History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -188     

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -436 

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

  Gorkha or Nepalese were trying to capture Garhwal from 1791. Gorkhas got many setbacks in Langurgarh , Ganga Salan (Near Dwarikhal, Gumkhal, Pauri Garhwal). Gorkha attacked minimum 13 times on Langurgarh. The people of Salan resisted the attack and did not allow Gorkha to capture on Garhwal. When there were acute disturbances by Parakram against Pradyuman Shah; the factionalisms among Garhwal Kingdom administrators came out in open and there were calamities in Garhwal; in 1803, Gorkha attacked on Garhwal with force reasoning that Garhwal Kingdom did not pay dues for many years.

             Gorkha Commanders for Attacking on Garhwal

   Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa (son of Commander Bhim Singh Thapa) was the leader of Gorkha force. There were more than eight thousand soldiers under Amar Singh Thapa. Hastidal Chautriya, Bambshah Chautriya, Desh Bhakt Thapa were assisting commanders of Amar Singh Thapa.

    Gorkha soldiers were equipped by Britain made Guns, swords, Khunkri, shields, spears, bow-arrow. Gorkha soldiers were trained in using and application of newer versions of guns and new weapons.

           The Nepali army was disciplined and soldiers were having red colored dress. The positions were divided as per British army. Gorkha army was fearless army. Though, Gorkha did not have the materials and power as Sindhiya, British, Jat armies but Gorkhas were better from Garhwali soldiers. Gorkha already knew the weaknesses and strengths of Garhwali soldiers and army. Gorkhas were well aware of numbers of Garhwal soldiers in each fort or Garhi. Nepali commanders were well aware about strategic points of Garhwal.

               Garhwali Army at the time of Gorkha/Nepal Attack

          There were only permanent 5000 soldiers in Garhwal Kingdom in 1796.Most of the soldiers were normal soldiers. One thousand soldiers were in Shrinagar and balance soldiers were in Pargana headquarter or forts in different regions. Parakram pushed away the soldiers devotee of Pradyuman Shah from Shrinagar and there were only five hundred soldiers of Pradyuman Shah in Shrinagar.

            There was no formal dress for Garhwal soldiers even in the Pradyuman period. There was no arrangement for training the army. There was no custom or system for paying regular salary to the soldiers. Very few soldiers (countable on fingers) knew to uses guns. Most of the soldiers were versed with swords, bow-arrow and spears.

                  Nepali Army in Shrinagar

        Amar Singh Thapa sent Gorkha or Nepali to Garhwal from two directions. According to Raturi, Nepali army reached to HSringar via Chandpur. Garhwal King sent his army to stop invasion of Gorkha/Nepali army. However, Gorkha /Nepali army defeated Garhwal army and Garhwal army came back to Shrinagar.

 Another army led by Bhakti Thapa and Chandravir Kunwar defeated Garhwal army at Langurgarh and proceeded towards Shrinagar.

           Both the army battalions reached to Shrinagar. There was no battle in Shrinagar and Gorkha /Nepali captured Shrinagar easily.

           Garhwal King Escaping from Shrinagar                                                         

         Before Gorkha/Nepali army would reach Shrinagar, most of elites escaped from Shrinagar.

         Pradyuman Shah already sent his family members as son Sudarshan Shah, son Devi Singh from a servant and other female members to Chauras Tehri region side. The King ran away towards Tehri region by crossing Alaknanda River with his little army and Parakram Shah before Gorkha /Nepali army entered into Shrinagar. Wife of Pradyuaan Shah died earlier than Gorkha attack. Parakram sent his wife to his brother in law Ramsharan das at Nalagarh before Gorkha attack. Pritam Shah was unmarried.

                 Three Battles on other Side of Alaknanda River (Tehri Garhwal Side)

         Pradyuman Shah with his family was in Chauras side (Tehri Garhwal side) opposite of Shrinagar.

             A few Pargana officers sent armies to rescue Garhwal King. According to Captain Repar who reached Shrinagar in 1808-09, Garhwal King was able to collect twenty thousand people or soldiers. Gorkha battalions crossed Alaknanda River. Gorkha army defeated Garhwal army.

       There were three battles and every time Gorkha defeated Garhwal army. Garhwal King Pradyuman

              Garhwal King ran towards Barahat. Gorkha army followed Garhwal King. Gorkha/Nepali army defeated Garhwal king there in Barahat. Garhwal King ran to Chamua and there Gorkha/Nepali army defeated Garhwal army.

    Gorkha battalion crossed Bhilangna River and Garhwal army led by Shivram Saklani fought with Gorkha /Nepali army at Guttu Gala at Bhilangana bank. Nepali commander Bhakti Thapa or his soldier killed Shivram Saklani.

  Garhwal King ran towards Doon valley with his family and a few soldiers. Gorkha/Nepali army followed Garhwal King up to Dehradun (Doon valley). Gorkha/Nepali army captured Doon value with ease.

  The Faujdar or Governor Ummed Singh did not do anything to protect his father in law.

        Pradyuman Shah reached to Jwalapur (Haridwar).

       The Last Try by Pradyuman Shah for Getting Back Garhwal Kingdom

  Now, Pradyuman Shah was in Jwalapur (Haridwar). He was curious to get back his Kingdom. Pradyuman Shah sold his Throne and Jewelry at Saharanpur. He got Guhar, Rajput, Raghad, Pundir soldiers from Landhur King Ramdayal Singh. Pradyuman Shah took the new army and attacked on Gorkhas of Doon valley. Initially, Pradyuman Shah was abl e to capture Doon valley. Nepal/Gorkha government sent armies with Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, Bhakti Thapa and Ranjit Kunvar.

  There was fierce battle at Khudbura (Near Guru Ram Rai darbar, Dehradun) between Pradyuman Shah and Gorkha battalion. Pradyuman Shah’s horse got fire from a gun. Pradyuman fell from horse and died taking hands on grounds. A Gorkha commander praised Pradyuman Shah that he did not lay by back but by hands and he was great brave King. Garhwal army ran away from the battle after martyr death of the Last King of United Garhwal. Gorkha captured Pritam shah and sent him to Nepal. Sudarshan Shah and his step brother Dev Singh escaped to Jwalapur. Gorkha sent the dead body of Pradyuman Shah with honor to Jwalapur.

                Terror of Gorkhas/Nepalese in Dehradun

             Gorkha captured Dehradun. There was terror in Dehradun. People ran away towards hills leaving their houses. Gorkhas lured them to return back but they did not return. Gorkhas /Nepalese looted Dehradun cruelly.  For one year, villagers did not return to their houses nor did they crop in fields. Gorkha also captured the property of Guru Ram Rai Darbar. Gorkha stopped Mahant Harseval Das’ usual activities too.

  There are disagreements for date of Khudbura battle.

Atkinson –

October 1803

Or

January 1804

Raturi –

February 1804

Or

14th May 1804

Bhaktdarshan –

July 1804

Or

August 1804

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com21/9/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -437

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

XX                     

Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period  History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period  History of Haridwar district to be continued

XX

History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, Central Himalayas ; Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Himalaya Garhwal; Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, North India; Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, India; Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, South Asia; Uttarakhand; History of Gorkha Capturing Garhwal, Asia