Do you know what happened in Rajasthan at the time of emergency? Where is the treasure of Jaigarh Fort? Did Indira Gandhi was the mastermind behind all this?
This focus on treasure and symbols of wealth brings to mind a historical episode from 1976 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a massive treasure hunt at Jaipur’s Jaigarh Fort. In an unexpected twist, Pakistan’s Prime Minister at the time, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, laid claim to a share of the treasure.
The Treasure Hunt Unfolds
In August 1976, a letter undersigned by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan arrived in New Delhi. Addressed to Indira Gandhi, the letter began with discussions on bilateral cooperation before quickly shifting to a bold demand. Bhutto’s letter read, “I am writing to you about the treasure which is being unearthed in Jaipur under your Government’s orders… I would urge you to remain cognisant of Pakistan’s claim to its due share of this wealth…” Bhutto’s claim was based on the treasure being unearthed in Jaipur’s Jaigarh Fort under Gandhi’s directive.
The Origins of the Jaigarh Treasure Story
The hunt, which lasted five months, had its roots in the late 16th century. In 1581, Mughal Emperor Akbar sent his commander-in-chief, Raja Man Singh I of Jaipur, to subdue rebel kingdoms in the northwest frontier, including parts of modern-day Afghanistan. During this campaign, Raja Man Singh amassed a vast treasure trove of gold, which he allegedly brought back to India and hid in the 16th-century Amber Fort.
This treasure remained hidden for centuries, becoming part of local lore and even making its way into an Arabian book, “Haft Tilismat-e-Amberi” (Seven Magical Treasuries of Amber). British colonial explorers also sought the treasure but were unsuccessful.
Indira’s Treasure Hunt Amid the Emergency
Fast forward to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. Civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored, and political opponents were imprisoned. Among those detained was Gayatri Devi, the former Maharani of Jaipur and a political adversary of Indira Gandhi. Following her arrest under the COFEPOSA Act, the treasure hunt at Jaigarh Fort commenced.
Advised by her son, Sanjay Gandhi, Indira initiated a comprehensive search involving the Income Tax Department, the Army, local police, and the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort, which had not seen such attention in centuries, became the focal point of global interest as the search for the legendary treasure unfolded.
The Claim from Pakistan
As the treasure hunt intensified, it caught the attention of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who saw an opportunity to claim a share of the supposed wealth. His letter to Indira Gandhi reflected the tension and curiosity surrounding the treasure. Indira’s response came only after the hunt ended in November 1976. She wrote, “I had asked our legal experts to give careful consideration to the claim you made on behalf of Pakistan. They are of the clear opinion that the claim has no legal basis.” She added, “Incidentally, the ‘treasure’ has turned out to be non-existent.”
The Outcome and Lingering Mysteries
Despite the exhaustive search, the treasure hunt yielded only 230 kg of silver, far from the gold trove envisioned. Gayatri Devi was released from Tihar Jail after the Emergency was lifted. However, questions lingered. Why was Jaigarh Fort, built in 1726, raided if the treasure was hidden in the Amber Fort? Speculations about tunnels connecting the forts and unexplained truck movements fueled rumors of a hidden treasure.
A Wild Goose Chase?
The treasure hunt during the Emergency remains a controversial chapter in India’s history. Some viewed it as a genuine search for hidden wealth, while others saw it as a political maneuver against a rival. Authors RS Khangarot and PS Nathawat, in their book “Jaigarh, The Invincible Fort of Amber,” concluded it was “a wild goose hunt.”
As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections bring the topics of gold and mangalsutra to the forefront, the echoes of Indira Gandhi’s treasure hunt remind us of the complex interplay between politics, history, and legend.