Duar War
The Duar War was also known as the Bhutan War.
Summary
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 |
---|
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. After initial successes they were defeated by the Bhutanese at Chumurchi. Brigadier General Frazer Tytler took over command of the British forces and, following a series of victories, 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
Bhutan War Wikipedia
Political Missions to Bhootan Wikipedia
Military Operations 1864-66 us.archive.org
Historical Books on-line
Bhotan and the Story of the Dooar War archive.org