As government authorities, in the presence of local representatives of major political parties, unlocked the treasure house, which remained locked for almost one century, archeologically important artifacts and other antique objects was made public on Thursday.[break]
According to Bhesh Narayan Dahal, Director General of Department of Archeology (DoA), the treasure house also contains 15 boxes, seven safes, and 90 brick-shaped silver bars apart from countless artifacts, idols and other objects.
"The boxes and safes might contain more valuable items like gold jewelries and coins," said Dahal. "But, we are yet to look into them. Some of the boxes and safes were not locked. But, we did not open them, either."
According to Dahal, who led a team of 23 government authorities from various concerned ministries, none of the items inside the treasure house was touched upon or moved. "We just watched and counted them," said he.
The Dahal-led team will now make an inventory of all the items found in the treasure house after identifying each item. "We will try to complete the inventory as early as possible," said Dahal. "But, it is a very time consuming process and we may require even several months to complete it."
Although one of the two rooms in the treasure house turned out to be a repository of valuable objects, the other room was empty. The courtyard of the treasure house was covered with nettle plants. It took almost one hour for army men from Shardul Jung Gulma of Nepal Army (NA) to clear the courtyard.
Before the main gate of the treasure house was unlocked, a ritual called Chhyama Puja (apology prayer) was performed by priests of Basantapur Durbar complex, of which Hanuman Dhoka is a part. "As we were stepping into a house sacredly locked for years, we felt it was necessary to apologize with the god," said Dahal.
Government authorities, members of Hanuman Dhoka Development Committee and representatives of political parties had flocked to the treasure house by 10:30 Thursday morning. It took them nearly five hours to enter the treasure house and examine all the objects.
Anticipating some poisonous gas or other harmful things inside the treasure house, a team of Red Cross volunteers was also stand by for first aid treatment. But, no untoward incident occurred. "The interior of the treasure house was covered with cobwebs and all the items were full of dust," said Dahal. "But, there was no bad stench."
Until Thursday, it was believed that Hanuman Dhoka treasure house dates back to the Malla dynasty, which ruled Kantipur, today´s Kathmandu, before Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the valley. But, with Thursday´s unlocking, archeologists now believe that Hanuman Dhoka treasure house was built by the Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher nearly a century ago.
"We found an engraving which proves that Hanuman Dhoka treasure house was built by Chandra Shamsher in 1970 B.S," said Bishnu Raj Karki, former DG of DoA. "It seems like most of the antique objects found in the treasure house were gifted to Chandra Shamsher by the British East India Company. There is a possibility that some other antique items might belong to the Malla dynasty."
Archeologists say Thursday´s revelation would help understand economic system of the Malla era as well as the early modern Nepal.
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