During World Wars I and II, Gurkha soldiers were assembled here before being shipped out to distant battlefields. A large tree stood at the center which was Tundikhel's symbol. Known as Khariko Bot or Chākalā Simā (Round Tree), it was used by Nepal's heads of state and government to make major proclamations. The tree and circular platform were removed in the mid-1960s. In 1960, a small aircraft even landed on the grass field. The Pilatus Porter was in Nepal to provide support to the Swiss expedition which made the first successful climb of Dhaulagiri in the Himalaya.