The First Gurkish War (566) was a conflict some nine years before the events in The Blade Itself, between The Gurkish Empire and The Union. Not much detail of the war has been described in the books. It was considered a victory for The Union.
Background[]
In the backdrop to many of the wars between these two great empires, is the conflict between the Magi Khalul and Bayaz. Khalul manipulates the Gurkish Empire through religion, as the religious leader The Prophet. While, Bayaz secretly controls the Union through money and the banking house of Valint & Balk. This personal feud is now centuries old, and revolves around the death of their master Juvens, and Khalul breaking of the Euz's Second Law.
The War[]
Lord Marshal Varuz was the overall commander of the Union forces during the war, while General Malzagurt commanded the Emperor’s. The war occurred mainly of the southern continent of Kanta. Both side claimed victories: The Union in the siege and sack of Ulrioch, remembered for Collem West being first through the breach.
At one stage, the Gurkish forces almost flanked the main Union army near a bridge. However Colonel Sand dan Glokta managed to forestall them long enough for Varuz to lead the army away; albeit at the lose of almost his entire regiment. Glokta himself was captured and imprisoned.
Curiously, Khalul's army of Eaters, The Hundred Words, did not participate in the war.
Aftermath[]
After the war, the merchant Guild of Spicers encouraged The Union to annex the independent peaceful kingdom of Dagoska in Kanta into the realm. The wealthy port of Westport made a significant financial contribution to the war effort, thanks to the influence of the Guild of Mercers, and the Guild was rewarded with exclusive trade rights.
Two years after the end of the war, about seven years before the events in the trilogy, there was an exchange of prisoners, including Glokta. The prisoners in Gurkhul had endured incredibly brutal treatment and torture.
Uthman-ul-Dosht became the new Gurkish Emperor about one year before the events in The Blade Itself, and declared his intention to recapture Dagoska; leading to the Battle of Dagoska and ultimately the Battle of Adua.