ASI Identifies Medieval Chamber Mistaken for Secret Tunnel Near Qutb Shahi Tombs

A medieval stone chamber initially mistaken for a secret tunnel was uncovered near the historic Qutb Shahi tombs in the Golconda area of Hyderabad, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed following a site inspection.

The discovery took place at the Athara Seedi (18 Seedi) area, near a playground adjacent to the 400-year-old royal necropolis, while Indian Army personnel were clearing vegetation and levelling ground on Thursday evening. The find quickly drew local attention and reignited long-standing folklore concerning historical underground passages linking Golconda Fort to other parts of the city, including Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace.

To assess the structure, a joint survey was carried out by the ASI Hyderabad Circle alongside representatives from the Revenue Department and the Indian Army. Local residents were kept back from the immediate site during the examination.

Preliminary findings by the ASI team—comprising an archaeologist, engineer, surveyor, and the site in-charge of Golconda Fort—determined that the structure is a rectangular chamber rather than a tunnel. The chamber measures approximately 1.2 metres by 1.8 metres across and 2.2 metres in depth. Built from granite stone, it features rough stone masonry forming an internal wall-like structure and contains red-coloured potsherds dating to the medieval period.

Dr. Nihildas N, Superintending Archaeologist of the ASI Hyderabad Circle, stated that the exact purpose and usage of the chamber could not be determined without a detailed investigation. He noted that the findings will be reported to the ASI Director General to seek approval for further research into the chamber's purpose and to determine whether similar structures exist in the surrounding vicinity.

The ASI has instructed the Artillery Centre, Golconda, to halt all ground-levelling work in the area until a detailed investigation provides full clarity on the discovery.