The National Museum is in the western part of Kathmandu, near the Swayambhunath stupa in a

historical building constructed in the early 19th century by General Bhimsen Thapa. It is the most
important museum in the country, housing an extensive collection of weapons, art and antiquities
of historic and cultural importance. The museum was established in 1928 as a collection house
of war trophies and weapons, and the initial name of this museum was Chhauni Silkhana,
meaning "the stone house of arms and ammunition". Given its focus, the museum contains many
weapons, including locally made firearms used in wars, leather cannons from the 18th–19th
century, and medieval and modern works in wood, bronze, stone and paintings.[70]
The Natural History Museum is in the southern foothills of Swayambhunath hill and has a
sizeable collection of different species of animals, butterflies, and plants. The museum is noted
for its display of species, from prehistoric shells to stuffed animals. [70]
The Tribhuvan Museum contains artifacts related to King Tribhuvan (1906–1955). It has a variety
of pieces including his personal belongings, letters, and papers, memorabilia related to events he
was involved in and a rare collection of photos and paintings of Royal family members. The
Mahendra Museum is dedicated to the King Mahendra (1920–1972). Like the Tribhuvan
Museum, it includes his personal belongings such as decorations, stamps, coins and personal
notes and manuscripts, but it also has structural reconstructions of his cabinet room and office
chamber. The Hanumandhoka Palace, a lavish medieval palace complex in the Durbar, contains
three separate museums of historic importance. These museums include the Birendra museum,
which contains items related to the second-last monarch, King Birendra.[70]
The enclosed compound of the Narayanhiti Palace Museum is in the north-central part of Kath