KATHMANDU: The history of modern Nepal is marked by numerous battles and wars that played a pivotal role in shaping its unification. It began with the historic Battle of Liglig Fort, followed by the Gorkha soldiers’ unification campaigns, which included the Conquest of Nuwakot, the Battle of Sangachok, the battle against Gurgin Khan in Makwanpur, and the resistance against Captain Kinloch in the Battle of Pauwa Gadhi. Other significant conflicts include the Battles of Kirtipur, Bhaktapur, Jumla, and Kangara. Nepal also fought two wars with Tibet, known as the Battles of Jhunga and Betravati.
Subsequently, Nepal engaged in the Anglo-Nepal War (1814–1816) against east india company , while Gurkhas fought in global conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars, the Indian Sepoy Mutiny, the Afghan War, and the Hyderabad conflict. Here is a brief account of these key battles:
Battle of the LigLig Fort
Drabya Shah, the youngest son of Yashobrahma Shah, king of Lamjung, became the king after capturing Liglig fort with much tactfulness on Vijaya Dasami1616 B.S. (1559 A.D.) having marched from Lamjung. At that time the Uppallokot (fort in the upper part) area and Tallokot (fort in the lower part) area of Gorkha were ruled by Khadka and Ghale Gurung tribal chiefs respectively. The Ghale Gurungs were the rulers of Liglig fort area also. Thus the areas with three tribal chiefs after the conquest by Drabya Shah was called Gorkha. The battle of Liglig is of much importance in the Gorkha kingdom, nomenclature of Gorkha and in the fomation of the modern Nepal. King Drabya Shah was the founder of Gorkha kingdom.
Importance of Gorkha state in the unification of Nepal
Gorkha state with about 12000 houses extended upto Trisuli, Kantipur kingdom in the east, Chepe and Marsyandi rivers in the west, Kukur Ghat (Tibet) in the north and Tanahun in the south. The state founded by Drabya Shah in 1616 B.S. (1559 A.D.) was ruled by the same dynasty for 185 years i.e. up to 1801 B.S. (1744 A.D.). In that year Prithvinarayan Shah the Great initiated the step for unification of modern Nepal by conquering Nuwakot, belonging to the Kantipur kingdom. The unification of divided Nepal into 52 principalities including Baisis, Chaubisis etc, was initiated the youngest state Gorkha. All the Nepalese are much grateful to Gorkha state for the formation of present Nepal and former Greater Nepal. Prithvinaryan Shah is the founder of the modern Nepal.
Conquest of Nuwakot
In the military campaign for the unification of Nepal the conquest of Nuwakot fort belonging to the Malla king of Kantipur king on Sept. 26, 1744 A.D. was the first important achievement of Prithvinarayan Shah the Great. The fort was invaded from three strategic directions i.e. Prithvi Narayan Shah himself led a group of army from Teenadhara direction, prince Dalmardan Shah with Kazi Kalu Pande led army from Gerkhu and Chautara prince Kirtimahoddam Shah led army from Dharamapani.
Battle of Sangachok
Commander Shiva Ram Singh Basnyat, having led the army successfully in the military campaign for the unification of Nepal, conquered Shivapuri, Sankhu, Changu, Naladum, Phatakashila, Sindhu, Sipa and Chautara. The Gorkha army under Shiva Ram Singh Basnyat had conquered Sangachok. But on the midnight of Falgun 12, 1803 B.S. (Feb, 1746 A.D.) the Malla army of Kantipur made a sudden counter attack in which Shiva Ram Singh Basnyat along with thirteen Gorkha soldiers expired while defending bravely.
Battle against Gurgin Khan in the fight in Makwanpur
On the request of the vanquished Sena King of Makwanpur, when Gurgin Khan, the Commander of Mir Kasim, Nawab of Bengal, made an attack with his 3000 troops in 1819 B.S. (1763 A.D.), 400 Gorkhali brave soldiers made a spoiling attack and 1700 Bengal troops were massacred. It was the first battle with the foreign army. Having seized 400/500 rifles and two cannons five companies namely Srinath, Kalibaksha, Barda Bahadur (Bardawani), Purano Gorakh and Sabuja were organised.
Fight against Captain Kinloch: Battle of Pauwa Gadhi
On the request of Jaya Prakash Malla, king of Kantipur, the Company Government in India had sent Capt. Kinloch with 2400 soldiers to fight against the Gorkha army. That Company’s army marched from Patna via Janakapur and Sindhuli Garhi to reach the destination i.e. Kathmandu. On the way to Sindhuli Garhi the Gorkha army waiting invisible in the Pauwa Garhi made the spoiling attack from both sides i.e. from the rear and front sides unaware of the invaders. About 1600 invaders were killed and many weapons were seized. The battle fought in 1767 was the first battle against the British in the military history of Nepal.
Battle of Kirtipur
Kirtipur, a well fortified castle encircled by moat and high wall, was under Lalitpur state. To occupy it, attack were made thrice i.e. first under the leadership of Kazi Kalu Pande in 1814 B.S. (1757 A.D.), second under prince Surapratap Shah in 1818 (1761 A.D.) and last one after a seige of about 6 months, surrender was made by the Kirtipur chief by opening the western gate for the Gorkha army, Kirtipur was conquered on March 12, 1766 A.D.
AI-generated depiction of the 1767 Battle of Kirtipur—illustrative only.
Battle of Kantipur
Kantipur was a well-fortified town during the medieval period. On the first day of Indra jatra 1768 A.D. (1825 B.S.) midnight, king Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great made invasion over Kantipur from three sides i.e. Tundikhel, Naradevi and Bhimsenasthan. The main group of the Gorkha army led by Prithvi Narayan Shah entered from Naradevi. After the conquest of Kantipur Prithvi Narayan Shah ascended the throne and became the king of Nepal.
Battle of Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur was a well fortified castle in an elevated area surrounded by wall. To conquer it the Gorkha army had a tough fight for two days. The Nepalese army had to fire the guns from the roofs of the palaces and common peoples’ houses. It was the most sanguine battle. Bhaktapur was conquered on Marga 1, 1826 B.S. (Nov 12, 1769 A.D.).
Battle of Jumla
Jumla principality, one among the Baisiprincipalities, was the strongest among the Baisi and Chaubisi principalities and had 22000 strong army. Sobhan Shahi, king of Jumla, was cooperating with the Dalai Lama of Tibet, against Nepal. An invasion over the principality was then a risky affair. Yet Kazi (Capt.) Shivanarayan Khatri, Sardar Prabal Rana Magar and Sardar Kalu Pande (Brahmin) with 2000 Nepalese troops captured Jumla on October 19, 1789 A.D. having made multi- directional attack over it. Later Sobhan Shah fled to Tibet. Because of this success, the other principalities up to Kumaon area could not venture to resist against the Nepalese army.
Battle of Kangara
Achieving success in the unification campaign of Nepal the Nepalese army, marching ahead in the far west, laid siege of Kangra fort well built on the top of a mountain for three years. The fort belonged to king Sansar Chand. Bada Kazi Amar Singh Thapa was the Commander of the Nepal army there. Kazi Nayan Singh Thapa including 300 Nepalese brave soldiers expired during the fight to conquer the fort. The effort was not in favor of Nepal and the Nepalese army could not march ahead from there. Thus the unification campaign in the far west came to an end in 1866 B.S. (August 24, 1809 A.D.).
Battle of Jhunga
In the first Nepal-Tibet war, 1788 A.D. about 15000 Nepalese brave soldiers had participated. In the war held during the regency of prince Bahadur Shah the attack was made from two fronts i.e. Kuti and Kerong . The Kuti sector was led by KaziKrishna Shah and Kerong sector by Kazi Kirtiman Singh Basnyat. The Tibetans being defeated in the battle of Jhunga, Kerong area, the war came to an end after signing the Treaty of Kerong between Nepal and Tibet on June 2, 1789 A.D.
Battle of Betravati
Nepalse army under the command of Kazi Abhiman Singh Basnyat made the second invasion over Kuti and Kerong in 1791 A.D. as Tibet violated the terms of the Treaty of Kerong. When Nepal was achieving success in the war against Tibet, China came forward to help militarily. Hence after Nepalese army having fought delaying battle withdrew to the Betravati river. In the Battle of Betravati when the Nepalese army defeated the joint Tibetan and Chinese army the war came to an end having signed the Treaty of Betravati. It was the Nepal-Tibet-China war.
Battle of Jitgarh Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa had led the Palpa area during the Nepal Company War. His main headquarter was at Nuwakot castle and other army were stationed in Jit Garhi and Kathe Garhi. Major General John Sullivan Wood with well equipped 5000 army had reached Butwal to attack the area on Jan 3, 1815 A.D. The Nepal army stationed in Jitgarh, situated in the bank of Tinau river, made spoiling attack against the Company army . Innumerable Company army were killed. Many Company soldiers who had infiltrated into Nuwakot and Kathe Garhi were also killed. In the battle the Company army was badly defeated. It was the only historic battle in which Nepal won victory during the Nepal-Company war.
Battle of Nalapani
Captain Bal Bhadra Kunwar along with 600 Nepalese army and females were in defensive position in the Khalanga Fort, constructed on the top of Dehradun-Nalapani hill during the Nepal-Company War. The British, having employed thousands of soldiers with innumerable weapons, had made continuous attack for 37 days from October 24 to November 30, 1814 A.D. General Gillespie and hundreds of the Company army were killed in the battle. Finding no way out, the Company army stopped the water supply from the main source at Sagar Lake. On the sixth day Capt. Bal Bhadra Kunwar accompanied by seventy Nepalese soldiers quitted the fort voluntarily at 0300 a.m. on the 30th Nov. The battle did not favor the Nepalese. Yet the defensive battle has earned name and fame of the Nepalese bravery in the military history of Nepal.
Battle of Deothal
Deothal is situated in the mid of Malaun and Suraj Garh, the famous war front during the Nepal-Company War. Suraj Garh was the headquarter of Commander Bhakti Thapa and Malaun Fort was the sector headquarter of the Garwal area, commanded by Bada Kazi Amar Singh Thapa. To capture both the forts where thousands of Company troops made continuous attack from April 14, 1815 A.D., 73 years old Bhakti Thapa fought against the Company army at 0400 p.m. April 16. While marching ahead fighting very courageously and bravely to sieze the British cannons Bhakti Thapa was shot and died on the spot. The battle was also not in favor of Nepal. The undaunted and most sincere loyalty and patriotism of 73 yrs. old Bhakti Thapa can not be compared with anyone other else.
Battle of Gunta Garhi
Being much annoyed by the misbehavior of the Tibetans to the Nepalese, Nepal on the leadership of Prime Minister Jang Bahadur Rana, although made decision to attack Tibet from four fronts i.e. Kuti, Kerong, Olangcheng Gola, Humla-Mustang, invaded Tibet only from two fronts- Kuti and Kerung. Seventeen thousand Nepalese army marching on March 4, 1855 A.D. was successful to defeat Tibet completely. Being defeated decisively in the Battle of Gunta Garhi of Kerong area. Tibet was compelled to sue for peace. The third war with Tibet came to an end by the Treaty of Thapathali, 1856 A.D.
Indian Sepy Mutiny
Nepal had helped Company Government to suppress the Mutiny by sending 14000 Nepalese soldiers. The event is called ” Sepoy Mutiny” by British historians and ” War of Independence ” by an Indian politician scholar. Having achieved tremendous success in the military action, the British Government restored Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur to Nepal which we had lost in Nepal-Company War 1814-1816. It was the first event of Nepal’s sending military cooperation to the foreigners. During the operation Capt. Gambhir Singh Rayamajhi had exhibited his unparallel bravery and courage, as such the title of “Bahadur” was awarded to him.
World War I (1914-1918 A.D.)
Nepal had helped the then British India Government by sending twenty battalion troops during the World War I. Nepal army had undertaken the responsibility of the garrison duty of the vulnerable areas during the war period. They, although assigned to Kabul and Dehradun areas, had also worked in different parts of India wherever necessary. The First Rifle, Kalibaksha, Purano Gorakha, Devi Datta, Kali Bahadur, Barda Bahadur, Shamsher Dal, Jabbar Jung, Pashupati Prasad, Ram Dal, Sher, Singh Nath, Mahindra Dal, Naya Gorakha, Sabuja and Barakha battalions had participated in the assigned job. This painting represents the security measure of the Ammunition Depot of Kabul undertaken effectively by the Royal Nepalese Army.
Afghan War (1917 A.D.)
Realizing the definite outbreak of the Anglo –Afghan War (3rd), on the request of the British Government, on June 2, 1917 A.D. Nepal Government assigned the Pashupati Prasad, Bhairav Nath, Second Rifle and Bhairung in total 4 battalions consisting of 2097 soldiers. While the army was having the military training at Mardan and Nausera assembling in Autabad the Afgans gave up the war plan and troops withdrew without any battle.
Waziristan Battle (1917 A.D.)
The Masood community people of Waziristan were creating the situation of terrorization. When the British Government was engaged in the World War I, the Masoods activated their terrorist activities very harshly. On the request of the then Viceroy of India, Nepal Government had assigned the First Rifle, Mahindra Dal and Bhairav Nath Battalions from among other Nepalese army deputed by the Government of Nepal during the World War I along with the Indian army jointly achieved success in the suppression of the revolt on June 17, 1917 A.D. In the campaign Subedar (Later Captain) Chandra Bahadur Karki of First Rifle Battalion was awarded the Military Cross medal for his exemplary bravery. Being much impressed by the sincere cooperation of Nepal in World War I, Great Britain recognized Nepal as the Full Sovereign Independent state. King of Nepal was honoured with the title of “His Majesty” instead of “His Highness” and Prime Minister of Nepal “His Highness” instead of “His Excellency” and “Government of Nepal” instead of “Nepal Durbar” and one million rupees were given to Nepal annually.
World War II (1939-1945 A.D.)
Nepal had helped the British Government on the request by sending sixteen battalions army during the World War II. The Nepalese army were garrisoned in Deharadun, Nausera, Burma, Kohara, Calcutta, Khyber pass, Thal areas etc. The Mahindra Dal, Sher and Kali Bahadur battalions had to fight with the Japanese army in Burma Front, although the Nepalese army were sent initially on garrison duty only. The Nepalese army had exhibited exemplary heroic bravery in the war for which Subedar Shailendra Mahat of Sher Battalion, Sergeant Chutra Bahadur Thapa and Sergeant Hom Bahadur Gurung of Kali Bahadur Battalion and Captain Bala Bahadur Silwal Khatri, Captain Daya Bahadur Khand and Captain Gupta Bahadur Gurung were awarded the Military Cross medals. In the war Kalibaksha, Surya Dal, Bhairung, Srinath, Jabbar Jung, Shamsher Dal, Sher, Devidatta, Bhairav Nath, Janganath, Purano Gorakha, Naya Gorakha, Barda Bahadur, Kali Bahadur, Mahindra Dal and Dosro Rifle battalions were deputed by Nepal.
Nepalese Army in Hyderabad Action (1948 A.D.)
After the independence of India in 1947 A.D. to solve the problem of Hyderabad i.e. the ruler being a Muslim and the subjects the Hindus, on the request of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Nepal deputed 19 battalions of army on the command of General Sharada Shamsher Rana. The Nepalese army were successful in their mission i.e. to solve the Hyderabad Problem. The Nepalese army returned Nepal in March, 1949 A.D. after 8 months.
(This content is by Prem Singh Basnyat, a retired Brigadier General of the Nepali Army with a PhD in military history. He is an accomplished author, a visiting lecturer at universities in Nepal and abroad.)
