Before the 15th century the area was ruled by the king of Rukumkot (Rukum District). Tuthansen, king of Salyankot, carved 18 villages out of the Rukumkot kingdom — given to him as dowry by Jayant Berma of Rukumkot — and founded the separate kingdom of Gajulkot, whose ruins are still visible in the district. During the Rana regime the area was split between Pyuthan and Salyan districts; Rolpa was established as its own district in 1962 (the infobox gives 13 April 1961). Popular grievances made Rolpa ripe for revolt and it became a Maoist stronghold during Nepal's 1996-2006 civil war, when much of the district came under Maoist administration; in May 2002 a major battle between Maoist guerrillas and the army was fought at Lisne Lekh near the Rolpa-Pyuthan border.
Researched by the ChillNepal team from published sources. Spot something out of date? Tell us from the place's page.
