Campaign Strategy Of Prithvi Narayan Shah

Campaign Strategy Of Prithvi Narayan ShahAs a sound outline is a pre-requisite to victorious shifts, the outline that Prithvi Narayan Shah (PNS) planned and chased during his trades union hightail its (1742-1773 A. D.), can be assumed vital to his great effect creation of modern Nepal. Indeed, PNSs campaign dodge envisaged employment of wholly state mover/ tools/ shafts including saam, daam, danda, and bhed. Moreover, PNS (1723-1775) conceived of and implemented the schema of sens mobilization for national campaign well before Napoleon Bona carve upe did in 1790s. In that sense, PNS changed the feudal character of war into national war during his unification campaign. Studying PNSs unification campaign strategy can, in that respectfore, be meaningful and insightful for the students of strategical studies and policy makers of the pre dis tush Nepal that is experiencing unprecedented upheavals, chaos, and uncertainty in its history. figure and Scope of the PaperThis opu s aims at highlighting the strategy/ policy, which PNS pursued during his campaign of uniting the Baisi, Choubisi, and Malla principalities. This paper is ground on the ordinary interaction and talks, seminar presentations and interactions, and data/ information available in the books and articles. Further, for ease of understanding, PNSs strategy has been canvass here in terms of Christopher Laynes contemporary definition of strategyGrand Strategy is the work at by which a state matches ends and means in the pursuit of warrantor. In peace fourth dimension, grand strategy encompasses the sideline defining the states security interests identifying the threats to those interests and allocating soldiery machine, diplomatic, and economic resources to back the states interests.In other words, PNs unification campaign strategy is analyzed here as the function of his ends (national manipulation), threats, means, and ways/ courses of action, (Limbu, R. D.).General Situation of th e Subcontinent when PNS became King of GorkhaWhen PNS became the king of Gorkha in 1742, the full(a) Indian subcontinent was facing turmoil politically, socially, economically, and strategically. While the Mughal Empire was undergoing disintegration, the Marathas in the West, Haidar Ali in the South, and the British in part of Bengal were expanding their territories, (Stiller, L. F., 1968).In Nepal during this period, some(prenominal) petty principalities loosely cal lead Baise Rajyas and Choubise Rajyas com worldd the Karnali and Gandak basins respectively. Gorkha was just one of the Choubise Rajyas. During this same period, while the Malla kings draw reind the capital of Nepal Valley divided into three kingdoms, a number of autonomous Kirati provinces under the nominal rule of Sen Kings existed in the region east of Sunkoshi River to the present border of Nepal. The general strategic scenario in Karnali, Gandaki, Bagmati, and Koshi Basins was as follows- at that place were t oo many states confined to a limited space. The average size of a state was non a viable political entity. The big principalities Jumla, Palpa, Mackwanpur, and Vijayapur contained roughly 20,000 houses each and the rest had about 600 to 8000 houses each. The yearly income of regular(a) the richest one was limited to a few thousand rupees. Except Jumla, Piuthan, Palpa, Tanhoun, Mackwanpur and the three states of the Nepal Valley, none of them could be called a state regular(a) in a limited sense, (Regmi D. R.).In theory, though all the states owed their allegiance to the top executive Emperor at Delhi, each state be sop upd as a sovereign one. Every minor contract gave rise to conflict among them. General anarchy and misrule prevailed throughout the region. The peoples were forced to live in blue p perceptibley and misery. The entire region was conquerable to internal and impertinent threats, (ibid).Unification Campaign Strategy of PNSThe campaign strategy/ policy of PNS h as been analyzed in terms of, (1), his purpose/ core interests, (2), major threats, (3), major means/ resources available, and, (4), ways/policies pursued.Purpose and Objectives of PNSNot every historian agrees that national unity was the ultimate purpose of PNS. However, approximately historians argue that having understood the strategic vulnerability of the then existing principalities to growing threats from the south, PNS invaded, defeated, and united them into a whizz kingdom. To this school of thought, creation of a strong and united kingdom out of the weak and divided principalities was the ultimate purpose of PNS. In this paper, this understanding has been assumed to be the sovereign purpose of PNS. Achievement of this purpose entailed violation and enrapture of at least the Kathmandu vale and the Choubisi principalities.ThreatsTo realize his purpose, though PNS did non have to salute any threats from Tibet/ china, he faced numerous threats from the Baisi, Choubisi, and Malla states, and external powers. Moreover, he had to negotiate several challenges that came from within his have got kingdom.Threats from Mir Kasim ( nabob of Bengal) and British east India communityThe Malla kings of Kathmanu valley and the Sen kings controlling Mackwanpur, Sindhuli, and eastern Terai region of Nepal arrested good relationships with Mir Kasim and the East India Company. For preserving and furthering their national interests, these powers preferred status quo in Nepal. As PNS god Nuwakot (1744), Mackwanpur (1762), and Sindhuli (1767), and invested these states for the invasion and capture of the Kathmandu valley, the interests of Nawab and the Company happened to clash with that of PNS.Interference from NawabPNSs conquest of Mackwanpur attracted the attention of the Nawab and the Company, both of which understood the strategic magnificence of Mackwanpur maintaining lucrative trade with Kathmandu valley and Tibet. Moreover, both of these forces coveted the natural resources of Nepal assuming that Nepal feature singular gold mines and gold, which actually came from Tibet in return for the minting of coinages apply in Kathmandu valley and Tibet, (Regmi, D. R.).Initially, the Nawab sent a small detachment in 1762 to test the strength of Gorkhalis. However, the Gorkha force wiped out this contingent in no time. Following this defeat, the Nawab dispatched a big force under Gurgin Khan. In the ensuing affair (1762/ 1763), which carried on for more than a week, the Gorkha force routed the expeditionary forces completely, (ibid).Interference from East India CompanyIn 1767, the Company, mulish to send an expeditionary force under Captain Kinloch to break PNSs siege of the Kathmandu valley. Kinlocks forces suffered from ignorance of the mountain terrain/ weather, the gay championing methods of Gorkhal soldiers, and lack of adequate preparations. Consequently, the expeditionary forces suffered humiliating defeat at the hand of Gorkha for ces, (Stiller, 1968).Threats from Baise and Choubise StatesNo orchis military alliances existed for the maintenance of balance of power among the Baise states. In theory, though the Jumla king had the right to interfere to maintain the balance of power among the Baise states, no effective means existed to enforce this right. Consequently, no interference came from the Baise states during the unification campaign of PNS, (Hamilton, F. B.).However, a crude system of balance of power existed among the Choubise states, which tended to maintain equilibrium among them. For Gorkha, the flying neighboring states in the west, and south-west included Lamjung, Tanhu, and Palpa. Parbat and Kaski, located immediately further west. sure of the implications of expanding Gorkha kingdom, these states formed some sort of security alliance against PNS. The major alliances were as follows, (Stiller, 1995)-Palpa Alliance. Included Palpa, Jajarkot, Ghiring, Rising, Gulmi, Argha, and Khanchi.Lamjung Al liance. Consisted of Lamjung, Tanhun, and Kaski.Malebum (Parbat) Alliance. Comprised Parbat and Galkot.Bhirkot Alliance. Included Bhirkot, Nuwakot (west), Paiyun, and Garahun.Piuthan Allaince. Consisted of Piuthan, Isma, Musikot, Khungri, and Bhingri.Manpower ProblemWhile Gorkha had 12,000 households, (one household could have an average of quaternity to five family members), its immediate neighbors Lamjung, Kaski, Tanhu, and Palpa had approximately 8,000, 8,000, 12,000, and 24,000 households respectively, (Stiller, 1995). The kingdoms of Kathmandu valley had bigger population. Manpower-wise, therefore, Gorkha was not in a favorable position to invade and conquer any of those kingdoms, which often formed alliance to defend their homeland.Scarce Finance and Material Resources and Logistics SupportCompared with the kingdoms of Kathmandu valley, Palpa, and Mackwanpur, Gorkha possessed neither adequate temporal resources nor authoritative sources of revenues. Gorkhas resources could be substantially augmented by the revenues from the captured lands. Nevertheless, initially Gorkha had to suffer greatly from the strain of scarce material resources and logistics required for supporting its sustained offensive campaigns, (Stiller, 1995).Tough TerrainDifficult mountainous terrain definitely favored the defenders, not the invader. Conventionally, an invader in mountainous terrain requires more than three times the strength of the defender.Means/ Resources Available leadership and CommandHistory has testified, An ground forces of stags led by a lion is better than an armament of lions led by a stag. The about important factor in the victorious campaigns of tiny Gorkha kingdom was the slap-up leadership/ command PNS and his field commanders provided for the phalanx, (Hamilton, F. B.). These commanders commanded their troops by example from the front, which was essential to successful campaigns in those eld of close quarter-battles.IntelligencePNS had wisely inve sted, established, and maintained an effective intelligence system eye, ear, and brain of the state on which others state tools were dependent. In the Choubisi region, he deployed his secret agents to every important place. These agents were active in sowing the seeds of discords among the rulers and elites to ensure that there was no concerted action against Gorkha, (Regmi, D. R.).With the promise to provide birta and other incentives, PNS bought support of many courtiers and several moneyed families of Kathmandu valley. Further, a large number of clever Brahmins were apply in Kathmandu on espionage missions. These agents intermeshed themselves in subversive activities creating splits and confusion in the Valley, (ibid).A man by the name of Kirtirajananda Upadhya helped PNSs war childbed from inside the city of Patan. This man was tasked to subvert people of Kathmandu and Patan in concert with his uncle and cousin in furtherance of Gorkhas interest, (ibid). Moreover, PNS ampl y paid the local priests and religious leaders who were secretly helping him from Patan and Kathmandu courts. Later, they genuine free holding of lands. In the beginning, PNS used even the Gosain traders, (ibid).In the Kirat region, PNS active the local Brahmins of the Dudhkosi basin as his main agents. Harinanda Pokhrel was employed in subverting the nine hundred thousand Kirati people and in helping the Gorkhali to capture Chaudandi and Bijayapur. otherwises who were employed included Balkrishna Joshi and Birbhadra Upadhya whom PNS rewarded later, (ibid).The diplomatic missions and others deployed overtly and covertly in various important centers of India and Tibet operated as his external intelligence agents. The means of communications in those days was letters or individual agents/ contacts.Political/ diplomaticUnderstanding the sensitive geo-politic/ geo-strategic location of Nepal, PNS said, This country is like a gourd between two boulders, (Stiller, 1968). Aware of stra tegic implications involved, PNS restricted the foreign traders from entering Nepal. His Dibyopadesh too shows an appreciation of the necessity of maintaining balanced relationship with the immediate neighbors.Overtly and covertly, PNS had established various missions in important centers outside Nepal. At one time PNS deployed Vrihaspati Pandit to Purnea, Kirtimali to Patna, Vaikuntha Upadhaya to the place of Nawab Sujaddaula, and Dinanath to Calcutta. In Lhasa, PNS had posted a man named Rajgiri. British sources corroborate this information, (Regmi, D. R.). He selected the surmount diplomats, (Stiller, 1968).Realizing the strategic implications of British dominance in Tibet, PNS persuaded the Tibetan authorities not to permit the entry of English goods into Tibet, (Regmi, D. R.). However, PNS neer used force against the external powers. He preferred negotiation. He counterattacked them only when they interfered with his campaign.In Dibyopadesh PNS compared Lamjung, Gorkha, and Kathmandu valley with Garuda, snake, and a frog respectively. It meant that as long as its western border remained vulnerable to Lamjung, Gorkha could not capture Kathmandu valley. To secure his western border, PNS adopted the most opportunistic real politic of divide and rule. However, this instrument failed him strategically to expand his territory in the west. However, in case of some of the Baise states he succeeded to separate them from the Choubisis, (Regmi, D. R.). armamentThe most important means/ instrument PNS employed throughout his campaign was his Army, which consisted of several companies, each with about 100 gunmen. This Army comprised both regular and irregular soldiers. Towards the end of his regime, PNS had a minimum of fourteen companies, or about twenty-five hundred men, (Stiller, 1995)PNS made use of rabble soldiers as well. The regular soldiers called tilinga handled guns and daggers based on the situations. The irregulars also handled different type of weapons and were well trained as the regular soldier. Besides, there were men who used only Khuda and Khukuri, (Regmi, D. R.) The Company was commanded by a Subedar (officer) under whom there were six Havildars and as much Huddas. The last mentioned two were junior officers, (ibid).The Subedar used to be the most trusted man with reputation of achievements in four or more battles. He appointed his junior officers, Havaldar and Hudda, based on their battle performance. Only the most courageous would get promotion. (ibid).Every capable individual Brahmin, Kshatri, Baisya, Sudra castes, and others could serve in the Army in different capacities, (ibid). Many believe that PNSs army was an inclusive one. However, the spirit of Dibyopadesh does not support this idea of inclusiveness. recruitment in the Army was done only from certain castes Khash, Magars, Gurungs, and Thakuris, and important command appointments were assigned to those close to the King, (Stiller, 1968). Moreover, Brahmins w ere not recruited as soldiers, (Regmi, D. R.).Other Chubise states also had their armies recruited from the same indigenous materials. Foreign mercenaries were employed in Jaya Prakash Mallas Army. What made the Gorkha army more effective than others was the leadership, command, and incentives received from PNS, who shared his vision as well as risks of war with his troops and provided jagir to each soldier.Economic MeansSound logistic support base is essential to successful military campaign. Moreover, offensive battle in mountainous terrain is much more expensive than the defensive one. Sustained military campaign like the one undertaken by PNS was very costly.Conventionally, it was not possible for PNS to raise and sustain an army strong enough to simultaneously hold the Choubisi alliance in the west and successfully invade and conquer the kingdoms in the east. Moreover, threats from the rising powers of India were also to be catered for.However, PNS invented the system of jagir (land assignment) to resolve the bulk of his financial problem. To every man who served in his army, PNS assigned a jagir, which satisfied the peoples innate aspirations for economic security, wealth, and social prestige, (Stiller, 1993). Further, early capture of ample valley of Nuwakot (1744) and then Mackwanpur (1762) helped him economically in the invasion of Kathmandu valley. Once he captured the rich and fecund Kathmandu valley and controlled the lucrative trade with Tibet, PNS had no major problem to finance military campaigns against the unequipped and divided Kirati regions.Ways/ PoliciesIt can be safely assumed that all the ways/ policies PNS pursued were based on the sound intelligence appreciation of the prevailing situation including the capabilities, limitations, and intentions of the opponents the Malla, Choubisi, and Baisi kingdoms, and the external powers. PNS had invested wisely in overt/ covert intelligence missions for gathering intelligence required for purs uing appropriate policies. Depending on the prevailing situation, PNS pursued all forms of policies saam, daam, danda, bhed in isolation or combination to achieve his purpose.Political/ DiplomaticAppreciating the sensitive and vulnerable geo-political location of Nepal, PNS sought for and maintained a friendly diplomatic relation with East India Company and Tibet/ China without any harm to national interests. However, he presented no opportunities, which provided the foreign powers an excuse to penetrate Nepal. Similarly, PNS tried his best to prevent the British from gaining an access to Tibet, (Regmi, D. R.).PNS pursued the divide and rule policy among the Malla, Choubisi, and Baisi Rajas. Particularly, he resorted to sustained policies including saam, daam, danda, and bhed, to cargo area the Kathmandu valley rulers and western neighbors Lamjung, Tanhu, Palpa, Mackwanpur, Kaski and Parbat weak and divided so that they would not forge alliance against Gorkha. Further, with the issuance in 1773 of Royal Charter (Sanad) that ensured some special rights including the Kipat system for the Limbu-Kiratis, PNS brought Pallo Kirat under his domination without fighting even before the ruler in Morang was defeated, (Regmi, D. R.).MilitaryTo ensure self-motivation, dedication, and loyalty of troops, PNS shared his vision with his troops. PNS appealed, motivated, mobilized, involved and employed the general mass in national war of unification. PNS required his field commanders to command the troops in battles by personal example and ensured fair administration of rewards and punishment.PNS always ensured that he was not forced to fight battles simultaneously on more than one front. He ensured sustained economic quit and envelopment of Kathmandu valley, and systematic tightening of the noose/ ring before the main attack. He conducted protracted subversive trading operations before, during, and after the military campaigns. Whenever possible he tried to win the bat tles through negotiation without bloodshed.As regards the strong East India Company, he resorted only to the defensive war. When forced to fight, PNS pursued offensive defense along with guerilla warfare by exploiting the advantages of mountainous terrain and weather. He countered numerical and technological superiority of East India Company and Nawab of Bengal, by deliberately creating space for drawing their forces deep into the difficult mountainous terrains (e.g. offensive defenses against the expeditionary forces of Mir Kasim in Mackwanpur and East India Company in Sindhuli) to decisively counterattack at a favorable place/ time and destroy them in detail.EconomicPNS adopted the system of jagir to reduce the financial burden of costly war. He encouraged/ appealed to the mass for voluntary donation/ assistance in cash and kinds for his campaigns. PNS conducted sustained economic blockade of the Kathmandu valley. He borrowed money from the traders like the Gosains and the very rich local people such as Harinanda Upadhya Pokhrel, Balkrishna Joshi, and Birbhadra Upadhya of Kirat region, (Regmi, D. R.). He discouraged imports of foreign materials and encouraged indigenous industries and production and, preferably promoted trade with Tibet including continuance of minting of currency coins for both Tibet and Nepal.CulturalPNS avoided interference in the indigenous cultures and traditions. His Dibya Upadesh depicts Nepal as consisting of chaar jaat, chhatish barna. PNS encouraged local culture for engaging the hearts and minds of the people, (Regmi, D. R.). He accepted and worked with the existing regional cultural, social, and fiscal institutions. He required his governors/ commanders/ officials to do the same, (Stiller, 1993).Other Policies/ WaysMass Mobilization of Population and ResourcesTo make up work force and resources shortages, PNS ordered general mobilization of the entire Gorkha population including the tailor and band-player, the cobbler, the bl acksmith, and the sweeper. The idea of war of national unification motivated the entire citizens of Gorkha irrespective of castes and sects. All the youths aged 16 and 30 years were freely recruited into the army and large stocks of weapons were administrated. These youths were given weapons training by some experienced Hindustani experts, (Regmi, D. R.). Thus, PNS changed the character of war from feudal to national. plea of Means by EndsFor PNS any means or ways was fair in war. In several cases, ethical/ moral values found no place in the means he employed to win his war, (ibid).Superior Organization and TechnologySustained battle experiences taught PNS to improve his military organization including the intelligence. PNS also introduced firearms and European discipline in his Army, (Hamilton, F.). He made best use of firelocks, which until his time were totally unmapped among the Choubisi Rajas. The superior organization and firepower of Gorkha troops armed with muskets comple tely outmatched the organizationally weak Kiratis armed with bows and arrows, (Stiller, 1995). Moreover, PNS utilized the work of a master mechanic (Shekh Zabbar) in making matchlocks and gunpowder, which was lacking in the Malla rulers though they also possessed the latest weapons, (Regmi, D. R.).Offensive BattlesTwo of the most important objective ingredients of combat power are firepower and organize power. PNS fought offensive battles characterized both by firepower and by maneuverability, while his opponents fought static defensive battles, stuck to particular terrain, (Regmi, D. R.).Consolidation of StatesEarlier, the kings of Nepal would distribute their newly won territories among their relatives as favors/ honors. However, when his brothers sought same sort of favors, PNS absolutely refused. To him, a state would not remain a state when it was split. PNS treated Nepal as a garden in which all peoples of all religions, castes, and groups deserve to live together in harmony and peace, and with dignity, (Stiller, 1993,).ConclusionPNS succeeded in realizing his purpose, because it was understood, endorsed, and supported by the people, and his strategy was based on ground reality, ingenuity, and innovation. Some of the vital aspects of PNSs campaign strategy were clear understanding and realization of the sensitive geopolitical location of Nepal, clarity in the national purpose, communicating and sharing of national purpose with the people, understanding and treatment of Nepal as a secular nation-state consisting of Chaar jaat, chhatish barna, encouragement of the local cultures of the indigenous peoples, concept of inclusiveness and mass mobilization for national campaigns, and selective/ appropriate employment of available means saam, daam, danda, bhed depending on the situation. Indeed, the wisdoms reflected in PNSs unification campaign strategy more than two centuries ago can still be valid and pertinent to the conception and formulation of prese nt Nepals security strategy/ policy.Ranadhoj LimbuFormer Brigadier General, Nepal Army