This catastrophe portends the coming of conquest and subjection by the growing might of the Gurkhas. 1803-04 Gurkha attack Garhwal in strength. King Pradyumna Shah is dislodged from Srinagar and retreats across the Alaknanda River. Defeated again at Barahat, Uttar Kashi, Pradyumna Shah falls back towards the plains. At the Garhwali kingdom's final stand near Dehra Dun, the King dies with most of his men. 1804-1815 Gurkha rule proves to be despotic and tyrannical.
Military despotism carries off over a third of the population into slavery.
Retribution for the earlier defeat of Gurkha forces in 1791 is long and bloody. Indiscriminate killing and raping marks a military administration interested in solely the pillage and plunder of the land. An oppressive tax levy is imposed. Fields lie abandoned. 1804-1814 Sudarshan Shah, Pradyumna Shah's son, resides in poverty at Bareilly in the plains.