Bhubaneswar, June 25: Villagers of Bachra-Patrapada at Jatni, nearly 25km from here, have discovered a tunnel, which they think could be linked to the Khordha Garh, ruins of an old fort that lie to the west of the Barunei hills.

The hill is nearly 5km from the tunnel. The campuses of National Institute for Scientific Education and Research and IIT Bhubaneswar are located nearby.

To prevent damages from rainwater, the villagers have constructed a wall and roof-like structure over the tunnel.

Khurda, earlier known as Khordha, was a princely state that played a prominent role during the freedom struggle. The paikas, a warrior community of the region, had fought against the British.

"Legend says that during the freedom struggle, the paikas of the area used to assemble in the tunnel to launch guerrilla attacks on the British forces. The tunnel was around 500metres long with three openings," said Laxmidhar Biswal, a village leader and president of Dhanu Yatra Mahotsav Committee. Biswal also said that this was the second tunnel in the vicinity of the Khordha fort with one already existing on its premises.

When contacted, archaeologist with the Odisha State Archaeology Ashwinee Satpathy said: "Tunnel forms on rocky layers due to several reasons. If it is man-made, then there could be chisel marks and if it was created by natural forces, then the surface would be smooth. However, in many places natural tunnels or caves later expanded and were put to use by people."

Regarding the links with the nearby Khordha fort, the expert said: "Their claims need to be verified through surveys, perhaps involving even geologists. We will send a team to have a look within a day or two."

Resident and writer Trilochan Mohapatra of Jatni said: "The first tunnel near the fort was discovered near Kholadwar mouza (revenue unit). The discovery of the second tunnel reflects on the military strategy followed by paikas while fighting the British."

Mohapatra also said there were garhs (forts) almost on every hill in the past starting from Aragarh, which is at present being excavated by the archaeologists of the Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies.

Legend has it that around the Barunei hills several forts such as Khordha Garh, Aragada, Rengala Garh, Rathipur Garh, Motori Garh and Taraboi Garh existed in the past. Village Bachra-Patrapada also had a small fort and the tunnel might be a part of the fort structure.