Hyderabad: ASI to Examine ‘Tunnel’ Discovered Near Golconda Fort
Archaeologists have been called in to verify the discovery near the defunct Patancheru Darwaza; questions have also been raised over jurisdiction of the site.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has called in archaeologists to examine and excavate a suspected ‘tunnel’ discovered near Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.
The newly identified structure, which appears to resemble a small cave, is located near Athara Seedi (18 steps) and the now-defunct Patancheru Darwaza of the historic fort.
The discovery has triggered questions over the nature of the structure and the jurisdiction of the site.
ASI to verify tunnel discovery
A senior ASI official told Siasat.com that archaeologists have been called in to examine the site and verify whether the structure is actually a tunnel.
The official also said the department would ascertain the jurisdiction of the particular portion of the Golconda Fort where the structure was found.
The development comes after local AIMIM MLA Kausar Mohiuddin visited the spot and alleged that an “illegal” excavation had taken place there. He also contacted the ASI regarding the matter.
The allegations have not been independently established, and the ASI is yet to determine the nature and origin of the structure.
Site partly under Army control
The area where the suspected tunnel was found is partially under the control of the Indian Army.
According to local accounts, Army personnel regularly visit the area and ask residents living nearby to move away from restricted portions.
While the ASI technically exercises control over the wider Golconda Fort complex, except for certain areas under other authorities, much of the fort’s outer area and several historic gates are not regularly manned by the archaeological body.
Kausar Mohiuddin also alleged on X that the excavation took place at a site being used as a playground and graveyard.
However, local accounts indicate that the graveyard is not an ancient one and that the open plot has reportedly been used by residents for burials over the years without formal authorisation.
Patancheru Darwaza among Golconda Fort’s historic gates
A map of Golconda Fort from the 1940s shows eight gates:
- Fateh Darwaza
- Bodli Darwaza
- Bahmani Darwaza
- Mecca Darwaza
- Patancheru Darwaza
- Banjara Darwaza
- Jamali Darwaza
- Fateh Darwaza
Some portions of the fort are inaccessible to the general public because they fall within areas under Army control.
The Patancheru Darwaza, near which the suspected tunnel was found, is currently defunct due to damage and years of disuse.
The gates are separate from the main palace area, Bala Hissar, which is the principal tourist section of Golconda Fort and is accessible to visitors with tickets.
The ASI also manages Naya Qila, while several other parts of the wider fort complex are not regularly manned.
The exact jurisdiction of the area where the suspected tunnel was discovered is now expected to be examined by the ASI.
Are there secret tunnels connecting Golconda Fort and Charminar?
Stories about secret tunnels connecting Golconda Fort with Charminar have circulated for years.
However, no such tunnel has been conclusively discovered so far.
Historians have also questioned the plausibility of some of these claims, pointing to Hyderabad’s rocky terrain and the considerable difficulty that would have been involved in constructing long underground passages.
The latest discovery near Patancheru Darwaza could therefore attract considerable historical interest if archaeologists establish that it is a man-made underground structure.
For now, the ASI is expected to examine the site before drawing any conclusions about its origin, purpose or historical significance.
History of Golconda Fort
The origins of Golconda Fort can be traced to the 14th century, when a mud fort was reportedly built in the region during the Kakatiya period, with Warangal serving as the kingdom’s capital.
The fort later came under the Bahmani Empire between the 14th and 15th centuries.
It was subsequently developed into a major fortified citadel under Sultan Quli, who established the Qutb Shahi dynasty in 1518 after the decline of the Bahmani Empire.
Sultan Quli, originally from Hamadan in present-day Iran, rose to prominence as a commander and governor under the Bahmani rulers. He later developed Golconda into the centre of a powerful kingdom and fortified settlement.
The name Golconda is generally associated with the Telugu term Golla Konda, meaning “shepherd’s hill”.
Golconda Fort’s role in Hyderabad’s history
The fort is known for its formidable defensive architecture, with 87 bastions and several historic gateways.
Golconda remained one of the most important strongholds of the Qutb Shahi rulers and resisted Mughal forces for months before Emperor Aurangzeb eventually conquered the kingdom in 1687.
The Qutb Shahi rulers later established Hyderabad in 1591, with Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, Sultan Quli’s grandson, founding the city and commissioning the Charminar.
The discovery of the suspected tunnel near the historic fort has now brought renewed attention to Golconda’s lesser-explored areas. The ASI’s archaeological examination is expected to determine whether the structure is a genuine historic tunnel, a natural formation or something else.