Battle of Nalapani
Nalapani fort, near Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
What happened
A Nepalese garrison of about 600 people, including families, under Captain Balbhadra Kunwar held a hill fort against British East India Company troops under Major-General Rollo Gillespie. In the Anglo-Nepalese War, British troops attacked the small fort of Nalapani. The defenders drove back their assaults, and Gillespie fell on the first day. The British then cut off the fort's water and bombarded it, and after a month Balbhadra led about 70 survivors out of the fort into the hills.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The defence won the Gurkhas great respect from the British. This later led the British to recruit Gurkha soldiers, a tradition that continues today.
What came next
The war ended with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, in which Nepal lost about a third of its land but kept its independence.
Did you know?
Two memorials stand at Nalapani: one for Gillespie, and one put up by the British honouring 'our brave adversary' Balbhadra and his men.
Timeline
- 31 October 1814The British attack Nalapani fort.
- 1 November 1814Britain declares war on Nepal.
- 30 November 1814Balbhadra's garrison breaks out.
- 4 March 1816The Treaty of Sugauli is ratified.