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Ancient Treasure To Be Turned Over To Ministry Of Finance
By KTM Metro Reporter
June 29, 2013: The Department of Archeology (DoA) is to turn over millions of rupees worth gold and silver items recovered from the ancient treasure troves in the Hanuman Dhoka Palace to the Ministry of Finance (MoF). A government team headed by the DoA had opened the age-old Malla era’s two treasure troves at Bhandarkhal in the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum (HDPM) on the two phases, according to the news on ‘gorkhapatraonline.com’.
A total of 2000 kilogram silver bricks and about 10 kilogram of raw gold, gold coins and gold plate will be turned over to the MoF, according to the offices of DoA. “Although we have been in touch with the Finance Ministry, the date to turn over the treasurer has not been set, yet,” said Bhesh Narayan Dahal Director of General of DoA.
The ancient coins, gold and silver ornaments and other antiques with the archeological importance will be separated from other items of commercial values, and then put on display in a museum, said Sarswoti Singh, Chief of Hanuman Dhoka.
Most of the 15 iron boxes and 7 safes in the treasure troves and eight trunks and even smaller safes have been opened. A 23-member coordination committee under Director of General of DoA Bhesh Narayan Dahal opened the Bhandarkhal treasure troves.
The crown worn by Rana Prime Minister Khadag Shumsher containing 166 pieces of diamond crystals and other valuable stones has also been found. Twenty-five other similar crowns were found during the second time opening of the treasure troves.
A gajumurti (a rare statue of elephant carved on fox horn) rhino horns, archeologically important idols of gods and goddesses, silver coins dating back to the Licchavi era, stone garlands and other material weighing more than 2000 kilogram have also been recovered so far.
The treasure troves have come under the government’s ownership on August 4, 2008. Shardul Junj Battalion of the Nepal Army has been providing security to these treasure troves.
