Who are the Gurkhas? - BBC News BBC News Close share panel Image caption Gurkhas are part of the British Army Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters? "Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army. They still carry into battle their traditional weapon - an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to "taste blood" - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath. Now, the Gurkhas say, it is used mainly for cooking. The potential of these warriors was first realised by the British at the height of their empire-building in the last century. The Victorians identified them as a "martial race", perceiving in them particularly masculine qualities of toughness.

Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931 After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815, which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy. Following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain meant four Gurkha regiments from the Indian army were transferred to the British Army, eventually becoming the Gurkha Brigade. Since then, the Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them. More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, and in the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo and now in Iraq and Afghanistan. They serve in a variety of roles, mainly in the infantry but with significant numbers of engineers, logisticians and signals specialists.

The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded. The ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups, the Gurungs and Magars from central Nepal, the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in villages of impoverished hill farmers. They keep to their Nepalese customs and beliefs, and the brigade follows religious festivals such as Dashain, in which - in Nepal, not the UK - goats and buffaloes are sacrificed. Image caption Actress Joanna Lumley has been the public face of the campaign on behalf of the Gurkhas But their numbers have been sharply reduced from a World War II peak of 112,000 men, and now stand at about 3,500. During the two world wars 43,000 men lost their lives. The Gurkhas are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone, Kent - but they do not become British citizens. The soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal - with about 28,000 youths tackling the selection procedure for just over 200 places each year.

The selection process has been described as one of the toughest in the world and is fiercely contested. Young hopefuls have to run uphill for 40 minutes carrying a wicker basket on their back filled with rocks weighing 70lbs. They are tough, they are brave, they are durable, they are amenable to discipline. Tony Gould, Historian Prince Harry lived with a Gurkha battalion during his 10 weeks in Afghanistan. There is said to be a cultural affinity between Gurkhas and the Afghan people which is beneficial to the British Army effort there. Historian Tony Gould said Gurkhas have brought an excellent combination of qualities from a military point of view. He said: "They are tough, they are brave, they are durable, they are amenable to discipline. "They have another quality which you could say some British regiments had in the past, but it's doubtful that they have now, that is a strong family tradition.

"So that within each battalion there were usually very, very close family links, so when they were fighting, they were not so much fighting for their officers or the cause but for their friends and family." Historically, Gurkhas who had served their time in the Army - a maximum of 30 years, and a minimum of 15 to secure a pension - were discharged back to Nepal. Pension battle But last year, all retired Gurkhas won the right to live in the UK, following a high-profile campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles. Gurkha veterans have also continued to fight for equal pensions with the soldiers they served alongside. In 2007, they won a partial victory when pension rules were changed to give serving Gurkha soldiers equal pension rights with other service personnel in the UK. But the British Gurkha Welfare Society said about 25,000 men who had retired before 1 July 1997 were denied the opportunity to transfer into UK armed forces pension schemes. It said the government had acted unlawfully by paying them a third of the income of UK-based soldiers, and vowed to fight on.

A High Court test case in January 2010 ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence, which argued the pension cut-off date was "justified and proportionate". That decision has since been challenged by the Gurkhas, who have taken their battle to the Court of Appeal. Khukuri House - Gurkha Knives Official Khukuri/Kukri supplier to Gurkhas The Honor of the Khukuri KHUKURI \ KUKRI KNIFE: A mid-length curved knife comprising a distinctive ï¿½Choï¿½ that is the national knife and icon of Nepal, basic and traditional utility knife of Nepalese, a formidable and effective weapon of the Gurkhas and an exquisite piece of local craftsmanship that symbolizes pride and valor which also represents the country and itï¿½s culture. Believed to have existed 2500 years ago; ï¿½Kopiï¿½ is the probable source of the Khukuri that was used by Greek in the 4 th BC. However, khukuri came into limelight only in and particularly after the Nepal War in 1814-15 after the formation of British Gurkha Army.

Basically carried in a leather case, mostly having walnut wooden grip and traditionally having two small knives, it is one of the most famous and feared knives of the world. Some of the famous knives of the world such as the Bowie Knife, the Stiletto, the Scimitar, the Roman Sword, the Machete and so on have all, at one time or the other, played great historical roles as formidable weapons with men have demonstrated raw power and courage during times of battle. The kukri, however, outdoes them all! The great romance and the extraordinary accounts of bravery that this knife evokes are legendary and historic. There are two names for this knife that are now universally accepted, ï¿½Khukuriï¿½ or ï¿½Kukriï¿½. After going through series of names since someone first tried to speak, pronounce or write when it was first encountered or discovered in the early 1600ï¿½s ï¿½Khukuriï¿½ became the strict Nepalese version that is very common, famous and household name in Nepalese literature.

However Khukuri is more known as ï¿½Kukriï¿½ in the western world and beyond which we see is an anglicized version of the British when they first discovered the knife. With khukuriï¿½s origin going back to ancient times, the khukuri is not only the national knife of Nepal but is also symbolic of the Gurkha soldier, a prized possession with which he has indelibly carved an identity for himself. The khukuri has been the weapon of choice for the Gorkhas of Nepal and the famous Gorkhali Sainik of King Prithivi Narayan Shah since 16th century and used for almost everything from a utility tool to an effective fighting knife in battle to a unique piece of decoration that has marked its amazing reputation. The successful war campaigns and swift victory of the Gorkhali Sainik against its enemies must be credited to some extent to this unusual and practical weapon. It is also believed that the universal custom of Gurkha Army carrying the khukuri began from Gorkhali Sanik and that was later made an important part of military issue under the British ownership.

This custom still exists although the size and type of khukuri have significantly changed and improvised. The awesome cutting edge of the khukuris was first experienced by the British in India who had to face it in the well-documented battles since 1814 while combating the Gorkhali Sainik in western Nepal. Thus was born the legend and the romance. In the Gurkha soldier's grip, this seemingly small piece of curved steel called Khukuri or Kukri sometimes, becomes an incredibly menacing weapon with which he has demonstrated rare feats of bravery while facing the enemy in many a battlefield. The khukuri is a medium-length curved knife each Gurkha soldier carries with him in uniform and in battle.In his grip, it is a formidable razor-sharp weapon and a cutting tool. In fact, it is an extension of his arm. When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his khukuri and makes his final "do-or-die" run on the enemy in a fury to finish the business. This scene created the romance and the legends.

What he really did, and still does with his khukuri, is a super-clean slaughter: The enemy tumbles down in two clean pieces- and in surprise! - because his is the kindest, quietest death because it is the quickest. At present, khukuri is recognized as the national knife of Nepal. Known more than being just a revered and effective weapon, the khukuri is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every household, especially of those belonging to the Gurung, Magar, Rai, Limbu and Tamang ethnic groups of central and eastern Nepal. A Nepali boy is likely to have his own khukuri at the tender age of five or so and necessarily becomes skilful in its usage long before his man hood. It is also likely that the boy will have painful encounters with his khukuri but his belief and bonding in the process with the khukuri will teach him how to use and respect it.

Moreover, apart from the fact that the khukuri is an exceptionally effective tool that denotes a strong character, it also symbolizes bravery and valor and is a Nepalese cultural icon, it also represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese craftsmanship and is indeed a unique memento for you to take back home from Nepal. The construction of khukuri is very basic and simple yet it has style and class of its own. In Nepal people still use very traditional and primitive method and conventional tools to make it. In early Nepal most villages would have a metal smith or famously known as ï¿½Kamisï¿½ who forged khukuirs to their best ability. In todayï¿½s context there is a good deal of mass production done in a organized and systematic way where Kamis from different places come together under the same shade and work for a contractor who is responsible for all management, business and financial activities. The khukuri blades have always varied much in quality. Inferior and high quality steels both have been equally used thus needs an expert eye and skill to distinguish one from the other. Old heavy vehicles spring (suspension) steel has always been the source of a good quality khukuri blade.

Khukuris in the earlier days were much longer than the modern ones and significantly varied in shape and size than its contemporary siblings; and also had steel fixtures. Army khukuris issued to the Gurkhas during the World War era had stampings like name of manufacturer, inspection date, issue date and sometimes name of the military unit. Khukuris were than longer and more curved than the current issues. Along with traditional and village khukuris even the army knives have intensely changed over the years to adapting to the modern times and its developments. Khukuri grips are normally made from local walnut wood called ï¿½Sattisaalï¿½ in Nepalese, domestic water buffalo horn and some very fancy from brass, aluminum; and even ivory and rhino horn are used for some very special ones. Basically two types of tang are applied; one is the rat-tail tang that goes all the way through the handle narrowing its surface area as it finishes towards the end of the handle and its end/tail is penned over and secured.

The other is the full flat tang that also goes through the handle but the tang can be seen on the sides of the handle and steel rivets are fixed to secure the handle to the tang and a pommel plate or butt cap is also fitted at the end to enhance the total fixture; this type is called as ï¿½Panawal Handleï¿½. Most of ancient khukuris used to have wooden handle with rat tail tang however, surprisingly, the tail did not come all the way through the handle. The handles were curved unlike the modern ones and had steel or iron fixtures in most cases. The exact origin or who initiated the ï¿½Panawalï¿½ handle is not known but probably started in early 1900ï¿½s when Kamis were influenced by British Knives and they undertook the new better version. It is also likely that the handle demanded better treatment as rat tail handle were not strong enough to hold the long blades when put hard on job. Today different materials are used in the khukuri and are improvised to better suit the demands of today and for better results nonetheless traditional styles have been retained except for a few exceptional and unique ones.

The khukuri is carried in scabbard, “Dap” in Nepalese, where normally 2 pieces of wooden frames are covered with water buffalo hide or other domesticated animal parts and may or may not have brass or steel protective chape depending on the type of khukuri. Khukuri scabbard like the blade and handle has come a long way with many changes and modifications along the way to keep up with the ever changing time and need. Scabbards from early days did not have belt frog and people used untreated untainted raw leather hide just for the mere shake of carrying the Khukuri blade. Khukuri were thus stuck in the ownerï¿½s sash or ï¿½Patukaï¿½ as frogs or any sorts of holder were missing. After the formation of British Gurkhas frogs were introduced by British to carry khukuri from waist belt and later steel and brass fixtures were used to look good and also to protect the naked tip of the scabbard. Some khukuris have decorative scabbard with beautifully well done wooden, horn, silver, brass work and sometimes ivory.

Khukuri that are especially intended for display purpose, are given extra time and effort to its scabbard by using horns, wood and other expensive decorative materials crafting beautiful designs and carvings with traditional and religious symbols in the scabbard. It is a customary in Gurkha Army to present a retiring officer with a Kothimoda khukuri (silver case) to honor his outstanding long and loyal service to the regiment and the country. Khukuri scabbard also has two pockets at the back that carry blunt steel called ï¿½Chakmakï¿½ for sharpening the khukuri blade and also for striking sparks from flint and a little sharp knife called ï¿½Kardaï¿½ used as a small utility knife. Very old scabbards along with Karda and Chakmak also had an extra leather pouch (Khalti) attached to it used for carrying small survival kits or most of the time small piece of flint to create a spark with the Chakmak. However, army khukuris in world war days and most khukuris in 19th and early 20th centuries did have neither the Karda Chakmak nor the extra pouch.

It is only after the mid 20th century Karda and Chakmak were again placed back in the Gurkha knives to maintain the khukuri tradition. Most khukuri at present have Karda Chakmak however Khalti is ignored. Shapes and sizes of khukuris from ancient to modern ones have varied intensely from place to place, person to person, maker to maker and so forth. Khukuri made in the Eastern village Bhojpur, very famous for khukuris, make fat thick blade where as Sirupate, the most famous khukuri in Nepal is very slim and thin. Similarly khukuris from Salyan are long and slender with deeper belly and Dhankuta, a village in the east make simple standard army type blade but gives emphasis on the scabbard by making it decorative and ornate. Khukuris made during the 18th and 19th century was much longer and more curved than its modern counterparts. The shapes were often very broad belly and heavy or very curved slender and thus very light.

Only the standard army issue were and are made of the same dimension and measurement in order to bring uniformity and tidiness to the unit; where as local khukuris still continue to vary from one another making it impossible to characterize or distinguish a particular khukuri from the rest. Moreover, since all khukuris are totally handmade even the same type and version tend to differ a bit leaving the impression of the habitual of the maker and his individuality. Khukuri, National Knife Of Nepal, Gurkha Knife. The excellent cutting power of Khukuri (Gurkha knife) was first experienced by the British in India who had to face it in the battles since 1814 while combating the Gorkha army in western Nepal. From that very moment Khukuri (Gurkha knife) established its fame and became legend. So the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is also known by the name of Gurkha knife. In the Gurkha soldier's grip, this small piece of curved steel “Gurkha Knife” becomes an incredibly menacing weapon with which he has demonstrated rare feats of bravery while facing the enemy in many a battlefield.

This excellent piece of “Gurkha Knife” also Nepalese knife has fought many battles in the Nepalese History and has shown very good reputation. Because of that the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is Nepal’s national knife. The blade of Gurkha soldiers “Gurkha Knife” has its own fame and popularity. All the Nepalese people are so proud of this “Gurkha Knife” that this gurkha knife, Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is liked by all the Nepalese people. Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is a medium-length curved knife with comfortable weight each Gurkha soldier carries with him in his uniform and in battle. In his grip, this “Gurkha Knife” or the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) it is a formidable razor-sharp weapon and a cutting tool. When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his Khukuri (Gurkha knife) and makes his final "do-or-die" run on the enemy in a fury to finish the job. This scene created the romance and the legends.

What this legendary knife the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) really did, and still does, is a super-clean slaughter: The enemy tumbles down in two clean pieces- and in surprise! because his is the kindest, quietest death because it is the quickest. Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is the national knife of Nepal, originating in ancient times. More than being just a revered and effective weapon, however, the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is also the peaceful all-purpose knife of the hill people of Nepal. It is a versatile working tool and therefore an indispensable possession of almost every household, especially of those belonging to the Gurung, Magar, Rai and Limbu ethnic groups of central and eastern Nepal. Moreover, apart from the fact that the Khukuri symbolizes bravery and valour and is a Nepalese cultural icon, it also represents an exquisite piece of Nepalese craftsmanship and is indeed a unique memento for you to take back home from Nepal. The blade of the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is made up of steel and the handle is made up of wood, buffalo horn and metals.

The Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is carried in a scabbard (Dab in Nepali) which is a wooden frame covered with leather and has a protective metal cap over the tip. Some scabbard is wrapped with cotton instead of leather. Some scabbards are even decorated with silver. The scabbard has two pockets to hold the two tiny knives tucked behind it. Karda: A small knife, its main purpose is to cut small things and also work as a skinning knife. Chakmak: A sharpener, the main purpose of this Chakmak is to sharp the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) and maintain the sharp edge of the Khukuri (Gurkha knife). It can be used as a flint maker also. The Notch (Kaura) in the blade near the hilt of most Khukuri (Gurkha knife) serve as a conduit for the blood on the blade to drip out thus prevents it from soiling the hilt, as well as a device for catching and neutralizing an enemy blade. It also represents the Hindu fertility symbol.

The Khukuri (Gurkha knife) is not only the national knife but also has great religious importance and is worshipped by the Nepalese during the grand Hindu festival Dashain. The oldest khukuri (Gurkha knife) known to exist is the one on display at the National Museum in Kathmandu which belonged to Drabya Shah, the King of Gorkha in 1627. It is, however, certain that the origins of the knife stretch further back. The machira, the cavalry sword of the ancient Macedonians which was carried by Alexander's soldiers when it invaded north-west India in the 4th century BC, closely resembled the khukuri (Gurkha knife). The origin of the khukuri (Gurkha knife) has also been linked to the development of a form of blade similar to the classic Greek sword or kopis. Others suggest that it originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th century. Still others find similarities in the construction of some Khukuris (Gurkha knife) to techniques of sword making found in Japan.

The weapon may, however have been developed in isolation Nepalese peasants. Whatever be the roots, Nepal, the Gurkhas and the Khukuri (Gurkha knife) are inseparable in reputation. The fact that khukuri (Gurkha knife) is the national knife of Nepal. Khukuri Knife to expose the art and tradition of khukuri to the out side world. The making of a single khukuri (Gurkha knife) four men fully occupied for an entire day, sometimes even more. The raw materials for making khukuri (kukuri) -steel, brass, Rose wood, buffalo hide and horn - are first carefully selected. Only the best are utilized. Then only the actual process of making the Khukuri starts. Beating and shaping the steel to exact specifications -both measurements and weight -tempering, polishing and sharpening it, shaping the sheath and encasing it with leather, carving the handle and finally putting everything together are both time and energy consuming. Everything is done by hand and the only machine used is a lathe for shining the khukuri. What makes khukuriKnife khukuri (Gurkha knife) so special !!

The same thing which make the knife so revered; four men working a full day to craft each blade; high grade carbon steel; authenticity rather than decoration. These are the real things, not fancified souvenirs peddled by hawkers on the streets. They are honest, powerful and graceful blades, which have the pride of legendary Gurkhas for nearly 200 years and the pride of their owners since times immemorial . Considering the amount of time and effort invested in the making of each khukuri (kukuri), the prices of the khukuries are surprisingly reasonable - They are, therefore, absolute bargains. The Khukuri is carried in a wooden (often leather covered) stealth. There are two tiny knives tucked behind it. Karda: A small knife tucked behind the scabbard, its main purpose is to cut small things and also work as a skinning knife. Chakmak: A sharpener tucked behind the scabbard. It can be used as a flint maker also. Notch: the notch near the handle on the blade is a Hindu fertility symbol. It is also the footprint of a cow (cow is a secret animal in Hindu religion).

So the notch forbids slaughtering sacred animal with it. The Gurkhas also kept promises with it that they will never use this weapon on women and children. Nevertheless, the knife being the lethal weapon, the notch on it is for the blood to dip and not to soil the holder's hand, so the user can maintain his grip for further demonstration. We have wide varsities and collection of khukuri (Gurkha knife) ranges start from small khukuri (Gurkha knife)replica called the "Paper knife" to Buff head Sacrificial ones. All khukuris are made of Hi-Carbon Steel using fine raw materials and are crafted by skilled craftsmen known as the "Bishwakarmas(born khukuri makers)". Who are the Gurkhas? - BBC News BBC News Close share panel Image caption Gurkhas are part of the British Army Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years, but who are these fearsome Nepalese fighters? "Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of the world-famous Nepalese Gurkha soldiers who are an integral part of the British Army.

They still carry into battle their traditional weapon - an 18-inch long curved knife known as the kukri. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to "taste blood" - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath. Now, the Gurkhas say, it is used mainly for cooking. The potential of these warriors was first realised by the British at the height of their empire-building in the last century. The Victorians identified them as a "martial race", perceiving in them particularly masculine qualities of toughness. Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931 After suffering heavy casualties in the invasion of Nepal, the British East India Company signed a hasty peace deal in 1815, which also allowed it to recruit from the ranks of the former enemy.

Following the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain meant four Gurkha regiments from the Indian army were transferred to the British Army, eventually becoming the Gurkha Brigade. Since then, the Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them. More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, and in the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo and now in Iraq and Afghanistan. They serve in a variety of roles, mainly in the infantry but with significant numbers of engineers, logisticians and signals specialists. The name "Gurkha" comes from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded. The ranks have always been dominated by four ethnic groups, the Gurungs and Magars from central Nepal, the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in villages of impoverished hill farmers.

They keep to their Nepalese customs and beliefs, and the brigade follows religious festivals such as Dashain, in which - in Nepal, not the UK - goats and buffaloes are sacrificed. Image caption Actress Joanna Lumley has been the public face of the campaign on behalf of the Gurkhas But their numbers have been sharply reduced from a World War II peak of 112,000 men, and now stand at about 3,500. During the two world wars 43,000 men lost their lives. The Gurkhas are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone, Kent - but they do not become British citizens. The soldiers are still selected from young men living in the hills of Nepal - with about 28,000 youths tackling the selection procedure for just over 200 places each year. The selection process has been described as one of the toughest in the world and is fiercely contested. Young hopefuls have to run uphill for 40 minutes carrying a wicker basket on their back filled with rocks weighing 70lbs. They are tough, they are brave, they are durable, they are amenable to discipline.

Tony Gould, Historian Prince Harry lived with a Gurkha battalion during his 10 weeks in Afghanistan. There is said to be a cultural affinity between Gurkhas and the Afghan people which is beneficial to the British Army effort there. Historian Tony Gould said Gurkhas have brought an excellent combination of qualities from a military point of view. He said: "They are tough, they are brave, they are durable, they are amenable to discipline. "They have another quality which you could say some British regiments had in the past, but it's doubtful that they have now, that is a strong family tradition. "So that within each battalion there were usually very, very close family links, so when they were fighting, they were not so much fighting for their officers or the cause but for their friends and family." Historically, Gurkhas who had served their time in the Army - a maximum of 30 years, and a minimum of 15 to secure a pension - were discharged back to Nepal. Pension battle But last year, all retired Gurkhas won the right to live in the UK, following a high-profile campaign led by actress Joanna Lumley, whose father served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles.

Gurkha veterans have also continued to fight for equal pensions with the soldiers they served alongside. In 2007, they won a partial victory when pension rules were changed to give serving Gurkha soldiers equal pension rights with other service personnel in the UK. But the British Gurkha Welfare Society said about 25,000 men who had retired before 1 July 1997 were denied the opportunity to transfer into UK armed forces pension schemes. It said the government had acted unlawfully by paying them a third of the income of UK-based soldiers, and vowed to fight on. A High Court test case in January 2010 ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence, which argued the pension cut-off date was "justified and proportionate". That decision has since been challenged by the Gurkhas, who have taken their battle to the Court of Appeal.

Gurkhas Khukuri House:: The Brave Gurkhas Join With us / Tell Friends Name : Email : | "Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had country more faithful friends than you." Those words, written by Sir Ralph Turner, a former officer in the 3rd Gurkha Rifles, in order to describe the Gurkha soldiers who service in Britain, India, Singapore and Brunei as a special arm force. 'It is Better to die than to be a coward' - the motto of the world famous Gurkha Soldiers. They equipped with modern SA80 rifles and are renowned as natural marksmen. But they still carry into battle their traditional weapon - a 16" long curved knife known as Khukuri. In times past, it was said that once a Khukuri was drawn in battle, it had to 'taste blood' - if not, it's owner had to cut himself before returning into its sheath. The Appellation Gurkha - by now the other name of Valor, Courage, Steadfastness, Loyalty, Neutrality and Impartiality come from the Gorkha, a small hilly town in mid - west Nepal.

Now, most of the people say for the legendary Gurkhas - "When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha draw out his Khukuri and makes his final 'do - or -die' run on the enemy in a fury to finish the business." The term Gurkhas is traditionally used to describe the men of Nepal who serve as soldiers in the armies of Nepal, Britain, or India. The word Gurkhas originated from Gorkha, a hilly state in Nepal, where king Prithivi Narayan Shah reigned early 17th century. He had very strong, loyal, tough and devoted Gorkhali armies from whose contribute he succeeded in uniting Nepal into one kingdom around 1768-69 AD. In 1814, the war broke out between brave Gorkhali and mercantile East India Company (which is called Anglo - Nepalese War 1814-1816). In that conflict, British in Indian first experience the effectiveness and inner power Gorkhali when they faced the Gorkhali in Western Nepal. After two years bloody campaigns, a peace treaty was signed.

During the war, a deep feeling of mutual respect and admiration developed between the British and their adversaries. Although the British defeated Nepal, they were so impressed by the Gurkha fighters that they enticed them to enter the British (and subsequently, Indian) army. Under the terms of the peace treaty, following the war, large numbers of Gorkhali were permitted to volunteer for service in the East India Company and from those volunteers were formed the first regiment of Gurkhas in 1815. Since then, many Nepalese mostly the Rais, Limbus, Gurungs and Magars have served and still serve in the British Army. The Gurkha Regiments have fought in various conflicts over the following 40 years before proving where their loyalty lay during the Indian Mutiny in 1857. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the entire Nepalese Army was placed at the British crown. They fought with bravery in France, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine and Laos. Two Gurkhas won Victoria Crosses, British highest military honor.

When the World War II broke out in 1939 the Gurkhas again come to British's aid, more than 112,000 men served in 40 battalions in battles in the Western Desert, Italy, Greece, Malaya, Singapore and Burma. Ten Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Gurkha soldiers. In the 185 years they have served in the British Army, the Gurkhas have won 26 Victoria Crosses, along with other British military honors, more than any other single group in the army. More than 200,000 Gurkhas fought in two World Wars, with 14,000 killed in engagements in France, Middle East, Malaya, Boreno, Cyprus, and the Falklands. The Gurkhas have loyally fought in nearly all of the World's major wars and have earned Britain's highest service awards. The Gurkhas have earned their fame and have made their mythical and legendary figure toward the world. All knives are made of Hi-carbon steel using best raw materials by master craftsmen.

The largest and best manufacturers and distributors of genuine Gurkha knives and original Nepalese khukuris. Made by the best makers in the world, "The Biswakarmas" (Born Khukuri Makers). Existance and Experience for over 15 years. Official Gurkha Army Kukri| Authentic Khukuri House Nepal| Nepal Army Knife Wholesaler Welcome to Gurkhas Kukri Introduction The khukuri is a Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved blade, similar to a machete, used as both a tool and as a weapon in Nepal and some neighbouring countries of South Asia. Traditionally it was, and in many cases still is, the basic utility knife of the Nepalese people. It is a characteristic weapon of the Nepalese Army, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, Assam Rifles, Assam Regiment of Indian Gurkha Army, and of all Gurkha regiments throughout the world, so much so that some English-speakers refer to the weapon as a "Gurkha blade" or "Gurkha knife". The khukuri often appears in Nepalese heraldry and is used in many traditional rituals such as wedding ceremonies.

The kukri is designed mainly for chopping but it can also be used to stab. The shape varies a great deal from being quite straight to highly curved with angled or smooth spines. There are substantial variations in dimensions and blade thickness, depending on intended tasks, and also by region of origin and producing kami. As a general guide the spines vary from 5-10mm by the handle, and can taper to 2mm by the point, and blade lengths can vary from 26–38 cm for general use. The kukri knife is designed for general purpose is commonly 16 to 18 inches (around 40–45 cm) in overall length and weighs one to two pounds (around 450-900 grams). Bigger examples are impractical for everyday use and are rarely found except in collections or as ceremonial weapons. Smaller ones are of more limited utility, but very easy to carry. The Big Question: Who are the Gurkhas and what is their contribution to military history? | The Independent The Big Question: Who are the Gurkhas and what is their contribution to military history?

Wednesday 29 April 2009 23:00 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Why are we asking this now? Because yesterday the Government was forced into a climb down over its refusal to allow all former Gurkha soldiers to settle in the UK after they had left the British Army. It had faced a Commons defeat over the restrictive policy it had introduced in response to a High Court ruling last year that Gurkhas who left the Army before 1997 – when the Gurkhas' base moved from Hong Kong to Kent – had an automatic right of residency in the United Kingdom. The changes it had announced earlier this week were hedged about with so many conditions that campaigners said only a few hundred veterans would ever qualify. The Government had said that the changes would allow around 4,300 more former Gurkhas to settle here out of the 36,000 who served in the British Army before July 1997. But yesterday the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith pledged to carry out an immediate review of the policy. Where are the Gurkhas from?

The 3,500 Gurkhas in the British Army all originate from the hill-town region of Gorkha, one of the 75 districts of modern Nepal. But their name comes not from the place but is said to derive from an 8th century Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath. Legend has it that it was he who gave the Gurkhas the famous curved bladed knife, the kukri. The Gurkhas are mainly impoverished hill farmers. How do they come to be in the British Army? Almost 200 years ago troops in support of the British East India Company invaded Nepal. They suffered heavy casualties at the hands of the Gurkhas and signed a hasty peace deal and offered to pay the Gurkhas to join their army. A soldier of the 87th Foot wrote in his memoirs: "I never saw more steadiness or bravery exhibited in my life. Run they would not, and of death they seemed to have no fear, though their comrades were falling thick around them".

Some 200,000 Gurkhas then fought in the British Army in the First and Second World Wars - in France, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Gallipoli, Palestine, Salonika and in the desert with Lawrence of Arabia and then across Europe and the Far East in World War II. They have since served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Do they serve only in British forces? No. After the partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain transferred four Gurkha regiments from the British to the Indian army. Its Gorkha Brigade (it changed the spelling) now has 120,000 Gurkhas in forty-six battalions. There are Gurkhas in the Malaysian army and the Singapore Police Force both bodies formed from ex-British Army Gurkhas. How tough are they? Around 28,000 Gurkha youths compete for just 200 places in the British Army each year.

To qualify they must be able to do 75 bench jumps in one minute and 70 sit-ups in two minutes. Then they participate in the world's most arduous military selection test, the doko - running 5km up a steep track in the foothills of the Himalayas, carrying 25kg of rocks on their back, in less than 55 minutes. No wonder the Gurkhas are famed for their resilience, self-restraint and courage. Are they really outstandingly brave? Their motto is "Better to die than be a coward". In the First World War, in which 20,000 of them were casualties, they won almost 2,000 awards for gallantry. At the Battle of Loos in 1915 a Gurkha battalion fought literally to the last man. At Gallipoli they were the first to arrive and the last to leave. Sir Ralph Turner MC who served with them then wrote an epitaph: "Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you".

If there was a minute's silence for every one of the 23,000 Gurkha casualties from World War II, the nation would have to fall quiet for a full fortnight. How many Gurkhas have won the Victoria Cross? There have been twenty-six awards of this highest badge of courage made to members of the Gurkha regiments, half to Gurkhas and half to their British officers – more than to any other regiment. Some of the acts of bravery were extraordinary, like that of Rifleman Tul Bahadur Pun, now 87, who won the VC fighting the Japanese in the jungles of Burma. Only three of his section survived the onslaught from the enemy. When all his comrades were dead or wounded he snatched up a Bren gun and made a solitary charge across 30 yards of open ground to take a Japanese machine gun which he then used to give covering fire that save a large number of Britsih lives, including that of Major James Lumley, whose actress daughter Joanna is now one of the staunchest campaigners for the Gurkha cause. What happens after they leave the Army? Rifleman Pun returned to a tiny Nepalese hill village and raised six children.

He lived on an army pension that was a fraction of those of British servicemen, in a small cottage without running water or electricity until his health began to fail. As heart problems, diabetes and asthma assailed him, and he was unable to obtain the drugs to treat them, he applied for permanent residency in Britain – only to be told that, despite being invited to the Queen's coronation in 1953, he had "failed to demonstrate strong ties with the UK". A more recent veteran is Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rei, 52, who fought in the Falklands. He had his back ripped open by shrapnel, and was left in constant pain, but his application for a visa to enter the UK for treatment on the NHS was refused. In 2005, after the Gurhkas used the Human Rights Act to appeal against their inequitable treatment compared with regular British army soldiers, the government agreed to increase the Gurkha pension for retirement after 1997 from £95 to at least £450 a month.

But there remain 10,500 Gurkhas and 5,000 widows who receive no pension and live in near poverty; they are mostly veterans of the Second World War and are more than 80 years of age. They rely on £6 a month form a Gurkha welfare charity. Many ex-Gurkhas and their families live in Hong Kong, scraping a living in private security. The United States Navy also employs some Gurkhas as sentries at its Bahrain naval base. Why won't the Government allow them to live in the UK? Nepal is not a member of the Commonwealth. Gurkhas have never been subjects of the British Crown. The government says that letting all 36,000 ex-Gurkhas into the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration service. Gordon Brown has claimed that the country cannot afford to look after them all. But hardly anyone else in the country seems to agree with him. Should the government allow all ex Gurkha soldiers to settle in the UK? Yes... * The country owes a duty of care to men who have served it with the particular dedication typical of Gurkhas.

* The amounts on money involved a trifling compared with what the government has produced for other causes recently. * Conditions back in the Gurkha hill villages of Nepal as particularly tough for those suffering from injuries incurred in the Army. No... * Nepal is not a member of the Commonwealth and Gurkhas are not British subjects. * Letting in all 36,000 ex-Gurkhas into the UK would lead to "massive pressure" on the immigration and social services. * The country has to balance its duty to the Gurkhas with its reduced abilities to finance such deals. More about: GurkhaKnives.com - Khukuri Palace - The Real Blade Of Gurkhas - We Believe in Authenticity NEW OFFICAL KHUKURI SUPPLIER TO BRITISH GURKHA ARMY Gurkhaknives.com - Khukuri Palace Before answering the actual question, let us mention some of the great and famous knives of the world: Bowie Knife, Stiletto, Scimitar, Roman Sword, Samurai, Machete and so on. All have played great historical roles because of their cutting edge. Khukuri is the most famous of them all.

It is partly so because of the romance and myths behind them utterly unbelievable. Actually, it is because of the decisive slashing edge of the Khukuri which became well-known to those who had to face it in the well-documented battlefields since 1814 when the British in India first experienced its effectiveness when they faced the Gurkhas in Western Nepal. Thus was born the legends and romance. The history is something else. Khukuri is the national knife of Nepal, originating in ancient times. It is all-purpose knife of the hill peoples of Nepal, especially the Magars and Gurungs in the west, and the Rais and Limbus in the east. These peoples are called the Gurkhas who form the formidable Brigades of Gurkhas both in the British and Indian Armies, not talking of the Royal Nepal Army itself. It is a medium-length curved knife each Gurkha soldier carries with him in uniform and in battle. In his grip, it is a formidable razor-shape weapon and a cutting tool. In fact, it is an extension of his arm.

When his rifle misfires, or when his bullets have run out, a Gurkha unsheathes his Khukuri and makes his final “do-ir-die” run on the enemy in a fury to finish the business. This scene created the romance and the legends. What it really did, and still does, is a superclean slaughter. The enemy tumbles down in two clean pieces and is surprise! Because of the kindest, quietest death. The Khukuri is carried in a wooden (often leather covered) stealth. There are two tiny knives tucked behind it. Karda: A small knife tucked behind the scabbard, its main purpose is to cut small things and also work as a skinning knife. Chakmak: A sharpener tucked behind the scabbard. It can be used as a flint maker also. Notch: The notch near the handle on the edge of the blade is a Hindu fertility symbol. It is also the footprint of a cow (cow is a sacred anmimal in Hindu religion) So the notch forbid slaughtering secret animal with it. The Gurkhas also kept promises with it that thy will never use this weapon on women and children.

Nevertheless, the knife being the lethal weapon, the notch on it is for the blood to drip and not to soil the holder's hand, so the user can maintain his grip for futher demonstration. THE KHUKURI OR KUKRI :: The Gurkha's National Weapon The Gurkha is worthy of notice, if only for the remarkable weapon which they use in preference to any other. It is called Khukuri or Kukri and is of a very peculiar shape. As may be seen by reference to the drawings both the blade and hilt are curved. The blade is very thick at the back, measuring a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. From the back it is thinned of gradually to the edge, which has a curve of its own, quite different to that of the back, so that the blade is widest as well as thickest in the middle, and tapers at one end towards the hilt, and at the other towards the point.

The steel of which the blade is formed is of admirable temper, as is shown by the fact that specimens which had not been cleaned for thirty years, but have been hung upon walls among other weapons, are scarcely touched with rust, and for the greater part of their surface are burnished like mirrors. The handle is made after a very remarkable fashion, and the portion which forms the hilt is so small that it shows the size of the hand for which it was intended. This smallness of hilt is common to all Indian swords, which cannot be grasped by an ordinary English soldier. Indeed the Gurkhas are so small, that their hands, like those of all Indian races, are very delicate, about the same size as those of an English boy of seven. The point of the Khukuri or Kukri is as sharp as a needle, so that the weapon answers equally for cutting or stabbing. In consequence of the great thickness of the metal, the blade is exceedingly heavy. It may be imagined that a blow from such a weapon as this must be a very terrible one. The very weight of the blade would drive it half through a man's arm if it were only allowed to fall from a little height.

But the Gurkhas have a mode of striking which resembles the 'drawing' cut of the broadsword, and which urges the sharp edge through flesh and bone alike. Before passing to the mode in which the kukri is used, it should be mentioned that it is not employed for domestic purposes, being too highly valued by the owner. For such purposes two smaller knives are used, of very similar form, but apparently of inferior metal. These are kept in little case with the knives attached to a Highlander's drik. In the hands of an experienced wielder this knife is about as formidable a weapon as can be conceived. Like all really good weapons, its efficiency depends much more upon the skill than the strength of the wielder, and thus it uppends that the little Gurkha, a mere boy in point of stature, will cut to pieces a gigantic adversary who does not understand his mode of onset. The Gurkha generally strikes upwards with the kukri, possibly in order to avoid wounding himself should his blow fail, and possibly because an upward cut is just the one that can be least guarded against.

When we were engaged in the many wars in India the Gurkha proved themselves out most formidable enemies, as since they have proved themselves most invaluable allies. Brave as lions, active as monkeys and fierce as tigers, the little wiry little men came leaping over the ground to the attack, moving so quickly, and keeping so far apart from each other, the musketry was no use against them. When they came near the soldiers, they suddenly crouched to the ground, dived under the beonets, struck upwards at the men with their kukris, ripping them off with a single blow, and then, after having done all the mischief in their power, darting off as rapidly as they had come. Until our men learned by their little opponents, who got under their weapons, cutting or slashing with knives as sharp as razors, and often escaping unhurt from the midst of bayonets. They would also dash under the bellies of the officers' horses, rip them open with one blow of the kukri, and aim another at the leg of the officer as he and his horse fell together.

Gurkha Knife : Symbol Of Gurkhas Since then, many Nepalese, mostly the Rais, Limbus, Gurungs and Magars, have served and still serve in the British Army. Their courage, sincerity and loyalty have won them praise and friendship from their British counterparts and fear and respect from their enemies. For their velour, many Gurkha soldiers have been decorated with medals of Honor, including the Victoria Cross, the highest military honor for bravery in the British Army. Prithvi Narayan Shah's descendant is King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, who reigns in the kingdom of Nepal Today. The Gurkha and the Khukuri (Gurkha Knife ) The Gurkha knife "khukuri" and Gurkha soldier has a very close relationship with each other. The Gurkhas Victoria Cross medal would not be in the arms of Gurkha soldier if there was no “Gurkha knife” the khukuri. The famous “Gurkha soldier” had no reputation if there was not this “Gurkha knife” the Khukuri.

So in a way we can say that without this “Gurkha knife” the Khukuri, the bravery, honesty and fearless Gurkha soldiers have resulted nothing. And because of the soldiers today this “Gurkha knife” the khukuri is our National weapon is worthy of notice, if only for the remarkable weapon which they use in preference to any other. It is called the "kukri" and is of a very peculiar shape. As may be seen by reference to the drawings both the blade and hilt are curved. The blade is very thick at the back measuring a little more than a quarter of an inch in thickness. From the back it is thinned off gradually to the edge, which has curve of its own, quite different to that of the back, so the blade is widest as well as thickest in the middle, and tapers at one end towards the hilt and the other towards the point. The steel of which the blade is formed is of admirable temper, as is shown by the fact that specimens which had not been cleaned for thirty years, but have been hung upon walls among other weapons, are scarcely touched with rust, and for the greater part of their surface are burnished like mirrors.

The point of the kukri is as sharp as a needle, so that the weapon answers equally for cutting or stabbing. In consequence of the great thickness of the metal, the blade is exceedingly heavy. It may be imagined that a blow from such a weapon as this must be a very terrible one. The very weight of the blade would drive it half through a man’s arm if it were only allowed to fall from a little height. But the Gurkhas have a mode of striking which resembles the "drawing" cut off the broad sword, and which urges the sharp edge through flesh and bone alike. To make a complete set every Gurkha knife (kukri)i must come with two small knives at the back. The two smaller knives used are of very similar form, but apparently of inferior metal. These are kept in little case attached to the side of the Kukri sheath, just as is the case with the knives attached to a Highlander’s dirk. Both small knife attached with the big Khukuri has their own purpose. One is used to sharpen the khukuri and the other is used as small knife to cut. In the hands of an experienced wielder this knife is about as formidable a weapon as can be conceived.

Like all really good weapons, it's efficiency depends much more upon the skill that the strength of the wielder and thus it happens that the little Gurkha a mere boy in point of stature, will cut to pieces of gigantic adversary who does not understand his mode of onset. The Gurkha generally strikes upwards with the kukri, possibly in order to avoid wounding himself should his blow fail, and possibly because an upward cut is just the one that can be least guarded against. "When we were engaged in the many wars in India, the Gurkha proved themselves our most formidable enemies, as since they have proved themselves most invaluable allies. Brave as lions, active as monkeys, and fierce as tigers, the lithe wiry little men came leaping over the ground to attack moving so quickly, and keeping so far apart from each other, the musketry was no use against them. When they came near the soldiers, they suddenly crouched to the ground, dive under the bayonets, struck upwards at the men with their kukris, ripping them open with a single blow, and then, after having done all the mischief in their power, darting off as rapidly as they had come.

Until our men learned this mode of attack they were greatly discomfited by their little opponents, who got under their weapons, cutting or slashing with knives as sharp as razors, and often escaping unhurt from the midst of bayonets. They would also dash under the bellies of the officers’ horses, rip them open with one blow of the kukri, and aim another at the leg of the officer as he and his horse fell together." Late king Prithivi Narayan Shah was born in 1723 AD in Gorkha, mid-west district of Nepal. He was throne at the age of 20 after the sudden demise of his father. During his era, the modern Nepal what we know today was scattered into many small & large kingdoms. So with the mission to unite all kingdoms into one, he started conquering all kingdoms and eventually united Nepal in 1768 AD. The origin of Gurkha army also started from his reign. It is also believe that his army were the first to use khukuri.

They fought so fierce fully that they not only united Nepal but also won the heart of British Rulers ruling in India who were eyeing Nepal .With a Clever head & lions heart, Prithivi Narayan Shah became the first ever ruler of modern Nepal.

Question: What is the name of the curved knife traditionally used by Gurkha soldiers?
Answer: KUKRI