Duar War

Duar War
1864-65
Chronological list of Wars and Campaigns
Location: West Bengal and Assam
Combatants:
British	Bhutan
Result: British victory
Medals: India General Service Medal 1854 Clasp: Bhootan
Links:
Category: Duar War

	See our interactive map of Duar War locations and routes on Google Maps

The Duar War was also known as the Bhutan War.

Summary

Following the 1st Burma War, Assam was ceded to Britain and the East India Company came into conflict with Bhutan over control of the Duars - the plains areas between the Brahmaputra and the foothills of Bhutan. A British mission under Ashley Eden was sent to Bhutan to try to establish political relations but was humiliated and ejected after being forced to sign a treaty ceding the Duars.

Britain declared war on 12 November 1864 using four columns to secure the forts and passes in the foothills of southern Bhutan. After initial successes the Bhutanese regained some of the strongholds and it was seen that a stronger response would be required. Brigadier General Frazer Tytler took over command from General Dunsford and Major General Sir Henry Tombs took over from General Mulcaster. Following a series of victories and the threat of a major invasion of Bhutan, the war ended with the Treaty of Sinchula on 11 November 1865. Bhutan ceded territories in the Assam Duars and Bengal Duars, as well as the 83 square kilometre territory of Dewangiri, in return for an annual subsidy of 50,000 rupees.

British Forces

Duar Field Force commanded by Brigadier-General Dunsford

Dewangiri Column

Three Mountain Guns of Eurasian Artillery Company

One Squadron 5th Bengal Cavalry

3rd Assam Light Infantry

One Coy Sibundy Sappers

One Coy Bengal Sappers

In support at Gauhati

Three Coys 12th Native Infantry

Assam Local Artillery

Sidli Column

Three Mountain Guns of Eurasian Artillery Company

One Squadron 5th Bengal Cavalry

Two Squadrons 14th Bengal Cavalry

One Coy Sibundy Sappers

Half Coy Bengal Sappers and Miners

One wing 44th Assam Light Infantry

In support at Goalpara

Two Coys 12th Native Infantry

Buxa Column

Half Armstrong Mountain Train Battery

Two 8-inch Mortars

2nd Gurkhas

11th Native Infantry

One Squadron 14th Bengal Cavalry

Daling Column

Two Armstrong Mountain Guns

Two 8-inch Mortars

One Coy Sibundy Sappers

One Wing 11th Native Infantry

Two Squadrons 5th Bengal Cavalry

In support at Jalpaiguri

Seven Coys HM 80th Foot

Bhutan Field Force commanded by Brigadier-General Mulcaster

Three Coys HM 48th Foot

Three Coys HM 80th Foot

Two Coys 17th Native Infantry

External Links

Bhutanese-British War of 1865 Google Books
Bhutan War Wikipedia
Political Missions to Bhootan Wikipedia

Historical Books on-line

• Bhotan and the Story of the Dooar War by Surgeon Rennie, MD, 1866. He served with the 80th Regiment archive.org
• "The War in Bootan" page 230, Recollections of a Military Life by General Sir John Adye , RA 1895 Archive.org.
  
• Expedition 1864 archive.org