Akash Marma Mongsing, Bandarban

There is no end to the mystery about Guha Ali Tunnel in Alikadam Upazila of Bandarban. As there are many stories, fables and opinions about the name Alikadam, there are also interesting stories and legends about this mysterious cave.

It is learnt that this cave was created on the top of two hills near Matamuhuri-Twain Canal, three kilometers away from Alikadam Sadar. This cave is known as Ali's Suram to the locals. The government has marked this cave as an ancient monument.

There are basically three caves here. But not only the tunnel is named after Ali, the rocky hill where this cave is located is also called Ali's hill and the upazila is called Alikadam.

It can be assumed that Alikadam Ali's hill and Ali's cave are built from the same source. However, no reliable information or documents are available about when and how such a strange and beautiful cave was created in the remote hills. There is no end to the mystery of Ali's tunnel cave.

As can be seen on the surface, the location of Alikadam is 118 km south of Bandarban. After the hill, one has to cross the mountain road to go to Ali Tunnel. It is accessible via the country's highest road from Thanchi to Alikadam, recently constructed over Dim Hill.

At the head of this road, Ali's hill is located on the bank of Matamuhuri river from Panbazar area to the east. The distance from Alikadam city is only 4 kilometers. At present, a bridge and road steps have been constructed over the Tain Canal for the convenience of travel.

According to the locals, the name Alikadam originated from Alohkyadong. Which means the place between the mountains and the river. The existence of the name Alohkyadong is found in the records of Raja Bomang Circle Chief of Bandarban and in maps of the Pakistan period.

Portuguese scholar Jao De Barros also used the name Alohkyadong in the oldest map of the mountainous region (Ensea Det Bengalla). Many hill and place names in Arkani contain the prefix dong, thong or dong. Probably: Dong means mountain. Therefore, it is assumed that Alohkyadong is the name of a mountain like Tajingdong and Keukradong mountains, which later took the name Alikadam.

Meanwhile, according to Captain TH Lewin, the first Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Hill Tracts i.e. Rangamati, the name ALIKADAM came from ALLEY KINGDOM. According to him, ALLEY means repression, and KINGDOM means kingdom.

In Bengal, the Mughal subedar Shaista Khan controlled or suppressed a small kingdom power here. Hence, during the East India Company period, this region was called ALLEY KINGDOM or Suppressed Kingdom. which later survives as Alikadam.

History says that Alikadam, which was under Arakanese rule since the ninth century, was ruled by Sultan Jalaluddin of Bengal in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

The Mughal conquest of the region in 1756 was the final nail in the coffin of Arakanese rule. Arakanese Raj Kong forced Hla Prue to surrender to self-reliance. Expelled from the highlands long ago. 18 Arkani kings adopted Muslim titles to benefit governance. Among them, King Mang Khari ruled the region from 1434-1459 AD.

His Muslim surname was Ali Khan. The Muslim title of King Thajatha who ruled till 1531 AD was Ali Shah. The name Alikadam may have come under the influence of these two names. Another explanation is that Kadam means foot in Arabic.

Depending on the application, it can also mean walking. A man named Ali was able to establish absolute dominance by setting foot in this juicy region. Later the word Kadam was added to his name and the name Alikadam was born.

However, there is also an idea that when 360 auliyas led by Hazrat Shahjalal came to the Sylhet region for preaching, a part of them came to the hilly areas, some of whom got the name Alikadam from the surname Ali.

How to go to Alikadam: You can go to Alikadam directly from Dhaka. Shyamoli and Hanif buses go directly to Alikadam. The fare up to Alikadam is 850 or 1000 taka. Alternatively, you can take any bus bound for Cox's Bazar to get down to Chakria at Alikadam. Chakaria has local buses to Alikadam.

These buses leave for Alikadam every day from 7 am to 6.30 pm. If you want to enjoy the natural air, you can go to Alikadam by local jeep or moon car. In this case, the local rent will be 60-65 taka. If you reserve, the fare will be 1200 to 1500 taka.

Accommodation: The Damatua Inn residential on Alikadam Upazila Road or Dak Bungalow of Zilla Parishad is available for better accommodation.

How to go to Ali's cave: Three kilometers from Alikadam, you have to go to Manchpurpara. You can go on foot or by easy bike.

Twine canal is next to Manchpurpara. After crossing this canal, you have to walk for a while through hills and streams to reach Ali's tunnel. It will take 20-30 minutes. Visiting all the caves will take a total of three hours.

In the interest of safety, a guide is needed: It is best not to go alone unless you have been to Ali Cave or Ali's Tunnel before. Take a guide with you. You can take someone from Alikadam as a guide.

Moreover, there are several boys standing at the beginning of the trail. You can take someone from among them. But talk in advance to see all the caves.

How to crawl through some parts of the cave - Some parts inside the cave are quite narrow. As soon as you go inside the cave, an unknown mystery will surround you. You will be introduced to a new world. Must take torch or torch to go inside. It is completely dark inside this cave. Haunted environment and totally damp these caves.

Alikadam is a unique attraction for those who love mountains, rivers, waterfalls and forests.