The discovery of a massive pit that appears like a tunnel or bunker on the outskirts of Dandumailaram village created a sensation in Samsthan Narayanpur mandal in Nalgonda district and the rural parts of Hayathnagar and Ibrahimptnam mandals in Rangareddy.
According to Dandumailaram villagers, some labourers were digging a pit to erect an electricity pole in the fields of a farmer Chittem Papaiah. When the workers dug up to four feet, the crowbar, with which they were digging, suddenly slipped into earth. Pitchaih, said that the labourers continued with the digging only to find a massive pit. This happened on July 19. However, the workers did not dare to get into the pit as they were not sure about its depth. The following day some curious villagers brought some torches and tied them to a rope and released into the pit. They came to a conclusion that the pit was 20 feet straight down but were unable to measure the width. Finally, some enthusiastic youth got into the pit with the help of ropes. Mr. Pitchaiah said that pit was 20 feet deep and 15 feet wide. However, no one dared to walk any farther inside the tunnel as it was too dark and they also feared the likelihood of poisonous gases emanating from it.
The villagers said that the place was located close to Rachakonda fort which was ruled by Recherla Padmnayakas between 12th and 15th Century AD which was later ruled by Qutub Shahis and Asaf Jahis. Since the area was also a hot bed of Telangana Armed Struggle, that fought against Nizam rule and Naxalbari movement, the villagers believe that the pit might be a bunker or tunnel. Since it is located in the border of Rangareddy and Nalgonda districts, no officials from these two districts have informed about it to Department of Archaeology. When contacted, a source in the Department of Archaeology and Museums said that they did not receive any information so far. However, the source further said that they would soon visit the place to find out the truth.
Published - July 24, 2015 12:00 am IST
