Jesus’ Tomb in India: The Debate on His Death and Resurrection
What if I told you that Jesus Christ did not die on the cross, but survived and traveled to India, where he lived for another 87 years and was buried in a shrine in Kashmir? Would you believe me, or would you dismiss me as a heretic or a lunatic?
This is the controversial claim made by some researchers, who believe that the Roza Bal shrine in Srinagar, Kashmir, is actually the tomb of Jesus. They base their argument on various sources, such as ancient texts, local traditions, historical evidence, and even DNA testing. However, their theory is strongly rejected by most Christians and Muslims, who regard it as blasphemous and unfounded.
The Roza Bal Shrine
The Roza Bal shrine is a modest structure located in the Khanyar quarter of downtown Srinagar. The word roza means tomb, and the word bal means place1 The shrine is said to contain the graves of two holy men: Yuz Asaf (or Youza Asouph in modern Kashmiri), who is believed to be a prophet and a prince, and Mir Sayyid Naseeruddin, who is a Shia Muslim saint and a descendant of Imam Ali-Rida12
The shrine was relatively unknown until 1899, when Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement, claimed that it was actually the tomb of Jesus Christ12 He wrote a book titled Masih Hindustan-mein (Jesus in India), in which he argued that Jesus survived the crucifixion, escaped to India, preached to the lost tribes of Israel, and died at the age of 1203 He also identified Yuz Asaf as Jesus, and said that his name meant “son of Joseph”3
Ahmad’s claim was based on several sources, such as:
The Gospel of Barnabas, an apocryphal text that states that Jesus was not crucified, but was replaced by Judas Iscariot4
The Acts of Thomas, another apocryphal text that mentions that Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus, traveled to India and met King Gondophares4
The Bhavishya Purana, a Hindu scripture that contains a prophecy about a foreign king named Isa Masih (Jesus the Messiah) who came to India and met King Shalivahana4
The Tarikh-i-Kashmir (History of Kashmir), a local chronicle that records the arrival of Yuz Asaf in Kashmir in the first century AD4
The Ikmal-ud-Din (The Perfection of Religion), a Persian text attributed to Shaikh Al-Said-us-Sadiq, a 16th century Islamic scholar, who wrote that Jesus was buried in Srinagar4
Ahmad also claimed that he had a divine revelation from God that confirmed his theory3
The Evidence for Jesus’ Tomb in India
The supporters of the theory that Jesus is buried in India have presented various pieces of evidence to back up their claim. Some of them are:
A rock carving inside the shrine that shows feet with wounds from crucifixion or similar injuries2
A direction of burial that is according to Jewish tradition (east-west) rather than Muslim tradition (north-south)2
A genetic link between some Kashmiris and Jews, suggesting that they are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.
A linguistic similarity between some Kashmiri words and Hebrew words, such as rooh (spirit), nooh (Noah), ibraheem (Abraham), etc.
A cultural resemblance between some Kashmiri customs and Jewish customs, such as wearing a skullcap, observing Sabbath, circumcising males, etc.
The Criticism of Jesus’ Tomb in India
The theory that Jesus is buried in India has faced fierce criticism from various quarters. Some of the main objections are:
The lack of historical evidence for Jesus’ survival and journey to India. There is no mention of Jesus in any Indian source until centuries after his death. There is also no archaeological or documentary evidence for his presence or burial in Kashmir.
The contradiction with the biblical and Quranic accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Both Christianity and Islam affirm that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. They also believe that he ascended to heaven and will return at the end of times.
The inconsistency with the teachings and character of Jesus. Jesus was a devout Jew who followed the law of Moses and preached the kingdom of God. He never claimed to be a prophet of another religion or a king of another nation. He also never married or had children, as some proponents of the theory suggest.
The unreliability of the sources used by the proponents of the theory. The Gospel of Barnabas and the Acts of Thomas are widely regarded as forgeries and fabrications by scholars. The Bhavishya Purana and the Tarikh-i-Kashmir are also full of anachronisms and errors. The Ikmal-ud-Din is a dubious text that has no traceable author or manuscript.
The disrespect for the beliefs and sentiments of Christians and Muslims. The theory that Jesus is buried in India is seen as an insult and an attack on the core doctrines and values of both faiths. It is also seen as a violation of the sanctity and dignity of Jesus, who is revered and loved by billions of people around the world.
The Conclusion
The debate on Jesus’ tomb in India is a fascinating and controversial one that has attracted attention from scholars, media, and public alike. It raises many questions about history, religion, and identity. It also challenges us to examine our own beliefs and assumptions.
However, it is important to remember that the truth is not determined by popularity, emotion, or speculation, but by evidence, reason, and revelation. Therefore, we should approach this topic with an open mind, but also with a critical eye.
As for me, I remain unconvinced by the theory that Jesus is buried in India. I believe that he died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, as the Bible and the Quran testify. I also believe that he will come back again, as he promised.
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Let me know in the comments below.
References:
1: Roza Bal - Wikipedia 2: ‘Tomb of Jesus’ In Kashmir–Roza Bal Shrine | India Heritage Walks 3: Tomb Of Jesus In India 4: Jesus’ Tomb in India: The Debate on His Death and Resurrection : Roza Bal - The Tomb of Jesus Christ in Kashmir : Did Jesus die in Kashmir? - BBC News : Is Jesus buried in Kashmir? - Quora