First-Ever Excavation Begins at Ajaymerukot, Unraveling Centuries-Old History

For the first time, a team from the Department of Archaeology (DoA) has commenced excavations at the main palace area of Ajaymerukot in Dadeldhura, uncovering historical records that shed light on the region’s past.

During the excavation, inscriptions were discovered in eight different locations within Ajaymerukot, including Dewal, Mandapam, and Naula. These inscriptions reveal historical records of King Niraya Pal from Sake Sambat 1250 (1420 B.S.) and King Nag Malla from Sake Sambat 1306 (1441 B.S.), according to Bhaskar Gyawali, Chief Archaeological Officer at the DoA.

However, a historical discrepancy has emerged regarding King Nagi Malla. While some accounts suggest he ruled in 1238, no inscriptions confirming his presence have been found in the region. Instead, only records of Niraya Pal and Nag Malla have been discovered, raising questions about the timeline of rulers in Ajaymerukot.

The Katyur Dynasty and Ajaymerukot’s Strategic Importance

The inscriptions suggest that the region was a significant center of the Katyur dynasty, which originally ruled from Joshimath, Uttarakhand. Later, the capital was shifted to the Barba area. During the reign of King Niranjan Pal in the Doti Kingdom, Ajaymerukot was developed into a political stronghold.

The origins of the name Ajaymerukot remain uncertain. While popular belief attributes its name to King Ajay Pal, no historical records confirm the existence of such a ruler in either the Katyuri or Doteli dynasties. Instead, the name may have been derived from its unique topography—perched atop a mountain and surrounded by a river on three sides—where Ajay means “invincible” and Meru refers to a “mountain.”

Rise and Fall of the Katyur Dynasty and the Birth of the Doti Kingdom

The Katyur dynasty, founded by Basudeva in the 7th century, ruled until the 12th century. Its decline began in the early 1100s, ultimately collapsing under the reign of Trilok Pal. Following its fall, the kingdom fragmented into eight parts, one of which led to the establishment of the Doti kingdom.

Before the rise of Doti, historical records also mention a ruler from the Khari kingdom near Karnali, who moved westward and established a kingdom in Sinja, Jumla, in the 11th century. This marked the foundation of a greater Nepalese kingdom. Between the 12th and 13th centuries, the region was ruled by Kra Challa and Ashoka Challa, whose inscriptions have also been found in Baleshwar, Kumaon, indicating their influence extended beyond Nepal’s borders.

The Doti kingdom emerged as an independent entity in the early 13th century, following the dissolution of the Katyur dynasty. The Dullu inscription of Prithvi Malla in 1414 suggests that Ajaymerukot continued to serve as a major administrative center. From the 16th century onward, it became the capital under rulers such as Niranjan Pal, Nagi Malla, Ripu Malla, Niray Pal, and Nag Malla.

Destruction and Annexation into Nepal

During the reign of Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, Ajaymerukot faced a devastating attack by Muslim forces, leading to its destruction. Following this, the capital was relocated to Shilgadhi, Doti. The region remained in ruins until Nepal’s unification in 1790 under Bahadur Shah, when it was annexed into the expanding Gorkha empire.

The recent excavation at Ajaymerukot marks a crucial step in uncovering the lost history of the region. Further research and studies are expected to provide deeper insights into its past and its role in shaping Nepal’s historical landscape.

Puskar Bhandari/The Rising Nepal