Gold coin rumours trigger frenzy near Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho

Bhopal: Rumours of ancient gold coins being unearthed from excavated soil led to excitement in Rajgarh village near Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district), drawing many villagers to a roadside dump close to the historic Rajgarh Palace complex, which is leased by the hotel Group.According to villagers, soil excavated during the construction of staff quarters at the palace complex was dumped along the roadside on Jan 22.After recent rainfall, locals claimed that several gold-like coins began appearing in the washed-out soil. Word spread quickly, after which villagers rushed to the spot in the hope of finding valuables.By Wednesday, villagers were seen digging the soil with pickaxes, shovels and iron rods, while women and children sifted through the mud using iron sieves. Some villagers claimed that many people had already found coins, which they believe could be several centuries old. Unverified claims circulated that some villagers had recovered as many as 10 to 40 coins. Police and administrative officers denied the claims. One of the local residents alleged that her five-year-old granddaughter had picked up a coin, which was later snatched away by another child.Police said black soil from the palace construction site had been used for road levelling ahead of the Basant Panchami fair. Pictures of suspected coins have surfaced on social media, though their authenticity remains unverified. Rajgarh is home to a 350-year-old Bundela-era palace, and residents speculate the coins may be linked to the region's historical past.Police said they have received information but no coins have been officially recovered so far. "If anything is found, a proper investigation will be carried out," SP Agam Jain told TOI.