98-year-old Shamsherganj palace in Kailali begins to collapse amid neglect

Dhangadhi: The historic Shamsherganj Palace, a Rana-era architectural landmark located in Chure Rural Municipality-4 of Kailali, has begun to collapse due to prolonged neglect and lack of conservation efforts.

Also known locally as the Garbha Palace, the nearly century-old structure has suffered significant damage, with a main pillar and part of the northern section collapsing following recent rainfall, according to local resident Prakash Sapkota.

Another local, Jeevan Gurung, expressed concern over the rapidly deteriorating condition of the palace. “There is no roof, and the main front wall has already fallen. I think half of the palace is at risk of collapsing this monsoon,” he warned.

Constructed in 1984 Bikram Sambat by General Bahadur Shamsher Rana, the palace originally stood on nine ropanis of land and later passed to his son, Tej Prakash Rana. The three-story structure, featuring 83 windows and 53 doors, has been uninhabited since the time of the People's War and has remained in a state of disrepair ever since.

The Department of Archaeology currently holds ownership of the palace, which locals say began visibly deteriorating between 2052 and 2060 BS. Chure Rural Municipality Chairman Chakra Bahadur Bogati confirmed that the palace, now nearly 100 years old, has become a ruin.

The Sudurpaschim Province government allocated Rs. 1 million in the current fiscal year for the palace’s preservation. Chairman Bogati stated that the budget was used to construct a boundary wall around the site, but further conservation efforts are urgently needed to prevent total collapse.