⏱ 4 min read
The Anglo-Nepal War between Nepal and the British East India Company (1871 to 1872 BS, 1814 to 1816 AD) ended Nepal’s expansion and cost it about one-third of its territory under the Treaty of Sugauli. The bravery of Nepali soldiers at Nalapani and Deuthal is still remembered. This note explains the causes, main battles, heroes, treaty terms and results.
1. Background and causes
- Nepal was expanding west and south while the East India Company was expanding north in India; the two powers met along the Terai.
- The immediate cause was a dispute over Butwal and Sheoraj in the Terai.
- The British declared war on 1 November 1814. The Governor-General was Lord Hastings (Earl of Moira).
- In Nepal, the king was Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah and the Mukhtiyar was Bhimsen Thapa.
2. Main battles and heroes
| Battle / front | Nepali commander | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Nalapani (Khalanga), Dehradun | Captain Balbhadra Kunwar | About 600 Nepalis, including women and children, held the fort against a much larger force; British General Rollo Gillespie was killed (October 1814) |
| Deuthal | Bhakti Thapa | The elderly commander (over 70) died fighting in 1815 |
| Jaithak | Ranajor Singh Thapa | Nepalis defended the fort |
| Malaun | Amar Singh Thapa | After long resistance, he surrendered to General David Ochterlony in May 1815 |
| Makwanpur | Nepali army | In 1816, Ochterlony advanced to Makwanpur; Nepal then ratified the treaty |
The British were so impressed by Nepali soldiers that they began recruiting them; this is the origin of the Gurkha regiments.
3. The Treaty of Sugauli
- Signed on 2 December 1815 (Mangsir 1872 BS) at Sugauli in Bihar, India.
- Ratified on 4 March 1816 (Falgun 1872 BS) after the battle of Makwanpur.
- Signed for Nepal by Gajraj Mishra and Chandra Shekhar Upadhyaya, and for the British by Lt. Col. Paris Bradshaw.
| Main terms |
|---|
| Nepal gave up all land west of the Mahakali river, including Kumaon and Garhwal |
| Nepal gave up Sikkim and land east of the Mechi river |
| Nepal gave up most of the Terai |
| A British Resident would stay in Kathmandu; the first was Edward Gardner |
| Nepal would not employ other Europeans or Americans without British approval |
4. Results and later changes
- Nepal lost about one-third of its territory; the Mechi and Mahakali rivers became the eastern and western borders.
- In December 1816, part of the eastern and central Terai was returned to Nepal.
- In 1860 (1917 BS), the British returned the Naya Muluk (Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur) to reward Jung Bahadur for helping them in the Indian revolt of 1857.
- The war ended Nepal’s unification campaign and set its present-day borders in the east, west and south.
- The Mahakali border set by Sugauli is the basis of Nepal’s claim to Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura.
5. Key heroes and battles
| Battle | Nepali commander | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nalapani (Khalanga) | Balbhadra Kunwar | Small Nepali force held out against a large British army |
| Jaithak | Ranajor Thapa | Fierce defence in the western front |
| Deuthal | Bhakti Thapa | Killed in battle at about 70 years of age |
| Western command | Amar Singh Thapa | Led the defence in Kumaon and Garhwal |
6. Results of the Treaty of Sugauli
- Signed in 1872 BS (December 1815) and ratified in March 1816.
- Nepal lost about one-third of its territory, including land west of the Mahakali and east of the Mechi and parts of the Terai.
- A British Resident was posted in Kathmandu.
- Part of the Terai (Naya Muluk) was returned in 1860 after Nepal helped the British in 1857.
- The Mahakali became Nepal’s western border, linked to today’s Kalapani–Lipulekh issue.
7. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective items ask the year of the war and the Treaty of Sugauli, the heroes of Nalapani and Deuthal, and the territory lost. Subjective questions ask about the causes and results of the Anglo-Nepal war. Arrange the answer as causes, main battles, treaty terms and long-term effects.
📌 Key points to remember
- Anglo-Nepal War: 1814 to 1816 AD (1871 to 1872 BS) against the East India Company.
- Immediate cause: dispute over Butwal and Sheoraj.
- Nalapani: Balbhadra Kunwar; General Gillespie was killed.
- Deuthal: Bhakti Thapa died fighting; Malaun: Amar Singh Thapa surrendered to Ochterlony.
- Treaty of Sugauli signed 2 Dec 1815, ratified 4 March 1816.
- Nepal lost about one-third of its land; Mechi and Mahakali became borders.
- First British Resident: Edward Gardner.
- Naya Muluk (Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur) returned in 1860 for Jung Bahadur’s help in 1857.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Anglo-Nepal War (1871 to 1872 BS) and the Treaty of Sugauli
50 questions on Background and causes, The Treaty of Sugauli and Results and later changes. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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