Prinsep 1825, p. 458: The entire letter by Bhimsen Thapa is as follows: "Through the influence of your good fortune, and that of your ancestors, no one has yet been able to cope with the state of Nipal. The Chinese once made war upon us, but were reduced to seek peace. How then will the English be able to penetrate into the hills? Under your auspices, we shall by our own exertions be able to oppose to them a force of fifty-two lakhs of men, with which we will expel them. The small fort of Bhurtpoor was the work of man, yet the English being worsted before it, desisted from the attempt to conquer it; our hills and fastnesses are formed by the hand of God, and are impregnable. I therefore recommend the prosecution of hostilities. We can make peace afterwards on such terms as may suit our convenience." Prinsep, Henry Thoby (1825), History of the political and military transactions in India during the administration of the Marquess of Hastings, 1813–1823, Vol 1, London: Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen
The use of English terms for their grades of command was common in the Nepalese army, but the powers of the different ranks did not correspond with those of the British system. The title of General was assumed by Bhimsen Thapa, as Commander-in-chief, and enjoyed by himself alone; of Colonels there were three or four only; all principal officers of the court, commanding more than one battalion. The title of Major was held by the adjutant of a battalion or independent company; and Captain was the next grade to colonel, implying the command of a corps. Luftun, or Lieutenant, was the style of the officers commanding companies under the Captain; and then followed the subaltern ranks of Soobadar, Jemadar, and Havildar, without any Ensigns. (Prinsep 1825, pp. 86–87) Prinsep, Henry Thoby (1825), History of the political and military transactions in India during the administration of the Marquess of Hastings, 1813–1823, Vol 1, London: Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen
Caplan, Lionel. “‘Bravest of the Brave’: Representations of ‘The Gurkha’ in British Military Writings.” Modern Asian Studies 25, no. 3 (1991): 571–97. http://www.jstor.org/stable/312617Archived 22 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
Michael, Bernardo A. “Writing a World History of the Anglo-Gorkha Borderlands in the Early Nineteenth Century.” Journal of World History 25, no. 4 (2014): 535–58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43818464Archived 23 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
English, Richard. “Himalayan State Formation and the Impact of British Rule in the Nineteenth Century.” Mountain Research and Development 5, no. 1 (1985): 61–78. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3673223Archived 15 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
Caplan, Lionel. “‘Bravest of the Brave’: Representations of ‘The Gurkha’ in British Military Writings.” Modern Asian Studies 25, no. 3 (1991): 571–97. http://www.jstor.org/stable/312617Archived 22 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
Michael, Bernardo A. “Writing a World History of the Anglo-Gorkha Borderlands in the Early Nineteenth Century.” Journal of World History 25, no. 4 (2014): 535–58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43818464Archived 23 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
English, Richard. “Himalayan State Formation and the Impact of British Rule in the Nineteenth Century.” Mountain Research and Development 5, no. 1 (1985): 61–78. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3673223Archived 15 December 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
