Testimony to the demise of the royal family in Nepal is the Royal Palace Museum.
This version of the palace was built in the 1960s after an earthquake humbled the previous version in 1934, taking the king’s two daughters with it. Typical of palaces the building is grand and filled with Royal intrigue. Tragedy struck in 2001 when the crown prince snapped and shot the King and Queen and other members of the royal family before turning the gun on himself. He lived long enough to be crowned king for a few days. His untrustworthy uncle became king and eventually oversaw the death of the monarchy in Nepal. Nepal is now a democratic republic.
The massacre happened in a building behind the officious part of the palace. Signs show where each of the family fell and explain bullet holes in the wall. The building was destroyed after the event to try and erase it from the conscious. But now, they are rebuilding it! Not sure why.
Some Nepalese will not visit the museum because of its dark past. The King and Queen were well liked and their undignified end still pains many in Nepal.
Prior to visiting the museum I went to the Peace Gardens. These gardens were built in the early 1900s by the son of the then Prime Minister. European styled pavilions positioned around the gardens represent the seasons. On his death the gardens were handed over to the government. Neglect saw the grounds deteriorate badly but now they have been restored and are a peaceful refuge from the noise of the city. Locals come here to hang out. Some of the buildings suffered from the recent earthquakes.
angusmccoll 