Excavating 14th century power-broker's palace could shed new light on medieval Nepal

Kathmandu, March 15 : Reports indicate that the ongoing excavations of the ruins of a 14th century power-broker's palace in Panauti, Nepal, could shed new light on the medieval past of the country.

The Department of Archaeology (DOA) started the excavation in Panauti Municipality-7 at a point from where historians say the Bardhan family controlled for more than 100 years the central rule in medieval Nepal based in Kathmandu Valley.

"If we complete the excavation and conserve it properly, it will create a new vantage point for looking at medieval history, and become a unique monument," Uddhav Acharya, an archaeologist undertaking the excavation, told myrepublica.com.

According to Dinesh Raj Pant, a historian renowned for his research, the Bardhan family appears to have been awesome power-brokers in the 14th century.

As feudal lords who ruled seven villages including Banepa and Panauti, the Bardhans had the throne of Kathmandu Valley virtually under their remote control, at least in the mid-14th century.

Pant says that Jay Ram Singh Bardhan, the most powerful of his family, had continuously clashed with Jayasthiti Malla before assisting the latter in toppling King Arjun Dev Malla in 1380.

Jayasthiti jailed him twice in 1366 and 1372 and eventually sought his favor to become king.

Jay Ram's father Anek Ram also played power politics against Ari Malla and Rudra Malla in his time, and even impacted Kathmandu.

He renovated Pashupatinath Temple, which was destroyed in 1349 by the Muslim invader Shamsuddin.

Pant says there is historical evidence that Jay Ram installed an inscription in Itumbahal in Kathmandu in which he is praised as someone more powerful than the king.

At a time when diplomatic relations with foreign countries were a far cry, the Bardhan family had developed good rapport with rulers of the Ming dynasty in China.

"A historical document dated 1384 and left behind by the Ming rulers praises the Bardhan family. Similarly, another document dated 1390 and now held at the Keshar Library, tells how the Bardhan family established diplomatic relations with Tibet and 'Maha Chin'- greater China - on an autumn day when an eclipse took place," Pant added.

"As the monarchy would often have undergone conspiracies, parallel power centers like the Bardhan family might have had enough space to broker power," Pant said.

"Excavation and conservation of a historic site like this encourages researchers to work on the core reality of our history," he said.

"It also helps in understanding the real nature of politics prevailing in our country since ancient times," he added.