Narayanhiti Palace
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum (Nepali: नारायणहिटी दरवार) is a public museum in Kathmandu, Nepal[1] located east of the Kaiser Mahal and next to Thamel.[2] The museum was created in 2008 from the complex of the former Narayanhiti Palace (or Narayanhiti Durbar) following the 2006 revolution.[1] Before the revolution, the palace was the residence and principal workplace of the monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal, and hosted occasions of state.[3][4][5]
Narayanhiti Royal Palace
नारायणहिटी दरवार
1963 AD
Brick and Mortar
38 acres (15 ha) or 753 ropanis
Etymology[edit]
The name, ''Narayanhiti'' is made up of two words 'Narayana' and 'Hiti'. Narayan is the Hindu god Vishnu, whose temple is opposite the palace. Hiti means "water spout" in Newar Language, which is to the east of the main entrance in the precincts of the palace, a landmark that features prominently in local legends.[6]
History[edit]
Early residences[edit]
Ownership of the palace site changed multiple times prior to being occupied by the monarchy. Prime Minister Fateh Jung Shah; his father, Choutaria Pran Shah, also lived on the property.[2] Fateh was killed in the Kot massacre on 19 September 1846 and his family was killed or exiled from Kathmandu.[2] Prime Minister Chautariya Pushkar Shah and his family also lived in the area. The area was basically reserved for Chautariya families.
The property and palace was taken over by Colonel Ranodip Singh Kunwar, the brother of Jung Bahadur Rana, who moved into Choutaria's residence after minor renovations. After Ranodip became prime minister in 1877, the complex was renovated and expanded into a lavish multi-wing palace.[2] Ranodip was assassinated during the coup d'état on 22 November 1885 in the palace's southern wing.[2][7]
Royal residence[edit]
Bir Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana succeeded Ranodip as Prime Minister and took over the palace. In 1886, Bir Shumsher ordered the old palace demolished, and a new one constructed by architect Jogbir Sthapit as a residence for King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, his son-in-law. This moved the royal residence from Hanuman Dhoka Durbar to Narayanhiti.[2]
The palace was damaged in the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, killing two infant daughters of King Tribhuvan. Colonel Surya Jung Thapa, an engineer, oversaw repairs and renovations which added a new portico and grand staircase.[2]
King Mahendra ordered the palace to be demolished and replaced in 1963. The new palace was designed by American architect Benjamin Polk, who was living in India. Nepalese architecture styles were used to create a national symbol.[8][9][10] Construction ended in 1969. Griha Pravesh (a housewarming party) was performed on 27 February 1970 for the wedding of Crown Prince Birendra.[9]
Mahendra declared the palace as king office and property of the Government of Nepal in 1972 . He claimed that the property was the dowry of Queen Divyeshwari, his paternal grandmother.[2]
On 1 June 2001, the Crown Prince Dipendra murdered multiple members of the royal family in the palace before committing suicide. Among those killed were King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya.[11]
Revolution and reuse as a museum[edit]
The Nepalese monarchy was abolished following the 2006 revolution. The last king, Gyanendra, vacated Narayanhiti on 11 June 2008. The former palace was used to house the new Narayanhiti Palace Museum.[1] The royal crown jewels were put on display in October 2018.[1]