Earthquake-damaged Seto Durbar starts to crumble

By Bashudev Sharma,Jajarkot, June  16: Seto Durbar (White Palace) in Khalanga, Bheri Municipality-3, has started to crumble since the removal of the tarpaulin placed by the District Administration Office following the earthquake on November 3, 2023. Listed among the hundred tourist destinations in Nepal, the western part of the ancient palace began to degrade due to the quake and subsequent rain shortly after the tarpaulin was taken away.

Meanwhile, 20 months after the palace developed cracks from the 2023 earthquake, efforts to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) have commenced. Mekh Bahadur Magrati, Chief District Officer of the District Administration Office, stated that he had requested the Ministry of Urban Development to rebuild the earthquake-damaged palace. The Ministry allocated a budget and indicated that the Department of Archaeology (DoA) had started preparing the DPR. 

Although the DoA had promised to cover the palace with a tarpaulin, its failure to do so has led to further issues. Magrati added that since the DoA is responsible for the reconstruction. Due to negligence on the part of the government and relevant authorities in reconstruction efforts, it is now certain that the palace will endure further damage during the monsoon rains. 

After the palace exhibited severe cracks and became uninhabitable, the DAO office relocated to a pre-fabricated building constructed with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The District Administration Office had utilised the palace as its office since 1960, following the king's departure from the palace. Later, in 1967, it was sold to the government of Nepal.        

Due to incessant rain, concerns have arisen that the pre-fabricated building may also be damaged. The dilapidated place prompted an urgent call for swift reconstruction efforts from relevant authorities. Likewise, the Red Palace, built between 1743 and 1754 (1800–1811 BS), is located to the west of the White Palace. Constructed during the reign of King Indra Narayan Shah in 1795 (1852 BS), the White Palace served as the administrative center for the kings.

The two palaces—the White and the Red—are recognised as historical tourist destinations in Karnali Province. The Jajarkot Heritage Conservation Foundation is leading an initiative to transform the palace into a museum. According to social worker Tej Bibram Shah from Bheri Municipality-3, if the government does not take immediate steps to reconstruct the palace, which is listed as a tourist site, more of the already collapsing structure is likely to fall completely. The palace's windows feature artistic designs created in the traditional Newar style by artisans from Bhaktapur, he said. “This craftsmanship, introduced after 1933 (1990 BS), reveals that the palace was built in its original architectural style. 

Devoid of the government's interest in preservation, the palace’s historical authenticity may be lost,” he added. The White Palace was used by King Indra Narayan Shah and, later, by King Prakash Bikram Shah. The last Jajarkot king, Prakash Bikram Shah, did not reside in Jajarkot. In total, seven kings ruled from the White Palace. The last king, Prakash Bikram Shah, sold the palace to the Nepal government for Rs. 60,000 in 1967, after which it became government property. Since 1960 (2017 BS), following the king's departure, the District Administration Office has occupied the palace. 

The Jajarkot Heritage Conservation Foundation launched a campaign to preserve the palace as a museum by reconstructing it in its original form, considering seismic risks. However, due to the government's failure to allocate the necessary budget, the risk of its collapse during the monsoon has increased. Although the Foundation submitted a request through elected representatives to all three levels of government for the reconstruction of the palace and its transformation into a historical museum, the lack of proper budget management poses a significant challenge to its preservation.