The Silent Cry of Betrawati: Unveiling Nepal’s Frontier Diplomacy from 1788-1792 AD

Abstract

Does Nepal have the capacity to safeguard its territorial integrity against stronger nations? In answering this perennial question, it is imperative to examine the historical period when Nepal confronted the formidable Chinese army, at Betrawati. This paper hypothesizes that, a weaker state’s war with a powerful nation is not a zero‑sum game occurring in isolation; rather, it unfolds in a specific global socio economic and political framework. From this standpoint, the study examines the chronicles of the Sino‑Nepal war of 1788‑92 A.D. Employing a historical research design, the paper relies on secondary data drawn from both public and private documentary sources. It first analyses the strategic environment between 1788‑1792 AD and subsequently examines the nuances of socio‑economic, political and military dimensions shaping the conflict. The article also synthesizes the impact of internal and external factors on the Sino‑Nepalese War and seeks to analyze the geopolitical ramifications of the war. Moreover, the paper posits that assessing how a military fulfills inherited strategic obligations necessitate multifaceted study of history and the socio‑political setting that often transcend conventional boundaries. Finally, the paper argues that despite confronting a militarily superior adversary, Nepal successfully safeguarded its sovereignty and territorial integrity, with the prudent deployment of dense constellation of interacting variables such as terrain, agile diplomatic maneuvering, and the unwavering resilience of the Nepali society.