Victory over Nuwakot (1744 A.D)

Prithvi Narayan Shah learnt lessons from his past mistakes. Further, he was inspire by the advice and guidance of his elder stepmother Chandrapravawati, cooperation from the subjects of Gorkha and was also encouraged by the stable internal situation, thus, Prithvi Narayan made favourable administrative, economic and diplomatic situations in areas outside Gorkha. His soldiers were trained and equipped better than before. He decided to invade Nuwakot for the second time. He sent his soldiers to Nuwakot disguised as farmers. On the night of Ashoj 14, 1801 B.S (25 September 1744 A.D) the Gorkhali soldiers reach Nuwakot secretly. He helped his soldiers cross the Trishuli River. General Jayanta Rana, the incharge of Nuwakot knew about the possible attack on Nuwakot by Gorkha. He went to Kantipur (then Kathmandu) to get military support from King Jaya Prakash Malla but King Jaya Prakash Malla did not give much attention. Taking the advantage of the situation, Prithvi Narayan Shah surrounded and attacked Nuwakot the early in the morning on Ashoj 15, 1801 B.S. ( 26 September 1744 A.D) Nuwakot was under the command and control of Shankhamani Rana, son of Jayanta Rana. The Gorkhali attacked Nuwakot from the sides of Dharampani and the Gorkhu Khola or Gorkhu River in english. Shankhamani was unable to resist the sudden and surprise attack of the Gorkhalis. Dal Mardan Shah, the brother of Prithvi Narayan Shah, killed Shankhamani Rana with the stroke of a sword. Nuwakot came under the control of the Gorkhalis. Jayanta Rana did not return to Nuwakot. Instead, he went to Belkot to his house where he got the news of the attack and the death of his beloved son. Prithvi Narayan Shah asked Jayanta Rana to join the Gorkhali force and fight for Gorkha. However, Jayanta Rana replied that he had committed to serve King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kantipur. Prithvi Narayan shah conquered Belkot, arrested Jayanta Rana and killed him. This was meant to be a lesson to other soldiers that a betrayer of the Gorkhali King would face the same punishment.

Gorkha too had lost many of its trained soldiers in the battle of Nuwakot. However, Gorkha got control of the main trade route to Tibet via kerung of Nuwakot. Gorkha was in a position to improve its economic condition by initiating trade with Tibet. At the same time, Gorkha was in a better bargaining position with Kantipur in terms of trade because Kantipur had to use the Kerung route to carry out trade with Tibet. The fertile basins of Nuwakot too benefited Gorkha. The food granary of Gorkha improved. The soldiers were encourgaged by the victory and economic benefits.