Treasure hunt at Asirgarh fort
In Burhanpur, a massive crowd recently gathered near Asirgarh Fort, convinced that a long-lost treasure lay buried beneath the ground. The excitement was triggered by Chhaava, which touches upon historical events involving the fort and the alleged hidden looted riches of the Mughals. Inspired by the movie, locals began digging in hopes of unearthing the legendary treasure.
A viral video shows groups of people with flashlights, digging equipment, and sifting trays actively excavating the grounds around the fort. The footage captures the sheer enthusiasm of those searching for the supposed hidden wealth, believed to have been concealed by the Mughals centuries ago.
#Chhava movie showed that Mughals looted Gold and treasure from Marathas and kept it in the Asirgarh Fort, Burhanpur, MP.
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) March 7, 2025
After watching the movie, locals flocked to the spot with digging tools, metal detectors and bags to dig up the treasure and take it home.
My heart bleeds… pic.twitter.com/zUiGyMoQKh
Historians said that Burhanpur was once a prosperous Mughal city with a thriving mint for producing gold and silver coins. During times of conflict, people often buried their wealth underground for safekeeping. This historical context makes the possibility of such discoveries plausible, but experts caution that unregulated digging could lead to the loss of valuable heritage.
Shalikram Chaudhary, District Archaeological Member, said, "It is true that such coins have been found in Asirgarh before. The administration must take this seriously, use scientific methods for exploration, and safeguard any historical treasures found."
The opposition party Congress has also urged the administration and police to prevent any potential chaos. In response, the local police have begun investigating and have hinted at imposing restrictions on unauthorised digging in the area. Burhanpur Superintendent of Police Devendra Patidar assured any unauthorised excavation would be prohibited and legal action would be taken, if necessary.
Authorities Step In
According to a report by The Times of India, the unauthorised treasure hunt was short-lived. Local police quickly intervened, dispersing the crowd and halting the excavation. Officials have since issued warnings against any digging at the protected archaeological site, reinforcing the historical significance of Asirgarh Fort.
Located in Burhanpur, the fort has long been a focal point of Maratha and Mughal conflicts. Myths surrounding lost Mughal treasures have existed for generations, but the film's portrayal of these legends appears to have reignited public interest in the age-old mystery.
Box Office Gold
While the existence of hidden Mughal riches remains unverified, Chhaava has undoubtedly struck gold at the box office. The Laxman Utekar directorial has crossed the ₹490 crore mark and is set to breach ₹500 crore within just 23 days of its release.
