In January 2021, Nepal Army walked along the path taken by King Prithvi Narayan Shah on his mission to unify Nepal and named it the Unification Trail. Now, Nepal Tourism Board is planning to establish a new trekking route along the path as a Unification Trail Trek in Nepal. 

“मेरो सानो दुःखले आर्जेको मुलुक हैन” meaning that this is not a nation gained by my trifle efforts is the saying of King Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Nepal has a long history of bravery. Back then, there were 54 states in the country. Each state had a separate ruler. Later, King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal in the seventeenth century. The unification began in 1743 AD as he launched the annexation campaign. It turned out to be the journey of pride.

Now, the unification trail is the eyewitness of bravery, the martyrdom of braves, and resistance to the extension of the East-India company in Nepal. Walking on the unification trail means following the historical footsteps taken by the father of modern Nepal while creating history.

Gurkhas are known as one of the bravest soldiers in the world. Their small Khukuri is a prized possession as a symbol of Gurkha soldiers and is also the national knife. Here, the trail marks the way those brave Gurkhali’s walked with their shining Khukuri.

Historical background of Unification of Nepal

A Shah dynasty ruler of the Gorkha kingdom, King Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ascended to the throne on 3 April 1743. He was a farsighted ruler interested in politics and diplomacy. Since the beginning, he was always determined to extend his Gorkha kingdom (2,500 square km). Later he started the unification and defeated major principalities.

Also, he conquered the eastern Sen kingdoms and Mallas in the Kathmandu valley. Again, he made efforts to conquer some of the Baise Rajya (22 principalities or kingdoms) along with the Chaubise Rajya (24 kingdoms). He successfully defeated many states in Nepal. However, some remaining states were later joined to make a greater Nepal of 147,516 Sq Km.

The front gate of Gorkha Museum where you can see some of the reminiscences of the history of Unification

Earlier Conceptualization of Unification Trail

Along the ancient route, King Prithvi Narayan Shah and his Gurkha troops had initiated a unification torch rally out from Gorkha to Kathmandu. As its name suggests, it is solely based on Nepal’s unification campaign led by the king himself. Commemorating this historic event, Nepal Army organized a unification rally on January 5, 2021, on the same trail.

Trekkers started the journey from Gorkha Palace (a proposed UNESCO Heritage Site in Nepal). They finished the trek on 11 January, the day of Prithvi Jayanti. The rally walked through amazing places like Salyantar, Tabaibhar, Borlang, Hasepasal, Charange, and Samari in Nuwakot. Near Kathmandu, the campaigners mentioned two routes, one from Kavrepalanchowk (Nama Buddha) to Sindhuli (Sindhuligadhi) while the other is from Hariharpurgadhi to Sindhuli Gadhi.

Primarily, the unification trail passes along the routes connecting the historical places being walked by the Gurkha soldiers.

Unification Trail

For the Visit Nepal 2020 campaign, the Nepal government had stated 100 destinations. Sindhuligadhi, River Tourism in Sunkoshi, and Trekking Trail in Mahabharata range are three among these destinations. Unfortunately, Visit Nepal 2020 couldn’t be a successful hit because of COVID-19. However, to promote some of the historical destinations, NTB is planning to start the Unification trail as a new hiking route in Nepal.

Trail down from Nuwakot

The Unification trail Trek will begin from Gorkha and pass through Nuwakot, Dhading, and Sindhuli, and finally, to Kathmandu. Likewise, the new hiking route also touches some of the historic places, such as Hariharpurgadhi, Dhuridhunga, Kalikhola, Chandanpur, Phaparchuli, Bandipur, Majhuwa, Sindhuli Gadhib, and Nuwakot. These varied geographical locations, ranging from the Himalayan range to the Mahabharat range, are worth trekking. Further, sightseeing of the green hills, rural Himalayan villages, local ethnic lifestyles, cultures, and ancient monuments adds a flavor to the historic trail in Nepal.

This organic and original trekking route in Nepal ensures the geo-political scenario for eras. The unification trekking trail is the complete package of diverse natural and national places of an independent nation of history. It is not just the trek, it’s the precious history of one of the oldest countries in the world. Every footstep you take will be a closer step to sovereignty, historical remnant, and ignition of a feeling of unity despite the diversities.

Article by

sanjib adhikari

Sanjib is a seasoned adventurer and a tourism expert who has spent the past 6 years immersed in Nepal's vibrant travel industry. He has trekked through Nepal's iconic landscapes in the Everest, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Langtang regions. He now spends his time writing about different places in Nepal and helping others travel effortlessly.