From respected foes to valued allies, Nepal’s armed forces showcased their fighting spirit during war with Britain, only to become one of the Empire’s greatest military assets
Britain and Nepal’s enduring militar y bond was forged in fire – on opposing sides. It began with a conflict of interests, culminated in a war of ambitions, but concluded with mutual respect and admiration that came to define the now long-standing relationship.
The stage was set when an expansionist Gorkha Kingdom unified Nepal in 1768. Keen to claim greater swathes of territory, the ruling House of Gorkha continued its conquest beyond its borders, and it seemed a matter of time before such moves would threaten British interests in India. Those interests, broadly defined by the Empire’s wish to extend its sphere of influence throughout the Indian subcontinent – including Nepal – had long been administered by the East India Company, itself armed and ready to retaliate to Gorkha encroachment.
By late 1814, Nepal had occupied sizable tracts of northern India under the noses of colonial authorities. In response, the East India Company dispatched an army to humble the Gorkhas, or Gurkhas, and re- establish British dominance in the region. Organised into four fighting columns, the entire contingent comprised 30,000 troops, 60 guns, 12,000 Indian auxiliaries, 1,113 elephants and 3,682 camels. Two columns were sent west to regain lost territor y while the other two marched toward the centre of Nepal and the capital of Kathmandu.
Despite boasting numerical and technological superiority, the British were at a disadvantage in several aspects upon the launch of the campaign. Nepal’s warriors had local geographical knowledge on their side and, what’s more, had newly acquired mountain warfare experience. Perhaps above all else, the well-trained and disciplined Gurkhas, ser ving under equally competent veteran officers, were known for their extraordinar y courage and resilience. The British were, often in the most literal sense, about to face an uphill struggle against a determined enemy in a defender’s paradise.
The first significant battle of the Anglo-Nepalese War took place in the western theatre on 31 October 1814. Commanded by Major General Sir Rollo Gillespie, an approximately 4,000-strong British force attempted to seize the remote Indian hill fort of Kalunga (or Nalapani), held by around 650 Gurkhas. Initial assaults failed to dislodge the Nepalese, prompting a frustrated Gillespie to personally lead the next attack in the hope of gaining momentum. Within moments, the British commander was killed when a bullet struck him in the heart.
Gillespie’s death was a massive blow to British morale. Not only did Kalunga remain in Nepalese hands for another month – ceded by 30 November 1814 – but was on
