Portrayal of Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur in ‘Chhaava’ leads to underground hunt for gold among locals

Equipped with torches, sieves, and even metal detectors, a large group of locals gathered at Asirgarh Fort in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, in hopes of finding gold. The search frenzy was likely triggered by a scene from the Vicky Kaushal film ‘Chhaava’, which portrayed Burhanpur as a gold-rich area.

The speculation began when a JCB machine, working on a national highway project near a dargah, disturbed soil that was then dumped in the field of local farmer Haroon Sheikh. Soon after, workers are said to have unearthed old metal coins, with some even claiming to have found gold and silver coins from the Mughal period. This sparked a wave of people from surrounding villages arriving at the site, eager to strike gold themselves.

Adding fuel to the speculation, Chhaava’s portrayal of Burhanpur as both a significant site in Mughal history and a "gold mine" further stoked the excitement.

Locals insist that coins are indeed being found, but the authorities have yet to intervene. Mohammad Wasim, a resident of the area, expressed his frustration: "Coins are being found, and the crowd is growing every night. People from other villages are coming, and many claim to have found coins. The government and administration are ignoring this. I had informed the patwari, but no action was taken. Even the sarpanch is aware of what's happening."

Historians note that Burhanpur was once a wealthy Mughal city, home to a bustling mint that produced gold and silver coins. During periods of conflict, it was common for people to bury their treasures underground for protection. While this historical backdrop makes the idea of such discoveries plausible, experts warn that unchecked digging could result in the destruction of valuable cultural 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 called on the administration and police to prevent any possible unrest as well. In response, local authorities have launched an investigation and suggested they may impose restrictions on unauthorized digging in the area. Burhanpur Superintendent of Police, Devendra Patidar, assured that any illegal excavation would be halted, and legal action would be taken if required.