Bhojpur, 20 Shrawan (August) – The historical Taksaar Bazaar of Bhojpur resonates with the remnants of the past. During ancient times, the necessity for a coin (Doli Paisa) that was circulated throughout Nepal was fulfilled by the historical Taksaar Bazaar. As people left their homes to settle elsewhere the artistic houses constructed in the area also underwent changes transforming the nature of the bazaar. Some houses have been deserted completely.
Tourists from various places often refer to this bazaar as “Mini Patan.” The former chairman of Bhojpur and a local, Kumar Shrestha, confirms this fact. He says that about 60% of the inhabitants have left their homes to settle in places like Kathmandu, Dharan, Biratnagar, and others. He calls Taksaar Bazaar the Identity of the Nation indicating its historical significance. The area was known for its artistic buildings including temples and monasteries which are now in a dilapidated condition. Some houses in the bazaar have also been turned into ruins due to the migration of the people.
Historical evidence indicates that Taksaar Bazaar was known for producing Doli Paisa from 1872 to 1887. The then Nepal government had established an Adda (coin minting facility) in various districts of the eastern hills, including Bhojpur, Khotang, Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, Taplejung, and Ilam, for mining mineral resources.
The local inhabitants report that the Shakya clan was involved in minting coins in Taksaar. Tak coins of one and two tolas were prevalent during the Rana regime. Kaligadha Devdatta Shakya was the first person known to have cut Tak in this area. The Newar community, who migrated to Taksaar from Patan, brought their language, religion, culture, and traditions with them. The first Buddhist monastery, Shakya Muni Baudha Vihar, was also established here. This ancient vihar was established in 1993.
During the time when Ranas operated Doli Paisa from Taksaar, various temples, courts, and marketplaces were also opened. Many such establishments are now in a ruined state due to a lack of maintenance over the decades.
Taksaar Bazaar is located about 1.5 kilometers from the center of Bhojpur, popularly referred to as “Mini Patan.” Nearby, there is also the Taksaar Airport. The inhabitants of the bazaar feel the need for better preservation of their heritage and industries. The unique crafts produced here were once exported to China, Tibet, Darjeeling, Assam, Siliguri, and Kolkata.
The government established a marketplace in the area to help protect these traditional industries and sources. However, many of these industries have now declined, and the number of skilled artisans has reduced significantly.
During the Panchayat era and until the advent of the multiparty system, lakhs of worth of metals were produced here, and Doli Paisa was minted. As people left the area and the workforce reduced, the local industry started facing a decline. Local resident Buddhraj Shakya explains that the population density decreased, and people skilled in making various metal crafts also migrated elsewhere.
The marketplace has faced a downturn after people left their homes and didn’t sell their properties. The local industries here were unable to meet the demand in the country.
As the population density declined and the local workforce skilled in producing various metal crafts migrated, the locals echo their concerns. Those who left their homes to settle elsewhere often abandoned their properties and houses in the bazaar, causing them to deteriorate.
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