ASI to examine alleged tunnel discovered near Golconda Fort
HYDERABAD: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has called in archaeologists to examine an alleged tunnel discovered near the Patancheru Darwaza area of Golconda Fort.
The structure, which appears to be a small cave, was found near Athara Seedi (18 steps) around the now-defunct Patancheru Darwaza, according to local residents and sources.
Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin, who visited the spot, alleged that the Indian Army had carried out an “illegal” excavation there and contacted the ASI over the matter.
The area where the structure was found is partly under Army control. Locals living near the site have previously faced restrictions on entering the area, according to the supplied account.
An ASI official said the department had called archaeologists to establish whether the structure was in fact a tunnel. The official also said the jurisdiction over the particular portion of the fort would be ascertained.
MLA alleges excavation at playground and burial site
Mohiuddin also alleged on X that the excavation had taken place at a site used as a playground and graveyard.
The supplied account states that the burial ground is not an old graveyard and that local residents have used the open plot for burials over the years without authorisation.
The alleged tunnel site is behind the main fort, close to the damaged and disused Patancheru Darwaza. The ASI manages the protected monument, while some portions of the wider fort area are under other control.
The Telangana government’s official tourism page confirms that Golconda Fort has eight gateways and describes it as a large historic fortress complex with palaces, mosques, halls and other structures.
Legends of secret tunnels remain unverified
Golconda Fort has long been associated with stories of secret tunnels, including alleged underground links with Charminar. However, no such tunnel has been established so far, according to the supplied account.
Historians have also questioned such claims, citing Hyderabad’s rocky terrain and the difficulty of constructing long underground passages.
The fort has 87 bastions and eight gateways. The Patancheru Darwaza is among the gateways identified in historical accounts of the fort.
Golconda’s history stretches back several centuries. The Telangana government’s official account traces the fort’s origins to 1143, when it was known as Mankal, and says it was later fortified under the Bahmani and Qutb Shahi rulers.
Golconda eventually became the principal capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. The Qutb Shahi rule ended in 1687 when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured the fort.
The ASI’s examination is expected to establish whether the structure is a tunnel, a natural cavity or another feature associated with the historic fort complex.
