Anglo –Nepal War: Causes and Effects

Introduction

Since 17th century, there had been British rule in India.  It was known as the British East India Company. The colony had been ever expanding since their rule established in India, the British wanted to capture Nepal and expand their colonial territory. They always favoured the rules of Nepal who wanted to please them and didn't seem to cause any resistance to their plan of colonization. As per their long- cherished plan, they fought against Nepal from 1814-16 AD. This known as the Anglo- Nepal War

Political causes

While the English were still expanding their colonies in India, Nepal was being unified. The unification was naturally against their interest. Immediately after victory won over Kathmandu and Patan, King Prithiv Narayan Shah had driven out all the Capuchin clergymen. Nepal's growing army strength and activity were looked upon by the English as a risk for themselves and they tried to do away with it. The defeated Baise and Chaubise kings, asking shelter in India, spared no pains to instigate the English to go in war with Nepal and to defeat it so that they could regain their lost territories.

The English authorities sent their trade delegates to Nepal time to time to solve their political and commercial interests. The teams of delegates, headed by James Logan, Fox Craft, Kirkpatrick, Mauilavi, Abdul Kadar Khan, W.O. Knox, etc. had come to Nepal for the purpose, but in vain.

Bhimsen Thapa was deadly against the English. he had a bitter experience for the activities of the English people in India, when he had been to India to give company to Rana Bahadur Shah. Bhimsen Thapa wanted to drive the English people away not only from India, but as much as from Asia so during the days of his term of office, he was trying to from a union of Asian states, including Maratha and Punjab with due understanding established with them. He had also tried to during Tibet and Burma in his side. He also gave much attention to military strengthening of Nepal. So Bhimsen Thapa's activities were highly opposed to the interest of the English.

Economic causes

The forests of Nepal were abundant in various wood species. The East India Company wanted to establish shipping industries in India through the use of wood brought from these forests. Other resources such as herbs, minerals, fertile land had also fascinated the English. The East India Company wanted to expand its trade from India to Tibet through Nepal. But the government of Nepal was not favouring the entry of foreign in to Nepal for various reasons

Natural causes

Since the English people were cold country, it was difficult for them to run the administration from their station in India, which is mostly a tropical country. So, they were in search of cold places like Nepal. Besides, the crossroad position of Nepal between India and Tibet also tempted to go in war with Nepal.

Immediate cause

The dispute over the issue of Butawal and Syuraj was the immediate cause of the Anglo – Nepal War. Since early days, the king of palpa had been occupying those territories in the Tarai region on the condition of paying revenue to Nawab Bajir of Abadh. The Nepalese force had taken over Butwal and Syuraj along with Palpa at the time of unification operations. The talk was being held on this issue between Nepal and English authorities. In the main time, the English governor, Marquis Hastings gave a threatening letter on the government of Nepal for the immediate return of Butwal and Syuraj to them. But Bhimsen Thapa, stubborn in nature was not a coward administrator to yield to the threat of the Governor General. Nepal was firm not to part with Butwal and Syuraj. As the result, the governor general, Lord hasting on 16th Kartik 1871 BS (1st Nov 1814 AD) declared war with Nepal. But the English battalion had entered the territory of Nepal 8 days earlier than the formal declaration of the war was made.

Consequences

The war went on for nearly two years. Nepali warriors fought bravely and resisted English attack in many places. Still overall events of the war went against Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa had expected help from Panjab, Gwaliyar and Maratha but in vain. So Nepal was compelled to sigh a surrender treaty i.e the Sugauli Treaty under humiliating circumstances on 2nd Dec 1815 AD. The treaty was handed over the East India Company with King's approval only on 4th March 1816 AD. The Anglo-war or the treaty in particular had the following consequences:

·    Nepal was obliged to surrender one-third of the total land to the East India Company.

·    Nepal lost the cold areas like Kumaon, Gadhwal, Nainital and Darjiling.

·    The Indian ambassadors to Nepal interfered in the internal affairs of Nepal in spite of opposition made from time to time by the Governor Generals.

·    Politics of conspiracy in the place played their roles.

·    Nepalese people's entry into the British army was on the rise.

The treaty however had some advantages for Nepal. It marked the end of the Anglo-Nepal conflict. The two sides became friendly and mutual cooperation started in the subsequent years. Nepal could prevent the further loss of its territory and life and property agreeing upon the treaty.