Historic Garbha Palace faces neglect, risk of collapse

KATHMANDU: The historic Garbha Palace, a significant architectural and cultural heritage site in Chure Rural Municipality-4, is gradually falling into ruin due to years of neglect and lack of conservation efforts.

Once a symbol of grandeur, the palace now stands in a deteriorated state, with its walls crumbling, foundation weakening, and vegetation overtaking its premises.

A Palace of Historical Importance

The palace was built between 1979 and 1984 BS by Khadga Shamsher Junga Bahadur Rana, a prominent figure of the Rana regime. To construct this architectural marvel, skilled craftsmen were brought from India, ensuring the palace embodied artistic brilliance and structural strength.

The three-storey palace spans 10 ropanis of land, boasting 83 intricately carved wooden windows and 53 doors. A tunnel built within the premises served security purposes, adding to its historical intrigue.

During its prime, the palace functioned as an administrative center, facilitating tax collection and case settlements for the Kailali, Kanchanpur, and Doti districts.

Later, it was inherited by Bahadur Shumsher, the son of Khadga Shumsher. After the fall of the Rana regime, the palace transitioned into a government building, hosting a post office and a Village Development Committee office.

However, during the civil war, the Maoists set fire to the palace, causing extensive damage. Since then, it has remained uninhabited, left to decay without any serious restoration efforts.

Cracks, Decay, and Government Apathy

The once-magnificent palace is now in dire condition. The walls, adorned with artistic figures, have developed deep cracks, and many have already collapsed. The intricately carved wooden windows and doors have suffered damage, with some missing entirely.

Over the years, the structure has become frail, and the surrounding vegetation has overtaken the site, making it even more vulnerable to complete destruction.

Local residents and heritage conservationists have repeatedly urged the government to step in and restore the palace, but their appeals have gone unheard. “Despite repeated requests, the authorities have done nothing to preserve this historically significant structure,” said Krishna Bahadur Malla, a local resident.

Experts Call for Immediate Action

Heritage experts warn that if no immediate conservation measures are taken, the palace could be lost forever. They emphasize that restoration efforts must be carried out urgently to prevent further damage and preserve the site for future generations.

“Neglecting a structure of such historical and architectural significance is a great loss for our heritage. If restoration is not initiated soon, we may soon witness the complete collapse of this valuable monument,” said a heritage conservation expert.

The deteriorating condition of Garbha Palace highlights the broader issue of heritage neglect in Nepal, where many historical sites face similar fates due to government apathy, lack of funding, and weak preservation policies.

Local residents and heritage activists continue to push for urgent intervention, urging authorities to recognize the cultural importance of the palace and take necessary steps for its conservation. Unless swift action is taken, the historic Garbha Palace may soon become nothing more than a memory.