Victory Over Makwanpur and Kirtipur Attack by Prithivi Narayan Shah

Victory Over Makawanpur

The kathmandu Valley was the main target of Prithivi Narayan Shah. He wanted to capture the valley through economic blockade imposed on it, which could not be possible until makawanpur was captured. Since Prithivi Narayan Shah could not have good terms with makawanpur, he  was more encouraged for vengeful aggression. He had taken Digbandhan Sen's denial of Naulakha har and one-tooth elephant as an insult. On 18 Aswin 1819 BS (14 Oct. 1762) the Gorkhalese forces led by Mahoddamkirti Shah, Dalmardan Shah, Daljit Shah and Surpratap Shah and reinforced by Bansharaj Panday and Keharsingh Basnet made sudden attack on Makwanpur, which was then ruled by King Digbandhan Sen, his brother-in -Law and prime minister Kanak Singh. Digbandhan Sen and his family made an escape to Hariharpur Gadhi. the Gorkhalese force brought that place into their control.

Digbandhan Sen then sought the help of Mirkasim, a Muslim ruler of Bengal, who was in particular upset by English expansion and wanted to extend his territory towards the north. As per the request Mirkasim send a huge force comprising thousands of soldiers led by Gurgin Khan in support of makawanpur. the Gorkhalese force led by Bansharaj Pandey and Kharsingh Basnet attacked then suddenly. They were badly defeated. About 1700 soldiers were killed in this bettle. Later the Gorkhalese brought Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi, Mahottari,Dhulikhel, Panauti, Nala, Banepa, etc. under contorl, which could be beneficial for economic blockade of the valley.

First attack on Kirtipur

After capturing the places like Baldum,Mahadev Pokhari,Sankhu,Changu, Dahachowk, lamidanda, Dolakha, etc. adjacent to the valley, the Gorkhalese forces marched towards kirtipur for its annexation. on 15 Jyestha, 1854 BS ( 28 May 1757), they attacked Kirtipur. fully aware of Prithvi Narayan Shah's future plans, the kings of Kantipur, Bhaktapur and Patan mobilized their joint force in the defence of Kirtipur. In the fierce battle Gorkhalese force was badly defeated. More than 400 Gorkhalese along with their commander Kalu Panday were Killed. Prithivi Narayan Shah himself had a narrow escape. It was a huge blow to the Gorkhalese who had longing for hasty attacks and instant victories.

Second attack on Kirtipur

Having captured more states surrounding the valley, the Gorkhalese set off for the second attempt for the victory over Kirtipur on 1 Aswin 1821 BS (16th Sept 1764 AD). The force was commanded by Surpratap Shah, Daljit Shah and Shreeharsha Panta. Patan, which controlled Kirtipur, was then ruled by Dalmardan Shah, abrother of Prithivi Narayan Shah, Bhaktapur and Kantipur also did not come for the help of Kirtipur this time. Still the Kirtipuri forces fought bravely and stunned their enemies. Gorkhalese had to bear a huge loss of life and property. Surpratap Shah got his left eye hurt.

Victory over Kirtipur

Having been defeated twice, Prithivi Narayan Shah took a new strategy for achieving victory over Kirtipur. The Gorkhalese forces took more areas including Panga and Chovar under their control. They surrounded Kirtipur from all sides and stopped everything from entering there. The Kirtipuris could not even manage to harvest their crops from the outlaying fields. To worsen their situation, water supply was also cut off.This brought great socio-economic crisis in the state. Ultimately after a six-month long economic blockade, Dhanwanta Kaji of Kirtipur surrendered in 1823 BS (1767 AD).

Prithivi Narayan Shah, highly vengeful for whatever loss he had to bear in his two defeats at the hand of Kirtipur, treated the locals inhumanly. It is said that many people got their noses sliced off in retaliation.