Cannons, shells, and some old weapons have been recovered from the fort built in Upardanggadhi, a hilly region of Chitwan, during the time of the Sen dynasty. Until 2018, land revenue for all of Chitwan was collected at that location.

The fort area, which has become deserted with the relocation of the district headquarters to Bharatpur, is currently in ward number 7 of Ichchakamana Rural Municipality. The rural municipality has also prepared a museum by constructing a tower in the fort.

A 6-pound cannon and its 50 shells were brought to Upardangarhi from the Nepali Army barracks in Bharatpur, the current district headquarters, on Wednesday to be kept in the same museum. Pandits performed prayers when the 'Chandi Cannon' was taken out of Bharatpur Barracks. The vehicle carrying the cannon was headed towards its destination with a team of Panchebaja players in front. When the team reached the fort after climbing uphill from Shaktikhor, the locals welcomed it with flower garlands.

The Nepali Army and locals were deployed to transport the cannon to the fort located on a hillock about 500 meters away from the road where the vehicle runs. The cannon was tied with ropes and iron pipes were placed on both sides and carried to the fort by eight to nine people on their shoulders. The path leading to the fort was steep in some places, so carrying the brass cannon seemed very difficult. The difficulty was reflected in the fact that after walking a few steps, one had to put it down.

‘There was an old fort here and a tower inside it. The tower had fallen into ruins long ago. After excavation, a plan was made to rebuild it,’ said Dan Bahadur Gurung, Chairman of Ichchakamana Rural Municipality. He said that the tower was built in a way that reflected its original appearance under the supervision and approval of the Department of Archaeology.

Chairman Gurung informed that coordination was done with the Nepali Army for the weapons to be placed in it after the construction of the tower. Nine different types of weapons, including cannons and 50 shells from the kit used in the cannons, have been received from the Bharatpur Barracks. Among them are two loaded guns, one khunda, two swords, two 12-, 13- and 14-inch khukuris each, and a shield used by fighters to block attacks during war.

The cannon and shells are kept in the fort's basement, while other weapons are kept in glass frames and kept for public exhibition on the lower floor of the fort. On the upper floor, pictures of different ethnic groups and animals found in the area are kept. 'The new and future generations will be able to come here and learn the story of how our ancestors built the country,' said Chairman Gurung.

The fort was inaugurated and the weapons were handed over at a program organized under the chief hospitality of Lieutenant General Bishnukumar Khadka, the Commander of the Central Division Headquarters of the Nepal Army, Hetauda Superintendent Barracks. According to the details kept by the rural municipality in the fort, this fort was built by the kings of the Sen dynasty of Tanahun. The history of the Sena-era fort is that it was made bigger and stronger in 1885 BS.

The construction work, which began in Kartik 1884 BS under the leadership of Ranbir Mahat of Bhairung Paltan, was completed in one year and five months. Before that, during the Nepal-British War from 1871 to 1873 BS, the fort was used for preparations for war, but no direct war took place there. After the headquarters was moved to Bharatpur, the fort area was neglected.

Although it was understood that there was a cannon there earlier, it was later said that it was moved elsewhere, said the rural municipality chairman Gurung. A primary school was operating in the place where the fort is located from 2023 BS to 2052 BS. Over time, as no one paid attention to the fort area, the structure collapsed and started to be covered with bushes.

‘When I came here after being elected to the ward in 2074 BS, we were already clearing the bushes from the ground,’ said Bam Bahadur Thapa Magar, ward chairman of Ichchakamana rural municipality-7. According to him, the then Chitwan District Development Committee had also made some efforts in the 2060s. He said that after the elected representatives came to the local level, the fort conservation and tourism expansion gained momentum.

Director General of the Department of Archaeology, Saubhagya Pradhananga, informed that more than 6,000 heritage sites have been listed across the country and there are around 300 forts and forts. “The walls in the fort of Upardanggadhi, the ditch built to stop the enemy, and the tunnel built to enter prove that it is a strong fort,” she said.

The Department of Archaeology has been carrying out various reconstruction and excavation works in the fort area since 2069 BS. One phase of reconstruction has been completed along with the construction of the fort. Chairman Gurung informed that the rural municipality has spent a budget of Rs 18.3 million for the construction of the fort and other works. He said that this area will be used for historical studies and tourism promotion.

The municipal police has immediately taken over the responsibility for the security of the fort area. An entry fee is also being charged from tourists visiting. Chairman Gurung said that additional programs will be taken forward for security and tourism promotion. Homestays and small hotels-lodges have started opening around the fort, and the number of people visiting from places including Bharatpur is increasing.