In the quiet village of Sunet, nestled near Ludhiana, elderly residents hold vivid memories of a childhood intertwined with history. After every rainfall, the earth would reveal its secrets—ancient coins and relics gleaming like "tiny suns" in the mud. Today, however, the very mound that was once a playground of historical discovery sits largely forgotten, guarded by just one officer, years after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officially acquired the land. Frustrated villagers are now raising their voices, demanding that the national body resume excavations to unearth what they believe is a massive historical trove being ignored.
A Childhood Spent Playing with History
For decades, the subsoil of Sunet yielded a steady stream of artifacts. Residents, now in their later years, recall effortlessly collecting a handful of relics from the local 'theh' or mound. The finds included distinctive copper coins known locally as ‘damriyan’ (where 256 damris equaled a rupee), hardened stamped mud called ‘thhape’, idols, foundation blocks, and ancient bricks.
75-year-old Sukhdev Singh reminisced about simply visiting the mound to gather these pieces of the past. Many villagers, however, were unaware of the true historical and monetary value of their discoveries. This led to a widespread practice, especially in the 1980s, of selling these artifacts to foreign visitors and collectors who actively sought out the village.
"I had collected a number of ‘damriyan’, but then we gave these away not knowing their importance," admitted Kuldeep Jagpal, 60. Balwinder Singh, 59, described the simple transactions: "After the rains, the soil would wash away, and new coins would show up. People used to come and give money in exchange for coins, and people used to happily give those away, only to realise their value later." In a particularly poignant memory, Saudagar Singh, 70, recalled selling a luminous "laal" gem that allegedly lit up a room for Rs 100—a significant sum at the time.
ASI Acquisition and Decades of Neglect
The national significance of the Sunet site was formally recognized in the 1980s. Acting under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) of 1958, the ASI acquired approximately 8.5 acres of land in and around the village. This act mandates the ASI to be responsible for the conservation and regulation of excavations at such protected sites.
Despite this acquisition and the subsequent erection of a boundary wall, planned archaeological digs have not moved forward. Today, the site lacks even basic signage to explain its historical provenance, and its protection is entrusted to a solitary ASI guard. This state of limbo and apparent neglect has become a source of contention for the local community and heritage advocates.
Villagers' Plea for Renewed Excavation
Driven by the confident belief that the ground still conceals invaluable heritage, villagers are urging authorities to act. "The authorities concerned must dig out and resume excavation work," urged Kuldeep Jagpal. "We are sure there still is treasure beneath that would put the spotlight on our village." Elderly residents echo this sentiment, with one stating, "If ASI resumes excavation, we could unearth a heritage."
However, the window to recover artifacts still within the community is narrowing. Villagers note a significant demographic shift over the decades. They estimate that only about 10 to 20 percent of the native population remains, with Sunet now primarily home to Muslim embroiderers and migrants from other states. This change underscores the urgency of their demand—not just for potential treasure, but to reclaim and preserve a tangible connection to their local history before it is lost entirely to time and dispersal.
