Historic 97-Year-Old Garbha Palace in Kailali Left Abandoned

Dhangadhi: The 97-year-old Garbha Palace in Kailali’s Chure Rural Municipality-4 has fallen into disrepair due to a lack of conservation efforts.

Built during the Rana era, the palace, once of historical and architectural significance, now stands in ruins. Years of neglect have led to its dilapidation, with peeling roofs, collapsing walls, broken doors and windows, and stolen statues. Despite its potential as a tourist attraction, the palace remains abandoned.

Chure Rural Municipality Chairman Chakra Bahadur Bogati stated that the Department of Archaeology has assured its preservation. "The provincial government has allocated Rs 10 lakh for fencing the palace. However, it cannot be repaired or altered with cement. The Department of Archaeology will take responsibility for its conservation," he said.

The palace, constructed between 1979 BS and 1984 BS, was initially built by the Rana rulers for tax collection and dispute resolution. It boasts 83 windows and 53 doors, with walls once covered in fish mud and a roof made of zinc sheets imported from Japan. However, it has been unused for 24 years.

The Sudurpaschim Provincial Government has prepared a Rs 20 crore detailed project report (DPR) to demolish and rebuild the structure. However, work cannot proceed without approval from the Department of Archaeology. The provincial government had envisioned transforming Garbha Palace into a tourist site by reconstructing it in its original form, but the department halted the plan.

Despite being accessible via newly built roads from Gauriganga Municipality-1 and Sahajpur, as well as ongoing electricity expansion, the palace has remained neglected. Once home to residents, the palace housed a post office and VDC office until they were set on fire during the 10-year conflict. Since 2057 BS, no restoration efforts have been undertaken.

Of the 13 ropani land belonging to the palace, half is registered under Basnet Lower Secondary School, while the other half is under the ward office, which is currently constructing a new building. In the fiscal year 2077-78 BS, the provincial government allocated Rs 50 lakh for conservation, but no work was carried out.

Originally named Shri Bahadur Shamsher Palace, it was later called Garbha Palace due to its location in Bharga of Khairala. Built by Khadak Shamsher, it later came under the ownership of Lieutenant General Bahadur Shamsher following the Rana land divisions. Now abandoned by its original owners, the palace continues to deteriorate.