DEHRADUN: A tunnel, believed to date back to the 12th-century Bam dynasty, which briefly ruled the region after the decline of the Katyuri rulers, has been discovered on a cliff near Gobradi village in Didihat tehsil, Pithoragarh district (Uttarakhand), by an amateur mountaineer and a tourist guide. The state archaeological department said there are plans to examine the site to determine its historical significance.
Regional officer of the state archaeological department, Chandan Singh Chauhan, told TOI on Tuesday, “Ruins near the tunnel indicate a possible dynastic connection. If so, this site is archaeologically valuable. Our team will visit this week to determine its age based on evidence such as artifacts, inscriptions, or carbon dating, which could further validate its historical origins.”
Manoj Saxena, superintending archaeologist of the Dehradun Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) circle, said, “We are gathering details from the state department and have assigned our Almora officer to investigate. Since the site isn’t yet protected, we may initiate its inclusion under ASI if it’s historically significant.”
He added, “The criteria for protection depends on the site’s age, which must be at least 100 years old, and its significance – historical, archaeological, or artistic.”
Mountaineer Tarun Mahara, who found the tunnel, told TOI, “We frequently heard accounts about this location from local people, who claimed that a lost fort existed here, which was built by a king to conceal his hidden treasures, which prompted us to explore.”
Mahara described the site’s challenges, saying, “Gobradi village is 4km from the main road, perched on a steep 70-degree incline. Armed with torches, cameras, and ropes, we began our investigation. Chandan Karki, the tourist guide, and I entered the tunnel and discovered ruins of 30-40 dwellings. We advanced 150m before a boulder blocked further access.”
He added, “The tunnel, which appears to be about 400m-long and 4m-wide, with periodic ventilation openings, connects to the Gobradi ravine, suggesting inhabitants probably sourced water from there. We also found a chimney-like structure, 8 inches in radius and 3m-long. The entire tunnel was likely carved using chisels and picks.”
Historian Ajay Kumar Rawat said, “The tunnel may be connected to the Saur kingdom of the Bam rulers from Doti, western Nepal. They were an offshoot of the Katyuri dynasty and built a fort and township in this region. The area’s history is complex, with the British allegedly destroying most forts for strategic reasons.”
Regional officer of the state archaeological department, Chandan Singh Chauhan, told TOI on Tuesday, “Ruins near the tunnel indicate a possible dynastic connection. If so, this site is archaeologically valuable. Our team will visit this week to determine its age based on evidence such as artifacts, inscriptions, or carbon dating, which could further validate its historical origins.”
Manoj Saxena, superintending archaeologist of the Dehradun Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) circle, said, “We are gathering details from the state department and have assigned our Almora officer to investigate. Since the site isn’t yet protected, we may initiate its inclusion under ASI if it’s historically significant.”
He added, “The criteria for protection depends on the site’s age, which must be at least 100 years old, and its significance – historical, archaeological, or artistic.”
Mountaineer Tarun Mahara, who found the tunnel, told TOI, “We frequently heard accounts about this location from local people, who claimed that a lost fort existed here, which was built by a king to conceal his hidden treasures, which prompted us to explore.”
Mahara described the site’s challenges, saying, “Gobradi village is 4km from the main road, perched on a steep 70-degree incline. Armed with torches, cameras, and ropes, we began our investigation. Chandan Karki, the tourist guide, and I entered the tunnel and discovered ruins of 30-40 dwellings. We advanced 150m before a boulder blocked further access.”
He added, “The tunnel, which appears to be about 400m-long and 4m-wide, with periodic ventilation openings, connects to the Gobradi ravine, suggesting inhabitants probably sourced water from there. We also found a chimney-like structure, 8 inches in radius and 3m-long. The entire tunnel was likely carved using chisels and picks.”
Historian Ajay Kumar Rawat said, “The tunnel may be connected to the Saur kingdom of the Bam rulers from Doti, western Nepal. They were an offshoot of the Katyuri dynasty and built a fort and township in this region. The area’s history is complex, with the British allegedly destroying most forts for strategic reasons.”