RealArifHossain at 16:14, 27 March 2026

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{{Short description|Indian archaeologist (born 1952)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Padmasree Muhammed K K
| image = Saarc_Award_-_KK_Muhammedpic.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Muhammed in 2010
| office = Regional Director (North), [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
| term_start = 2012
| term_end = 2019

| predecessor = Position established
| successor = Dr. D. N. Dimri
| office2 = Superintending Archaeologist, [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
| 2blankname2 = Offices Held
| 2namedata2 = [[Delhi]] (2008-2012), [[Bhopal]] (2004-2008), [[Chhattisgarh]] (2003-2004), [[Agra]] (2001-2003), [[Patna]] (1997-2001)
| office3 = Dy. Superintending Archaeologist, [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
| 3blankname3 = Offices Held
| 3namedata3 = [[Goa]] (1991-1997), [[Madras]] (1988-1990)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1952|07|01}}
| birth_place = [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]]
| nationality = Indian
| residence = [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]]
| alma_mater = [[Aligarh Muslim University]]
| spouse = Rabiya Muhammad
| children = Jamshedh Muhammed, Shaheen Muhammed
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2019)

}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}

'''Karingamannu Kuzhiyil Muhammed''' (born 1 July 1952) is an Indian [[archaeologist]] who served as the Regional Director (North) of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI). Muhammed is credited for the discovery of [[Ibadat Khana]], as well as various prominent Buddhist Stupas and Monuments. During his career, he undertook the restoration of the [[Bateshwar Hindu temples, Madhya Pradesh|Bateshwar Complex]], successfully convincing [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|naxal]] insurgents and dacoits to cooperate, as well as facelift and restoration of the Dantewada and [[Bhojeshwar Temple|Bhojeshwar temples]].<ref name="Coverage - The Hindu" /><ref name="Coverage 2 - The Hindu" />

Muhammed also successfully conceived and executed the idea of building Replica Museum, [[Delhi]], which showcases replicas of Indian statues and stone-carved sculptures.<ref name="Museum" /><ref name="Replica Museum at Siri Fort" /><ref name="Replica Museum" />

For his contributions to archeology, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]] in 2019, India's fourth highest civilian honour.<ref name="2019 Awardees List">{{Cite news |url=https://padmaawards.gov.in/SelectionGuidelines.aspx |title=2019 Awardees List }}</ref>

==Biography==

=== Early life and education ===
KK Muhammed was born in [[Koduvally]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]] in a middle-class family to Beeran Kutty Haji and Mariyam. Muhammed is second amongst five siblings. After completing his schooling from Government Higher Secondary School, Koduvally, he obtained his master's degree in history (1973–75) from [[Aligarh Muslim University]] and his postgraduate diploma in archaeology (1976–77) from the School of Archaeology, [[Archaeological Survey of India]], [[New Delhi]], India.

===Career===
Muhammed served as a technical assistant and then as an assistant archaeologist in the Department of History at [[Aligarh Muslim University]], before being selected as deputy superintendent archaeologist for the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].

Muhammed was initially posted at [[Madras]] in 1988 and then at [[Goa]] in 1991. He was promoted to superintendent archaeologist in 1997 and subsequently served in many states in India, including [[Bihar]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Delhi]]. During this period, he also served as a tour guide for prominent foreign guests such as [[Barack Obama]] and [[Pervez Musharraf]].<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/mission-conservation/article880076.ece Mission Conservation]</ref> In 2012, Muhammed was made regional director (North) of the Archaeological Survey of India, and he retired in the same year.

== Major projects ==

=== Ibadat Khana ===
{{Main|Ibadat Khana}}
Ibadat Khana was a complex established by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Emperor [[Akbar]] in 1575 for hosting religious debates and discussions among theologians and professors of different religions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ibadat Khana|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Ibadat_Khana/|access-date=2020-08-31|website=[[World History Encyclopedia]]}}</ref><ref name="Kapoor">{{Cite web|last=Kapoor|first=Cheena|date=2017-03-25|title=Tracing Akbar's Ibadat Khana|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-tracing-akbar-s-ibadat-khana-2367172|access-date=2020-08-31|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Salam|first=Ziya Us|title=Relevance of Akbar|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/article31150199.ece|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Frontline|date=25 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It was also the structure where [[Akbar]] first proclaimed the formation of the composite religion known as [[Din-e Ilahi]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}
<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-26|title=11th-century bodies near Meerut give new archaeological twist to history|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/11th-century-bodies-near-meerut-give-new-archaeological-twist-to-history/story-ptfjSJZtWJROAf5bWVYyUJ.html|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

In the 80s, Muhammed, was a member of a team from the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] and [[Aligarh Muslim University]] visiting Fatehpur Sikri. With the help of a painting from [[Akbarnama]], he convinced the others to excavate the mound, and they found more proof, including paintings of Christian missionaries from [[Spain]] and [[Italy]] (Fathers Monserrate and [[Rodolfo Acquaviva|Rudolf Acquaviva]]).<ref name="Kapoor"/>

For centuries, the location of the complex had been controversial among archaeologists and historians, although it is generally accepted to be the place Muhammad discovered.<ref name="Kapoor"/>

=== Excavations of at Ayodhya's Disputed site ===
{{Main|Archaeology of Ayodhya}}
KK Muhammed was a part of the 1976 excavation of the Babri Masjid, led by [[B. B. Lal (archaeologist)|B. B. Lal]]. He stated in a rediff interview that they had found remains of a temple on the western side of the mosque. This temple was built between 10th and 11th century during the [[Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-26|title= Monuments constructed in somewhere 10th-century found by archaeological dept.|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/the-proof-of-ram-temple-at-ayodhya-that-you-may-have-missed/}}</ref> However, his findings were suppressed by historian [[Irfan Habib]], who he says were very powerful and influential towards the [[Indian Council of Historical Research]] and many leading newspapers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=The Muslim archaeologist who first spotted Ram temple|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/the-muslim-archaeologist-who-first-spotted-ram-temple/20191109.htm|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Rediff|language=en}}</ref><ref name="freepressjournal.in">{{Cite web|title=Ayodhya Bhoomi Pujan: The Muslim architect who first found proof of Hindu structure under Babri Masjid|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/ayodhya-bhoomi-pujan-the-muslim-architect-who-first-found-proof-of-hindu-structure-under-babri-masjid|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|author=Kumar Shakti Shekhar|date=Oct 1, 2019|title=Ram Mandir existed before Babri mosque in Ayodhya: Archaeologist KK Muhammed {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ram-temple-existed-before-babri-mosque-in-ayodhya-archaeologist-kk-muhammed/articleshow/71391712.cms|access-date=2020-08-31|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

Muhammed also said they found 12 pillars in the excavations which were constructed with Hindu symbolism, including [[Ashtamangala]] signs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Did you know seven evidences unearthed by ASI proved a temple existed at Ayodhya? Details here|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/did-you-know-seven-evidences-unearthed-by-asi-proved-a-temple-existed-at-ayodhya-details-here/631910|access-date=2020-08-31|website=www.timesnownews.com|date=4 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> They had also found terracotta figurines of humans and animals, which Muhammad uses to hypothesize that a temple existed before the mosque.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="dailyo.in">{{Cite web |title=Muslims must return Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi to Hindus |url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/ayodhya-ram-janmabhoomi-babri-masjid-leftists-historians-mathura-kashi-taj-mahal-vhp/story/1/8832.html |access-date=2022-03-12 |website=www.dailyo.in}}</ref>

KK Muhammed further tells that he being the only Muslim involved in the excavations, had to come up by publishing his opinion in [[The Indian Express]] newspaper on 15 December 1990 to defend [[B. B. Lal (archaeologist)|Prof. B. B. Lal]] who was constantly being attacked by the left for not confirming to their views.<ref name="dailyo.in" /><ref name="youtube.com">{{Citation |title=What Do The Ram Janmabhoomi Excavations Tell Us? {{!}} K K Muhammed {{!}} Ayodhya {{!}} ASI {{!}} #SangamTalks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pinIMhUGOYI |language=en |access-date=2022-03-12}}</ref>

=== Dantewada temples ===
KK Muhammed restored the Barsoor and Samlur Temples in [[Dantewada District]] near [[Jagdalpur]], [[Chhattisgarh]]. This area is known to be the seat of Naxal activities in the region. In 2003, KK Muhammed was able to convince [[Naxal]] activists and with their co-operation, conserved the Temples to its present-day state.<ref>{{Cite news|last=S|first=Priyadershini|date=2020-04-17|title=World Heritage Day: Shut monuments decay faster says senior archaeologist KK Muhammed|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/on-world-heritage-day-renowned-archaeologist-kk-muhammed-speaks-on-living-and-non-living-monuments-and-recalls-some-of-his-notable-works/article31364644.ece|access-date=2020-08-31|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=May 2022}}

=== Bateshwar Complex restoration ===
{{Main|Bateshwar, Morena}}
Bateshwar, Morena, a complex of 200 ancient Shiva & Vishnu temples situated 40 km away from [[Gwalior]]. These temples were built between the 9th and 11th centuries during the [[Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty]], 200 years before [[Khajuraho]]. The area was under the control of [[Nirbhay Singh Gujjar]] KK Muhammed was successful in convincing the dacoits to let him do the restoration. He was able to restore 60 temples during his tenure. After the dacoits were eliminated by the police, the area has been under encroachment from illegal mining, as the tremors from the usage of explosives can damage the structure.<ref name="Coverage - The Hindu">{{cite news|title=Man of Monuments|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/man-of-monuments/article3481294.ece|work=The Hindu|date=June 2012 }}</ref><ref name="Coverage 2 - The Hindu">{{cite news|title=The Temple Guardian|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/the-temple-guardian/article4397093.ece|work=The Hindu|date=10 February 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Coverage 3 - Nalanda University Blog">{{cite web|title=Guest Lecture Series at Nalanda|url=https://nalandauniversityblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/guest-lecture-series-at-nalanda-spring-2015-k-k-muhammed/|publisher=Nalanda University Blog}}</ref>

In his autobiography, Muhammed alleged that a powerful mining lobby did not allow temple restoration work to go on and he himself made several attempts to get the mining work stopped.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-05-21|title=ASI to resume restoration of Bateshwar temple complex in Chambal|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/asi-to-resume-restoration-of-bateshwar-temple-complex-in-chambal/story-kBaxGfcRWVsrNbw3Vw8dLN.html|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

=== Facelifting of Delhi's monuments ===
KK Muhammed was appointed as the Superintending Archaeologist of Delhi Circle, [[Archaeological Survey of India]] in 2008. His primary task was to carry out a major facelift and preservation activity at 46 monuments for the [[2010 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games of 2010]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-12-22|title=ASI restoration work makes conservationists complain|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/asi-restoration-work-makes-conservationists-complain/|access-date=2020-09-06|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=46 Delhi monuments to get facelift ahead of 2010 Games|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/46-delhi-monuments-to-get-facelift-ahead-of-2010-games/articleshow/3614763.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-09-06}}</ref>

=== Other prominent tasks ===

* Discovered the first Christian Chapel of North India built by Akbar at [[Fatehpur Sikri]].
* Excavated the Buddhist Stupa of [[Kesaria]] built by Emperor [[Ashoka]].<ref name="Coverage - Blogspot.com">{{cite web|title=A Discourse By Ace Archaeologist Mr KK Muhammed|date=5 February 2013 |url=http://travelerrohan.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-discourse-by-ace-archaeologist-mr-k-k.html|publisher=Blogspot.com}}</ref>
* Discovered and excavated Buddhist Stupa in [[Rajgir]].
* Excavated the Buddhist archaeological site in [[Kolhua]], [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]].
* Located and excavated a number of rock cut caves, Umbrella Stones, Cists and [[Dolmens]] in [[Calicut]] and [[Malapuram]] districts of [[Kerala]].
* Muhammed conceived and executed the idea of building a Museum that showcases replicas of Indian statues and stone-carved sculptures. The museum, called the Replica Museum, is situated outside the [[Siri Fort Sports Complex]], behind [[Siri Fort Auditorium]] in [[Delhi]].<ref name="Museum">{{cite web|title=Museum of Mirrors|date=3 July 2011 |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/museum-of-mirrors/|publisher=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="Replica Museum at Siri Fort">{{cite web|title=Replica Museum at Siri Fort|url=http://www.indiavideo.org/delhi/travel/replica-museum-delhi-6371.php/|publisher=India Video}}</ref><ref name="Replica Museum">{{cite news|title=Replica Museum in Delhi crafted by Patna artists|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Replica-Museum-in-Delhi-crafted-by-Patna-artists/articleshow/47217599.cms|work=The Times of India|date=10 May 2015 }}</ref>

==Autobiography==

{{Infobox book
| italic title = no
| name = ഞാനെന്ന ഭാരതീയൻ
| image =
| image_size =
| alt = Cover of the second edition
| author =
| audio_read_by =
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| country =
| language = [[Malayalam]]
| exclude_cover = yes
| subject =
| genre = Non-fiction Autobiography
| set_in =
| publisher = [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
| pub_date = December 2015
| english_pub_date =
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| pages = 140
| awards =
| isbn = 9788182666382
| isbn_note = (softcover)
| oclc =
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}}

In 2016, KK Muhammad's [[Malayalam]]-language autobiography ''Njan Enna Bharatiyan'' ("I, the Indian") was released. The book attracted controversy due to his claim that the [[Marxist historiography|Marxist historians]] like [[Irfan Habib]] sided with the extremist Muslim groups and derailed attempts to find an amicable solution to the [[Ayodhya dispute]]. According to him, [[archaeology of Ayodhya|archaeological excavations at Ayodhya]] clearly indicated the presence of a temple below the mosque, but the historians like Irfan Habib, dismissed these, and even successfully proved Irfan Habib wrong in the [[Allahabad High Court]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/left-historians-connived-with-extremists-mislead-muslims-on-babri-issue-says-archaeologist-in-new-book-2592188.html |title=Left historians connived with extremists, mislead Muslims on Babri issue, says archaeologist in new book |author=KA Antony |publisher=Firstpost |date=21 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianage.com/metros/mumbai/110517/muslims-misled-over-ayodhya-says-k-k-mohammed.html|title=Muslims misled over Ayodhya, says KK Mohammed|last=Singh|first=Varun|date=2017-05-11|website=The Asian Age|access-date=2019-11-21}}</ref><ref name="freepressjournal.in"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=KK Muhammed, Archaeologist Firm on 'Masjid Was Mandir' Claim, Awarded Padma Shri|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kk-muhammed-archaeologist-firm-on-masjid-was-mandir-claim-awarded-padma-shri-2014709.html|access-date=2020-09-06|website=News18|date=26 January 2019 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025735/http://www.heraldofindia.com/article.php?month=12&year=2012 Digger of truth: K. K. Muhammad] by A.J. Philio
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114520/http://www.youngindians.net/img/publications/Chandihgarh%20final%20Annual%20report.pdf Young Indians]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammed, KK}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian archaeologists]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:Scientists from Kozhikode]]
[[Category:Scientists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in other fields]]

K. K. Muhammed - Revision history

RealArifHossain at 16:14, 27 March 2026