By Gokarna Dayal
Baitadi,August 1: The historic Sharmaligadhi fort in Shivnath Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 of Baitadi district has been connected to the Nepal Unification Trail under the initiative of the Nepal Army.
To promote the long-abandoned fortress as a major attraction along the route, Nepal Army has extended a 263-metre-long path leading up to Sharmaligadhi and will also be renovating the historic site.
Lost somewhere in the pages of history, the fort was considered a major strategic location during the Nepal-British war of 1814 AD to 1816 AD. It is widely believed that the fort had acted as a middle ground for Nepali soldiers back then travelling from Amargadhi Fort of Dadeldhura to Nalapani.
Perched at an elevation of 1,475 metres above the sea level, Sharmaligadhi lends a panoramic view of the surrounding areas from Dadeldhura’s Amargadhi Fortress stretching as far as India’s Pithauragadh.
Colloquially, Sharmaligadhi is also known as Amargadhi. Surrounded by a dense forest of Chir Pines, the area around Sharmaligadhi, which sprawls up to 495 hectares has been named the Amargadhi Community Forest, and is regarded as the largest community forest in Sudurpaschim.
However, despite its strategic location, picturesque setting and its importance in Nepali history, the fort has fallen into a state of disrepair. Arsenals within the fort such as cannons, shields, swords have all been lost due to lack of preservation and maintenance. The structure itself is in a dilapidated state with damaged turrets, and broken walls.
To restore the site back to its former glory, the Nepal Army has built a 263-metre-long footpath passing through the area at a total cost of Rs. 1.5 million. The army personnel will also be carrying out repairs in the fort, so that visitors can come and explore the part of history without worrying about getting trampled over by a feeble pillar or a falling roof.