THESIS PROPOSAL ON

Re-Imagining Gurkha Memorial

At
KI Singh Pool, Pokhara

SUBMITTED TO:
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
KATHMANDU ENGINEERING COLLEGE
KALIMATI, KATHMANDU

SUBMITTED BY:
KABITA GHIMIRE (74016)
5th YEAR 1st PART

MAY 30, 2022

THESIS PROPOSAL OUTLINE
(1) TITLE OF THE PROJECT:
RE-IMAGINING GURKHA MEMORIAL MUSEUM

(2) INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND:

2.1. 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.

2.2. About Gurkha Memorial Museum:

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.

2.3. Re-imagining:
Re-imagining involves observing and analyzing an existing project and designing it again on how and
what it could be. Re-imagining in architecture involves proper analysis and observation of a project and
fulfilling it’s spatial requirement. Re-imagination of a project can be done as a renovation project or
as a whole from the scratch .

(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

4.1. Lack of tangible documentation

Intangible heritages are important aspects of our society. We grew and the coming generation is
growing by listening to these stories of our brave ancestors who fought together against the mighty
British. These stories are part of our intangible heritage which are slowly disappearing.
Thus it is important to document and protect these intangible heritages so that they can be traced
back.

4.2. Lack of public awareness

We live in a society where our own heritages are looked down in compared to the ones of the
foreigners. It is due to lack of public awareness that even though our intangible heritages are slowly
dying, no proper actions are being taken against them.
4.3. Lack of source of knowledge
As stated earlier our heritages are disappearing slowly, and for the remaining ones there are no
proper designated space to safeguard them. One of those spaces working to safeguard the heritages
is Gurkha Memorial Museum.
4.4. Improper condition of the museum

(5) JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT

5.1. Historical Importance
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.
5.2. Current Condition of Museum
The intangible and tangible heritages related to our history are slowly disappearing so it is important
for us to find ways to preserve them. Currently there are two war memorials in Nepal- Chauni museum
and Gurkha memorial museum. Gurkha memorial museum is focused on Gurkhas. But the condition
of the museum is not proper.
 5.3. Need of nation for protection of identity
Gurkhas are famous all around the world for their bravery and the way they were ready to give up their
lives for the country they were protecting. Their identity is interlinked to the one of the whole nation.

(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.
Requirements of new site:

• Near tourist destination

• Accessible-Close from major roads
• Site with a history connecting to the Gurkhas

(7) EXPECTED OUTPUT

From this project,

• We will have a place for tangible documentation of our history
• The future generation will have a proper place to refer to about their ancestors
• We will have a architectural landmark as a museum
• Our history will be preserved in documented form

(8) METHODOLOGY

• Case study
• Literature review
• Interview

OBJECTIVE HOW TO ACHIEVE IT TOOLS

To study architecture design Documentation and study of Literature:
aspects of museum existing building CASE STUDY: Gurkha
memorial museum , chauni
museum
To study circulation pattern Observation of movement Case study: jewish museum
while story telling pattern of visitors
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
METHODOLOGY TREE:

(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) TENTATIVE PROGRAMS OF PROJECT
the requirement of project are as follows:

• Permanent exhibition space

• Temporary exhibition space
• Library
• Memorial park
• Memorial sculpture
• Information center