The Rana palaces of Nepal were built by the Rana dynasty rulers of Nepal as both private and government buildings. The Rana rule lasted for 104 years, and during that time a number of grand royal residences were built, especially by the Prime Minister, his immediate family, and other high-ranking dignitaries.
After the overthrow of the Rana Dynasty, some palaces were converted into government buildings. Others were demolished by their owners and rebuilt into libraries, museums, hotels, and heritage complexes. Most palaces still in private ownership have been destroyed or lie in ruins. Most government-owned palaces have been maintained and restored.
Architecture Rana palaces combined traditional Nepalese architectural elements with European architectural styles. Many of the major residences were designed with large courtyards, formal gardens, monumental entrances, decorative façades, columns, balconies and elaborate interior decoration. European neoclassical, Baroque and other Western-inspired elements became particularly prominent in the palaces constructed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Newar craftsmen and architects also played an important role in the construction and decoration of Rana palaces.
Major palaces Several Rana palaces became important landmarks of Kathmandu after their construction. Singha Durbar, commissioned by Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, was constructed as a private residence and became one of the largest palace complexes in Nepal. Following the end of the Rana regime, it was taken over by the government and subsequently used for government offices.
Other prominent palace complexes included Kaiser Mahal, Babar Mahal, Lal Durbar, Seto Durbar, Thapathali Durbar and Rani Mahal. Their subsequent histories varied: some were converted to institutional or government uses, while others were demolished, damaged or incorporated into modern developments.
Palaces
Palace Commissioned By Date of Construction Engineer Thapathali Durbar Jung Bahadur Rana Late 1700s-1860s Initial Unknown, Later by Ranasur Bista Singha Mahal Jung Bahadur Rana 1855 CE Ranasur Bista Charburja Durbar Jung Bahadur Rana 1855 CE Ranasur BistaGol Baithak Jung Bahadur Rana 1852 Ranasur Bista Narayanhity Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR Jogbir Sthapit Lal Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1890 Jogbir Sthapit Seto Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1893 Jogbir Sthapit Bhatbhateni Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1893 Jogbir Sthapit Jaulakhel Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1897 Jogbir Sthapit Pani pokahari Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1885 Jogbir Sthapit Phohora Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1896/97 Jogbir Sthapit Hatti Shar Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR Jogbir Sthapit Lazimpat Durbar Kaji Bir Keshar Pande and later re commissioned by Bir Shumsher JBR 1894 Jogbir Sthapit Tangal Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1889 Jogbir Sthapit Muduli Durbar Bir Shumsher JBR 1893/92 Unknown Bhanjaraja Durbar Probably Bir Shumsher JBR Unknown Unknown Singha Durbar Chandra Shumsher JBR 1908 Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh Rana Kaiser Mahal Chandra Shumsher JBR Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh Rana Shree Durbar Chandra Shumsher JBR 1927 Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh Rana Sithal Niwas Chandra Shumsher JBR 1923 Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh Rana Lakshmi Niwas Chandra Shumsher JBR 1905 Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh RanaHarihar Bhawan Chandra Shumsher JBR Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh Rana Babar Mahal Chandra Shumsher JBR Kumar Narsingh Rana, Kishor Narsingh RanaMan Bhawan Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Kalimati Durbar Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Narayan Bhawan Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Surendra Bhawan Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Kalimati Durbar Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Narayan Bhawan Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Shashi Bhawan Juddha Shumsher JBR Unknown Hiti Durbar Kaji Dhokal Singh Basnyat Unknown Bahadur Bhawan Rudra Shumsher JBR Unknown Manohara Durbar Jagat Jung Rana 1879 Unknown Ranighat Palace Khadga Shumsher JBR 1893 Unknown Tansen Durbar Pratap Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana 1927 Unknown Minbhawan Palace Min Shumsher Unknown UnknownRabi Bhawan Palace Rabi Shumsher Unknown Unknown Bagh Durbar Amar Singh Thapa (Sanu)(Father of Bhimsingh Thapa) Unknown
Earthquake of 2015 The earthquake of 2015 resulted in the destruction of many remaining palaces, particularly those built of mud-mortar brick and lime plaster.
See also Daudaha system Singha Durbar Rani Mahal
References