Beginning of Unification of Campaign

Victory over Nuwakot

After tackling all the problems, hindering the way to his success of unification campaign, King Prithivi Narayan Shah got himself engaged in his plan for the second attempt to attack Nuwakot. All the preparation to go ahead with the plans was almost complete. There were plenty of arms, brought from Benares and the army soldiers were trained. Moreover, Prithivi Narayan Shah got the support from Ranjit Malla, the king of Bhaktapur, whom he had enticed to have in return the territories of Sankhu, Changu, Dolakha, Naldum and Mahadev Pokhari, etc. He had also developed good relation with Lamjung a long-time enemy. In order to have good relation with the western states before moving to the east, he sent messengers to Lamjung, Kaski, Tanahun, etc.

Then Prithvi Narayan Shah took 1000 soldiers to Nuwakot disguised as farmers. The force was divided into three groups led by Mahudam Kirti Shah, Kalu Pandey and Prithivi Narayan Shah himself. On 15 Aswin 1801 BS (26 Sep 1744) Nuwakot was attacked from two sides from Dharampani and Gerku Khola and easily captured. Nuwakot was under the care of Jayanta Rana whom Jay Prakash Malla had appointed the chief of the place. Jayanta Rana was at Kathmandu at that time of the attack by the Gorkhali soldiers. He was stabbed to death in the battle by 12-year old Dal Mardan Shah, a brother of Prithvi Narayan Shah. Some time after the victory won over the Nuwakot, the Gorkhali soldiers took over the territory of Belkot as well.

At Belkot Gaynta Rana was traced out and killed inhumanely. Actually, he was peeled alive. Before attacking Nuwakot, Prithvi Narayan Shah had asked him to join the Gorkhali side. In reply, he said, "Of course, I am yours, but I am obliged to Jaya Prakash Malla."

Victory over Nuwakot was long awaited. It was the main western gateway to the Kathmandu valley. The trade route of the valley passed through Nuwakot. It could be an appropriate site for collecting information about the valley. Gorkhali obtained fertile land for cultivating fruits, good grains and green vegetables. They were benefited by obtaining land situated at higher altitude suitable for having forts on it. Moreover, they were ever encouraged for further victory.

First attack on Kirtipur

After capturing the places like Naldum, Mahadev Pokhari, Sankhu, Changu, Dahachowk, Lamidanda, Dolakha etc., adjacent to the valley, the Gorkhali forces march towards Kirtipur for its annexation. On 15 Jestha, 1814 BS (28 may 1757), they attacked Kirtipur. Fully aware of Prithvi Narayan Shah's future plans, the kings of Kantipur, Bhaktapur and Patan mobilized their joint force in the defence of Kirtipur. In the fierce battle, Gorkhali force was badly defeated. More than 400 Gorkhali along with their commander Kalu Pandey were killed. Prithivi Narayan Shah himself had a narrow escape. It was a huge blow to the Gorkhali who had a longing for hasty attacks and instant victories.

Victory over Makawanpur

The Kathmandu valley was the main target of king Prithvi Narayan Shah. He wanted to capture the valley through economic blockade imposed on it, which could not be possible until Makanpur was captured. Since Prithvi Narayan Shah could not establish good terms with Makanpur he was encouraged for vengeful aggression. He had Dig Bandhan Sen's denial of naulakha haar and one toothed elephant as an insult. On 18 Ashwin 1819 BS(4 oOctober1762) the Gorkhali forces led by Mahoddamkirti Shah, Dal Mardan Shah, Dal Jeet Shah and Sur Pratap Shah and reinforced by Bansh Raj Pandey and Kehar Singh Basnet made sudden attack on Makawanpur which was then ruled by King Dig Bandhan Sen, his brother-in-law and prime minister Kanak Singh. Dig Bandhan sen and his family made an escape to Hariharpur gadhi. The Gorkhali force brought that place into their control.

Dig bandhan Sen then sought the help of Mir Kasim, a Muslim ruler of Bengal, who was in a particular upset by English expansion and wanted to extend his territory towards the north. The Gorkhali force led by Bansa raj Pandey and Keshar singh Basnet attacked them suddenly. They were badly defeated. Later the Gorkhali brought bara, parsa, sarlahi, mahottari, dhulikhel etc under their control which could be beneficial for the economic blockade of the valley.

Second attack on kirtipur

Having captured more states surrounding the valley, the gorkhali set up for the second attempt over Kirtipur. On 1 ashwin 1821 BS(16 september 1764 AD), the force was commanded by Sur Pratap Shah, Daljit shah and Sriharsha panta. Patan, which controlled Kirtipur which was then ruled by Dalmardhan shah, brother of Prithvi Narayan Shah. Although Bhaktapur and Kantipur also did not come for help, the kirtipuri forces fought bravely and stunned their enemies. Gorkhali had to bear the huge loss of life and property.

Victory over Kirtipur

Having been defeated twice, Prithvi Narayan Shah took new strategies for achieving victory over Kirtipur. The Gorkha forces took more areas including Panga and Chovar under their control. They surrounded Kirtipur from all sides and stopped everything from entering there. The Kirtipuri couldn't even manage to harvest their crops. To worsen the situation water supply was also cut off. This brought the great socio-economic crisis in the state. Ultimately after 6 months long economic blockade, Dhanwantakaji of Kirtipur surrendered in 1823 BS (1767 AD).

Victory over English forces

Having captured Kirtipur, the Gorkha forces were now going to attack Kantipur. King Jayaprakash Malla, having no other way out, sought help from the British East India Company. Economic blockade of the valley had also affected the English trade with the valley and Tibet. Capuchin clergymen in Kathmandu were also scared by the gorkhali advancements. British East India company sent a letter of threat to Prithivi Narayan Shah to lift the economic blockade when it was not obeyed, they dispatched a large force about 2400 soldiers under the commandership of captain Kinloch for the help of Jaya Prakash Malla in 1824 BS. Prithvi Narayan Shah who knew all this in advance sent 500 soldiers under the commandership of Bir Bhadra Upadhyaya and Banshu Gurung. Later it was reinforced by another force comprising 700 soldiers led by Bansh Raj Pandey and ShreeHarsha Panta. English forces were attacked in sindhuli and were badly defeated. The gorkhali took hold of 500 guns of the English in this battle.

Victory over Valley

Encouraged by their success at Kirtipur, the Gorkha forces surrounded the Basantapur Palace of Kirtipur from three sides at about midnight on 13th Ashwin 1825 BS (28 Sep 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla along with his people was so busy in celebrating the Indra Jatra festival. The attack was sudden. So Kirtipur forces surrendered without resistance. Patan was captured on 24th of the same month (9 Oct 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla, the king of Kantipur and Tej Narsingh Malla, the king of Patan went to Bhaktapur for the projection from its king Ranjit Malla. On 1st Mangsir 1826 BS (16 Nov 1769) the Gorkhali force had the victory on Bhaktapur in the battle fought for 3 days.

Victory campaign directed to the west and east

After capturing the Kathmandu valley, King Prithivi Narayan Shah diverted his attention to the Chaubisi states of western Nepal. The Gorkhali forces captured Lamjung, Tanahun and Kaski but lost humiliatingly when Palpa and Parvat taking these three states in their side defended jointly in the Tanahun. Aware of the bad defeat of his force, King Prithivi Narayan Shah abandoned his wishful plan of attacking the western states and made advances to the east. He extended his boundary up to the Mechi River by capturing Chudandi, Vijayapur and part of illam. Prithivi Narayan Shah died on 1st Magh 1831 BS before he could make next attempt in the west. The victory campaigns were further continued by his successors such as Pratap Singh Shah, Rajendra Laxmi and Bahadur Shah.