The contentious issue in Ayodhya is whether a temple existed at the disputed site before the construction of the Babri Mosque, the Centre claimed before the Liberhan Commission on Monday.

"It is admitted by one and all that the site in dispute is the Ram Janamsthan (birth place of Lord Rama)," Centre's counsel Lala Ram Gupta told the Commission probing the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Gupta also claimed Mir Baqi, an army commander of Mughal Emperor Babar, built the 'structure', in 1528. He, however, said that on the basis of the revenue records and the evidence, which has come before the commission, as well as the white paper of the government on Ayodhya, it was clear the disputed site was the janamsthan.

Earlier, the counsel specified that the Centre's submissions will revolve around two parts with the first one covering the period from 1528 AD to December 1989 and the second part covering the period thereafter till the demolition of the structure.

Contending the idol was being worshipped regularly, he said it was shifted from Ram Chabutra to the mosque in December 1949. Prior to the shifting of the idol, it was worshipped on the Ram Chabutra, he said. The Commission particularly asked the Centre's counsel to first specify the undisputed facts.