Military History of Nepal

Some of the battles in the military history of Nepal

The Nepali Army fought many battles against the alien's armies as well as against the soldiers of small principalities that were existed in Nepal before its unification. King Drabya Shah (1559), the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, had to fight repeatedly defensive battles against his brother, King Narhari Shah of Lamjung. King Ram Shah (1606) fought and won Dhading and Khairaini. He also invaded Tibet and his soldiers captured some places there, but repulsed by the Tibetan soldiers at Kukur Ghat. This chapter contains the battles fought by the Nepali army at the time of unification of Nepal, against the British army and against the Tibetan and Chinese armies.

During Unification of NepalThe Battle of NuwakotKing Ram Shah extended the territory of Gorkha in the east by winning over Dhading. As a result, the border of the Kingdom of Gorkha touched the border of Nuwakot.

Nuwakot was under the Kingdom of Kantipur. The border of two Kingdoms i.e., Gorkha and Kantipur, met at the Trishuli river. Nuwakot exists at approximately 26 kilometres west of the Kathmandu valley. From the side of the Gorkha Kingdom, Nuwakot is on the other side of the Trishuli river. The town of Nuwakot exists at the ridges that run southwest from the Dhaibung hill, which has a height of about 3 kilometres from the foothill. The highest peak of Nuwakot is Mahamandal. Kalika and Malika religious places exist there. The Trishule river lies at a distance of 2 kilometres west from the town of Nuwakot and the Tadi river lies in the east. The approaches to the town of Nuwakot from both sides of the rivers are very steeply vertically slopped up-ward. The route to Nuwakot from the side of Gorkha at the earlier time was to cross over the bridge that existed on the Trishuli river and then climb up the steep slope of the

hill. In the medieval period, the main villages were built as Gadhi (fort). The villages were protected by erecting high walls, making deep ditches or defensive structures around them. In the similar way, Nuwakot was converted into a strong Gadhi. These facts about Nuwakot were corroborated from the description given in Prithivindra Warnodaya written by poet Lalita Ballav. Nuwakot was the western gate to the Kathmandu valley, and had a great strategic importance for the security of the Kingdom of Kantipur. Moreover, Nuwakot existed on the trade route between Tibet and Kantipur. So, the King of Kathmandu had no option but to keep the fort of Nuwakot under his possession. The Kingdom of Gorkha could attack against or capture over the Kingdom of Kantipur only if the former could capture Nuwakot.

The First Attack against NuwakotKing Nar Bhupal Shah of Gorkha was an ambitious King. He wanted to capture Nuwakot. With this end in view, in 1739, he entered into a peace treaty with the King of Lamjung thereby making the eastern flank safe. Then Gorkha moved east without any threat coming to it from the west. In 1739, the Gorkhali forces under the command of Maheswor Pant and Jayant Rana were sent to invade Nuwakot. But, the Gorkhali forces met strong resistance from the forces of Kantipur and suffered a defeat. Whole blame of the defeat of the Gorkhali forces was put on Jayant Rana by the King of Gorkha. Jayant Rana was removed from the command, so he went in the shelter of King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kantipur. Moreover, Jaya Prakash Malla deputed him to defend Gorkha. This helped Kathmandu to formulate an effective defense policy and take measures against the attack of Gorkhali forces,as Jayant Rana had inside knowledge of the war techniques, organization, and strengths and weaknesses of the Gorkhali forces.

The Second Attack Against NuwakotAfter the death of King Nar Bhupal Shah, Prithivi Narayan Shah became the King of Gorkha in at the age of years. Like his father, he was very ambitious. After becoming the King, He

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immediately began to prepare for the invasion over Nuwakot. He had given the command of invading Gorkhali forces to Biraj Thapa in order to win over the loyalty and good will of dissatisfied Magars. The Gorkhali forces led by Biraj Thapa remained camped at Khimchet. He did not want to repeat the mistake committed by Jayant Rana. In the meantime, Bhardars, who were supporters of Maheswor Pant, complained that Biraj Thapa, because of his cowardliness, was prolonging the time of attack. They instigated the King by exhorting that it was quite possible to mount an attack immediately against Nuwakot and capture it. The young King was also very impatient to mount an attack against Nuwakot and win over it. So, he was swayed by their instigation. Conequently, another group of Gorkhali soldiers led by Maheswor Pant was sent to invade Nuwakot.

The Gorkhali forces led by Maheswor Pant reached the Trishuli river, crossed it and began to climb up the steep slope of the hill. On the other side, the combined forces of the Kathmandu valley states were assembled at Nuwakot to defend it. They chalked out plan to let the Gorkhali forces to cross over the bridge of the Trishuli river and climb up the the steep slope of the hill, so that they could suddenly mount an attack against them from above the hill and beat the Gorkhali soldiers. The advancing Gorkhalis were not aware of such plan of the defending forces. Moreover, the strength and fighting capability of the defending forces were far superior to that of the attacking forces. The defending forces also had the means and techniques of using gun powder. The forces led by Biraj Thapa did not join the advancing forces and remained at Khimchet. As a result, the strength of the Gorkhali forces remained weak because of the personal animosity and discord between the Commanders. While the Gorkhali forces were climbing up the steep slope of the hill and proceeding towards Nuwakot, the combined forces of the Malla Kings fiercely attacked them and gave them a crushing defeat. The Gorkhali forces fled back and crossed back the Trishuli bridge. They destroyed the bridge setting fire on it in

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order toward off the possible attack against them by the pursuing defenders. This defeat greatly shocked King Prithivi Narayan Shah. He raalised the need of more preparation for the war in respect of manpower and war materials in order to defeat the defending forces of Nuwakot. The Gorkhali forces suffered defeat because of, firstly, division in their strength, secondly, insufficient preparations, thirdly, repeating the past mistake, and, finally, lack of information about the strength and logistics of the enemies.

The Third Attack Against NuwakotPreparationThe defeat in the battle of Nuwakot opened the eyes of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. He began to concentrate on the preparation of war in respect of following aspects: (a) procurement of war materials, (b) increase in the military strength and restructuring its organization and training (c) establishment of friendly relationship with the neighbouring states, and (d) mobilization of local resources.

(a) Procurement of War MaterialsKing Prithivi Narayan Shah visited Banaras to fulfil two

objectives, i.e., firstly, pilgrims and, secondly, procure arms, ammunitions and other war materials and to avail the services of aliens to train his soldiers. He procured some guns from Banaras. He employed Shekh Jawar, Mohammad Taki and Bhekh Singh to train his soldiers to use the guns. He availed himself the help of these artisans to manufacture gun powder, arrows, shafts, Khundas (a kind of sword), Khukuris and perform maintenance of these arms. He established manufacturing units for these activities. He collected old Khundas, Khukuris, Swords, Spears, etc. form the houses of Bhardars, Palace and common people and converted them into new arms. He did not favour import of raw materials to fabricate new arms on the reason that this move would alert his enemies. All these activities were carried out very secretly.

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(b) Military Strength, Organization and TrainingKing Prithivi Narayan Shah decided to augment total

military strength. He made arrangement to impart them proper training in the art of warfare in order th build up an efficient and effective fighting army. He made arrangement to provide military training to all able bodied and physically fit youths between years and years old. He did not discriminate against any caste while raising the army. He included able bodied persons in the army belonging to four castes and thirty six tribes (Char Barna Chhatish Jat). Even blacksmiths, cobblers, sweepers, tailors (Damai) etc were enlisted in his army giving them works according to their ability and profession. He had mobilized the whole population of Gorkha in furthering his noble aim of unifying the country. He used to pay his visit to every household and asked everyone about his well beings. Moreover, he gave commanders and Bhardars in respect of works and duties to be performed by them during a battle in order to make them more capable and proficient. His written instructions were related with particulary in the areas such as construction of Gadhi, garrisoning of the force, and construction of defensive structures or ditches etc. All brothers, Bhardars and commanders were provided with appropriate training to conduct any kind of warfare. King Prithivi Narayan Shah made serious effort to form a well-organised army.

(c) Friendly Relation with NeighboursKing Prithivi Narayan Shah was well aware of the

danger to Gorkha coming from neighbouring states if he would move the east towards Kathmandu. So, it became indispensable for him to establish friendly relations with neighbouring states. He sent envoys to different states to solicit their military assistance in his effort to invade Nuwakot as well as to establish friendly relations with them. The Chaubise Rajyas including Tahahun and Kaski disagreed to extend military assistance to Gorkha, but they committed that they would follow the footsteps of Lamjung. Therefore, establishment of friendship with

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Lamjung for Gorkha become necessary if it wanted to move east. Because of the shrewed diplomacy of Kazi Kalu Pande, a meeting was arranged between King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha and King Ripu Mardan Shah of Lamjung and they entered into a friendship agreement. The agreement contained the provision that Lamjung would not attack Gorkha when Gorkha moved east. King Prithivi Narayan Shah gave his commitment in writing to Lamjung that he would provide one lakh twenty thousand (i.e. Lakh Bisi) after winning over the Kathmandu valley. This commitment letter was considered then as solemnized document (Dharma Bandi Ko Kagat) and handed over to a Chautaria of Lamjung to be delievered to his King. King Prithivi Narayan Shah secretly employed spies to communicate him about the activities of Chaubise Rajays. By tactfulness and diplomacy, Gorkha established friendly relations with neighbouring states and, thus, could proceed to make final arrangement for the military operations in order to move the east.

(d) Mobilization of Local ResourcesKing Prithivi Narayan Shah made every effort to receive

the man, material and moral support of the people for the impending military operations. He appealed to the people to extend help to the war efforts according to their capacity. The people of Gorkha extended help according to their capacity. He sought the help of businessmen to provide finance for the war effort. Because of spontaneous co-operation received from the people, King Prithivi Narayan Shah could arrange sufficient food, clothes, medicines etc. He became very successful in arousing the national feelings in the minds of the people of Gorkha to an amazing extend. That was his secret of success in his efforts of unifying Nepal.

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Final Battle of NuwakotKing Prithivi Narayan Shah ordered Kulanand Dhakal, an astrologer, to find out the auspicious hour to set out for the battle of Nuwatot. Additional soldiers were posted at different Gaundas (forts) situated at the western border of Gorkha in order to make the flanks more safe and secure. The King gave responsibility to run state affairs to some trusted Bhardars and Commanders. King Prithivi Narayan Shah along with 1,300 soldiers and retinues left Gorkha to invade Nuwakot on an auspicious day in September 1944 as fixed by the astrologer. The King wanted to mount an attack against Nuwakot in the rainy season so that the enemies should be caught unaware because they did not except any attack in the rainy season. The month of September touches the last phase of the rainy season in Nepal. Moreover, King Prithivi Narayan Shah had attempted to camouflage his move to keep the impending attack over Nuwakot secret. The Gorkhali soldiers, disguised themselves as farmers, reached at the bank of the Trishuli river. When they reached at Khimchet they pretended as they were digging a canal from the Trishuli river to irrigate water to the field. Their adversaries could not comprehend the true motive of these disguised farmers. The soldiers also used to do military exercises secretly and without making any noise. According to Dibyopadesh, the Gorkhali soldiers led by King Prithivi Narayan Shah reached at Borlang in the first day from Gorkha, Charange in the second day, Tambai in the third day and Khimchet in the fourth day. He along with other commanders and Bhardars waited at Khimchet for the auspicious day (i.e. sait) to launch an attack.

In the meantime, King Prithivi Narayan Shah wrote a letter to Jayant Rana, Commander of Nuwakot defenders, to come to his side. The King referred about Jayant Rana's previous relation with Gorkha. But he rejected to betray King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu and declined to accept the offer. King Prithivi Narayan Shah then visualized that Nuwakot could

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not be won without waging a fight. Thereafter, he entrusted Kalu Adhiakari, a Jaisi Brahmin, to peg a nail given by him at the spot of future attack in Nuwakot to fulfil the belief, prevailing then according to the Tantrik ritual, that the victory would be gained in the battle from the performance of such an act. Kalu Adhikari reached Nuwakot and pretended that he was discharged from the Gorkhali side, so he came to Nuwakot to find a shelter for him. He was given shelter there. Later he pegged the nail at the stipulated time at Mahamandal and came back to his section of the Gorkhali forces. The Gorkhali forces were highly encouraged form this initial success.

The defenders of Nuwakot became fully alert from the letter of King Prithivi Narayan Shah to Jayant Rana and episode of the pegging of the nail. Jayant Rana alerted his forces. He entrusted the task of defending Mahamandal and Nuwakot to Shankha Mani Rana, his son. Jayant Rana, then, went to Kathmandu to procure additional soldiers from King Jaya Prakash Malla. Meanwhile, King Prithivi Narayan Shah concentrated his attention to find out the exact place from where attack could be launched against Nuwakot. He did not want to repeat the past mistake of mounting attack by crossing the Trishuli river through the existing bridge. He located the spot namely Shubha Ghat from where Gorkhali forces could advance up-noticably. The Ghat was north of the Trishuli bridge. The Ghat could not be seen from the main habitat of Nuwakot. Moreover, it was much easier to climb up the hill and reach Mahamandal after crossing the Trishuli from the Shubha Ghat. This decision of the Gorkhali forces was an important strategic decision. They approached Jaluwa Manjhi and he agreed to ferry them across the river, Kulanand, astrologer, gave the auspicious day for launching the attack. Therefore, one day before the attack i.e., on 25th September 1994, the King ordered Kazi Kalu Pande to make final prepatation for the assault. All soldiers were assembled along with their arms. The King divided his forces into three groups. He made a plan to mount attack against

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Nuwakot form three directions. He though that there existed a strong possibility that the defenders of Nuwakot ridge might remain fully un aware if the attack were launched from the north and north east, because the soldiers of Nuwakot had the conviction that the west and south directions were the appropriate directions for the Gorkhalis to mount attack against them. Therefore, King Prithivi Narayan Shah prepared the plan to surprise the enemies by mounting attack from the unexpected direction and win over them. He made a plan that the first group of forces should reach Mahamandal through the northeast route of Gorkhu crossing the Kachar hill, which existed in the north of the Nuwakot ridge. The second group should attack through the direction of Dharampani and third group should climb up directly to Nuwakot through the route of Tindhare.

The first group of Gorkhali forces was led by Kazi Kalu Pande. Many able commanders were associated worth this group. The King had given the top most priority to the attack against Mohamandal. The second group was led by Chautaria Mahodam Kirti Shah. Many able commanders were also in this group. The third group was led by King Prithivi Narayan Shah himself and consisted of many able commanders. On the auspicious hour, total Gorkhali forces were assembled at the Ghat. Jaluwa Manjhi began to ferry them across the Trishuli river. In the invasion forces, Dal Mardan Shah, the brother of the King, also took part, who was then only 12 years old. The invasion forces consisted of Raj Guru, priest and astrologers and they were also equipped with weapons.

The numbers of defending soldiers of Nuwakot were few. They were at alert to face the attacking Gorkhali forces from the prepared defensive positions. These defenders had few guns, but they possessed mainly traditional weapons such as bows and arrows, Khundas, Swords, spears etc. Because of difficulty in procuring ammunitions, guns were sparingly used in the battle. The battle was fought mainly with the traditional

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weapons. Jayant Rana failed to get any additional troops from Kathmandu as the people were busy there in rejoicing the festival "Indra Jatra". The King was also busy in the festival. Meanwhile, the Gorkhali forces attacked Nuwakot. Though this attack against Nuwakot at the time of "Indra Jatra" was a co-incident, but it provided a clue to King Prithivi Narayan Shah to think that Indra Jatra would be the best time for attack against Kathmandu, which he did later.

Attack and Victory Over NuwakotThe highest peak of Nuwakot, Mahamandal, was the most important strategic place. Because of this reason, King Prithivi Narayan Shah called Mahamandal as a step wife of Nuwakot. Those who could control Mahamandal would also control Nuwakot. Therefore, he ordered and sent two groups of Gorkhali troops to mount attack against Mahamandal from two directions. He led himself the third group.

Attack by the First GroupOn 26th September, 1744, while the defenders of

Nuwakot were sleeping, the Gorkhali forces led by Kazi Kalu Pande crossed Gorkhu and began to climb up the hill to reach Mahamandal from the north direction. Kazi Kalu Pande chlded out a strategy to mount a sudden attack against the defenders from the unexpected direction and not let them any opportunity of counter-attack and, second, to capture or kill Shankhu Mani, the Commander of the defenders, as early as possible.

The tacties pursued by Kazi Kalu Pande were appropriate and made him victorious in the battle. The Gorkhali forces reached Mahamandal and suddenly jumped up against defenders making a war cry "Jai Kali, Jai Gorakhnath, Jai Manakamana." The defenders were surprised. As they were caught unaware and unprepared in the darkness, they began to flee in all directions without fighting against the attacking Gorkhali forces. Seeing the plight of his soldiers, Shankhu Mani began to encourage his

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panic stricken soldiers to stand up and fight against the Gorkhali soldiers. But his soldiers did not give any heed to his exhortation. He himself took a sword, charged forward and wounded a few Gorkhali soldiers. In the meantime, the Gorkhali forces surrounded him. He had already received wounds. He advanced towards Dal Mardan Shah and challenged him. However, Dal Mardan Shah swiftly struck Shankha Mani by his sword. The sword struck Shankha Mani on his head and he immediately died on the spot. Seeing the death of the Commanders, the defenders began to run away. The Gorkhali forces attacked more fiercely. Many defenders met death. Some Gorkhali soldiers also died. As the decision of a battle was determined by the death of a commanders, the laurel of victory went to Dal Mardan Shah. The defenders fled away towards Belkot.

Attack by the Second GroupThe second group of Gorkhali soldiers led by Chautaria

Mahodam Kirti Shah crossed Dharampani and met with the strong force of defenders. The battle continued for a while in the midst of war cry "Jai Kali, Jai Gorakh, Jai Manakamana." But the Gorkhali forces got victory. Many defenders died and remaining defenders fled away.

Attack by the Third GroupThe third group of Gorkhali forces led by King Prithivi

Narayan Shah began to advance swiftly towards Nuwakot after receiving the news of the capture of Mahamandal and reached Nuwakot Gadhi. In the darkness, the defenders could not withstand the attack of the Gorkhali forces. The defenders had already got the information of the death of their Commander Shankha Mani. So they began to run away towards Belkot in stead of fighting against the Gorkhali forces.

Kazi Kalu Pande reached Nuwakot with a small contingent of forces through the route of Ashok Bari, Mahomad

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Kirti Shah also arrived there. King Prithivi Narayan Shah entered the Nuwakot Gadhi through the main road of Tindhara. He assembled his all soldiers at one place and then went to pay his respect to Nuwakot Bhairavi, a deity. After this, he entered into the Nuwakot Palace according to the advice of astrologers. The control of the Gorkhalis was fully establisged over Nuwakot before the rise of sun in the horizon.

The Battle of KirtipurAfter the conquest of Nuwakot, King Prithivi Narayan Shah decided to capture strategic places situated at mountain ridges around the Kathmandu valley states than to mount a direct attack against these states. In according with the plan, he conquered one place after another namely Naldum, Mahadev Pokhari, Lamidada, Dahachok, Tistung, Palung, Chitlang, Pharping, Chapagaon, Thecho, Sunaguthi, Bode Gaon etc. The three states of the Kathmandu valley were ruled by the Malla Kings. These Kings became alarmed from the conquests made by the Gorkha King over the surrounding areas. So, in 1757, King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu hired the services of Nagarkoti experts of Kangra to give training to the soldiers of the valley states. He made arrangement for the fabrication of new weapons. These attempts were made to check the advance of the Gorkhali forces. The soldiers of the three valley states received military training from which bolstered up the morale of these soldiers. Experiencing these moves of the adversaries, King Prithivi Narayan Shah felt that it would be prudent to attack and capture the important strategic places within the valley before the rise of their strength. He decided to launch attack against Kirtipur first of all through the direction of Dahachok Gadhi.

Kirtipur lies at a distance of about 10 kilometers from Kathmandu on a mountain ridge. Kirtipur had been used as fort since long back. The other name of this place is Padamkastapuri. The Kirtipur village was protected by erecting high walls around it. There were gates in the southern side at the walls. The people

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could commute through these gates only. It was very difficult to climb up the walls from other sides. There was a dense forest spreaded up to the foot hill. Beyond the dense forest, there were plain and fertile lands. The residents of Kirtipur used to go down at the field to do agricultural works at day time, and they used to return to it in the evening and, after then, the village guards used to shut the gates (Gopur). The people of Kirtipur used to make their livelihood from the produce of these lands. The Balkhu stream flows from the west of Kirtipur, then it proceeds to the north and bends towards east and falls in the Bagmati river. The Patan town was about 7 Kilometers from Kirtipur. As it situated in a high ridge, the activities of both towns namely Kathmandu and Patan could be seen clearly from Kirtipur.

Kirtipur had a great strategic importance in the Kathmandu valley because of its location. Because of Kirtipur situated at a high altitude and having a strong fort, if the Gorkhalis could capture it once, it would be much easier for them to continue its possession and, moreover, it would be much easier to keep watch on the activities of Kathmandu and Patan and to invade them. The capture of Kirtipur by the Gorkhalis would greatly dishearten the soldiers of Malla Kings.

Plan of the Battle of KirtipurKing Prithivi Narayan Shah sought the opinion and advice of his trusted main Commanders in relation to launching attack against Kirtipur. The opinion was divided among them about launching the attack. Kazi Kalu Pande, Hari Bansh Upadhyay, Astrologer Kulanand, etc, were not in favour of attack on the reason that there existed a very high possibility of coming into unity among the Malla Kings on account of attack against Kirtipur and it would be very difficult to defeat the combined Malla soldiers, and, so they advised the King to attack after sometime when the situation turned favourable. But, Sur Pratap Shah, the King's brother, and some other Bhardars gave their opinion in favour of launching attack immediately against Kirtipur. King Prithivi

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Narayan Shah was also in favour of attack as he did not want to let the strength of the adversaries to grow by prolonging the time of attack. He prepared two sets of plans for the battle of Kirtipur. These two sets were alternative to each other. They were as follows:

(i) Arrival at Kirtipur suddenly from Dahachok. By force compelled the guards to open the gates at Kirtipur and capture them before the arrival of soldiers of Malla Kings or

(ii) If soldiers of Malla Kings arrived to block the war, the Gorkhali forces should fight against them and capture Kirtipur.

The Malla Kings became aware of the assembling of the Gorkha forces at Dahachok. They also got the information about the impending attack against Kirtipur. The Malla Kings had formed an union to fight against the Gorkhali forces. King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kirtipur (present Kathmandu) and King Viswajit Malla of Patan encouraged the youths of their states to form organizations and provided them military training. King Ranjit Malla of Bhadgaon also followed them in this respect.

About 1,200 Gorkhali forces led by Kazi Kalu Pande reached Bhajangal from the Dahachok ridge one day before the launching of attack and remained there. The next day was stipulated as the auspicious day of attack. On this day, the Gorkhali forces made a plan to launch a direct attack against Kirtipur by crossing the Balkhu stream. The defending forces of Malla states were about 3,000 persons. Their combined forces had a plan to destroy the invaders by attacking from three directions. It was rear of the Gorkhali forces while the forces of Bhaktapur would attack in the centre.

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The First Battle of KirtipurAstrologer Bal Krishna Joshi calculated and stipulated 28th May, 1747 as the auspicious date of launching attack against Kirtipur by the Gorkhali forces. It was a festival day of Bijaya Dashmi. The Gorkhali forced led by Kazi Kalu Pande advanced Bhajangal from Dahachok. The defending forces of three Malla states took their positions. All gates of Kirtipur were closed. The inhabitants of Kirtipur took position at different places hiding behind the walls and taking weapons with them. On the auspicious day as stipulated for the launching of attack, the Gorkhali soldiers advanced towards Kirtipur by crossing the Belkhu stream. The forces of Kantipur led by King Jaya Prakash Malla marched towards Kirtipur through the route of Tandeswar, King Viswajit of Patan marched through the route of Ganesthan and the forces of Bhaktapur also advanced through the main road that existed between Patan and Kirtipur. As and when the forces of the two opposing sides approached the Jhamsikhel field situated at the north-west of the Kirtipur village, the drums were begun to played, and the battle started. The Kantipur's soldiers attacked the Gorkhali soldiers at the rear, the Bhaktapur's soldiers at the centre and the Patan's forces at the front. Thus the Gorkhali soldiers had to fight the battle in three directions at the same time. This situation put them in a precarious position. Though the Gorkhali soliders were more adept in the warfare, yet they had to fight against far large number of trained soldiers than that of theirs. The battle continued whole day. Kazi Kalu Pande led the Gorkhali forces in the battle. Suddenly, an arrow stuck at his head. He fell down. The enemy soldiers immediately beheaded him and they took away his head. The Gorkhali forces began to fled away in the absence of their Commander. Swords and other weapons of Kazi Kalu Pande were taken away by the enemies and kept at he temple of Bagh Bhairav, and these watching from a proximate place. He ordered his soldiers to retreat from the battle-field in the evening.

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Both sides suffered serious losses in the battle of Kirtipur. The forces of the Malla Kings suffered 800 deaths and many wounded. On the side of Gorkhali forces, 400 soldiers including some able Commanders had died and many soldiers also received wounds. The death of Kazi Kalu Pande was a serious blow to the Gorkhali forces. This severe defeat and death of Kazi Kalu Pande greatly shocked King Prithivi Narayan Shah. He gave up fighting completely for two years. The europhia that arose out of victory over Nuwakot made the King of Gorkha over ambitious. He made the mistake of not fathoming and acquiring the correct assessment of the strength and weaknesses of the adversaries. But the Malla Kings were jubilant on this victory. They could realize and visualize distinctly the advantage of unity among them, though this unity in true spirit did not last long.

The Second Battle of KirtipurKing Prithivi Narayan Shah could not give up his determination to conquer the Kathmandu valley states. He made an attempt to improve economic conditions of Gorkha by fostering trade relation between it and Tibet. Gradually, he went on restoring and replenishing the depleted, and strengthening military organization. He appointed Bansh Raj Pande, son of Kazi Kalu Pande, in the past of Kazi which had become vacant on accont of the latter's death. The King had given the vacant post of Cardar to the middle son of Commander Shiva Ram Singh, who had died in the battle of Sangachok. Thus, he had entrusted the responsibility for the preparation of war and improving military organization to the new generation. In 1759, King Prithivi Narayan Shah had made up his mind to launch military operation again. He had chalked out following plans in order to defeat the Malla Kings.

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Imposition of Blockade Against the Malla StatesIn order to be able to impose blockade effectively against the Kathmandu valley states, King Prithivi Narayan Shah captured the Shivapuri ridge, the north-west gate-way to Kathmandu in 1761, Kavre in 1760 and Dhulikhel and Chautara in 1761. Later, the Gorkhali captured Panuti and Banepa. The military operations against Bhaktapur were discontinued after the capture of Sanga and Nala. Then, the Gorkhali forces captured Pharping, about 10 kilometers south of Kirtipur, in 1763 with a view to mounting attack against Kirtipur later. In 1764, Chobhar was won. The Gorkhali forces won Panga village situated about 2 kilometers south of Kirtipur. By this way, the Gorkhali forces won the surrounding areas of Kirtipur and took position there.

Spying of the Malla StatesKing Prithivi Narayan Shah sent a good-will team to the Palace of King Jaya Prakash Malla. During its stay at Kantipur, this team collected necessary information and instigated authorities of the Kingdom of Kantipur against Jaya Prakash Malla. However, when this matter became known to him, he gave punishment to all.

Creation of Disorder in the Political Situation of KantipurKing Prithivi Narayan Shah used to send letters to the higher authorities of the Palace of King Jaya Prakash Malla in such language that used to exhibit their very close relationship with the former. Knowingly and purposely, King Prithivi Narayan Shah used to send letters in such a way that they should fall in the hands of Jaya Prakash Malla. Jaya Prakash Malla acted in a fashion that King Prithivi Narayan Shah intended to him to act. On suspicion, he gave punishment even to his mother as well as to his other loyalists.

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Imposition of Economic BlockadeIn 1759, King Prithivi Narayan Shah made a plan to impose economic blockade strictly against the Kathmandu valley with an objective to instigating the people to rise against their rulers. Total prohibition was imposed on the entry of salt and cotton into the valley. The people began made a plan to impose economic blockade strictly against the Kathmandu valley with an objective to instigating the people to rise against their rulers. Total prohibition was imposed on the entry of salt and cotton into the valley. The people began to fell the pinch severely arising out of the shortage of food articles. They even began to raise voice against the King.

Against this background, King Prithivi Narayan Shah made a plan to launch an attack against Kirtipur. The comman of the invading Gorkhali forces was given to Shur Pratap Shah, his brother. Astrologer Kulanand could not dare in stipulating the auspicious day of attack. While Kazi Bansh Raj Pande and Hari Bansh Upadhya did not favour the attack, Daljit Shah and Sri Hansha Pant spoke in its favour. Again, Bal Krishna Joshi fixed the auspicious day of launching attack. Kirtipur was surrounded by high walls, so the Gorkhali forces prepared ladders out of the bamboos in order to climb the walls, Sri Hansha Pant and the soldiers under their command laid a siege of Kirtipur. The inhabitants of Kirtipur made preparations for the coming battle. They had collected a large quantity of stone boulders. They also took the help of Bhotes who knew the use of slings. The inhabitants of Kirtipur had also bows and arrows. They were assisted by the trained soldiers of Lalitpur. Astrologer Bal Krishna Joshi stipulated 16th September 1768 as the auspicious day of launching attack. Yogi Bhagwant Nath had given a charmed bird and said that this bird should be flown inside Kirtipur fort before taking place of the battle. The Gorkhale forces reached Kirtipur before the stipulated day and they made a plan to lay ladders at the walls and enter into Kirtipur through scaling up the ladders. First of all, the Gorkhali forces threw the

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charmed bird inside the Kirtipur fort, but the inhabitants of Kirtipur threw the bird outside the wall. Shur Pratap Shah did not want to let the auspicious time of attack to slip. Therefore, he gave an order to attack. He himself attempted to climb up the wall through the bamboo ladder. Daljit Shah and Sri Hansha Pant, also followed him. As Shur Pratap Shah climbed up the wall, an arrow came flying from inside the Kirtipur fort and hit his left eye. Daljit Shah also became wounded when an arrow hit him. The defenders of the Kirtipur fort began to hurl boulders and shoot arrows against the Gorkhali forces who were trying to climb up the bamboo ladders as well as to climb upward from the foot hill. The Gorkhalis suffered heavily and retreated to Dahachok. The Gorkhali forces did not have an adequate training and expertise to overwhelm a strongly fortified place. Their this weakness put them at a disadvantage when they attacked to capture a fortified place like Kirtipur.

Victory Over KirtipurKing Prithivi Narayan Shah decided to tighten the siege over Kirtipur. In 1765, Kazi Bansh Raj was entrusted with this task. The Gorkhali forces made temporary defense position around Kirtipur and they took position in these places. The defenders of Kirtipur led bySikhwal Pradhan strengthened their defense arrangements and were awaiting for the attack. The Gorkhalis did not allow either coming out from or entering into Kirtipur to any one. In the month of October, paddy crops were ripen in the fields near the foot-hill of Kirtipur. But the Gorkhali soldiers did not permit its inhabitants to harvest the crops. As a result, serious food shortage appeared at the Kirtipur village. The siege of Kirtipur by the Gorkhali forces created a panic among its inhabitants. The Commander of the Kirtipur defense asked for help secretly from the Kings of Kantipur, Patan and Bhaktapur. To take the benefit of the panic stricken situation in Kirtipur, Bansh Raj pande had sent some quantity of foodgrains inside the fort and encouraged its inhabitants to surrender. Seeing no hope, the Kirtipur defenders surrendered to the Gorkhali forces. On

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this occasion, King Prithvi Narayan Shah issued a public notice stating that the Gorkhalis should not inflict any damage to the life and property of the inhabitants of Kirtipur who had surrendered.

The Gorkhali forces kept their siege over Kirtipur for six months continuously. Because of severe hardship as well as difficulty in prolonging the fight, Commander Silwal decided to surrender to the Gorkhali. He secretly negotiated with Bansh Raj Pande to surrender. Accordingly, on 12th March, 1766, Pradhan opened the gates of the Kirtipur fort at mid-night and surrendered to the Gorkhali forces.

Some of the Gorkhali forces committed brutal activities and cut off the noses and lips of some of the inhabitants of Kirtipur. Why this awefull episode took place and who ordered to commit such activity, there is no record available on the Gorkhali side. King Prithvi Narayan Shah expelled all missionary people from Nepal. One of the expelled missionary, Giuseppe, much later maliciously wrote that King Prithvi Narayan Shah issued order to Shur Pratap Shah to commit such crime. It is a fact that the aweful episode took place in Kirtipur but there is no conclusive evidence on the record that King Prithvi Narayan issued order to do so. King Prithvi Narayan Shah used to issue orders in writing, so if he had issued the order, the document would have been available at present as many documents of his period are available. Moreover, when the Kirtipur fort fell, King Prithvi Narayan was in Nuwakot. Kirtipur could be reached only after two days walking from Nuwakot. So, the King could issue order in writing o the Commander of Gorkhali forces in Kirtipur. The King reached Kirtipur from Nuwakot after a few days. Why the aweful episode occurred in Kirtipur that remained a mystery. Giuseppe did not write that he himself or his men heard the order or read the order in writing issued by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. So Giuseppe's charge against King Prithvi Narayan Shah was his

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after thought, as Giuseppe could not return to Kathmandu in spite of his repeated request for such permission with King Prithvi Narayan Shah. So in order to malign him and win the favour of the British in India, with whom the King was not popular because of his refusal to give permission to British to come and stay in Nepal for commercial purpose, Giuseppe wrote about the King's order on the basis of hearsay.

One can draw some logical inference that the aweful episode took place either Shur Pratap Shah took revenge with those persons of Kirtipur who were instrumental in hitting an arrow in his left eye during the previous battle or some defenders of Kirtipur might have refused to abide the terms of surrender and charged suddenly against the Gorkhalis after they entered into Kirtipur and the Gorkhali forces might have treated brutely with those. One year later, the Gorkhali forces commanded by Shur Pratap Shah burned 501 thouses and Killed 2001 persons in Bhadgaon in spite of the order of King Prithvi Narayan Shah not to kill or damage extensively there. Therefore King Prithvi Narayan Shah did not appreciate him for the victory order Bhadgaon, but bestowed Sirpau to Bansh Raj Pande in appreciation for this victory. Afterward, Shur Pratap Shah was not given the command of any Gorkhali forces and he left Kathmandu. Thus, it can be inferred that there might exist some close connection with the awful episode of Kirtipur which Shur Pratap Shah allowed to take place without the King's prior knowledge.

This episode opened the eyes of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. He took special care to announce the security of the people's lives and properties of Kirtipur, which he had not done when he conquered Nuwakot previously. Afterward, he adopted the policy of giving protection to the surrendered or vanquished people and therefore, undesirable events did not take place any where.

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The Gorkhali forces used explosive to demolish the fort of Nuwakot and Bhadgaon but there was no record that they had taken such a move to demolish the fort of Kirtipur. It seems that the fort of Kirtipur was much stronger and the explosives that were available to Gorkhali forces had not powerful enough to demolish to Kirtipur fort.

The Battle of Makwanpur (1762-63)Prithvi Narayan Shah married Indra Kumari in February 1738, the daughter of King Hem Karna Sen of Makwanpur, who was a descendent of King Mukund Sen of Palpa. A discord arose in respect of sending Indra Kumari immediately with her husband. Much rancor transpired between Prithvi Narayan Shah and Digbandhan Sen, brother-in-law of the former, from the episode. After the death of King Hem Karna Sen, Digbandhan Sen became the King of Makwanpur in 1758. The economic blockade laid by King Prithvi Narayan Shah against the Kathmandu valley could not be fully effective on account of the existence of some trials to Kathmandu which passed through the hilly regions of Makwanpur which he did not stop. After the death of his father, King Digbandhan Sen permitted the trade between the Kathmandu valley and Bengal through Makwanpur in order to make ineffective the economic blockade imposed by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. King Prithvi Narayan Shah had old rancor against Digbandhan Sen. His policy also affected adversely on the economic blockade against the Kathmandu valley states laid by the Gorkha King. Consequently, a compulsion arose before King Prithvi Narayan Shah to capture Makwanpur to make economic blockade a success. So, he began to make preparation to attack against Makwanpur.

In those days, the Kingdom of Makwanpur consisted of both hills and Terai (Plain) regions. On the southern peak of a ridge that extended in the southwordly direction existed the Makwanpur Gadhi (fort). The Gadhi was surrounded by strong strong and high walls. There were three defense positions

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constructed on the three sides of the Gadhi. Below it, there was a defense forest of sal woods, which made the Gadhi as the forest fort (Ban Durga). There were plain lands at the foot hill of the Makwanpur ridge. The village situated at the plain land was called by the name Harna Madi. The Karra stream flowed at the southern side of the ridge. South of it, the plain land was extended up to the Churia hill. Bara, Parsa and Rautahat districts were under the Kingdom of Makwanpur. The Hariharpur Gadhi was situated at a distance of 20 kilometers east from the Makwanpur Gadhi. The Hariharpur Gadhi was also under Makwanpur.

Preparation for Attack Against MakwanpurMakwanpur was not weak as regards its military strength. So, King Prithvi Narayan Shah started to make exhaustive preparations before the attack against Makwanpur. In 1762, he decided to attack Makwanpur in the rainy season and the preparations proceeded accordingly. It was a very difficult job to send forces, foods and weapons through the mountain trials in the rainy season. In order to avoid the crossings of the streams and rivers, it was necessary to take routes that passed through hills and ridges. He fixed the routes for Gorkhali forces in their march towards the Makwanpur Gadhi. The route as laid by him passed from Dahachok to Chitlang, Kulekhani mountain pass near Tekan on the Mahabharat ridge, and then to Makwanpur Gadhi. He made a plan to lay a siege over Gadhi when his forces reached there, then afterward mount an attack against it and capture it. He made arrangement for the transportation of weapons and food commodities by engaging porters as well as for the movements of letters and informations by establishing hulaks (carriers of letters) between Dahachok and the Makwanpur Gadhi. Arrangements were also made at different places to supply foods to the soldiers. The military officers were provided with horses whereas other soldiers were to march on foot. As regards weapons, majority of soldiers had bows and

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arrows. The military officers had Khundas (a type of sword), swords and shields. Few guns were also with them.

King Prithvi Narayan Shah deputed Chautaria Mohodam Kirti Shah, Chautaria Dal Mardan Shah, Kazi Shur Pratap Shah, Kazi Rana Rudra Shah, Sardar Nandu Shah, Kazi Bansh Raj Pande, Baksi Kehar Singh Basnyat, Baksi Nahar Singh Basnyat and Baksi Abhiman Singh Basnyat for the invasion over Makwanpur. Thus, many experienced and war-tested commanders were associated with the attacking Gorkhali forces. About 1,000 soldiers, under the command of above persons left Dahachok for Makwanpur on 17th August, 1762. The Gorkhali forces laid a siege over the Makwanpur Gadhi by 20th August, 1762 and took position at different places.

The Battle of MakwanpurKing Digbudhan Sen of Makwanpur got information in advance about the attack, so he sent all valuable and members of his family to the Hariharpur Gadhi before the attack. The astrologers had stipulated the 21st August, 1762 as an auspicious date of attack against Makwanpur. So, the Gorkhali forces mounted an attack against it in the morning of this day. The battle continued fiercely for eight hours. When the night fell, Digbandhan Sen and Kanak Singh fled away to the Hariharpur Gadhi. The Makwani soldiers suffered a defeat. The Gorkhali forces captured some wealth and few guns inside the Gadhi. They suffered casualities of 60 soldiers, death while the figure was 400 soldiers, death on the side of Makwanpur.

The Battle of Hariharpur GadhiThe Hariharpur Gadhi was situated at a mountain ridge of the Mahabharat range. It was situated at the height of 2,500 feet above the sea level. The Bagmati river bends south and flows near the ridge. This place had a great strategic importance, because the route to the Kathmandu valley, which passed through its south, was the shortest one and, secondly, there were

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no dense habitations on the route. The west and the south-east directions were open.

The Gorkhali forces stationed themselves at Makwanpur Gadhi and began to make preparation for attack against the Hariharpur Gadhi. They decided to launch attack after the festival of Bijaya Dasami. A contingent of troops under the command of Sardar Nandu Shah were left there for the defense of the Makwanpur Gadhi and the remaining Gorkhali forces and other Bhardars proceeded towards the Hariharpur Gadhi. They decided to lay a siege over it and then mount an attack. As and when they reached there, they imposed a siege over it. On 4 th

October, 1762, they launched an attack against its defenders. The soldiers of Makwanpur fought valiantly against the Gorkha forces, but the defenders suffered a defeat. They vacated the Gadhi after mid-night. About 500 soldiers of Makwanpur met death in the battle. Digbandhan Sen and Kanak Baniya could fled away form there to the Khunda Ghat taking their family members and wealth with them. The Gorkhali forces captured the Hariharpur Gadhi.

Military Operations of Mirkasim's Force (January 1763)Kasim Ali Khan (Mir Kasim) became the Nawab of Mursidabad with the help of the British. He employed an Armenian named as Gregary to organize the train soldiers on the British pattern. Nawab gave him a muslim name and called him Gurgin Khan. The soldiers trained by Gurgin Khan were stationed at Betia. Mir Kasim had heard the rumor that there were lots of gold and silver in Nepal. He came to know about the unstable situation prevailing in Makwanpur and Kathmandu valley states on account of armed conflicts and prolonged hostilities. In order to take advantage of the unstable situation in Nepal, he gave an order to Gurgin Khan to attack and capture the Makwanpur Gadhi first, and then from there, proceed to attack against the Kathmandu valley states, and capture their enormous wealth.

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The forces of Nawab leb by Gurgin Khan advanced towards the Makwanpur Gadhi. The number of forces led by him were quite large in comparison to that of Gorkhali forces at the Gadhi under the Command of Sardar Nandu Shah. The number of Gorkhali forces were about 400 soldiers only, but they had a long experience of the mountain warfare. The force of Gurgin Khan were equipped with the weapons such as cannon, guns, swords, spears etc. They had sufficient quantities of guns, ammunitions and gunpowder. The Gorkhali forces also had guns, bows and arrows, Khundas, Khukuris, swords, sling etc.

The forces led by Gurgin Khan left Mursidabad for Makwanpur in December 1762. In January, they took position at Harnadi situated at the foot-hill of the Makwanpur hill. The inhabitants of this village vacated it and went to the nearby hills. The Makwanpur Gadhi was about 3 kilometers up on the hill. Gurgin Khan made his base camp at Harnadi. He was planning to launch an attack against Makwanpur Gadhi from there. The Gorkhali forces had build three defensive positions around the Gadhi. On 12th January, 1763, the forces of Gurgin Khan captured one of the three defense positions of the Gorkhalis. In the meantime, Sardar Nandu Shah sent information about the Gurgin Khan's attack to King Prithivi Narayan Shah at Dahachok. After receiving the information, he sent reinforcements under the command of Kazi Bansh Raj Pande and Baksi Nahar Singh Basnyat to help Nandu Shah. The King also directed his remaining forces to remain alert to fight against the foreign invaders.

The forces of Gurgin Khan took rest for few days after the capture of Dadhuwa position. He sent about 3,000 soldiers to mount an attack against the Makwanpur Gadhi on 20 January, 1763. They climbed up the hill and afterward, began to attack the Gadhi. The Gorkhali forces fought bravely whole day from inside the fort. The attackers discontinued their attack when the night fell. They decided to attack next day. In the meantime, the

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Gorkhali forces sent from Dahachok reached at Taplakhar, which was situated at two kilomenters north of the Gadhi. They got the information that the attackers were taking rest at that time. The Gorkhali forces decived to mount an attack immediately against the invaders. They made a plan of attack. According to the plan they should launch attack simultaneously from three directions. Bansh Raj Pande should attack through the route of Taplakhar and Bakshi Nahar Singh Basnyat through the route of old Makwanpur. This plan was also informed to the defenders of the Gadhi. While the soldiers of Gurgin Khan were asleep, at midnight, the Gorkhali forces mounted a fierce attack from three directions. The Gorkhali soldiers used all sorts of weapons against their enemies. The Gorkhali soldiers slew many invaders by using their Khukuris and Khundas. The invaders became stunned by this surprise attack. They threw failed to stand and fight. They became so much panic stricken that a stampede took place. They threw guns and other weapons. The Gorkhali forces chased the fleeing enemies and killed many of them. Many alien soldiers fell down from the hill in the darkness and died. The Gorkhali forces captured 500 guns and 2 cannons. Few invaders could reach their base camp. Gurgin Khan did not dare attack again. He returned to India with his remaining soldiers. The fighting power of the Gorkhali forces increased because of the capture of large number of guns and a few cannons. This victory boosted up their spirit and morale.

The Battle of SindhuliKing Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu decided to seek military assistance from the British as he did not see any other alternative to contain the Gorkhalis' expansion. In March 1767, he wrote a letter to Golding, the British Commercial Attache, at Betia in India seeking British military assistance. The letter was delivered by his representatives Mukhtar Umda and Fakir Ramdas. So, on 6th April, 1767, he wrote a strong recommendation letter and also attached Jaya Prakash's letter with it and sent to Thomas Rambold at Patna. He sent both

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letters to the Governor of the Company at Calcutta on 18 th April, 1767. King Prithivi Narayan Shah knew all about this development. Therefore, in a letter written to Rambold, the King expressed his desire to come to Patna and meet him during his visit, But Rambold had already made up his mind in favour of Jaya Prakash. So on 30th April, 1767, Rambold wrote a letter to King Prithivi Narayan Shah advising him to lift the blockade against the Kathmandu valley and desist from attacking King Jaya Prakash, otherwise the Company would declare him (King Prithivi Narayan Shah) as his enemy. This letter gave a premonition of the future event, so the Gorkhalis expedited their military prepatations. Rambold did not receive any positive response from the Gorkhali King, so the former wrote a letter to the Select Committee of the East India Company decided to launch military expedition against the Gorkhali King.

Preparation for the ExpeditionOn the Side of British

Captain Kinloch was appointed to lead the British Military Expedition Team against the Gorkhali King. Captain Kinloch received an order to reach Patna via Munger, where he would receive additional instructions through Rambold. Captain Kinloch reached Patna and met Rambold there, where the former received necessary instructions form the latter. In june, 1767, Captain Kinloch sought information from the representatives of King Jaya Prakash Malla about different aspects relating to the Gorkhali forces. The representatives gave him information that the total strength of the Gorkhali forces was 50,000 soldiers of which 20,000 soldiers were engaged in imposing blockade against Kathmandu valley and the remaining 30,000 soldiers were performing agricultural activities who could be called up at any time if necessity were arisen. Their main weapons are bows and arrows and muzzle loading guns. These representatives further gave information about the routes leading to Kathmandu, arrangements of food supply, fortification executed by the Gorkhali and their military tactics and strategies. This team

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could face difficulty in their advance, if the expedition were not started soon, because the rainy season was approaching. However, they informed Kinloch that the Gorkhali forces had made good arrangements to pursue military operations in the rainy season too. Mukhtar Umda gave information about the routes to the military expedition team, which showed 96 Koshs (307 Kilometers) from Patna to Panauti, and eleven halts to traverse the route. Routes were as follows:

Halt Kosh1. Patna to Hajipur 3 Supply of food & water available.2. Hajipur to Darbhanga 22 ,,3. Darbanga to Babaha 7 ,,4. Babaha to Janakpur 12 ,,5. Janakpur to Jeladbas 6 Water available food supply not available.6. Jeladbas to Ranipawa 9 ,,7. Ranipawa to Sindhuli 9 Supply of food & water available.8. Sindhuli to Khurkot 6 ,,9. Khurkot to Jhanga Jholi 6 Water available food supply not available.10. Jhanga Jholi to Dapcha 10 Supplies would be provides by Jaya Prakash Malla.11. Dapcha to Panauti 6 ,,

It was decided that food supplies for the British military expedition team for 3 halts would be carried by porters. Captain Kinloch's forces were composed of 18 companies consisting of 2,400 personnel. The forces had few officers. Some new recruits were raised to augment the number of forces. The new recruits

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had not undergone sufficient military training. Each soldier had musket. Kinloch decided to carry few cannons. The British soldiers had also traditional weapons.

On the Side of GorkhaliKing Prithivi Narayan Shah anticipated that the British

could mount an attack from the direction of the Sindhuli Gadhi. So, he sent 500 soldiers under the command of Khajanchi Bir Bhadra Upadhyay and Sardar Banshu Gurung to defend the Sindhuli Gadhi. In 1776, the King took out 700 soldiers from the Kirtipur garrison and sent them to Sindhuli under the command of Kazi Bansh Raj Pande and Kazi Sri Harsa Pant. Moreover, he sent additional 300 soldiers to the Hariharpur Gadhi to bloster up its defense. King Prithivi Narayan Shah himself stayed at Kirtipur and from there, he was making arrangements or issuing directions in respect of the defense of Sindhuli. He also sent five companies of soldiers namely Sabuja, Kali Buksh, Gorakh, Shree Nath and Vajrabani to Sindhuli, which he raised only few years back. Well arrangements were made for the supply of food and water to the forces being in their own country, the Gorkhali forces were well aware of the territories and knew the kinds of supplies that were available at different places. As done in the previous battles, an effective arrangement was made to the movement of the messages through the hulak (postal) system, which would enable the King to take appropriate decision and communicate it to the concerned person. The Gorkhali forces were equipped with traditional weapons such as bows and arrows, swords, Khukuris, Kundas, slings etc. There was also a company of soldiers, who were specially trained to use Kundas. The Gorkhali forces had also muskets.

Captain Kinloch's plan of military expedition was completely based on the information provided by the representatives of King Jaya Prakash Malla. Kinloch did not care to gather information through his own source. He was confident

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of victory over the Gorkhali forces as came to know that they did not have gun-bearing soldiers. He thought that his soldiers by attacking and charging with guns against them would easily finish them. He misadventured to lead a military expedition team against the enemies in their own country without any first hand knowledge about their strengths and weaknesses, tactics, strategies, fortifications, territories, routes, availability of food supply etc. His choosing of the time to lead the expedition just before the on set of the rainy season clearly depicted his ignorance of the true situation of the country. Kinloch's sins of omission and commission are glaring proofs of his ignorance of the country, he was attacking, and the enemy, he would oppose.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah made a very careful and well thought plan for the impending battle against the invading British Military Expedition Team. The plan was as follows. Firstly, the villages that existed near the routes between Janakpur and Sindhuli Gadhi should be shifted to distance places, so that food supplies should not fall in the hands of enemies. Secondly, the Sindhui Gadhi should be vacated and the enemies should be allowed to reach there without any obstruction. Thirdly, seeing the vacated Sindhuli Gadhi, the enemies might think that the Gorkhalis had fled in fear. This would raise the morale of the enemies and they would become complacent. Against the expectation of the enemies, they should not get any food supply at Sindhuli. Fourthly, because of the scarcity of food, the enemies would attempt to reach Kathmandu valley in a haste and advance toward the Pauwa Gadhi by climbing up the hill from Sindhuli. In the meantime, the Gorkhali forces should mount attack against the enemies simultaneously from two directions, i.e., one from the direction of the Pauwa Gadhi and another from the direction of Dhungrebas, and then destroy them. By this way, King Prithivi Narayan Shah devised a plan to lure the enemies up to a certain place, entrap them and then destroy them.

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The BattleCaptain Kinloch along with his 2,400 soldiers left Patna in 1767. He used the representatives of the Malla Kings as guides. Most of his soldiers were Indains. The British Military Expedition Team reached Janakpur. The team did not get adequate food supply there. This made Kinloch a little bit uneasy. But the Expedition Team procured food from Darbhanga and continued its advance. The rainy season had already set in. The condition of roads became abysmally bad. Kinloch's forces were facing the shortage of food and adverse weather condition. His forces reached Sindhuli in September without any obstruction on their route. He became very pleased to see the vacated Sindhule Gadhi. But there was no availability of food. On the contrary, he was told that sufficient quantity of food was easily available at Sindhuli. His soldiers became very desperate. So, he decided to advance further.

Kinloch soldiers had finished their morning meal. And they and their porters began to climb up the hills from the Sindhuli Gadhi to reach the Pauwa Gadhi, while was about 3 kilometers far. The British officer Hardy was entrusted with the task of supervising porters. Who were carrying loads of foods. The British officers were climbing up the hill in a file. They reached near to the Pauwa Gadhi. In the meantime, the Gorkhali forces led by Bansh Raj Pande and Bir Bhadra Upadhyay suddenly made a charge against the Kinloch's forces from above the hill. Hardy became wounded and turned back. Another group of the Gorkhali forces led by Banshu Gurung mounted attack against Kinloch forces at the rear. Kinloch's forces fell into an ambush.

A gun fight raged between the opposing forces for some time. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. In no tome, Kinloch's soldiers became disheartened as they realized that the situation was quite beyond their control. So, they began to flee and enter into the nearby forest by throwing their weapons. The Gorkhali

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forces continued their pursue to the fleeing enemies and slew many enemy soldiers. One historian estimated that the Gorkhali forces suffered death of about 1,600 soldiers. The Gorkhalis' victory boosted up their morale and spirit.

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The Battle of the Kangra FortThe Kangra fort, now lies at Himachal Pradesh in India, was kept under siege for four years by the Gorkhali forces during the first decade of the 19th century. The Kangra fort was situated at the peak of a hill. This place was about 64 kilometers far from the Vyas river. The fort was impregnable and had a great strategic importance. There was very good source of water supply within the fort where about 5 thousand persons could stay at a time. In 1788, Sansar Chand with the help of Sikh Sardar Jaya Singh captured the Kangra fort, and later Sansar Chand could establish his sole control over it. During the course of time, Sansar Chand made many enemies. He imprisoned King Iswari Chand and confiscated all properties of the King of Kutle. Sansar Chand attacked twice against the Hoshiyarpur. He perpetrated many barbaric acts against the principalities proximate to his Kingdom. So, all these principalities formed a fighting force under the leadership of Nepali Commander Amar Singh Thapa to take revenge against him.

In 1805, the Nepali forces crossed over the Satlaj river and began to attack against the Kingdom of Kangra. Many Kings of small principalities of this region came along with their forces and joined the Nepali forces. A commitment was made by Amar Singh and other Kings that the Kargra (the other name is Trigarta) would remain under the control of Amar Singh if it were captured and, moreover, other principalities who were under the suzerainty of Kangra would become independent. Amar Singh Thapa set free Isware Chand from imprisonment and returned his Kingdom. The King of Kutled also received back some places previously won by Ghamand Chand and Sansar Chand. Amar Singh Thapa camped his forces at Jwalamukhi, from where, a contingent of the Nepali forces went to lay a siege against the Kangra fort. The other small group of soldiers went towards Tira-Sujanpur to lay Kangra remained holed in the fort of Tira. The Nepali forces went gradually on

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laying a siege against the fort. He did not feel himself safe there and shifted to the Kangra Fort, a mare secured place.

The principalities of Mandi, Suket, Kutled, Chamba and Guler joined with Nepalese. Amar Singh Thapa already won all places surrounding the Kangra fort. He controlled all the hilly areas that spreaded between Mahakali river and the Vyas river. The Nepali forces laid siege against the Kangra fort, but the could not won it. The soldiers of the hilly principalities began to loot the villages of the Kingdom of Kangra and they inflicted lot of pains to the local people. The Nepali soldiers also joined them in the activities of looting and arson. This created panic among the local inhabitants, and they began to fled away to the Kingdom of Chamba. The lands became barren. No cultivation was performed. The towns and villages became deserted.

Amar Singh Thapa repeatedly sent information to Sansar Chand to surrender. As he had sufficient quantity of food stock in the fort, he continued his struggle. His situation became desperate on account of depletion of food stock. So, Sansar Chand sent information to Amar Singh Thapa that he intended to give up control of the Kangra fort and Tara Gadhi and hand over these places to him. But Sansar Chand requested that the fort of Teri Sujanpur should be given to him. He asked him for a period of ten days to shift his family members and other belongings out of the Kangra fort. Therefore, Amar Singh Thapa had withdrawn the forces out of the gate of the Ganesh valley. But Sansar Chand deceived him. While his family members went out of the fort at the day time, soldiers used to bring food supplies secretly at night. After the lapse of ten days, Amar Singh Thapa informed Sansar Chand to vacate the fort. He again asked for two days more which Amar Singh Thapa agreed to extend. In the meantime, giving charge to Narud Patwal for the defense of the fort Sansar Chand secretly went out of the fort taking Mohmmand Khan Rohilla with him. He approached Ranjit Singh for help. All these contents were unfolded by a letter of

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15th December 1808, which Amar Singh Thapa wrote to Ochterlony who was at Ludhiana.

Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa sent a contingent of large forces under the command of his brother, Nain Singh Thapa, in order to make a determined attack against the Kangra fort and overwhelm it. Three years of siege had already elapsed. When he reached Kangra, Nain Singh Thapa enforced a complete siege against the fort and stationed his forces to every that place including the Ganesh valley from where the movement of food commodities used to take place clandestinely. Such complete siege against the fort put hard pressure on Sansar Chand. Nain Singh Thapa was in favour of launching an attack against the Kangra fort. But Amar Singh Thapa had a reservation about the success of such attack. However, Nain Singh Thapa mounted attack against the fort. The gate of the fort was closed. He reached near the gate along with his soldiers. Suddenly a cannon roared from inside the fort/A shell brusted near him and he got a mortal hit. He died after three days from receiving the fatal wound. This episode took place in 1808. The sudden death of Nain Singh Thapa greatly shocked Kazi Amar Singh Thapa. He made up his mind to wage a final assult against the fort.

During that period, Ranjit Singh of Punjab was organizing Sikhs to form Greater Punjab. Ranjit Singh returned from Jwalamukhi when Sansar Chand did not agree to give him the Kangra fort. In June 1809, Ranjit Singh came to Patharkot and stayed there. In the meantime, Kazi Amar Singh Thapa offered him rupees ten lakhs if Ranjit Singh would return without extending help to Sansar Chand. But Ranjit Singh declined to accept Amar Singh's offer. Slowly most of the hilly principalities took side of Sikhs. Ranjit Singh kept Ani Udra Chand, the son of Sansar Chand, in prison, so Sansar Chand reluctantly agreed to give the Kangra fort to Ranjit Singh. After this episode, Ranjit Singh along with his forces advanced toward the fort. He had 1,500 soldiers. The Sikh forces attempted to

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reach the Kangra fort by dodging the Nepali forces. In the meantime, Sansar Chand disguised himself as a farmer and fled away out of the fort along with his all family members.

The Sikh forces led by Ranjit Singh entered into the Kangra fort. No shots were fired from any side. The defenders of the fort welcomed them. As and when Ranjit Singh entered into the fort, the sent a communication through a letter bearer to Amar Singh Thapa to lift the siege against the fort and the former attempted to lure him by offering a proposal to fight against the British jointly. But Amar Singh Thapa became furious and imprisoned the letter bearer. Thus, Ranjit Singh got an alibi to launch attack against the Nepali forces.

Ranjit Singh launched attack against the Nepali forces at all places. The first battle was fought at Ganesh valley, second at Gorkha Tila and the last at Malkanda. A fierce battle raged in the Ganesh vally, where both sided suffered heavy causalities. The Sikhs made a retreat but again attacked in the evening. The Nepali forces had to give up some positions in the battle. The battle continued for many days. Many soldiers of both sides bled to death. The Sikh forces were far more in number than that of the Nepali forces. Ultimately, a peace treaty was signed between the opposite camps. The Nepali forces had to withdraw and cross back the Satlaj river. This episode took place on 24 th

August 1809. The battle of Kangra ended and it went in favour of Ranjit Singh.

Nepal British War (1814-1816)The British became quite successful in India to extend their areas of control and influence. They repeatedly sent their envoys to Kathmandu and communicated through other channels to get permission to enter into Nepal, stay there and trade with it and Tibet. But King Prithivi Narayan Shah did not give any opportunity to them to become successful in their objective. The territory of Nepal extended upto the Satlaj river in the west and

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the Tista of the British territory, or their area of influence. Some sort of disagreement between Nepal and British was going on before sometime. In the meantime, a dispute across between them about the question of control of some border areas in Seoraj and Butwal. Ultimately, British Governor General Hastings decided to declare war against Nepal on 1st November 1814.

Preparation for the War

On the British SideThe British had the information that sizeable portion of

the Nepali army was in the west to fulfill it objective of territorial expansion. So the British made a plan to attack simultaneously in the western and eastern sectors, which would enable them to gain victory easily. Accordingly, Hastings decided to divide Nepal into two battle sectors making the Mahakali river as the dividing line between the sectors. He also divided the British invasion forces into two groups in the east. Out of them, it was planned that Major General Marley should start from Dinapur leading 6,500 soldiers. They should reach Makwanpur and capture it and then they should advance further, and capure Kathmandu. The other contingent of 4,000 soldiers would be led by Major General Wood, who should start from Gorakhpur. He should capture the dispurted areas of Seoraj and Butwal, advance further and capture Palpa, and then block the communication links of Kathmandu with the west. In the western sector, Major General Gillespie would lead 4,500 soldiers. They should start from Saharanpur and capture Dehradun and Kayardadun and also extend help to the British forces of the west. Major General Ochterlony would lead 6,000 soldiers. They should start form Rooper and give a defeat to the Nepali forces led by Amar Singh Thapa. A small contingent of Captain Letter at Rangpur. Besides, in the western sector, arrangements were made to recruit temporary soldiers. By

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March 1815, some 35,000 regulars and 13,000 irregulars were involved in the war.

On the Nepali SideThe numerical strength of the Nepali army was far below

than that of British. It was an estimate that the total strength of the Nepali army was 14,000 soldiers. Most of them were new recruits. The Nepali army had shortage of arms and ammunications. The preparations made by Nepal for the impending war were as follows: Firstly, about 2,000 soldiers under the command of Kazi Bakhatawar Singh Basnyat were stationed in the eastern region. These forces took positions at different forts. They would face the enemy from Vijayapur. Secondly, about 4,000 forces under the command of Colonel Ranavir Singh were stationed at Makwanpur to face the enemies. Thirdly, about 3,000 soldiers under the command of Colonel Ujir Singh were stationed at the Butwal and Palpa sector to face the invaders. Fourthly, Amar Singh Thapa was leading the Nepali forces in the newly won territories in the far west beyond the Mahakali river. They would fact the British invasion forces there.

The Battle of NalapaniThe Nalapani Gadhi or the Kalanga fort was situated at the peak of a ridge on the eastern side of Dehradun. The eastern and western sides of the ridge had very steep slope of about1000 feet deep each, so it would be very difficult to climb up form these sides and reach the fort. Therefore, it could be approached only form the southern side. The foothill of the Nalapani ridge lies at a distance of about 7 kilometers north-east from Dehradun. After Tapaban, there was a dense forest of sal woods which was about 3 kilometers in length and beyond it there was a pool of water which also flowed out from one side. This stream was called by the name of Nalapani. The Nalapani Gadhi or the kalanga fort was situated at the peak of a hill which was about 200 feet above

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from the Nalapani. In 1814, the Nepali forces had garrisoned at this Gadhi.

The First Attack Agaisnt the Nalapani FortThe Nalapani Gadhi had a great strategic importance. Without taking control of this Gadhi, the control over Dehradun valley could not be complete. Therefore, the Nepali forces gave utmost importance to defend the fort. They vacated plain lands of the Dehradun valley and moved to the Nalapani fort. Captain Bal Bhadra Kunwar was the commander of the Nepali forces. He had about 600 Nepali personnel, among them more than half were women and children. The soldiers from the Gorakh Jang Company had taken position to defend the fort. They had few guns, cannons, gunpowder and ammunitions in addition to traditional weapons namely bows and arrows, Khundas, Khukuris, spears, shields and swords. The condition of the Nalapani fort was worn. Some of its portions were fallen and there were cracks developed on the walls. So, Bal Bhadra Kunwar had to repair the fort and moreover, build some defensive structures to make it strong and useful. The Nepali soldiers, women and even children began to work day and night to strengthem the fort. They started to build a twelve feet high wall around the fort made out of mortars, stones and wooden logs. They were working on the construction of the walls even on the day when the fighting had started.

Major General Gillespie gave order to Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter on 19th October 1814, even before the formal declaration of the war against Nepal by the British, to advance with one native infantry battalion and three cannons to capture the areas up to the bank of the Yamuna river by entering into the Dun valley crossing through the Timaulli mountain saddle. On the next day, Gillespie ordered Colonel Mawby to lead 1,000 soldiers and advance through the Mohan mountain saddle, then, enter into Dehradun and capture both Dehradun town and the Nalapani fort. The forces led by Colonel Mawby captured the

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Dehradur town on 22nd October without any resistance. The British foces became very happy when they captured Dehradun town easily. The another objective of Mawby was to capture the Nalapani fort, so he immediately sent a small team to servey its area. The team could reach near the fort when the darkness had already set in, it could not comprehend about the fort. On 22nd

October, Colonel Mawby wrote a letter to Captain Bal Bhadra Kunwar to vacate the fort. But Bal Bhadra became furious when he read the letter and tore it before the letter bearer. Bal Bhadra sent a reply that he would meet with Colonel Mawby at the battle field. Mawby became furious when he heard his such reply. Mawby surveyed the fort and its surroundings on 23rd

October. He made up his mind to launch an attack nes day. Lieutenant Carpenter Colonel Carpenter returned same night executing the tasks that were entrusted to him. Colonel Mawby became very happy as his strength had gone up to 1,300 infantry, 300 cavalry and 5 light cannons.

On 24th October 1814, at 4.30 in the morning Colonel Mawby leading his infantry and taking cannons with him set-out to mount attack against the Nalapani fort. He sent the cavalry to Rajpur in order to block road to the Nepali soldiers if they would flee from that side. The British forces assembled at the open space, which was at a lower level near the fort. The advance guard of the Nepali forces immediately informed Bal Bhadra about the arrival of the British forces. He began to prepare for the defensive battle. The British began to fire two 6 pounders upon the fort in the early morning. But the wall of the fort was outside the range of the cannons fire. The Nepali defenders also began to fire cannons upon the British forces in reply. The British continued firing of cannons for many hours, but they found that their firing had not any effect on the other side. Colonel Mawby ordered at 11 A.M. to shift this cannons could not be taken acrsoo the stream. Experiencing a failure in his effort to mount an attack against the fort, he thought that it was

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not possible to capture the fort without heavy cannons. So, he discontinued the attack and ordered soldiers to retreat.

The Second Attack Against NalapaniGeneral Gillespie became furious when he heard the news of unsuccess. He decided to lead himself the attack against the fort and came to Dehradun on 26th October. Next day he made a survey of the fort. He thought that, though the location of the fort made it very difficult to capture, yet he could capture it with the strength of his large military force.

Gillespie began to supervise himself the military preparations for the second attack against the Nalapani fort. He shifted the Dehradun camp to the foothill. He ordered to make ladders so that the walls of the fort could be climbed-up. He ordered his troops stationed at Saharanpur to reach Dehradun as early as possible. Gillespie had the objective of capturing the Nalapani fort before 1st November. His observation to the fort and its surrounding areas led him to conclude that the fort could be captured if attacks were mounted agasint it from four directions simultaneously as the defenders would then have to fight in four directions simultaneously, their strength would be scattered and their position would become weak. Therefore, he divided his troops into five teams and ordered them to launch attack from following places. Firstly, Captain Joha Fast would lead 363 soldiers. This team should pass through the Lakhaend village. As and when, the team would receive the signal to attack, ti would climb up the fort from the north-west side and launch its attack. Secondly, Major Kelly would lead the second team of 521 British troops including 20 pioneers. The team should move through the route of the Kharsali village and launch an attack advancing toward the fort after receiving the signal to attack. Thirdly, Captain John Campbell would lead the third team of 283 British troops. The team should have to climb-up from the Asthal village, which was situated near the Song river in the eastern side of the fort. After receiving the signal the team

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should launch attack. Fourthly, Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter would lead the main invasion team of two companies of soldiers from the 53rd British Regiment and 588 Indian soldiers. The team should attack from the south. It should climb up the hill form the route of Tharapani and reach the open field that existed below the fort then advance, climb-up the fort with the help of ladders and launch the attack. Fifthly, a reserve force of 100 Irish Dragoons, 991 Indian soldiers and Major Ludlow would be kept ready to help Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter's forces, if need were arisen. The British moved 3,700 Indian soldiers, 100 Irish Dragoons and two companies of the 53rd British Regiment against 600 Nepalese defenders of the Nalapani Gadhi. Gillespie fixed 31st October as the date of attack. According to his battle plan, the British forces led by Carpenter should occupy and establish temporary camp at open field below the fort on 30 th

October and the cannons should be places at position during the night, so that all cannons could be in operational condition by the morning of 31st October. On the day of attack, other three teams should move out from the main camp and reach their destinations and wait for the signal. It was Gillespie's pre-conception that if cannons were fired upon from the fort the early morning, the walls of the fort might collapse upto noon. Therefore, he fixed noon as the time of launching attack against the fort simultaneously from four directions. He also fixed the time of move at 10 A.M. Gillespie had informed the officers of each term that cannon would be fired five times exactly at 10 A.M. and thereafter, with a breack of five times minutes each, which would be the signal, to move. After receiving the signal the forces should reach at the fort at noon and launch attack simultaneously. It was planned to fire cannon at noon upon the fort from the southern side at the very start of the main attack and blow out the walls of the fort. The forces under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter should join with the forces arrived there from other directions and jointly mount an attack against the fort. General Gillespie had devised this plan

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very carefully taking into consideration of the possible reactions of the opposing forces.

Operations of the BattleOn 30th October, the British troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter and Major Ludlow left the main camp at 3 P.M. and reached the open ground that existed below the fort. They took position there. When the night fell, cannons were transported up at the sites down the hills. The engineers and pioneers led by Major Penigton, the Commander of the Artillery, fixed the cannons working the whole night. In the morning of 31st October, 5-1/2 inch howitzer two pieces, 12 pounder two pieces, 6 pounder four pieces and 5-1/2 inch mortar two pieces were fixed at their position which were at a distance of 600 yards from the fort.

Major Kelly along with soldiers started at 2 O'clock in the morning from the main military camp on 31st October towards the Kharsali village. After one hour, Captain John Fast and Captain Campbell departed along with their forces toward the stipulated place. Gillespie briefed his plan in detail to the deputed officers previous night and also he tallied the time of his watch with others.

On 31st October, Gillespie ordered to fire upon the fort in the early morning. The fire continued for one hour, but the fort did not get any damage. Most of the cannon balls fired to hit the fort. A few that reached the fort, did not do serious damage. The Nepali forces were also firing backs their cannon. Gillespie realized that his plan of breaking the walls of the fort did not work well. He preparations to take a small fort, and, secondly his initial plan of blowing out walls of the fort failed. So, he began to give orders side-tracking the plan made by himself. He suddenly ordered to give signal to attack at 8 A.M. in contrary to at 10 A.M. But he did not agree. Moreover, he ordered to fire the cannon at one minute gap instead of a five minute gap as

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planned. However, the Commanders of the attacking British teams did not recognize the signal.

The Nepali forces had seen the placements of the cannons brought by the British on the previous day. Therefore, a team of the Nepali forces came out of their fort in the darkness and remained hiding in a ridge that was situated east from the British position. The Nepali forces had the objective of capturing the cannons. Therefore, they suddenly jumped up against the cannons at 9 A.M. This suddenly attack stunned the British. General Gillespie ordered to fire upon the Nepali forces. They began to move back toward their fort. In the meantime, Gillespie ordered the soldiers led by Carpenter and Ludlow to mount attack against the Nepali forces and enter into the fort. The British forces began to follow the Nepali forces. They quickly scaled up the hill and the British forces failed to catch them. Captain Bal Bhadra had issued a strict order to his forces that no attacker should be allowed to climb up the wall through using the ladder. If any one would attempt such a move, he should be shot at immediately.

If any enemy soldier were succeeded to climb up the wall and jump inside the fort, he would have been killed from the sharp-tipped bamboo pikes that were expertly laid in the ditch inside the fort.

Carpenter and Ludlow advanced. About 100 soldiers of the Irish Dragoon were in the forefront of the attack. They could scale up the hills quickly, but the infantry with the load of bags and weapons on their back could not move swiftly and so they remained quite behind. The Irish Dragoons reached near the thatched structures that were made by the Nepali forces near the fort. Irish Dragoons saw that the Nepali troops were advancing towards the fort, and so the former began to advance with more speed. In the meantime, a flock of Nepali soldiers came out of the fort to help their incoming mates and attacked the Irish

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Dragoons by charging with their Khukuri. A fierce fight took place for a few minutes. Within a short period, 4 Dragoons had died, and 58 became wounded. Remaining Irish Dragoons retreated. The Nepali forces reputed the first attack of the British soldiers.

Meanwhile, the teams of pioneers and infantry began to advance toward the fort. There was a plan to lay ladders by the pioneers and then the infantry should climb up the ladder and mount an attack. As and when Lieutenant Alice led a ladder at the side of the wall, a bullet came buzzing from inside the fort and hit him in the chest. He died on the spot. The pioneer's team began to flee seeing the death of their Commander. After a while, 2 Companies of infantry had attempted to advance, but they had to retreat on account of repeated barrage of arrows, boulders and guns fires coming from inside the fort. Suddenly, the thatched huts got fire and began to burn. Fire destroyed the scaling ladders left by the fleeing pioneers.

General Gillespie got information about above episode. He sent for additional 3 Company of soldiers and they arrived. He ordered them to advance and carry cannons with them. In the meantime, one Irish Dragoon had reported him that he had seen an open space in the northwest side of the fort. He immediately proceeded to observe the place taking with him Major Ludlow and 3 Companies of soldiers. Captain Bal Bhadra Kunwar had purposely kept open space to position a cannon. Gillespie decided to capture the place and position his cannons. The British fired cannons against the Nepali Cannon positional at the open space a cannon. Gillespie decided to capture the place and position cannons. The British fired cannons upon the Nepali cannon position at the open space from a distance of about 40 yards. He thought that the cannon of the Nepali side might have gotten damage. So, he ordered the British forces led by Ludlow to forward. As the British troops advanced a little, the Nepali forces fired the very cannons against them. The British troops

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got a direct hit. Seven British officers died on the spot. Remaining British troops to retreat. The barrage of bullets, arrows and stone were coming from inside the fort. Major Ludlow became wounded. A stone hit his thigh.

The British forces became panic stricken. In the meantime, a group of Nepali soldiers suddenly came out from the fort, damaged the cannon which was fixed by Lieutenant Kennedy and went back to the fort. The British soldiers were stunned from the episode. Gillespie withdrew his forces back. After a while, Ludlow gave order to his soldiers to advance from the left side and himself led them. He reached near the cannon, but only four soldiers followed him. He ordered others to follow him but dispirited British soldiers did not move forward. Having seen this, General Gillespie became furious. He began to advance towards the fort taking a sword in his hand, waving it and encouraging his soldiers to move forward. Lieutenant Ohara and Captain Byres followed him. When the British forces were moving forward, the intensity of firing from inside the fort increased. A bullet hit in the chest of Gillespie. He collapsed and died on the spot. Lieutenant Ohara also died from a gun shot. Captain Byres became wounded from a bullet hit. These events took place at about 11.15 A.M. General Gillespie died in the thick of battle near the Nalapani fort. He was a brave fighter and General. His name will be remembered forever along with the battle of the Nalapani fort. After the death of Gillespie, forces led by him ran in panic. In the battle of this day, 5 British military officers including General Gillespie had died and 15 officers received wounds. About 30 NCO and other ranks met death and 225 soldiers became wounded. After the death of General Gillespie, Colonel Sebright Mawby took the command of the British troops. He ordered the troops to effect withdrawal immediately. He sent a letter to Delhi to send heavy cannons. He decided to withhold attack till the cannons were arrived. The British side suffered heavily in men and materials in their second attack against the Nalapani fort.

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The Third Attack Against NalapaniThe letter written by Colonel Mawby on 2nd November, 1814 to then Adjutant General of the Bengal Army contained his request to send immediately four 18 pounder and their 400 shells to Dehradun. He wrote another letter to the above mentioned military authority sketching his plan of action to capture the Nalapani fort. He stated that he would try to find out the sources of food and water supply to the fort and would attempt to block them. He expressed that, though these matters were very difficult to carryout, yet he would execute them by exploring their ways as far as possible. Governor General lent his support and appreciation to the determination expressed by Colonel Mawby. The former also expressed his opinion that the fort should be captured by any means to save the prestige of the British Empire and raise the morale of the British troops. Colonel Mawby had realized well that the Nepalese were determined to sacrifice every thing to defend the Nalapani fort. So, he decided not to launch attack without sound preparations. Colonel Mawby conducted a detailed survey of the topography of the places around the fort. In the second weak of November, he sent a team of soldiers to prepare a road in order to move his troops from the northern side of the fort but the Nepali forces chased it away. Again, he sent another team to make road to the southern side. This team was also chased away by the Nepali troops.

Captain Bal Bhadra became aware of the war preparations undertaken by the British. So, he also began to strengthen the defensive position of the fort. He stored adequate quantity of food. He asked for reinforcements and more arms and ammunitions. He increased the observation over the British activities. Amar Singh Thapa dispatched the Kalanal Company under the command of Subba Chandra Bir Thapa to Nalapani. Two platoons the Gorkha Company led by Subedar Chamu Basnyat came from Nahan to join the defense of the fort, one

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platoon of the Jwaladal Company arrived at the fort. Some quantity of arms and ammunitions sent by Chautaria Bam Shah reached the fort through Kazi Rewant Kunwar. But the defenders of the Nalapani fort could not receive assistance in men and materials to the requisite extent because of the blockade imposed by the British troops at different places. Two more platoons of the Jwaladal Companies led by Jaspau Thapa and Ranjang and Randal Companies led by Kazi Randip Singh reached Nahan from Arki but could not proceed to the Nalapani front because of the British blockade.

Much activities did not take place for a period of three weaks on the British side. On 24th November, 1814 a large contingent of British troops and heavy cannons reached Dehradun on Colonel Mawby's request. After their arrival, Colonel Mawby had begun to implement his battle plan. He decided to lay a siege over the fort. On 24 th November, 1814, he issued an order to his troops to lay a siege over the fort. The order stated that the team led by a Major Ludlow should capture the open field that existed south and below the Nalapani fort and then join with both east and west teams. Secondly, the second team led by Major Baldock should take position in the south-west side of the fort, spread to make contact with the soldiers of other teams and block the enemy from fleeing; thirdly, the third team led by Captain Bucke should take position near the Lakhand village, spread its soldiers to west-south up to area allotted to the team of Baldock and north-east hill and block the enemy fleeing, and fourthly, the fourth team led by Captain Coultman should take position near the Asthal village (east of the fort), and spread its soldiers up to the team led by Major Ludlow. He issued a strict order to all teams to take positions around the fort and not let the Nepali troops to flee out of the fort.

On 25th November, 1814, the four teams of the British troops took position in their respective places. Colonel Mawby

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had selected a different place to launch main attack this time than previous one. He decided to launch attack from the southern slope. In order to reach the place as fixed for jumping up, the British troops were required to scale up the ridge from Ansyas of the Asthal village. The village existed in the south-east sector of the fort. It would be extremely difficult to move cannons and troops on this route, but their movements could not be observed from the fort. The main invasion team constructed their camp on 25th November at a place that was about 500 feet below the fort on the eastern side. The cannons and troops could reach near the fort from this side, though the route to it had slightly upward slant. Troops and cannons were moved to the camp during the whole day. The cannons were placed in positions under the supervision of Captain Carmichael Smyth during the night. On 26th November, four 18 pounder were also placed in positions. The British placed their heavy and light cannons on the eastern slope of the fort at a distance of about 250 yards. The Nepali troops executed many measures to strengthen the fort and not to allow the invaders to enter into the fort.

The British cut the sources of water supply to the fort. On 26th November, Colonel Mawby issued order to shoot cannons at the fort afternoon. The cannon balls did not hit the bull, but strayed. Colonel Mawby carefully thought a plan to breach the walls of the fort through cannons fire and make holes there at first and then batch of soldiers should enter inside the fort through the holes and capture it. Therefore, on the one hand, the cannons began to fire upon the fort, and, on the other, he issued an order to the troops to keep ready themselves to launch attack. A team under the Command of Major Ingleby was formed to spearhead the attack.

The cannons, firing continued whole day and night. The cannons fire failed to make a hole at the wall. The intensity of cannon fire was raised. On 27th November, a hole was observed

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at the wall at 1 P.M. Colonel Mawby undertook inspection of the hole through using a telescope. Then he ordered his troops to move forward to launch attack against the fort. The cannon firing was stopped. The battle plan was that, under the Command of Major Ingleby, the Grendiers team of the 53 rd

Regiment should move first followed by its battalion and then the Grenadiers of the Native Infantry of battalion. The attacking teams began to move forward accordingly.

Major Ingleby was wounded at the very start of the operation. Captain Parker replaced him. The British troops moved forward, crossed the stream, then climbed up 200 yards of the less steep slope and reached near the breached portion of the wall of the fort. Parker peeped inside the fort and became stunned. He halted in consternation and horror. He saw unexpected and very awesome scene inside the fort. The hole was at a height. A five feet deep ditch just attached to the wall was there, which should require to be cross first if anyone would dare enter inside the fort from the hole. The ditch was planted with sharp tipped bamboo pikes facing above. If any one would dare jump down from the hole, he would be fatally get pierced by the pikes. Beyond the first ditch, there was another ditch, which was more deep. The Nepali soldiers were remained hiding in this ditch in order to stop the enemies who dared come inside the fort. Meanwhile, Grenadiers, who attempted to enter into the fort, were met either death of serious wound. Lieutenant Harrington came forward, put aside discouraged him saying that it was impossible to enter into the fort. But Harrington continued his advance. The scale of attack then was quite low. Harrington began to himself was moving forward. But he stopped when he to enter into the fort. As he turned back in despair, a bullet was launched from inside the fort. Bullets, arrows and stones hit many British soldiers. Many of them were dead. In the meantime an arrow hit in the chest of John Campbell and he died. The British forces suffered heavily. Their attack collapsed.

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Colonel Mawby was observing the scene of battle from a distant place. He thought that his troops could not enter into the fort on account of facing strong resistance. So he sent Lieutenant Colonel Buckland with additional troops to reinforce the storming party. Mawby ordered the troops to enter into the fort at any cost. A few soldiers of the new team could reach near the broken portion of the fort with great difficulty, but they turned back from there realizing that it was not possible to enter into the fort. The Nepali forces intensified their counter-attack and completely withheld the advance of the British troops. Colonel Mawby immediately sent a cannon on the request of Lieutenant Colonel Buckland. Luxford began to set the position of the cannon. Suddenly, he became wounded from the barrage of bullets that came from inside the fort. Eleven British soldiers died. Having failed in all attempts to take over the fort, Colonel Mawby withdrew back his forces at 3 P.M. In his letter, Mawby wrote to Adjutant General that he had no option left except to raze the fort's walls to the ground completely through executing continuous cannon fire upon it. In this battle, the British side suffered heavily. Four British officers got killed and seven wounded. Thirty six soldiers died and 431 soldiers suffered from wounds. Some soldiers were missing. The British side suffered causality of 487 persons in this fighting. Many important figures of Nepali side had died in the battle. The names of some of them were Subba Chandra Bir Thapa, Subba Nathu Majhi, Subedar Daljit Kunwar and Jamdar Daljit Shahi. A few Nepali soldiers with-stood like a rock against the storm unleashed by a very large force of the British.

The British fired cannons continuously upon the fort during the whole night of 27th November and continued even up to the noon. The cannon balls hit the wall of the eastern side of the fort. Suddenly, they stopped the fire. The British side asked for the corpses of the soldiers who had fallen in the fight of previous day. Captain Bal Bhadra Knuwar allowed the British to take away the dead bodies of their soldiers and officers. After

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taking out the corpses, the British again continued cannon firing. The continuous cannon firing damaged the fort severely. Many Nepali soldiers had already died and became wounded. There was a great scarcity of water inside the fort. The British did not allow them to fetch water from out side. Most of the pitches and other vessels, in which water was stored, were broken from the cannon-fires. The number of death and wounded gradually increased inside the fort. The over all condition of the defender turned from bad to worse. On 28th November, the defenders could not cook rice because of unavailability of water. So they ate uncooked rice. Many Nepali soldiers became desperate and began to leave the fort. Bal Bhadra and other Commanders persuaded the desperate soldiers to come back to the fort. But the morale of the Nepali soldiers had already reached at the verge of breaking.

On 29th November, the British continued cannon firing upon the fort. All walls of the fort were already fell down. But the British did not let up tin the cannon firing. The British soldiers were so much scared that they lost courage to launch another attack against the fort. Eighty five Nepali soldiers promised to defend the fort up to their last drop of blood. They also promised that they would not surrender live in any situation. But the Kalanal Company after the death of its Commander Subba Chandra Bir Thapa had left the fort with its Company's Colours without anyone's notice. This news spreaded despair in the remaining Nepali defenders. A team went out of the fort at mid night to bring water, but the British did not allow them to do so. The team returned to the fort. Panic and despair spreaded there. On 30th November, Subba Ripu Mardan Thapa, Subedar Chamu Basnyat, Subedar Ganj Singh Thapa, Jamdar Vijay Singh Khatre, Jamdar Singh Bir Khatri and Jamdar Chandra Mani Rana decided to leave the fort and escaped breaking out the enemies' blockade. They compelled Captain Bal Bhadra to accompany them, though he had no intention to leave the besieged fort. In total about 60 Nepali soldiers came out of the

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fort, advanced towards the southern slope, and escaped by breaking out enemies' encirclement. Guns were fired from both sides. Few soldiers of both sides received gun-shoots.

In the morning of 30th November, Major Kelly issued permission to British soldiers to enter into the fort after the Nepali soldiers voluntarily vacated it and escaped breaking out their blockade. The team moved very cautiously to the fort. There was complete darkness inside the fort. When no resistance came, Major Kelly along with his soldiers entered into the fort. The time was 4 A.M. of 30th November, 1814. The British arranged for the treatment of 90 wounded persons. 87 dead bodies were burnt to ashes. The British took possession of the weapons lying inside the fort. The letter written by Colonel Mawby to Adjutant General divulged the content that the Nepali soldiers vacated the fort in the morning at 4 O'clock. After the conclusion of the Nepali-British war, the British constructed two memorial pillars at the bank of the Risna river which lies below the Nalapani ridge. One pillar was constructed in the memory of those British officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the battle of Kalanga fort. The other pillar was constructed to mark respect and appreciation of the British to their brave enemy, Bal Bhadra Kunwar.

The Battle of JaithakThe British forces became more cautious after their bitter experience in the battle of the Nalapani fort. On the other hand, the Commander of the Nepali forces adopted the policy of stationing their forces at move favourable place in the hills and of fighting against the invading British forces at those places. After the death of Major General Gillespie, Major General Martindell was appointed in his place. The British camp was established at Mojamand. The fort of Nahan was situated at a height of 3,000 feet above the sea level and at the north of Mojamand. The fort was protected by high walls. The north of the Nahan town had a range of high walls. Many important forts

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were existed at this mountain range. Among which, the fort of Jaithak had a great strategic importance.

Major General Martindell sent Major Ludlow to capture a low ridge situated at the north-east of Nahan in order to establish his camp there. Meanwhile, Kazi Ranjor Singh Thapa, vacated the fort of Nahan and shifted to the more secured fort of Jaithak situated at the north of the Nahan fort. The British came to learn about moved there on 24th December, 1814 and took possession of it. As a hindsight of the battle of Nalapani, Governer General Hastings issued a directive stating that, as for as possible, the hill fort should not be attacked directly, but these forts should be surrounded and there a siege should be imposed, so that the enemies should surrender in distress.

After taking the possession of Naha, Major General Martindell began to ponder over the question of capturing the Jaithak fort. The fort of Jaithak was small, situated at the summit of a hill, and surrounded by stone walls. Both the east and west sides of it had ridges. Therefore, Martindell decided that, instead of laying a siege against the fort, it should be captured by directing fires upon it from both ridges. In order to carry out his plan, he sent about 800 soldiers under the command of Major Ludlow to the eastern ridge and establish a camp there. Similarly Major William Richards was sent with 500 soldiers to capture the western ridge. Each group had two light cannons and two small howitzers. Elephants were used to transport these weapons. Both teams received command that they should have to reach the destination before dawn. The route that Richards had to take was long, so he started early at 10.45 P.M. Ludlow's route was short, so two hours later he set out. Major Ludlow had to climb up a steep slope of 10 kilometers from Nahan. Before dawn, the advance team of his force reached at the height of 3 kilometers below from the summit of ridge. When they moved from there, they located small defensive positions of the Nepali troops at 3 places, and the Nepali troops fired sparingly at them.

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But Ludlow, did not engage himself and his forces moved forward. In the morning at 8 O'colck, they were only 200 yards below the summit of the ridge. They located the fourth defensive position of the Nepali troops. The British spy informed Ludlow that mare Nepali troops were coming to their this defensive position. So, he decided to capture the place before their reinforcement would arrive and ordered to mount an attack to his 400 soldiers. Major Ludlow's half of the forces and cannons were still far behind. The British forces captured the defensive position of the Nepali forces easily. The Nepali forces withdrew and took position at another place. Having tested victory earlier, the British troops asked permission from Ludlow to mount and attack against the new defensive position of the adversaries. In the meantime, Nepali forces had made preparation for the counter attack. They allowed the British forces to reach near to their defensive position. Then, the Nepali forces came out of their defensive position and suddenly charged the British forces with their Khukuris from three directions. The Nepali forces slew many British soldiers. A stampede developed among them. Ludlow had attempted to stop his fleeing forces, but the British forces became so much dispirited that they refused to obey him. The Nepali forces increased the intensity of attack against the fleeing British forces. This events occurred at 8 O'clock in the morning. The fleeing British forces reached their camp at 10 A.M. In this operation, 151 British soldiers suffered casualities, of which one dozen soldiers including Lieutenant Munt met their death. The operation of Major Ludlow turned into a failure.

Major William Richards along with his troops left Nahan at 10.45 P.M. They were required to cross 26 kilometers to reach to the Peacock hill. At the time of departure, they did not have sufficient ammunitions. But Major General Martindell assured him that he would sent him additional ammunitions in time. Martindell received ammunitions after 4 hours and immediately dispatched the same to Richards, but 60,000 rounds of bullets fell into the hands of the Nepali soldiers by mistake. However,

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Richards did not know about this episode. He trekked whole night. The advance group of the British forces reached the Peacock hill at 8 O'clock in the morning. The ridge was about 3 kilometers north of the Jaithak fort. The Nepali forces had not taken any defensive measures in this direction. Richards' troops took position. The Jaithak fort was only 1,000 yards away from his northern defense position. He made there his temporary camp.

The Nepali forces saw the British forces on the northern eastern ridge. The former fired gun-shots, but could not inflict any damage to the latter. Kazi Ranajor Singh Thapa decided to mount an attack against the second group of the British troops. At 1 P.M., sound of drums for war could be heard inside the fort. About 1,500 Nepali soldiers assembled in side the fort. All agreed to launch attack and destroy the enemies. Every soldier moved toward the ridge with his weapon.

Richards did not see Ludlow and his troops on the other ridge. He saw that the Nepali troops were moving down towards him from the Jaithak fort. The Nepali forces consisted of Purano Gorakh, Shardul Jang and Barakh Companies. As these forces reached near the enemies. They launched attack against the British. As Richards did not receive additional ammunitions so his soldiers were firing sparingly in order to economize the ammunitions. He had already sent a request to Martindell for reinforcement. But reinforcement did not arrive up to the evening. The night began to fall. British forces began to feel the pressure of the attack of adversaries. The Nepali forces moved forward as the darkness began to spread. They had already launched attack nine times till then.

The stock of ammunitions of the British troops reached near the point of exhaustion. It was 7.30 in the evening. Major Richards received order from General Martindell for immediate withdrawal of his troops and return to the camp. It was not easy

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to carry out safe withdrawal of the troops when the adversaries were on the action. Major Richards made a plan of withdrawal. He divided his troops into two teams. One team should continue to fight to stop the Nepali forces, and the remaining troops should return to the camp as quickly as possible. Lieutenant Thomas Thackeray took the difficult responsibility of rear-guard fighting. William Wilson, William Turner and Stalkert stayed with him. As the pressure from the British began to subside, the Nepali forces intensified their attack. Thackeray troops attempted to counter the attack. Many British soldiers died from the bullets fired by the Nepali troops. Lieutenant Thackerey himself died from a bullet wound. Wilson took the command in his place, but he also received a gun-shot in his thigh and collapsed on the ground. Then Turner assumed the command of the British soldiers. He realized that it was futile to withstand and fight against the Nepali forces, so he ordered the troops to scatter themselves, and fight-against the Nepali forces, and final their own way to escape. Accordingly, the British soldiers scattered themselves and continued their retreat. The Nepali forces pursued them, killed many of them, and only a few British soldiers could reach at the camp. However, Richards with main portion of his troops safely came down from the hill and reached at the camp. In this action, the British side suffered heavily. About 81 British soldiers including 3 able British officers were killed and 200 soldiers became wounded.

The military operations conducted by General Martindell to capture the Jaithak fort turned into a fiasco. He changed his plan completely after his failure in his attempt to capture the fort. Later, he adopted the policy of imposing blockade against the adversaries withholding food and water supply to them, and then compelling them to surrender. He rescinded the policy of launching direct attack. He decided to capture the Naini hill and the Blackhill situated in the north of the Jaithak fort to position cannons in these places, and bombard the fort by continuous cannon-fire. The British troops took possession of some place in

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the northern ridge afterward. Bal Bhadra and his soldiers joined in the defense of the Jaithak fort. By this time, General Martindell had completely given up the idea of capturing the Jaithak fort by launching a direct attack, and, instead, he went on tightening the blockade against the Nepali forces by capturing more surrounding places of the fort. On 1st April, 1815, Major Richards captured the Peacock hill. The adverse effect of the blockade began to cast its spell over the Nepali forces of the fort. Their situation gradually began to deteriorate. Some Nepali soldiers fled out of the fort when the situation permitted them. But, Kazi Ranjor Singh remained within the fort, strengthened more its defense, and encouraged the soldiers to stand and fight. However, the peace agreement signed between General Ochterlony and Kazi Amar Singh Thapa on 15th May, 1815 contained the provision of vacating the Jaithak fort and handling it over to the British. Kazi Ranjor Singh complied with the terms of the agreement and vacated it. The British did not won this fort through a battle. They got it, when it was vacated by the Nepali defenders.

The Battle of DeuthalKazi Amar Singh Thapa reached at the Malaon fort in February, 1815. The British captured Ramgarh on 15th February, 1815. By first April, 1815, the British captured the Jorajoru fort, Tara Gadh, Chamba Gadh and the southern ridge of the Maloun mountain range. Commander Bhakti Thapa was then in Suraj Gadh, a place about 7 kilometers south of the Malaon fort. The British erected their camp on a spot that was situated between Suraj Gadh and the Malaon fort, from where they could keep a close watch over the activities of both places. Raila was about 2 kilometers north. Deuthal was about 2 kilometers south of the Malaon fort. The British became successful to carry two light cannons to Deuthal. When Bhakti Thapa got this information, he throught that it would be proper for him to go to help Amar Singh Thapa rather than to stay at Suraj Gadh. So, he came out of the Suraj Gadh fort and reached the Malaon fort by dodging

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the British troops on the way. Amar Singh Thapa came to the conclusion that until the Deuthal camps of the British were destroyed, the Malaon fort could not remain secured. So, he decided to send 2,000 Nepali soldiers under the command of Bhakti Thapa to mount an attack against the camp. They completed the preparation for launching the attack during the night.

Kazi Bhakti Thapa was 73 years old. On 16th April, 1815, the Nepali forces led by him moved toward Deuthal. From the fort of Malaon. Deuthal could be reached first climbing down a certain distance and then scaling up. The Nepali forces planned to reach the height of Deuthal and then mount an attack from three directions simultaneously. The Nepali forces reached the destination. They were given the order to mount attack. They jumped up against the British forces by taking gun in one hand and Khukuri on the other. Bhakti Thapa decided to make his contre of attack against the cannons, so the Nepali soldiers advanced towards the cannons. The British began to fire cannons upon them. Many Nepali soldiers died from cannon's fire. Six out of seven British soldiers placed to operate the cannons were already received severe wounds. Bhakti Thapa withdrew the remaining Nepali troops back. They were organized again. Then they jumped up against the cannons with a lighting speed. They reached quite near the cannons. Suddenly, the cannons roared. Many Nepali soldiers got hit and died on the spot. Bhakti Thapa made three attempts to capture the cannons of the British, but each time he was repulsed and his forces suffered heavy losses. Then he changed his direction of attack. The Nepali soldiers led by him charged against the camp. A bitter fight continued for two hours. Many brave fighters of both sides died. Suddenly, a bullet hit in the chest of Bhakti Thapa. He died on the battle field. After the death of their commander, the Nepali forces began to retreat. The Nepali soldiers and their commander Bhakti Thapa had exhibited great valour in the battle which will be remembered for ever. The British also praised them for their

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bravery, loyalty and dedication. The death of Bhakti Thapa was a great loss to the Nepali army. In the battle, the Nepali forces suffered casualties of 500 soldiers including the death of 150 soldiers on the battlefield. The British suffered casualties of 253 soldiers including 20 death. Major General Ochterlony, the commander of the British forces in the west, sent the dead-body of Bhakti Thapa with full military honour to Amar Singh Thapa.

The Battle of Jit-GadhMajor General John Sullivan Wood was assigned the responsibility of capturing Palpa in Nepal. He and his forces arrived at Gorakhpur on 15th November 1815. Reinforcement of King's 17th Regiment (later named as Leicestershire Regiment) and 8th Cavalry already joined his force. Major General Wood decided first of all, to launch attack against the Butwal Gauda. Jit-Gadh was situated at the mount of the Butwal Gauda on the bank of the Tinau river. Jit-Gadh had a very strong defensive position. North of it and on the top of a hill was the Nuwakot Gadhi. It was possible from Jit-Gadh to keep an eye on the movements that might occur on the route that passed through the ravine and went to Palpa. Kazi Bir Bhanjan Pande was given the command of Jit-Gadh's defense. Two hundred soldiers of the Gurubaksh Company and five platoons of the Sabuj Company had taken defensive position there.

General Wood sketched two plans for his military operation. His first plan envisaged that the troops should move forward deep on the western bank of the Tinau river, then turn north, cross the hill and attack the Nuwakot Gadhi and destroy it. If such operations were made, the Nepali forces of Jit-Gadh could not receive reinforcements. His troops while crossing the slope after Nuwakot could avail the advantage of against the adversaries from high land as adversaries would be then at a low level. Beside's additional attack could also launched against adversaries from the plain. The adversaries could, thus, be ambushed from two sides and Jit-Gadh could be destroyed first.

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If this could not be done, the alternate plan was made to capture Butwal at first. Then by traversing through the hills situated east of the Tinau river, the British forces could reach Palpa and attack it, as most of the defending forces would then have been shifted to the Nuwakot Gadhi and Jith-Gadh for their defense. After the victory over Palpa, Nuwakot would became alone, and it could be attacked from back side and won.

Wood's plan was not supported by Kanak Nidhi Tiwary, who was then Wood's adviser. According to his opinion, it was very difficult to reach Nuwakot trekking through the ridge and, moreover, water supply was not available within the 5 kilometers radius of Nuwakot. Therefore, it would be very difficult to mount an attack against Nuwakot by following the first plan. All accepted the second plan.

The British troops were stationed at the camp at Sieura. Major General Wood left 5 Companies of soldiers and one cannon at Sieura. Then, he advanced toward north taking remaining troops with him on 3rd January, 1815. He walked on the eastern bank of the Tinau river and advance few kilometers north. Before reaching Butwal, he crossed the Tinau river and advanced towards west. He crossed 5 miles, and then turned to the north. There was dense forest and bushes. The Sal forest became more dense as they moving on but the foot-hill was still far. The forces were moving in a camouflage. Ther was no road-track in the dense forest. Kanak Nidhi was guiding them in the thick forest. But the march of the troops became very difficult to control. Many platoons were strayed. When Wood assembled his troops, he found that there were only 3 Companies of the advance guard. He beheld that there was no forest after 30 yards. When he advanced a little further, he found walls of a structure covered with moss and creepers. He thought that it could be a fort and began to took for Kanak Nidhi, but he was no where. He might have fled. Wood sent a small team under the command of Ensign Stephens to find out the truth. The fort looked deserted

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and vacant. But suddenly, a barrage of gun fires came from inside the fort. Two soldiers got hit but other safely returned. He decided to wait till the arrival of remaining troops. His troops fired back, but they did not advance.

When all troops assembled, Wood divided them into two groups and ordered them to move forward. Captain Croker led a team of grenadiers and two Companies of troops. The second group was led by Wood himself. They advanced forward. A fierce battle raged between the British troops and the Nepali troops. Captain Croker attacked the left side of the fort. Sardar Surya Thapa got bullet hit and died. The team, while fighting, reached at a more higher level than that of the fort. The morale of Wood and his troops was very high. The remaining forces of the Sabuj Company and the Gurubaksh Company of the Nepali army had already joined the battle of Jit-Gadh led by Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa. The Nepali forces were fighting bravely and inflicting great damage to the British invaders. The battle was turning slowly in favour of the Nepali defenders. In order to save fruitless waste of lives, General Wood ordered a general retreat. Both sides suffered heavily in the battle. The British suffered causalities of 119 soldiers including 19 deaths. The causality figure of the Nepali side was roughly the same.

Major General Wood retreated to Surajpur. Then on 20th

January he shifted to Lotan. He had not given up the idea of capturing Jit-Gadh. On 6th April, Wood and his troops marched towards Butwal. The weather had already begun to deteriorate. He moved forward through the eastern bank of the Tinau river. The British forces reached near the Butwal town. But there was the Tinau river in between the British troops and the Butwal town. Because of the rains in the uphills the Tinau river had risen. So, they could not cross the river. The British troops had two 18 pounder and 4 mortars. The opposing Nepali forces had few soldiers, numbering not more than 100, and posted at four small defensive positions at the Butwal Darbar built in a hillock.

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The British began to fire their cannons, the Nepali side also stopped firing cannon in reply to the British firings. The British thought that both the fort and the Butwal town became deserted. The Butwal cannon-fire. Wood ordered his some soldiers to swim over the river and enter into the Butwal town. When the patrol crossed about half of the river, guns were fired at it from the Jit-Gadh fort. A few received the bullet hit and others safely crossed back the river. Wood did not think it worth it put more effort and incur more sacrifice to capture this small place. He stopped the attack. After the set-in of monsoon, General Wood ordered the general retreat. He stationed his forces in the Gorakhpur-Butwal area during the rest of the war. He did not launch any attack again. Some historians have expressed their opinions that General Wood could have won all these places of Nepali with the forces and equipments he had then, if he would have pursued his attack. No one could say definitely what would have happened in reality if Wood had pursued his attack. The result was thus an unborn affair. But the reality was that the Nepali forces had withstood the British invasion in this sector and made it a misadventure to them.

THE NEPAL-TIBET-CHINA WAR

The Nepal-Tibet War (1788-89)The border of Nepal meets the area of Tibet. There was social, economic, cultural and political relations between them from the time immemorial. In the medieval period, the Nepali Currency was the legal tender and medium of exchange in Tibet. At the last phase of Malla rule in the Kathmandu valley, the Malla rulers duped the Tibetans and supplied them inferior silver coins though they had received good and adequate quantity of silver bullion from Tibet for the coins and their minting charges. After the victory of King Prithvi Narayan Shah over the valley states, he had tried repeatedly to solve the exchange rate between the debased coins that were in use in Tibet and new qualitative Nepali coins. But the Tibetan authorities refused to lower the

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exchange rate of the debased coins. They demanded one to one exchange between the debased old coins and good new coins. The trade stopped for many years on account of the discord between them regarding the exchange rate. The dispute between Nepal and Tibet reached at a climax in 1788. During this period, Panchen Lama had died in China, while he was in a visit there. His two brothers Dungpa Truluk and Shamer Truluk began to quarrel with each other for the distribution of property; Shamer Truluk (the other name was Shyamarpa Lama) along with his 14 associates took shelter in Nepal; and Bahadur Shah treated them shelter on the possibilities of using them against Tibet. Bahadur Shah wrote a letter giving warning to the Tibetan Government to attack if the discords about the exchange rate and trade were not sorted out amicably. Instead of giving a positive reply of the letter, Tibet began to undertake preparation for war. So, Nepal launched an invasion over Tibet in 1788.

Preparation of the WarOn the Nepali Side

Bahadur Shah had made a battle plan to attack the Kuti-Kerong route and Digarcha simultanelusly and capture these palces. Kazi Bal Bhadra Shah led the Nepali to launch attack through the Kerong road. He was accompanied with Sardar Amar Singh Thapa, Kirtiman Singh Basnyat and Bhotu Pandey. Kazi Krishna Shah led the Nepali forces that would launch attack through the Kuti route. He was accompanied with Kazi Ranjit Pande, Sardar Parath Bhandari, Captain Harsha Pant, Captain Nahar Singh Basnyat and Captain Shiv Narayan Khatri. Kazi Damodar Pande led the force that would attack Digarcha advancing through the Kuti route. Bam Shah and Dev Dutta Thapa accompanied him. Total Nepali forces were about 18,000 including the porters and other non-combatant personnel.

On the Tibetan SideThe Tibetan side was also making preparation for the

war. They alerted their border guards. The Tibetans had decided

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to fight defensive battle. They also solicited military assistance from all neighboring countries. Dalai Lama of Lhasa wrote a letter to King Shovan Shah of Jumla instigating him to attack against Nepal. Dalai Lama also wrote a letter to the Emperor of China soliciting military assistance. Panchen Lama of Digarcha wrote a letter to then Governor General of the East India Company soliciting military assistance. The Tibetan Government sent forces to fight against the Nepali forces under the command of two Generals. Another force was dispatched by them under the command of a Cabinet Minitser.

The Battle of the Kuti SectorThe Nepali forces led by Sri Krishna Shah crossed Chhochyan, attacked Kuti and captured it on 20th June, 1788. The Tibetan forces could not provide strong resistance. This easy victory encouraged Nepali soldiers. They moved forward and captured Sikarjong on 3rd August, 1788. But, they faced the problem of food supply there soon. In the meantime, the Tibetan forces launched a counter-attack against them and the Nepali forces had to retreat from this place. The information about the problem of food supply and the counter attack reached Kathmandu. Immediately, Bahadur Shah issued an order to the Amaldar of Dolakha to make arrangement of the transportation of the good to Sikarjong. Moreover, he sent reinforcements under the command of Kazi Damodar Pande to the Kuti sector. In October 1788, this Nepali force moved forward from Kuti fought against the Tibetan forces and recaptured Sikarjong.

The Battle of the Kerong SectorKazi Bal Bhadra fell ill. So, in order not to delay in the departure of the forces to the Kerong sector, Sardar Amar Singh Thapa, Kirtiman Singh Basnyat and Bhotu Pande set out leading the Nepali forces. They captured Kerong in July 1788. They continued their advance and captured Thunga in August 1788. But, the Tibetan forces became successful to entrap them in Jhunga for three weeks and they also captured Bhotu Pande. On

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receiving such information in Kathmandu, Bahadur Shah dispatched immediately 2,000 trained soldiers as a reinforcement to the Kerong sector under the command of Bal Bhadra Shah. The Nepali forces led by Bal Bhadra Shah launched an attack against the Tibetan forces at Jhunga. The Tibetan forces could not withstand against the attack. The Nepali forces could secure release of Sardar Bhotu Pande from the captivity of Tibetans and tighten their grip over Jhunga. The Nepali forces could not move forward much because of the shortage of food and difficult terrain. The Tibetan Government realized that it could not withstand against the Nepali forces, so, it proposed a peace treaty with Nepal. Talk on the peace treaty between them started at Kerong in May 1789. On 2nd June, 1789, the peace treaty was signed by both sides. And the Nepal-Tibet war ended.

The Nepal-Tibet-China War (1791-92)In the peace treaty of 1789, Tibet agreed to pay Rs. 50,000 each year to Nepal. Tibet paid Rs. 50,000 to Nepal in the first year in time, but it refused to pay this amount to Nepal next year. This breach of the treaty by Tibet greatly offended Nepal. So, it began to prepare to invade Tibet.

Preparation for InvasionNepal decided to give the command of invasion over Tibet to Kazi Bam Shah. All necessary information about Tiber was being collected. Shyamarpa Lama extended his valuable co-operation in this respect. In order to win over the favour of his followers, Bahadur Shah issued a directive to the commander of the Nepali forces not to attack and damage any Gumba (monastery) of Sakyas. He also widely publicized his message directed to the local Tibetans that they would be protected if they would extend the support to the Nepali forces. Besides, Royal orders were proclaimed to join the Nepalese compulsorily in the new recruitments for the Nepali army. A large number of recruits joined the army.

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It was decided to follow the line of previous attack against Tibet. Kazi Damodar Pande would lead the first group of Nepali soldiers and they should advance through the Kuti route and capture Digarcha. Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat would lead the second group of soldiers. This group should advance through the Kerong route. Captain Kalu Pande also took part in it. Subba Kirtiman Singh would lead the third group of soldiers. This group should advance from the eastern side, capture Kharta, then move forward, and join with the another group of Nepali forces. The combined forces should then move forward from Kuti. The Nepali forces were permitted to loot monasteries other than that of Sakyas. The looted wealth would be distributed among the soldiers according to their ranks. But, it was strictly forbidden to kill or territories those who had surrendered.

Attack Against TibetIn 1791, the Nepali forces set out for Tibet. The Nepali forces led by Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat advanced through the Kerong route and attacked against Jhunga. Captain Kalu Pande, Sardar Jaswanta Bhandari and Sardar Ranjit Kunwar were in the forces. The Nepali forces had to fight a fierce battle against the Tibetan forces at Jhunga. The Tibetans did not allow them to move forward. The Nepali forces remained tied there for some time. Kazi Damodar Pande, Kazi Deudatta Thapa, Captain Bam Shah, Captain Jahar Singh Basnyat, Sardar Prabal Rana, Sardar Pratiman Rana and Taksari Nar Singh Gurung and the Nepali forces led by them advanced towards Digarcha taking the Kuti route. They advanced and captured many places on route. In October 1791, they mounted an attack against Digarcha. The main Lama field of Lhasa. The Tibetan forces gave slight resistance, and the Nepali forces captured Digarcha without much difficulty. They demanded compensation of 50 Dahri (120 kg.) gold and ruppes one lakh, the unpaid installment of last two years, from Lamas of Digarcha for the violation of the terms and conditions of 1775-Khasa treaty by Tibet. But the Lamas could not fulfil their demand. So, the Nepali forces looted Digarcha.

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They captured large amount of money and large quantity of gold and silver. They transported all riches to Nepal. The third group led by Kazi Kirtiman Singh Basnyat, Subba Puran Shahi, Subba Padam Singh Basnyat and Subba madho Shahi advanced through the Khato route. This group fought against the Tibetan forces at Cheer Baluwa and won them. This group advanced further and stationed at Tirguj. In the initial phase of acitons, the Nepali forces gained upper hand.

The Nepal-China War (1792)The Tibetan Government solicited military help form China. When the Emperor of China got news about the second invasion over Tibet by Nepal, he became furious. He deputed Fu Kang-an to lead a military expedition against Nepal in November 1791 in order to punish Nepal for its military adventure against Tibet. Fu Kang-an left China for Tibet with about 10,000 soldiers. In addition to it, he had 3,000 soldiers in reserve. Likewise, Tibetan had also raised 10,000 soldiers under the leadership of. In June 1792, both forces started their military operations against the Nepali forces. The combined Chinese and Tibetan forces were divided into two groups. It was decided that the main portion of their forces under the command of Fu Kang-an and Kalon Horkhang would launch attack against Nepal through the Kerong route. Another small contingent of 3,000 soldiers led by Cheng-the would attack through the Kuti route. On the side Nepal, the numerical strength of its forces was low in relation to that of combined Chinese and Tibetan forces. Bahadur Shah sent reinforcements to Kerong under the command of Kazi Damodar Pande. Different forts in Kerong were defended by Tula Ram Pande, Shatrubhanjan Malla and Udhav Khawas.

The Battle of Kuti SectorThe first battle took place in Kuti in June 1792. The Nepali forces were stationed at Khara. The combined Chinese and Tibetan forces led by Cheng-the mounted attack against the Nepali forces at Kuti and pushed them back. The Nepali force

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withdrew to Listi and took defensive position there. The combined Chinese and Tibetan forces also attacked them at Listi and gave them a severe defeat. The combined forces alos suffered heavily. The Nepali forces withdrew to the Nepal-Tibet border and took position there. But the combined forces, because of their severe loss, did not attempt more to attack against the Nepali forces at their new position.

The Battle of Kerong SectorThe battle started in the middle of June 1792 in this sector. About 6,000 Chinese and 6,000 Tibetan forces led by Fu Kang-an and Kalon Horkhang began to move forward. They defeated a small contingent of Nepali forces in the battle of Kukurghat, and the Chinese forces moved forward. The combined forces began to lay siege over main three forts of Kerong. These forts were defended by the Nepali forces under the command of Tula Ram Pande, Shatrubhanjan Malla and Udhav Khawas. A fierce battle raged for five days between the two forces. But the small contingent of Nepali soldiers could not withstand against the attack of large combined forces. Tula Ram Pande got a bullet hit and died. Shatrubhanjan Malla became seriously wounded. After the fight that continued for five days, the Nepali forces vacated the three forts, and withdrew to Rasuwa. In this battle, Nepali side suffered death of 200 soldiers and the combined forces suffered death of 400 soldiers.

The combined forces captured Kerong and then, they advanced towards Rasuwa. On the way, an armed clash forces at Syapruk. The Nepali forces were commanded by Bhasker Rana, Subedar Aagwal Prabal Rana, Bharat Khawas and Ranakeswar Pande of Shree Nath Company and they gave them strong resistance. But, they had to withdraw to Dhunche and joined there with the forces led by Kazi Damodar Pande. Forces of both sides fought battles many times at different places in this sector but both sides could not realize any conclusive result. Both sides suffered heavily. The Chinese forces captured Ramche.

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Damodar Pande had shifted his forces to Dhaibung because of its better strategic position. The Chinese forces took possession of Dhunche without a fight. They made advance by wining battles at different places, but their condition began to deteriorate as they gradually advanced further on account of their ignorance about the topography and weather of Nepal, lack of sufficient food availability to the large Chinese forces, nostalgic feelings of the Chinese forces about their homes and families as they had stayed out of their homes for about one year, and serious loss of their manpower in the battles whom they could not replenish because of the long distance from their source of supply. The Chinese had made a deceitful plan to inviting Bahadur Shah for negotiation in their camp and imprison him there till he agreed their conditions. But Bahadur Shah had their inside information. In order to make the Chinese plan ineffective, he invited them to come to Kathmandu for a talk. When their diplomacy did not work, the Chinese commander decided to move forward and continue their attack.

The Battle of Betrawati (1792)The Chinese forces kept their momentum of advance by pushing back the Nepali forces. This created panic in Kathmandu. The Chinese forces reached Dhaibung. The Nepal Government directed its military commanders of the east and the west to reach Kathmandu with their forces. Accordingly, the Nepali forces from different parts of the country arrived at Kathmandu. For the final and conclusive battle against the Chinese forces, the Nepali forces under the command of Chautaria Sri Krishna Shah, Chautaria Bam Shah, Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat, Kazi Dhaukal Singh Basnyat and Shartughan Shahi were deployed. This contingent of forces was supplied with sufficient quantity of guns, cannons, ammunitions and other weapons. It joined with the Nepali forces, led by Damodar Pande at Dhaibung. He decided to divide the forces into different groups, and deploy them at different defense positions in order to entrap the advancing Chinese forces. The plan was that the different groups

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of soldiers should take positions at different hillocks on this side of the bank of the Betrawati river. They should watch the activities of the enemy from these places.

In accordance with the plan, five companies of soldiers took defensive positions at Chokde. These forces were commanded by Kazi Damodar Pande, Sardar Prabal Rana, Sardar Parath Bhandari and Subba Jorabar Bogati. These second group of Nepali soldiers took defensive positions at Lachyang. These forces were commanded by Chautaria Krishna Shah, Chautaria Bam Shah, Kazi Naru Shah and Sardar Shartrusadhan Shahi. Likewise, the third group of soldiers commanded by Kazi Kirtiman Singh Basnyat, Kazi Devdatta Thapa, Sardar Pratiman Rana, Sardar Jaswant Bhandari and Kazi Bakhatwar Singh Basnyat took position at Gerkhu. The Nepali forces prepared their defensive positions in a very careful and well throughout way. But Fu Kong-an was unware of this move of the adversaries. He had full confidence in defeating the retreated Nepali forces.

It was the month of August. The road condition was very poor because of the incessant heavy rain. The Betrawati river was risen very high. There was high flood in it. The river had very strong current. So, it was not possible to cross it except through the narrow bridge, that was laid over the river. Against such adverse situation, the Chinese commander ordered his troops to cross the river on 20th August, 1792. The Nepali commanders allowed many Chinese forces to cross the bridge. After crossing the bridge, the Chinese forces began to climb up the hill. In the meantime, the Nepali forces attacked them suddenly from three directions. The Chinese forces could not withstand against the attack and began to flee. Many Chinese soldiers died from the showers of stones hurled against them by the Nepali soldiers. Many had died from the gun-shots. Many Chinese soldiers fell into the flooded Betrawati river and washed away. When the darkness fell, the Nepali soldiers crossed the

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river, and launched night attack against the Chinese soldiers. The Nepali soldiers inflicted heavy casualties to the Chinese soldiers and crossed back to their positions. In this action, the Chinese forces suffered heavily. This reverse compelled the Chinese commander to ponder over his situation. As the Chinese soldiers were suffering from the mental and physical fatigues on account of their involvement in constant battles in the places far away from their home-land, continuous march, and their eagerness to return to homes in China, so they were eager to cease fighting. The description as compiled by Wei Yuan, a Chinese, about the battle reads as: "In the beginning of the 8 th

month, our troops made an attack from three directions.

The rebels numbering ten battalions were holding the mountain very strongly.

The enemy taking advantage of his position on the summit of the mountain, poured down trees and stone "Like Rain" and at the same time those rebels who were separated by river and mountain made an attack from three directions.

Our troops sometimes fought and sometimes retreated. The number of killed and wounded was very great.

At the moment, our troops had just suffered a reverse, whereas the enemy's country presented more and more dangers to them…………."

The Chinese commander thought that is was better to start talk for ending the hostility, which the Nepal Government was also asking for. The crucial battle of Betrawati shielded the Chinese advance to Nepal.

The Nepal-Tibet War (1855-56)Peace prevailed for a long-time between Nepal and Tibet after the above conflict. However, discord began to surface between

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them later. The discord in respect of the Kuti sector was needed to be solved amicably between them. Likewise, the Nepali merchants had to face excesses oftee in Lhasa and many complaints in this respect reached to Jang Bahadur Rana. In the meantime, the Tibetan Government expelled the Nepali representative from Tibet without any reason. Thus, undercurrent of disharmony began to flow in the relation between Tibet and Nepal. In 1852, Nepal sent a Mission to the Court of China under the leadership of Sardar Gambhir Singh. The Mission was carrying presents to the Chinese Emperor, which Nepal was required to send every five year to the Court of China according to the provision of the 1792 treaty. The members of the Mission suffered extreme difficulty during their this visit to China, on accout of non-co-operation and rough treatment meted out to them by the Chinese and Tibetan authorities. The leader of the Mission Gambhir Singh and his one associate died in China. On the way to Nepal from China, the other members of the Mission faced arson and looting perpetrated by the Tibetan Khampas. On 22nd May, 1954, only one member of the Mission namely Bhimsen Rana returned live to Nepal. He reached Balaju at Kathmandu and told about his misfortunes. Jang Bahadur became very angry when he heard his report. Jang Bahadur decided to punish Tibet for this episode and began to prepare for the war.

Preparations for the WarOn the Nepal Side

Jang Bahadur Rana spent the whole year 1854 in preparation for war against Tibet. The preparation of war covered the aspects such as recruitment of new soldiers, their training, production of arms and ammunitions, collection of food articles and their storing, and maintenance of roads those lead to Tibet. He also undertook the diplomatic measure to neutralize China and to win support of British India.

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About 14,000 new infantry and 1,200 cavalry were raised. As regards weapons, twenty-four 12 pounder and eighty 6 pounder and some mortars and howitzers suitable for mountain warfare were manufactured. It was planned to set aside 12,000 troops to the internal security of the country, and the remaining forces would be mobilized for the war. In this invasion force, 16,000 well trained forces would be included. Jang Bahadur issued order to the east and west Commanding Generals to raise contingent of 5,000 soldiers. Besides, he employed thousands of workers to manufacture ammunitions, tents, boxes and gun-carriages etc. Each and every soldier was provided with Bakhu (jacket) and docha (a type of shoe) as he had to face extreme cold at the time of crossing the Himalayan areas as well as at the time of fighting in Tibet. Required numbers of doctors, Vaidays, carpenters, bricklayers, cobblers, black-smiths and interpreters (of English, Persion, Bhote and Chinese languages) were employed. Jang Bahadur wrote to Rajautas of Nepal to extend help in men and material to the war efforts against Tibet. The King of Mustang had extended help in this connection.

The most difficult part in the preparation of war was to procure and make arrangement for adequate quantity of food articles. Jang Bahadur Rana banned the export of food articles to India and made arrangements to purchase food grains in the country. Besides, he issued an appeal to the Nepali citizens to give help in the effort of war by providing food grains according to their capacity. He issued an order that every household should transport 32 seers of food articles to the designated center in the northern region. He became successful to get public support and procure adequate quantity of food articles. He further issued an order to grant a rebate of 25 percent to those who would deposit the land revenue for the year 1855 in advance. Moreover, he made compulsory for the Government employees and businessmen to contribute to the war effort. Even each Sepoy contributed rupees 1.90. He granted the contract to a businessman to collect food grains and Jang Bahadur received

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rupees 20 lakh 90 thousand from him. The details of the expenditures incurred in the preparation for war were as follows:Ammunitions Rs. 6,38,346/-Transport of Food Articles Rs. 22,199/-Food Rs. 6,75,138/-Godown Construction Rs. 3,696/-Tents Rs. 18,574/-Road Maintenance Rs. 1,000/-Purchase of bags Rs. 1,34,122/-Worship Rs. 1,028/-Medicine Rs. 377/-Sketches for Military purpose Rs. 43,313/-Postal through horse-back Rs. 881/-Stationary Rs. 4537/-Travelling Rs. 4412/-Troops Rs. 1,07,44,837/-

Small teams of Nepali soldiers were posted at the mountain saddles leading to Tibet. In the east, a contingent of Nepali forces were kept. This contingent would have look after the security of the eastern region. Another large contingent of soldiers were kept at Jumla. This contingent would have a look after the security of the western region. After completing the preparation for war, the Nepal Government wrote a letter to the Tibetan Government stating following conditions to be complied by it:

(i) To provide ruppes one crore to the Nepal Government in compensation for the loss incurred by the Nepali merchants.

(ii) To hand over the Nepali regions of Kuti and Kerong to Nepal.

(iii) To hand over the Taklakot district of Western Tibet to Nepal.

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The letter also contained a warning that if Tibet would not agree with these conditions, Nepal would declare war against it. The Tibetan Government sent a team of delegates to sart out these matters, but nothing transpired. In the end, Jang Bahadur Rana declared war in March 1855 against Tibet.

On the Tibetan SideTibet also began to make preparation for the after finding the cue that Nepal was determined to launch an invasion over it. Its preparation was defensive. Sethia Kazi of Tibet organized 30,000 infantry. He also raised about 5,000 cavalry. The Tibetan Government deployed 8,000 soldiers at Digarcha and 14,000 soldiers at Tingri. Nepal got this information. The Tibetans were great expert in spreading rumors.

DeploymentJang Bahadur Rana divided his forces into four groups. They were as follows:

1. The first group of soldiers should mount attack against Tibet at the Kerong sector. The leadership of this group was given to General Bam Bahadur. His deputy was Colonel Kanak Singh Khatri. This group included the Rifle Company, the Gorakh Nath Company, the Shree Nath Company, the Devidutta Company, the Ganesh Dal Company, the Bhairav Nath Company, the Purano Gorakh Company, the Singh Nath Company, the Ram Dal Company, the Raj Dal Company, the Jang Nath Company and the Durga Buksh Company.

2. The second group of soldiers was led by General Dhir Shamsher. The group should launch attack at the Kuti sector. His deputy was Khadga Bahadur Kunwar.

3. The third group consisting of the Himaldhoj Company should attack against the Tibetan areas from Olangchung gola.

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4. The fourth group of soldiers was led by General Krishna Dhoj and should launch attack against the Tibetan areas from the Mustang sector.

In addition to above Nepali forces, Jang Bahadur Rana had also raised reserve forces.

The Battle of Kerong SectorOn 6th March, 1855, a large contingent of Nepali forces led by General Bam Bahadur Rana started from Kathmandu to launch attack against the Kerong area. This contingent advanced without any resistance on its way and captured Kerong. But, Jung Bahadur sent reinforcement under the command of General Jagat Shamsher and Colonel Bhakta Jang when he heard that a large Tibetan force was converging to Kerong.

The Battle of GuntagadhiGeneral Jagat Shamsher and his troops reached near the fort of Guntagadhi. He got information that 6,500 Tibetan soldiers defended the fort. The fort was at the top of a hill. There was extreme cold. The sun was about to set. General Jagat Shamsher decided to launch attack against the fort and ordered his troops to do so. Strong cold wind was blowing. The Nepali soldiers mounted an attack and fought bravely, but could not capture the fort. Rain began to fall and darkness prevailed. The battle discontinued. The Nepali side suffered heavily in the action than of the Tibetan side. In the next morning, the Tibetans also made up their mind to launch attack against the Nepali forces. In the meantime, Jagat Shamsher divided his forces into two groups and ordered them to mount an attack against the fort from two directions. They charged forward, fired barrages of gunshots, and soldiers could not withstand and fled. The Nepali soldiers captured the fort and 600 Tibetans.

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The battle of the Jhunga FortAfter capturing Guntagadhi, the Nepali forces moved forward, and laid a siege over the Jhunga fort. The fort had a great strategic importance. The fort was very strong and could accommodate 10,000 soldiers at a time. Its capture was essential for the Nepali side. About 6,000 Tibetan soldiers were there for its defense. The Nepali forces led by Jagat Shamsher immediately mounted an attack against the fort. They repeatedly tried to overwhelm the fort's defense, but in it was very difficult to defeat the adversaries that were holed in and strongly resisting from strong defensive position. The battle raged for 9 days. The weather was very adverse. The fortune of battle moved like a sea-saw of both opposing forces. But, in the tenth day, the Tibetans began to flee leaving out the fort. The Nepali forces captured lot of wealth and other materials in the Jhunga fort.

The Battle of Kuti SectorThe Nepali forces led by General Dhir Shamsher defeated a small contingent of the Tibetan soldiers at Chusan and then captured Kuti. Thereafter, the Nepali forces moved forward. The Sona Gumba (monastery) to capture it. The Sona Gumba was 15 kilometers far from Kuti. The Sona Gumba was defended by 8,000 Tibetan forces. But, Tibetans had not been able to place the cannons. In order to take advantage of the situation, Dhir Shamsher order to launch attack against the Gumba immediately. The Tibetan forces resisted fiercely. Both sides suffered heavily in the battle. But, in the end, the Nepali forces gained upper hand. The Tibetan forces began to flee. Many Tibetan soldiers met their end. The Nepali soldiers captured the Sona Gumba. In the battle, 221 Nepali soldiers died and 195 soldiers received wound.

The Tibetan Government proposed peace negotiation to the Nepal Government, but it was secretly making a brisk preparation for war. On 1st November, 1855, 15,000 Tibetan and Tartar soldiers launched fierce attack against the Nepali military

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camp at Kuti. The Nepali soldiers were not prepared for the sudden attack, but they fought valiantly against the enemies. However, they could not withstand against the attack for a long time. They withdrew to Listi. Almost during the same period, another large Tibetan forces laid a siege over the Jhunga fort. The Nepali forces led by Pratiman Rana valiantly defended the fort against the attack of the Tibetan forces. He sent a communication to Kathmandu about the grave situation. On receiving the information, Jang Bahadur Rana dispatched two contingents of Nepali forces immediately to Tibet to help besieged troops. One contingent led by Dhir Shamsher procedded to Kuti and another contingent led by Sanak Singh to the Jhunga fort.

Dhir Shamsher divided his forces into three groups and mounted attack against the adversaries from three directions. The Nepali soldiers became victorious and Kuti was recaptured. The forces led by Sanak Singh jumped up against the Tibetan soldies at Jhunga, and gave a crushing defeat to them. The Tibetan fled away. The Tibetan Government became alarmed from these victories scored over the Tibetan forces by the Nepali forces and appealed for peace talk to the Nepal Government. Ultimately, the hostilities between two sides decreased after the conclusion of the Thapathali treaty.

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SOME BRAVE SOLDIERS

The Nepali soldiers have always been extolled for their loyalty, dedication and valor both in the battle-fronts and in the welfare activities. History bears such testimony. They have fought to unify the country, help the allies, preserve national identity, preserve nation's sovereignty and manifest national glory. Therefore, it is not out of place to write eulogy of some of the brave commanders and soldiers to mark out respect to them as well as to the general soldiers of the Nepali Army.

Kalu PandeKalu Pande, the son of Bhim Raj Pande, was a brave commander and soldier, sly strategician and proficient diplomat. Kazi Kalu Pande had three sons namely Bansh Raj Pande, Rana Sur Pande and Damodar Pande and one daughter 'Chitrawati'. He was the right hand of King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha. The contribution of Kalu Pande was immense in the efforts of unification of Nepal. He is our National Pride. He was so popular among adversary state, namely Baise Rajyas and Chaubise Rajyas, that when King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha sought an opinion from them in respect of bestowing the post of Mul Kazi (equivalent to the post of a Prime Minister) they recommended the name of Kalu Pande. The Gorkhalis had the same opinion. Kalu Pande was appointed as Mul Kazi of the Gorkha Kingdom.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha was an ambitious King who wanted to expand territories in all directions. In order to materialize such ambition, it was necessary to make flanks safe and peaceful by culminating and establishing friendly relations with bordering states. The Gorkhalis wanted to move east, so, its western, southern and northern flanks were required to be safe. It was because of the proficient diplomacy. Kalu Pande became successful to arrange a friendly meeting between these two states. Kalu Pande was fully aware of the danger to

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Gorkha from Chaubise Rajyas. Again, it was because of the foresight and diplomacy of Kalu Pande, Gorkha could secure assurance of non-belligerance and invasion against it from Chaubise Rajyas by giving them words to provide one hundred twenty thousand rupees in the future. With the transpire of favourable situation in the flanks of the Gorkha Kingdom, the Gorkhali army moved to the east.

In 1744, with a view of invading Nuwakot, the Gorkhali army crossed the Trishuli river on the pretext of digging a canal at Khimchet. The Kings of the Kathmandu valley states remained unaware of the crossing of the Gorkha troops over the Trishuli river. In the battle of Nuwakot, the Gorkhali troops under the command of Sardar Kalu Pande launched an attack from the direction of the Garkhu stream. King of Gorkha Prithivi Narayan Shah himself led the Gorkhali troops from the southern side. The Gorkhali troops under the command of Chautaria Mohaddam Kirti Shah advanced from the Dharapani. The Gorkhalis won the battle and captured Nuwakot. Jayant Rana of Nuwakot fled to Belkot.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah chased Jayant Rana to capture him. Kalu Pande later joined the King. An intense fighting raged between the Gorkhali troops and the Nuwakot troops. At one time, the situation became very critical for the Gorkhalis. However, the tide turned in favour of Gorkhalis when Kalu Pande personally led the fight, showed great valour, and slew Jayant Rana. The victory over Nuwakot put the Gorkhalis at the door of the Kathmandu valley and this threatened the trade intercourses between Tibet and the Kathmandu valley states through Naldum-Tibet road.

The Gorkhalis chalked out a strategy to win-over the Kathmandu valley states by encircling it and imposing blockade first rather than making a frontal attack against them. In order to achieve this objective, Kalu Pande captured Naldum and

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Mahadev Pokhari in 1745, though later, Naldum changed hands five times between Gorkha and Kathmandu during the period from 1745 to 1755. After the capture of Naldum in 1745, King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu mounted an attack against the Gorkha troops in order to recapture Nuwakot. The 8,000 Kathmandu troops were led by Kashi Ram Thapa. The Gorkha troops under the command of Mahoddam Kirti Shah, Kalu Pande and Tula Ram Pande advanced to defend Nuwakot. At the confluence of Tadi and Likhu streams, fierce fight took place between the opposing troops during the rainy season of 1746. In the end, the Gorkhalis became victorious and Kashi Ram Thapa returned to Palanchok. On the advice of Kalu Pande, the Gorkhalis captured Lami Danda and Chitlang, places west of Kathmandu. The capture of these places by Gorkhalis brought hardship to Patan for the availability of woods to build houses as these places were the source of wood supply to Patan. Upto 1750, the Gorkhali troops had continued their operations to mount a blockade of the Kathmandu valley.

Kalu Pande was aware of danger to Gorkha if Lamjung would move to the opposite camp. During the years 1754 and 1755, Chaubise Rajyas became hostile to Gorkha. Kalu Pande had made an attempt to recement the friendly relation of Gorkha with Lamjung. He asked the king to relieve of himself from the position of Mul Kazi and went to Nuwakot. Along with Mahiman Khawas, he went to the Palace of Lamjung. In the meantime, the troops of Chaubise including Lamjung led an invasion of Gorkha. In 1755, the troops of Chaubise Rajyas attacked the Gorkhali troops at Sirhanchok where a fierce fight took place. Ultimately, Gorkhali troops defeated the united forces of Chaubise Rajyas. Kazi Kalu Pande captured Bungmati and Khokana, places within the valley, and advanced towards Patan. A panic situation prevailed among the Kings of the valley states.

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King Prithivi Narayan Shah intended to win over Kirtipur in order to make it a launching pad for the invasion of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaon. However, Kalu Pande reported him that all Kings of the valley states were in unison because of the victories of Gorkhalis. He advised him to attack as and when discords emerged among them. But, King Prithivi Narayan Shah was determined to attack Kirtipur. Sensing the danger of attack against Kirtipur from the Gorkhalis, trained Nagarkoti troops of all three valley states were assembled in Kirtipur to defend it against Gorkhalis. The Gorkhali troops attacked Kirtipur from the side of Dahachok. Kalu Pande also took part in the battle that took place in June 1757. The Kirtipur's defenders stoutly defended and an intense battle raged. The Gorkhali troops suffered heavily and about 1,200 soldiers got killed. King Prithivi Narayan Shah barely escaped from the death. Kalu Pande met his end in the battle. He was beheaded while fighting and defending himself at the bank of the Balkhu stream. His head was taken away by King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kathmandu and the body was taken to Dahachok. The death of Kazi Kalu Pande was a great loss to the Gorkhali army. A valiant soldier had met a valiant end. The name of Kazi Kalu Pande of Gorkha will remain immortal in the history of Nepal.

Ram Krishna KunwarRam Krishna Kunwar, the son of Ahiram Kunwar, was an influential Bhardar during the reign of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Ram Krishna Kunwar became an officer in the army at the age of 14. His father was bestowed with a jagir by King Nar Bhupal Shah of Gorkha.

The Gorkhalis under the King Prithivi Narayan Shah were executing the strategy of imposing blockade on Kathmandu by gradually winning different places surrounding the Kathmandu valley. Chautaria Daljit Shah, Kazi Harka Pantha and Bir Bhadra Thapa were the commanders of Gorkhali troops, who went to capture Palanchok and Kavre. In 1762, Jetha Budha

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Ram Krishna Kunwar actively participated in the battle against Makwanpur. The Gorkhalis captured Makwanpur. Chautaria Mahoddam Kirti Shah, Chautaria Dal Mardan Shah, Kazi Daljit Shah, Kazi Shur Pratap Shah, Kazi Bansh Raj Pande, Kula Nanda Jaisi, Hira Singh Basnyat, Nandu Sardar and Jetha Budha Tharghar were also took part in the Makwanpur battle. Sardar Daljit Shah, Kazi Bansh Raj Pande, Jiwa Shah, Rudra Shahi, Ram Krishna Kunwar, Umrao Tharghar etc. marched east along with troops to invade and capture Timal and Sindhuli. Ram Krishna Kunwar also participated in the operation of Kavre Kot. In 1763, war broke out in Dhulikhel. Ram Krishna Kunwar, Hari Bansa Upadhyay and Kalidas Khadka captured Dhulikhel.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah had made a plan of invasion over Kiant regional composed of Wallo Kirant. Manjha Kirant and Pallo Kirant. Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar and Sardar Amar Singh Thapa were assigned to capture hilly portions of Kirant regions. The invading force crossed the Sunkoshi in the darkness of night. Brahmins and Kshatriyas welcomed the arrival of the Ram Krishna Kunwar. He also made an effort to win over Khambus through persuation. But, the Khambus formed an organization to fight against the invading Gorkhali forces. The Nepali forces became victorious in the battle and the Chaudandi Kingdom was integrated with Nepal in 1773. The Nepali army captured the Sindhuli Gadhi near to Vijayapur.

In January 1770, King Prithivi Narayan Shah asked his all Bhardars including Ram Krishna Kunwar for their advice on the question of granting rewards to those who had died in the 1962 battle of Timal. Ram Krishna Kunwar had sent a petition to the King for his approval to lay stones on the road from Guheswari to Pashupati. King Prithivi Narayan Shah approved his request. In September 1772, King Prithivi Narayan Shah issued a Lal Mohar (Red Seal) in favour of Dhulikhel areas and the whole surroundings of Swayambhu. The King wrote in the letter that, after the death of Kalu Pande in Kirtipur, the wisdom

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and valour of Ram Krishna Kunwar helped in expanding the territory of Nepal; and, with the might of sword, the Kingdom of Nepal emerged, so a reward of half of the Kingdom would not he considered as a sufficient reward to him. The Lal Mohar also stated that after the death of Ram Krishna Kunwar's brother in the battle of Timal, the responsibility would now lie on him to invade and win over the Kirant region. King Prithivi Narayan Shah bestowed 22 pairs of Shirpau (appreciation) to Ram Krishna Kunwar after his victory over the Kirant region.

After the death of King Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1775 in Nuwakot and during the reign of King Pratap Singh Shah, the Sikkim's army reached Chyangthapu to fight against the Nepali army. In the midst of such a situation, Ram Krishna Kunwar had prepared a plan to win over the Sikkim's army and advance to Sikkim. In the meantime, a large portion of the Nepali army had to proceed to Someswar to protect it from the British. In 1779, the confederate of Chaubise Rajyas declared war against the Kingdom of Gorkha, Bali Baniya solicited the help of Ram Krishna Kunwar. Ram Krishna Kunwar, with a sezeable force, joined Bali Baniya to fight against the forces of Chaubise Rajyas. The forces of Gorkha and Chaubise fought at Bali Thum in which Bali Baniya had succumbed to death. The Chaubise forces crossed the Chepe stream and captured a few Gaudas (forts). The Chaubise forces attempted to capture Chitwan and Upardang. However, Sardar Ram Krishna Kunwar gave a defeat to the Chaubise forces. In 1782, the Chaubise forces attacked again the Kingdom of Gorkha. Amar Singh Thapa led Nepali forces to give a defeat to the Chaubise forces. Both forces met at Chipleti. Both forces fought valiantly. But the Nepali forces became victorious and the Krishna Kunwar was deputed to build a gun-powder factory in Pyuthan. While the gun-powder factory and the arsenal factory were under construction, he died in 1789. Ram Krishna Kunwar was a patriot and valiant soldier. His great contribution lies in furthering the success of unification of Nepal.

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Shivram Singh BasnyatShivram Singh Basnyat, the son of Jayaram Singh Basnyat, belonged to Sri Pali Basnyat family and was a commander in the Nepali army during the time of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Jayaram Singh entered into the Kingdom of Gorkha from 24 Thakurais during the reign of King Nar Bhupal Shah. Jayaram Singh also worked in the Nepali army. Shivram Singh Basnyat was one of the many who accompanied King Prithivi Narayan Shah to Banaras. In the Dibya Upadesh, King Prithivi Narayan Shah expressed his opinion that the Basnyat specially the progenies of Shivram Singh should be entrusted witjh the task of supervision of the southern side. Shivram Singh had four sons namely Kehar Singh Basnyat, Nar Hari Singh Basnyat, Abhiman Singh basnyat and Dhokal Singh Basnyat. His wife's name was Shur Prabha.

In 1745, in the battle of Sankhu, Shivram Singh Basnyat was only 32 years old. There were different versions about the episode that caused his death. One version was that the adversary forces led by Kazi Taudik of Kathmandu attacked the Gorkah forces when they were resting near Sankhu. The Gorkha forces fought valiantly, but Kazi Shivram Singh Basnyat along with 200 soldiers died in the fight. This episode occurred in 1764. Second version is that Kazi Taudik had witnessed the valour of Kazi Shivram Singh Basnyat in the battle of Sindhupalchok and his valour caused the ruin of his enemies. So kazi Taudik became furious over him and he was determined to kill him. At the time of preparation of the battle of Sanga, few persons of Bhaktapur, who had won the turst of Gorkhalis, killed him in treachery. The third version was that the inhabitants of Sanga became determined to resist the Gorkhali forces and stopped the supply of food articles. Though, the Gorkhali forces were getting the supply of clarified butter (ghee) and corn flour. The Gorkhali forces were waiting for the auspicious hour as propounded by the astrologer to attack. In the meantime, with the consent of the King of Kathmandu, Kashi Ram Thapa of

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Bhaktapur attacked the Gorkhali forces. The surprise attack launched by Kazi Kashi Ram Thapa in the midst of night against the Gorkhali forces terminated with the death of Sardar Shivram Singh Basnyat along with 900 Gorkhali soldiers.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah granted Marwat (the land given for the livelihood to the family members of the soldier who were died in a battle) to the sons of Shivram Singh Basnyat after his death. His offspring Jahar Singh Basnyat has constructed a Shiv temple and a Pauwa (a place where pilgrims and travelers can take rest) at the Sangchok in memory of his grand-father, Shivram Singh Basnyat.

Abhiman Singh BasnyatAbhiman Singh Basnyat, the son of Sardar Shivram Singh Basnyat, belonged to Bhardwaj Gotri Sir Pali Basnyat dynasty, and was born in 1744. He was only two years and a half when his father died. He was nursed by his mother Shur Prabha. From his childhood, he was closely linked with the Palace of Gorkha. He was a brave soldier and an able commander.

In 1773, King Prithivi Narayan Shah assigned Abhiman Singh Basnyat and Parath Bhandari to invade the Kingdom of Chaudandi in the rainy season. The Gorkhali forces under their leadership launched an attack against the Kingdom of Chaudandi, captured it, and integrated it into Nepal. The King and Ministers of the Kingdom of Chaudandi fled away. The Udayapur Gadhi was under the protection and defense of the Magar forces. Because of the command of King Prithivi Narayan Shah to the Nepali army to behave nicely to Magars, the Nepali army did not attack Magars and advanced to Chaudandi. The Nepali army was only negotiating for the surrender of Magar forces of the Udayapur Gadhi. The Nepali forces captured the Kingdom of Chaudandi. In this operation, Krishna Kunwar and Amar Singh Thapa also took part. When the defenders of the Udayapur Gadhi knew that the Kingdom of

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Chaudandi fell, they vacated the Gadhi (fort) and accepted the control of Nepal.

The Kingdom of Chaudandi had no permanent army. Abhiman Singh Basnyat captured the capital of Chaudandi marching through the Terai region. Ram Krishna Kunwar and Amar Singh Thapa subdued the resistance made by the Khambus. Hari Nandan Upadhyay of Khapra helped Nepali army by extending loan of Rs. 18,725 in total to it in February 1774 to capture Naulakhu Kirant region. In lieu of his help to the Nepali army, he was given tax free lands, as Kush Birta, in the Majhua Thum, one Dhalal in Manjha Kirant and fallow land surrounding the Kanchanpur Gadhi at the bank of the Trijunga river. In 1774, Abhiman Singh Basnyat appointed Lokeswar Pandit as a priest, Abhiman Singh Basnyat had commended the Nepali forces as well as participated in the battle of Makwanpur in 1762, the battles of Chaudandi, Manjha Kirant in 1773, the battles of Arun, Chainpur and Morang in 1774, the battle of Sombeswar in 1776 and the battles of Vijayapur and Rising, Ghiring and Paiyun Garjkot in 1778. He also captured Ilam from Sikkim.

After the demise of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, hostility flared up in the eastern Terai region during the reign of King Pratap Singh Shah. Abhiman Singh Basnyat garrisoned the Nepali forces there. He and Swarup Singh Karki led an attack by Nepali forces against Bhubneswar and Kabilas in the Saptaria region and captured these places. Buddhi Karna Rai, the deposed Minister of the Vijayapur Kingdom, began to perpetuate looting and arson in the Terai region while living in the territory of the East India Company. However, the Nepali army captured Buddhi Karna Rai along with his few accomplices when they were indulging in the act of looting within the territory of Nepal. They were brought before Abhiman Singh Basnyat. Finding evidence of looting and arsons from the investigation, they were sentenced to death. After the episode, tranquility prevailed in the

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Kirant region. Abhiman Singh Basnyat became successful to slay Ripu Mardan Sen, the brother of Dhwaj Bir Sen, and 15 soldiers of Sikkim army. Remaining captured soldiers of Dhwaj Bir Sen were sent to Kathmandu. Peace prevailed in Morang and its surrounding areas after this event. Abhiman Singh Basnyat returned to Kathmandu after giving the responsibility to maintain security in the eastern region to Swarup Singh Karki and Kazi Parbat Rana.

The Nepali army was in the move in the western hilly regions of Chaubise Rajyas with an objective of securing territorial expansion for Nepal. Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat advanced toward Palpa with 5 Companies of the Nepali army. He reached Tansen, the capital of Palpa, by crossing the Kali Gandaki river. In the meantime, he returned to Lamjung by giving up the plan of capturing Palpa after he knew about the plan of Parbat to attack Nepal, Swarup Singh reached Lamjung from Kathmandu with a large force. In the battle that raged between the Parbat forces and the Nepali forces, commander of the Parbat forces, Ganesh Mall, was captured and brought to Kathmandu. Abhiman Singh Basnyat stayed in Tanahun after this episode. He won Tanahun and entered into Tanahun. King Bhupal Narayan Shah of Tanahun accepted the supremacy of Nepal. Garahun also fell to Nepal. Nepal won principalities of Rising, Ghiring, Charikot and Paiyun and integrated them into Nepal. Abhiman Singh Basnyat returned to Kathmandu accompanying through executing treaties, the supremacy and control of Nepal.

Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat had also taken part in the Nepal-Tibet war in 1791. He led attack against the Digarcha Monastery and captured a large amont of wealth. He sent the wealth to Kathmandu. He also participated with Damodar Pande in the military expedition to the west. However, when King Rana Bahadur Shah became grown up and began to manage

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state affairs, Abhiman Singh Basnyat was relieved from the service.

Abhiman Singh Basnyat received land grants and other rewards for his service to the nation. He received clearance for the expenditures that were incurred between 1770 and 1774. King Pratap Singh Shah extended thanks to him for the capture of Buddhi Karna Rai, a rebel. In May 1991, King Rana Bahadur Shah also provided clearance for the expenditures incurred by Abhiman Singh Basnyat to conduct various military operations in the eastern Nepal from 1773 to 1775.

Damodar PandeDamodar Pande, the youngest son of Kazi Kalu Pande, was a brave soldier and an able commander. In 1768, Damodar Pande received land grants and annual remuneration (jagir) of Rs. 501/- from King Prithivi Narayan Shah. His victory march started from his military expendition to the east of the Dudha Koshi river during the reign of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Damodar Pande extended the eastern boundary of Nepal to Adrok Chyangthapu in the eastern Kirant and then turned to the south and integrated Subbas of Atharai Chainpur and Panchtar accepting the terms and conditions enumerated in the Sen Makwanpuri Lal Mohar. In 1783, he commanded the Nepali forces in the battle against Lamjung and moved toward west in a military expedition. During the period 1785-86, he annexed the principalities of Rising, Ghiring, Jajarkot (Gajur), Bhirkot, Garahun, Dhor and Satahun and merged them into Nepal. In 1787, he won the principalities of Parbat, Galkot, Musikot, Dhurkot, Dullu and Dailekh and also merged them into Nepal. In 1790, he captured Darna, Achham, Bajhang, Thalhara, Doti, Banphi, Motame, Kalagaun, Jahari and Rukum and integrated these places into Nepal. Besides, Damodar Pande had proved his mante in capturing monasteries of Digarcha and uprooting the Tibetan forces in 1790 as well as fighting a defensive battle against invading Chinese forces that penetrated upto Dhaibung

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in 1792, Damodar Pande had led the Nepali forces in the military operations against Kumaon.

At the time of death of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, Damodar Pande was in the east conducting military operations. In 1776, during the reign of King Pratap Singh Shah, the Nepali forces led by Damodar Pande fought a battle against Sikkimese, Lepchas in Chainpur and won them. The boundary of Nepal extended to the Tista river. On account of this victory, Damodar Pande was elevated to the position of Kazi. In 1777, King Pratap Singh Shah died. Because of the quarrel between Queen Rajendra laxmi and Bahadur Shah for Regency to the infant King Rana Bahadur Shah, Bahadur Shah was imprisoned. He was released later and went to Betia in India. Damodar Pande accompanied him to Betia. Chaubise Rajyas launched an attack against Nepal to take benefit of the exile of Bahadur Shah and Damodar Pande. Queen Rajendra Laxmi called back Damodar Pande from Betia. The revolt of the Chaubise Rajyas was quelled by the joint wisdom and action of Damodar Pande and Bansh Raj Pande. Later, Queen Rajendra Laxmi ordered to kill Bansa Raj Pande and he was beheaded at Bhandar Khal. The killing of brother greatly shocked Damodar Pande. He was also relieved from the service on the charge that he was loyal to Bahadur Shah. In the meantime, Queen Rajendra Laxmi died. Chaubise Rajyas began to organize themselves against Nepal. The unfolding of such situation compelled other Bhardars to call back Bahadur Shah to Nepal. Bahadur Shah reorganized the honest Bhardars of the time of King Prithivi Narayan Shah in the national service and allotted assignments to them in accordance with their capability.

Bahadur Shah married Princess Najar Hajuri, daughter of King Mahadatta Sen of Palpa, and won over the favour of the King of Palpa. Then, Parbat became alone. In the beginning of 1786, Nepal declared a war against the Chaubise Rajyas and the Baise Rajyas. Palpa sided with Nepal. Kazi Damodar Pande led

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the Nepali forces in the military expedition of west. In May 1786, the Nepali forces crossed the Kali Gandaki river and reached Gulmi. A battle took place at Charpala in Gulmi. The King of Gulmi fled. The Nepali forces advanced toward Chandra Kot. A heavy fighting took place in Arghatosh. The Nepali army had to fight a bitter struggle against the forces of King Govind Singh of Isma. In the end, the Nepali army became victorious and the Kingdom of Isma was annexed by Nepal. After a bitter fight, the Nepali army captured Parbat. The Nepali army advanced further west and captured Pyuthan Musikot in November 1786. Out of the conquered principalities, Nepal gave Gulmi, Argha and Khanchi to Palpa, and other principalities were integrated with Nepal.

The Nepali army led by Damodar Pande fought the battle against the King of Dang and the King of Chhilikote and won these places. The Nepali army also fought against the King of Rolpali Gajulkote and won the battle. Gajul was annexed by Nepal. After the victory over the Chaubise Rajyas, Bahadur Shah assigned Kazi Damodar Pande to led military invasion over the Baise Rajyas. Jumla was the most powerful among the Baise Rajyas. Damodar Pande decided to invade Jumla and captured it. He divided his attacking Nepali army into two into groups. One group of the Nepali army advanced towards Jumla taking the route of Mustang while other group took the route of Dailekh. The attack made by the Nepali army against Jumla from the northern side was only diversionary. The Nepali army advanced taking the route of Dialekh captured Jumla in 1789. With the fall of Jumla, most of the principalities of the Baise Rajyas became disheartened. Doti was a powerful Kingdom among the Baise Rajyas. The Nepali army won Doti, Achham, Bajhang, Thalhara and Bajura up to 1790 and extended the boundary of Nepal to the Mahakali river. In the military operations of the Nepali army against the Chaubise Rajyas and the Baise Rajyas, Kazi Jagajit Pande, Kazi Abhiman Singh

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Basnyat, Sardar Amar Singh Thapa, Bhakti Thapa and Amar Singh Rana also were associated with Kazi Damodar Pande.

The Nepali army continued its westward military operations. In 1791, the Nepali army crossed the Mahakali river and invaded Kumaon. Harsha Dev, deposed Minister of Kumaon sided with the Nepali army. A fierce battle took place between the Kumaon army and the Nepali army, but the Nepali army became victorious. King Mohan Singh of Kumaon and his brother Lal Singh fled to Rudrapur. King Uttam Shahi of Dullu and Harsha Dev helped the Nepali army significantly in the battle of Kumaon. After the victory over Kumaon, the Nepali army constructed a fort in Lal Mandi and garrisoned itself there.

Damodar Pande returned to Kathmandu after the start of the Nepal-Tiber war in 1791. He led the Nepali army against Tibet and captured the Digarcha Monastery. The Chinese army intervened in the war siding Tibet. The Chinese army continued its advance to Nepal. The Nepali army adopted the guerrilla strategy of hit and run and harassed the invading Chinese army. A great fight took place between the two armies at the bank of the Betrawati river and the Chinese army suffered heavily. An agreement between Nepal and China ended the armed conflict between the two countries.

The rise and prominence of Bahadur Shah and Damodar Pande made them object of jealously among other Bhardars of the Royal Palace. Plots and intrigues were begun to be hatched against them. King Rana Bahadur Shah assumed the full control over state matters when he attained the adulthood. Bahadur Shah expressed opinion against the wish of King Rana Bahadur Shah to marry Kantiwati. The event enraged the King and caused the downfall of Bahadur Shah. He was charged that he misappropriated the state treasury. His Regency was removed and he was imprisoned. King Rana Bahadur Shah recognized the Bhardari Board. Damodar Pande was appointed one of its

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members because of his knowledge in the field of foreign affairs. In 1799, King Rana Bahadur Shah renounced the kingship in favour of his infant son Girban Yuddha. Later, King Rana Bahadur Shah went to Banaras in India. It is suspected that in agreement was concluded with the Britishers in 1801to detain Rana Bahadur Shah in Banaras. Rana Bahadur Shah procured a copy of this agreement through a special channel.

Younger Queen Subarna Prabha had an intention of removing Damodar Pande from the Palace. In early 1802, Kirtiman Singh Basnyat was murdered suddenly. Blame of this murder was put on Damodar Pande. After one month, he renounced the post of Kazi. Damodar Pande was reinstituted in the post of Kazi after the arrival of Captain Knox as Vakil in 1802. Elder Queen Raj Rajeswari returned to Nepal from Banaras. Damodar Pande went to Thankot to welcome her. He became Mukhya Kazi. He also constituted a Kazi Board. He had stopped allowances of Rana Bahadur Shah. In 1804, Rana Bahadur Shah returned to Nepal from Banaras. He ordered to arrest Damodar Pande on the charge that he had committed a treason against the country by concluding a commercial treaty with the British. Damodar Pande, his son Lalit Bam and a few Bhardars were beheaded in front of the temple of Bhadrakali. Damodar Pande was 52 years old when he was beheaded. Damodar Pande was loyal to the Crown and acted in the nation's intrest throughout his life.

Amar Singh ThapaAmar Singh Thapa, son of Umrao Bhim Singh Thapa, belonged to Atreya Gotri Bagale Thapa dynasty, and was horn in 1774 at Siranchok of Gorkha. Umrao Bhim Singh Thapa had commanded the Gorkhali army in the attack against Palanchok in 1759. He got killed in the battle. Amar Singh Thapa was only eight years old when his father died in the battle.

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Amar Singh Thapa was a Sardar in 1783. The army of Prabat gave a defeat to the Nepali army in Sinjung. The army of the Chaubise Rajyas was preparing to attack against Siranchok of Gorkha. Nepal sent a large contingent of the Nepali army under the command of Kazi Bal Bhadra Shah to give a crushing defeat to the invading army of adversaries. Kazi Bal Bhadra Shah was supported by deputies namely Kazi Dev Datta Thapa Magar, Kazi Damodar Pande and Sardar Amar Singh Thapa. Amar Singh Thapa had a good knowledge of the geography of Siranchok, because he was born there. He gave a crushing defeat to the invading army at chipleti. The army of the Chaubise Rajyas retreated and fled. The Nepali army again mounted an attack against the army of the Chaubise Rajyas at Jhimryak and killed 200 adversaries' soldiers. The Chaubise army took shelter in Lamjung. The army of Palpa also retreated back from Sinjung after hearing the news of above defeat. King Kirti Bam Malla put blame on Kaski for the defeat and harassed it. The King of Kaski took shelter to commander Bal Bhadra Shah of the Nepali army. He called back Bansh Raj Pande from his exile in Betia in India. Bansh Raj Pande won over the favour of Pants of Lamjung. The Gorkhali army encircled Lamjung. Sardar Amar Singh Thapa moved towards Kaski with a sizable Nepali forces. King Kirti Bam Malla was surrounded by the Nepali army at Deurali near Dhikuri Pokhari of Dare Gaunda. However, King Kirti Bam Malla became successful to fled away from the blockade by impersonating as a Jogi. The army of Prabat surrendered to the Nepali army. By this way Amar Singh Thapa liberated Kaski.

Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat led Nepali forces to invade Palpa. Amar Singh Thapa was also in the invading army. The Nepali army led by Sardar Bilochan Khawas and Amar Singh Thapa attacked Tahu and captured it. The Nepali army then moved toward Bankul. The Nepali army deferted the Palpali army. In 1785, the Nepali army led by Amar Singh Thapa moved west toward Chandra Kot. He won Khanchi. Afterward,

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he returned to Kathmandu and again led Nepali army to invade Dailekh in 1790. A battle took place at Bilashpur and Surchhetra of Dailekh and he won Dailekh. King Uttam Shahi of Dullu and King Gajendra Shah of Jajarkot helped Nepal. The boundary of Nepal touched the Karnali river. Again, the Nepali army marched toward Achham and Doti led by King Uttam Shahi and Amar Singh Thapa. The invading Nepali army consisted of ten companies of troops along with Captain Golaiyan Khawas and Rana Bir Khatri. The Nepali army fought a battle at Dipathal and won Doti and Achham. Later, Sardar Amar Singh Thapa and his associates crossed the Mahakali river, and garrisoned their forces at Dholi of the Kumaon region.

The Nepali army under the command of Kazi Jagajit Pande and Kazi Amar Singh Thapa moved to invade Kumaon. King Lal Singh of Kumaon and Mahendra Chand sent army to fight against the Nepali army. A fierce battle raged at Buthal Gadhi between the two armies and, in the end, the Nepali army won Kumaon in 1791. Again, the Nepali army led by Kazi Jagajit Pande and Kazi Amar Singh Thapa attacked Garhwal in 1792. The war continued for the years. In the meantime, the Nepali army returned to Kathmandu on accout of Nepal Tibet war. After the end of the armed conflict between Nepal and Tibet because of conclusion of a treaty between Nepal and China, Kazi Amar Singh Thapa was ordered to launch an attack against Garhwal. He commanded 6,000 Nepali troops. He invaded Garhwal and captured it. King Praddhyumna Shah of Garhwal fled to Dehradun. Praddhyumna Shah, deposed King of Garhwal, raised a new army and launched an attack against the Nepali army in 1796. But, he died at the battle and the Nepali army gained control over Dehradun.

King Karna Prakash of Sirmoor solicited the help of Amar Singh Thapa because of hostility between two principalities namely Hindoor and Sirmoor. In 1806, Amar Singh Thapa went to Sirmoor with a large contingent of the

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Nepali army to assist it. He defeated Hindoor. He annexed a few principalities, and incorporated them in Nepal. Later, Amar Singh Thapa moved toward Kangra. The Kingdom of Kangra was powerful. So, Amar Singh Thapa won small principalities neighbouring Kangra at first. He set free King Iswari Sen of Mandi from the prison, who was imprisoned twelve years before by King Sansar Chand of Kangra. The Nepali army laid siege over the Kangra fort. In the meantime, King Ram Saran Singh of Hindoor attacked the Nepali army. But it suppressed him. A few places namely Chamcha, Halipur, Jaswan, Datapur, Siwa, Sukel, Mandi, Kahaun and Katlehar came under the possession of the Nepali army. Amar Singh Thapa sent Jaspaun Thapa to attack Sumerupur fort and he advanced through the route of Jalandhar. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa succumbed to death from a bullet wound. In September 1809, a large force of Khalsa Sikh led by Ranjit Singh occupied the Kangra fort. A fierce battle raged between the Nepali army and the Sikh army. However, the Nepali army had to retreat and cross back the Satlaj river. But the Nepali army remained at the bank of Satlaj river and stationed there for a long time in the hope of recapturing the lost territory.

Amar Singh Thapa did not favour of war between Nepal and the British. He did not think that Nepal would win over the British. In 1813, Amar SinghThapa captured four villages of Hindoor. In the far west, he was engaged in the administration and management of the newly won territories. After the start of Anglo-Nepal war, Amar Singh Thapa fought vigorously to defend the territory of Nepal. In October 1814, Ochterlony of the British army was advancing toward Satlaj region. He did a plan to attack Hindoor, Gohila and Mahlog peak. Amar Singh Thapa was at Raj Garh during that time. He wanted to defend Tinker fort. The British captured the surrounding areas of the Malaon fort and continued their advance. In the meantime, King Ram Saran Singh of Hindoor switched his favour towards the British. The British army continued its advance through Hindoor. Amar

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Singh Thapa assigned Bhakti Thapa to defend Jyaura and its southern areas while Amar Singh with his troops stayed at Jyaura and Pudho Pass. King Krishna Singh of Sirmoor attacked the Nepali force at Chandal Garh, but he got a defeat. Bam Shah had to conclude a peace treaty with the British after his defeat in the battlw of Kumaon. Amar Singh Thapa became disheartened at the death of Bhakti Thapa in the battle of Deuthal. In March 1816, the British fiercely attacked the Malaon fort. Heavy cannons fired upon the fort. On the advice of the Kathmandu Palace and against his own wish, Amar Singh Thapa concluded a peace treaty with the British and the war ended in the far west. The British intercepted the letter of Amar Singh Thapa which was sent to the Kathmandu Palace in which he had suggested to prolong the war till the on-set of the rainy season, recruitment and training of new soldiers in the meantime, and recapture of lost territory when the situation turned in favour of Nepal.

Kazi Amar Singh Thapa was a brave soldier and master strategician. He fought battlw against Lamjung in 1783, Parbat Galkot in 1786, Achham, Darna, Purkot, Dailekh and Doti in 1790, Tibet in 1790, Kumaon in 1791, Garhwal, Hindoor and Jhupat Keshar in 1791, Pantha Jara in 1806 and British in 1814-16. Impressed with the valour of Amar Singh Thapa, General Ochterlony made friendship (miteri) with Ram Das Thapa, son of Amar Singh Thapa, and exchanged their turbans. Before the war, the British made an attempt to win over the favour of Amar Singh Thapa by extending lucrative offers to him, but he refused to accept such offer.

The loss of territory to the British and absence of any opportunity to regain it on accout of Nepal's treaty with the British made Amar Singh Thapa a dejected man. He began to reside at Panch Pokhari at the bank of the Indrawati river. After March 1816, he wwent to Gosain Kund. He died there in July 1816 from a severe stomach pain. He had ten sons namely Kazi

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Rana Dhwaj, Rana Bhim Singh, Rana Jor Singh, Bhakta Bir, Ram Das, Nar Singh, Arjun and Bhupal Singh Thapa.

Bhakti ThapaBhakti Thapa was the grand son of Pratap Thapa and son of Amar Singh Thapa, and they were descendents of Pumbar dynasty. Earlier, Bhakti Thapa was a Bhardar in the Lamjung Palace. He was a great soldier. The Nepali army captured him and Bali Bhanjann Malla in a wounded condition in a battle in 1783. Bali Bhanjann Malla succumbed to death. Bhakti Thapa was taken to Kathmandu. His wound heeled. On the persuasion and effort of Bada Kazi Amar Singh Thapa, Bhakti Thapa accepted to work in the Nepali army. In the beginning, he was given the post of Subangi, but later, when he showed his loyalty, honesty and bravery, he was elevated to the post of Bhardar.

Bhakti Thapa won the favour of both Rana Bahadur Shah and Bahadur Shah. In 1789, Nepal won Jumla. Bhakti Thapa was deputed to Jumla to manage its affairs. After some time, a revolt took place in Jumla which was successfully quelled by Bhakti Thapa. In 1790, he was rewarded with a promotion. He was granted additional rice field in Satar of Lamjung. Later, Doti also revolted against Nepal. He also suppressed the revolt of Doti. He bagan to run the administration of Doti and Jumla. When the boundary of Nepal reached to the Kingdom of Sirmoor, an agreement transpired between the two states. Sirmoor accepted the supremacy of Nepal over Srinagar. Bhakti Thapa was assigned to strengthen the control over Srinagar.

During the Nepal-Tibet war of 1792, revolts in many places in the western Nepal began to surface. Bhakti Thapa was entrusted with the responsibility of suppressing the revolt that was taking place to the west of the Bheri river. He became successful in suppressing the revolt. In 1794, he was promoted to Sardar from Subba. He was appointed as an administrator of

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Kumaon. He was also given the authority to give directions to the authorities posted in the Lamjung and Darma areas.

Bhakti Thapa was entrusted with the responsibility of running administration in Kumaon. He had wide powers of imposing fine, sentencing imprisonment, etc. He became very busy in running the administration of Kumaon and Garhwal. He used to send regularly information of neighbouring states to the Kathmandu Palace. He used to take care to verify the authencity of the information before intimation it to the Kathmandu Palace. It found his information as correct and reliable, so it began to give due importance to his information. When Nepal won Kumaon, the former's control over Juhar Bhot automatically extended because Juhari Bhot was a suzerainty of Kumaon. Juhari Bhot began to give Rs. 6,000 as Sirta (of annual payment) to Nepal. Later, Bhakti Thapa knew that Juhar Bhot used to give Rs. 16,000 Sirta to Kumaon previously. In 1795, the Kathmanud Palace decided to impose Rs. 16,000 annual payment on Juhari Bhot. The Juhari Bhotes resisted it and took arms against Nepal. Therefore, Bhakti Thapa led an attack against Juhar Bhat, defeated it, and obtained a written commitment of Rs. 10,000 annual payment by Juhar Bhot to Nepal.

Bhakti Thapa went to Sirmoor with the Nepali forces on the order of Amar Singh Thapa to defend Sirmoor if attacked by Kangra. Later, Amar Singh Thapa moved himself to Sirmoor taking reinforcement. Again he moved to Barha Tippa and garrisoned his troops there. Minister Nigahi Chand of Kangra attacked the Nepali army, but he suffered a defeat.

Subangi Amar Singh Thapa, the father of General Bhimsen Thapa, was deputed to Kangra under the command of Bhakti Thapa. Amar Singh Thapa led an attack against Kilapuri without the knowledge of Bhakti Thapa. This episode created deep animosity between them. Therefore, Chautaria Bam Shah was posted in position to both Sardar Bhakti Thapa and Subangi

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Amar Singh Thapa. They had to obey his command. Bhakti Thapa was ordered by the Kathmandu Palace to act on the order of Chautaria Bam Shah. In 1799, Bhakti Thapa went to Kathmandu on the occasion of Coronation of Girban Yuddha. During the same period, Regent Rana Bahadur Shah sent a large contingent of Nepali troops under the command of Budha Kazi Amar Singh Thapa to invade Garhwal. Bhakti Thapa also went along with this troop. The Nepali army captured Garhwal and King Pradhyumna Shah of Garhwal died in the battle. The boundary of Nepal reached to the Yamuna river.

The Nepali army continued its advance to the west and began to lay siege to the Kangra fort. Bhakti Thapa was entrusted with the task of defending the Tehra fort that was east of the Kangra fort. A large force of Kangra led by Bn Bajir attacked the Nepali army led by Bhakti Thapa. A fierce battle took place. Ban Bajir met death, and the Nepali army became victorious. Bhakti Thapa received an appreciation letter from the Kathmandu Palace for his this brave deed.

Sardar Bhakti Thapa reached Garhwal in 1810. His son died within 18 days of his arrival in Garhwal and wife died within 45 days. He was greatly shocked from the death of his wife and son. Bhakti Thapa could not send information regularly to the Kathmanud Palace after this unfortunate event. The Kathmanud Palace got information of the death of the wife and son of Bhakti Thapa and sent a message of condolence to him.

Bhakti Thapa was granted the command of the five companies of Nepali troops stationed in Sirmoor and Kumaon and annula Khangi (remuneration) of Rs. 5,000. The Kathmanud Palace instructed Amar Singh Thapa that if Bhakti Thapa had become incapable of performing his duties efficiently because of demise of his family members, he should be returned to Kathmandu. While his return journey to Kathmandu, he stayed some days at Deurali (present Kaski) and constructed a Pauwa at

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the cross-road of Chisanku, Raginash and Kathmandu. The King of Nepal granted some land as a trust in 1811 for the maintenance and supervision of the Deurali Pauwa. The Government of Nepal had granted land as Birta to the family of Bhakti Thapa.

The strained relation between Nepal and British continued to grow. The chances of war between them became more probable. In such a situation, General Bhimsen Thapa called a secret meeting in Kathmandu on the day of Bijaya Dashami. In the meeting, commanders of different places participated. Bhakti Thapa was one of them. The British soldiers won Tara Gadh and Chambi Garh. Bhakti Thapa along with 900 Nepali soldiers was in the fort of Surya Garh. The British soldiers launched fierce attack against the Nepali forces of Surya Garh. But, Bhakti Thapa stoutly defended the area. Noticing the withdrawal of enemy troops at night, Bhakti Thapa advanced toward Raj Garh to defend it. Thomas captured Deuthal. Later, General Ohterlony reached Deuthal.

The peak of the Deuthal hill was strategically very important for the Nepali army. Raj Garh could be hit by firing cannons from the peak of the Deuthal. At night, Amar Singh Thapa called a meeting of all military officers and discussed the situation. It was decided in the meeting that the Nepali army should immediately launch attack against Deuthal and retake it. About 300 Nepali soldiers advanced to attack the fort of Deuthal. The number of defenders of the fort were also the same. In order to reach the height of Deuthal from Raj Garh, the soldiers had to climb down first and them to climb up toward the summit of the hill. Bhakti Thapa had led the Nepali troops. Seventy three years old Bhakti Thapa was climbing up and leading the soldiers. The enemy soldiers began to fire intensely from inside the fort. The Nepali troops were also firing back and advancing toward the fort. Some of the Nepali soldiers reached inside the fort and bean to stay enemy soldiers by using their

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Khukuris. Bullets were buzzing all around. A fierce fighting was raging. Bhakti Thapa was encouraging the Nepali soldiers to attack, kill the enemy and captured the fort. One bullet hit him, but he did not stop encouraging the Nepali troops to continue their fight. Suddenly, one bullet hit him in the chest. He collapsed and fell on the ground never to stand-up again. After the death of Bhakti Thapa, the Nepali troops fled away from the battle field in the absence of leader. Bhakti Thapa was a valiant soldier whose bravery was admired by friends and foes alike.

Bansh Raj PandeBansh Raj Pande was the eldest son of Kalu Pande and was born in Gorkha in 1739. He had two sons namely Kanak Singh and Rana Bom Pande. Bansh Raj Pande fought battles against Makwanpur, Timal and Sindhuli in 1762, Kirtipur in 1764, Chihan Danda in 1766, Pauwa Garh in 1776, Tanahun in 1770 and Lamjung in 1783.

Animosity between King Prithivi Narayan Shah and his brother-in-law, King Digbandhan Sen of Makwanpur caused the Gorkhali army's attack against Makwanpur. King Prithivi Narayan Shah wanted to tighten the blockade of Kathmandu, so he wantee to capture Makwanpur, the Gorkhali troops were led by Mohaddam Kirti Shah, Daljit Shah, Bansh Raj Pande and Kehar Singh Basnyat. In the battle of Makwanpur, 300 Makwani soldiers died while 50 to 60 Gorkhali soldiers died. The Gorkhali forces became victorious in the battle. King Digbandhan Sen of Makwanpur along with his Minister Kanak Singh Baniya fled to Hariharpur. After a period of on month, the Gorkhali forces attacked Hariharpur. Dignandhan Sen with his Ministers again fled away. However, later Digbandhan surrendered himself before the Gorkhali army. Meanwhile, Muslim forces led by Gurgin Khan advanced from Betia to invade Makwanpur. His army reached at the bank of the Karra stream. His army prevailed over the few Gorkhali defenders. King Prithivi Narayan Shah deputed Bansh Raj Pande and Nahar

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Singh Basnyat to defeat the invading forces of Gurgin Khan. Ram Krishna Kunwar also participated in the battle of Makwanpur. His Gorkhali forces launched an attack against the invading forces from the side of Taplakhar. Other group of the Gorkhali forces attacked from the direction of old Makwanpur. The Gorkhali forces chased away the Muslim forces and also badly mauled them, in the battle, about 1,700 invading soldiers had died while casualties in the Gorkhalis were 100 dead. The Gorkhali forces captured 500 guns and sent those to Nuwakot.

In 1764, Bansh Raj Pande led the Gorkhali soldiers to loot the harvest of paddy of Kirtipur. He had repeatedly communicated from Dahachok to the defenders of Kirtipur to surrender themselves to King Prithivi Narayan Shah. The commander of Kirtipur defenders Sikhwal Pradhan consulted Bansh Raj Pande to surrender Kirtipur. The defenders of Kirtipur opened the gate of the fort at night to allow the Gorkhali forces to enter into Kirtipur. The Gorkhas' victory over Kirtipur strengthened their strategic position against their adversaries namely Kathmandu and Patan.

In 1766, the Gorkhali forces led by Bansh Raj Pande badly mauled the army of Lamjung in the battle of Larkha Jung. The renowned Bhardars of Lamjung namely Kunchi Bhandari and Partha Bhandari surrendered before the Gorkhali, which greatly weakened the strength of Lamjung. In the meantime, King Jaya Prakash Malla sought military help from the East India Company to fight against the Gorkhali forces. The military personnel of the East India Company under the command of Captain Kinloch and Harding began to advance toward Kathmandu on the request of King Jaya Prakash Malla. The forces of the East India Company gave a defeat to the Gorkhalis at the advance post in Sindhuli Gadhi and began to prepare plan to climb up and cross the hill. King Prithivi Narayan Shah sent Gorkhali forces under the leadership of Kazi Bansh Raj Pande to fight against and defeat the Company's military expedition

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forces. The British had a plan to reach Bhaktapur from Sindhuli. The Company's expedition forces began to feel the pinch of the shortage of food supply. Many of them sick an account of the summer season. As and when, the Company's forces climbed up a Gorkhali forces led by Bansh Raj Pande launched a fierce attack against them. The Company's forces suffered a heavy loss of men and materials in the battle. The Gorkhali forces captured 300 guns from the Company's forces as they fled away in panic throwing the guns. The Company's forces suffered death of 1,000 soldiers while the death figure of the Gorkhali forces was 300 soldiers. Captain Kinloch gave up the expedition and returned to Bara. He did not attack again the Gorkhalis.

In 1771, Chautaria Shur Pratap Shah and Kazi Bansh Raj Pande led the Gorkhali forces to capture Bhaktapur. Kazi Bansh Raj Pande received an appreciation from the King for his deed which transpired in the capture to the west to lead the military operations. Bakshi Kehar Singh Basnyat also accompanied him. The forces of Gorkha and Chaubise Rajyas fought at Satahun. In the fierce battle, Kehar Singh received fatal injury and died. Bansh Raj Pande received serious wound. He, Sardar Prabhu Malla and Sardar Rana Shur Pande were imprisoned by the forces of Tanahun and other Chaubise Rajyas.

In 1776, Bansh Raj Pande came out of imprisonment. King Pratap Singh Shah sent him west to conclude peace treties with the principalities which accepted supremacy of Nepal. Bansh Raj Pande was bestowed with the post of Dewan. Chitwan became part of Nepal during his period of Dewanship. In 1777, King Pratap Singh Shah died. Bahadur Shah returned Nepal from Betia. Bansh Raj Pande supported the opinions of Bahadur Shah. Therefore, Queen Rajendra Lakshmi did not like him. When Bahadur Shah left Nepal for Betia in exile, Bansh Raj Pande also went with him. However, Bansh Raj Pande was called back to Kathmandu to fight against Chaubise. He won the favour of Garuddhoj Pantha of Tanahun. The Chaubise Rajyas

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lost the support of Tanahun. Bansh Raj Pande chased away King Kirti Bam Malla of Parbat from Kaski. Bansh Raj Pande gave the charge of Kaski to Amar Singh Thapa and returned to Kathamandu, Later, a blame was put on Bansh Raj Pande that he did not capture the Kings of Lamjung and Parbat and let them flee. He was put in a prison in 1783 on this charge. He was beheaded at Bhandar Khal in 1785. A great soldier and valiant fighter intrigues. He was beheaded in a most injustice manner and for his no fault.

Nayan Singh ThapaNayan Singh Thapa was the son of Kazi Amar Singh Thapa and born in 1777 at Borling of Gorkha. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa had two sons namely Uijir Singh Thapa and Mathbar Singh Thapa and two daughters namely Ganesh Kumari and Lalit Tripura Sundari. Ganesh Kumari was the mother of Jung Bahadur and younger wife of Kazi Balnar Singh Kunwar. Lalit Tripura Sundari was the fourth wife of King Rana Bahadur Shah.

Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa had great influence in the Palace. His power further rose on account of the rise of General Bhimsen Thapa. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa was sent to Kangra with a sizeable Nepali force. He left for Kangra from Kathmandu in 1806 with Kazi Jas Pau Thapa, Sardar Dukhat Shahi, Subba Raghu Natha Gurung, Prasad Gurung, Sree Nath Company, Barda Bani Company, Rana Bhaim Company, newly recruited soldiers and some Umraos. The total strength of the Nepali force was 1,500. The Nepali forces reached Hindoor. He left five companies of soldiers there under the command of Indra Singh Thapa and remaining Nepali troops crossed the Sat Rudra. In the meantime, the King of Mandi went in favour of Nepal. The Nepali army took the help of Mandi. It had taken position at twelve places surrounding the Kangra fort. After a weak, Minister Nimahi Chand of Kangra attacked against the Nepali forces with a strength of ten thousand soldiers. The Nepali forces attacked form two directions against the attacking forces

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of Kangra. The battle became very intense. Forty Nepali soldiers and 500 Kangra soldiers died in the battle. But the battle went in favour of the Nepali force. Nimahi Chand also died in the battle and Kangra soldiers fled away from the battle field.

In 1806, Sardar Bhakti Thapa led the Nepali troops to capture Tihiri, a place in Kangra. When he reached there, he came to learn that the number of defenders were more than that of his forces. So, Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa marched along with all troops under his command to Tihiri to help Sardar Bhakti Thapa. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa immediately communicated about his this move to Amar Singh Thapa, who was in Srinagar of Garhwal. After receiving this information, Kazi Amar Singh Thapa sent Chautaria Hastdal Shahi, Kazi Jaspau Thapa, Sardar Angad Ghale and 10 companies of troops to bolster the strength of the Nepali forces. Another group of the Nepali troops met the advancing Nepali forces at Subhal and mixed with them. The Nepali forces took a whole day rest. In Oct. 1806, the Nepali army launched a fierce attack against the Kangra forces. The battle raged whole day. The Nepali army failed to overwhelm the defending Kangra forces. Three hundred Nepali soldiers died in the battle. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa received a bullet hit and became seriously wounded. The Nepali army withdrew itself to Jwalazi. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa died after seventeen days from the bullet wound. His last rite was performed with full state honour. His family members were provided with land as Marwat by the Government for their livelihood. It was then a tradition of providing means of livelihood for the family members of a soldiers who got killed in a battle.

Ujir Singh ThapaUjir Singh Thapa belonged to the Atreya Gotri Bagale Thapa dynasty and was the son of Nayan Singh Thapa and brother of Mukhitiyar (Premier) Bhimsen Thapa. He was born in 1795. After the death of his father Amar Singh Thapa, General

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Bhimsen Thapa appointed Ujir Singh Thapa as an administrator of Palpa. Then he was only twenty years old.

The relation of Nepal with the British began to deteriorate because of discord for the possession of Seoraj and Butwal areas. The danger of the British invasion over Nepal began to lurk. Ujir Singh Thapa began to construct new Gadhis at different places to withstand against the possible invasion of British over Palpa. He was an expert in the construction of Gadhis (a type of fort). He fought the British with good preparation. After the announcement of war against Nepal by the British in 1814, the British forces led by Majaor General Wood was entrusted with the responsibility of invading Nepal through the route of Bhairahwa-Gorakhpur. However, Wood spent about seven weeks to arrange the transportation of war supplies. He received the help of the servants of the Prithive Pal Sen, deposed King of Palpa, to guide the British troops on the invasion route in this sector. In 1814, Ujir Singh Thapa received 3,000 Nepali soldiers to fight against the invading British forces. Under the command of Ujir Singh Thapa, Lieutenant Ambar Adhikary, Kummedan Kripasur THapa, Dalkhamb Thapa, five hundred soldiers of the Sabuj Company and 200 soldiers of the Gurubuksh Company were defending the fort. Kazi Bir Bhanjan Thapa along with 500 soldiers were stationed at another dummy fort which was built to deceat the enemy. General Wood began to advance through the bank of the Tinau river. In January 1815, the advancing forces suddenly met the Nepali forces and a fierce fight took place between them. In the fight, five officers and 125 soldiers were killed on the side of British and 70 soldiers were killed on the Nepali side. The Nepali forces retreated to the hills and General Wood withdrew his force. The British forces advancing towards Tansen also met reverses. General Wood stopped the advance of his forces. General Wood stationed 100 English soldiers, 3,000 Indian soldiers and 500 Indian porters at Dagdaguwa. He shifted his troops to Kusum Ghat. Later the British forces advanced towards the fort defended by the Nepali

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forces. About 350 Nepali soldiers attacked the invading British forces and chased them away. This second defeat made General Wood more cautious. He did not attack again. He stationed his troops in the Gorakhpur-Butwal area during the remaining Nepal British war period. Ujir Singh Thapa advanced toward Makwanpur taking 3,000 Nepali troops to check the advance of the British forces to Kathmandu through the route of Makwanpur. But he reached there after the conclusion of the Sugauli treaty. The British forces could not capture any area from the Nepali forces led by Ujir Singh Thapa.

Ujir Singh Thapa was a Colonel in the Nepali army. He also participated in the battles of Dhankuta and Saptari. After the Nepal British war, he constructed a pagoda styled three-storeyed temple of Ranaujesawari in the Tansen market and also established a guthi (trust) for the running of the temple. He died in 1824 when he was quite young. He also wrote a manual for the training of civil and military personnel in 1822. The manual contained six chapters dealing with the subject of recruitment of military personnel and punishment to them for the breach of rules and discipline. Ujir Singh Thapa was a patriot, expert strategician and good soldier. His premature death was an irrecoverable loss to Nepal.

Bal Bhadra KunwarBal Bhadra Kunwar was the youngest son of Chandra Bir Kunwar and grandson of Jaya Krishna Kunwar. Bal Bhadra Kunwar was a Batsa Gotriya. He participated in the Nepal British war (1814-1816). He was an able commander, a brave solider and a great fighter. He showed an exemplary valour in the battle of the Nalapani fort during the Nepal British war.

On 22 October 1814, the British forces led by Gillespie captured the the Dehradun valley and entered into it. The Nepali forces numbering about 600 persons including women and children led by Bal Bhadra Kunwar were garrisoned in Nalapani

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fort. This fort was also known by the name of Kalanga or Kaling fort. The Nalapani fort was situated at a distance of approximately eight kilometers northeast of Dehradun. The Rispana stream flows at a distance of six kilometers far from Dehradun. In order to reach the Nalapani fort, one had to cross this stream and climb up the hill. The Nalapani fort was near the summit of a hill. The hill has an altitude of 5,500 feet above from the sea level. Bal Bhadra Kunwar and his soldiers began to strengthen the fort by reparing its dilapidated conditions and doing earthen and other works. While the reparing and strengthing the logistic of the fort was on the progress, the British forces launched an attack against the defending Nepali forces.

After two days from the capture of Dehradun by the British forces on 24 October 1814, an armed clash took between the Nepali forces and the British forces. Colonel Mawby assigned his troops on the southern side of the Nalapani fort. The cavalry of the British force took position at Rajpur which was on the north of the fort. The defenders continued their repairing works inside and outside the fort. There was a dense forest near the fort. The British forces advanced and reached Tharapani a place near the fort. The advance guard of the Nepali forces gave the information of the advance of the British forces. The British forces were firing upon the British forces. The British forces were firing upon the fort from their 6 pounder. But the fort was out of the range of the cannon's fire. So, they stopped firing.

General Gillespie was happy that he could capture Dehradun without a fight. But he was furious over the small contingent of Nepali forces that dared take stand against his forces, which were much superior in men and fire power. So he made a plan to encircle the fort and decimate the defenders. He divided his forces into five groups. Captain Fast with 363 Indian and a British soldiers advanced towards fort from the north side starting from Lakhacnd village. Major Kelly with 571 cavalry

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advanced from the Kharsali village. Captain Campbell with 263 officers advanced from Asthal village. Lieutenant Colonel Carpenter with 2 regiments of British soldiers advanced to mount an attack against the Nalapani fort from Tharapani. Major Lord with 991 Indian soldiers and 100 Irish Dragoon soldiers advanced from Chharapani to attack against the fort. In total, the attacking British forces consisted of 4,400 soldiers, 900 of them were Europeans. Besides, the King's 53rd Regiment (later the King's Shropshire Light Infantry), the latter consisted of a troops of 8th or Royal Irish Dragoons and a detachment of horse artillery. The native complement comprised about 3,000 Sepoys, 138 pioneers, some 200 gun lascars and ordance drivers, a regiment of native cavalry, a rishala of Shinner's Horse, whereas the defenders numbered only 600 Nepali soldiers and non-soldiers. The British forces had two cannons, two mortars and two light cannons.

General Gillespie himself took command of the attack against the Nalapani fort. In the beginning, all connons of the British forces pounded on the fort for one hour and a half. The Nepali forces were firing sparingly at the advancing British forces who were climbing up the hill. The Nepali soldiers used arrows against the attacking forces. When the British forces were moving up their cannons on the hills, Bir Bhadra and few Nepali soldiers made an attempt to capture the cannons. But they did not succeed in the mission. While they were returning, the Indian soldiers pursued them. But a surprise attack by the Nepali forces chased them away. In the meantime, the Pioneer Battalion of the British forces led by the Pioneer Battalion of the British forces led by Lieutenant Charles advanced toward the Nepali forces. The forces of the Pioneer Battalion attempted to lay ladders on the walls of the fort in order to climb up. While they were attempting to lay ladders, vollies of gunfire came from inside the fort fired by the defending Nepali forces, which killed many enemy soldiers including Lieutenant Charles. The soldiers of the Pioneer Battalion fled away from the battlefield. The 53rd

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Regiment of the enemy also advanced and fired cannons upon the fort. The wooden ladders and the thatched huts, which were existed near the fort, caught fire and ablazed.

The British forces led by Lieutenant Kennedy fired 6 pounder upon the wall and gate of the Nalapani fort. A crack developed in the wall. General Gillespie ordered the 53 rd

Regiment to enter into the fort and capture it. In the meantime, Nepali forces fired cannon upon them, which killed many enemy soldiers. Ludlow received a bullet injury in his thigh. The enemy suffered a great loss and began to retreat. The Nepali forces attacked the retreating enemy soldiers and put the 6 pounder out of action by seriously damaging it. General Gillespie himself advanced towards the fort encouraging the British soldiers to continue their attack. The British forces followed him. He reached near the gate of the fort. Suddenly, a bullet coming from inside the fort hit him and he died on the spot. Lieutenant O'hara and Captain Byres were also wounded. Colonel Mawby ordered the British forces to retreat. He returned to the Dehradun and waited there for the arrival of heavy cannons.

Colonel Mawby received additional troops from Delhi. He also received four 16 pounder and two 8 inch mortar. He laid a siege of the Nalapani fort again. The British forces cut the water supply to the fort. On 25th November 1814, cannon fires hit the wall of the fort and a breach occurred there. The Nepali forces had positioned their light cannon at the gate of the fort. At noon, the British forces mounted fierce attack against the fort with and objective of capturing it. Fierce fighting raged but the British forces failed to overwhelm the fort. The Nepali forces became desperate because of the lack of drinking water inside the fort. On 29th November, Nepali soldiers began to leave the fort in desperation. The commanders persuaded them to stay and fight against the enemy. However, some of them did not agree to return. The next day, commader Bal Bhadra and his associated decided to vocate the fort as the situation became very critical

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because of lack of water, food supply, ammunitions and man power. The British forces fired at the Nepali forces who were vacating and leaving the fort. On 30th November 1814, the Nepali forces reached Dwara Hat and next day moved to Gopichand Danda. The British forces pursued the Nepali forces and reached at Gopichand Danda.

After the battle of Nalapani, Bal Bhadra Kunwar was given the command of the Jayant Garh fort. The British forces led by Baldock made many attempts to dislodge Bal Bhadra from the Jayant Garh fort. But Baldock failed to dislodge him. Ajambar Pantha and Bal Bhadra Kunwar reached Jaithak. General Ochterlony captured Taragadhi and Chambigadhi. In the battle of Jaithak, Bal Bhadra Kunwar became wounded. Amar Singh Thapa vacated and left Jaithak. Bal Bhadra Kunwar returned to Kathmandu.

The British willingly opened the recruitment for Nepalese in their army. But, Bal Bhadra Kunwar did not join the British forces. He went Punjab and worked in the army of Ranjit Singh. He was appointed in the post of military commander. Ranjit Singh of Punjab intended to reinstall Shah Shuja in the throne of Kabul and extended military help to him. Bir Bhadra Kunwar led Sikh army and fought many batters to quell the rebellion of Afghanis. He along with some Nepalese, who were in the army of Ranjit Singh, died on 1823 while fighting with Afghan rebels.

First World War

During the First World War, the Nepali soldiers extended help to the British to quell the revolt of the Mahasoods in Wajiristan. The Nepali soldiers participated in actions in Wajiristan along with the British army. The British Government became impressed with the bravery of the Nepali soldiers exhibited by them in the action. The British Government

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decorated Colonel Dhan Bikram Rana with the C.I.F. medal. Subedar Chandra Bahadur Karki with the Military Cross medal and Subedar Bakhan Simha Kunwar with the H.E.D.S.M. medal. They all belong to the Rifle Company. Likewise, the British Government decorated Lieutenant Colonel Pratap Jung Rana with the C.I.E. medal, Insayan Rana Bahadur Khatri and Sepoy Nar Bahadur with the H.I.O.M. medal. They all belonged to the Mahindradal Company.

Second World War

Chutra Bahadur ThapaChutra Bahadur is the son of Gunjaman Singh Thapa and grand-son of Kulman Singh Thapa. His mother's name was Indra Kumari Thapa. He was born in March 1915 in the Madung village of the Lamjung district in western Nepal. He joined the Nepali army in 1933 in the capacity of a Sepoy. He went to participate in the Second World War in 1939. He was a Hawaldar in the Kali Bahadur Regiment during that period. He worked for 34 years in the army and elevated up to the rank of Brigadier General. He in now retired.

During the Second World War in the Longtree Hill of Burma, the Japanese prepared strong defense post and took position there. They repeatedly inflicted damages to the air-field and the defensive position of the Nepali Regiment traversing through the Pandu Road. Thus, it became imperative to destroy the enemies' defense post of the Longtree Hill. The responsibility of destroying this defense post was given to Hawaldar Chutra Bahadur Thapa. He led a section of troops in the mission. He reconnitured the enemy position, made an operation plan and destroyed the enemy's defense post of the Longtree Hill. The Nepali soldiers did not suffer any casualty in the action. The British Government decorated him with the Military Cross for exhibiting bravery in the action. During the course of service in the Royal Nepali Army, he received medals

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namely the Nepal Pratap Vardhak, the Nepal Tara, the Trishakti Patta and the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu.

Hom Bahadur GurungHom Bahadur Gurung was a Janadar in the Kali Bahadur Regiment during the Second World War. He led a section of Nepali soldiers to attack against the Japanese in the Burma sector. He crossed the places namely Chamu and Sasak, and then, the Chindwin river and launched an attack against Japanese at 11 P.M. and destroyed the enemies' defense post after a fierce fight. The British Government awarded him the Military Cross medal for his bravery in this action.

Shailendra Bahadur MahatShailendra Bahadur Mahat is the son of Mahendra Bahadur Mahat and grandson of Major Captain Narayan Bahadur Mahat. Shailendra Bahadur Mahat joined the Sher Paltan in August 1939 in the post of Hudda. He got transfer to the civil service in 1965 and took voluntary retirement from the service in 1981. He was bestowed with the title of Honorary Colonel in June 1969. Shailendra Bahadur Mahat was a Subedar when he participated in the Second World War. He was then in Sher Regiment. In April 1944, the Singh Nath Regiment and the Sher Regiment received the order to dislodge the Japanese from the Treasury Hill where they were entrenched in strong defensive position. The Nepali soldiers proceeded towards the Hill. But, on the way, they fell into an ambush laid by Japanese. Subedar Shailendra Bahadur Mahat adopted various tactics and captured the Treasury Hill by the morning. The British Government decorated him with the Military Cross for his exemplary courage and bravery that he displayed in the action. During his course of service, he received medals from the Nepal Government namely the Nepal Pratap Vardhak, the Nepal Tara, the Trishakti Patta and the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu.

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Jagat Bahadur KarkiJagat Bahadur Khatri is the son of Insen Bir Bahadur Khatri and grandson of Ratna Bir Khatri. Jagat Bahadur Khatri was born in 1922. He joined the Nepali army in 1938. He was a Hawaldar when he went to participate in the Second World War. He was in the Mahindradal Regiment.

In March 1943, Jamadar Jagat Bahadur Khatri was sent two times (one at 1 A.M. and another at 11 A.M.) to reconnoiter the defensive position of the Japanese at the eastern side of the Canal. 'D' Company of the Mahendradal Regiment was ordered to mount an attack the defensive position of Japanese situated about 1500 yards east of the Nepali defensive position. Jamadar Jagat Bahadur Khatri led soldiers and mounted an attack against Japanese by crossing the 20 feet high dry canal about 400 yards far from the Saye Rail Station. The Japanese responded with counter-attack. The Nepali soldiers repulsed the counter attack. The dog fight with enemies took place for 45 minutes and the Nepali soldiers inflicted heavy causalities on the enemy's side. The Nepalese' attacking team returned with two wounded and one dead-body. One dead-body remained left at the objective. Next day, Jamadar Jamadar Jagat Bahadur Khatri went along with 4 soldiers and brought the dead-body and his weapons. Jamadar Jagat Bahadur Khatri was awarded with the Military Cross for successfully raiding the enemy position at Saye Railway Station on 3rd March, 1945. During his service in the Royal Nepali Army he became a Lieutenant Colonel as well as received medals namely the Nepal Pratap Vardhak and the Gorkha Dakshin Bahu.

Dal Bahadur BhattaOn 23rd February, 1945, the Mahindradal Regiment relieved the Norfolks at Saye and it was here on this day the Regiment for the first time come under enemy shelling though it had been under air-raids many a time before. Early next morning, the battalion position was shelled heavily. After a short lull at dawn,

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the Japanese launched an attack. 'D' Company successfully repulsed the attack, without a loss of life. Sporadic fighting went on for the whole day and the Japanese kept on shelling.

Hawaldar Dal Bahadur Bhatta whose section bore that the burnt of the attack on 24th February was awarded the J.D.S.M. and one of his rifleman was given the Military medal.

Bal Bahadur SilwalBal Bahadur Silwal was the son of Bhakta Bir Silwal and grandson of Rana Shur Silwal. He was born in March 1904, joined the Nepali Army at the age of 19 and reached up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He worked for 32 years in the army and died at the age of 81 years in the year 1986. He served in the Mahindradal Regiment during the Second World War. On 19th

May, 1945, 80 Nepali soldiers of the Mahindradal Regiment led by Captain Bal Bahadur Silwal, successfully ambushed about 600 Japanese soldiers and inflicted heavy casualities to them without losing a single Nepali soldier in the operation. The British Government awarded him the Military Cross, and the Burma star for his bravery in the action. During the course of his service in the Royal Nepalese Army, he received medals namely the Nepal Pratap Vardhak and the Nepal Tara.

Daya Bahadur KhadDaya Bahadur Khad was the son of Govind Bahadur Khad and grandson of Lalit Bahadur Khad. He was born in June 1914 at Tansen Palpa, joined the Nepali Army in April 1937 in the post of Subedar, retired from the service in 1965, and died in October 1984. He reached up the the rank of the Brigadier General. While operating along the Railway line between Myotha and Natogi, 'A' Company commander, Captain Daya Bahadur Khad of the Mahindradal Regiment led his Company very well and he was awarded Military Cross by the British Government. During his service in the Royal Nepali Army, he received medals namely the Nepal Pratap Vardhak and the Nepal Tara.

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Gupta Bahadur GurungOn 20th April, 1945, the Mahindradal Regiment occupied Popa village in Burma and captured 20 M.T. vehicles and four guns. On the same day, the 'D' Company of the Regiment went after the retreating enemies. Towards the evening, the company met the Japanese in Gwedankpin village. The 'D' Company harassed the enemy and directed artillery fire on to the enemy position all through the night.

Next morning, the Company went round and lay ambush near Sanju village. At night, the retreating column of the enemy hit the ambush. Severe fighting took place for three hours at a very close range. Opposing parties were crushing and challenging each other. The 'D' Company killed 15 Japanese and captured one Japanese prisoner while it lost three men kill. The 'D' Company without having a prepared position, fought for three hours against great number of enemies and inflicted heavy causality upon them. Captain Gupta Bahadur Gurung, the commander of the 'D' Company showed leadership, bravery and power of control in this action and was awarded the Military Cross. Previously, he had already received M.D. in an action. After return to the country, he received the medal Nepal Tara from the Government. During the service in the Royal Nepali Army, he also received the medal of the Nepal Pratap Vardhak.

Gupta Bahadur Gurung was born in November 1904 in the Kahule village of the Syangja district in western Nepal. He was the youngest son of Lieutenant Colonel Chitra Bahadur Gurung and grandson of Subedar Man Shah Gurung. Gupta Bahadur Gurung joined the Nepali Army in the post of Insen and reached up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He died at the age of 84 years in 1988.

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Bir Bahadur KarkiBir Bahadur Karki was the son of Brigadier General Indra Bahadur Karki and grandson of Major Abhaya Singh Karki. He was born in November 1916 at Jhamsikhel of the Lalitpur district. He joined the Nepali Army in April 1936, reached up to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retired in 1960. He participated in the Second World War in the Assam-Nagaland-Burma front. He was then in the Mahindradal Regiment. After his return to Nepal, Captain Bir Bahadur Karki was awarded the medal of the Nepal Tara by the Nepal Government for his excellent performance during the Second World War. The other recipient of the Nepal Tara medal was Captain Gupta Bahadur Gurung. Bir Bahadur Karki became one of the members in the Higher Level Commission in 1979 and worked there for 2 years. The Commission was gated by the Government to deal with the area of land distribution in the Morand and Jhapa districts. He had four sons and two daughters.

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NEPAL ARMY IN INTERNATIONAL ARENA

Nepal is the land of Shiva Shakti and Gautam Buddha. Shiva Shakti symbolize the valour, bravery and victory of virtue over vice. Lord Buddha symbolizes peace, forgiveness and truth. These two currents flow at the same time across the lands of the Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal. Because of such heritage, the Nepali soldiers exhibited their mantle and bravery at the battle they fought anywhere in the world. They helped equally with dedication as in the war time. Therefore, the Nepali soldiers were respected and glorified for their honesty, loyalty, bravery, dependability and friendliness by the distinguished alien military commanders and eminent foreign writers as well. On behalf of His Majesty's Government of Nepal, the Royal Nepali Army has been participating in the UN peace keeping force since 1958.

Indian Sepoy Mutiny, 1857In 1857, the Sepoy Mutiny in India started from Meerut and spreaded like wildfire to other parts of Awadh and Agra within a short period. The rebels were assisted by the Kings of the native states particularly ex-King of Awadh and his Minister Ali Nukee Khan and anti-British distinguished Indians. Lucknow was at the verge of falling in the hands of rebel forces. The surrounding areas of Gorakhpur were already captured by them. The position of the British began to deteriorate day after day. Besides, rebel forces were advancing from Faizabad and Azamgarh.

Within a few days from the start of rebellion, Jang Bahadur Rana sent a proposal to British Resident George Ramsay in Kathmandu offering military assistance to the4 British. Ramsay accepted his proposal in the belief that the Governor General of India would not oppose it. On 15th June 1857, 218 soldiers of the Barakh Company under the command of Lieutenant Hira Singh proceeded to Gorakhpur from Palpa. But, the Governor General Lord Canning decided then not to take military assistance from Nepal. He might not have accepted

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the assistance because of the following two reasons. Firstly, the prestige of the British would likely to suffer if they would take the assistance from Nepal within the elapse of short time from the starting of rebellion; and, moreover, it would create the possibility of changing side by the Indian soldiers loyal to the apprehension whether the Nepali forces would assist the British and join the rebels. Secondly, the British had the apprehension whether the Nepali forces would assist the British with dedication, and, on the contrary, British expressed their suspicion that the Nepali forces might join the rebels and act against them. Therefore, Canning gave a strong warning to Ramsay and instructed him to stop the small contingent of the Nepali forces that was proceeding to Gorakhpur. The contingent was stopped before it entered into the Indian territory. But, within a few days, the situation in India dramatically changed. Luchnow and Gorakhpur fell in the hands of rebel forces. The British forces suffered defeat at other places.

Against such a background, Canning decided to take military assistance from Nepal and wrote about it to Ramsay. Jang Bahadur called a meeting of his brothers and Bhardars to deliberate on the British's request. Many of them advised him to take benefit of the situation and fight against the British taking side of the rebels. But he did not agree with the advice. He strongly expressed that Nepal would suffer greatly if it would go against the British and, on the contrary, he expressed him firm opinion to extend assistance to them. Every one agreed to bear all expenditures involving in the dispatch of Nepali forces to India as well as their maintenance in India. On 30th June, the Nepali forces led by Colonel Pahalwan Singh left for India. Jung Bahadur had assured Ramsay about the dependability and loyalty of the Nepali forces.

The Nepali forces led by Colonel Pahalwan Singh consisted of 15 officers of the ranks of Major and Captain and 6,000 soldiers. The forces included six battalions namely Kali

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Buksh, Devidutta, Barda Bahadur, Sherdal, Ganeshdal and Sabuj. Among them, Kali Buksh and Devidutta were sent on 30th

June, Barda Bahadur and Sherdal on 1st July and Ganeshdal and Sabuj on 2nd July. These forces fought at nine places and won the battles. They fought and defeated the rebel forces at Gadua, Mubarakpur, Kodhuwa, Wagha, Madhuri, Arampur, Chade Hasanpur, Sultanpur, Atatauli and Chade Hambarpur.

According to initial plan, the Nepali forces had to proceed to Lucknow through Sugauli. In the meantime, the situation became critical in Gorakhpur. So, they were entrusted with the responsibility of subduing the rebellion in Gorakhpur. At this stage, they fought along without the association of the British forces. Only few lower rank British officers were associated with them. The Nepali forces made their target to Gorakhpur and captured it on 13th August, 1857. After two days they launched attack against Janupur and also captured it. Leaving a small contingent of forces at Azamgarh for its protection, the main portion of the Nepali forces camped at Janupur. Taking advantage of such situation, rebel forces attacked Azamgarh. On getting the information of rebels' intrusion, two companies of the Nepali forces reached Azamgarh in the evening of 18th September. A fierce battle took place at night. They defeated the rebels and recaptured Azamgarh. After this victory, the Nepali forces advanced toward Ataraulia, defeated the rebel forces led by Beni Madav there and captured it. Beni Madav fled away from there.

The remaining Nepali forces stationed at Janupur advanced toward Mubarakpur and defeated the forces of Iradat Khan, a native King. He was imprisoned and sentenced to capital punishment. Within a short time, the Nepali forces completely flushed out all rebels from the Azamgarh and Jaunpur areas. Thereafter, the British sent the Nepali forces to Awadh, because it was engulfed with rebellion. On 19th October, they attacked the rebel camps situated near Kudya. Within few

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hours, they overwhelmed the rebels and the rebels fled away leaving their weapons and other belonging's behind. The Nepali forces pursued them and captured hundreds of rebels.

The escaped 6,000 rebels gathered at Chade. It was about 58 kilometers far from Jaunpur. The rebels began to prepare there to launch attack against the Nepali forces. But they attacked them on 30th October 1857. About 1,100 Nepali soldiers had taken part in this operation. Fierce fight took place between them. In the end, the Nepali forces defeated 6,000 rebels, imprisoned about 400 rebels, killed about 400 rebels and captured most of the weapons used by them in the battle. But, loss to the Nepali side was also enormous. Lieutenant Colonel Madan Man Singh Basnet had died in this battle. About 70 Nepali soldiers and officers either got killed or became seriously wounded. The most notable event of this battle was that Colonel Gambhir Singh Rayamajhi of the Devidutta Company could snatch a cannon from the rebel forces. Single handed he killed five well-armed rebels and then got hold over the rebels' cannon. Two rebels ran away. In this operation, he also received serious wound.

After the battle of Chade, a contingent of 200 British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lozen joined the Nepali forces. The British had two cannons also. In the meantime, they got the information that the rebel forces had captured the fort of Ataraulia. The fort was recaptured by the combined forces of Nepal and British on 9th November. Thereafter, the combined forces advanced towards Sohanpur, which was under the control of about 4,000 rebels forces. On 26th December, the combined forces of 350 Nepali soldiers and 250 British soldiers moved forward to Sohanpur. On the way the Gorakhnath Company joined them. The Gorakhnath Company was a portion of the reinforcements sent by Nepal to India. Sohanpur was captured by the joint actions. Then, a small contingent of Nepali and British soldiers was sent to Gorakhpur

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for its security. The remaining Nepali forces namely the Kali Buksh and Sher Battalion under the command of Pahalwan Singh took responsibility of maintaining security at Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Badalpur.

In the meantime, information was received that two rebel leaders were making great preparations at the Chade and Sarawan sections. A rebel leader declared himself as Nizam at Chade and he was equipping 14,000 persons with weapons to fight against the British. Similarly, another rebel leader, Ajim was trying to make a move by gathering 8,000 persons equipped with weapons. The Nepali forces led by Pahalwan Singh and British forces led by Brigadier General Franks jointly took actions against the rebel forces led by Faijal Ajim. On 21st

January 1858, the combined forces moved forward. After three days, a battle raged between the two opposing forces at Nasratpur. The combined forces gave a crushing defeat to Ajim's forces. They completely destroyed the rebel forces at Chade. In the battle, the Nepali and British forces suffered death of 15 soldiers, whereas the rebel forces suffered death of more than 100 soldiers. Even after being defeated at Nasratpur, Ajim went to Hamirpur and began to organize rebel forces again. The combined Nepali and British forces mounted attack against Ajim's forces at Hamirpur and defeated them. But Faijal Ajim did not lose his heart. He reached at Badshahganj and gathered rebel soldiers there. He raised a force of rebel soldiers under the command of Gafur. However, the action mounted by the combined Nepali and British forces against the rebels made Faijal Ajim's plan unsuccessful. In this way, during eight months of military operations Nepali forces under the command of Pahalwan Singh scored many victories at different battles and flushed out rebels from certain areas.

Jang Bahadur provided additional Nepali forces to India besides those led by Pahalwan Singh. British Resident Ramsay requested for 500 additional troops. But, Jang Bahadur asked for

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to send 2,000 soldiers on the reason that the 500 soldiers could not be able to carry out any meaningful work. After receiving assent, he sent the Gorakhnath Company and the Barakh Company under the command of Colonel Bhairav Nar Singh Kunwar. There were 1,000 soldiers and officers in each Company. The soldiers of these Companies joined the British forces led by Brigadier Rocraft and fought against the rebel forces at different fronts. The Gorakhnath Company and (this is another company, not the same which is mentioned above) led by Sri Bhakta Khadka and Sevakram had also taken part to subdue Sepoy Mutiny in India.

On 15th November 1857, Nepal sent a small contingent of 102 soldiers to Motihari. On 16th December, another contingent of 290 soldiers was sent to Kumaon from Doti. This contingent of Nepali soldiers worked under Major Henry Ramsay, the Commissioner of Kumaon. It performed many important works for the security of Kumaon. It had to fight against the rebel troops. The Nepali soldiers were highly praised by the Commissioner of Kumaon for their bravery. This contingent of Nepali soldiers was a part of the Kalijang Company.

Jang Bahadur's ContributionJang Bahadur Rana himself was willing to go to India and lead the Nepali soldiers against the rebels. He repeatedly requested for the permission for his such move from British Resident Ramsay. However, the British followed the policy of wait and watch in order to assess the motives and performances of the Nepali forces in India instead of giving positive or negative reply immediately to his request. Moreover, the presence of Jang Bahadur might create numerous problems of formalities to be adhered to which Canning wanted to avoid as far as possible. But, the British's viewpoint had undergone a radical change about Nepal when they had witnessed the bravery and dedication of Nepali forces at different actions. Besides, the situation progressively changed in India in favour of the British by the

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end of 1857. Awadh was the main centre of rebel activities and its border adjoined with the Nepal's border. So, the British formed a hope that the Nepali forces led by Jang Bahadur might subdue the rebellion of this sector within a short period. Moreover, Hodgson, who was British Resident for Nepal before and had stayed in Kathmandu for a long period, wrote a request letter to the Governor General in India to grant permission to Jang Bahadur to come to India.

Ultimately, the Governor General of India gave permission to enter Nepali soldiers under the command of Jang Bahadur to India. The British Government agreed to bear the expenditures of the Nepali forces in India. He agreed to follow advice and plan of the British in India but he insisted that his forces should not be divided in mounting an action. His version was that the Nepali forces could not then got opportunity to exhibit their valour. On 10th December 1857, Jang Bahadur left Kathmandu taking with him 9,000 soldiers for India. Before departure, he gave a message to his countrymen that Nepal would get many benefits in future by helping the British, and the Nepali soldiers would get an opportunity to exhibit their bravery outside the country. He selected experienced and capable officers and soldiers from among the personnel of Nepali army and included them in the forces led by him. One historian has written that 26 Companies were sent to India from Nepal to assist British in 1857. Besides Nepali forces led by Pahalwan Singh as well as by Bhairav Nar Singh and one company to Kumaon, Jang Bahadur took soldiers of the following companies. They were Rifle, Naya Gorakh, Shree Nath, Suryadal, Kali Bahadur, Narsinghdal, Jagdal, Bhairavnath, Purano Gorakh, Kali Prasad, Singhnath, Shamsherdal, Mahindradal, Rajdal, Jangnath and Rudradhoj. He divided his forces into three groups. The first group included the Rifle Body Guard and other 8 Companies of troops and the group was led by Jang Bahadur himself. The second group was led by General Khadga Bahadur and the third group by General Bakhat Jang.

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Ranodip Singh and Dhir Shamsher were appointed as deputies to Jang Bahadur. The Nepali forces were also accompanied with the artists to draw pictures of the battle-fields.

The Nepali forces led by Jang Bahadur reached Sugauli via Bisauli. Brigadier General G.H.MacGrayger and his soldiers joined them there. He was deputed by the Governor General as work as an agent in the Nepali forces. Other British officers were also entrusted with the responsibility of providing assistance to the Nepali forces. On 23rd December 1857, they reached Betia, crossed the Gandaki river on 30th December, and then marched to Gorakhpur on 5th January 1858. Next day, they attacked Gorakhpur. More than 200 rebels met death or became wounded in the battle. The rebel forces fled away by crossing the Rapti river and Gorakhpur fell in the hands of the Nepali forces. Jang Bahadur ordered his troops to make search of rebels at every nook and corner of Gorakhpur and destroy them. Gorakhpur completely went out of the control of rebel forces. Kali Prasad, Rifle, Bhairavnath, Narsinghdal and Jagdal played important role to capture Gorakhpur. He stayed there for one month and left Gorakhpur on 14th February 1858 by giving responsibility of maintaining its peace and security to two companies of soldiers. The rebel forces had control over the fort of Berojpur in Amberpur. The Nepali forces fought second battle against rebel forces at Amberpur and won it without much difficulty. On 20th February, they wrested the two ports of Faizabad from the hands of rebels. In the first week of March, the Nepali forces captured the areas around the Kandu river. They had successfully overcome the 7,000 rebel forces operating in these sectors. In the meantime, rebel forces attacked Gorakhpur, but they were repulsed by the Nepali forces. They flushed out rebels from Pipra, Sahibganj, Shahganj, Balewa and Jalalpur.

Only Lucknow remained to be captured, where rebels had control. On 10th March, 1858, Jang Bahadur and his forces

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reached at Lucknow. The another group of Nepali forces led by Pahalwan Singh reached there before. Because of the reinforcements received later, the total Nepali forces in India swelled up from 9,000 soldiers to 14,000 soldiers. Commander-in-Chief Colin Compbell led the British forces which were ordered to mount attack against rebels in Lucknow. The British requested Jang Bahadur to join their forces at the time of attack over Lucknow. The forces led by Jang Bahadur did not reach there at the appointed time, so Campbell asked permission from the Governor General to mount attack against Lucknow without availing the help of the Nepali forces, but Canning gave strict order to him to attack Lucknow only after the arrival of the Nepali forces there. The combined Nepali and British forces mounted attack against Lucknow after few days and captured the city within a short period.

The combined forces attacked the Begum Kothi first. There, the fighting continued for nine hours. They got victory. About 600 rebels died in the fighting. Next day, the Nepali forces attacked Alam Bagh. With great difficulty and sacrifice of 600 soldiers, they captured it. At the same time, the Nepali forces led by Colonel Indra Singh captured the Gomati-bridge. The rebels became successful to imprison a few Nepali soldiers there. Thereafter, the Nepali forces captured Imambara, Chhatara, Manjil, Motibagh, Tara Kothi and Kesarbagh, Jang Bahadur led them in majority of battles.

On 16th March, 1858, the rebel forces attempted to capture the Alambagh but the Nepali forces repulsed them. Next day, the rebel forces suddenly attacked Husseni Masjid. The Nepali forces slew most of the rebels by using Khukuris. On 18th

March, the Nepali forces had to bear the brunt of sniper fires made by rebels. The rebel forces and the Nepali forces fought whole day in Lucknow. But, in the end, the rebels suffered much. On 19th March, the Nepali forces attacked Musabagh situated at a distance of about 6 kilometers from Lucknow,

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where Prince Brijis Kadir and his mother Hasrat Mahal were expected to have taken shelter. After a short battle, the Nepali forces also captured it. Up to 19th March, this British Government could establish control over the Lucknow city and its environs. The Singhanath, Sher, Janganath and Kali Bahadur Companies played important role in capturing Lucknow. A Nepali document states that Lucknow was won on 19th March; some enemies fled to Rohilkhand, some died and the Nepali forces captured cannons, arms and ammunitions of the rebels.

Jang Bahadur Rana went to Prayag from Lucknow and met the Governor General on 23rd March. The British Government gave Jang Bahadur and his officers many presents such as diamond rings, golden watches, telescopes, silver-boxes, vases made of silver, etc. After four days, Canning came to the camp of Jang Bahadur and met him. On 15 th April, he, his brothers and some other persons reached Palpa from Banaras, they went to Muktinath and then returned to Kathmandu. The Nepali forces returned Nepal through the route of Nawabganj. The British Government decorated Jang Bahadur with Grand Cross of Bath and provided other officers and soldiers allowances and medals. It also restored Nepal a little portion of the territory that was taken by British India previously. On 17 th

May, 1858, Lord Canning informed the King through Jang Bahadur of the British Government's intention to restore to Nepal the whole of the former Gorkha possessions below the hills extending from the river Gogra (Karnali) on the west to the British territory of Gorakhpur on the east and bounded on the south by Khairagarh and the district of Baharaich and on the north by the hills. A treaty between Nepal and the British Government was concluded on 1st November 1860 (ratified on 15th November 1860). The Treaty's Article-2 states "The British Government hereby bestows on the Maharajah of Nepal in full sovereignty, the whole of the law lands which were in possession of the Nepal State in the year 1815, and were ceded

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to the British Government by Article III of the Treaty concluded at Segowlie on the 2nd of the December in the year".

The British response after Nepal's help to quell the Sepoy Mutiny in India itself shows the importance they had given to its help. On their own initiative, they restored some territory to Nepal. So, efforts to minimize the contribution of Nepal in 1857 to the British Government by some writers after many years of the episode and without any documentary evidence seemed to have coloured by other motives than true presentation of the historical events. The Nepali soldiers killed 5,000 rebels and captured 406 rebels in the actions in 1857. The Nepali soldiers were charged with the looting of properties in Lucknow. But, they only followed their counterparts: the British soldiers composed of Britishets and Indians. These soldiers became enraged when they suffered heavily from the snipers' fires in Lucknow perpeterated by the rebels hidings in the houses.

The First World War (1914-18)The first World War lasted from 1914 to 1918. Britain, France and Russia fought together. Germany and Austria were on the opposite camp. Many nations became involved directly or indirectly in the war. Nepal also helped the British Government during the war.

Nepal allowed its able and physically fit youths to enlist in the British Gorkha Regiments. Secondly, it provided subscription to war-fund of the British Government. Thirdly, Nepal helped the British by sending its troops to fight at the battle fronts from their side.

On 28th June 1914, an Austrian Prince was murdered. This event ignited the First World War. By the end of July, all big countries were drifting toward the war. Germany declared war against Russia on 1st August, and against France on 3rd

August. On 4th August, Britain declared war against Germany.

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The First World War had, thus, started and showed its fury by churning many men and materials.

One day before the formal declaration of war by Britain, on 3rd August, Chandra Shamsher went to the British Resident Office and gave his words that Nepal would side with the British if they were involved in the war. He assured them about with military assistance of 8,000 soldiers. British Resident Smith thanked the Nepali Prime Minister and said that, in case of need, the help of Nepal would be solicited. In the same evening, Chandra Shamsher ordered Commander-in-Chief Bhim Shamsher to keep 14,000 soldiers ready so that the British could receive help in time. The British Emperor sent a letter to Chandra Shamsher expressing his gratitude for the enthusiasm and intrest shown by Nepal to help the British Government.

After the formal declaration of war by Britain against Germany, the Governor General of India requested Nepal to keep 8,000 soldiers ready to send to India, if need were again in future, and provide also to them with training to handle and operate modern weapons. According to the British request, Nepal began to provide training to the soldiers as well as began to import necessary materials from India. The trainings were provided to these soldiers specially on the areas of trench-warfare, night operation, stretcher, bandage, infantry, artillery, sanitation, grenade use, running, cannon firing etc. Chandra Shamsher had deliberated with Smith about the regulations and rules to be abided by Nepali soldiers and facilities to be provided to them. Both agreed that : (i) The Nepali soldiers were required to perform ordinary work and they would not be used in battles; (ii) They would not be sent to overseas countries; (iii) The total number of Nepali forces that would be sent to India, should be about 14,000; (iv) The British Government would provide necessary allowances; (v) The British Government would make necessary arrangement regarding weapons; (vi) The British Government would provide necessary clothing and shoes; and

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(vii) If any soldier were committed crime, he would be tried by the Nepali officers in accordance with the Nepali laws.

When all arrangements were finalized, the first contingent of Nepali soldiers left Kathmandu on 3rd March, 1915. Thereafter, thousands of Nepali soldiers were sent to India. The last contingent of soldiers left Nepal for India in February 1918, a few months before the end of the First World War. Nepal had already raised another contingent of 1,800 soldiers to sent to India, but, in the meantime, the war ceased, and this contingent of soldiers was not sent.

The Nepali Army has the record of the number of its soldiers and name of the companies that were sent to India during the First World War.

Name of Company

Destination in India

Number Departure Date

First BatchFirst Rifle Kakul 585 3rd March 1915Kali Buksh ,, 548 ,,Purano Gorakh ,, 560 ,,Devidutta ,, 561 ,,Kali Bahadur Dehradun 569 ,,Barda Bahadur ,, 566 ,,Shamsherdal Kakul 559 4th March 1915Jabbarjang ,, 559 ,,Pasupati Prasad ,, 536 ,,Bhairav Nath ,, 540 ,,Second Rifle Dehradun 543 ,,Bhairung ,, 575 ,,Second BatchShree Nath Kakul 546 December

1915Ramdal ,, 540 ,,

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Sher ,, 585 ,,Singhnath ,, 539 ,,Mahindradal Dehradun 577 ,,Naya Gorakh ,, 549 ,,Sabuj ,, 563 ,,Barakh ,, 559 ,,Reinforcements (Names of the Company were not available)

Departure Date Number DestinationDecember 1915 309 Dehradun ,, ,, 355 ,,February 1916 802 KakulDecember ,, 286 DehradunJanuary 1917 384 Kakul ,, 1918 365 Dehradun ,, ,, 51 (not specified)

Nepal sent 20 companies consisting of 13,681 soldiers in total to assist the British war efforts during the First World War. The first contingent consisted of 6,701 soldiers belonging to 12 companies and the second contingent 4,458 soldiers belonging to 8 companies. Nepal also sent reinforcements of 2,522 soldiers in total. It incurred expenditures of Rs.5,55,800 to send these soldiers. General Babar Shamsher, the son of the Prime Minister were appointed as Inspector General of these Nepali forces. It was arranged that he should stay at Army Headquarter at Delhi and function from there. He was empowered to make supervision and inspection of these forces, discuss necessary matters with the British authorities and give decisions. Padma Shamsher had led 12 companies of troops and Tej Shamsher led the remaining 4 companies. First Rifle, Kali Bukhs, Purano Gorakh, Devidutta, Shamsherdal, Jabbarjang and Bhairavnath companies were under the command of Padma Shamsher. These companies were posted at the North-West border region. Kakul was their headquarter. Kali Bahadur, Barda Bahadur, Second

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Rifle and Bhairung companies were led by Tej Shamsher. These companies were posted at the United Provice. Dehradun was their headquarter. Padma Shamsher and Tej Shamsher were designated as General Officer-in-Command.

On 1st March 1915, a farewell ceremony was arranged at Tundikhel, in which Chandra Shamsher also participated. He bid farewell to officers and soldiers by performing religious rites. On this occasion, he delivered a farewell speech stating the benefits accruing to Nepal from extending help to the British, loss to the nation from not extending help to them, the rules and regulations to be followed by the Nepali soldiers during their stay in foreign countries, and the arrangements made for the security of the families of the soldiers who were in the foreign country on deputation. He unfolded that Nepal already received 21,000 Henry Martini and 2,000 Lipanfil and expressed that 3,000 Lipanfil guns would be received from them in the near future.

The Nepal Government enforced strict guidelines to be complied by the Nepali soldiers in the foreign land. They were directed not to quarrel and fight with each other, not to go to the places where quarrels were taking place, not to take cash or kind in credit from a foreigner or, not to involve with woman, and not to disobey or reply back in disrespect to high officers. The Government was very cautious about the matters that the unruly behavior of Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher had given signal to them in his speech that those would receive strict punishment after return who disobeyed or violated the above rules or guidelines.

The Nepali forces were used for garrison duties in India. They replaced the soldiers of British India for garrison duties who were sent to the war theatres of Europe and the Middle-East. The Nepali forces performed these duties superbly and efficiently. In this connection, a British officer remarked that

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Nepal sent about 14,000 best troops to help the British Government which showed Nepal's greatness; it sent its troops at such a time when the whole world was involved in the war and Nepal itself might need more troops, but it helped the British Government even by reducing its troops; the Nepalese were expert in the firing guns; they were expert in mountain warfare and they were capable of placing at advance column for any work; they used to behave well and were well disciplined and they used to carry out even very difficult work, cheerfully. On 19th May, 1915, British Prime Minister Lord Asquith described Nepal's assistance to England at a Guilhall meeting as something "not founded on obligation but upon goodwill and sympathy".

Besides the garrison duties, the British Government had prepared a plan to send the Nepali forces to the battle fronts. Therefore, the second contingent fo Nepali soldiers, after their arrival in India from Nepal, received special training in mountain-warfare. Their performance in the training was appreciated by then Commander-in-Chief of British forces in India. Inspite of best effort of the British Government, the Nepali forces had to face some problems in India. A storm hit had destroyed their tents in the North-West frontier region and they faced difficulties for a very short period. Similarly, the spread of epidemics of chorea in Dehradun affected them to a little extent. The British Government provided winter cloths to the Nepali forces, so they did not have to suffer from the winter. The most knotty problem Nepali forces had to face was arisen from the undisciplined behavior of some soldiers of the Sher Company. Command Lieutenant Colonel Bhairav Shamsher as well as General Officer-in-Command, General Sher Shamsher did not report this matter to the Prime Minister of Nepal. However, the British officers informed this matter to Chandra Shamsher through telegram. The problem did not blow out much, because the Nepali officers of the Sher Company in a meeting of the British and Nepali officers, gave their words that

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such matter would not arise in the future. And the problem was settled.

The Battle of Wajiristan (1917)During the first quarter of 20th century, Lord Curzon had created the North-West Frontier Region. The home land of Mahasood tribe also fell in this region. But they did not accept this decision of the British. As and when Mahasoods got chances, they did not hesitate to attack and harass the British. The British Government was deeply involved in the First World War. The Mahasoods seized up the opportunity, made well preparations, and started armed conflicts against the British. Then, the British took strong action against them. Besides British forces, the Rifle and Mahindradal Companies of the Nepali Army also took part in the military operations against the Mahasoods.

In March 1917, the British military operations started against the Mahasoods and the operation ended after six months. The Rifle Company was included in the 43rd Brigade of the British forces and the Mahindradal in 45th Brigade during the operations. Major General Beynon led the British forces. Babar Shamsher had also participated in the operation on the order of Chandra Shamsher. The 45th British Brigade including the Mahindradal reached Haiderikatch on 16th June, 1917. The forces attacked a big village of Mahasoods and destroyed it. The 43rd Brigade including the Rifle Company attacked the village densely populated by Mahasoods in other sector and destroyed it. The Rifle Company participated in the capture of the Sharwani village. The Mahindradal advanced towards Kaisara. Even though the strength and morale of the Mahasoods plummeted after these reverses, yet the conflict continued for some time. Within the month of August, complete control of the British Government established over this sector. The commander of the operation, Major General Beynon highly appreciated the role played by and contribution of the Rifle Company and the Mahindradal Company in the operations. For exemplary bravery

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in the military operations the British Government decorated Colonel Dhan Bikram Rana with the Companion of the Indian Empire, Subedar Chandra Bahadur Karki with the Military Cross and Subedar Bakhanarsingh Kunwar with the Honorary Indian Distinguished Service Medal. All these officers belonged to the Rifle Company. Likewise, the British Government decorated Lieutenant Colonel Pratap Jang Rana with C.I.S., Insayan Rana Bahadur Khatri and Sepoy Nar Bahadur with the Honorary Indian Distinguished Service Medal and Sepoy Garuddhoj Karki with the Honorary Indian Order of Merit.

In the military operation, the British forces suffered a heavy loss. Few Nepali soldiers lost their lives and many received wounds. About 120 soldiers of the Mahindradal received wounds and were hospitalized. Out of the wounded, there were 10 Rifleme, 7 Amaldars, 58 Sepoys, 3 Subedars, 8 Hawaldars and 24 Peons. Besides, 6 Cooks and 4 Pipas (Porters) got wounded.

In November 1918, the First World War was formally ended. On 5th February 1919, a farewell ceremony was organized in India to bid a good-bye to the Nepali soldiers. The Governor General highly praised their bravery and valour which they exhibited in the battle of Wajiristan. After their return to Nepal, a big ceremony was organized at Tundikhel in their honour. The Prime Minister took part in it. He declared in his speech that promotions, pay increase and cash rewards would be granted to them in appreciation of their works. He specially stated that it was a matter of great pride that they had exhibited great valour.

After the war, the British Government honoured the officers of the Nepali Army by decorating them with honours, titles and medals. General Babar Shamsher was decorated with the title of Knight Commander of the Star of India while Padma Shamsher and Tej Shemsher were decorated with the Knight

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Commander of the Indian Empire. Likewise, Sher Shamsher was decorated with the Knight Commander of the British Empire. Besides, 12 persons were decorated with Companion of the Indian Empire, 20 persons with the Order of British India and 40 persons with the Indian Meritorious Services. Moreover, Tulse Prasas Padhya was decorated with the Kaiser-E-Hind. None-the-less Bhim Shamsher and Juddha Shamsher were also decorated with the K.C.S.I. and the K.C.I.E. respectively for the necessary arrangements they had made to send Nepali forces to India though they stayed in their home country.

The Nepal Government decorated with honours and medals to the officers and soldiers those went to India. But, most honours and medals were given to officers belonged to the Rana family. All braves were not honoured. Such discrimination was an object deed perpeterated by then Rana rules. Babar Shamsher Rana was decorated with the Nepal Tara (first class) and Sher Shamsher Rana with the Nepal Tara (second class). Colonel Dhan Bikram Rana was decorated with the Nepal Tara (third class) and Captain Chandra Bahadur Karki, Insayan Bakhan Singh Kunwar and Insayan Muktinarayan with the Nepal Pratap Vardhak, Bham Shamsher Rana, Juddha Shamsher Rana, Lieutenant General Keshar Shamsher Rana received the honour of Supradiptya Manyavar and Nayab Bada Gurujyu Hem Raj Pande, Commanding Colonel Bhadur Gambhir Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Bhairav Shamsher, Colonel Kumar Narsingh Rana and Lieutenant Colonel Gambhir Jang Thapa were also bestowed with honours. Besides, Colonel Dill Shamsher Thapa, Brigadier Colonel Dal Bahadur Basnet, Mir Subbha Astaman Singh and Principal Batukrishna received honours. Chandra Shamsher himself received from the British Government the title of Honorary General of the British Army during the First World War.

Nepal had a great hope that it would received back the remaining territory that it ceded to British India under the

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Sugauli Treaty 1815 as a complement to its military assistance to the British Government. Chandra Shamsher had also made efforts in this line. But, the British Government did not agree to retrocession of the remainder territory to Nepal. Instead, in 1919, the British Government made a commitment to Nepal to give annual payment of one million rupees in perpetuity. In 1920, the designation of the British representative in Nepal was changed from "Resident" to "British Envoy at the Court of Nepal". The British began to "His Highness". In 1921, the Government of British India officially recognized the practice of the Nepal Government in employing British subject without previous reference. The Nepal-British Treaty of 1923 recognized Nepal as a sovereign state. In addition to these, Nepal received 31 machine guns and two lakh rupees worth of goods from the British. But, one should not be over joyed with these gains only arising out of military assistance to the British during the First World War. One should also take into account that many Nepali soldiers shed their blood to help the British Empire, and the gains that Nepal received were much less than what it had sacrificed. The only solace is that the Nepali soldiers proved themselves to be the best among many.

The Afghan War (1919)The possibility of war between British and the Afghanistan increased after few months from the conclusion of the First World War. As he did in the First World War, Chandra Shamsher put forward a proposal for extending assistance of 6,000 soldiers to the British Government. He even expressed his firm determination to send 2,000 troops within two weeks. The Governor General of India did not visualize flaring of the war with Afghanistan. So, he did not accept Chandra Shamsher's proposal, but, at the same time, he requested him to keep the soldiers ready and provide them training so that they could be dispatched to India if the need were arisen. In the meantime, the situation in Afghanistan took a new turn and that made the British-Afghan War inevitable. Consequently, in May 1919, the

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British Government requested Nepal through telegram for military assistance. It was rainy season then. It was very difficult and problematic to send the forces through crossing the Awlo fever infested plain areas in the rainy season, because there was every possibility that the soldiers might got exposed to the fever. However, Chandra Shamsher thought that it would not be pudent to delay the dispatch of the forces. So, he decided to send them. Vaidyas (traditional physicians) accompanied the contingent of Nepali soldiers; required quantities of fruits and soda water were also arranged.

On 2nd June 1919, two battalions of the Nepali forces consisting of 2,097 soldiers and officers were sent out from Kathmandu. The first battalion was composed of the Pasupati Prasad Company and the Bhairav Nath Company and the second battalion was composed of the Rifle Company and Bhairung Company. These battalions were led by Lieutenant Colonel Bhairav Shamsher Rana and Lieutenant Colonel Dambar Shamsher Thapa respectively. The overall command of the Nepali forces was given to Padma Shamsher. General Babar Shamsher Rana was appointed as the Inspector General. Out of the total number of Nepali forces, 40 were officers and 2,057 were other ranks. Lieutenant Colonel Ghambhirjang Thapa and Captain Khagendra Bikram Rana were appointed as deputies to General Babar Shamsher, Captain Narsingh Bahadur Basnet, Captain Narhari Narsingh Rana and Lieutenant Kali Bahadur Chand were appointed as Brigadier Major and ADC respectively under Padma Shamsher.

Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher delivered a speech at the farewell ceremony organized at Tundikhel. He said that according to the Hindu scripture a friend should help his friend when he was in trouble; the Nepal Government would provide full security to the members of the family of the soldiers who were deputed to India and this time, the duration of their stay would be very short in India.

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The Nepali forces were stationed at Awotabad. The Governor General of India sent letters to the King and the Prime Minister of Nepal expressing his thanks for extending help by sending Nepali troops to India. The Nepali forces moved toward the North-West Frontier Region once more. The Rifle Company and the Bhairung Company took position at Mardan. The Pashupati Prasad Company and the Bhairav Nath Company took position at Nausera. It was planned that the attack against Afghanistan should be launched from these places. But Amir of Afghanistan did not receive assistance from Russia. Therefore, he did not dare in facing the British. So, he unconditionally entered into a peace-treaty with the British Government. The Nepali forces did not have to fight. After staying three months in India, they returned to Nepal.

Even though the Nepali forces did not participate in the battle, yet their main commanders were honoured with titles on the reason that. Nepal had helped the British at the time of trouble.

Padma Shamsher Rana and Babar Shamsher Rana received the Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, and Bhairav Shamsher Rana and Dambar Shamsher Thapa received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire. On the specific request of Chandra Shamsher, the British awarded the Afghan war medal to each and every participant of the Nepali forces.

The Second World War (1339-45)The Second World War started in 1939 and ended in 1945. Britain, France, America and the Soviet Russia fought the war together. They were known as Allied countries. Germany, Japan and Italy were on the opposite sides. They were known as Axis countries. Many countries of the world directly or indirectly took part in the war. The attack made by Germany against Poland on

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1st September, 1939 caused flaring of the Second World War. In response to Germany's attack against Poland, on 3rd September, 1939 France and Britain formally declared war against Germany. In 1941, Japan and Germany became deeply involved in the war after the former's attack against Pearls Harbour in the USA.

In the Second World War, Nepal helped the British again as it helped them in the First World War. Nepal was approached by some Axis countries that it should not extend help the British, but Nepal did not need to their request. Instead it remained as a trusted ally of the British.

Hitler's invasion policy had already provided a signal to the world that a great war was in the offing. At the end of 1938, Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher wrote a letter to the Britain's Foreign Ministry offering it to send 8,000 troops to India as military assistance. But, Britain had just concluded a treaty with Hitler at Munich, so Britain had a hope that there would not be any war with Germany. Therefore, the British Prime Minister extended thanks to Nepal for the offer, but, at the same time, declined to accept it. The events were fastly changing turns particularly in Europe during 1938-39. Hitler's invasion over other countries continued unabetted. The Nepali evnoy stationed at London informed Juddha Shamsher about the inevitability of the war in the near future. As and when he received this information, he sent his son Bahadur Shamsher and Bada Kazi Marichiman to the British Embassy with an offer of providing 8,000 soldiers for garrison duty in India. The British Government immediately accepted the offer this time.

On 4th September 1939, Juddha Shamsher assembled 4,000 troops at Tundikhel and informed the British Ambassador that the arrangement for dispatching the troops were already made. After discussions and deliberations between Nepal and British, terms and conditions acceptable to both sides were

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finalized in the end of September. It was agreed between them that the Nepali forces could be sent to the North-West Frontier Region and other places in India, but they were prohibited from sending overseas countries and they should be used only for the garrison duty. It was also agreed that as the Nepali forces would reach India, the British Government should begin to provide them necessary weapons and tents, but the Nepali forces could carry from Nepal small equipments such as spades, picks, axes, hammers etc. The other agreed conditions were that if any Nepali soldier would commit any offence, he would be tried and punished by the Nepali officers according to the Nepali laws on the field or sending him to Nepal depending upon the nature and severity of committed offence; if Nepali soldiers would infringe the Indian laws, they should get punishment from the Indian courts; and one Vaidya would accompany every battalion and the British Government would have to arrange for their medical treatment.

In March, the troops were assembled at Tundikhel before their departure to India. In the farewell speech, Juddha Shamsher reminded the soldiers of the bravery of their forefathers exhibited by them in Luchnow (1857-58) and Wajiristan in 1917 and expressed his expectation that they could perform similar bravery and honesty. Besides, he said that the Nepali forces were setting out to protect the independence of the smaller nations of Eupore and, moreover, Nepal would get larger benefits from its friendship with the British. He advised them to desist from hooliganism, prostitution, gambling and intoxication and assured them that the Government would provide protection to their families in their absence.

The Nepali troops were divided into two brigades and each brigade consisted of four battalions. Each battalion consisted of two companies. Sixteen companies of soldiers were associated in the Nepali forces that went to India. The names of the companies and their destinations were as follows:

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Name of the Company

Destination Name of the Company

Destination

Kali Buksh Dehradun Shree Nath NauseraSuryadal ,, Jabbarjang ,,Naya Gorakh

Burma Shamsherdal Calcutta

Barda Bahadur

,, Sher ,,

Kali Bahadur

,, Devidutta different places

Mahindradal

,, Bhairav Nath

Khaiber pass

Second Rifle Thal (Kohar)

Janganath Burma

Bhairung Thal

Bahadur Shamsher, the son of Prime Minister Juddha Shamsher, was deputed and stationed at Delhi to conduct overall supervision over the Nepali forces. Brahma Shamsher was deputed to command on brigade consisting of four companies namely the Mahindradal, Shreenath, Shamsherdal and Sher. He commanded other four companies too. Ekraj Shaksher commanded companies namely the Kali Bahadur, Purano Gorakh, Second Rifle and Bhairavnath. He also commanded other four companies. Later, Nir Shamsher and Kiran Shamsher worked as Liasion Commander in Awotabad and Calcutta respectively. Colonel Narmardan Thapa worked as the Military Secretary and Captain Chhetra Bikram Rana the A.D.C. in the Brigade commanded by Brahma Shamsher. Similarly, Lieutenant Colonel Nar Singh Rayamajhi worked as the Military Secretary, Major Captain Megha Bikram Rana as the Brigade Major and Captain Rup Bikram Rana as the A.D.C. in the second Brigade commanded by Ekraj Shamsher. The brigade led by Brahma Shamsher was stationed at Dehradun, while that to

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Ekraj Shamsher at Awotabad. Later, the battalions were dispatched to different places for the garrison duty.

Some soldiers belonging to the Rifle Battalion created problems at Kohar. The problem arose when the British did not give increased fooding allowances in cash to the soldiers and the Nepali soldiers demanded the amount in cash. The fooding allowance was increased from 10 annas to Re. 1 and 6 annas to be effective from December 1940. The non-payment of increased fooding allowances in cash created a revolt like situation. However, in the meantime, Bahadur Shamsher reached at Kohar, and the belligerent soldier surrendered. Twenty-two belligerent soldiers were sent to Kathmandu to initiate action against them at a Military Court. The leader of belligerent soldiers Subedar Megha Bahadur Thapa received capital punishment. Another main accomplice Sepoy Kamal Bahadur Thapa of the Second Rifle Company was awarded life imprisonment. Sepoy Yaksha Bahadur Khatri of the Bhairung Company and Sepoy Dil Bahadur Nagarkoti of the Second Rifle Company received award of 18 years imprisonment. Other 18 Sepoys got award of 6 years imprisonment. Besides, 10 officers were dismissed from their service on the charge that they failed to enforce discipline among Sepoys and they did not co-operate with the British Officers. Out of the 18 officers, 6 were delared as unfit for service in the future.

Disagreement surfaced between Bahadur Shamsher and Brahma Shamsher from the very beginning. They could not work together amicably. Bahadur Shamsher requested Juddha Shamsher to call back Brahma Shamsher to Nepal. However, Juddha Shamsher called back Brahma Shamsher and Ekraj Shamsher, both Brigade Commanders, to Nepal. The leadership of the Nepali forces went to Commanding Officers. But, Juddha Shamsher had to face serious blame that he had called back his brother's sons on the advice of his son. Ultimately, he had to call

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back Bahadur Shamsher, his son, and send Krishna Shamsher, son of Chandra Shamsher, in his place to Delhi.

Nepali Forces in the Battle FieldIn December 1941, Japan joined the Second World War. It began to engulf more areas. Japan's dream was to topple India with the help of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army. The initial stepping stone was Imphal, a strategic city, 50 miles west of the Burmese border. The requests of Japanese military leadership in Burma, and those of Bose, were heeded at last; early in 1944 the Imperial Headquarter ordered 15th Army to invest "the vital areas of north eastern India in the vicinity of Imphal". Its commander, Lieutenant General Renya Mutaguchi was in favour of operations. On 8 March, 1944, three reinforced Japanese divisions and a division of Bose's I.N.A. 1,55,000 troops in all crossed the Chindwin River and struck out across the mountains separating the two companies. The I.N.A. pushed ahead toward Kohima, a city eighty miles north of Imphal, astride the British supply route. They and the 31st Japanese Division should march to Imphal after subduing Kohima. The Commander of 31st Division Lieutenant General Kotoku Sato, directed all his forces at Kohima, where the defenders resisted so stubbornly that they were driven onto a single hill. On 18 April, the Commander of I.N.A. reported that the road down to Imphal was lightly defended. Victory was imminent. But Sato refused to follow Imphal, instead he arbitrarily ordered his men to prepare to return to Burma. Japanese lost a great opportunity. Later, Mutaguchi relieved him of his command. When Japanese were ready to attack, a dispute arose between Bose and Japanese because Bose refused to deliver a radio broadcast on the Emperor's birthday offering him Imphal as a present and, on the contrary, opposed on inversion of India. The altercation gave Lieutenant General William J. Slim of the British Indian Fourteenth Army a double advantage: it divided the enemy and provided time for substantial reinforcements to reach the Imphal area by rail and air.

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The British Government sought the permission from the Nepal Government to send the Nepali forces at the battle fronts. Juddha Shamsher declined to give acceptance to send them overseas on the religious ground, but he permitted to send them in the battle fronts within the India sub contingent. After receiving permission from Nepal, the British Government made arrangement to provide special training relating to warfare to the kali Bahadur, Sher and Mahindradal Regiments of the Nepali forces. The Regiments, after completion of the training, joined the British forces commanded by Lord Louis Mountbatten. These Nepali companies were deployed at the Asssam-Burma frontier region. On 9th February, 1944, the London Times wrote that the Nepali soldiers "are much the troops of an Independent Allied Power as are the Americans and Chinese". In March 1944, the Japanese forces struck this areas. The British forces including the Kali Bahadur Regiment fought against them and resisted their attack. In this action, a few soldiers of this Regiment met death, but they inflicted heavy causalities of the Japanese side. Hawaldar Hom Bahadur Gurung showed a great bravery in destroying enemy's defensive post in the areas of Chamu and Sasak in Burma. He was awarded Military Cross for his bravery by the British Government. In another action, Hawaldar Chutra Bahadur Thapa received M.C. Main fighting against Japanese forces took place about 10 days only. However, sporadic fighting, the Kali Bahadur Regiment alone killed 600 Japanese soldiers.

On 4th April, the Japanese forces attacked Kohima in Assam. The Sher Regiment resisted their attack vigorously. However, it could not check the Japanese forces advance and the Sher Regiment withdrew back. Subedar Shailendra Bahadur Mahat exhibited his exemplary valour and bravery in capturing the Treasury Hills in Nagaland from the hands of Japanese. The British Government decorated him with Military Cross for the bravery. In March 1944, the Mahindradal Regiment was given

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the role of protecting the Silchar-Bishanpur attack, a stretch of one hundred miles running up hills and down dales. After the siege of Imphal by the Japanese forces, the Regiment started operating actively on a very wide front of 200 miles by means of a series of long and distant patrols. During the siege of Imphal, two Liaison patrols form this Regiment, one on 25th May, 1944 and the other on 11th June 1944, penetrated through the deep Japanese lines, made contact with the 3/8 Gorkha Rifles and brought back valuable information. One of the patrols commanders Hawaldar Nar Bahadur karki was awarded a Military medal. In October 1944, it formed part of the 268 Indian Infantry Birgade (Lorried) and was stationed at Ukhrul in Burma. The most notable achievement of the Regiment was its successful capture of the oil wells at Indow on 14th December, 1944. Hawaldar Dal Bahadur Bhatta was awarded IDSM and Jamdar Jagat Bahadur Karki the Military Cross for successfully raiding the enemy position at the Saya Railway Station on 3rd

March, 1945. While operating along the railway lines between Myotha and Nagods, Captain Daya Bahadur Khad exhibited great bravery and was awarded the Military Cros. Moreover, in the battle near Sanju village, Captain Gupta Bahadur Gurung showed leadership, bravery and power of control in the action and was awarded the Military Cross. Captain Bal Bahadur Khatri successfully laid ambush for the Japanese at the Kama areas and also effected smooth withdrawal of its company, for which he was awarded the Military Cross. The Jangnath Company also helped the British Government by prompt repairing of the damaged bridges and roads.

In May 1945, Germany surrendered and in August Japan surrendered to the Allied countries, and the Second World War was ended. In October 1945, all Nepali forces returned to Nepal. On 28th October 1945, Victory day was celebrated at Kathmandu. Juddha Shamsher welcomed the Kali Bahadur, Sher and Mahindradal Regiments at the Hanuman Dhoka, which fought at the battle fronts. Other regiments also participated in

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the celebration. The Prime Minister of Nepal greatly praised the troops for the role they had played to thwart the attacks made by the Japanese. After few months, Babar Shamsher led a high level Military Mission to London to participate in the Victory ceremony to be organized there.

The British Government bestowed honours to different persons associated with the war-efforts. Commander-in-Chief Padma Shamsher and General Mohan Shamsher received the honour of K.C.S.I. and G.C.S.I. respectively. Besides, Bahadur Shamsher, Krishna Shamsher, Brahma Shamsher, Ekraj Shamsher, Nir Shamsher and Kiran Shamsher received honours. The Nepal Governmenta also awarded honours and medal to different persons associated with the Nepali Army. Bahadur Shamsher, Krishna Shamsher, Brahma Shamsher, Ekraj Shamsher, Nir Shamsher and Kiran Shamsher received Supradiptya Manyavar Nepal Tara. Captain Gupta Bahadur Gurung received promotion and the Nepal Tara medal. Captain Bir Bahadur Karki was awarded with the Nepal Tara Medal. Nepal also decorated Lord Mountbatten and Commander-in-Chief Auchinleck of the British Army with the Supradiptya Manyavar Nepal Tara. The Nepali forces worked under their commanded during the Second World War.

The Hyderabad Operation (1948)In August 1947, India became independent. The British rule ended there. The India was partitioned then into two sovereign states namely India and Pakistan. In the early phase of independence, a turbulent situation surfaced in different parts of India. Nepal did not show much interest in the beginning to send its soldiers for garrison duties in India. Later, Nepali Prime Minister, Mohan Shamsher Rana agreed to send Nepali forces to India on the hope that India might help him to strengthen the Rana rule in Nepal. Nepal had clearly stated that it would withdraw its forces from India at any time if Nepal were put in grave difficulty under the International laws from the presence

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of its forces in India or if the need of those forces were arisen for itself. On 4th August, 1948, the Nepali forces left for India under the command of Major General Sharda Shamsher. Nepal dispatched 10 battalions of troops. Each battalion contained two companies. The names of the company were as follows:

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Kali Buksh Bhairavnath BhairungShreenath Mahindradal JabbarjangKali Bahadur Second Rifle Kali PrasadGaneshdal Suryadal SinghnathShamsherdal Narsinghdal SherNaya Gorakh Purano Gorakh Barda BahadurDevidutta Gorakhnath

The Nepali forces in India were used mostly for the garrison duty. However, the larger portion of Nepali forces were directed for police action against Hyderabad. It was because of the strong enforcement of siege and conduction of the actions against Hyderabad by the Nepali soldiers, the Najam of Hyderabad realized that he could not fulfill his ambition and them he surrendered. During this period, the Indian soldiers were in a state of confusion because of the emerging Kashmir problem, other turbulence arising out of partition, and pricking the Indian soldiers' conscience to go against own people just after independence. After the successful conclusion of the Hyderabad police action, Pandit Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister, sent a telegram immediately to Nepal expressing thanks for the participation of the Nepali forces in the action. Later, the Nepali forces were used for garrison duty in India. On the basis of agreement reached between two countries, the Nepali forces returned to Nepal in March 1949. On 3rd April, a welcome ceremony was organized at Tundikhel in their honour, in which the Indian Ambassador expressed gratitude to Nepal for the assistance extended by its forces. The Nepali Premier specially mentioned that a new chapter of the history of friendship and co-operation between two countries was added.

(Coppied from Military History of Nepal, written by Lakshman B. Hamal.)

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