DEHRADUN: Celebrating over 200 years of Gorkha's valour in the historic battle of Khalanga, the two-day annual event concluded in the state capital on Sunday with food fest and cultural programmes. A delegation of retired personnel from British army Gorkhas, who are now residing in Nepal, visited the festival.
The event is organised by Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha, an apex non-political body in Dehradun that works for the uplift of the Gorkha community in the state. Every year, the community celebrates the battle of Khalanga by holding a big get-together at Nalapani, the hilltop on the eastern fringe of Dehradun, where the Gorkha army fought a fierce battle against the British army in October, 1814.
"The festival is held to commemorate the Anglo-Gorkha war where nearly 600 warriors used guerrilla warfare technique for a month to defeat the British. However, the Gorkhas lost but till today they are remembered for their bravery," said anthropologist Lokesh Ohri.
Madhu Gurung, who has penned a book on Khalanga war, said, "The British had to multiply the strength of their soldiers from 10,000 to 30,000 and cut water supply of the zone where Gorkhas operated, in order to win the war . However, the British, too, were impressed as even Gorkha women fought the battle with children tied to their back. The brave women hacked their enemies to death with dagger. In fact, the British erected a memorial as a tribute."
Located 5 km from the hill capital at Sahastradhara Road, Khalanga War Memorial is a famous tourist spot. It is believed to be world's first memorial constructed by an army for its opponent. The dagger, known as 'khukhri', also became a symbol of Gorkha bravery.
According to Ram Thapa, president of the committee formed to organise the mega event, chief minister Hraish Rawat announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the annual festival. "Former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had also announced a grant five years ago, but we only get half the amount every year. Nishank had also allotted Rs 50 lakh to maintain the area for development of eco-tourism, however, no amount has been sanctioned till date. Except for a sitting arrangement near Sagar Tal by forest department, no work has been done so far," Thapa said.
He demanded security for Khalanga War Memorial as he said that it has been damaged by some anti-social elements. Thapa also requested to repair the old Chander Narayani temple in the vicinity.
(Article Credit: Seema Sharma, Times of India; Representational Image)
