JITGADI KILLA BUTWAL , HISTORICAL PLACE

The new important fact has been found during the investigation in Jitgadi, Butwal. This is the only victory place by Nepal during the Nepal - British war in 18th century. According to the Archaeological officer Bishnu Pathak, from investigation of Magh 4 to 18, the copper Gagri, Lime and concrete wall made of Shurki has been found. It is believe that the old structure of wall on the bank of river was shed. On the bottom of wall Bajralepan is also found.

 It is proved that this is related to the Palpali Sen dynasty. Cultural activities have been found on the place of investigation so, it is proved that there is human settlement in past. According to the Department of Archeology annual work schedule this work is done. Two stairways, the current Security Wall Manuel and the east wall of the fort signs were found in the riversides fords through the investigation.

 

 Jitgadi Fort, a pride of all Nepalis for registering a victory against the British soldiers, seems to have lost the battle of its own survival due to lack of necessary renovation and conservation.

Nepali soldiers fought against the British, equipped with modern arms, from this fort and won a victory during the Anglo-Nepal war in 1814 AD.

However, the historical fort with age-old glory has now turned into a play ground these days, with no remarkable efforts made in the past few years for the conservation of the fort that carries historical and archeological importance.

According to historical records, the great warrior Amar Singh Thapa led troops that fought bravely against Shen dynasty and won Jitgadhi, the fort that lies at present Butwal Municipality-3.

The fort along with Butwal area, which was under the rule of Shen Dynasty, was merged into united Nepal after Thapa gained victory over Palpa.

The fort is a historical proof of the Nepali soldiers’ war skill and bravery and has maximum possibilities to be developed as a tourist centre.

The existence of the fort also highlights the ancient archeological and cultural importance of Butwal and its surroundings, according to former Deputy Mayor and Historian Bimal Bahadur Shakya.

Shakya said the grand state ruled by Shen Dynasty was established in the Jitgadhi area during 16th century when the 22 and 24 principalities were in existence.

Later, the same state was known as the prosperous and strong Shen state of Palpa. Shakya said Mukunda Shen, the first King of Shen dynasty Mukunda Shen developed various physical infrastructures for the state at the area and at the same time he constructed the fort for the safety of his state in the south.

It has been mentioned that Shen state ruled by the Shen dynasty was merged into united Nepal in 1863 BS after the troop led by Amar Shingh Thapa.

Bhimsen Thapa sent Amar Singh to attack Palpa when Prithvi Pal Shen was the king of Palpa and Amar Singh Thapa won the state of Palpa. Then, Jitgadhi and Butwal’s surrounding was also merged into united Nepal.

However, Jitgadhi became popular when a troop led by Ujir Singh Thapa, the grandson of Amar Singh, defeated British soldiers led by Major General Wood coming from Gorakhpur of India to attack Palpa in 1871 BS.

Historians mention that the Jitgadhi fort was called Jitgadhi since Shen dynasty’s period long before the victory over British soldiers.

The length of the fort is 205 feet from east to west while it is 55 feet wide. It looks very artistic and constructed with a very strong base. It is 4.3 feet high made up of 10-inch bricks and surki plastered wall.

Former Mayor of Butwal Municipality Bhoj Prasad Shrestha said the site that symbolizes with our ancestors’ bravery should be developed as a tourism centre. He said it could also be the place of research from the archeological point of view.

The Department of Archaeology had for the first time conducted a research after an excavation of the fort area in 2055 BS with support of the municipality. The excavation has revealed the fort´s gate, and weapons’ store house.

It is said an underground passage from the fort reaches to Nuwakot of Palpa district.

The fort is now surrounded with a wall and a park has been made inside the fort area. The municipality has taken the responsibility for the conservation of the fort.

Although, it allocates the budget for the conservation of the fort every year, due to the lack of sufficient budget and absence of archeologists conducting research work and excavation, progress has not been made for the complete study of the famous fort of historical importance, said senior official of the municipality Bishnu Khanal.

Khanal stresses on the need to make effective efforts from the Department of Archaeology for a study of the archeological aspects of the fort.