Bhojpur is the traditional home of the Kirat Rai people and was historically part of Majh Kirat (middle Kirat / Khambuwan), when the area was administratively known as 'east number 4'. Hatuwagadhi was known as the capital of the Majh Kirat kingdom before the unification of Nepal by the Shah kings, and the ruins of the ancient capital and its forts still exist there. According to the District Coordination Committee, the name Bhojpur comes from bhojpatra (Himalayan birch, Betula utilis), found here in large quantities, with 'pur' meaning city. Bala Guru Shadananda, born in Dingla in 1825-26, opened a Sanskrit school in 1932 BS (1875-76) open to students of all communities while the Rana regime banned schooling, and his campaign against the Sati tradition helped lead to its abolition in 1920-21. The 240 km Koshi Highway between Dharan and Num was built from the early 1970s and completed in 2012, finally linking Bhojpur by road to Dhankuta, Hile and Dharan.
Researched by the ChillNepal team from published sources. Spot something out of date? Tell us from the place's page.
