Survey of Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal by Rutherford and information by Harshadev Joshi
Anglo Nepalese War with Reference to Gurkha Rule over Uttarakhand & Himachal -27
History of Gorkha /Nepal Rule over Kumaun, Garhwal and Himachal (1790-1815) -147
History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -669
By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Student)
Rutherford was magistrate of Moradabad and was in charge for Kashipur Factory too. Rutherford travelled Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal for developing supply of Hemp fiber and Resin from the region for Kashipur factory. Rutherford developed cordial relation with Nepalese Resident of Kumaon Bamshah, his brother Rudraveershah and Hastidal Chautariya. Rutherford developed cordial relation with many administrators, influential personalities, elites and traders of Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal.
Rutherford came for knowing various weaknesses of Nepal administration in Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal. Those personalities were ready for betraying Nepalese and helping British. The company workers working in Kashipur Factory also used visit Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal and had been collecting information. Before war, Governor General asked Rutherford for calling workers and necessary Company materials from Doti, Kumaon and Garhwal.
Information by Harshadev Joshi
Harshadev Joshi provided important defense purpose strategic information of Kumaon, Garhwal, and Himachal to Hearsay. Hearsay compared Harshadev with Richard Neville the Earl of Warwick as King Maker (Saxena, Historical papers relating to Kumaon). Hearsay described that Harshadev had six thousands strong supporters in Kumaon and is strong and energetic at the age of sixty eight. Harshadev had aware senses and had influence on ex Kings of Kumaon, Garhwal and Himachal region. Gurkha used to shiver just hearing his name. In 1797, Harshadev Joshi went to Lucknow as advocate of Kumaon King for putting Kumaon's opposition before Oudh Nabab against treaty between Gurkha and Nabab. He met Nabab Asafuddaula. Nabab introduced Joshi with Resident Cherry. Harshadev Joshi went to Banaras with Cherry. In past, Joshi had communication with Revenue In charge T Graham in Banaras through letter. Just after this period, Cherry was killed in Banaras and in 1803; Jainarayn the son of Harshadev was captured in Johar and jailed in Kathmandu.
In 1811, Harshadev Joshi and Garhwal Prince Sudarshan Shah met Hearsay in Haridwar. Harshadev Joshi was in court of Katoch (as advisor). Perhaps he discussed with other ex chieftains of Himachal Kingdoms to become free by help of East India Company. He left Katoch and started staying in Kankhal. Harshadev Joshi and Sudarshan Shah met Hearsay at Anjanighat in Haridwar.
Harshadev Joshi informed about ex Kings of Himachal who were ready for helping East India Company against Gurkha. Joshi presented complete war planning to Hearsay. Joshi also advised the regions those should be directly under British. Harshadev Joshi informed that Kumaunis did not like Gurkha rule and they would never like Chand rule too.
Harshadev Joshi also handed over some secrete papers about war planning to Hearsay. Hearsay sent those papers to Johan Adam via Moorcroft.
However, Jainarayan Joshi son of Harshadev Joshi was in jail in Kathmandu. Joshi used to have correspondences with Deevan Chandrashekhar Upadhyaya of Kumaon and other influential persons of Kumaon. His language was secreting coded laded language.
Frazer wrote down the details got from Joshi and Sudarshan Shah in his memorandum of Kumaon, Garhwal sent to the Government (Sanawal, Nepal and East India Company).
Other Information
Lal Singh brother of ex Kumaon King Mohan Chand was anxious to get either Kingdom of Kumao or Jagir. Lal Singh was Jagirdar (Chieftain) of Kilpuri and Rudrapur of Kashipur region. Lal Singh was faithful to Company and used to submit information about Kumaon to the Company officials.
Ex Doti King Prithvi Pati Shah also provided information about Doti to the Company. Gajraj Mishra family members, Palpa's migrated influential Court members, Pandeys who were exiled from Nepal living in Banaras also offered information to the Company.
** Most of references and details were taken from Dr Dabral
Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com18/7/2015
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -670
*** History of Gorkha/Gurkha /Nepal Rule over Kumaun, Garhwal and Himachal (1790-1815) to be continued in next chapter
(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
XX
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