The Jeetgadh Killa in Butwal, the fort where Nepali forces had beaten the army of Britain’s East Indian Company, is being developed into a tourist spot with the installation of the biggest Nepali national flag and Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa’s life-size statue.

Thapa, the military commander at the Palpa-Butwal axis during the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816, had led his force to victory. The fort currently has a bust-size statue of Colonel Singh facing the northern direction.

The fort had acquired the name Jeetgadh after the Nepali troops triumphed over the British in 1816 AD. It is located at the western bank of the Tinau River in Butwal.

Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City’s Mayor Shiva Raj Subedi said Jeetgadh is being developed into a symbol of nationality and Butwal’s historic landmark and identity. Agreement has been made with Heaven Construction Pvt Ltd to construct the flag and statue within two months at the cost of Rs 4,452,681, according to Mayor Subedi.

The national flag would flutter at the height of 42 feet, informed Engineer Dharmaraj Dhakal.

Rabindra Gopal Kapali, a local, said he is hopeful that the Jeetgadh Fort, which has long been neglected in lack of proper protection and promotion, would be highlighted with the installation of Ujir Singh’s life-size statue and the biggest national flag.

Ward-1 Chairman Mahendra Legal Shrestha said the houses built by encroaching the Fort’s land would be removed after providing them with the landowners' compensation.

The provincial government of Province 5 has allocated Rs 10.5 million while the federal government Rs 5 million for the development of Jeetgadh.