Gurkha–Sikh War

The Gurkha–Sikh War was a small conflict between the forces of the Gurkha Kingdom of Nepal and the Sikh Empire in 1809 under Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Gurkha-Sikh War
Date March 1809 – August 1809 Location Kangra fort and Ganesh Valley Result Decisive Sikh Victory
Belligerents
Sikh Empire Kangra State Supported by Bilaspur State	Nepal Supported by Kumaon Kingdom Garhwal Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Raja Sansar Chand	Amar Singh Thapa Bahadur Shah of Nepal Bhimsen Thapa Nain Singh Thapa

The confrontation between Nepal and the Sikhs had its genesis in the expansionist policy of the Nepalese mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa. The Kumaon Kingdom having been incorporated into Nepal in 1791, he endeavoured to add the hill country to its west as far as the river Sutlej. This expedition was entrusted to the kaji Amar Singh Thapa, who was later reinforced by the kaji Nain Singh Thapa. In 1807, Kangra Fort, on the west bank of the Sutlej, was put under siege. By early 1809, most of the land of Kangra jagir had been incorporated into Nepal, although the fort still held out. Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra took refuge among the Sikhs.

At first, the Sikh maharaja Ranjit Singh was reluctant to assist the ruler of Kangra, but a Nepalese push towards the Kashmir Valley changed his mind. Kashmir was effectively independent territory, riven by factions and coveted by both Sikhs and Gurkhas. The Sikh ruler dispatched a force which raised the siege of Kangra on 24 August 1809 and forced the Gurkha forces back across the Sutlej. Ranjit Singh then sent a proposal to Amar Singh Thapa to make the Sutlej the boundary between their states. Thapa forwarded the proposal to the Kathmandu Durbar, but Bhimsen Thapa rejected

Conquest of Kangra fort

The Maharaja recalled Diwan Mohkam Chand from the Kangra expedition in March 1809 and directed him to reach Phillaur. After the settlement of affairs with the British government, Maharaja Ranjit Singh again turned his attention towards Kangra. The Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa with a large army had been at war for quite some time with Raja Sansar Chand in the Kangra valley and had besieged the fort of Kangra. Sansar Chand lost hope for life. Therefore, he sent his brother Fateh Singh to the Maharaja to seek help. The Maharaja demanded the possession of the fort of Kangra in return for help; to which Sansar Chand agreed. The Maharaja set-out with full preparations and reached Kangra accompanied by a large army by the end of May. All the feudal chiefs were present with their respective militias. According to Munshi Sohan Lal's estimate, there were about one hundred thousand horse and foot with the Maharaja at that time. The hill Chiefs who were well- acquainted with the routes of the hilly terrain were ordered to block all passages so as to stop all means of procurement of provisions and equipment for the Gorkha army.

War with the Gurkha army

Supply routes of the Gurkha army had been closed since the last few days by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who was blocking the roads. The Maharaja finding an opportune time launched an attack and occupied their positions about a mile (1.06  km.) in front of the fort. A pitched battle ensued. Thereafter, they gave a pitched battle near the Ganesh Valley. The Nepali General sent another army division there. A fierce bloody battle took place. Suddenly the Gurkhas had to retreat due to lack of supplies and were killed due to the Sikh forces blocking the roads. The Gurkhas were very advanced at the time and had muskets and matchlocks while the Khalsa army had only become advanced during the Afghan-Sikh wars under Hari Singh Nalwa.

Aftermath

Later the Gurkhas after accepting defeat, they gave Balbhadra Kunwar - The famous Gorkhali General who served for Ranjit Singh after the Anglo-Gorkha war (1814-1816), Balbhadra Kunwar is famous for his battle of Nalapani and he commanded the Gorkha regiment of the Sikh Khalsa army.

References