Treasure hunt in Andhra Pradesh: Seven of world's top 10 diamonds are from the Krishna valley (so-called Golconda Mines)

Interesting facts about treasure hunting in Andhra Pradesh, India
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By Syed Akbar


* Seven of world’s top 10 diamonds are from Andhra Pradesh. Kohinoor is the gift of the 
river Krishna. The diamond potential of Andhra Pradesh is 20 lakh carats. The State is 
also rich in reserves of coal, a poor cousin of the diamond.

* Search for the missing diamond named after the Nizam (Nizam’s diamond) continues. It 
was last seen 60 years ago in the State treasury of Mir Osman Ali Khan. The World Diamond 
Council describes it as a mysterious stone.

* The city had several tunnels where treasure is said to be hidden. Folklores describe 
existence of tunnel between Charminar and Goshamahal and Golconda and Goshamahal.

* A few years ago, several graves in Naya Quila were vandalised in search of the grave of 
the treasury officer of Abul Hasan Tanashah. It is believed the grave contains all the 
treasure of the Qutub Shahis.

* Forts of Kakatiyas in Warangal, Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar were dug up several times in 
search of treasure.

* The Jacob diamond, which the Nizam VI, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, had wrapped in a blotting 
paper and threw away in anger following a legal dispute between the diamond merchant and 
the ruler was accidentally found many years later by his successor Mir Osman Ali Khan. 
The diamond was found in a shoe.

*After the police action in 1948, palaces including the King Kothi palace were dug up in 
search of treasure.

* During road widening works near Purani Haveli a few years ago, workers found a hollow 
structure, which contained jewellery, gold and coins. False doors were reportedly found 
in Purani Haveli and other palaces.

* The State Museum in Hyderabad contains 13000 gold coins found accidentally and seized 
during raids on treasure hunters.