Ranajor Singh Thapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sri Kaji
Ranajor Singh Thapa
|
|
|---|---|
| श्री काजी रणजोर थापा |
|
| Personal details | |
| Relations | Ranadhoj Thapa (brother) |
| Parent |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nepal |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Anglo-Nepalese war |
Ranajor Singh Thapa, also known as Ranjore Thapa, was an important military leader in Nepal. He served as a governor in the regions of Kumaun and Garhwal. He also commanded the Jaithak Fort during the Anglo-Nepalese war, especially during the Battle of Jaithak. Ranajor Singh's father was a famous general named Amar Singh Thapa. His brother, Ranadhoj Thapa, worked closely with Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa.
Contents
Ranajor Singh Thapa: A Nepali Military Leader
Ranajor Singh Thapa was a key figure in Nepal's military history. He played a significant role in defending Nepali territory. His leadership was especially important during the Anglo-Nepalese War. This war was a major conflict between Nepal and the British.
Early Life and Family
Ranajor Singh Thapa was the son of General Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa. His father was a highly respected military leader. Ranajor Singh also had a brother named Ranadhoj Thapa. Ranadhoj served as a deputy to Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. This shows that Ranajor Singh came from an influential family.
The Anglo-Nepalese War
The Anglo-Nepalese War was a conflict that took place in the early 1800s. It was fought between the Kingdom of Nepal and the British East India Company. Ranajor Singh Thapa was a colonel in the Nepali army. He was involved in several important battles during this war.
The Battle of Jaithak
One of the most important battles for Ranajor Singh was the Battle of Jaithak. He was the commander of the Jaithak Fort. This fort was located overlooking a town called Nahan. The British forces tried to capture this important position.
On the night of December 25, British and Indian soldiers tried to climb the ridge. They wanted to get into a better position to attack Ranajor Singh's forces. Major Ludlow led one of these attacks. He encountered the Nepali soldiers very early in the morning. However, the Nepali forces successfully pushed the British back down the mountain.
Defending the Fort
After this initial attack, Major General Martindell ordered a retreat. This meant the first part of the war ended. Later, General Ochterlony arrived with many more soldiers and modern equipment. This made it harder for the Nepali forces to win.
Ranajor Singh's father, Badakaji Amar Singh Thapa, did not want to surrender. But then, news arrived that Almora had fallen. Almora was an important city, and its governor, Bam Shah, sent a letter about its capture. This meant Ranajor Singh was completely cut off from his father. He also lost contact with central Nepal.
Despite this, Ranajor Singh continued to defend his position bravely. He held on even though he had no support. Eventually, his father had to surrender because he had no help from Kathmandu. Ranajor Singh later joined forces at Sindhuli Gadhi to support his father in a second campaign.
