SATV Mar.10, Kathmandu: Nepal is home to many places of historical, religious and archeological significance. Unfortunately, some of these areas have been erased. However, Kotgadhi in Dumredharapani of Khotang district continues to exist with a 300-year history. Despite its historical importance, neither the Department of Archaeology nor the federal or provincial governments have paid any attention to it.
Kotgadhi, located in Dumredharapani Rawabesi Rural Municipality-4, is believed to be the site where soldiers gathered for battle during the unification of Baise-Chaubise principalities. The remains of a house built for soldiers during the rule of the Kirat dynasty still exist in Kotgadhi. Additionally, the well, constructed by the soldiers for collecting drinking water, and the locally made bricks used for its construction are still preserved. Since there was no water source nearby on the hill, soldiers used to fetch water from the Dudhkoshi River.
Hundreds of spherical stones are also found in Kotgadhi. These stones are believed to have been transported from Dudhkoshi and stored as local weapons for warfare. Despite being surrounded by the Rawa River on one side and the Dudhkoshi River on the other, Kotgadhi has not yet received any attention from the state, said Gyan Bahadur Pandey, Ward Chair of Ward No. 4.
According to local historians, around 300 years ago, Kotgadhi served as an administrative centre for Kirat rulers when Baise-Chaubise principalities existed. Back then, state operations were conducted from the nearby Dumrekotgadhi, while Kotgadhi was used as an armory and battlefield. Soldiers stationed at Kotgadhi historically fought against those in Chisankhugadhi, located in Okhaldhunga and Pumakotgadhi, located in Ward No. 6 of Rawabesi Rural Municipality.
The area still suffers from a drinking water shortage. Due to the lack of a nearby water source, soldiers in the past had to fetch water from Dudhkoshi, running back and forth. Locals believe that this act of continuously fetching water led to the name ‘Dharapani’ being given to the area.
Kotgadhi, a beautiful hilltop with panoramic views, occasionally attracts local tourists. To preserve it, the local government has concreted the well, fenced the area, built staircases leading to the fortress and even constructed a waiting area inside. However, experts argue that concreting the historical well was not appropriate.
In the past, a dense settlement existed below Kotgadhi. However, due to the threat of wild animals and water shortages, many residents have migrated, gradually leaving the settlement empty.
