Nepal’s bid to enshrine Tilorakot the ancient city of Kapilavastu believed to be the Buddha’s childhood home on UNESCO’s World Heritage List has been unexpectedly rejected. Despite a decade of scientific research and international support, no member state backed the proposal. Was it a failure of diplomacy, timing, or transparency? Here’s the inside story of how history was sidelined.
Despite decades of archaeological research and international collaboration, Nepal’s ambitious bid to include the ruins of Tilorakot believed to be the ancient city of Kapilavastu and childhood home of Prince Siddhartha Gautama on the World Heritage List was unexpectedly stalled. At the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, the proposal received no backing from any of the 21 member states, raising questions about Nepal’s diplomatic preparedness and the future of the sacred Buddhist site.
The proposal to include “Kapilvastu-Tilorakot: Settlement of the Ancient Sakya Kingdom” was backed by more than a decade of research conducted by UK-based Durham University and Nepal’s Department of Archaeology. Yet the proposal was not discussed, as not a single committee member brought it forward.
Saubhagya Pradhan, head of the Department of Archaeology and member of the Nepali delegation in Paris, said UNESCO’s advisory body, ICOMOS, made three key recommendations to Nepal’s proposal. First, it suggested including a newly discovered temple structure at Tilorakot, which resembles the one found in Sarnath. However, this temple was unearthed after the proposal documents had already been submitted.
Second, ICOMOS proposed combining the Kapilavastu and Lumbini sites into a single joint nomination. Nepali officials rejected this suggestion, arguing that both sites are historically and geographically distinct and deserve separate consideration.
Third, ICOMOS sought greater clarity on the chronological timeline of the Sakya Kingdom. Pradhan insisted that the submission included adequate historical data to establish long-term connections.
Yet the lack of vocal support from member states at the Paris meeting proved decisive. “Many countries informally promised support,” Pradhan said, “but when it mattered, no one submitted our proposal.” Analysts believe that despite having strong archaeological evidence, Nepal’s weak diplomatic lobbying contributed to the setback.
Still, Nepali officials refuse to accept defeat. “We haven’t withdrawn our proposal. Whether UNESCO lists it or not, Kapilavastu is ours,” Pradhan added. “We plan to re-submit the nomination next year.”
Tilorakot, located near Thaulihawa in western Nepal, lies approximately 30 kilometers west of Lumbini, the Buddha’s birthplace. It is believed to be the site where Prince Siddhartha spent the first 29 years of his life. According to tradition, the Mahabhinishkramana Gate through which he left the palace in search of enlightenment is located here.
The site is also referenced in Ashokan inscriptions as having connections with previous Buddhas like Kakusanda. It was rediscovered in 1899 by P.C. Mukherjee and has been excavated multiple times since, most notably by Debala Mitra in 1962 and later by Nepalese archaeologists B.K. Rijal and T.N. Mishra.
A landmark conservation project launched in 2014 by UNESCO with funding from the Japanese government and technical expertise from several international universities has uncovered remains of a walled palace complex, brick-lined water tanks, monasteries, and a street grid dating back to 800 BCE, confirmed by radiocarbon and optical dating.
Madhav Acharya, director of the Kapilavastu field office, called the decision “unexpected and disappointing.” He added, “Local officials and residents are deeply disheartened. But we remain confident this site will eventually be recognized. UNESCO is leading the current conservation with strong Japanese backing.”
Meanwhile, Nepal received some good news concerning the nearby World Heritage Site of Lumbini. Last year, the committee had considered placing Lumbini on the “Heritage in Danger” list due to concerns including water leakage at the Maya Devi Temple.
However, thanks to recent conservation efforts and a detailed report submitted in February, the committee held back from taking any punitive measures. Instead, a reactive monitoring mission will visit Lumbini later this year to assess the situation.
“The final decision will depend on that mission’s findings,” Pradhan said.
Currently, Nepal has two cultural World Heritage Sites Lumbini and the Kathmandu Valley and two natural sites, Sagarmatha National Park and Chitwan National Park. Kapilavastu-Tilorakot remains among 15 other sites awaiting recognition.
