THESIS PROPOSAL OUTLINE

(1) TITLE OF THE PROJECT:

RE-IMAGINING GURKHA MEMORIAL MUSEUM

(2) INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:

Who are the Gurkhas?

the 1814–16 Anglo-Nepalese War between the Gorkha Kingdom and the East India Company, the
Gorkhali soldiers impressed the British, who called them Gurkhas. The Gurkha units are composed
of Nepalis and are recruited for the Nepali Army (96000), Indian Army (42000), British Army (4010),
Gurkha Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping forces and in war
zones around the world.

LOCATION: KI SINGH POOL, POKHARA

The building is a three floored structure that holds the exhibition area. The MUSEUM
concentrates on history of British Army and the Indian Army. The displays include hundreds of
PHOTOGRAPHS of the many CAMPAIGNS they took part in and their REGIMENTAL LIFE. Displays
also include uniforms they wore, items they used and medals they won. Details of the Gurkha
VICTORIA CROSS winners, the highest bravery medal with their citations can also be viewed.

(3) OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

The objectives for this thesis proposal are:
• To re imagine the current Gurkha memorial museum with proper spatial arrangement.
 • To provide space for tangible documentation of intangible heritage (stories of anglo-
nepal war)
• To study visitor’s experience and circulation in a museum
• To understand the psychology of the targeted user groups
• To explore the history as well as the present condition of awareness of people about
Gurkhas
• To understand the effect of different materials, lighting, color in visitors in museum
• To explore and understand memorial architecture

(4) PROBLEMS
a. Lack of tangible documentation
b. Lack of public awareness
c. Lack of source of knowledge

(5) JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT

Gurkhas are integral part of history as well as present of Nepal. It is our own responsibility to
preserve and protect our history so that the coming generation will be able to read about it,
understand it and work to preserve it for the forthcoming generation.

The intangible and tangible heritages related to our history are slowly disappearing so it is important
for us to find ways to preserve them.

(6) SITE AND OTHER LOCATION INFORMATION

Gurkha memorial museum is currently located in KI singh pool, Pokhara.

But since the area is small it needs to be relocated to other site.

(7) EXPECTED OUTPUT

(A) THEORETICAL UNDERSTANDING AND RESEARCH FINDING
(B) PROJECT PLANING, DESIGN AND DRAWING

(8) METHODOLOGY
Problem statement:

OBJECTIVE HOW TO ACHIEVE IT TOOLS

To study architecture design
aspects of museum
To study circulation pattern
while story telling
Documentation and study of
existing building
Observation of movement
pattern of visitors
Literature:
CASE STUDY: Gurkha memorial
museum , chauni museum
Case study: jewish museum
To study technique and impact Analysis of different technique Dresden museum of military
of material and lighting in built and their impact history
space
To study visitor experience in Observation of visitors Chaauni museum
museum
(9) RESEARCH

LITERATURE:

• color psycology and color therapy: a factual study of influence of color on human life

PROPOSED CASE STUDY:

• dresden museum of military history

• jewish museum berlin
• national war memorial new delhi
• The Gurkha Museum - Winchester

FIELD STUDY:

• Gurkha memorial museum, Pokhara

• Chhauni museum, kathmandu

(10) REQUREMENT OF PROJECT