Gurkha War (1814–1816)

The Gurkha War (1814–1816), also known as the Anglo-Nepalese War, was a significant military conflict fought between the Kingdom of Nepal and the British East India Company. The war marked the first direct confrontation between the expanding British colonial power in India and the assertive Gorkha rulers of Nepal. It ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli (1816), which defined the modern boundaries of Nepal and established its subsequent political relationship with British India.

Background and Causes

The origins of the Gurkha War lay in the expansionist ambitions of both powers.
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the Gorkha Kingdom, under the leadership of rulers like Prithvi Narayan Shah and his successors, had unified Nepal and expanded its territories westward into Kumaon, Garhwal, and parts of Sikkim. By the early 1800s, Nepal’s frontiers extended from the Teesta River in the east to the Sutlej River in the west, bringing it into direct contact with British-controlled territories in northern India.
Meanwhile, the British East India Company, having consolidated control over large parts of India after the Anglo-Maratha Wars, was seeking to secure its northern frontier and establish influence in the Himalayan region. Territorial disputes, particularly over the Tarai plains and hill regions of Kumaon and Garhwal, heightened tensions between the two powers.
Specific causes of the conflict included:

• Boundary Disputes: Both sides claimed ownership of several border areas, including Butwal, Dang, Dehra Dun, and Kumaon.
• Nepalese Expansion: Nepal’s aggressive westward expansion threatened British interests in the region.
• Administrative Friction: Conflicts arose between local British officials and Nepalese governors (Subedars) over jurisdictional authority.
• Strategic Concerns: The British feared Nepal might ally with other regional powers or obstruct trade routes to Tibet and China.

When diplomatic negotiations failed to resolve these disputes, war became inevitable.

Outbreak of War

Hostilities formally began in November 1814, when British forces launched a coordinated offensive against Nepalese positions along multiple fronts. The British Governor-General, Lord Moira (Francis Rawdon-Hastings), directed the campaign with the aim of forcing Nepal into submission.
The British planned a four-pronged attack:

1. Major-General Marley advanced towards Kathmandu from the south-east.
2. Major-General Ochterlony moved from the west into Garhwal and Himachal hills.
3. Major-General Wood advanced from the east along the Tarai.
4. Colonel Gillespie attacked the Dehra Dun and Nalapani regions.

Course of the War

Despite superior numbers and resources, the British initially underestimated the Nepalese forces, renowned for their mountain warfare skills, courage, and endurance. The early campaigns revealed the formidable resistance of the Gurkha soldiers, who fought under commanders such as Amar Singh Thapa, Balbhadra Kunwar, and Bhakti Thapa.

Battle of Nalapani (1814)

One of the earliest and most famous battles occurred at Nalapani Fort near Dehra Dun. The fort was defended by Balbhadra Kunwar, a young Nepalese commander, with around 600 men and women. Despite repeated British assaults and heavy artillery bombardment, the defenders held out for several weeks.
After suffering significant losses, the British finally captured the fort when the Nepalese defenders, facing starvation and lack of water, evacuated it. The heroic defence of Nalapani earned the Gurkhas widespread admiration, even among British officers.

Western and Central Campaigns

In the western front, Amar Singh Thapa, the veteran Nepalese commander, resisted British advances into the hill territories. British General David Ochterlony led a disciplined and cautious campaign, constructing fortified positions and securing supply lines before advancing.
By mid-1815, Ochterlony’s superior strategy and logistics began to yield success. He captured Amargarh, Maloun, and Arki, key Nepalese strongholds. The death of Bhakti Thapa, an elderly but valiant Nepalese general, at the Battle of Deothal symbolised the courage and determination of Nepal’s defenders.
On other fronts, however, the British faced setbacks due to difficult terrain, disease, and poor coordination. But by late 1815, the British had gained a decisive advantage.

Treaty of Sugauli (1816)

Realising the futility of further resistance, the Nepalese government sought peace. Negotiations culminated in the Treaty of Sugauli, signed in December 1815 and ratified in March 1816.
Under the terms of the treaty:

• Nepal ceded large territories to the British East India Company, including Sikkim (eastern territories), Kumaon and Garhwal (western territories), and parts of the Tarai region.
• The Mechi River was established as Nepal’s eastern boundary, and the Mahakali (Kali) River as its western boundary.
• A British Resident was stationed in Kathmandu, establishing diplomatic relations between Nepal and the Company.
• Nepal agreed to conduct foreign affairs through British mediation.
• In return, the British restored certain Tarai lands later as a goodwill gesture.

The treaty significantly reduced Nepal’s territorial expanse but preserved its sovereignty, making it one of the few South Asian kingdoms to remain formally independent during the colonial period.

Consequences of the War

The Gurkha War had profound and lasting consequences for both Nepal and British India:

• Territorial Loss for Nepal: Nepal lost about one-third of its territory, including the fertile Tarai plains and rich hill regions.
• British Strategic Advantage: The British secured control over the Himalayan foothills, extending their influence to the borders of Tibet.
• Recruitment of Gurkhas: Impressed by their bravery, the British began recruiting Gurkhas into their army, a practice that became a longstanding tradition.
• Political Stability: The war ended Nepal’s territorial expansion and defined its modern frontiers.
• Diplomatic Relations: The establishment of a British Resident in Kathmandu began a new phase of political relations between the two powers.

Significance

The Gurkha War (1814–1816) is significant for several reasons:

• It demonstrated the military resilience of the Nepalese forces, earning them lasting respect.
• It marked the beginning of formal diplomatic relations between Nepal and British India.
• It led to the recruitment of Gurkhas into the British and later Indian armies, a practice that continues even today.
• It helped the British secure their northern frontier, creating a buffer between British India and the Chinese Empire in Tibet.