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Seto Durbar

Coordinates: 27°25′27″N 85°11′28″E / 27.4243°N 85.1910°E / 27.4243; 85.1910
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Seto Durbar
Map
General information
Architectural styleFusion of Neoclassical architecture, Mughal, European styles of architecture
Town or cityKathmandu
CountryNepal
Construction started1893
Demolished1934
CostUnknown
ClientBir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana
Technical details
Structural systemBrick and Mortar
Size375 ropanis
Design and construction
Architect(s)Jogbir Sthapit

27°25′27″N 85°11′28″E / 27.4243°N 85.1910°E / 27.4243; 85.1910

Fire at seto Durbar, 1934
Small remaining wing of Seto Durbar currently occupied by NIDC Development Bank

Seto Durbar (White Palace) was a Rana palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The palace complex, located south of the Narayanhity Palace, was incorporated in an impressive and vast array of courtyards, furnishings and guest halls. Seto Durbar was built by Bir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana in 1893 CE.[1]

History

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Gehendra Shumsher JBR

Seto Durbar was built by Bir Shumsher JBR in 1893 CE in a land area of 375 ropani with Lal Durbar to its northeast as his private residence.[2] In 1901 Gehendra Shamsher JBR, Bir Shumsher JBR's eldest son inherited this palace. In 1905 upon Gahendra's death his son Lila Shumsher inherited Seto Durbar.[1]

Grand State Hall

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Seto durbar was famous for its Grand State Hall known as Thulo Baithak or Big hall.[3] This Grand State Hall was famous for its Belgian wall mirrors; glass lamps from Murano and Bohemian chandeliers adorned the interiors while Italian marble tiled the floors.[4][5]

Destruction of the Seto Durbar

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In 1934 a massive fire broke out at Seto Durbar engulfing the palace building. Historian Purushottam Shamsher says in his book that Lila Shumsher begged the then Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher to use artillery cannon to cut off the burning wing from the non-affected wing. Juddha Shumsher declined his begging saying artillery might damage Narayanhiti Palace, the Royal residence of the King.[1] Today, the only remains of Seto durbar is a building occupied by NIDC Development Bank Head Office in Durbar Marg.[5]

Legacy

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Seto Durbar is considered by historians as one of the most beautiful and extravagant palace buildings in the history of Nepal.[1] Today most of the Hotel Annapurna stands on the grounds of Seto Durbar[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d JBR, PurushottamShamsher (2007). Ranakalin Pramukh Atihasik Darbarharu [Chief Historical Palaces of the Rana Era] (in Nepali). Vidarthi Pustak Bhandar. ISBN 978-9994611027.
  2. ^ "THE HISTORIC DURBARS OF KATHMANDU". 19 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  3. ^ Mahat, Ram Sharan (2005). In Defence of Democracy: Dynamics and Fault Lines of Nepal's Political Economy. Adroit Publishers. p. 33. ISBN 978-81-87392-67-5. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b "A Time to Build, Maharajah Bir's Legacy". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  5. ^ a b JBR, PurushottamShamsher (1990). Shree Teen Haruko Tathya Britanta (in Nepali). Bhotahity, Kathmandu: Vidarthi Pustak Bhandar. ISBN 99933-39-91-1.