Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/83

Rh same time, the news of the fall of Almora having reached the Gúrkha camp, Amar Singh was deserted by the largest part of his forces. But it was not till a breach had been made in the walls of the fort, on 15th May, that this brave old chief would consent to sign a capitulation. By the convention then agreed upon, the Gúrkhas retired to the east of the Kali river, and the whole of the Nepalese territory to the west was surrendered to the English; Jaitak capitulated under this convention.

The western portion of Nepál, a territory more than 200 miles in length, was thus occupied by these successful operations, and immediate arrangements were made for its settlement. The province of Kumáun was taken over and administered by the Government of Calcutta, but the remainder of the conquered tract of country was handed over to the native Rájás whom Amar Singh had dispossessed; the general principle which guided the British authorities being, to leave as much as possible of these districts in the same condition as they had been prior to the Gurkha invasion, practically free and independent, but subject to control and protection from Calcutta in case of internal disorders or foreign disputes. Many of the Gúrkha troops also who had fought so gallantly against the British, were, owing to the convention, disbanded, and some of them were allowed to take service under their former adversaries; in this way three battalions were formed from this excellent military material. The season for active