Prithvi Narayan was quick to see his opportunity in the disorder prevailing in the Nepal Valley. He decided to attack Kirtipur, a well-fortified town-let in the south-west part of the valley. It was part of the kingdom of Patan. It was his possession of the two vantage-points, Dahachok and Naldum, and the disunity between the Malla kings which prompted him to plan the attack. Accordingly he came to Dahachok accompanied by Kalu Pandey and all the leading counselors and chiefs. In the discussion which were held there, all his advisors, with the exception of Surapratap and few others, opposed the plan Prithvi Narayan was contemplating. The veteran Kalu Pandey, the infallible astrologer Kulananda, and the seasoned strategist Haribamsa Upadhyaya Adhikari, the frontier officer in command of the outpost, all argued strongly against the invasion for a variety of reasons, urging respectively that the Malla kings had temporarily patched up their differences, that the time was not auspicious, and that they had not so far sent any spies to fraternize with the people and it would be difficult to reduce the post by force of arms alone. Prithvi Narayan became very angry. He rebuked and abused Haribamsa and Kulananda for having sided with Kalu Pandey. He also charged them with vanity in regarding themselves as next to none in their profession, and challenged them saying that unsuccess was inconceivable it he himself took the initiative. He further told Kulananda that if he did not find an auspicious moment for the invasion he would order Balkrishna to do so and would sure achieve success by invading at the auspicious moment declared by him. Kulananda on his part berated Prithvi Narayan , telling him that Balkrishna was a child in comparison with him, and that to begin the campaign on an auspicious moment found by him was to invite disaster. But Prithvi Narayan was disinclined to suspend the operation. He again asked Surapratap and other chiefs and counselors for their opinion. They advised him to invade for they were confident that Kirtipur would be reduced. Kalu Pandey once more implored Prithvi Narayan to suspend the contemplated campaign as the Malla kings and the people of the Nepal Valley were for the moment united, and that the astrologer and the frontier officer, on whom the king himself relied, were also against it. But the opposition only angered him. Feeling himself humiliated, Kulananda left for Lamjung. Balkrishna was ordered to find an auspicious moment for the invasion against Kirtipur, and it began on Saturday, 28 May 1757, the day declared suspicious by the astrologer.
Meanwhile however the kings of the Nepal Valley had heard of the imminent Gorkhalese attack on Kirtipur. They hurried up to patch up their defenses. They realized that Kirtipur was the heart of the Valley and hence its loss to Prithvi Narayan would consequently mean loss of their kingdoms. They also realized that Prithvi Narayan should have been checked even earlier from making his advance to Dahachok. But then they had committed a blunder by letting him occupy it, and hence if they committed another blunder by letting him occupy Kirtipur it would be only inviting their own destruction. Accordingly they got prepared to take joint action for its defense.
Kalu Pandey, who was ordered to do battle when the auspicious moment approached, implored Prithvi Narayan for the last time to desist from invading in view of the fact that the combined armies of the Malla kings had arrived at Kirtipur which was in consequence invincible. He anticipated defeat in the invasion and advised to cause estrangement between the Malla kings first. But far from listening to his advice, Prithvi Narayan charged him with cowardice. Consequently, Kalu Pandey, stung by so unjust an accusation, plunged into the battle, but as he did not expect to survive the fighting he entrusted his elder son Vamsaraj to the care of Prithvi Narayan before marching with his troops. Excepting Kulananda, who left for Lamjung, the sworn enemy of Gorkha, we do not see any of the Gorkhalese officers revolting against Prithvi Narayan in spite of his unreasonable behavior. On the other hand they forgot what the king had said to them and remained loyal to him. There is no doubt that it was to such virtues that Gorkha owed its existence.
Meanwhile Jaya Prakash had marched via Tankeswor with his whole army, and King Viswajit of Patan marched via Ganeshthan to join him. Although the King of Bhadgaun (Bhaktapur) did not join them, his troops were nevertheless sent to assist them in this joint venture. Jaya Prakash attacked Gorkhalese troops in their rear, the troops of Bhadgaun in their middle column and those of Patan in the van. The battle took place on the bank of a pond outside Kirtipur near the Balkhu river. Pressed by the enemies on three sides, the Gorkhalese were badly defeated. The dead numbered 400, among whom Kalu Pandey, Kamu Sahila, Jivan Khan, Lata Khatri, Sahasram Rana, Sobya Banuva and Seikh Zorabar. All the mercenaries brought from the plains by Sakti Ballav, a Gorkhalese officer were killed. A great number of Gorkhalese commandants and members of the traditional families died, and almost an equal number wounded. Kalu Pandey was struck down by Jaya Prakash himself. Prithvi Narayan, who had also participated in the battle, was saved in the nick of time from being fatally wounded by an enemy. It is said that a Sepoy who had raised sword to strike him was obstructed by another and was told that being a king he was not to be killed. He was carried away by a Duan (palanquin-bearer) and a Kasai (butcher), and lasted by Jay Krishna Thapa, a Gorkhalese officer to Dahachok. Jaya Prakash did not chase the Gorkhalese troops on their retreat. He returned with the head of scimitar shield of Kalu Pandey which he hung in the temple of Bag Bhairab in Kirtipur. Next day, he permitted the Gorkhalese to bury the dead and carry away the wounded. He thought that the Gorkhalese were now destroyed, and made great rejoicings. Prithvi Narayan realized his folly for having repudiated the advice given by Kalu Pandey. He was very sad at the huge casualties and at the death of Kalu Pandey. He stationed men for the defense of Dahachok. Those who survived who were sent to Nuwakot. Making these arrangements he also left Dahachok for Nuwakot. He was so sad at the costly defeat of Kirtipur that he suspended his campaign for two years.
Source : Life & Writing of Prithvi Narayan Shah
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