An Account of The Kingdom of Nepal: And of the Territories Annexed to this Dominion by the House of GorkhaHamilton, Francis
History
An Account of The Kingdom of Nepal: And of the Territories Annexed to this Dominion by the House of Gorkha
Hamilton, Francis
Nepal -- Description and travel; Nepal -- History
At Bhimphedi, the valley of the Raputi entirely ceases, and the high
mountains called Lama Dangra divide it from the country on the north
watered by the branches of the Vagmati. A large channel, one of the
branches of the Raputi, passes Bhimphedi; but in the dry season it
contains no water, and the inhabitants receive a scanty supply from a
small spring. Water, however, might probably be procured in abundance,
by digging wells in the channel of the torrent.
The height of Bhimphedi, above Hethaura, is very considerable, and the
influence of the Ayul is much later in extending there, owing to the
coolness of the air. At sunrise, on the 8th April, while the thermometer
in the air was at 67° of Fahrenheit’s scale, it sunk to 63° upon being
immersed into the spring. This may be considered as the average heat of
the place, which is about 27° 30′ of north latitude. Here the mercury in
our barometer sunk out of sight below the scale, which descended only to
twenty-six inches; nor during our stay in Nepal did the mercury ever
reach that height. At Bhimphedi, the vegetable productions put on a
strong resemblance to those of Europe. It is a small village inhabited
by Parbatiyas, and where some public buildings have been erected for the
accommodation of passengers. Some shops afford grain, and such articles
of consumption as Hindu travellers usually require.
From Bhimphedi to the copper mine (Tamrakhani) on the Panauni, is about
5½ miles over the chain of mountains called Lamadangra, and by the pass
called Chisapani. The mountain is of great elevation, and very steep,
but not very rugged; nor are the woods thick, although the trees are
lofty. Except in steepness, the road is not bad.
About a mile and a half from Bhimphedi, I came to a fort called
Chisapani, considered as the bulwark of Nepal; but it is by no means
fitted to inspire us with respect for the skill of the engineers of
Gorkha. It is situated on the declivity of the hill, so that an
assailant might go round by the right, and when he had got above it, even
with musquetry, the garrison could not show their faces on the works.
Its form will be understood from the sketch.
[Picture: Chisapani Fort]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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