Anglo-Nepal War: Causes and Consequences

The war which broke out between Nepal and British East India Company in 1814 AD is called the Anglo-Nepal war. The Nepalese warriors fought bravely for two years in this war. The major causes of this war are described below:

Political Cause:

After the unification of Nepal the defeated Kings of Baise and Chaubise states had gone to India to take asylum. They instigated the Britishers in India against Nepal . They wanted the Britishers wage in war with Nepal so that they could get their kingdoms back.
During the Anglo-Nepal war, Bhimsen Thapa was the Prime Minister of Nepal. He was a great nationalist and was against imperialism. He thought that if the British entered Nepal they will interface in the internal affairs and politics of Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa wanted to overthrow them not only from India but also from Asia. So, he was trying to establish an organization of Asian countries against the British. For this, he negotiated with the Indian states like Punjab, Gwaliar and Maratha. The British were very alert and scared with this plan of Bhimsen Thapa. Before his plan was materialised, the British wanted to crush Nepal. His plan was very appropriate from the nationalistic point of view. His view is appropriated even today because nationality and self-respect is important for all the Nepalese.


Economic Cause:

1. Before Anglo-Nepal war, Nepal had a sound economic condition. Its trade with India and Tibet was very good and favourable for Nepal. It had a huge national income from the foreign trade.
2. Nepal spent most of the income to collect weapons for its troops. It was not liked by the British.
3. British wanted to sell their goods in Nepal as well as extend their trade with Tibet through Nepal.
4. They were interested in the herbs, timber and fertile land of the Terai.

Natural Cause:

They wanted to enter and reside in Nepal because it was difficult for them to rule in India which has a very hot climate and they were looking for a cooler place like Nepal to run their administration in India but the Government of Nepal prohibited the entry of foreigners in Nepal


Nepal's Growing Strength

After the unification, Nepali border was extended from Tista in the east to Kangada in the west. So the Britishers were threatened by the growing strength of Nepal.


Immediate Cause:

The issue of Butwal and Syuraj was the immediate cause of Anglo-Nepal war. Butwal and Syuraj were ruled by the King of Palpa. Palpa paid revenue to the Nawab for these places. When palpa was unified to Nepal , those territories too came under the rule of Nepal. But, the British claimed those parts as their territory. In the mean time the British Governor- General Marquis of Hastings sent a threatening letter ot Nepal for immediate evacuation of those territories. But Nepal denied to leave those places. Therefore, Hastings declared as war against Nepal on 16th Kartik 1871 BS (1st Nov 1814 AD).
The war continued for two years. The Nepalese warriors fought bravely with the powerful British force. Bhimsen Thapa was hoping to get help from the Indian states like Punjab, Gwaliar and Maratha against the British but it was in vain. AT last, Nepal was compelled to sign the Treaty of Sugauli on 2nd Dec 1815 AD.

Consequences of Anglo-Nepal war:

1. Nepal had to sign Sugauli treaty in humiliating condition.
2. Nepal had to lose cold and worth visiting places like Kumau, Gadhwal, Naini Tal, Darjeeling ,etc.
3. The British ambassador time and again interfered in the internal affairs of Nepal in spite of objection made by Nepal time and again.
4. Beginning of conspiracy within the palace and end of Nepal's expansion.
5. The recruitment of Nepalese youths into the British Army.
6. Nepal had to give one-third parts of its territory to the British and disappointment increased among the Nepalese.
7. Loss of lives and properties.
8. A provision was made that without the permission of British, Nepal could not have any American or European in the service.

Sugauli Treaty

The Anglo-Nepal war concluded with a Peace and Friendship Treaty signed at Sugauli, a place in Motihari District of India on 20th Falgun, 1872 BS (4th March, 1816 AD). This treaty is known as Sugauli Treaty.
After the Anglo-Nepalese War, a peace treaty was signed between the government of Nepal and the East India Company. It was agreed upon on 2nd December 1815 by Raj Guru Gajaraj Mishra aided by Chandra Sekher Upadhyaya on behalf of the government of Nepal and Lt. Col. Paris Bradshaw on behalf of the Company. The signed copies of the treaty were exchanged on 4th March 1816 AD at Makwanpur by Chandra Sekhar Upadhayay and General David Ochterlony . The terms of the treaty were as follows:

1. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the East India company and the king of Nepal.
2. The king of Nepal will renounce all claim to the lands which were the subject of discussion between the two States before the war; and will acknowledge the right of the company to the sovereignty of those lands.
3. The king of Nepal will cede to the East India company in perpetuity all the under mentioned territories. i) The whole of low lands between the rivers Kali and Rapti. ii) The whole of low lands between Gandaki and Koshi in which the authority of the East India company has been established. iv) The whole of low lands between the rivers Mechi and Tista. v) The whole of territories within the hills eastward of the Mechi river. The aforesaid territory shall be evacuated by the Gorkha troops within forty days from this date.
4. With a view to indemnify the chief's and Bhardars of Nepal, whose interest will suffer by the alienation of the lands ceded by the foregoing Article (No. 3 above), the East India company agrees to settle pensions to the aggregate amount of two lakhs rupees per annum for such chiefs as may be decided by the King of Nepal.
5. The King of Nepal renounces for himself, his heirs and successors, all claim to the countries lying to the West of the River Kali, and engaged never to have any concern with those countries or the inhabitants thereof.
6. The king of Nepal engages never to molest or disturb the king of Sikkim in the possession of his territories. If any difference shall arise between Nepal and Sikkim, it shall be referred to the arbitration of the East India Company.
7. The king of Nepal hereby engages never to take or retain in his service any British subject, nor the subject of any European or American State, without the consent of the British Government.
8. In order to secure and improve the relations of amity and peace hereby established between Nepal and Britain (East India company), it is agreed that accredited Ministers from each shall reside at the court of the other.
9. This treaty shall be ratified by the king of Nepal within 15 days from this date, and the ratification shall be delivered to Lt. Col. Bradshaw, who engages to obtain and deliver to the king the ratification of the Governor-General within 20 days, or sooner, if practicable.