| Allahabad |
An important city of Uttar Pradesh. It is the seat of the High Court of Uttar Pradesh. A Bench of the High Court of Allahabad has been set up at Lucknow. |
| Ayodhya |
City with population of about 50,000, the birth place of Shri Ram according to the Ramayana. |
| Additional District Magistrate |
An officer of the State Administration next to the District Magistrate. |
| All India Babri Masjid Action Committee |
One of the organisations representing the Muslim interest in the Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute |
| Bajrang Dal |
One of the organisations in the forefront of the movement for construction of a temple at the disputed site. |
| Bhajan and kirtan |
(Singing of) Hindu devotional songs. |
| Bharatiya Janata Party |
A major political party. It is at present the largest opposition party in both the Houses of Parliament. |
| Battalion |
Formation of a Central Para-Military Force of about 400-500 operational men. |
| Central Para-Military Force |
An armed force raised by the Central Government for the protection of the border during peace-time or for internal security duties. When deployed on internal security duties, it works under the supervision and control of the officers of the State Government. |
| Central Reserve Police Force |
A Central Para-Military Force raised mainly for internal security duties. |
| Commissioner |
A senior civil administrator of the State Government. He is incharge of a division comprising 3-5 districts |
| Company |
A formation of a Central Para-Military Force comprising about 70-80 operational men |
| Director General |
The head of the police force of a state or of a Central Para-Military Force. |
| Deputy Inspector-General |
A senior officer of the State police or of a Para-military force. In the State police, he is incharge of a range comprising 3-5 districts |
| District |
A territorial unit of civil administration. India is divided into more than 400 districts. Administration of a district comes under the control of the State Government. |
| District Magistrate |
The head of the civil administration in a district. One of his important responsibilities is the maintenance of law and order. |
| Dharma Sansad |
Name recently used to describe to the gathering of some His religious figures. |
| Dogra Regimental Centre |
The place where the Central Para-Military Forces were located for possible use in Ayodhya. |
| Faizbad |
The Worship according to Hindu practices. in which the town of Ayodhya is situated. Also the name of the headquarter It of the district. |
| (Union) Home Minister |
The Minister incharge of Is Union Ministry of Home Affairs. |
| (Union) Home Secretary |
Administrative head of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police |
A Central Para-Military Force raised for deployment on the Indo-Tibetan Border. Some units of this Force have also been used for internal security duties. |
| Inter-State Council |
A constitutional body for inquiring into and advising upon disputes between States, investigating and discussing subjects common interest between some or all of the States or the Union and the States and making recommendations upon Such subjects for better coordination of policy and action. |
| Inspector-General |
A senior officer of the State police or a Central Para-Military Force next to the Director General. |
| Janmasthan |
Literally, 'the birth-place. In Ayodhya, it refers to the locality in which disputed site is located. |
| Kar Seva |
Voluntary labour; usually in pursuit of religious objective such as the construction or renovation of a temple. |
| Kar Sevak |
A person who participates in the Kar Seva. |
| Kaushalya Rasoi |
Literally, 'the kitchen of kaushalya, the mother of Ram’. It refers to a square platform to the north of the disputed structure in its outer courtyard. It was also called Sita Rasoi after Sita, the wife of Ram. |
| Kendriya Marg-Darshak Mandal |
Literally, as `central committee for guidance'. A committee of religious leaders set up recently to pursue and guide the campaign for construction of the RJB temple. |
| Kot Ramchandra |
Literally, `fort of Ramachandra.' It is the name given to the revenue village in which the disputed site is situated. |
| Kotwali |
The main police station of a city. |
| Lucknow |
Capital city of the State of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Mahant |
A Hindu religious figure |
| (Union) Ministry of Home Affairs |
The Ministry of the Central Government concerned with Centre-State relations, internal security, etc. Corresponds to the Ministry, of Interior existing in many other countries. |
| National Integration Council |
A forum of leading personalities of the country including Central Ministers, Chief Ministers of all States, heads of all recognised political parties, prominent Members of Parliament, journalists, artists, authors, and intellectuals for discussions on matters relating to national integration. Its membership presently numbers about 150. |
| Puja |
Worship according to Hindu practices. |
| Provincial Armed Constabulary |
The armed wing of the State police of Uttar Pradesh. Used primarily for riot control. |
| Ram |
Also called Rama, Shri Ram, Bhagwan Sri Ram, Ramachandra, Bhagwan Shri Ramachandra. According to Hindus, Ram was an incarnation of God. He is worshipped as human manifestation of God embodying the virtues of a noble human being and an ideal king. |
| Ram Chabutra |
Literally, ‘the platform of Ram’. A rectangular platform which was existing in the outer court yard of the disputed structure. |
| Ramcharitamanas |
A version of Ramayana composed in the 16th century in Hindi. |
| Ram Janma Bhoomi |
The name given to the disputed area in Ayodhya. |
| Ram Lala |
Ram as a child. |
| Ramayana |
Literally, ‘the story of Ram’. A Sanskrit epic composed by Valmiki describing the events in the life of Ram. It is one of the holy books of the Hindus. |
| Ram Katha Kunj |
Literally, ‘the park for (reciting) the story of Ram.' An area adjoining the disputed site sought to be developed as a theme park. |
| Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh |
A Hindu chauvinistic organisation. |
| Rapid Action Force |
A specially trained component of the Central Reserve Police Force. |
| Rath Yatra |
Literally ‘a chariot journey'; name given by Indian politicians to journeys undertaken for mass contact and creating public opinion. The journey is undertaken in a vehicle called a rath (chariot). |
| Sadhu |
A Hindu monk. |
| Sant |
A prominent sadhu. |
| Sant Sammelan |
Meeting of sants. |
| Senior Superintendent of Police |
The Officer-in-charge of the Police force in a District. |
| Shilanyas |
Shilanyas |
| Trishul |
Trident. |
| Tulsi Das |
16th century saint-poet who wrote Ramcharitamanas in Hindi. |
| Uttar Pradesh |
The most populous State of India. Ayodhya is situated in this State. |
| Vishwa Hindu Parishad |
Literally, ‘World Hindu Council’, It is the leading organisation in the temple construction movement. |
| Valmiki |
The first poet who wrote Ramayana in Sanskrit. |
| Vazoo |
Ritual washing of hands and face by Muslims before offering prayers. |
| Wakf |
The dedication by a Muslim of any property for any pious, religious of charitable purpose. |
