Unification of Nepal
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Native name | नेपालको एकीकरण |
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Date | 26 September 1744 – 4 March 1816 (71 years, 5 months and 7 days) |
Location | Kingdom of Nepal |
Type | National unification |
History of Nepal |
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Nepal portal |
The unification of Nepal (Nepali: नेपालको एकीकरण) was the process of building the modern Nepalese state, from fractured petty kingdoms including the Baise Rajya (22 Kingdoms) and the Chaubisi Rajya (24 Kingdoms), which began in 1743 AD (1799 BS).[1] The prominent figure in the unification campaign was Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha. On 25 September 1768, he officially announced the creation of the Kingdom of Nepal and moved his capital from Gorkha to the city of Kathmandu.[2]
The Shah dynasty would go on to expand the various warring kingdoms that once occupied parts of present-day Nepal into a nation-state that stretched up to the Sutlej River in the west and Sikkim-Jalpaiguri in the east.[3][4] Before the Gorkha Empire, the Kathmandu Valley was known as Nepal after the Nepal Mandala, the region's name in Nepal Bhasa.
Background
The regions that constitute present-day Nepal were scattered as numerous independent kingdoms prior to unification. The Kathmandu Valley, then called Nepal Mandala, alone contained three independent kingdoms: Kantipur, Lalitpur, and Bhadgaon. Makwanpur, to the south of the valley, was ruled by the Sen dynasty. To the east of the valley were two relatively larger kingdoms: Vijayapur, and Chaudandi.[5] Both of these kingdoms once belonged to Makawanpur, but Mukunda Sena (r. 1518–1553) had partitioned his kingdom among his sons and relatives and had divided the once large Makawanpur into various principalities.[6]
Between the rivers Trishuli and Bheri, known as the Gandaki region, were the Chaubisi principalities. Further west, in the Karnali region, were the Baise principalities. Baise and Chaubise literally translate to twenty-two and twenty-four kingdoms respectively, but the exact number of kingdoms wasn't the same as the regions' collective names. The Baises were once a part of the Khasa Kingdom, ruled by the Khas Mallas from the Sinja valley, before its fragmentation.[7] The Chaubisi principalities belonged to various political entities. Some belonged to the Senas, some to the Khas Mallas, and some to the Shahis.[8]
These principalities experienced constant change and instability. Several kingdoms made leagues in order to protect themselves from foreign invasions and for mutual growth. However, due to the economic and geographic conditions prevalent at that time, disputes and battles between the kingdoms were frequent. The Malla kings of the valley engaged in incessant conflicts and skirmishes among themselves and had, at several instances, requested the intervention of Gorkha to settle their disputes.[9][10]
Battle campaigns
Nuwakot
Prithvi Narayan Shah's annexation campaign began with the nearby kingdom of
In the very year of his coronation, Prithvi Narayan Shah sent Gorkhali troops under Kaji Biraj Thapa Magar to attack Nuwakot. The campaign failed.
Despite his initial assessment that the valley kings were well prepared and the Gorkhalis were not, Kalu Pande agreed to lead the battle. In 1757, The Gorkhalis set up a base on Naikap to mount their assault on Kirtipur. They were armed with swords, bows and muskets.[16] The two forces fought on the plain of Tyangla Phant in the northwest of Kirtipur. Kalu Pande was killed in the battle while Prithvi Narayan himself narrowly escaped with his life into the surrounding hills disguised as a saint.[17][18]
In 1764, Prithvi Narayan assaulted Kirtipur a second time. The attacking forces were under the command of Surapratap Shah, Prithvi Narayan's brother. The Gorkhalis were defeated once again and Surapratap lost his right eye to an arrow while scaling the city. A noble of Lalitpur named Danuvanta crossed over to Shah's side and let the Gorkhalis into the town.[19][20]
The victory in the Battle of Kirtipur made Shah's two-decade-long effort to take possession of the Kathmandu Valley possible.
After the fall of Kirtipur, Shah took the city-state of
After his conquest of the Kathmandu Valley, Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered other smaller territories south of the valley to keep other smaller fiefdoms near his Gurkha state out of British rule. After his kingdom spread from north to south, he made Kantipur the capital of the expanded country, which was then known as the Kingdom of Gorkha (Gorkha Samrajya).[25][26]
Sen Kingdom
King
Post death of Prithvi Narayan Shah
In 1775 A.D., the conqueror king
Prince Bahadur Shah confined his sister-in-law Queen Rajendra Laxmi on the charge of having illicit relation with Sarbajit
Tibetan conflict
After the death of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Shah dynasty began to expand their kingdom into what is present day North India. Between 1788 and 1791, Nepal invaded
Timeline of unification
The timeline of unification is given in the following table.[60]
Date | Date in BS | Description |
---|---|---|
1742 | 1799 | Prithvi Naryan Shah (PNS) becomes King of Gorkha after death of his father |
1742 | 1800 | First battle of Nuwakot. PNS loses the battle. |
1743 | 1801 | PNS brings weapons from Benaras and trains army |
1743 | 1801 | Unification starts |
1744 | 1801 | Second battle of Nuwakot. It is annexed but returned to Kathmandu in 1745. |
1754 | Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Dahachowk and Naldum annexed. | |
1757 | 1814 | First battle of Kritipur. PNS loses the battle. Kalu Pande dies. |
1758 | Gorkha makes peace treaty with Kathmandu | |
1759 | Captures Shivapuri | |
1761 | Chaule and Kahule is captured | |
1762 | Makwanpur annexed, Sindhuli annexed | |
1763 | Pharping, Bisankhu, Dhulikhel, Banepa, Sanga, Ranikot, Nala, Parevakot and Kavilaspur annexed | |
1764 | Second battle of Kritipur. | |
1765 | Balaju, Lutikot annexed | |
1766 | Kritipur captured, Salimpa annexed. | |
1767 | Gurkha soldiers defeat British soldiers at Sindhuli who came to help king of Kathmandu | |
1768 | British India takes possession of Bara, Parsa and Hilwal | |
1768 | Gorkha repossess the territory. Annexes Bettia. | |
1768 | 1825 | Kathmandu, Patan is annexed |
1769 | 1826 | Bhatgaun is annexed |
1769 | 1826 | Kathmandu is declared as the capital |
1771 | Kaski and Sapta gandaki region are annexed | |
1771 | Manpang, Chang, Darhung, Manmul, Ranrung, Jyamire, Grihakot, Kyangmi, Bhirkot, Garahu, Painyu, Dhuvakot were annexed. | |
1773 | Rava, Cisankhu, Dingla was annexed | |
1774 | Majuva, Kalum, Mahadinga Pauva is annexed | |
1774 | Chainpur, Vijaypur, area up to Tista river annexed | |
1775 | 1831 | PNS dies. Pratap Singh Shah became King. Rajendra Laxmi takes the incharge of unification. |
1782 | 1839 | 1839 BS. Lamjung and Tanahu is annexed. |
1785 | 1842 | Rajendra Laxmi dies in 1842 BS. Bahadhur Shah takes incharge of unification. |
1786 | 1843 | Bheri ara is annexed (1843 BS) |
1789 | 1846 | Jumla is annexed (1846 BS) |
1790 | 1847 | Doti, Kumaun and Srinagar, Garwal, Hindur, Besahr, Chamba 12 and 18 Thakurai (currently India) is annexed (1847 BS) |
1792 | 1849 | Nepal–Sino war starts (1849 BS) |
1757 | 1871 | British India captures Butwal. But Gurkha army takes control the next month. This causes Nepal–Anglo war. Kumaun and Gadwal comes in control of British India. (1814) |
1815 | 1872 | Sugauli Treaty is signed (1872 BS). |
1860 | 1917 | Janga Bahdhur becomes successful to return part of Terai to Nepal (Naya muluk) from British India |
See also
References
- ^ Mulmi, Amish Raj. "The Making of the Gorkha Empire: Part I – Land". The Record. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Pradhan 1991, p. 105.
- ^ Pradhan 1991, p. 153.
- ^ Whelpton 2005, p. 35.
- ^ Stiller 1973, p. 37.
- ^ Stiller 1973, p. 36.
- ^ Regmi 1966, p. 1–2.
- ^ Regmi 1979, p. 101.
- ^ Pradhan 1991, p. 15.
- ^ Stiller 1973, p. 53–58.
- ^ Stiller 1973, p. 109.
- ^ Stiller 1973, p. 114.
- ^ a b "Nepali Army | नेपाली सेना".
- JSTOR 44252506.
- ^ a b c Basnyat, Prem Singh. "How Nepal fought back". My Republica. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ISBN 978-81-206-0774-3. p. 34.
- ^ Majupuria, Trilok Chandra (March 2011). "Kirtipur: The Ancient Town on the Hill". Nepal Traveller. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ Wright 1877, p. 227.
- ^ Kirkpatrick 1811, p. 382–386.
- ^ "The city of good deeds". Nepali Times. 24–30 November 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- ^ Kirkpatrick 1811, p. 385.
- ^ Vaidya 1993, p. 151.
- ^ a b Regmi 1972, p. 95.
- ^ Vaidya 1993, p. 163.
- ^ Bindloss 2010, p. 37.
- ^ Less of a hero
- ^ Hamal 1995, p. 180.
- ^ Vaidya 1993, p. 165.
- ^ Vaidya 1993, p. 167.
- ^ a b Hamal 1995, p. 181.
- ^ a b c d Bibhag 1990, p. 73.
- ^ Singh 1997, p. 142.
- ^ Bibhag 1990, p. 74.
- ^ Shaha 1990, p. 43.
- ^ Regmi 1975a, p. 272.
- ^ a b c Karmacharya 2005, p. 36.
- ^ a b c Regmi 1975a, p. 285.
- ^ a b Shaha 1990, p. 46.
- ^ Shaha 2001, p. 21.
- ^ a b c d "Journal" (PDF). himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk.
- ^ Rana 1978, p. 6.
- ^ a b Regmi 1975b, p. 214.
- ^ a b T.U. History Association 1977, p. 5.
- ^ Regmi 1975a, p. 215.
- ^ Regmi 1975a, p. 294.
- ^ Bajracharya 1992, p. 21.
- ^ a b Regmi 1975b, p. 215.
- ^ Bibhag 1990, p. 76.
- ^ Bajracharya 1992, pp. 21–22.
- ^ Bajracharya 1992, p. 22.
- ^ a b c Karmacharya 2005, p. 46.
- ^ a b c Shaha 2001, p. 62.
- ^ a b Bajracharya 1992, p. 35.
- ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 10.
- ^ a b Bibhag 1990, p. 77.
- ^ Shaha 2001, p. 63.
- ^ Hamal 1995, p. 81.
- ^ a b "Nepal and Tibetan conflict". Official website of Nepal Army.
- ^ Stiller 1971, p. 207.
- ^ Baral, Leeanateshaw Sharma (1964). Life and Writings of Prthvinarayan Shah. University of London.
Works cited
- Bajracharya, Bhadra Ratna (1992), Bahadur Shah, the regent of Nepal, 1785–1794 A.D., Nepal: Anmol Publications, ISBN 9788170416432, archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Bibhag, Puratattva (1990), Ancient Nepal, vol. 116–122, Puratattva Bibhag (Archaeology Department), archived from the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Hamal, Lakshman B. (1995). Military history of Nepal. Sharda Pustak Mandir. p. 125. OCLC 32779233.
- Karmacharya, Ganga (2005), Queens in Nepalese Politics: an account of roles of Nepalese queens in state affairs, 1775–1846, Nepal: Educational Publishing House, ISBN 978-999463393-7, archivedfrom the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Pradhan, Kumar L. (2012), Thapa Politics in Nepal: With Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, p. 278, ISBN 9788180698132
- Rana, Pramode S.J.B. (1978), Rana Nepal: An Insider's View, R. Rana, archived from the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1972). Regmi Research Series (PDF). Vol. 04. Regmi Research Centre.
- Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1975b), Regmi Research Series, vol. 7, Regmi Research Centre, archived from the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Regmi, D.R. (1975a), Modern Nepal, ISBN 9780883864913
- Shaha, Rishikesh (1990), Modern Nepal 1769–1885, Riverdale Company, ISBN 0-913215-64-3
- Shaha, Rishikesh (2001), An Introduction of Nepal, Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar, archived from the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 15 September 2020
- Singh, Nagendra Kr (1997). Nepal: Refugee to Ruler: A Militant Race of Nepal. APH Publishing. ISBN 9788170248477. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- T.U. History Association (1977), Voice of History, vol. 3, Tribhuwan University History Association, archived from the original on 15 January 2023, retrieved 28 November 2020
- Vaidya, Tulsi Ram (1993), Prithvinaryan Shah, the founder of Nepal, Anmol Publications, ISBN 9788170417019
- Pradhan, Kumar (1991). The Gorkha conquests : the process and consequences of the unification of Nepal, with particular reference to eastern Nepal. Calcutta: Oxford University Press. OCLC 24874742.
- Whelpton, John. (2005). A history of Nepal. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. OCLC 55502658.
- Wright, Daniel (1877). History of Nepal. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
- Kirkpatrick, Colonel (1811). An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. London: William Miller. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- Stiller, Ludwig F. (1973). The rise of the house of Gorkha (Revised ed.). Kathmandu, Nepal. OCLC 1089599390.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - Bindloss, Joseph (2010). Nepal. Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 978-1-74220-361-4.
- Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1979). Regmi Research Series (PDF). Vol. 11. Regmi Research Centre.
- Regmi, D.R. (1966). Medieval Nepal. Calcutta: Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay.
Further reading
- Fr. Giuseppe. (1799). An account of the kingdom of Nepal. Asiatic Researches. Vol 2. (1799). pp. 307–322.
- Reed, David. (2002). The Rough Guide to Nepal. DK Publishing, Inc.
- Wright, Daniel, History of Nepal. New Delhi-Madras, Asian Educational Services, 1990