In Rayania, dreams drive villagers

Serious bids are made only when inspiration arrives in a dream. Villagers believe that the right person will dream of the right location of the treasure.

The ravaged walls and floor of the monument speak of the several raids made upon it. But no one has so far struck gold — it would not remain a secret for long in the village — but the story goes that an old villager had once found a huge cache of gold coins. This keepsthe dreaming–and the hunting–going.

Rampant digging has taken its toll of the mosque, said to have been built in 1499. According to legend, it was built by one Limba Khan, a Muslim subedar who ruled over the surrounding areas. Khan is said to have built the monument after demolishing a temple.

In those times, Rayania was a prosperous village. Travellers used to halt here on their way from Dahod to Delhi. Records, however, are not available, and the monument’s history remains shrouded in mystery. Perhaps that explains why neither the state government nor the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have considered the monument important enough to protect.

The state government’s archaeological department did explore the monument in 1981, but did not deem it fit for protection. Sources in the office of Superintending Archaeologist (Dahod Circle) — created only three years ago — say the exploration was undertaken by the Surat circle, and the files would be brought to the Dahod office once it has enoughstaff.

Villagers, however, believe that government officials found part of the treasure but never made it public. So the nightly raids upon the monument continue.

Yogendrasinh Puar, a 15-year-old from nearby Hirapur village, has heard that villagers search the monument for treasure. “But I have never seen anyone digging, for they do it in the night,” he says. “The last time I came here, there were fewer holes and trenches than now. People obviously haven’t given up on the legend of the treasure.”