Tunnel Discovered at Golconda Fort's 18 Seedi During Excavation

A purported tunnel was discovered along the outer fortification of Golconda Fort on Thursday, August 20, 2026, drawing crowds of local residents and prompting calls for intervention by heritage authorities.

News of the finding spread rapidly across the area through Thursday evening and Friday morning, with local residents rushing to view the site at the 18 Seedi area of Golconda. Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin shared information about the find, stating that the tunnel came to light during an excavation carried out by the Indian Army.

According to Mr. Mohiuddin, the excavation was conducted at the historic 400-year-old Qutb Shahi graveyard and playground located at 18 Seedi. Following instructions from AIMIM President Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi, Mr. Mohiuddin reached out to the Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Thursday night to bring the excavation and discovery to the agency's attention.

The 18 Seedi, also referred to as Athara Seedi, has been a subject of dispute. The Army has claimed the land as its own, while residents from surrounding areas have carried out burials there. The vast open ground located between Kala Chabutra and Athara Seedi is also routinely used by local residents to play cricket and gilli-danda.

Golconda Fort is a multi-layered historic fortification dating back to the Kakatiya and Qutb Shahi dynasties. Over the years, numerous local rumours have suggested the existence of secret passages and treasure-laden tunnels linking the fort to various historic landmarks across the city, including Charminar, Goshamahal, Chowmahalla Palace, and Naubat Pahad. However, past tunnel discoveries at the site have consistently turned out to be short passages or remnants of buried palaces.

The Indian Army was reached for comment regarding the excavation and the claims.