ASI to join Gold Rush at MP’s Asirgarh Fort

Context: Rumors about hidden Mughal-era treasure have led to a digging frenzy near the historic Asirgarh Fort in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh.

About Asirgarh Fort: The ‘Key to the Deccan’

• Location: Situated in Satpura Range, around 20 km from Burhanpur city (Madhya Pradesh).
• It is built at an altitude of 701 meters above sea level, offering a commanding view of the surrounding lands.
• Asirgarh Fort is associated with many legends of buried treasure, especially gold from the Mughal era.

Historical Significance of Asirgarh Fort

Early History & Construction

• It was built by Asa Ahir, a local chieftain, in the 15th century.
• Later captured by the Faruqi dynasty of Khandesh, who ruled Burhanpur.

Mughal Era

• Akbar captured Asirgarh in 1601 after a long siege, marking the final conquest of Khandesh into the Mughal Empire.
• The fort became a crucial military base for Mughal campaigns in the Deccan.

Later Control

• Passed into the hands of Marathas, Scindias, and eventually the British in 1819.
• The British used it as a garrison due to its strategic location.

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