Hyderabad wakes up to ‘tunnel’ discovery near Qutb Shahi tombs

A chamber mistaken for a tunnel was discovered near the Qutb Shahi tombs in Hyderabad, sparking curiosity and speculation about the city’s legendary secret passages. The ASI clarified after inspection that the structure is a rectangular chamber dating to the medieval period.

Hyderabad: The city on Friday woke up to the discovery of a ‘tunnel’ near the historic Qutb Shahi tombs at Golconda. As the news spread across the city, people began thronging the Athara Seedi (18 Seedi) area, close to a playground adjoining the 400-year-old majestic royal necropolis.

Initially, the ‘tunnel’ was found when the Indian Army personnel were clearing the vegetation and levelling the ground on Thursday evening.

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A sense of excitement and sensation prevailed as a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), along with the Revenue department and Indian Army, jointly conducted a survey at the site. Although the local residents were not allowed around the area, they were curious to get a look at the ‘tunnel’ that had been found near the Golconda Fort.

For several Hyderabadis, the ‘tunnel’ rekindled the centuries-old mystery surrounding the fabled secret passages linking Golconda Fort with other parts of the city. There has been decades or perhaps centuries old speculation of the existence of a tunnel between Charminar and Golconda Fort, which was used by Kings. There were also rumours about tunnels connecting the Fort to various places in Hyderabad, including Chowmahalla Palace.

Meanwhile, ASI Hyderabad Circle team comprising an archaeologist, engineer, surveyor and the site in-charge of Golconda Fort has put out the facts regarding the discovery.

The preliminary inspection revealed that the discovered structure was not a tunnel but a rectangular-shaped chamber measuring approximately 1.2 m × 1.8 m in length and width and 2.2 m in depth. It was constructed of granite stone, with rough stone masonry forming an internal wall-like structure. The team also noticed a few red-coloured potsherds, which appear to belong to the medieval period.

“The chamber’s exact purpose or usage, however, could not be identified without detailed investigation. We will report the matter to the ASI Director General, and, upon approval, a detailed investigation will be undertaken to ascertain the purpose and usage of the chamber and to determine whether similar chambers exist in the surrounding area,” said Dr. Nihildas N Superintending Archaeologist, ASI Hyderabad Circle.

The ASI has asked the Artillery Centre, Golconda, not to proceed further with the levelling of the land until a clear picture regarding the discovery emerges through further investigation.