Nepal Forts

Nepal is one of the oldest countries in the world, which has survived from the mythical ages of The Ramayana and The Mahabharata to this day under the same name and covering a similar territorial area. From the time of the mythological kingdoms of Kirat and Nepa, Nepal has seen building of high walled citadels and strong walled fortifications in the advantageous locations over hilltops. Nepal has also seen water forts and forest forts, developed at crossings of river bodies and among the swamps and ravines in the valleys and plateaus of the country. The ancient temple complexes also give great examples of fortified structures. Over ages, the history of Nepal, closely connected to that of both India and Tibet, has been tightly bound to forts, citadels and temple complexes which are an integral part of the heritage of this country. The durga or kotta, as the forts are called in Sanskrit, are all the same as dzong or jong in the Tibeto-Burman language, and these names and their use in Nepalese history and literature gives one a clear idea about the great extent to which the Indian and the Tibetan cultures intertwine, as well as a view on their influence on Nepal. The ages-old history and culture of the country is represented well in the forms of various types of forts and citadels, which serve as excellent examples of valor and bravery of a race famous for its militant discipline, for which the country itself is famously called the Prussia of the East.