Telangana: Treasure-hunters plunder wonderful historic sites

Hyderabad: Treasure hunters and vandals are destroying the age-old Bayyannagutta Kota near Kollapur in Nagarkurnool district.

Located about 16 km from Kollapur and 200 km from here, the hill top fort in Singoran of Pentlavalli mandal dates back to 5th and 6th century AD.

The fort has a 20-feet Jain idol that is converted into a Hindu idol, broken granite walls, an idol of Lord Ganesh and granite gateways among others.

“The fort is crumbling by the day. There is largescale vandalism. Treasure hunters have dug all over. The government should immediately step in and protect the fort,” said Mr Aditya Laxman Rao, scion of the Jatprole Samasthan.

He added, “Our ancestors ruled the place. It’s not just Bayyannagutta Kota; several forts and monuments are in ruins. A concerted effort is needed by one and all to protect our ancient monuments, history and culture. This place can be made a tourist attraction.”

Asked if anything was found by treasure hunters, he said, “Not to my knowledge.” Mr Rajeev Mathew, a wildlife consultant who visited the fort, expressed anguish over its plight.

“There are still beautiful granite structures besides two wells in the fort, broken pottery and granite remains. Such a historical place has to be protected and renovated,” he said.

The undivided Mahbubnagar district and the newly carved out Jogulamba-Gadwal, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool districts have historic significance.

The region was at the core of the Satavahana dynasty from 221 BC to 218 AD. It was also part of the Chalukya dynasty from the 5th to the 11th century AD. Later it was part of the Golconda Kingdom from 1364 to 1512.

In 1518 it came under control of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, which reigned until 1687. Mahbubnagar was part of Hyderabad state, ruled by Asaf Jahi kings, from 1724 to 1948.