How a film can sometimes spark a frenzy is brought out by the following.
The success of Chhaava recently triggered a digging frenzy around the famous Asirgarh Fort in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur. Hundreds of villagers, armed with torchlights and sometimes even metal detectors, were digging up the fields around the fort in the hope of finding Mughal-era gold. The rumours that gold coins are buried there have been fuelled by a scene in the recent superhit film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
The police and administration cordoned off the area on March 8 and restricted entry of outsiders. Officials were alerted when videos of digging went viral on social media. Collector Hari Singh said, “The administration took cognisance of the matter after a video went viral. Unidentified men reportedly dug up a field at night a few days ago in search of the coins.” A number of pits have been dug up by treasure hunters, it is reported.
Asirgarh Fort was the site of many battles that shaped India’s history. It has long been associated with legends of buried treasure. The story gained renewed credence after the release Chhaava.
The administration has sought a report on the “possibility of treasure” in the area. The SDM said that they will have the archaeological department examine the site and stressed that any archaeological artefact found would be handed over to the administration.
