFGV6z">Mahavastu</a> describes Saketa as the seat of the Ikshvaku king Sujata, whose descendants established the <a href="/facts/Shakya/L02FXLlH">Shakya</a> capital <a href="/facts/Kapilavastu_(ancient_city)/vJHYlDY9">Kapilavastu</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a>
The earliest of the Buddhist <a href="/facts/Pali_canon/UWeKv5NE">Pali-language texts</a> and the Jain Prakrit-language texts mention a city called Saketa (Sageya or Saeya in Prakrit) as an important city of the <a href="/facts/Kosala/JtMvQjGb">Kosala</a> <a href="/facts/Mahajanapada/nwEe3Wsu">mahajanapada</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a> Topographical indications in both Buddhist and Jain texts suggest that Saketa is the same as the present-day Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a> For example, according to the <a href="/facts/Samyutta_Nikaya/7Lk0ezKk">Samyutta Nikaya</a> and the <a href="/facts/Vinaya_Pitaka/FB7oQeEk">Vinaya Pitaka</a>, Saketa was located at a distance of six <a href="/facts/Yojana/q3JtH5xc">yojana</a>s from <a href="/facts/Shravasti/Q7U4dBsM">Shravasti</a>. The Vinaya Pitaka mentions that a big river was located between the two cities, and the <a href="/facts/Sutta_Nipata/Pv6nQ4yB">Sutta Nipata</a> mentions Saketa as the first halting place on the southward road from Shravasti to <a href="/facts/Pratishthana/NsuAvI0w">Pratishthana</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a>
Fourth century onwards, multiple texts, including Kalidasa's <a href="/facts/Raghuvamsha/cfFB7x9H">Raghuvamsha</a>, mention Ayodhya as another name for Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> The later Jain canonical text Jambudvipa-Pannati describes a city called Viniya (or Vinita) as the birthplace of <a href="/facts/Rishabha/DuY2Ka76">Lord Rishabhanatha</a>, and associates this city with <a href="/facts/Bharata_Chakravartin/GLMtrLCE">Bharata Chakravartin</a>; the <a href="/facts/Kalpa_Sutra/PX6eHbVX">Kalpa-Sutra</a> describes Ikkhagabhumi as the birthplace of <a href="/facts/Rishabhanatha/DuY2Ka76">Rishabhadev</a>. The index on the Jain text Paumachariya clarifies that Aojjha (Aodhya), Kosala-puri ("Kosala city"), Viniya, and Saeya (Saketa) are synonyms. The post-Canonical Jain texts also mention "Aojjha"; for example, the Avassagacurni describes it as the principal city of Kosala, while the Avassaganijjutti names it as the capital of <a href="/facts/King_Sagara/cQIGqh1k">Sagara Chakravartin</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a> The Avassaganijjutti implies that Viniya ("Vinia"), Kosalapuri ("Kosalapura"), and Ikkhagabhumi were distinct cities, naming them as the capitals of Abhinamdana, Sumai, and Usabha respectively. Abhayadeva's commentary on the Thana Sutta, another post-canonical text, identifies Saketa, Ayodhya, and Vinita as one city.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a>
According to one theory, the legendary Ayodhya city is the same as the historical city of Saketa and the present-day Ayodhya. According to another theory, the legendary Ayodhya is a mythical city,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33">33</a> and the name "Ayodhya" came to be used for the Saketa (present-day Ayodhya) only around the fourth century, when a <a href="/facts/Gupta_Empire/KbMVInGv">Gupta</a> emperor (probably <a href="/facts/Skandagupta/SkQDttqP">Skandagupta</a>) moved his capital to Saketa, and renamed it to Ayodhya after the legendary city.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34">34</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35">35</a> Alternative, but less likely, theories state that Saketa and Ayodhya were two adjoining cities, or that Ayodhya was a locality within the Saketa city.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36">36</a>

<h3>As Saketa</h3>
Archaeological and literary evidence suggests that the site of present-day Ayodhya had developed into an urban settlement by the fifth or sixth-century BC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:37" href="#fn:37">37</a> The site is identified as the location of the ancient <a href="/facts/S%25C4%2581keta/7jt3k99f">Saketa city</a>, which probably emerged as a marketplace located at the junction of the two important roads, the <a href="/facts/Shravasti/Q7U4dBsM">Shravasti</a>-<a href="/facts/Pratishthana/NsuAvI0w">Pratishthana</a> north–south road, and the <a href="/facts/Rajagriha/pUD55c6k">Rajagriha</a>-<a href="/facts/Varanasi/w0ELEKrB">Varanasi</a>-Shravasti-<a href="/facts/Taxila/d1H9KJN3">Taxila</a> east–west road.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:38" href="#fn:38">38</a> Ancient Buddhist texts, such as <a href="/facts/Samyutta_Nikaya/7Lk0ezKk">Samyutta Nikaya</a>, state that Saketa was located in the <a href="/facts/Kosala/JtMvQjGb">Kosala</a> kingdom ruled by <a href="/facts/Prasenajit/yMQ9ueos">Prasenajit</a> (or Pasenadi; c. sixth–5th century BC), whose capital was located at Shravasti.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:39" href="#fn:39">39</a> The later Buddhist commentary Dhammapada-<a href="/facts/Atthakatha/68YeFV5t">atthakatha</a> states that the Saketa town was established by merchant Dhananjaya (the father of <a href="/facts/Visakha/gshQ92E3">Visakha</a>), on the suggestion of king Prasenajit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:40" href="#fn:40">40</a> The <a href="/facts/Digha_Nikaya/bRchKkj1">Digha Nikaya</a> describes it as one of the six large cities of India.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:41" href="#fn:41">41</a> The early Buddhist canonical texts mention <a href="/facts/Shravasti/Q7U4dBsM">Shravasti</a> as the capital of Kosala, but the later texts, such as the Jain texts Nayadhammakahao and Pannavana Suttam, and the Buddhist <a href="/facts/Jataka/l7EEg5h7">Jatakas</a>, mention Saketa as the capital of Kosala.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:42" href="#fn:42">42</a>
As a busy town frequented by travellers, it appears to have become important for preachers such as <a href="/facts/Gautama_Buddha/8UchTM1s">Gautama Buddha</a> and <a href="/facts/Mahavira/46A5AGc3">Mahavira</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:43" href="#fn:43">43</a> The Samyutta Nikaya and <a href="/facts/Anguttara_Nikaya/Kf3HmbRS">Anguttara Nikaya</a> mention that Buddha resided at Saketa at times.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:44" href="#fn:44">44</a> The early Jain canonical texts (such as Antagada-dasao, Anuttarovavaiya-dasao, and Vivagasuya) state that Mahavira visited Saketa; Nayadhammakahao states that <a href="/facts/Parshvanatha/8dVsg0Cf">Parshvanatha</a> also visited Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:45" href="#fn:45">45</a> The Jain texts, both canonical and post-canonical, describe Ayodhya as the location of various shrines, such as those of snake, <a href="/facts/Yaksha/PK7sGajX">yaksha</a> Pasamiya, Muni Suvratasvamin, and Surappia.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:46" href="#fn:46">46</a>
It is not clear what happened to Saketa after Kosala was conquered by the <a href="/facts/Magadha_(Mahajanapada)/e2vLVE9U">Magadha</a> emperor <a href="/facts/Ajatashatru/ft91UtLt">Ajatashatru</a> around fifth century BC. There is lack of historical sources about the city's situation for the next few centuries: it is possible that the city remained a commercial centre of secondary importance, but did not grow into a political centre of Magadha, whose capital was located at <a href="/facts/Pataliputra/3Jj5GvfT">Pataliputra</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:47" href="#fn:47">47</a> Several Buddhist buildings may have been constructed in the town during the rule of the <a href="/facts/Maurya_Empire/STQagR1r">Maurya</a> emperor <a href="/facts/Ashoka/YsxDJyF2">Ashoka</a> in the third century BC: these buildings were probably located on the present-day human-made mounds in Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:48" href="#fn:48">48</a> Excavations at Ayodhya have resulted in the discovery of a large brick wall, identified as a fortification wall by archaeologist <a href="/facts/B._B._Lal_(archaeologist)/szaL4E0U">B. B. Lal</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:49" href="#fn:49">49</a> This wall probably erected in the last quarter of the third-century BC.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:50" href="#fn:50">50</a>

After the decline of the Maurya empire, Saketa appears to have come under the rule of <a href="/facts/Pushyamitra_Shunga/e0d0ACpv">Pushyamitra Shunga</a>. The first century BC <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_Inscription_of_Dhana/Xj9BDfB0">inscription of Dhanadeva</a> suggests that he appointed a governor there.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:51" href="#fn:51">51</a> The <a href="/facts/Yuga_Purana/KPYKG8IR">Yuga Purana</a> mentions Saketa as the residence of a governor, and describes it as being attacked by a combined force of <a href="/facts/Yavanas/U9t1LW2A">Greeks</a>, <a href="/facts/Mathura/ShS7I2c5">Mathuras</a>, and <a href="/facts/Panchala/yapWy8SW">Panchalas</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:52" href="#fn:52">52</a> Patanjali's commentary on Panini also refers to the Greek siege of Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:53" href="#fn:53">53</a>
Later, Saketa appears to have become part of a small, independent kingdom.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:54" href="#fn:54">54</a> The Yuga Purana states that Saketa was ruled by seven powerful kings after the retreat of the Greeks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:55" href="#fn:55">55</a> The Vayu Purana and the Brahmanda Purana also state that seven powerful kings ruled in the capital of Kosala. The historicity of these kings is attested by the discovery of the coins of the <a href="/facts/Deva_dynasty_(Saketa)/uBTfBwIM">Deva dynasty</a> kings, including Dhanadeva, whose inscription describes him as the king of Kosala (Kosaladhipati).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:56" href="#fn:56">56</a> As the capital of Kosala, Saketa probably eclipsed Shravasti in importance during this period. The east–west route connecting Pataliputra to <a href="/facts/Taxila/d1H9KJN3">Taxila</a>, which earlier passed through Saketa and Shravasti, appears to have shifted southwards during this period, now passing through Saketa, <a href="/facts/Ahichhatra/Vk5oUeG0">Ahichhatra</a> and <a href="/facts/Kanyakubja/b6WDCtCD">Kanyakubja</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:57" href="#fn:57">57</a>
After the Deva kings, Saketa appears to have been ruled by the <a href="/facts/Datta_dynasty/NWoHrXUQ">Datta</a>, <a href="/facts/Kushan_Empire/QvUh1thw">Kushan</a>, and Mitra kings, although the chronological order of their rule is uncertain. Bakker theorises that the <a href="/facts/Datta_dynasty/NWoHrXUQ">Dattas</a> succeeded the Deva kings in the mid-1st century AD, and their kingdom was annexed to the Kushan Empire by <a href="/facts/Kanishka/pbQtD4eF">Kanishka</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:58" href="#fn:58">58</a> The Tibetan text Annals of Li Country (c. 11th century) mentions that an alliance of king Vijayakirti of <a href="/facts/Khotan/3gVxSlaQ">Khotan</a>, king Kanika, the king of Gu-zan, and the king of Li, marched to India and captured the So-ked city. During this invasion, Vijayakirti took several Buddhist relics from Saketa, and placed them in the stupa of Phru-no. If Kanika is identified as Kanishka, and So-ked as Saketa, it appears that the invasion of Kushans and their allies led to the destruction of the Buddhist sites at Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:59" href="#fn:59">59</a>
Nevertheless, Saketa appears to have remained a prosperous town during the Kushan rule.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:60" href="#fn:60">60</a> The second century geographer <a href="/facts/Ptolemy/htudGQTQ">Ptolemy</a> mentions a metropolis "Sageda" or "Sagoda", which has been identified with Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:61" href="#fn:61">61</a> The earliest inscription that mentions Saketa as a place name is dated to the late Kushan period: it was found on the pedestal of a Buddha image in Shravasti, and records the gift of the image by Sihadeva of Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:62" href="#fn:62">62</a> Before or after the Kushans, Saketa appears to have been ruled by a dynasty of kings whose names end in "-mitra", and whose coins have been found at Ayodhya. They may have been members of a local dynasty that was distinct from the <a href="/facts/Mitra_dynasty_(Mathura)/GfwxW77p">Mitra dynasty</a> of Mathura. These kings are attested only by their coinage: Sangha-mitra, Vijaya-mitra, Satya-mitra, Deva-mitra, and Arya-mitra; coins of Kumuda-sena and Aja-varman have also been discovered.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:63" href="#fn:63">63</a>

<h3>Gupta period</h3>
Around the fourth century, the region came under the control of the <a href="/facts/Gupta_Empire/KbMVInGv">Guptas</a>, who revived <a href="/facts/Brahmanism/CLhJ6Au6">Brahmanism</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:64" href="#fn:64">64</a> The <a href="/facts/Vayu_Purana/pD8SjIeW">Vayu Purana</a> and the <a href="/facts/Brahmanda_Purana/yamx03jI">Brahmanda Purana</a> attest that the early Gupta kings ruled Saketa.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:65" href="#fn:65">65</a> No Gupta-era archaeological layers have been discovered in present-day Ayodhya, although a large number of Gupta coins have been discovered here. It is possible that during the Gupta period, the habitations in the city were located in the areas that have not yet been excavated.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:66" href="#fn:66">66</a> The Buddhist sites that had suffered destruction during the Khotanese-Kushan invasion appear to have remained deserted.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:67" href="#fn:67">67</a> The fifth-century Chinese traveller <a href="/facts/Faxian/taw3PM3R">Faxian</a> states that the ruins of Buddhist buildings existed at "Sha-chi" during his time.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:68" href="#fn:68">68</a> One theory identifies Sha-chi with Saketa, although this identification is not undisputed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:69" href="#fn:69">69</a> If Sha-chi is indeed Saketa, it appears that by the fifth century, the town no longer had a flourshing Buddhist community or any important Buddhist building that was still in use.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:70" href="#fn:70">70</a>
An important development during the Gupta time was the recognition of Saketa as the <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_(legendary_city)/mcADmWhx">legendary city of Ayodhya</a>, the capital of the <a href="/facts/Ikshvaku_dynasty/AR7otF7b">Ikshvaku dynasty</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:71" href="#fn:71">71</a> The 436 AD Karamdanda (Karmdand) inscription, issued during the reign of <a href="/facts/Kumaragupta_I/Xmdh18u3">Kumaragupta I</a>, names Ayodhya as the capital of the Kosala province, and records commander Prithvisena's offerings to Brahmins from Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:72" href="#fn:72">72</a> Later, the capital of the <a href="/facts/Gupta_Empire/KbMVInGv">Gupta Empire</a> was moved from Pataliputra to Ayodhya. <a href="/facts/Paramartha/93EgQdt0">Paramartha</a> states that king Vikramaditya moved the royal court to Ayodhya; Xuanzang also corroborates this, stating that this king moved the court to the "country of Shravasti", that is, Kosala.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:73" href="#fn:73">73</a> A local oral tradition of Ayodhya, first recorded in writing by <a href="/facts/Robert_Montgomery_Martin/SlnSb38Y">Robert Montgomery Martin</a> in 1838,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:74" href="#fn:74">74</a> mentions that the city was deserted after the death of Rama's descendant <a href="/facts/Brihadbala/QSMfhHXv">Brihadbala</a>. The city remain deserted until King Vikrama of <a href="/facts/Ujjain/IABwWPMX">Ujjain</a> came searching for it, and re-established it. He cut down the forests that had covered the ancient ruins, erected the Ramgar fort, and built 360 temples.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:75" href="#fn:75">75</a>
Vikramditya was a title of multiple Gupta kings, and the king who moved the capital to Ayodhya is identified as Skandagupta.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:76" href="#fn:76">76</a> Bakker theorises that the move to Ayodhya may have been prompted by a flooding of the river Ganges at Pataliputra, the need to check the <a href="/facts/Huna_people/CmG9wd0k">Huna</a> advance from the west, and Skandagupta's desire to compare himself with Rama (whose Ikshvaku dynasty is associated with the legendary Ayodhya).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:77" href="#fn:77">77</a> According to Paramaratha's Life of Vasubandhu, Vikramaditya was a patron of scholars, and awarded 300,000 pieces of gold to <a href="/facts/Vasubandhu/g64xa0hn">Vasubandhu</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:78" href="#fn:78">78</a> The text states that Vasubandhu was a native of Saketa ("Sha-ki-ta"), and describes Vikramaditya as the king of Ayodhya ("A-yu-ja").<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:79" href="#fn:79">79</a> This wealth was used to build three monasteries in the country of A-yu-ja (Ayodhya).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:80" href="#fn:80">80</a> Paramartha further states that the later king Baladitya (identified with <a href="/facts/Narasimhagupta/qLXgD1WV">Narasimhagupta</a>) and his mother also awarded large sums of gold to Vasubandhu, and these funds were used to build another Buddhist temple at Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:81" href="#fn:81">81</a> These structures may have been seen by the seventh century Chinese traveller <a href="/facts/Xuanzang/pDWa56Fr">Xuanzang</a>, who describes a <a href="/facts/Stupa/0dXQxGA3">stupa</a> and a <a href="/facts/Monastery/t8MRXpsM">monastery</a> at Ayodhya ("O-yu-t-o").<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:82" href="#fn:82">82</a>

<h3>Decline as a political centre</h3>
Ayodhya probably suffered when the Hunas led by <a href="/facts/Mihirakula/rqspHRWo">Mihirakula</a> invaded the Gupta empire in the sixth century. After the fall of the Guptas, it may have been ruled by the <a href="/facts/Maukhari/alT2PJqJ">Maukhari</a> dynasty, whose coins have been found in the nearby areas. It was not devastated, as Xuanzang describes it as a flourishing town and a Buddhist centre.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:83" href="#fn:83">83</a> However, it had lost its position as an important political centre to <a href="/facts/Kanyakubja/b6WDCtCD">Kanyakubja</a> (Kannauj).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:84" href="#fn:84">84</a> At the time of Xuanzang's visit, it was a part of <a href="/facts/Harsha/AtDU4Iwt">Harsha</a>'s empire, and was probably the seat of a vassal or an administrative officer. Xuanzang states that the city measured about 0.6 km (20 <a href="/facts/Li_(unit)/M327CsjN">li</a>) in circumference. Another seventh-century source, <a href="/facts/K%25C4%2581%25C5%259Bik%25C4%2581v%25E1%25B9%259Btt%25C4%25AB/4mYweClA">Kāśikāvṛttī</a>, mentions that the town was surrounded by a moat similar to that around <a href="/facts/Pataliputra/3Jj5GvfT">Pataliputra</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:85" href="#fn:85">85</a>
After the fall of Harsha's empire, Ayodhya appears to have been variously controlled by local kings and the rulers of Kannauj, including <a href="/facts/Yashovarman/oGSazYXl">Yashovarman</a> and the <a href="/facts/Gurjara-Pratihara/kvzdpsk8">Gurjara-Pratiharas</a>. The town is not mentioned in any surviving texts or inscriptions composed during 650–1050 AD, although it may be identified with the "city of <a href="/facts/Harishchandra/QYlht5aK">Harishchandra</a>" mentioned in the eighth-century poem <a href="/facts/Gaudavaho/xeDRKtIe">Gaudavaho</a>. Archaeological evidence (including images to <a href="/facts/Vishnu/yzp3I6Db">Vishnu</a>, Jain <a href="/facts/Tirthankara/cf8K8DIL">tirthankaras</a>, <a href="/facts/Ganesha/ENEQDyRN">Ganesha</a>, the seven <a href="/facts/Matrikas/zHKlgwhP">Matrikas</a>, and a Buddhist stupa) suggests that the religious activity in the area continued during this period.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:86" href="#fn:86">86</a>

<h3>Early medieval period</h3>
According to Indologist <a href="/facts/Hans_T._Bakker/ceASS6jW">Hans T. Bakker</a>, the only religious significance of Ayodhya in the first millennium AD was related to the Gopratara <a href="/facts/Tirtha_(Hinduism)/dlsbdMU1">tirtha</a> (now called Guptar Ghat), where Rama and his followers are said to have ascended to heaven by entering the waters of Sarayu.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:87" href="#fn:87">87</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:88" href="#fn:88">88</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:89" href="#fn:89">89</a>
In the 11th century, the <a href="/facts/Gahadavala/2S9fkTIg">Gahadavala</a> dynasty came to power in the region, and promoted <a href="/facts/Vaishnavism/zUBtPcla">Vaishnavism</a>. They built several <a href="/facts/Vishnu/yzp3I6Db">Vishnu</a> temples in Ayodhya, five of which survived till the end of <a href="/facts/Aurangzeb/HfsMWhuA">Aurangzeb</a>'s reign. Hans Bakker concludes that there might have been a temple at the supposed birth spot of Rama built by the Gahadavalas (see <a href="/facts/Vishnu_Hari_inscription/sW3WKNVE">Vishnu Hari inscription</a>). In subsequent years, the cult of Rama developed within Vaishnavism, with Rama being regarded as the foremost avatar of Vishnu. Between the 13th and 18th century, Ayodhya's importance as a pilgrimage centre grew.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:90" href="#fn:90">90</a>
In 1226 AD, Ayodhya became the capital of the province of <a href="/facts/Awadh/NGDz9Yvr">Awadh</a> (or "Oudh") within the <a href="/facts/Delhi_sultanate/19oLzpBF">Delhi sultanate</a>. Muslim historians state that the area was little more than wilderness prior to this. Pilgrimage was tolerated, but the tax on pilgrims ensured that the temples did not receive much income.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:91" href="#fn:91">91</a>

<h3>Mughal period</h3>

Under <a href="/facts/Mughal_Empire/yRg2kAy5">Mughal</a> rule, the <a href="/facts/Babri_mosque/0axDepf6">Babri mosque</a> was constructed in Ayodhya. The city was the capital of the province of <a href="/facts/Awadh/NGDz9Yvr">Awadh</a> (mispronounced as "Oudh" by the British), which is also believed to be a variant of the name "Ayodhya".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:92" href="#fn:92">92</a>
After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707 AD, the central Muslim rule weakened, and Awadh became virtually independent, with Ayodhya as its capital. However, the rulers became increasingly dependent on the local Hindu nobles, and control over the temples and pilgrimage centres was relaxed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:93" href="#fn:93">93</a>[better source needed]

<h3>British period</h3>
In the 1850s, a group of Hindus attacked the Babri mosque, on the grounds that it was built over <a href="/facts/Ram_Janmabhoomi/jJ0LX5Hb">the birthplace</a> of the Hindu deity <a href="/facts/Rama/0FUIok3H">Rama</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:94" href="#fn:94">94</a> To prevent further disputes, the British administrators divided the mosque premises between Hindus and Muslims.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:95" href="#fn:95">95</a>
Ayodhya was annexed in 1856 by the British rulers. The rulers of Awadh were <a href="/facts/Shia/JIQl7ooz">Shia</a>, and the <a href="/facts/Sunni/WYo0zeq0">Sunni</a> groups had already protested against the permissive attitude of the former government. The British intervened and crushed the Sunni resistance. In 1857, the British annexed Oudh (Awadh) and subsequently reorganised it into the <a href="/facts/United_Provinces_of_Agra_and_Oudh/zVcHb9Xv">United Provinces of Agra and Oudh</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:96" href="#fn:96">96</a>

<h3>Independent India</h3>

See also: <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_dispute/62TqpSsw">Ayodhya dispute</a>
A movement was launched in 1984 by the <a href="/facts/Vishva_Hindu_Parishad/ca2h9kFS">Vishva Hindu Parishad</a> party to reclaim the Babri mosque site for a Rama temple. In 1992, a right wing <a href="/facts/Hindu_nationalist/a0jCp6pK">Hindu nationalist</a> rally turned into a riot, leading to the <a href="/facts/Demolition_of_the_Babri_Masjid/VsVFnqqt">demolition of the Babri mosque</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:97" href="#fn:97">97</a> A makeshift temple at <a href="/facts/Ram_Janmabhoomi/jJ0LX5Hb">Ram Janmabhoomi</a> for <a href="/facts/Ram_Lalla_Temple/Il3PkchY">Ram Lalla</a>, infant Rama was constructed.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:98" href="#fn:98">98</a> Under the Indian government orders, no one was permitted near the site within 200 yards, and the gate was locked to the outside. Hindu pilgrims, however, began entering through a side door to offer worship.
In 2003, the <a href="/facts/Archaeological_Survey_of_India/aVeou2RT">Archaeological Survey of India</a> (ASI) carried out an excavation at the mosque site to determine if it was built over the ruins of a temple. The excavation uncovered pillar bases indicating a temple had been in existence under the mosque.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:99" href="#fn:99">99</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:100" href="#fn:100">100</a> Besides Hindus, the Buddhist and Jain representatives claimed that their temples existed at the excavated site.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:101" href="#fn:101">101</a>
On 5 July 2005, <a href="/facts/2005_Ram_Janmabhoomi_attack/aml8V2bl">five terrorists</a> attacked the site of the makeshift Ramlalla temple in Ayodhya. All five were killed in the ensuing gunfight with security forces, and one civilian died in the bomb blast triggered as they attempted to breach the cordon wall.
On 30 September 2010, the <a href="/facts/Lucknow/HuGSvAMs">Lucknow</a> bench of the <a href="/facts/Allahabad_High_Court/jyfwf18l">Allahabad High Court</a> ruled that one-third of the disputed land should be given to the <a href="/facts/Uttar_Pradesh_Sunni_Central_Waqf_Board/WfUmoB0K">Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board</a>, one-third to the <a href="/facts/Nirmohi_Akhara/HLDTePep">Nirmohi Akhara</a> and one-third to the <a href="/facts/Hindu/D7TFhcg1">Hindu</a> party for the shrine of "Ram Lalla" (infant Rama). The court further ruled that the area where the idols of Ram are present be given to Hindus in the final decree, while the rest of the land shall be divided equally by metes and bounds among the three parties.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:102" href="#fn:102">102</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:103" href="#fn:103">103</a> The judgement, along with evidences provided by the Archaeological Survey of India, upheld that the Babri Masjid was built after demolishing the Hindu temple, which is the birthplace of Rama, and that the mosque was not constructed according to the principles of Islam. The final verdict by the Supreme Court on the case ruled the disputed land in the favour of Hindus for the construction of Ram Mandir and ordered an alternative piece of land be given to the Muslim community for the construction of a mosque.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:104" href="#fn:104">104</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:105" href="#fn:105">105</a>
In a judgement pronounced by a 5 judge bench of the Supreme Court of India on 9 November 2019, the land was handed over to the government to form a trust for the construction of a temple. The court instructed the government to also allot a plot of 2.0 hectares (5 acres) in Ayodhya to the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board to construct a mosque/Masjid.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:106" href="#fn:106">106</a>
Some South Koreans have identified the "Ayuta" mentioned in their ancient <a href="/facts/Samgungnyusa/v8w1kgJ5">Samgungnyusa</a> legend with Ayodhya. According to this legend, the ancient Korean princess <a href="/facts/Heo_Hwang-ok/m6KPHulp">Heo Hwang-ok</a> came from Ayuta. In the 2000s, the local government of Ayodhya and South Korea acknowledged the connection and held a ceremony to raise a statue of the princess.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:107" href="#fn:107">107</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:108" href="#fn:108">108</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:109" href="#fn:109">109</a>

<h4>Ram temple</h4>
Main article: <a href="/facts/Ram_Mandir/YHuyRrea">Ram Mandir</a>
On 5 August 2020, the prime minister of India, <a href="/facts/Narendra_Modi/bVn4fGGz">Narendra Modi</a>, laid the ceremonial foundation stone for a new temple at <a href="/facts/Ram_Janmabhoomi/jJ0LX5Hb">what is believed to be the birthplace of the god, Ram</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:110" href="#fn:110">110</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:111" href="#fn:111">111</a> It was planned to build a new township, Navya Ayodhya, on a 200-hectare (500-acre) site next to the <a href="/facts/Faizabad/V0mdGnlk">Faizabad</a>-<a href="/facts/Gorakhpur/7aNn8xwm">Gorakhpur</a> highway, which will have luxury hotels and apartment complexes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:112" href="#fn:112">112</a>
The Ram Mandir (lit. 'Rama Temple') is a <a href="/facts/Hindu_temple/BvAAj7Yn">Hindu temple</a> complex in Ayodhya, <a href="/facts/Uttar_Pradesh/vXDwM9Df">Uttar Pradesh</a>, India.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:113" href="#fn:113">113</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:114" href="#fn:114">114</a> Many <a href="/facts/Hindus/D7TFhcg1">Hindus</a> believe that it is located at the site of <a href="/facts/Ram_Janmabhoomi/jJ0LX5Hb">Ram Janmabhoomi</a>, the mythical birthplace of <a href="/facts/Rama/0FUIok3H">Rama</a>, a principal <a href="/facts/Hindu_deities/Yu15FnJd">deity</a> of <a href="/facts/Hinduism/oxV9YvQh">Hinduism</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:115" href="#fn:115">115</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:116" href="#fn:116">116</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:117" href="#fn:117">117</a> The temple was inaugurated<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:118" href="#fn:118">118</a> on 22 January 2024 after a <a href="/facts/Ram_Mandir_Prana_Pratishtha/30lmrFNu">prana pratishtha</a> (consecration) ceremony.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:119" href="#fn:119">119</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:120" href="#fn:120">120</a>

<h2 id="demographics">Demographics</h2>

[needs update]
As of the <a href="/facts/2011_Census_of_India/U4V680pf">2011 Census of India</a>, Ayodhya had a population of 55,890. Males constituted 56.7% of the population and females 43.3%. Ayodhya had an average literacy rate of 78.1%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:121" href="#fn:121">121</a> As per the religion data of <a href="/facts/2011_Census_of_India/U4V680pf">2011 Census</a>, the majority population is of <a href="/facts/Hindus/D7TFhcg1">Hindu</a> religion with 93.23%, and <a href="/facts/Muslims/W2ukq4pg">Muslims</a> comes the second with 6.19%.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:122" href="#fn:122">122</a>

<h2 id="geography-and-climate">Geography and climate</h2>
Ayodhya has a humid subtropical climate, typical of central India. Summers are long, dry and hot, lasting from late March to mid-June, with average daily temperatures near 32 °C (90 °F).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:123" href="#fn:123">123</a> They are followed by the monsoon season which lasts till October, with annual precipitation of approximately 1,067 mm (42.0 in) and average temperatures around 28 °C (82 °F). Winter starts in early November and lasts till the end of January, followed by a short spring in February and early March. Average temperatures are mild, near 16 °C (61 °F), but nights can be colder.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:124" href="#fn:124">124</a>

<table><tbody><tr><th colspan="14">Climate data for Gokarna</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">Month</th><th scope="col">Jan</th><th scope="col">Feb</th><th scope="col">Mar</th><th scope="col">Apr</th><th scope="col">May</th><th scope="col">Jun</th><th scope="col">Jul</th><th scope="col">Aug</th><th scope="col">Sep</th><th scope="col">Oct</th><th scope="col">Nov</th><th scope="col">Dec</th><th scope="col">Year</th></tr><tr><th scope="row">Mean daily maximum °C (°F)</th><td>24(75)</td><td>27(81)</td><td>34(93)</td><td>40(104)</td><td>43(109)</td><td>41(106)</td><td>35(95)</td><td>35(95)</td><td>34(93)</td><td>33(91)</td><td>30(86)</td><td>26(79)</td><td>34(92)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Mean daily minimum °C (°F)</th><td>12(54)</td><td>14(57)</td><td>20(68)</td><td>26(79)</td><td>31(88)</td><td>32(90)</td><td>29(84)</td><td>27(81)</td><td>26(79)</td><td>24(75)</td><td>20(68)</td><td>15(59)</td><td>23(74)</td></tr><tr><th scope="row">Average <a href="/facts/Precipitation/uq3nGQc8">precipitation</a> mm (inches)</th><td>23(0.9)</td><td>18(0.7)</td><td>11(0.4)</td><td>8(0.3)</td><td>14(0.6)</td><td>113(4.4)</td><td>438(17.2)</td><td>316(12.4)</td><td>219(8.6)</td><td>49(1.9)</td><td>0(0)</td><td>2(0.1)</td><td>1,211(47.5)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="14">Source: <a href="https://weatherandclimate.com/india/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya">https://weatherandclimate.com/india/uttar-pradesh/ayodhya</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2 id="places-of-interest">Places of interest</h2>
Ayodhya is an important place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. A verse in the <a href="/facts/Brahmanda_Purana/yamx03jI">Brahmanda Purana</a> names Ayodhya among "the most sacred and foremost cities", the others being <a href="/facts/Mathura/ShS7I2c5">Mathura</a>, <a href="/facts/Haridwar/P7kU5LdP">Haridvara</a>, <a href="/facts/Varanasi/w0ELEKrB">Kashi</a>, <a href="/facts/Kanchipuram/h9IlCSjh">Kanchi</a> and <a href="/facts/Ujjain/IABwWPMX">Avantika</a>. This verse is also found in the other <a href="/facts/Purana/AQ7FeRsA">Puranas</a> with slight variations.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:125" href="#fn:125">125</a> In <a href="/facts/Garuda_Purana/GGWCIR4a">Garuda Purana</a>, Ayodhya is said to be one of seven holiest places for <a href="/facts/Hindus/D7TFhcg1">Hindus</a> in India, with <a href="/facts/Varanasi/w0ELEKrB">Varanasi</a> being the most sacrosanct.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:126" href="#fn:126">126</a> In 2023, a <a href="/facts/Diwali/LdhcIQrj">Diwali</a> celebration in Ayodhya, broke the Guinness World Record of its previous world record of 1,576,944 for the largest display of <a href="/facts/Oil_lamps/g69IsMsg">oil lamp</a> with 2,223,676 displayed on the eve of Diwali.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:127" href="#fn:127">127</a>
<h3>Ram Mandir</h3>

<a href="/facts/Ram_Mandir/YHuyRrea">Ram Mandir</a>, also known as the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, is a Hindu temple complex under construction in Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:128" href="#fn:128">128</a> The site is significant to Hindus as it is believed to be the birthplace of their revered deity <a href="/facts/Rama/0FUIok3H">Rama</a>. <a href="/facts/Balak_Ram/CJ3aLG7K">Balak Ram</a> or the Infant form of Rama is the presiding deity of the temple <a href="/facts/Consecration_of_the_Ram_Mandir/30lmrFNu">consecrated on 22 January 2024</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:129" href="#fn:129">129</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:130" href="#fn:130">130</a>

<h3>Hanuman Garhi Fort</h3>

<a href="/facts/Hanuman_Garhi_Temple/wWpwap6z">Hanuman Garhi</a>, a massive four-sided fort with circular bastions at each corner and a temple of Hanuman inside, is the most popular shrine in Ayodhya. Situated in the centre of town, it is approachable by a flight of 76 steps. Its legend is that Hanuman lived here in a cave and guarded the Janambhoomi, or Ramkot. The main temple contains the statue of Maa Anjani with Bal Hanuman seated on her lap. The faithful believe wishes are granted with a visit to the shrine. <a href="/facts/Kanak_Bhawan/GEcn3jYS">Kanak Bhawan</a> is a temple said to have been given to <a href="/facts/Sita/V8oYDKKE">Sita</a> and Rama by Rama's stepmother <a href="/facts/Kaikeyi/U3SUeFJN">Kaikeyi</a> as a wedding gift, and only contains statues of Sita with her husband.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:131" href="#fn:131">131</a>

<h3>Ramkot</h3>
Ramkot is the main place of worship in Ayodhya, and the site of the ancient citadel of its namesake, standing on elevated ground in the western city. Although visited by pilgrims throughout the year, it attracts devotees from all over the world on "<a href="/facts/Ram_Navami/ghooKyhv">Ram Navami</a>", the day of the birth of Rama. Ram Navami is celebrated with great pomp in the Hindu month of <a href="/facts/Chaitra/fHTWPV6m">Chaitra</a>, which falls between March and April. Swarg Dwar is believed to be the site of cremation of Rama. Mani Parbat and Sugriv Parbat are ancient earth mounds, the first identified by a stupa built by the emperor <a href="/facts/Ashoka/YsxDJyF2">Ashoka</a>, and the second is an ancient monastery. Treta ke Thakur is a temple standing at the site of the <a href="/facts/Ashvamedha/LnMrNGc9">Ashvamedha</a> Yajnya of Rama. Three centuries prior, the Raja of Kulu built a new temple here, which was improved by <a href="/facts/Ahilyabai_Holkar/7wfwdvDF">Ahilyabai Holkar</a> of Indore in 1784, the same time the adjacent Ghats were built. The initial idols in black sandstone were recovered from Sarayu and placed in the new temple, which was known as Kaleram-ka-Mandir. Chhoti Devkali Mandir is the temple of goddess Ishani, or Durga, Kuldevi of Sita.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:132" href="#fn:132">132</a>

<h3>Nageshwarnath Temple</h3>
The temple of Nageshwarnath was established by <a href="/facts/Kusha_(Ramayana)/695bjA5g">Kush</a>, son of Rama. Legend has it that Kush lost his armlet while bathing in the <a href="/facts/Sarayu_River_(Ayodhya)/ES0BkvQc">Sarayu</a>, and it was retrieved by a Nag-Kanya who fell in love with him. As she was a devotee of Shiva, Kush built her this temple. It was the only temple to survive when Ayodhya was abandoned until the time of <a href="/facts/Vikramaditya/SpDJgtaV">Vikramaditya</a>. While the rest of city was in ruin and covered by dense forest, this temple allowed Vikramaditya to recognise the city. The festival of <a href="/facts/Shivratri/bDldTJ42">Shivratri</a> is celebrated here with great splendor.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:133" href="#fn:133">133</a>

<h3>Other places of interest</h3>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Brahma_Kund/jJaJvT2c">Brahma Kund</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ram_ki_Paidi/8PDhmp2B">Ram ki Paidi</a></li></ul>

<h3>Memorial of Heo Hwang-ok</h3>
The legendary princess <a href="/facts/Heo_Hwang-ok/m6KPHulp">Heo Hwang-ok</a>, who married king <a href="/facts/Suro_of_Geumgwan_Gaya/AGvhPXSA">Suro of Geumgwan Gaya</a> of Korea, is believed by some to be a native of Ayodhya.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:134" href="#fn:134">134</a> In 2001, a <a href="/facts/Memorial_of_Heo_Hwang-ok%2c_Ayodhya/c1NsAMyJ">Memorial of Heo Hwang-ok</a> was inaugurated by a Korean delegation, which included over a hundred historians and government representatives.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:135" href="#fn:135">135</a> In 2016, a Korean delegation proposed to develop the memorial. The proposal was accepted by the Uttar Pradesh chief minister <a href="/facts/Akhilesh_Yadav/5dA4wx8k">Akhilesh Yadav</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:136" href="#fn:136">136</a>

<h2 id="sister-cities">Sister cities</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/South_Korea/pCobAaVw"></a> <a href="/facts/Gimhae/ph1WQLWG">Gimhae</a>, South Korea
<ul><li>The mayors of Ayodhya and Gimhae signed a sister city bond in March 2001, based on Ayodhya's identification as the birthplace of the legendary queen <a href="/facts/Heo_Hwang-ok/m6KPHulp">Heo Hwang-ok</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:137" href="#fn:137">137</a></li></ul></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Nepal/yWCzTBR2"></a> <a href="/facts/Janakpur/RVX854xa">Janakpur</a>, Nepal.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:138" href="#fn:138">138</a>
<ul><li>Ayodhya and Janakpur became sister cities in November 2014.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:139" href="#fn:139">139</a> Ayodhya is the birthplace of <a href="/facts/Rama/0FUIok3H">Rama</a> and Janakpur is the birthplace of his consort, <a href="/facts/Sita/V8oYDKKE">Sita</a>.</li></ul></li></ul>
<h2 id="transportation">Transportation</h2>
<h3>Road</h3>
Ayodhya is connected by road to several major cities and towns, including <a href="/facts/Lucknow/HuGSvAMs">Lucknow</a> (130 km (81 mi)), <a href="/facts/Gorakhpur/7aNn8xwm">Gorakhpur</a> (140 km (87 mi)), <a href="/facts/Prayagraj/XA7MYXWb">Prayagraj</a> (160 km (99 mi)), <a href="/facts/Varanasi/w0ELEKrB">Varanasi</a> (200 km (120 mi)) and <a href="/facts/Delhi/Xa6CKgnf">Delhi</a> (636 km (395 mi)).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:140" href="#fn:140">140</a>
A direct bus service has been started between Ayodhya and <a href="/facts/Janakpur/RVX854xa">Janakpur</a> (birthplace of Sita), in Nepal as a part of Ramayana circuit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:141" href="#fn:141">141</a>

<h3>Rail</h3>
The city is on the broad gauge Northern Railway line on Pandit Din Dayal Upadhyay Junction and Lucknow main route with <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_Junction_railway_station/VouS0KwC">Ayodhya Junction</a> and <a href="/facts/Ayodhya_Cantt_railway_station/a7rVebUK">Ayodhya Cantt</a> railway stations.
Ramayana Circuit Train : Special Train that runs from Delhi to main sites of the Ramayana Circuit<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:142" href="#fn:142">142</a>

<h3>Flight</h3>
The nearest airports are <a href="/facts/Maharishi_Valmiki_International_Airport_Ayodhya_Dham/9k12Nzf7">Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham</a>, 5 km (3.1 mi) away, <a href="/facts/Chaudhary_Charan_Singh_International_Airport/cwHmkvJv">Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport</a> in Lucknow, 134 km (83 mi) away, and <a href="/facts/Prayagraj_Airport/Wew58vuA">Prayagraj Airport</a>, 166 km (103 mi) away.

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Sapta_Puri/bMy6P5A4">Sapta Puri</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Haridwar/P7kU5LdP">Haridwar</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Devashila_Yatra/esksa3Wx">Devashila Yatra</a></li></ul>

<h3>Sources</h3>

<ul><li>Arya, S. N. (1990). "Historicity of Ayodhya". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 51. Indian History Congress: 44–48. <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/44148186">44148186</a>.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Hans_T._Bakker/ceASS6jW">Bakker, Hans T.</a> (1982). <a href="https://archive.org/details/AyodhyaAsPageOfPilgrimageHTBakker_201801/page/n0">"The rise of Ayodhya as a place of pilgrimage"</a>. Indo-Iranian Journal. 24 (2): 103–126. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1163%2F000000082790081267">10.1163/000000082790081267</a>. <a href="/facts/S2CID_(identifier)/ldJsHa2Y">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:161957449">161957449</a>.</li>
<li>Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 90-6980-007-1</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Hans_T._Bakker/ceASS6jW">Bakker, Hans T.</a> (1991). <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Ayodhy%C4%81%3A+A+Hindu+Jerusalem%3A+An+Investigation+of+%27Holy+War%27+as+a+Religious+Idea+in+the+Light+of+Communal+Unrest+in+India&btnG=">"Ayodhyā: A Hindu Jerusalem: An Investigation of 'Holy War' as a Religious Idea in the Light of Communal Unrest in India"</a>. Numen. 38 (1): 80–109. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.2307%2F3270005">10.2307/3270005</a>. <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3270005">3270005</a>. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230405025125/https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Ayodhy%C4%81%3A+A+Hindu+Jerusalem%3A+An+Investigation+of+%27Holy+War%27+as+a+Religious+Idea+in+the+Light+of+Communal+Unrest+in+India&btnG=">Archived</a> from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Meenakshi_Jain/1qw3pbrw">Jain, Meenakshi</a> (2013). Rama and Ayodhya. New Delhi: Aryan Books. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-81-7305-451-8.</li>
<li>Hill, John E. (2009). <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=G0AJQgAACAAJ">Through the Jade Gate to Rome: A Study of the Silk Routes During the Later Han Dynasty first to second Centuries CE</a>. BookSurge. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-4392-2134-1.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Kishore_Kunal/7h4GkaWJ">Kunal, Kishore</a> (2016). <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ">Ayodhya Revisited</a>. Ocean. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-81-8430-357-5.</li>
<li>Lutgendorf, Philip (1997). <a href="https://documents.pub/document/imagining-ayodhya-utopia-and-its-shadows-in-a-hindu-landscape.html">"Imagining Ayodhya: Utopia and its Shadows in a Hindu Landscape"</a>. International Journal of Hindu Studies. 1 (1): 19–54. <a href="/facts/Doi_(identifier)/muM9Etpq">doi</a>:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11407-997-0011-z">10.1007/s11407-997-0011-z</a>. <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20106448">20106448</a>. <a href="/facts/S2CID_(identifier)/ldJsHa2Y">S2CID</a> <a href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144225912">144225912</a>. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20230125013736/https://documents.pub/document/imagining-ayodhya-utopia-and-its-shadows-in-a-hindu-landscape.html">Archived</a> from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Gyanendra_Pandey/mkVIP9Mc">Pandey, Gyanendra</a> (2006). <a href="https://archive.org/details/routineviolencen0000pand">Routine Violence: Nations, Fragments, Histories</a>. Stanford University Press. p. <a href="https://archive.org/details/routineviolencen0000pand/page/97">97</a>. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-0-8047-5264-0.</li>
<li>Paul, Herman (2015). <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=AP3qBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA114">Key Issues in Historical Theory</a>. Routledge. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-1-317-51946-1.</li>
<li>Narain, Harsh (1993), The Ayodhya Temple Mosque Dispute: Focus on Muslim Sources, Delhi: Penman Publishers</li></ul>

<h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2>

<ul><li>Dhavalikar, M. K. (1988), "Reviewed Work(s): AYODHYĀ Part I (Pts. I-III) by Hans Bakker", Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, vol. 69, no. 1/4, pp. 319–320, <a href="/facts/JSTOR_(identifier)/YTeVmaJ7">JSTOR</a> <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/41693795">41693795</a></li>
<li>Jain, Meenakshi (2017), The Battle for Rama: Case of the Temple at Ayodhya, Aryan Books International, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-81-7305-579-9</li>
<li>B. B. Lal (2008), <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vYBwPgAACAAJ">Rāma, His Historicity, Mandir, and Setu: Evidence of Literature, Archaeology, and Other Sciences</a>, Aryan Books, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-81-7305-345-0</li>
<li>Legge, James (1886), A Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms: Being an account by the Chinese Monk Fa-Hien of his travels in India and Ceylon (A.D. 399–414), New York, Paragon Book Reprint Corp. 1965, Oxford, Clarendon Press</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Arun_Shourie/L6bNB5gG">Shourie, Arun</a> (1995), The Ayodhya Reference: Supreme Court Judgement and Commentaries, <a href="/facts/New_Delhi/9UMpnDN8">New Delhi</a>: <a href="/facts/Voice_of_India/xcz2s1HI">Voice of India</a>, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 978-81-85990-30-9</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Arun_Shourie/L6bNB5gG">Shourie, Arun</a>; <a href="/facts/Sita_Ram_Goel/wz9w2PMa">Goel, Sita Ram</a>; Narain, Harsh; Dubashi, Jay; <a href="/facts/Ram_Swarup/5Hq6l0WI">Swarup, Ram</a> (1990), Hindu Temples – What Happened to Them Vol. I, A Preliminary Survey, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 81-85990-49-2</li>
<li>Thomas, F. W. (1944), "New Indian Antiquary VII", Sandanes, Nahapāna, Caṣṭana and Kaniṣka: Tung-li P'an-ch'i and Chinese Turkestan, p. 90</li>
<li>Watters, Thomas (1904–1905), On Yuan Chwang's travels in India, 629–645 A.D., vol. 5, Mushiram Manoharlal: Delhi, London: Royal Asiatic Society</li>
<li><a href="https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V05_182.gif">Ajodhya State</a>, <a href="/facts/The_Imperial_Gazetteer_of_India/tULobRSL">The Imperial Gazetteer of India</a>, p. 174, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210224130015/https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V05_182.gif">archived</a> from the original on 24 February 2021, retrieved 20 February 2021</li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

<a href="/facts/Wikisource/TrMdylNf">Wikisource</a> has the text of the <a href="/facts/Encyclop%25C3%25A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition/mPElbCRY">1911 Encyclopædia Britannica</a> article "Ajodhya".

<ul><li> Ayodhya travel guide from Wikivoyage</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">"Uttar Pradesh: Water level of Saryu river in Ayodhya rises". ANI News. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025. <a href="https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/uttar-pradesh-water-level-of-saryu-river-in-ayodhya-rises20240915150403/" target="_blank">https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/uttar-pradesh-water-level-of-saryu-river-in-ayodhya-rises20240915150403/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"Alert sounded as Saryu river crosses red mark in Ayodhya". The Times of India. 10 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 January 2025. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/saryu-river-crosses-danger-mark-in-ayodhya/articleshow/111618933.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/saryu-river-crosses-danger-mark-in-ayodhya/articleshow/111618933.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"District Ayodhya – Government of Uttar Pradesh | City Of Lord Rama | India". Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021. <a href="https://ayodhya.nic.in/" target="_blank">https://ayodhya.nic.in/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"About District". District Ayodhya – Government of Uttar Pradesh. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019. <a href="https://ayodhya.nic.in/about-district/" target="_blank">https://ayodhya.nic.in/about-district/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Ayodhya top tourist destination in U.P. with 11 crore visitors". Hindustan Times. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024. <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/ayodhya-top-tourist-destination-in-u-p-with-11-crore-visitors-101726340702232.html" target="_blank">https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/ayodhya-top-tourist-destination-in-u-p-with-11-crore-visitors-101726340702232.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"Ayodhya emerges as the top destination in Uttar Pradesh with over 11 crore visitors". The Times of India. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/ayodhya-emerges-as-the-top-destination-in-uttar-pradesh-with-over-11-crore-visitors/articleshow/113388767.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/ayodhya-emerges-as-the-top-destination-in-uttar-pradesh-with-over-11-crore-visitors/articleshow/113388767.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">Lal, Vinay (2003). The History of History: Politics and Scholarship in Modern India. Oxford University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-19-566465-2. <a href="978-0-19-566465-2" target="_blank">978-0-19-566465-2</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"District Ayodhya – Government of Uttar Pradesh | City Of Lord Rama | India". Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2021. <a href="https://ayodhya.nic.in/" target="_blank">https://ayodhya.nic.in/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"How holy triangle has led to a mega surge in UP's tourist footfall – Times of India". The Times of India. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-holy-triangle-has-led-to-a-mega-surge-in-ups-tourist-footfall/articleshow/107006369.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-holy-triangle-has-led-to-a-mega-surge-in-ups-tourist-footfall/articleshow/107006369.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">Jain, Meenakshi (2017), The Battle for Rama – Case of the Temple at Ayodhya, Aryan Books International, ISBN 978-8-173-05579-9[page needed] <a href="978-8-173-05579-9" target="_blank">978-8-173-05579-9</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Ayodhya verdict: No place for fear, negativity in 'New India', says PM". Business Standard. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019. <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ayodhya-verdict-live-updates-sc-ruling-in-ram-mandir-babri-masjid-ayodhya-land-dispute-case-today-hindus-muslim-119110900133_1.html" target="_blank">https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/ayodhya-verdict-live-updates-sc-ruling-in-ram-mandir-babri-masjid-ayodhya-land-dispute-case-today-hindus-muslim-119110900133_1.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"Ayodhya verdict: Supreme Court dismisses Shia Waqf Board's appeal, says land belongs to govt". India Today. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019. <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-babri-masjid-verdict-supreme-court-dismisses-shia-waqf-board-s-appeal-says-land-belongs-to-govt-1617279-2019-11-09" target="_blank">https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-babri-masjid-verdict-supreme-court-dismisses-shia-waqf-board-s-appeal-says-land-belongs-to-govt-1617279-2019-11-09</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Ram Mandir verdict: Supreme Court verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case". The Times of India. 9 November 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ayodhya-babri-masjid-ram-mandir-case-verdict-highlights-supreme-court-declared-verdict-on-ram-janmabhoomi-case/articleshow/71978918.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ayodhya-babri-masjid-ram-mandir-case-verdict-highlights-supreme-court-declared-verdict-on-ram-janmabhoomi-case/articleshow/71978918.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"yudh – KST (Online Sanskrit Dictionary)". kosha.sanskrit.today. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2022. <a href="https://kosha.sanskrit.today/word/en/yudh?q=yudh" target="_blank">https://kosha.sanskrit.today/word/en/yudh?q=yudh</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Kunal, Ayodhya Revisited 2016, p. 2. - Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Ocean. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Bakker, The rise of Ayodhya as a place of pilgrimage 1982, p. 103. - Bakker, Hans T. (1982). "The rise of Ayodhya as a place of pilgrimage". Indo-Iranian Journal. 24 (2): 103–126. doi:10.1163/000000082790081267. S2CID 161957449. <a href="https://archive.org/details/AyodhyaAsPageOfPilgrimageHTBakker_201801/page/n0" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/AyodhyaAsPageOfPilgrimageHTBakker_201801/page/n0</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Kunal, Ayodhya Revisited 2016, p. 4. - Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Ocean. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Lutgendorf, Imagining Ayodhya 1997, p. 22. - Lutgendorf, Philip (1997). "Imagining Ayodhya: Utopia and its Shadows in a Hindu Landscape". International Journal of Hindu Studies. 1 (1): 19–54. doi:10.1007/s11407-997-0011-z. JSTOR 20106448. S2CID 144225912. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023. <a href="https://documents.pub/document/imagining-ayodhya-utopia-and-its-shadows-in-a-hindu-landscape.html" target="_blank">https://documents.pub/document/imagining-ayodhya-utopia-and-its-shadows-in-a-hindu-landscape.html</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">Kunal, Ayodhya Revisited 2016, p. 5. - Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Ocean. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 12. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">Kunal, Ayodhya Revisited 2016, p. 5. - Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Ocean. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">Subrahmanyam, K (5 December 2018). "Ayodhya & Ayutthaya". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-speaking-tree/ayodhya-ayutthaya/" target="_blank">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-speaking-tree/ayodhya-ayutthaya/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">Noorduyn, Jacobus (1986). "The Etymology of the Name of Yogyakarta". Archipel. 31 (1): 87–96. doi:10.3406/arch.1986.2272. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021. <a href="https://www.persee.fr/doc/arch_0044-8613_1986_num_31_1_2272" target="_blank">https://www.persee.fr/doc/arch_0044-8613_1986_num_31_1_2272</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 7. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 7. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 5–6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 2. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 6–7. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:33">Arya 1990, p. 44. - Arya, S. N. (1990). "Historicity of Ayodhya". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 51. Indian History Congress: 44–48. JSTOR 44148186. <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/44148186" target="_blank">https://www.jstor.org/stable/44148186</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:34">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 12. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:35">Bhagwan Singh Josh; Bipan Chandra; Harbans Mukhia; K. N. Panikkar; Madhavan K. Palat; Mridula Mukherjee; Muzaffar Alam; R. Champakalakshmi; Rajan Gurukkal; Romila Thapar; Sarvepalli Gopal; et al. (1990). "The Political Abuse of History: Babri Masjid-Rama Janmabhumi Dispute". Social Scientist. 18 (1/2): 76–81. doi:10.2307/3517330. JSTOR 3517330. <a href="/wiki/Bhagwan_Singh_Josh" target="_blank">/wiki/Bhagwan_Singh_Josh</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:36">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 3. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:37">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 2. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:37" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:38">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 13. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:38" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:39">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5, 13. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:39" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:40">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:40" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:41">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:41" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:42">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 2,5–6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:42" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:43">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 13. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:43" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:44">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 5. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:44" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:45">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:45" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:46">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 6. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:46" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:47">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 14. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:47" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:48">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 14–18. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:48" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:49">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 2. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:49" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:50">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 19–20. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:50" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:51">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 20. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:51" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:52">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 18–19. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:52" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:53">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 7,19. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:53" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:54">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 18. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:54" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:55">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 20. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:55" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:56">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 21. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:56" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:57">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 22. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:57" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:58">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 24. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:58" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:59">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 25. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:59" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:60">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 25. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:60" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:61">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 18. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:61" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:62">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 24. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:62" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:63">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 23. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:63" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:64">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 26. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:64" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:65">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 7. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:65" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:66">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 27. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:66" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:67">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 25–26. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:67" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:68">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 17. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:68" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:69">J. C. Aggarwal; N. K. Chowdhry (1991). Ram Janmabhoomi through the ages: Babri Masjid controversy. S. Chand. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-8364-2745-5. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2018. <a href="978-0-8364-2745-5" target="_blank">978-0-8364-2745-5</a> <a href="#fnref:69" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:70">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 18. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:70" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:71">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 26. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:71" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:72">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 28. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:72" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:73">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 29. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:73" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:74">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 30. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:74" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:75">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 30. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:75" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:76">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 29. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:76" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:77">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 30. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:77" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:78">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 31. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:78" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:79">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 8. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:79" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:80">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 31. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:80" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:81">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 32. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:81" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:82">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 18, 31. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:82" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:83">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 32–33. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:83" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:84">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, pp. 33–34. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:84" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:85">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 33. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:85" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:86">Bakker, Ayodhya, Part 1 1984, p. 34. - Bakker, Hans (1984), Ayodhya, Part 1: The History of Ayodhya from the seventh century BC to the middle of the 18th century, Groningen: Egbert Forsten, ISBN 90-6980-007-1 <a href="#fnref:86" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:87">Bakker, The rise of Ayodhya as a place of pilgrimage 1982, p. 105. - Bakker, Hans T. (1982). "The rise of Ayodhya as a place of pilgrimage". Indo-Iranian Journal. 24 (2): 103–126. doi:10.1163/000000082790081267. S2CID 161957449. <a href="https://archive.org/details/AyodhyaAsPageOfPilgrimageHTBakker_201801/page/n0" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/AyodhyaAsPageOfPilgrimageHTBakker_201801/page/n0</a> <a href="#fnref:87" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:88">Paramasivan, Vasudha (2009). "Yah Ayodhya Vah Ayodhya: Earthly and Cosmic Journeys in the Anand-lahari". In Heidi R. M. Pauwels (ed.). Patronage and Popularisation, Pilgrimage and Procession. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 101–116. ISBN 978-3-447-05723-3. <a href="978-3-447-05723-3" target="_blank">978-3-447-05723-3</a> <a href="#fnref:88" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:89">Kunal, Ayodhya Revisited 2016, p. 12. - Kunal, Kishore (2016). Ayodhya Revisited. Ocean. ISBN 978-81-8430-357-5. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ</a> <a href="#fnref:89" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:90">Paramasivan, Vasudha (2009). "Yah Ayodhya Vah Ayodhya: Earthly and Cosmic Journeys in the Anand-lahari". In Heidi R. M. Pauwels (ed.). Patronage and Popularisation, Pilgrimage and Procession. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 101–116. ISBN 978-3-447-05723-3. <a href="978-3-447-05723-3" target="_blank">978-3-447-05723-3</a> <a href="#fnref:90" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:91">Bakker, Ayodhya: A Hindu Jerusalem 1991. - Bakker, Hans T. (1991). "Ayodhyā: A Hindu Jerusalem: An Investigation of 'Holy War' as a Religious Idea in the Light of Communal Unrest in India". Numen. 38 (1): 80–109. doi:10.2307/3270005. JSTOR 3270005. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023. <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Ayodhy%C4%81%3A+A+Hindu+Jerusalem%3A+An+Investigation+of+%27Holy+War%27+as+a+Religious+Idea+in+the+Light+of+Communal+Unrest+in+India&btnG=" target="_blank">https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Ayodhy%C4%81%3A+A+Hindu+Jerusalem%3A+An+Investigation+of+%27Holy+War%27+as+a+Religious+Idea+in+the+Light+of+Communal+Unrest+in+India&btnG=</a> <a href="#fnref:91" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:92">Service, Tribune News. "Awadh Archives in Ayodhya". Tribuneindia News Service. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021. <a href="https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/awadh-archives-in-ayodhya-140592" target="_blank">https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/awadh-archives-in-ayodhya-140592</a> <a href="#fnref:92" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
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</ol>

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