Anglo-Nepal War and Nepalese Bravery

Balabhadra Kunwar in the war of Khalanga Nalapani 

About four miles north east of the present city of Dehradun in India and on the way to Mussoorie, there is a place called Nalapani. Balabhadra Kunwar had built a fort here at an altitude of 500-600 feet, which was called the Fort of Khalanga.  During the Anglo-Nepal war Major-General Gillespie and Colonel Maubi along with 3500 strong troops with 11 cannons attacked the fort at Khalanga from 4 sides whereas there were only 600 Gorkhalis including youths, women, children, and aged people. On the night before attacking the fort of Khalanga Major General Sir Robert Rolls Gillespie sent a letter to Balabhadra kunwar asking him to surrender, to which Balabhadra kunwar replied " I will meet Gillespie soon." Saying this he had torn up the letter. The very next day, the English troops attacked and fired cannon balls at the fort. In reply Nepalese men as well as women inside the fort counter attacked with bullets, arrows  and rocks. Lieutenant Ellis who was leading the British troops, was hit by a bullet fired from the Nepalese side and was killed. The British soldiers were depressed by the Nepalese attack. This led Major General Gillespie himself to advance towards the fort with his helmet on one hand and a sword on the other. He too was killed in the battle-field by a bullet fired by the Nepalese soldiers.

A total of 266 people were killed and injured on the British side. The English troops could no longer face the Nepalese  troops and fled to Dehradun. After being defeated the English, Balabhadra sent a letter to Kathmandu requesting for help. But a troop from Nahan which had come for help were blocked on the way by the English troops. The English troops attacked the fort of Khalanga for the second time afteer much preparation under Colonel Maubi . The Nepalese troops counter attacked with stones and rocks. Even the English Captain Mensitart and Princep praised the bravery displayed  by Nepalese women in this war. They even borne bullets on their chests trying to cover up the holes made  by the cannon balls. At last, the English cut off the water supply to the fort. Not able to withstand thirst and the stench of corpse. Nepali women and men at last emerged from the fort with bare swords in their hands on 30th November, 1814AD. Without caring about cannons and bullets they went to the nearest river where they quenched their thirst and moved on to protect other fort at Jeetgarh. But before  they moved , Balabhadra roared at them, " It was impossible for you to conquer the fort but now I am leaving it on my own will. " The English was stunned and admiring the bravery of Balabhadra and his handful of soldiers, they erected an inscription which inscribes : '' This is inscribed as a tribute and respect for our gallant adversary Balbhadra, Commander of the fort and his brave  Gorkhas."

Amar Singh Thapa in the war of Malaun Ramgadh

Many Nepalese warriors have played on important role to defend Nepal during Anglo-Nepal war. Among them, Badakazi Amar Singh Thapa was the most prominent one. He was the son of Bhim Singh Thapa. Bhim Singh Thapa was one of the commanders of Nepalese troops during the unification campaign of Prithvi Narayan Shah. He was killed in the war at Palanchowk. After the death of his father, Amar Singh Thapa was brought to the palace and he grew up under the supervision of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Later on, he was given the post and salary of his father. This system was called 'marwat'. The name of Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa's father was also Amar Singh Thapa. But this Amar Singh Thapa was not the father of Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. Amar Singh Thapa who is known as "Living Lion" played a major role in the conquest of Baise and Chaubise Rajyas. He extended the western border of Nepal up to Sutlaj river. During the Anglo-Nepal war Amar Singh Thapa was in-charge of the western  border of Nepal. On the other hand, Sir David Ochterlony was in-charge from the British side. A year before the war, the sons of Amar Singh Thapa and Sir David Ochterlony had kept a friendly (Miteri) relation. As conditions got worse, Nepal was forced to sign the Sugauli treaty. He was very dissatisfied with this treaty as Nepal had to give one third part of its territory to the British. Frustrated with this, he left his job, went to Gosaikunda and started to spend ascetic life and breathed his last there.

Bhakti Thapa in the war of Deuthal

Chieftain Bhakti Thapa was the commander of Lamjung before the unification of Nepal. Earlier he had fought against the Gorkhas under the king of Lamjung, Keharinarayan Shah. After the conquest of Lamjung by Gorkha, he joined the Gorkha troops. During the Anglo-Nepal war, Amar Singh Thapa was on the western border of Nepal guarding the fort of Malaun. When the British troops attack on Malaun, the whole western side of Nepal became insecure and Bhakti Thapa (a 70 years old commander) was sent to protect Deuthal by Amar Singh Thapa. On 4th Baisakh, 1872 BS (16th April, 1815 AD), Bhakti Thapa along with 2000 Nepali army marched on the battleground armed with scimitars, khukuris and swords. They did not care about the cannons on the English side. A fierce war raged between the two. Suddenly, a bullet seared his chest and he attained martyrdom. In this war, 700 Nepalese lost their lives while all except on officer of the Ordinance on the English side were killed. Major Ochterlony wrapped  the course of Bhakti Thapa in a shawl (Dosalla) and handed it to Nepalese with due respect. His last rites were performed the next morning with state honours. He had two wives who burned themselves at his pyre and thus went 'satee'. Bhakti Thapa had left his son in the care of Amar Singh Thapa before going to the war. By the end of the war the Nepali troops started getting depressed while the English troops were victorious. 

Ranajor Singh Thapa in the war of Jaithak

Ranajor Singh Thapa was leading Gorkhali troop of 500 soldiers in the war of Jaithak fort from the other side of Mahakali River. The British troops of 1500 soldiers couldn't capture the Jaithak fort even in 9 attempts and Gorkhalis defeated them badly. 3 commanders of British troops were killed there.

Ranbir Singh Thapa in the war of Parsa Makwanpur

Ranbir Singh Thapa was the youngest brother of Bhimsen Thapa. In 1871 BS (1814 AD) he was deputed to Makwanpur to command the troops. His troops badly defeated the English troops. After the war he became the administrator of Palpa and the General of Kalibaksh and Sabuj battalion. Later on, he retired as an ascetic and became famous as 'Swami Avayananda'.

Ujir Singh Thapa in the war of Jeetgadh

General Amar Singh Thapa, father of Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa, was the Governer of Palpa. After the death of Amar Singh Thapa, his great grandson Ujir Singh Thapa, son of his son Nayan Singh Thapa, became the Governor of Palpa. During the Anglo-Nepal war, Nepalese troops under his command had defeated the English troops badly which was under the charge of General Wood. Ujir Singh Thapa's bravery will always be remembered in the history of Nepal.