GRAND UNIFICATION OF HIMALAYAN REGION
Role of Bhakti Thapa Mrs. Laxmi Thapa
Bhakti Thapa had laid down his life in the battlefield at Deothal on 16 April, 1815 fighting against the British, which had already established itself as the world’s most important colonial power. Bhakti Thapa became a legend even in the eyes of British historians. One of the historians CB Khanduri writes quoting various contemporary British historians " The euphemism of the BRAVEST OF THE BRAVES had been used by Napoleon for Marshal Ney, whose bravery during the retreat from Moscow in 1812 was one of the highest. BRAVE LES BRAVE, said Napoleon of him. British then used this citation for the Gurkhas during and after the Anglo-Nepal War. Such was the bravery shown by BHAKTI THAPA that the next legend of the BRAVEST OF THE BRAVES had been created on the day - 16 April, 1815 at Deothal."
The most important contribution of Bhakti Thapa was his great role in the establishment of present day Nepal in general and the creation of the vast Himalayan state capable to challenge the British attempt to expand their empire in the South Asia in particular. The following excerpt from the Sainik Itihash based on the book of Vikramjit Harshat ( History of Nepal, V.V. Research Institute , Punjab 1970) clearly explains it:
“Until there was life in the body of Bhakti Thapa Nepal’s territory was in a state of great expansion. Soon after his death the Great Nepal crumbled.”
Campaign to Build Great Nepal
In the late 1780s the campaign to build the Great Nepal appeared to end in failure. The forces of Nepal and Jumla were poised for head on confrontation. According to Hamilton the Nepalese force was no match to the strength of the large Jumla force of that time so an outright attack against the Jumla force would have been extremely bloody, and it could even end up sadly. Hamilton writes the stalemate continued for more than two years. At the end of this stalemate period Bhakti Thapa entered into the unification campaign in 1789 and helped to score a swift victory, that opened the door to grand unification of the Himalayan region.
In the first major performance itself to unite the Himalayan region Bhakti Thapa demonstrated his exceptionally brilliant skill in launching a very successful operation under the most adverse condition that was sure to astonish anyone. He changed the strategy of the predecessors and led the Jumla operation from the difficult north route. The result was a swift victory and the life of many people was also saved. A letter sent by the king highly commends Bhakti Thapa for the skill displayed in successful accomplishment of the Jumla operation. The letter also cautions Bhakti Thapa not to advance further without completing the process of consolidation over the entire newly added territory. The capital appeared to be gripped by fear that further advance to the west would be very difficult and also risky. It was clearly explained in the letter to Bhakti Thapa that the whole operation would be in a mess if further advance is continued without fully completing the task of consolidation. It implied that the operation to extend the territory of Nepal further to the west would have to be suspended for next two to three years to complete the task of consolidation. However, Bhakti Thapa appeared to be too eager to advance swiftly to the west. Immediately after the unification of Jumla Bhakti Thapa shifted his attention to the west to integrate with renewed vigor and determination new territories into the Great Nepal despite the warning of the Capital against such move. Poet Jayaratnakaran of that period has described in one of his books how Bhakti Thapa himself had led the operation to integrate Doti into the Great Nepal by defeating the king of Doti.
Bhakti Thapa Became Supreme Leader
In the 1790s, the effort to unite the Himalayan region had been greatly intensified. Nepal spared no efforts and resources to accomplish this historic mission. The process of unification had gone ahead at an exceptionally rapid pace. At the height of this unification campaign Bhakti Thapa was the chief commander and the administrator of the entire territory to the west of the Chepa-Marshangdi. At that time the western boundary of Nepal had extended up to the Jamuna river. Unfortunately, soon after, the unification campaign of the Great Nepal came to a complete halt due to political turmoil in the capital Kathmandu.
The next phase of the unification campaign began in early 1800s. Nepal’s western boundary had extended beyond the Sutlaz river in course of this phase of campaign. Bhakti Thapa had played very important role in this phase of campaign also.
Kingdom of Kangra was the main obstacle to grand unification of the Himalayan region. Bhakti Thapa had completely routed the army of the Kangra in the battle fought at Tehra in Punjab. Kind Sansar Chand of Kangra had fled from Tehra with his remaining force to take refuge in the Kangra fort.
Confrontation With British
Continued expansion of the Great Nepal was seen at that time by the Great Britain as the biggest threat to realization of their dream to convert the whole of the South Asia into their colony. So the Great Britain declared war on Nepal in 1814. British invasion had started even before the war was officially declared. The war continued for three consecutive calendar years.
The War
The British began preparation for the war from the time when F.R. Hastings- Earl of Moira landed in India as Governor General and Commander-in- Chief in 1813. The actual declaration of war against Nepal is recorded as 1 November, 1814, though the war began from middle of October. British force had marched into Nepal across a frontier of more than 1500 km to attack at several points at the same time The eastern British flank was moving north from the Teesta area whereas the farthermost western flank from the Sutlej river area. It was virtually a modern type warfare extended over a period of three calendar years and necessitating to protect the entire region bordering the enemy held territory. The British invasion force, in comparison with Nepalese, had absolute superiority in cavalry, pioneers, and at least the superiority of 10 times in infantry and 100 times in artillery. They also had the advantage of maneuverability in movement of their fighting force.
The British was expecting a blitz-krieg victory. It is said that the Governor General Hastings had planned to win the war in one mighty sweep in one to two months in end 1814 but certainly before the Christmas. He was badly mistaken in his assessment. We Nepalese fought very bravely. In early months of the war the initial British invasion was completely beaten off. The British rule in India was at a risk of falling apart. Unfortunately at that time the Sikhs and Marathas did not join Nepal in liberating the whole of the South Asian Continent from the grip of the European domination. British army had at their disposal virtually unlimited resources from the Nepalese perspective. They continued to press Nepal all across the frontier that stretched over a distance of more than 1500 km. Nepalese resources were being sharply depleted. There was not any chance to be replenished. So the ability of the Nepalese force to defend the territory under their control was steadily declining. They were forced to pull back. There was breakdown in control and command system. Towards the middle of the 1815 Amar Singh Thapa, chief of the Nepalese force fighting in the western front was confined within a small area of the Malaun fort
Deothal Battle
Towards the sunset of the April 15th evening Bhakti Thapa and the army units under him arrived at the Malaun fort from their station at Surajgarh without being noticed by the British army units scattered around the Malaun fortress.
The following day in the morning Bhakti Thapa at the age of 74 led a kamikaze type counterattack against the British force entrenched at Deothal. Historians have presented the description of this battle at great length. It was 3.15 a.m. when a force of 400 under Bhakti Thapa marched out of the Malaun fort, to a slow but steady beat of drums. The British column under Thompson had taken position at Deothal on reverse slopes. The cannons of 6 pounders were properly concealed. There were two Indian battalions, the Grenadiers companies of the Light Battalions and some 1000 Irregulars. The British strength was up to about 3,500 troops and weapons.
Bhakti Thapa and his followers in the counterattack appeared to have vowed to fight to the death. Bhakti Thapa had even handed his infant grandson in the custody of the Amar Singh Thapa just before going to the battlefield. It was a bloody battle. It would not be wrong to visualize that the Khukri charge and the battle cry of the Nepalese fighters might have shaken the enemies with fear. RP Ochterlony, the author of "Sketches Of The Goorka War" has written. A body of Gorkhas advancing to charge bears no resemblance to a European column. Several huge trumpets putting up a harsh but stirring noise, set the multitude in motion who, except some carry shields, grasping each a matchlock in his left hand and a broad sword in his right, rush on, disregarding all regularity, very like a pack of hounds in full cry.
Bhakti Thapa laid down his life in the battlefield. Every one who fought from the Nepalese side was either killed or wounded. According to one account the British casualties of dead and wounded in Deothal battle were 384 as against 390 Nepalese casualties - almost a ratio of one to one, under the most adverse conditions to the Nepalese.
