What was the Battle of Nalapani?
Q: What was the Battle of Nalapani?
A: The Battle of Nalapani was the first battle of the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–1816. It took place around the Nalapani fort, near Dehradun, and involved forces from the British East India Company fighting against Nepal, then ruled by the House of Gorkha.
Q: Who commanded the British troops?
A: Major-General Rollo Gillespie commanded the attacking British troops. He had previously fought in the Battle of Java.
Q: How many people were in Balbhadra Kunwar's garrison?
A: Balbhadra Kunwar's garrison consisted of 600 people.
Q: How many British troops were there?
A: There were more than 5,000 British troops besieging Nalapani fort.
Q: What happened on the last day of siege?
A: On the last day of siege, after three days without water supply, Balbhadra refused to surrender and led 70 surviving members of his garrison in a charge against the besieging force. They managed to fight their way out and escape into nearby hills.
Q: Why did this battle become so famous?
A: This battle became famous because it established Gurkhas' reputation as warriors and as a result they were later recruited by the British to serve in their army.
Q: Was it a successful victory for Britain?
A: No, considering all time, effort and resources spent to capture such small fort it was a pyrrhic victory for Britain.
