Role Played by Brave Warriors in the Anglo – Nepal War

Balabhadra Kunwar

Six miles from Deharadun of India in the north- east on the way to Mussoorie there is a place, called Nalapani. It had been the territory of Nepal since long before the Anglo-Nepal War. Balabhadra Kunwar had built a fort on a height of 500 feet at Nalapani, which was known by the name of khalanga fort.

At the time of the Anglo-Nepal War, Gillespie, the General and Maubi, the colonel had gone to the khalanga fort with 3500 soldiers and 15 guns in their arms. They were divided into four groups for the attack on the fort from all sides. One night before the attack of the khalanga fort, Sir Robert Rolls Gillespie wrote a letter to Balbhadra, asking him to surrender. But Balbhadra tore the letter without going through it and said, ''We don't read a litter at night, I will meet with Gillespie shortly.'' In the next morning, the English side attacked the fort will guns other arms. The men and women responded from inside the fort with guns, arrows and bricks. Mr. Allis, lieutenant, who was advancing to the battlefield to encourage the English force, was killed in the gun firing of the Nepalese soldiers.

At this, Gillespie, the Major General went straight to the fort with his cap in one hand and sword in the other. He was killed in the same way as Allis at the hands of Nepalese soldiers. The number of the wounded and killed on the English battalion, unable to resist the Nepalese army, made an escape to Deharadun. At the escape of the English force at the defeat, Balbhadra Kunwar sent a letter to Kathmandu with a request for more army help, but no help could be made available form Kathmandu. The route of Nahan, through which the Nepalese soldiers were advancing to Khalanga for its security, was blocked by the English force.

The well-equipped force led by, Colonel Mauvi made the second attack on the Khalanga fort. The Nepalese army force was responding with bricks and stones, thrown at their enemies. The Nepalese women were highly apprieciated for their bravery shown in the battlefield, by the fighting English Captions, Mensitart and Princep. After the war, many of the wounded women and the dead bodies of the women were taken out from the ruined walls of the fort. The furious English soldiers had blocked the source of water to the fort, came out, opening the doors, by themselves to get rid of their thirst for water and of the foul smell of the dead bodies.

The bereave Nepalese women quenched their thirst with the water of the nearby river even amidst the dreadful situations of the gunfiring. They made their way to another fort of Jitgadh for its security.

Turning to the English before leaving the palace, Balbhadra said to them in a loud voice, "it was impossible for you to have victory over the fort, but I leave it on my own accord."

The Englishmen had, in honour of the bravery of the Nepalese people, written in a memorial stone the words like "As a tribute of respect for our gallant adversary BULBUDDER, commander of the fort and HIS BRAVE GOORKAS."

Amarsingh Thapa

Badakaji Amarsingh Thapa was a son of Bhimsingh Thapa. After the honourable death of Bhimsingh in the battle of Palanchowk, Amarsingh Thapa got this title. A son of a father who was killed in a battle was entitled to get his father's title at that time. The name of Premier Bhimsen Thapa's father was also Amarsingh Thapa but Badakaji Amarsingh Thapa was a different person. He had played an important role at the time of conquest of Baise and Chaubise states. He had expanded the western boundary of Nepal up top the Sutlaj River. The responsibility of the operation of the war in the whole west including Kumaun and Godhawal was entrusted with Amarsingh Thapa. On the side of the English, it was the responsibility of Sir David Octorlony to take care of the operation of the war. At the start of the war, Amarsingh thapa had built a fort at Ramgadh. He fought bravely for the defence of this fort.With the Anglo-Nepal War. Going against Nepal, Nepal was forced to accept the Sugauli Treaty. Frustrated with this, Amarsingh Thapa went to Gosainkunda and breathed his last there.

Bhakti Thapa

            Sardar Bhakti Thapa, as a Godar Thapa of Lamjung fought against the Gorkhalese in the bettle on behalf of the army of Kehari Narayan Shah, the king of Lamjung. In course of time, he joined the Gorkhalese force. During the period of the Anglo-Nepal war, Sardar Amarsingh Thapa was controlling the operation of the war of the whole western Nepal from the fort of Malaun. To the south of this for, was the fort of Surajgadh. As the English army had the control over the fort of Deuthali, 1000 yards to Malaun fort, the security of the whole western region was at stake. This made Bakti Thapa. leave on 4 Baishakh 1872 BS (April 16, 1815) for the battle field with various kinds of knives and swords in his hand together with 2000 Nepalese soldiers amidst the fierce gun firing of the English army all around. There was a fierce gun fience fighting between the two sides. He was hit by the bullet at his heart and killed. He died a death of honour. 700 soldiers were killed on the side of the Nepalese force, while on the side of the English Army; all the officers except only one at the arsenal were killed. Octorlony, the major handed over very respectfully to the Nepalese army, the body of Bhakti thapa worn over by a costly woollen wrapper. Next morning, his body was cremated with due guard of honour. At the end of the war, it took a different turn for the Anglo-Nepal War, because the soldiers in the Nepalese force lost their hope for the better, while the English force soldiers got ever more encouraged.

Bam Shah

            Bam Shah was the administrator of Kumaun, deputed there by the premier, Bhimsen Thapa. The Englishmen were taken aback at the activities taken up by him as the administrator. He was working well efficiently with the army force during the period of the Anglo-Nepal war. However, with the propaganda made by the English side about the defeat of the Nepalese force elsewhere, he could not resist the disappointment that swayed upon him. Edward Garner, aware of Bam Shah, getting dissatisfied with Bhimsen Thapa attempted to win him ho his side under the allurement of big offers to him. However, the English side failed in attempt to win Bam Shah, a true patriot of the country.

Ranabir Singh Thapa

            Bhimsen Thapa's youngest brother, Ranabir Singh Thapa was on deputation to Makawanpur during the Anglo-Nepal war of 1871 BS. The army under him defeated very badly the English force. Subsequently, after the war he was appointed the administrator of Palpa and also the junior general of Kalibox and Sabuj battalion. After some time, he became a saint, known by the name of Swami Avayananda .

Ujirsingh Thapa

            The premier, Bhimsen Thapa's father General Amarsingh Thapa was a governing Palpa. After the death of Amarsingh Thapa , his grandson, Nayansingh Thapa's Son, Ujirsingh Thapa became the governor of Palpa. In the battle of the Anglo-Nepal war, the English force led by the General Mr.Wood was badly defeated and driven away by Ujirsingh Thapa. The memory of his bravery is in good record of the modern history of Nepal.

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.

Victory over English Forces and the Valley by Prithivi Narayan Shah

Victory over English forces

Having captured kirtipur, the gorkhlese forces were going to attack kantipur king Jaya Prakash Malla, having no other way out, sought help from the British East India Company. Economic blockade of the valley had also affected the English trade with the valley and Tibet. Capuchin clergymen in Kathmandu were also scared by the Gorkhalese advancements. British East India Company sent a letter of threat to prithvi narayan shah lift the economic blockade. When it was not obeyed, they dispatched a large force of about 2400 soldiers under the commandership of captain kinloch for the help of Jaya Prithvi Narayan Shah who knew all this in advance, sent 5000 soidiers under the commarndership of Birbhadra Upadhyay and Banshu Gurung. Later it was reinforced another force comprising 700 soldiers led by Banshraj Pandey and Shreeharsha Panta. On 24 kartik 1824 (9 Nov, 1767) English forces were attacked suddenly in sindhuli and were badly defeated. The Gorkhaless took hold of 500 guns of the English force in the battle.

 Victory over the valley

Encouraged by their success at kirtipur, the gorkhalese forces surrounded the Basantapur Palace of Kantipur from three sides at about midnight on 13th aswin 1825 BS (28 Sep 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla along with his people was busy in celebrating the Indra Jatra festival. The attack was sudden. So Kantipuri forces surrendered without resistance. The king, who would get very little sympathy from his subjects, fled to Patan seeking asylum there. Patan was captured on 24th of the same month (9 Oct 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla, the king of the Kantipur and Tejnarsingh Malla, the king of the patan went to Bhaktapur for the protection  from its king Ranjit Malla. On 1st mangsir 1826 BS (16 Nov 1769) the Gorkhalese force had the victory on bhaktapur in the battle fought for 3 days. Jaya Prakash Malla who was wounded in the battle died at Aryaghat while Tejnarsingh Malla was taken to the prison. Ranjit Malla, Prithvi Narayan Shah's friend's father was sent to banaras at this (Ranjit Malla's ) wish. In this way the victorious march to the Kathmandu valley ended.

Victory Campaign directed to the west and east

After capturing the Kathmandu valley, King Prithivi Narayan Shah diverted his attention to the Chaubise states of the western Nepal. The Gorkhalese forces captured Lamjung, Tanahun, and kaski but lost humiliatingly when Palpa and Pravat taking these three states in their side defended jointly in Tanahun. Aware of the bad defeat of his force, King Prithivi Narayan Shah abandoned his wishful plan of attacking the western states and made advances to the east. He extended his boundary up to the Mechi River by capturing Chaudandi, Vijayapur and part of Illam. Prithivi Narayan Shah died on 1^st Magh 1831 BS before he could make next attempts in the west. The victory campaigns were further continued by his successors such as Pratap Singh Shah, Rajendra Laxmi and Bahadur Shah.

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.

Victory Over Nuwakot by Prithivi Narayan Shah

After tackling all the problems, hindering the way to his success of the unification campaign, king Prithivi Narayan Shah got himself engaged in his plan for the second attempt to attack Nuwakot. All the preparation to go ahead with the plan was almost complete. There were plenty of arms, brought from Banaras and the army soldiers were trained. Moreover, Prithivi Narayan Shah got the support from Ranjit Malla, the king of Bhaktapur, whom he had enticed to have in return the territories of Sankhu, Changu, Dolakha, Naldum and Mahadev Pokhari, etc.He had also developed good relation with Lamjung a long-time enemy. In order to have good relation with the western states before moving to the east, he sent messangers to Lamgung, Kaski, Tanahun, etc.

Then Prithivi Narayan Shan took 1000 soldiers to Nuwakot disguised as farmers. The force was divided into three groups led by Mohoddamkirti Shah, Kalu Pandey and Prithivi Narayan Shah himself. on 15 Aswin 1801 BS (26 sep 1744) Nuwakot was attacked from two sides-from Dharampani and Gerkhukhola and easily captured. Nuwakot was under the care of Jayanta Rana whom Jay Prakash malla had appointed the chief of the place, Jayanta Rana was at Kathmandu at the time of attack by the Gorkhalese soldiers. he was stabbed to death in the battle by 12-year old Dalmardan Shah, a brother of Prithivi Narayan Shah. Some times after the victory won over Nuwakot, the Gorkhalese soldiers took over territory of Belkot as well.

     At Belkot, Jayanta Rana was traced our and killed inhumanly. Actually he was peeled alive. Before attacking Nuwakot, Prithivi Narayan Shah had asked him to join the Gorkhalese side. In reply, he said, "Of course, I am yours, but I am obliged to Jaya Prakash Malla".

    Victory over Nuwakot was long -awaited. It was the main western gateway of Kathmandu valley. The trade route of the valley passed through Nuwakot. It could be appropriate site for collecting information about the valley. Gorkhalese obtained fertile land fro cultivating fruits,food grains and green vegetables. They were benefited by obtaining a land situated at higher altitude suitable for having forts on it. More-ever they were ever encouraged for further victories.