Battle of Makwanpur (1763)

Battle of Makwanpur was fought on 20 January 1763 in Makwanpurgadhi, Gorkha Kingdom between the Gorkhas and the Nawab of Bengal.^[1] The Muslims fled Makwanpur, resulted in Gorkhali victory, and the first victory of Gorkhas against overseas soldiers.^[1][2]

Battle of Makwanpur
Date 20 January 1763 Location Makwanpurgadhi, Gorkha Kingdom (today part of Makwanpurgadhi, Bagmati Province, Nepal) Result Gorkhali victory
Belligerents
Gorkha Kingdom	Nawab of Bengal
Commanders and leaders
Prithvi Narayan Shah	Mir Qasim Gurgin Khan
Strength
Unknown	3,500 troops

Background

Prithvinarayana, the ruler of Gorkha, aimed to economically isolate the Kathmandu Valley. By 1762, he controlled both the eastern and western trade routes to Lhasa from the valley. Additionally, he conquered strategic locations such as Makwanpur, Timalkot, Sindhuli, and Hariharpur on the Mahabharat range southwest of the valley, effectively blocking the southern routes to India. This blockade imposed economic restrictions on the valley, aligning with Prithvinarayana's objectives.^[3][4]

Clash

Prithvinarayana's actions led to clashes with external forces. Firstly, Ali Mir Kasim, the Nawab of Bengal, was incited by Digbandhan Sena, the displaced ruler of Makwanpur and Prithvinarayana's first wife's brother, to attack the Gorkha stronghold in Makwanpur. In response, Prithvinarayana engaged Mir Kasim's general, Gurgin Khan, at Makwanpur, where he decisively defeated the advancing troops and forced them to retreat.^[3][4][5]

This event underscored Prithvinarayana's military prowess and determination to maintain control over strategic territories, thereby securing his position and objectives in the region.^[3][4]