Question

What are the causes of unification campaign

Answer 1

Nepal before unification was divided into many small kingdoms which were fighting in the east known as the Koshi region. While there were Malla Kingdoms in the Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu was known as 'the Nepal Valley'. Similarly, the Gandaki Region was known as the Baise States. Due to different battles among them for annexation, the number of states changed very often.

The states were getting weaker due to the internal rivalry and frequent battles. Tibet and British East Company were expanding their territories. This led, Prithivi Narayan Shah's father, Nara Bhupal Shah, to make efforts for the unification of these bickering kingdoms, but he could achieve very little. King Prithivi Narayan Shah launched a successful campaign for unification.

Read these lines:

On reaching Chandragiri, I asked which of the places was Nepal and they showed me one place, calling it Kathmandu, another calling it Bhadgaon and another place calling it Patan. Suddenly an ardent wish to become the king of those townships developed in my mind.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah wrote these lines to reflect his feelings and experiences he fell while reaching the Chandragiri hill on his way back from Makawanpur, the place of his first in-laws house. The wish he expressed in these lines took a form of campaign for the unification of states, which he launched later.

Political obstacle

It was not an easy task to unify Nepal, divided into Baise, Chaubisi, Sen and Mall states. The division stood as a big obstacle to unification campaign. Many of this kingdom were better off politically and economically. Lamjung, in particular, was a great enemy of Gorkha. In the event of the Gorkha force, marching towards Nuwakot, Lamjung could strike from behind. Prithivi Narayan Shah consulted his maternal uncle, the prince of Palpa on the problem. The letter said in reply, Lamjung in a large vulture, Gorkha, a snake and Nepal, a frog. Everyday the large vulture, then the snake will have the frog to eat. In the course of time, there was an agreement reached between Gorkha and Ripu Mardan Shah, the king of Lamjung through the efforts sought by Kalu Pandey (Banshidhar Pandey). Prithivi Narayan Shah promoted Kalu Pandey to the post of 'kaji', as per the wishes of his caretaker mother Chandraprabhavati and his courtiers although he wanted Biraj Bakheti to hold that post.

Economic obstacle

Gorkha with twelve hundred households was not better off economically as compared to Chaubisi states. The poor economic condition of Gorkha was a handicap to the unification venture for the Prithivi Narayan shah. Being aware that help from Makwanpur, lying in the terai was potential for the unification campaign, he had the nuptial relation with Makwanpur state which was strong politically and economically. But the King of Makwanpur, Hemkara's son (Digbandhana Sen) refused to give him 'Naulakha Haar' a necklace, worn by Indra Kumari, his sister at the time of the wedding and also single-tooth elephant used in the farewell procession. All this was intolerable to Prithivi Narayan Shah and he left behind the bride. He married Narendra Lakshmi, a Kanshi princess afterwards. In order to expedite his programme of unification, he appealed his countrymen to cooperate him with cash and kinds for strengthening the army. The people responded positively.

First attack on Nuwakot

After his accession to the throne of Gorkha, Prithvi Narayan Shah launched a place of unification venture. Ultimately, the king sent a force, led by a courtier, Vijaya Thapa to Nuwakot for its aggression. He was attracted towards Nuwakot for its crossroad position between Tibet and Kathmandu valley and for avenging his fath