The Victory Over Kirtipur (1767 A.D)

Prithvi Narayan shah could not defeat Kirtipur in both the battles. He surrounded Kirtipur from Panga, Chobhar and imposed six-month long blockade upon Kirtipur. The blockade made the life of the people of Kirtipur miserable and chaotic. He even blocked the supply of water to Kirtipur. It created the height of suffering, confusion and fear in the people of Kirtipur. The serious crisis compelled to surrender to the Gorkhalis in 1767 A.D. Thereafter, Kirtipur became the territory of Gorkha.

The Second Unsuccessful Attack on Kirtipur ( 1767 A.D September)

After creating economic crisis in the Kathmandu Valley, Prithvi Narayan Shah took a chance to invade Kirtipur for the second time in September 1767 A.D. At this moment, Patan and Bhadgaon ( now Bhaktapur) did not support Kirtipur. However, Kirtipur fought bravely and drove the Gorkhali invaders away. Shur Pratap Shah, the younger brother of Prithvi Narayan Shah, lost one of his eyes. The Gorkhali lost both lives and properties in the battle with Kirtipur.

Victory over Makwanpur

Makwanpur was supplying goods necessary to fulfill daily needs to the Kathmandu Valley because Makwanpur was against Gorkha. Makwanpur wanted to side with the three kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley i.e. Kantipur, Bhadgaon and Patan). So, Prithvi Narayan Shah thought it crucial to conquer Makwanpur and tighten the economic blockade on the valley. Further, there was misunderstanding and cold relations between the Gorkhali King and Digbandan Sen, the King of Makwanpur. Prithvi Narayan Shah wanted revenge too. Makwanpur had fertile land and a suitable climate for agriculture. It was also a trade route to the south. Thus, Makwanpur was in every sense the most strategic state to be occupied by the Gorkhali forces. On 1762 A.D., the Gorkhali force invaded Makwanpur and occupied it without  much effort. Digbandan Sen fled to India and sought refuge from the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Kasim. Digbandan Sen asked Mir Kasim for military help in order to rescue Makwanpur from the Gorkhalis. Mir Kasim sent 2500 to 3000 soldiers to Makwanpur under the command of Gurgin Khan. On 1763 A.D the Gorkhali soldiers surrounded the forces of Gurgin Khan. The Muslim forces could not resist against the guerrilla warfare of the Gorkahlis. Thereafter, the Gorkhalis occupied Bara, Parsa, Sarlahi and Mahottari of the Terai. Similarly, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Nala, Banepa etc. all of which surrounded the Kathmandu Valley, were strategically controlled. This made it possible to tighten the economic blockade on the Kathmandu Valley.

The First Attack on Kirtipur (1757 A.D)

After the victory over Nuwakot, Prithvi Narayan Shah began to occupy the places that are located east of the Kantipur ( now Kathmandu). They were Naladum, Mahadevpokhari, Dahachok, Sankhu, Changu, Dolakha, Shindhupalchowk, Lamidanda, Pharping, Chitlang etc. According to the friendship treaty with Bhadgaon ( now Bhaktapur), some of these places had to be given to Bhadgaon as gifts, but Gorkha did not do so. That act of betrayal seriously annoyed King Ranajit Malla of Bhadgaon. He wanted to distance himself from the Gorkhalis. The Malla rulers of Kathmandu clearly understood the intention of Prithvi Narayan Shah to attack and occupy the Kathmandu Valley. Therefore, King Jaya Prakash Malla of Kantipur sought the help of Patan and Bhadgaon to defend the attack of Gorkhali forces. The three kingdoms ( Patan, Bhadgaon and Kantipur) jointly organized a common force to face the Gorkhali invasion. Jaya Prakash Malla took the leadership of the united force. On the other hand, the series of victories had encouraged Gorkha to attack Kirtipur immediately. On May 5, 1757 A.D., the Gorkhalis attacked Kirtipur on the Day of 'Vijayadashami' ( one of the most great festival of Hindus). Serious fighting took place for six hours at Balkhu and about four hundred Gorkhali soldiers were killed by the 3000 well-equipped soldiers of the united force. General Kalu Pandey of Gorkha was also killed. Prithvi Narayan Shah himself had a narrow escape. He saved his life by running overnight to Nuwakot. In this battle 400 Gorkhali soldiers were killed. However, he kept his soldiers at Dahachowk. The death of Kalu Pandey was a great loss to the Gorkhalis. The loss was due to the hasty decision of Prithvi Narayan Shah who never listened to the wise advice of the courtiers like Kalu Pandey.

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.

Resistance from the Chaubise States and friendship with other states

Prithvi Narayan Shah signed a friendship treaty with Hari Shah, the king of Jajarkot in Benaras ( in India). While returning from Benaras, he paid a courtesy visit to Mukund Sen, the King of Palpa, in Butwal. He also sent a peace delegation to Lamjung because Lamjung was likely to attack Gorkha form the west when Gorkha marched to the east for the unification campaign. Prithvi Narayan Shah met Ripumardan Shah, the king of Lamjung, through Kalu Pandey in 1739 A.D. They signed a treaty of understanding and friendship that when the Gorkhali marched to the east to carry out the unification campaign, Lamjung would remain neutral. Similarly, when Lamjung attacked other Chaubise States ( union of 24 states) Gorkha would support Lamjung. In the same manner, Prithvi Narayan Shah sent his envoys or representatives to Tanahun, Kaski and Palpa to develop friendly relations and cooperation with Gorkha. He also sent his envoy to Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon to remain neutral when Gorkha attacked Kathmandu or Kantipur. Gorkha would, in turn, give Bhadgaon Palanchowk, Dhulikhel, Sankhu and Changu, which were under the control of Kantipur. Prithvi Narayan Shah thus applied various diplomatic efforts to protect Gorkha from all types of threats from the Baise States ( union of 22 states). He, then marched to the east for the unification campaign.

Economic Obstacles and Re-organization of the Army

After the unsuccessful invasion of Nuwakot, Prithvi Narayan Shah (1st king of Unified Nepal) realized his weakness, and thus, gained some practical wisdom. He first focused on improving the quality and quantity of his soldiers and weapons, and on the economic condition of Gorkha. Compared to the Baise states ( union of 22 states) and the Chaubise states ( union of 24 states), Gorkha was economically and militarily weaker. Prithvi Narayan Shah consulted with the people of Gorkha about how to improve the economic condition of Gorkha especially for buying weapons and ammunition. The 12000 households of Gorkha contributed cash, kind and services such as manpower or labour to the state at the advice of tailor 'Bise Nagarchi' and other Gorkhali subjects. On the pretext of going on a pilgrimage tour to Benaras or Banaras ( in India), Prithvi Narayan Shah collected weapons and some experts to deal with the weapons. He returned from Benaras to Gorkha with some weapons, ammunition and Muslim experts to train the Gorkhali soldiers as well as to make weapons. As per the people's wishes, he promoted Kalu Pandey (Banshidhar) to the post of Kazi ( Chief). The administration of Gorkha was improved. The 'Marwat System' encouraged the recruitment of soldiers, and also encouraged the new soldiers to become loyal and committed fighters. In Marwat System plot of land is provided to the family of dead soldier until his offspring get matured.  Prithvi Narayan Shah encouraged and trained his soldiers on using guerrilla warfare. He also sent delegations consisting of his trusted and competent courtiers to Tanahun, Lamjung, Kaski and Bhaktapur to develop trust and friendship. He intended to gain their favour when Gorkha was on its unification campaign in the east.