The Archeological Survey of India has begun excavations at sites in Sangrampur (Daundiya Kheda) village in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, where 1000 tonnes of Gold deposits have been claimed to be buried.
The Excavation process started amid tight security. Swami Shobhan Sarkar, whose dream triggered this Massive Gold Hunt, arrived at the spot around 4 AM and performed a small puja and initiated a havan near the excavation site.
- Â The Excavation began on October 18, 2013
- ASI has found indications of Non-Conducting Metallic Contents at depth of 5-20m.
- The Excavation would take at least 2-3 weeks to reach the deposits
The excavation started at around 2 PM with a small team of 12 ASI Â excavators only who were able to dig 6 inches in the 10×10 metre trench on the first day. Nothing was reported on the first day.
Unnao Shiva Temple near Gold Deposits
The Excavation work began as the result dreams of a local saint Swami Sobhan Sarkar who claimed that  19th century king Rao Ram Baksh Singh came in his dream and told him that 1000 tons of gold treasure is buried under the ruins of his fort-cum-palace.
The Saint initially approached President of India and ASI, but they refused to take up the matter . Later he wrote a letter to  Charan Das Mahant, a Minister in the Union Govt. The Minister visited the site last month and was able to convince Ministry of Mines as well as ASI to take up the excavation.
Initially, Â the Superintending Archaeologist, ASI (Lucknow Circle) was asked to conduct a preliminary site enquiry. In the meantime Geological Survey of India had also been asked to conduct an enquiry including GPRS (Ground Penetrating Radar Survey).
Report of the preliminary investigations of GSI was received from the Ministry of Mines on 8th October, 2013 (the GSI report mentions “this prominent non-magnetic anomalous zone occurring at 5-20 m depth indicative of possible non conducting, metallic contents and/or some alloys, etc. may be tested by excavation for further interest at the specified siteâ€).
On the basis of GSI report it was decided by ASI to undertake excavations at the site to try to unearth and determine the nature of the reported deposits. It is also noteworthy to mention that this is reported to be an ancient settlement site which may have the potential of being an important archaeological location.
The SA (Lucknow Circle) was conveyed permission on 10th October, 2013 to undertake the trial exploration/excavations by deputing a full team from his office.
Preparatory arrangements have been made by ASI Lucknow Circle, including preliminary survey of the area, establishing camp office, removal of vegetation, etc. The local administration has been informed about this and security arrangements have also been provided.
The excavation work has commenced from 18th October, 2013 and it is estimated to take a minimum 2 to 3 weeks to reach the reported level of deposits.
ASI officials however are pretending to be politically correct and deny any intention of Gold Mining.