SPACES_16Feb_016_A

The inner chowks are
degraded with the
filth of the current
shop tenants. The
previously jhingati
placed roof is now
replaced with CGI
sheets. The walls
and windows of
the inner chowks
are degrading, with
bricks falling off and
graffiti on the walls.
The design of the
building permits
maximum intake
of natural light and
breeze, thus cutting
down on artificial
lighting and cooling
requirements.
current whereabouts of
the spectacular chandelier
is unknown. Most say
that it was sold back to
the British.DibyaUpadesh,
written by Prithivi Narayan
Shah, was found in the
Baithak of PaltanGhar and
was presented to King
Mahendra by the Basnyat
Family.
The PaltanGhar, which once
stood in all its glory, doesn’t
look as spectacular as it did
before and is now a wreck.
Parts of the engraving of
the 72 paltans,which was
one of the most important
parts of the house, have now
beendestroyed. The Mughal
styled stained glass windows
are broken and lay in ruin.The
inner chowks are degraded
with the filth of the current
shop tenants. The previously
jhingati placed roof is now
replaced with CGI sheets. The
walls and windows of the inner
chowks are degrading, with
bricks falling off and graffiti
on the walls. The previously
extravagant baithakis now
a storeroom for the shops
inhabiting the house and is
divided intosections. Looking
at its current state, it is hard
to imagine that kings and
international delegates used to
reside there.
There is no one really to
blame for the horrible state
that the once spectacular
structure is now in. The
government has done little
to nothing to preserve the
building by declaring that no
one is allowed to modify or
sell the house. It is difficult to
do anything to preserve the
building because of multiple
owners. Such a historical site
should be preserved and given
the attention that it deserves;
it is one of the buildings thattie
back to the unification of
our country, which is a very
important event in the history
of Nepal. One of the possible
solutions could be to turn
PaltanGhar into a museum.
The Basnyats are an important
family in historic Nepal and
this house can play the role
of a Basnyat Family Museum,
helping conserve both the
family name and historical
value of the structure.
FEBRUARY 2016 SPACES / 41