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The officials were corrupt and treated the people very mercilessly, thus the morale of the people became very low and they were rendered inefficient.
After the Gurkhas had established their hold over Garhwal and Kumaon, their borders came directly in touch with those of the British territory in Gorakhpur and elsewhere. They began to raid territory controlled by the British and this forced Lord Hastings to take the decision to declare war. It was decided to attack Nepal simultaneously from as many points a possible.
As a result, Maj. Gen. Merley was sent with a force of eight thousand men to Bihar with orders to directly march to Kathmandu, while Maj. Gen. Wood was sent at the head of a four thousand strong force to Gorakhpur. These campaigns do not directly have a bearing on the history of Garhwal.
Gen. Gillespie was sent with three thousand five hundred men to enter Garhwal through the Dun valley and dislodge Amar Singh Thapa from Srinagar. He found the Gurkhas firmly entrenched at Fort Kalanga, to the east of Dehradun. After an attempt to storm the fort failed, siege was laid to the fort on 26th October, 1813.
Many unsuccessful assaults were launched. These were gallantly resisted by the Gurkhas. The General himself brought up the reserves but was killed. At last, it was discovered that there was no water in the fort and the garrison was compelled to resort to a spring at some distance. This was cut off and the fire from the batteries resumed the next day, doing great damage to the fort and its gallant defenders. On the night of 30th November,
Balbhadra Thapa, with the surviving seventy men, evacuated the fort and escaped to a neighbouring hill where he was joined by about 300 other Gurkhas who were waiting to find their way into the besieged fort. This regrouped force was confronted by Maj. Ludlow but they escaped to the Jauntgarh fort, where it successfully withstood a siege by a British force.
In the meanwhile, after razing Kalanga to the ground, Col. Carpenter joined the forces under Gen. Martindell and they occupied Nahan. A third Gurkha force led by Amar Singh Thapa opposed Gen. Ochterlony on the banks of the Satluj river. He skillfully forced them to evacuate their strong posts and concentrate at Malaun.
Thus, the present campaign remained inconclusive and this made Lord Hastings more anxious to gain a foothold in the Kumaon hills
In 1815, an expedition to Kumaon was sent under Lt. Col. Gardiner. The hills of Garhwal and Kumaon had been drained of soldiers to supply the urgent calls of the Gurkhas both in the east and the west.
This further complicated matters for the Gurkhas. The British force captured Almora on 27th April and the Gurkhas under Bam Sah evacuated Kumaon.
Amar Singh resisted Gen. Ochterlony at Malaun but his force slowly deserted him and fled into the hills in an attempt to reach Nepal.
When only 200 men remained he gave up the forts of Malaun and Jaithak. The local Garhwalis overran the fort of Lobha and mercilessly killed the Gurkha soldiers there. Thus, when the Gurkha power was broken due to the invasion by the British force, the Garhwalis exacted full payment of the debt of blood and cruelty
Isolated bands were massacred or driven away to die of exposure and starvation in the rugged Mountains.
Everywhere, the people of Garhwal took revenge and meted out to their oppressors a savage punishment for their deeds of cruelty in the past decades of Gurkha rule.
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The Gurkha-British War was a series of conflicts fought between the British East India Company and the Gorkha Kingdom of Nepal from 1814 to 1816. The war was fought over control of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India, which were then under Gorkha rule. The British were victorious in the war, and Nepal was forced to cede control of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions to the British.
The Gurkha-British War was a significant event in the history of Uttarakhand. The war led to the end of Gorkha rule in the region, and it also had a major impact on the demographics of Uttarakhand. The war also led to the development of a strong sense of regional identity among the people of Uttarakhand.
The following are the subtopics of the Gurkha-British War:
- Causes of the war
- Course of the war
- Results of the war
- Impact of the war on Uttarakhand
- Legacy of the war
Causes of the war
The Gurkha-British War was caused by a number of factors, including:
- The expansionist policies of the Gorkha Kingdom
- The British desire to control the Kumaon and Garhwal regions
- The growing rivalry between the British and the Gorkhas
The Gorkha Kingdom was a small kingdom in the Himalayas that had been expanding its territory in the early 19th century. The Gorkhas had conquered the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India in the 1790s, and they were now looking to expand their territory further. The British East India Company was also expanding its territory in India, and the British were concerned about the growing power of the Gorkhas. The British were also worried about the possibility of the Gorkhas becoming allies of the French, who were the British’s rivals in India.
Course of the war
The Gurkha-British War began in November 1814, when the British invaded Nepal. The British forces were led by General Gerard Lake, and the Gorkha forces were led by General Amar Singh Thapa. The war was fought in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India, and it was a bloody and costly war. The British were eventually victorious in the war, and they forced the Gorkhas to sign the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816.
Results of the war
The Treaty of Sugauli forced the Gorkhas to cede control of the Kumaon and Garhwal regions to the British. The treaty also forced the Gorkhas to pay a large indemnity to the British. The war also had a major impact on the demographics of Uttarakhand. The war led to the displacement of a large number of people, and it also led to the influx of a large number of British and Indian soldiers into the region.
Impact of the war on Uttarakhand
The Gurkha-British War had a significant impact on the history of Uttarakhand. The war led to the end of Gorkha rule in the region, and it also had a major impact on the demographics of Uttarakhand. The war also led to the development of a strong sense of regional identity among the people of Uttarakhand.
Legacy of the war
The Gurkha-British War is still remembered in Uttarakhand today. The war is commemorated in a number of monuments and memorials in the region. The war is also remembered in the folklore and oral traditions of Uttarakhand. The war is a significant event in the history of Uttarakhand, and it continues to have an impact on the region today.
What is the history of Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand is a state in northern India. It was formed in 2000 by the division of the northern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The state is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the west, Nepal to the north, China to the northeast, Uttar Pradesh to the east, and Madhya Pradesh to the south.
The history of Uttarakhand can be traced back to the ancient times. The region was ruled by different dynasties over the centuries, including the Mauryas, Guptas, Kushanas, and Rajputs. In the 18th century, the region was conquered by the Gurkhas, who ruled it until the British took over in the 19th century.
After independence from British rule in 1947, Uttarakhand became a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. However, the people of Uttarakhand had long been demanding a separate state for themselves. In 2000, their demand was finally fulfilled and Uttarakhand was formed as a separate state.
What are some of the important historical events that have taken place in Uttarakhand?
Some of the important historical events that have taken place in Uttarakhand include:
- The Battle of Haldighati (1576): This battle was fought between the Mughal emperor Akbar and the Rajput king Maharana Pratap. The battle was a victory for the Rajputs and is considered to be one of the most Important Battles in Indian history.
- The Gurkha War (1814-1816): This war was fought between the British East India Company and the Gurkhas. The war ended in a British victory and the Gurkhas were forced to cede control of much of their territory in Uttarakhand.
- The Indian Rebellion of 1857: This rebellion was also known as the Sepoy Mutiny. The rebellion was a major uprising against British rule in India. The rebellion was suppressed by the British, but it had a profound impact on the history of India.
- The Independence of India (1947): India gained independence from British rule in 1947. Uttarakhand became a part of the newly independent state of India.
- The Formation of Uttarakhand (2000): Uttarakhand was formed as a separate state in 2000. The formation of Uttarakhand was a major victory for the people of the region, who had long been demanding a separate state for themselves.
What are some of the important cultural aspects of Uttarakhand?
Some of the important cultural aspects of Uttarakhand include:
- The language: The Official Language of Uttarakhand is Hindi. However, there are many other languages spoken in the state, including Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari.
- The religion: The majority of the people in Uttarakhand are Hindus. However, there are also significant Muslim and Sikh minorities in the state.
- The food: The cuisine of Uttarakhand is known for its use of spices and its emphasis on fresh ingredients. Some of the popular dishes from Uttarakhand include aloo ke gutke (potato dumplings), gahat ki daal (black lentil soup), and sarson ka saag (mustard greens).
- The music: The music of Uttarakhand is known for its use of folk instruments, such as the sarangi, the bansuri, and the dhol. The folk songs of Uttarakhand are often about love, loss, and the beauty of the natural world.
- The dance: The dance of Uttarakhand is known for its intricate steps and its use of colorful costumes. Some of the popular dances from Uttarakhand include the chhattisgarhi, the bhangra, and the giddha.
What are some of the important tourist attractions in Uttarakhand?
Some of the important tourist attractions in Uttarakhand include:
- The Himalayas: The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world. The Himalayas are a popular destination for trekking, mountaineering, and skiing.
- The Nanda Devi National Park: The Nanda Devi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan tahr.
- The Kedarnath Temple: The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. The temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The Badrinath Temple: The Badrinath Temple is another important Hindu temple in India. The temple is located in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The Auli Ski Resort: The Auli Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in India. The resort is located in the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The Jim Corbett
- The Gurkhas are a people from Nepal. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are known for their bravery and fighting skills. True or False?
- The Gurkhas have fought in many wars, including the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and World War I. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are a proud and independent people. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are a valuable asset to the British Army. True or False?
Answers:
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
- The Gurkhas are a people from India. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are known for their cowardice and fighting skills. True or False?
- The Gurkhas have fought in many wars, including the American Civil War and World War II. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are a humble and subservient people. True or False?
- The Gurkhas are a liability to the British Army. True or False?
Answers:
1. False
2. False
3. False
4. False
5. False