Mystery about discovery of tunnel sparks excitement in 500-year-old Golconda Fort in Hyderabad

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The Athaara Seedi area in the Golconda fort where a purported tunnel has been discovered during excavation. | Photo Credit: Serish Nanisetti

A sense of excitement and sensation prevailed in the Golconda fort on Thursday evening and Friday morning as news spread about the discovery of a tunnel on the outer fortification of Golconda Fort. While the Karwan MLA Mr. Kausar Mohiuddin shared the information about the discovery on Thursday (August 20, 2026) evening, the people in the area have been making a beeline to see the purported tunnel. Mr. Mohiuddin claimed that the tunnel was discovered when the Indian Army was carrying out an excavation.

“Alleged illegal excavation was carried out by Army officials at the historic 400-year-old Qutb Shahi graveyard and playground at 18 Seedi, Golconda, where a tunnel has now been discovered.

On the instructions of AIMIM President Barrister Asaduddin Owaisi Saab, today I contacted the Superintendent of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and brought the matter to their attention,” wrote Mr. Mohiuddin on Thursday night.

The 18 Seedi or Athara Seedi area has become disputed as the Army has been claiming it as its own while the people in the surrounding areas have been carrying out burials to turn it into a graveyard. Parts of the vast open ground between the Kala Chabutra and Athara Seedi is used by the residents to play cricket and gilli-danda.

Illegal Excavation at 400-Year-Old Qutb Shahi Graveyard in Golconda - Tunnel found Alleged illegal excavation was carried out by Army officials at the historic 400-year-old Qutb Shahi graveyard and playground at 18 Seedi, Golconda, where a tunnel has now been discovered. On… pic.twitter.com/8GAQOQyCCN

The Golconda Fort is a multi-layered fort that dates back to the Kakatiya and Qutb Shahi dynasties. There have been rumours about secret tunnels and passages connecting the fort to various parts of Hyderabad including Charminar, Goshamahal, Chowmahalla Palace and Naubat Pahad. Some tunnels are fabled to be places stocked with treasure and others are secret passages. But all the tunnels have so far turned out to be short passages or parts of buried palaces.

The Indian Army has been reached for a comment, as and when it responds, this story will be updated.

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