An underground structure discovered near the 400-year-old Qutb Shahi tombs in Golconda’s Athara Seedi area stirred widespread excitement in Hyderabad. Found on Thursday evening during ground-clearing operations by Indian Army personnel, initial rumors pointed to a secret historic tunnel. However, preliminary site inspection by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) revealed it is a rectangular stone chamber measuring 1.2m × 1.8m and 2.2m deep. Further official investigation is underway to establish its true purpose.
Hyderabad woke up on Friday to intense curiosity following the discovery of a historic underground structure near the iconic 400-year-old Qutb Shahi tombs at Golconda. The structure was first uncovered on Thursday evening while Indian Army personnel were clearing dense vegetation and leveling the ground in the Athara Seedi (18 Seedi) area, adjacent to a local playground.
As news of the discovery spread, curious residents gathered near the site, rekindling centuries-old folklore regarding secret subterranean passages connecting Golconda Fort to other landmarks like Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace. In response, a joint team comprising officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Revenue Department, and the Indian Army inspected the premises to verify the nature of the find. Local authorities restricted public access around the perimeter to ensure site preservation.
Dispelling immediate rumors of a hidden secret passage, the ASI Hyderabad Circle issued a factual update after their preliminary assessment. Superintending Archaeologist Dr. Nihildas N confirmed that the structure is not a continuous tunnel, but rather a rectangular-shaped chamber constructed of rough granite stone masonry. The chamber measures approximately 1.2 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width, and 2.2 meters in depth. During the initial probe, archaeologists also retrieved a few red-colored potsherds believed to date back to the medieval period.
While the exact operational purpose of the subterranean chamber remains unknown, the ASI has requested the Artillery Centre at Golconda to pause all land-leveling activities in the vicinity. The team plans to submit a comprehensive report to the ASI Director General to secure formal approval for an extensive archaeological excavation. This detailed study aims to determine the chamber’s historical function and check for similar buried architectural features nearby.
