Nepal flood: For centuries, flood-hit corridor was key route of Himalayan trade

The Himalayan corridor, particularly Rasuwagadhi, devastated by the flash flood had served for more than 260 years as one of Nepal’s key trans-Himalayan arteries, carrying traders, pilgrims and armies before becoming a major gateway for Chinese electronics, garments, footwear and electric vehicles entering the country.Long before trucks climbed Bhote Koshi valley, mule caravans carried rice and other grain from Nepal north to Gyirong, where traders exchanged them for Tibetan salt and wool. Salt, highly valued in Nepal’s middle hills, travelled farther south towards India. Newar merchant communities also settled in Tibetan trading towns.The corridor had great strategic importance. Gorkha (Nepal district from which the community derives its name) captured Nuwakot in 1744 partly to control the lucrative Tibet trade. Nepalese troops later used the route during invasions of Tibet in 1788 and 1791 before Chinese and Tibetan forces counter-attacked in 1792.