Explanation: Prithvi Narayan Shah, the first king of unified Nepal, is renowned for his military campaigns that led to the unification of the small principalities in the Kathmandu Valley and beyond. His conquests were part of a larger strategy to consolidate power and establish a unified kingdom. The states of Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, and Patan were all part of the Kathmandu Valley and were captured by Prithvi Narayan Shah as he sought to unify the region under the Gorkha Kingdom.
Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, and Patan were significant because they were the three major cities in the Kathmandu Valley, and their capture was crucial for the unification of the region. Bhaktapur, in particular, was a powerful city-state that had its own rich history and culture. The conquest of Bhaktapur was a significant milestone in the unification process, as it brought the entire Kathmandu Valley under the control of the Gorkha Kingdom.
Kirtipur, a smaller but strategically important town, was also captured by Prithvi Narayan Shah. The capture of Kirtipur was a strategic move to control the Kathmandu Valley and to secure the eastern approaches to the valley. Patan, another major city in the Kathmandu Valley, was also conquered, completing the unification of the valley under the Gorkha Kingdom.
Sikkim, on the other hand, was not captured by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Sikkim, located to the east of Nepal, maintained its independence and was not part of the territories that Prithvi Narayan Shah sought to unify. Sikkim had its own distinct history and culture, and it remained an independent state, separate from the Gorkha Kingdom.
Understanding the territorial conquests of Prithvi Narayan Shah is essential for comprehending the historical context of the unification of Nepal and the political landscape of the region during that period. The conquests of Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, and Patan were integral to the formation of the Gorkha Kingdom, while Sikkim's independence highlights the complex political dynamics of the time.