Hasti Dal Shah facts for kids

Hasti Dal Shah (also spelled Hastidal Shah) was a brave military leader from the Shah Dynasty of Gorkha, a powerful kingdom in what is now Nepal. He played an important role as a commander during the Anglo-Nepalese War. Sadly, his death led to the defeat of the Gorkha army in the area of Almora.

Who Was Hasti Dal Shah?

Hasti Dal Shah was born to Birbaha Shah. His grandfather was Chandrarup Shah, who was the fourth son of King Prithvipati Shah of Gorkha. Hasti Dal Shah had three brothers: Governor Bam Shah, Dilip Shah, and Rudra Bir Shah. This family was part of the royal Shah Dynasty, which ruled Gorkha for many years.

Hasti Dal Shah in the Anglo-Nepalese War

The Anglo-Nepalese War was a big conflict between the Kingdom of Gorkha and the British East India Company. During this war, Hasti Dal Shah's brother, Bam Shah, was the governor of the Kumaun region.

The Battle for Almora

Hasti Dal Shah arrived in Almora with a small group of soldiers to help defend the area. More soldiers were supposed to come from Kathmandu, the capital, but they were delayed. Hasti Dal Shah and about 500 Nepalese soldiers moved out from Almora. Their mission was to protect the supply routes that connected Almora with Kathmandu.

A Commander's Sacrifice

However, Hasti Dal Shah's group was attacked by enemy forces. He was known as a very skilled commander. Tragically, he was killed very early in this attack. His death was a major loss for the Gorkha army. It greatly weakened their defenses in Almora, leading to the eventual fall of the region.