A Journey to Katmandu (the Capital of Napaul), with the Camp of Jung Bahadoor: Including a Sketch of the Nepaulese Ambassador at HomeOliphant, Laurence
History
A Journey to Katmandu (the Capital of Napaul), with the Camp of Jung Bahadoor: Including a Sketch of the Nepaulese Ambassador at Home
Oliphant, Laurence
Nepal -- Description and travel
It was in this place that some of the severest fighting took place in
1816 during the Nepaulese war. Commanded by the surrounding heights and
crowned by the temporary stockades of the Ghorkas, it was a dangerous and
formidable obstacle to the progress of our army; but the able tactics of
Sir David Ochterlony successfully overcame it. In the very watercourse
we were now traversing the carcase of a dead elephant had, on one
occasion during that campaign, fallen in such a manner as effectually to
block up the way; and so narrow is the path, and so steep the banks on
each side, that the army was absolutely delayed some time until this
cumbrous impediment was removed.
After descending into the bed of the Chyria Nuddee our road lay through
the saul forest, the magnificent trees of which served as a grateful
shade for some miles, while, the road being comparatively level and free
from impediments, our journey was most agreeable. A short distance from
our destination we crossed the Kurroo Nuddee, by a picturesque wooden
bridge peculiar to the Himalayas.
Hetowra is a place of considerable importance in a mercantile point of
view, but it is not gay except during the season; it is, in fact,
fashionable only while it is healthy. From this place two roads lead to
Katmandu. The whole of our week's stay in the Terai was rendered
interesting to us from the recollection that in this province originated
a war as disastrous to our troops as it was unprovoked by us. Never in
our eastern experience have we commenced hostilities with a native power
upon more justifiable grounds, and seldom have we paid more dearly for
the satisfaction of at last dictating terms, from which indeed we have
since reaped no great advantage. At Persa, but a short distance from
Bisoleah, Captain Sibley and his detachment fell into the hands of the
enemy, losing two guns and three-fourths of his men. Major-General
Gillespie fell at the storming of Kalunga, while gallantly cheering on
his men; our casualties here amounting to 225, twenty of whom were
officers. Beaten back on this occasion, we were no less unsuccessful in
a second attempt, losing in killed and wounded 483 men, including eleven
officers. It was only when General Ochterlony assumed the command that
affairs began to wear a brighter aspect. The energy and ability of this
officer were displayed in a series of operations which daunted the enemy
in proportion as they inspired confidence amongst our own ranks, and the
result of the campaign was the expulsion of the Ghorkas from a large
tract of country, which was subsequently annexed to British India.
Attempts at negotiation were then made, which ultimately proved futile,
and after the usual amount of delay, specious professions, and deceit
common to native Courts generally had been practised by the Nepaul Durbar
with a view to gain time, open hostilities broke out with redoubled
vigour on both sides. General Ochterlony assumed the command of an army
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