Gurkhas — Legendary Nepalese Mercenary Soldiers | Jim Burke's Asia Gurkhas — Legendary Nepalese Mercenary Soldiers Posted on August 20, 2013 | Leave a comment The Gurkhas, or Gorkhas as they are called in the Indian Army, are legendary and feared soldiers who were originally recruited into the British army in India after the treaty of Sugauli in 1815, which ended the Anglo-Nepalese War between the Gurkha Kingdom of Nepal and the British East India Company. That war resulted in heavy British losses — even during that war, the British recognized the excellent martial qualities of the men from Nepal and were keen to use defectors from the Nepalese army as irregular forces. Gurkhas march in London parade. The name “Gurkha” comes from the Nepalese hill town of Gorkha, which is named after the Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath. The Nepalese refer to themselves as Gorkhas — Gurkha is the Anglicised version of Gorkha, coined by the British.

About 5000 Gurkhas entered the British army in 1815 and since then have served loyally and bravely in every British military engagement until present day Afghanistan. About 200,000 Gurkhas fought in the British army in world War I. That number increased to over 250,000 in world War II. During that time, these Nepalese have been awarded countless medals for bravery including 26 Victoria Crosses, the highest British award for valor on the battlefield. Gurkha Soldier Monument, Whitehall, London The fearless quality of the gurkhas is legendary. British leaflets dropped behind German lines in World War I emphasized and exaggerated it. the Germans were more terrified of the men from Nepal than any other Allied troops: this was not only because the British leaflets stressed the courage of the Gurkhas, but they also mentioned, untruthfully, that when the Gurkhas took prisoners they tended to eat them. I got to know these tough soldiers when I was assigned to write a magazine article on a Gurkha battalion.

I first saw their physical prowess at an annual “khud” (hill) race: a run up a 1200 foot “khud,” with a 45-degree slope which, in some stretches, increased another 10 or so degrees (it looked like a mountain to me) and down again. The racers began crossing the finish line in under 17 minutes. Most of the racers were Gurkhas but there were a few superbly fit English soldiers and British Gurkha officers. The leading Englishman arrived at the finish line about five minutes after the winning Gurkha. He was more than thrilled to beat a few of the Nepalese. He knew the men from the Himalayas had all the odds on their side: physically and historically. Physically, young Nepali boys begin training for a “khud” race before they are six years old. By then they are already climbing the precipitous slopes of their homeland helping their elders tend to sheep or plow steep farm plots. Historically, this race dates back to the days when the British-led Indian army campaigned in Northwest India.

The main columns had to move through narrow valleys: picket squads climbed to the top of overlooking hills to protect the main force from surprise attacks. This job was usually given to Gurkhas because the speed of the column was determined by how fast the picket unit could get to the tops of hills, make a reconnaisance and get back down. The British found that their columns moved faster with Gurkha pickets. An observer can feel and see the Gurkha pride and precise discipline as they march in review. And, knowing their history, a shiver goes down the spine when they march and yell out their historic war cry: “Jaya Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali” (Glory to Great Kali, Gorkhas Approach). A symbol of the Gurkhas that is recognized worldwide is the fearsome-looking, inwardly curved, 18-inch Gurkha Utility Knife or Kukri. My next blog will go into some detail on the kukri. The Kukri — Gurkha Utility Knife.

Today there are just a few Gurkha units left in the British army, but their brave and martial reputation makes them much sought after in other army units, police forces, and private security firms. Large numbers of retired Gurkhas live in Hong Kong, which is now part of China but was a British Crown Colony for 100 years. Many work for security firms, including several owned by Gurkhas. Security firms advertize that their security is handled by Gurkhas. The largest number of Gurkhas in service today are in the Indian army. The Nepalese army has two light infantry batallions. There is a Gurkha contingent in the Singapore police force. The Brunei forces have a 500 man Gurkha Reserve Unit that is a special guard force for the Sultanate of Brunei — that force is made up of Gurkhas retired from the British army and the Singapore police who took up the security job as a second career. Gurkhas are in the Malaysian Army, especially the Royal Ranger Regiment. The U.S. Navy employs Gurkha guards as sentries at its base in Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

Gurkhas also work as security forces at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Share this: ..:: India Strategic ::. Army: Indian Armyï¿½s Gorkha Troops Indian Armyï¿½s Gorkha Troops ï¿½ Their Great Contributions ï¿½ And Their future By Lt Gen Y M Bammi (Retd) Published: May 2012 New Delhi. Nepali Gorkhas were recruited into the Indian Army by the British but after the Independence, the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders decided to retain their services, both because of the natural affinity between the two neighbouring countries and because these troops had proved their exceptional bravery on every occasion. In fact in 1945 itself, Gen Sir Claude Auchenenlak, Commanderin- Chief of the British Indian Army, set up a committee to consider the future of the post Independent Indian Army. Brig K M Carrippa, who became the Chief later, the senior most Indian officer in the British Indian Army, was a member of this committee. They recommended that Gorkha units should be allotted to the Indian Army, and that their units should be led by Indian officers.

Post WW II, the British Indian Army was being downsized and there was no dearth of trained volunteers in India for the needs for the Army of Independent India. However, Pt Nehru felt that due to the special historical and cultural relations between, India should absorb the all the Gorkhas units in the Indian Army. It may be recalled that no decision was taken for some time, but Lord Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, secured an early approval from the British Government and then, in consultation with Nehru and the Nepali Durbar, ensured the absorption. On 17 Apr 1947, at a cabinet meeting, Mountbatten stated that ï¿½the question was not really whether India should employ foreigners in her Army but whether she should not show special consideration for Nepal and continue her connections with that country which went back a long way.ï¿½ The Indian leaders could not agree more. Nehru pointed out that although India would not be short of troops, it would not be proper to break the connection with Nepal. He also stated that the Nepali troops would be officered by both Indians and Nepalis alike.

He accepted the Nepali request that the Gorkhas would be on par with the Indian troops on same pay, allowances and facilities, including home leave. The move was however opposed by Liaquat Ali Khan, Finance Member and his colleagues from Muslim League. (He became Pakistanï¿½s Prime Minister and Defence Minister later). Recently however, based on the recommendations of a parliamentary report on ï¿½Nepalï¿½s Foreign Policy in the changed Context 2012,ï¿½ Prime Minister Baburam Bhattara has issued directions on 18 Mar 2012 to stop recruitment to Nepali nationals into the British and Indian Armies. This is not surprising, as it was one of the issues included by the Maoists in their 40-Point Agenda announced in the 1990s. Significantly though, it had not been pressed even by left leader Prachanda during his term as Nepalï¿½s Prime Minister. Before examining the issue, it is considered essential to have brief look at the circumstances leading to the present situation. The Nepal Durbar had agreed to allow recruitment of Nepalese into the British and Indian Armies on fixed quota basis.

This formed the basis of the 1947 Tripartite Agreement signed on 9 Nov 1947 between Britain, India and Nepal, which is valid till date. As per the agreement, out of the then ten regiments each of two battalions, six came to India (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th), while four went to Britain (2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th). An option of ï¿½Optï¿½ was given to the soldiers of units going to the British Army, to serve, opt to Indian Army, or, retire. Those who declined to go to the British Army were absorbed by India, by raising additional units and a new regiment, 11th GR. As no Indian officers were posted to the Gorkha units during the British rule, India selected very high caliber, and battle-tested officers, mostly from regiments which were going to Pakistan, for leading them.

In early 1900s, the British had given land to Gorkha Regiments to establish their ï¿½homesï¿½ in India at Dharamsala (1st GR), Bakloh (4th GR), Abbottabad - now in Pakistan - (5th GR), Almora (3rd GR) and Dehra Dun (2nd GR ). Families were encouraged to come from Nepal, and thus these stations became Family Homes. Sons of soldiers born in these lines were not considered suitable for combat soldiering by the British , but being better educated, were enrolled in intelligence, signals and transport sub units. This restrictive policy of distinctive employment between India and Nepal domiciled Gorkhas was done away by the Indian Army. However, in order to allow adequate recruits of proper mix, a more flexible ratio has been adopted.

Also, while originally the regiments enrolled recruits from specific areas and clans, like 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 8th from Magar and Gurungs mostly from Western Nepal, 9th GR Chhetries and Thakuris from Central Nepal and 11th GR Rai and Linmbus from Eastern Nepal, lately, a slight mix has been allowed in all the Gorkha regiments. Also, the percentage of Nepal domiciled vis-ï¿½-vis Indian domiciled has changed gradually, from 80:20 in 1958 to 60:40 now. This has proved very successful. It is to the credit of Indian officers, who soon after taking over in 1947, led their Gorkha units to fight against Pakistani Invaders in J&K. The valor, dedication and fighting skills displayed by the Gorkhas at Zoji La, Jhangar, Punch, Uri , Leh, to name a few actions, was in keeping with their reputation. It also proved that Indian officers, including the recently promoted Gorkha officers, were as good if not better than the British officers.

The performance of the Gorkhas during the 1962 Operations, especially at Leh and Namka Chu, further proved their loyalty, fighting spirit and devotion to duty again. The expansion of the Indian Army after the 1962 War saw a few more raisings in the Gorkha Regiments, for which Nepal accepted to allow additional recruitment. Again, during the 1965 War, the Grokha units fought shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts, and gave a telling blow to Pakistani Raiders in Kashmir, as well as in the Punjab. It was very heartening that on learning on radio about the war, a large number of Gorkha reservists from Nepal rejoined their units without waiting for recall notices. The performance of the Gorkha regiments during the 1971 War, in OP PAWAN, on UN Missions and in CI Ops in J&K and the north-east, has been simply outstanding. They have earned 3 PVCs, 33 MVCs, and 84 VrCs during operations, and 5 ACs and 33 KCs in CI Ops. An absolutely brilliant record.

As regards the objection now raised by the Maoist led Nepal government, similar voices had been raised earlier also by a miniscule section of the Nepali opposition leaders when the Gorkha units of the Indian Army were fighting the Chinese in 1962, Pakistani troops in 1965 and 1971, and even during the Kargil of 1999, and against LTTE in Sri Lanka. Also, a few Nepalis described the Gorkha soldiers employment in the Indian Army as mercenaries. However, till now these objections had been overruled by various governments in Nepal, as they were convinced that India treats them as its own soldiers; in fact giving preferential treatment to the extent possible. They realized that India provided dignified employment of martial status to the Nepali youth, which is also financially beneficial to country. Retired Nepali soldiers also get pensions like their Indian counterparts, and according to 2008 figures, there are 30,000 Nepali soldiers in the Indian Army, while 1,20,000 ex-servicemen and 17,000 widows draw pensions from India.

Notably, Nepali citizens come to India without hindrance for work, and that is a relationship not equaled anywhere between any two countries in the world. The soldiers and pensioners also provide a well disciplined population to Nepal, adding to its trained manpower pool. The children of soldiers serving in India receive good schooling, healthcare and practical training, which prepares them for a better future. Families of the soldiers also develop skills for better child care, education and health. Due to these reasons, Nepali soldiers, pensioners and their families are very well respected not only in India but also in their home villages. Notably, the Indian Army not only sends Pension Teams often on foot, to distribute pensions and welfare grants in inaccessible areas, but also sends medical and dental teams to far-flung areas, which provide free medical care to the retirees. Recently, India has also decided to extend the facilities of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health scheme (ECHS) to pensioners in Nepal, under which well-equipped polyclinics will be established at Poker, Kathmandu and Dharan.

As for the future recruitment of Gorkhas, the wastage rate of these units is approximately 3-4 % per year, and with the present pay and allowances, no one wants to go home without completing his full service. Also, after retirement, Nepal domiciled troops prefer a civil job in India, especially as they are able to hone their civil skills at the Gorkha Resettlement Training Unit (GRTU), Dehra Dun, while in service. Besides, in any case, they prefer to stay in India because of better facilities for themselves and their families, generally given by the Indian Army. Nonetheless, despite the welcome given to the Gorkha soldiers, it is up to the Nepali government to take certain decisions. India may still raise Gorkha units from among those settled in India. In any case, as there are 50 candidates on an average for every vacancy of a soldier, India will not have any dearth of voluntary troops. But India will always welcome Gorkha soldiers with open arms. Their participation in the Indian Republic Day with smart march, their drawn khukris, and their battle cries of Ayo Gorkhali will always be a part of the Indian Armyï¿½s victory legends.

The author has been an officer with the Gorkha Regiment. ï¿½ India Strategic Women in Nepal train with former Ghurka soldiers in hopes of being recruited into British army. - YouTube Women in Nepal train with former Ghurka soldiers in hopes of being recruited into British army. Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jul 21, 2015 SHOTLIST Pokhara, Nepal (200 kilometres/ 125 miles from Katmandu) - June 20, 2007 1. Women training at local stadium 2. Women jogging 3. SOUNDBITE (Nepali): Manju Pandya, Trainee for Possible Recruitment: " We are getting the opportunity like the men to join the British Army. We are very happy. Nepali women have been seeking opportunity to move ahead and this could be a medium. 4. Women jogging 5. Various of women exercising 6.

SOUNDBITE (Nepali): Binita Gurung, Trainee for Possible Recruitment: " We are very grateful for being given this opportunity. My inspiration is my parents who have been very supportive. I am here because of them and their dreams. Why should only men be in the army? In our (Nepalese) society Nepali women have always been looked down, but this has changed that." 7. Women training with trainer 8. Women doing push ups 9. SOUNDBITE (Nepali): Gaza Bahadur, Trainer: " In the past five years, I have been training only men who are trying to join the British Army. But this year I have girls in my class who are getting private training. I am very happy that girls from Nepal will also be able to join the British Army. However, it is unfortunate the British army has not given any details about the recruitment." 10. Various of the training of the women 11. Various shot of the women 12. SOUNDBITE (Nepali): Mamata Gurung, Trainee for Possible Recruitment: "We will get better facilities in the foreign country. We will have a secure future.

Our next general will have better lives and all this is why I want to join the British army." 13. Various of women exercising LEAD IN: Hundreds of Nepalese women hope to be the first female Gurkha soldier recruits in the British army. The British government hires hundreds of Nepalese soldiers every year to serve as Gurkhas. However, Britain's recruitment has historically been restricted to men. STORY LINE: Gurkha soldiers have fought alongside British troops in war since the early 1800s. Approximately 230 Gurkha men are recruited into the British army ever year. These soldiers must meet medical, physical and educational requirements. Britain's Ministry of Defence says Nepali women will first be recruited in 2008 to take part in a pilot programme. The pilot programme will help determine fair requirements for female recruits. The formal and regular recruitment of female soldiers will not begin until 2009. Since the news was released in May, approximately 600 women have been receiving private training from former Gurkha soldiers. The women have been meeting in the midwestern resort town of Pokhara.

Pokhara is situated about 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of the capital. Manju Pandya is hoping to become a recruit for the British Army. She says she that Nepali women are very happy to given the opportunity. Binita Gurung is another young woman hoping to be recruited. Gurungs says traditionally Nepali women have always been looked down upon, but this chance to join the Gurkhas could help change that. Gaza Bahadur is training the women in Pokhara. He says in the past five years he has only trained men. Bahadur says he is dissappointed that the British army has not given more details about recruitment. Mamata Gurung is also hoping to become a British recruit. She says the women will have access to more advanced facilities in a foreign country and the chance to secure a better future. Gurkhas began serving the United Kingdom in India in 1815. Nearly 3,400 Gurkha's are now serving, and in recent years they have taken part in British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Keyword-military You can license this story through AP Archive: Find out more about AP Archive: Category RECRUITMENT OF NEPALI MERCENARIES IN INDIAN ARMY AND OTHER INDIAN FORCES - Google Groups RECRUITMENT OF NEPALI MERCENARIES IN INDIAN ARMY AND OTHER INDIAN FORCES Showing 1-1 of 1 messages RECRUITMENT OF NEPALI MERCENARIES IN INDIAN ARMY AND OTHER INDIAN FORCES - DIPAK DE [HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST; M.PHIL IN HUMAN RIGHTS] India’s Army chief General V.K. Singh, during his visit from 20th December to 23rd December 2010, may hold talks with the officials of Nepal Government on the recruitment of Nepalese in Indian Army’s Gorkha Regiments, this is the news appeared in Newspaper. There is growing resentment in the Nepalese society against the recruitment of Nepal’s citizens in Indian Army and United Kingdom’s Army as these regarded/treated as mercenaries.

For this reason and for internal strife, no recruitment rallies could be held between 2006 and 2008. The Indian Army once again initiated the recruitment process in 2009 and rallies for recruitment were held in Dharan and Pokhara of Nepal and other places. It is estimated that about 40,000 Nepalese of Nepal are serving in Indian GORKHA REGIMENTS. At present there is seven Gorkha Regiments and each of which has five to six battalions. Each battalion has about eight companies, each company has about 120 soldiers, commanded by an Indian Officer. Mercenaries constitutes a criminal act and the United Nations called upon all states to take the measures necessary to prevent the recruitment, financing and training of mercenaries in their territories and to prohibit their nationals from serving as mercenaries. According to human rights philosophy, jurisprudence – Nationality is the criteria to determine the mercenary. A national of a certain country recruited in a foreign country’s army or in combatant force or in armed force or in police force, is a mercenary.

A citizen of Nepal in a foreign country’s army or in a combatant force/ paramilitary force or in armed force or in police force, is a mercenary such as recruited in GURKHA Regiment of British Indian Army and also United Kingdom’s army and recruited in GORKHA Regiment of Indian army and other regiments of Indian army or para-military force or armed force or police force. Mercenarism is a threat to international peace and security and like murder, piracy and genocide, is a universal crime against humanity. According to human rights philosophy, jurisprudence – the mercenaries would be treated as criminals and the mercenaries would not get the status of prisoners-of-war. [Nepal under the Ranas had wrung political concessions from British India by exploiting its fear of the loss of Gurkhas, the most dependable element in the Indian Army when it was exposed to the influence of nationalism. For the Ranas, the supply of Gurkhas to the Indian Army was a concession to the paramount power; in the last years of the rule they gave the recruitment issue the formal and definite basis of a treaty.

………in spite of the application of science and technology to modernize the Indian Army, its dependence on the Gurkhas* (*read Gorkhas) has not decreased, particularly when, following the Sino-Indian war in 1962, mountain warfare has assumed great importance…………… ………That the Gurkhas* (*read Gurkhas and Gorkhas) would still be used as mercenaries by a foreign government offends the sense of national pride in section of the Nepalese elite who also fear political complications created by such use. In fact, both China and Pakistan objected to the involvement of Gurkha* (*read Gorkha) troops in Sino- Indian and Indo-Pakistan wars……] – from the article ‘Foreign Policy of Nepal: Persistence of Tradition by Dr. Kanchanmoy Mojumdar (Professor of History, Nagpur University; book – Himalaya Frontier in Historical Perspective, published by Institute of Historical Studies, Calcutta, 1986; Edited by: N.R. Ray. A VIEW: The Gurkhas of the British army even today love to identify themselves with the Victoria Cross.

This bronze medal, thought of little face- value, yet, what it means in the world of honor is beyond description. It is something to feel and not to tell. But on the other hand the history of the Victoria Crosses has left many soul-searching question behind. They relate to the questions of recruitment, national honour and intergrity. Nepal is the only country left in the last quarter of the twentieth century that is not only providing mercenaries for foreign armies but also providing them centers of recruitment in her own soil. The age old tradition of sending mercenaries abroad, though could be defended economically as it has been done by every government of Nepal since the first quarter of the nineteenth century; but it has also led to a dramatic erosion of the loss of honor and self-respect among the Nepali patriots, politicians and social workers. Whenever there is a physical conflict in the world whether in India, Sri Lanka or the Falkland, a cold wave of anguish and fear rushes into the hearts of the Nepalese as the house-wives begin to count the number of Gurkha (Gurkha Regiment of United Kingdom) or Gorkha (Gorkha Regiment of Indian Army) casualties .

Today no Nepali would deny the fact that the whole process of Gurkha recruitment has brought the question of national honour at a stake. The Nepali intelligentsia as well as the Government of Nepal, are both aware of this fact. But nothing is being done to reverse this trend. GURKHA REGIMENT British desired to augment their military power by enlisting the Nepalese in their service. They also wanted to weaken the military power of Nepal by enlisting her brave fighting men into their own ranks. British recruited Nepalese mainly from Magar, Gurung, Rai ethnic groups of Nepal in Gurkha regiments. By 1814, Nepal’s territorial and military expansion had become the major threat to the East India Company’s territories. The Anglo-Gurkha war (1814-1816) and the Treaty of Sugauli aimed at putting a definite limit to this expansion and restraining the Gurkha military power. Though the British had started the recruitment of Gurkha (means Gurkha soldier – Nepali serving in Gurkha regiment) during the war (since 1815) they declared the formation of four separate Gurkhas battalions.

During the thirty years period between 1816 and 1846 no definite arrangement was made for the Gurkha recruitment in British Indian Army. No more Gurkha battalions could be raised. British military authorities had to adopt indirect means, sometimes smuggling of Gurkha recruits required for the then existing Gurkha battalions. Gurkha means Gurkha soldier of Gurkha regiment. British recruited Nepalese mainly from Magar, Gurung, Rai ethnic groups of Nepal in Gurkha regiments. Since the signing of the Sugauli Treaty in 1816, Nepal’s prospect for territorial expansion virtually stopped and Nepal since then had been able neither to increase the strength of the Amy nor to maintain the existing strength. The installation of the Rana regime in 1846 through Kot massacre heralded the end of the era of active enmity and beginning of good faith. Jung Bahadur himself leading 12,000 Nepalese troops went to the help of British to quell the Indian Mutiny 1857.

In recognition of that assistance, the British Government under a treaty concluded on 1st November 1860, restored to Nepal the tract of territory on the Oudh frontier (far western Terai) which had been ceded to the British Government in 1816. During the period between 1846 and 1885 can be regarded as the period of positive discouragement in the history of the recruitment of Gurkhas (means Gurkha soldiers – Nepalese serving in Gurkha regiments) into the British Indian Army. Jang Bahadur Rana and his immediate successor Ranaudip Singh discouraged the Nepalese subjects from joining the British ranks by introducing many restrictive measures. Two more Gurkha battalions were raised, one in 1857 and another in 1858. But during this period no definite arrangement was made for the Gurkha recruitment. The requirement of the Gurkha recruits was fulfilled by an indirect way that is by enlisting the Nepalese without the prior knowledge and permission of the Government of Nepal.

The Nepalese government was principally against the recruitment of its people in the British Indian Army and as such it was extremely difficult to get Nepalese in the British Indian Army. When the British carried out recruitment secretly by sending recruitment agents into Nepal, the Nepalese government disliked the clandestine operation and took strong measures like putting to death some the Gurkhas (means Gurkha soldiers - Nepalese serving in Gurkha regiments) on their return home on leave and confiscating property of those serving in the British Indian Army. The year 1885 marks the turning point in the history of Gurkha recruitment. Bir Shamsher after his succession to the Prime Ministership of Nepal abandoned the traditional policy of adopting stiff attitude towards the British. Gurkha mercenary shot in Afghanistan as he was building entry post: News on 17th August, 2010 – Sapper Iashwor Gurung, 21, from the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, was working at a base in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand province, on Friday when insurgents attacked. His mother, Sunkumari said, ‘he loved the Army and was very proud to be a Gurkha.

I am proud that my son served in the British Army and that he died doing a job that he loved.’ This Nepali died for the interest of the foreign country United Kingdom but for not his own country Nepal. This Nepali mercenary was brought up, nurtured as a mercenary in his home and the civilized world cannot support this mercenary culture. On 9th November, 1947 there was an agreement between Government of United Kingdom, Government of Dominion of India and Government of Nepal on the maintenance of prevailing 10 Gurkha Regiments in British Indian Army and recruitment of Nepalese of Nepal further in Indian and United Kingdom’s Army. In this agreement it is mentioned - “IF THEY WILL NOT BE LOOKED UPON AS DISTINCTLY MERCENARY.” [On 8th August 1947, it was revealed that the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th Gurkha regiments had been selected for continued service with the British, while the remaining six regiments should serve the Indian government (James and Sehil-Small, 1965:254). However, the tripartite agreement between Nepal, India and the U.K.

was signed only on 9th November 1947] - from Indo-Nepal Migration: Problems and Prospects by Vidya Bir Singh Kansakar, Tribhuvan University, April 1984. Four GURKHA REGIMENTS became part of United Kingdom after the independence of India and till date United Kingdom is maintaining the Gurkha Regiment in its Army by the process of recruitment of Nepalese who are citizens of Nepal and the recruitment is mainly from the Magar, Gurung, Rai ethnic groups of Nepal. Six GURKHA REGIMENTS became part of independent India and the Indian Army changed the name on February 1949 from Gurkha Regiment to ‘GORKHA REGIMENT’. “In India, the recruitment of the Nepalese is not confined to Gorkha Rifles, they are to be found in large numbers in Assam Rifles as also in Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Garhwal Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police, and so on,” - from Indo-Nepal Migration: Problems and Prospects by Vidya Bir Singh Kansakar, Tribhuvan University, April 1984.

“India continued to recruit in large numbers, far more than the British, to the point where in 1997 it had a complement of around 120,000 men. There were seven Gurkha regiments, each with five battalions and four training centres located in various parts of india. Each training centre has one battalion strength of Gurkha soldiers. This provided a total of around 40,000 men in the Indian Gurkha Brigades and training centres, and a similar number were serving in other Indian army units, such as the Assam Rifles and the Jammu and Kashmir battalions. The remainder serve in numerous other police and para-military forces of the Indian government,” – from The Gurkhas by John Parker, published by Headline, 2005. “The end of the Falklands conflict, in which the Gurkhas had once again proved their versatility in and readiness for what Walter Walker always described as their ‘fire brigade role’ - ..............The need for fire brigades suddenly evaporated.

There were a few areas of local difficulty, not least of which was Northern Ireland, but the Gurkhas had long ago ruled out of any kind of military action within the United Kingdom, although many of its senior officers over the years believed they could have successfully carried out border and coastal patrols”, “The 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th Gurkha Rifles were formerly wound up in 1994 and in their place came one regiment to be known as the Royal Gurkha Rifles” - from The Gurkhas by John Parker, published by Headline, 2005. WE, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATICE REPUBLIC and so to secure to all its citizens……. ……..IN OUR CONSTITUTE ASSEMBLY, this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSEVES THIS CONSTITUTION. NOTE: Citizens of India shall be administered by them and not by foreign Nationals in any way.

So recruitment of Napalese of Nepal in paramilitary force, Armed Force or police force of India is an act of recruitment of mercenaries and violation of Constitution of India according to human rights philosophy and jurisprudence. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) adopted on 8 June 1977 and entered into force on 7 December 1979 – Article 47 reads: Mercenaries 1. A mercenary shall not have the right to be a combatant or a prisoner-of-war. 2.

A mercenary is any person who: (a) Is specially recruited locally or abroad in order to fight in an armed conflict; (b) Does in fact, take a direct part in the hostilities; (c) Is motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a Party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party; (d) Is neither a national of a party to the conflict nor a resident of territory controlled by a Party to the conflict; (e) Is not a member of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict; and (f) Has not been sent by a State which is not a Party to the Conflict on official duty as a member of its armed forces. This article is to be read with all the points together i.e. from 1 to 2(f) and not in isolation of a point such as point 2(e) or point 2 (c).

Nepal is a neutral country or State not Party to the conflict but Nationals of Nepal involved in the conflict as GURKHA SOLDIER of Gurkha Regiments of United Kingdom or as GORKHA SOLDIER of Gorkha Regiments of India without having passport of United Kingdom or India. Nepal has not sent his Nationals on official duty as a member of its armed force as a Party of the conflict. If, after a regular trial, a captured soldier is found to be a mercenary, then he can expect treatment as a common criminal. As mercenary soldiers may not qualify as Prisoners-of-war, they cannot expect repatriation at war’s end. Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) – Convention for the Elimination of Mercenaries in Africa, 1972 – WE Heads of State and Government of Member States of the Organization of African Unity ……Considering the grave threat which the activities of mercenaries represent to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and harmonious development of Member States of O.A.U……..Decided to take all necessary measures to eradicate from the African continent the scourge that the mercenary system represents.

Article 1 reads: Under the present Convention a ‘MERCENARY’ is classified as anyone who, not a national of the state against which his actions are directed, is employed, enrolls or links himself willingly to a person, group or organization whose aim is: (a) To overthrow by force of arms or by any other means the government of that Member state of the Organization of African Unity; (b) To undermine the independence, territorial integrity or normal working of the institutions of the said State; (c) To block by any means the activities of any liberation movement recognized by the Organization of African Unity. Reader of this Article please read the original documents/papers at your end. [Human Rights Activist; M.Phil in Human Rights; Member of Amnesty International; United Nations on line volunteer on Human Rights, in touch with: Asian Human Rights Commission, Hongkong] DARJEELING: GURKHA SETTLEMENT, THERE IS NO WORD ‘GORKHA’ AS ETHNIC GROUP OR RACE UP TO THE YEAR 1891; Gorkhaland; HUMAN RIGHTS.

- Google Groups DARJEELING: GURKHA SETTLEMENT, THERE IS NO WORD ‘GORKHA’ AS ETHNIC GROUP OR RACE UP TO THE YEAR 1891; Gorkhaland; HUMAN RIGHTS. Showing 1-1 of 1 messages DARJEELING: GURKHA SETTLEMENT, THERE IS NO WORD ‘GORKHA’ AS ETHNIC GROUP OR RACE UP TO THE YEAR 1891 AND HUMAN RIGHTS. -By DIPAK DE [HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST; M.PHIL IN HUMAN RIGHTS] The Anglo-Gurkha war (1814-1816) and the Treaty of Sugauli aimed at putting a definite limit to this expansion and restraining the Gurkha military power. By 1814, Nepal’s territorial and military expansion had become the major treat to the Company’s territories. [Company means East India Company]. After the Gorkhali troops of Gorkha kingdom finally captured Kathmandu in circa 1768 A.D.

(then known as Nepal), the Gorkhali forces came to be known as Nepalese Army and the Gorkha kingdom merged with the country Nepal. But the British called the Nepalese Army as Gurkha soldier, and British took to calling their new soldiers GURKHA. British raised ‘Gurkha regiment’ in the year 1815 and recruitment was done from Nepalese. People of Gorkha kingdom was known as ‘Gorkhali’, language name ‘Gorkhali’ and Army name ‘Army of Gorkha’ or ‘Gorkhali army’. The war cry ‘Aayo Gorkhali’ i.e. Gorkhali has come, till date is prevalent in Gurkha regiment of United Kingdom and Gorkha regiment of India. British desired to augment their military power by enlisting the Nepalese in their service. They also wanted to weaken the military power of Nepal by enlisting her brave fighting men into their own ranks. British recruited Nepalese mainly from Magar, Guruing, Rai ethnic groups of Nepal. Though British had started the recruitment of Gurkha* during the war they declared the formation of four separate Gurkhas battalions.

[*Gurkha means Gurkha soldier]. During the thirty years period between 1816 and 1846 no DEFINITE ARRANGEMENT was made for the Gurkha recruitment in British Indian army. No more Gurkha battalions could be raised. British military authorities had to adopt indirect means, sometimes SMUGGLING OF GURKHA RECRUITS required for the then existing Gurkha battalions. POINTS: GORKHA KINGDOM, GORKHALI, GORKHALI ARMY, COUNTRY NEPAL, NEPALESE ARMY, GURKHA SOLDIER, GURKHA REGIMENMENT, GURKHA RECRUITS, SMUGGLING OF GORKHA RECRUITS. During the period between 1846 and 1885 can be regarded as the period of positive discouragement in the history of the recruitment of the Gurkhas* into the British Indian army. [*Gurkhas means Gurkha soldiers]. During the period Jang Bahadur Rana and his immediate successor Ranaudip Singh discouraged the Nepalese subjects from joining the British ranks by introducing many restrictive measures.

During this period two more Gurkha battalions were raised, one in 1857 and another in 1858. But during this period too no definite arrangement was made for the Gurkha recruitment. The requirement of the Gurkha recruits was fulfilled by an indirect way that is by enlisting the Nepalese without the prior KNOWLEDGE AND PERMISSION of the Government of Nepal. POINTS: GURKHAS [means Gurkha soldiers], GURKHA RECRUITMENT, INDIRECT WAY. Since the signing of the Sugauli Treaty in 1816, Nepal’s prospect for territorial expansion virtually stopped and Nepal since then had been able neither to increase the strength of the army nor to maintain the existing strength. The Nepalese government was principally against the recruitment of its people in the Indian army and as such it was extremely difficult to get Nepalese in the Indian army. POINT: NEPALESE WERE RECRUITED, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

When the British carried out recruitment secretly by sending recruitment agents into Nepal, the Nepalese government disliked the clandestine operations and took strong measures like putting to death some of the Gurkhas* on their return home on leave and confiscating property of those serving the Indian army. [*Gurkhas means Gurkha soldiers]. Owing to the harassment meted out by the Nepalese government to the families of emigration of the Gurkhas* from Nepal with their families was encouraged with establishment of settlement of Gurkhas in the hills of India, such as Dharmashala (Bhagsu), Bakloh, Darjeeling, Dehradun and Shillong. There was also considerable colonies scattered over Burma and Assam; those in the former started in the days when Gurkhas were enlisted into the old Burma Military Police, and those in the latter amongh the pensioners of Assam Rifles. [*Gurkhas means Gurkha soldiers] POINTS: EMIGRATION AND GURKHA SOLDIERS FAMILIES WERE SETTLED IN DARJEELING, SHILLING, DEHRADUN ETC., GURKHA SOLDIERS IN ASSAM RIFLES.

[British took to call their new soldiers recruited from Nepalese as Gurkhas]. Means a section of Nepalese who recruited as Gurkha soldiers, shifted from Nepal and settled with their families in Darjeeling, Shilling etc and they also recruited in Assam Rifles. Till the year 1885 there is no word ‘GORKHA’ against Nepalese as soldier or general citizen. It is also to be noted that till the year 1885, the calling of ‘Gorkhali’ was more familiar than the calling ‘Nepali’, a citizen of Nepal. Before the year 1885, thousands of Nepalese migrated from Nepal and settled in Darjeeling. Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Dajeeling. Nepalese are immigrants and they came here as cultivators, tea garden workers, merchants, labourers, artisan etc. The population of Darjeeling is exceedingly heterogeneous. The majority of the people in the hills are Mongolian origin, belonging chiefly to various Nepalese castes, but also including a large number of Lepchas, Bhotias and Tibetans.

Together with these hillmen are found the denizens of the plains, who have been attracted to the hills by the prospect of easily acquired wealth, the Madhesias held in great contempt by the stalwart Nepalese. POINTS: NEPALESE ARE IMMIGRANTS, NEPALI, LEPCHAS, BHOTIAS, TIBETANS, HILLMEN EXCLUDING MADHESIAS, MADHESIAS MEANS PEOPLE FROM PLAINS, MADHESHIAS HELD IN GREAT CONTEMPT BY THE STALWART NEPALESE. The growth of the Darjeeling district affords the most remarkable instance of the expansion of population of which there is any record in Bengal. When the British first acquired the hill territory in 1835, it was almost entirely under forest. It was in fact, estimated that the whole of this tract, comprising 138 square miles, contained only 100 souls. The phenomenal growth of the population since 1872 is due to two main causes, the development of the tea industry and the influx of settlers to exploit the waste lands of the district.

……To this rapidly increasing demand the local supply of labour was quite unequal; the result was an unexampled immigration; and at the census of 1891 it was found that no less than 88,000 persons resident in the district were born in Nepal. ……..The bulk of the population is now Nepalese, the continued immigration from Nepal being due to the pressure of the population on the land in the eastern portion of that principality. POINT: TILL THE YEAR 1891, THERE IS NO WORD ‘GORKHA’ as Ethnic Group or race. According to census 2001 of Nepal, there is about 103 distinct ethnic groups and castes in Nepal. There is no existence of Gorkha ethnic group or Gorkha race in Nepal. The existence of Gorkha ethnic group or Gorkha race in India does not arise at all. Ethnic group or race cannot be created artificially. The ethnic group or race should not be unreal. Ethnic Group and/or Race AND Linguistic minorities is/are matter of international subject and the subject of human rights at present world.

General Assembly of United Nations adopted the ‘Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities’ in its resolution 47/135 of 18 December 1992. Inspired by the provisions of Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities adopted this declaration. “Affirming that indigenous peoples are equal to all other peoples, while recognizing the right of all peoples to be different, to consider themselves different, and to be respected as such, …….. “Reaffirming that indigenous peoples, in the exercise of their rights, should be free from discrimination of any kind, “Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, inter alia, their colonization and dispassion of their lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in particular, their rights to development in accordance with their own needs and interests…..” United Nations adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by a Resolution (61/295) in 107 plenary meeting, 13th. September, 2007.

Article 7(1) reads: “Indigenous individuals have the rights to life, physical and mental integrity, liberty and security of person”. Lepchas are the indigenous people of Darjeeling. [*** check the original documents and papers at your end. You may read – British Gurkha Recruitment: A Historical Perspective by Kamal Raj Singh Rathur, is an Associate Professor in the Central Department of History, Tribhuvan University, Kiritpur, Kathmandu, Nepal; John Peamble, The invasion of Nepal, London: Oxford Claredon Press, 1971; Contribution to Nepalis studies, Tribhuvan University, by Vidya Bir Singh Kansakar, April 1984; Bengal District Gazetters, Darjeeling, by L.S.S.. O’Malley, published, published by Government of West Bengal, 2001; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities’; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples etc.] DATE: 02/01/2010.

Dipak De in Human Rights; Member of Amnesty International; United Nations on line volunteer on Human Rights; in touch with: Asian Human Rights Commission, Hongkong] Indian Army: Why is India still continuing its military ties with Nepal? - Quora Quora India Indian Army: Why is India still continuing its military ties with Nepal? Recently, I read an article. And to my surprise, it mentioned that Nepal's CoAS is given the rank of honorary CoAS of Indian Army. As much as I found it to be perplexing, I couldn't help but understand the logic behind this. Also, it mentioned that there are some 25000 Nepalese soldier serving in the Indian Army. Doesn't this represent a serious breach in the defense apparatus of India? How can GOI allow this to happen? Written Aug 6, 2013 Not only India but even Britain continues its military ties with Nepal. As far as i know both Indian and British soldier have their barracks in Nepal. They do recruitment once a year. Coming to reason why is it so. Apart from warfare, military is also about culture and traditions. Every infantry has their own tradition and they live by it.

Every country wants some fierce warrior by their side and undoubtedly Nepalese Gorkhas are the most feared warriors of all time. There are currently 7 gorkha regiment in India and recruitment for them are done only in Nepal, this is a tradition without which gorkha regiment in India has to be shut down. see this Gorkha regiments (India) . This Gorkha regiment in India was the result of treaty between India and British. At the time of Independence Britishers had 10 Gorkha regiment by their side. They took 4 regiments and left 6 regiment to India. The 7th regiment was created to accommodate some soliders of 7th and 10th infantry who opted not to go to Britain. This indicates that Gorkha regiment are the oldest regiment of Indian army having existed even before creation of Modern Indian Army. Having said about their origin lets see what they have done in India: Fought in Hyderabad police action in 1948(which ended up merging Hyderabad to INDIA) UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Sierra Leone from India. And also the most recent Kargil War under Manoj Kumar Pandey Constitute most part of military deployed at North eastern side on India.

Now i think its clear to you why GOI cannot think this a security breach in their country. They rather take it as a added gallantry to their army. These are enough reason to award the CoAS of Nepal as Honorary CoAS of India. Also some of the officers holding ranks in Gorkha regiment are awarded ranks in Nepal Army too. FYI, I am an Nepalese national who qualified NDA and SSB to join Indian Navy as Permanent Commissioned officer. And every citizen of Nepal has been given this right and they compete with all the India applicants, no discrimination at all. Updated Aug 29, 2013 I am gonna be blunt here. This is a stupid question. I presume that the OP doesn't have a good knowledge of the history of India's military and foreign policy. Also the wording of the question doesn't resonate well with its description. First, Nepal's CoAS wasn't made honorary CoAS of the Indian Army. He was conferred with honorary General rank. There's a difference between being a General and being a CoAS. It also must be noted that India's CoAS General Bikram Singh also has an honorary rank of General in the Nepalese Army.

This tradition of conferring honorary General ranks to each other's CoAS is being followed by India's and Nepal's Armies since 1965. It started as yet another tool in India's foreign policy towards Nepal owing to the close cultural ties between the two nations. Honorary ranks mean nothing more than respectful gestures and seeing that India's ties with Nepal have hit rock bottom due to India's stupid foreign policy in the last 10 years or so, discontinuing this tradition won't be a nice idea. Coming to the point of Nepalese soldiers in Indian Army. Have you never heard of the term Gorkha? The Gorkha regiments of Indian Army consist of both Gorkhas from Nepal and Indian Gorkhas from our own hilly regions. More than half of the soldiers in these regiments are Gorkhas from Nepal and the rest of the Gorkhas are from India. Gorkha soldiers are some of the most decorated soldiers in the history of Indian Army and the Army too holds them in very high regard. They are very unique in the way that they have complete unwavering loyalty towards the Army irrespective of where they come from. Gorkhas are feared and respected world wide for their fighting capabilities.

It is well known that Gorkhas are unflinching and prefer death over surrender. They do not hold themselves back at all in combat. Field Marshal Sam Maneckshaw once said, "If a man says he's not afraid of dying, he's either lying or is a Gurkha". Just a few years ago, a Gorkha soldier of Indian Army, armed just with his Khukri, single-handedly subdued around 20 armed dacoits in a train in Bengal. Seriously, Gorkha means badass! But I digress. I could write a book over the qualities of Gorkha soldiers but you can read up about them anywhere on the internet. Point is that Gorkhas are prized assets of Indian Army and the Army values them a lot. That's why there are so many Nepalese in the Indian Army. Statistically speaking even if all of them leave it won't affect the 1.2 million strong force and yet the Army has always resisted any such moves from either India or Nepal citing their quality in all kinds of combat. I hope that removes your needless apprehensions about presence of Nepalese subjects in Indian Army.

Written Mar 15, 2015 Others have given you answers and provided History of Gorkha regiments. Sir Have you ever travelled to any part of Nepal ? Nepalese people are not just Gorkha there are many communities and castes and not all of them have tradition of being professional soldiers. Nepal has very deep historic and cultural ties with India ,Today's Nepal was Malla Mahajanpada which was one of the 16 Mahajanpads of ancient India. State nations of Republic of India and Nepal can not erase the ties which were formed before the modern states were formed. We have open borders and Nepali citizen can live and work in India legally. So if we trust Nepalise people in general so much Why there should be any degree of apprehension on military service alone. Gorkha soldiers and Nepal’s changed context : Kurakani in Kathmandu HT Home / Blogs Home > Kurakani in Kathmandu / Nepal , South Asia / Gorkha soldiers and Nepal’s changed context Gorkha soldiers and Nepal’s changed context Nepal has not been involved in a war with any country since the one with East India Company and British forces in 1814-16.

But for close to two centuries, brave Gorkha soldiers (or Gurkhas as they are known in the British Army) from Nepal have fought numerous wars for others. But the era of these brave men laying down lives for causes not associated with their motherland could soon come to an end. As a new Nepal tries to emerge from the rubble of a civil war and demise of the 240-year-old monarchy, Gorkhas serving the British and Indian armies could become a thing of the past. The Committee for International Relations and Human Rights of Nepal’s parliament recently endorsed a policy paper (‘Nepal’s Foreign Policy in Changed Context’) which besides offering suggestions on foreign policy also seeks an end to soldiers fighting wars under foreign flags. “Gurkha recruitment gave the youth a small opportunity for employment, but serving foreign military powers has not always allowed the country to hold its head high…Since, ultimately, Gurkha recruitment will have to end, it is necessary to create alternatives,” the paper recommended. If such a ban on recruitment is indeed put in place, it will end a unique chapter in military history where citizens of one country served in armies of others and fought against enemies with whom they had no enmity.

Recruitment of Gorkhas, first into East India Company and later into British Army, began during the 1814-16 war when impressed with their bravery the East India Company started enlisting them. The first Gorkha regiment, Nausiri Battalion, was formed in 1815. Gorkhas proved their tenacity in many wars and later became part of British Indian Army when it was formed after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. They served the British during the First and Second World Wars with distinction in many countries and the legend of the Gorkha as the ‘bravest soldier’ and his ‘khukri’ took firm shape. After India’s independence, both Britain and India decided on retaining services of Gorkha regiments in their armies as per the Tripartite Agreement signed with Nepal. In the past 200 years, Gorkhas have earned battle laurels in over 20 countries for Britain and India during wars and peace-keeping efforts. At present there are 39 battalions in seven Gorkha regiments of Indian Army. Nearly 30,000 Gorkhas including 120 officers are serving in these regiments.

Every year thousands more join these brave men through recruitment drives conducted in Nepal. Besides those serving, Nepal has 79,000 Indian Army pensioners, 11,000 widows of ex-servicemen and 17,000 retired Assam Rifles personnel. Indian Army pays them over Rs 1,200 crores annually in pension and provides other benefits to their families as well. Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas comprise of 3640 men recruited from Nepal. Such is the level of trust enjoyed by them that they were recently entrusted the task of protecting Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, when he was secretly posted in war-ravaged Afghanistan. All that tradition could soon fade away as Nepal mulls changes in foreign policy with the intention of holding its head high among as an independent, sovereign republic. “The elimination of Gurkha recruitment, indeed, is a test of whether the new republic can settle the debate over her semi-colonial status and become a proud member of fully sovereign community of nations,” writes columnist Gyanu Adhikari in The Kathmandu Post.

Posted by Utpal Parashar on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 6:35 pm 200th anniversary of the Gurkhas: fierce, loyal and brave, Britain must thank them for their service - Telegraph Defence 200th anniversary of the Gurkhas: fierce, loyal and brave, Britain must thank them for their service General Sir Peter Wall pays tribute to the Nepalese soldiers who are a valued and distinguished part of the Army, still making up three per cent of our fighting force Pipers of the British Gurkha army at the Landi Khotal on the north-west frontier of India Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images By General Sir Peter Wall 6:05AM BST 07 Apr 2015 The Gurkhas - Who are the Gurkhas Antique(Old) Kukri Axe - Tomahawk Beyond Khukuri Commando Tactical Knife EGKH Custom Kukri EGKH Exclusive Kukri EGKH Light Blade Full Tang Kukri EGKH New Release 2011 Kukri EGKH New Release 2012 Kukri EGKH New Release 2013 Kukri EGKH New Release

 2014 Kukri EGKH New Release 2015 Kukri EGKH New Release 2016 Kukri EGKH New Release 2017 Kukri EGKH Special Khukuri EGKH Supplements (Small but Imp) EGKH Very Exclusive Kukri Engraved Kukri Gurkha Army Current Issue Kukri Gurkha Army Early Issue Kukri Gurkhas Accessories Gurkhas Item Khukuri Stand and Box Kothimora (Silver) Kukri Ladies Khukuri ( Khurmi ) Machete Survival Knife Mini Medium Kukri Nepal Army and Police Kukri Nepalese Sword New Arrival Kukri Panawal Miniature Kukri Raw Unpolished Kukri Sacrificial (Religious) Kukri Sirupates (Unique Blade) Kukri Souvenir and Decorative Kukri Super Mini Small Khukuri The Gripper (Panjawal) Kukri Traditional Khukuri Trekkers Knife Village (Farmer) Khukuri The Gurkhas Some sources say that in the mid-18th Century, in a small principality called “Gorkha” under King Prithivi Nar

ayaan conquered and united most of what is today known as Nepal, and went on to expand their kingdom to an area that extends from the Border of Kashmir in the northwest, to Bhutan in the east; establishing Hinduism – with distinct Rajput warrior and Gorkhanath influences – as the official state religion.

Other sources disagree, saying that it is the other way around – they believe the locality took its name from the Gorkha people of that region. These sources contend that in the early 1500s some of the descendants of Bappa Rawal – a powerful and famous ruler of India’s Mewar Dynasty – went further east, to conquer a small state in present-day Nepal, which they named Gorkha in honour of their patron saint; and that by 1769, under the leadership of Sri Panch Maharaj, Dhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shahdev (1769–1775), the Gorkha Dynasty controlled the area which is modern Nepal. Whether the people took the name of the region or the region was given the name of the people, though, the Gurkhas evolved a simple, but unique philosophy of life, which epitomizes the very essence of what it means to be a warrior: They believe it is better to be dead than to be a coward.

Even the name itself, “Gurkha” comes from the root, “gorkhali,” which in our language is another name for, valor, courage, steadfastness, loyalty, and neutrality or impartiality. So it is with good reason that their traditional war cry, given in battle preparatory to a charge, is enough to chill the blood of the most determined adversary: "Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali!!!" - "Glory to the Goddess of War, here come the Gurkhas!" It may be hard for modern, 21st Century people to understand, but during this warlike era of unification, it is said that the nation, its warriors, and their weapon; the khukuri; became as one. Just as it was said by the legendary Japanese samurai warriors that, “The sword is the soul of the samurai,” It was said of the khukuri and the warriors who carried them, “Without the one, the other is nothing.” The relationship of the Gurkha to his khukuri goes back to the earliest days of the Nepalese nation.

For almost 200 years, they have served in the British Army thanks to the Treaty of Segauli, which made them allies and brothers in arms. They are not mercenaries, but full members of the British Army. Their relationship with the British is unique in history. When the Gurkhas began to have clashes with the crack troops guarding territory controlled by the British East India Company, the British quickly declared war against them… and soon discovered that declaring war on a Gurkha was one thing, but conquering him was something else entirely. During this conflict though, something truly remarkable happened – something not often seen in the annals of warfare: Each side noted not only the valor, but also the honor and courtesy with which the other side fought, and each side came to admire the bravery and chivalry of their opponents.

In the Spring of 1816, in a singular gesture of respect for a worthy adversary, the British decided not only to make peace with the Gurkhas, but to forge an alliance with these brave little men with the big knives, who seemed to have all of the qualities that make an ideal infantryman: Thus, on March 4, 1816, the Treaty of Sugauli was ratified and a provision was made that allowed the British to recruit them into the British Army as a Brigade of Gurkhas. On that day, a long-standing alliance between the British and the Gurkhas that endures to this day. Ever since that time, Nepalese troops from the the Rai’s , Limbus, Gurungs, Magar, and other Nepalese clans have served proudly in the British Army.

Their courage, sincerity and loyalty have won them the praise and friendship of their British counterparts, and the fear and respect of their enemies; and won many metals and unit commendations for their courage on the battlefield, including even the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military honor: In the 158 years since the Victoria Cross was created for conspicuous valor and extreme courage in the face of the enemy, only 1,357 have been awarded; twenty-six have been awarded to members of Gurkha regiments. The near-superhuman courage which Gurkhas manifest on the battlefield is legendary – The Gurkha’s story has been indelibly written on battlefields throughout the world. In WWI alone, some 20,000 Gurkhas gave their lives in battles that raged as far away as France, Turkey, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. In at least one case – The Battle of Loos, they literally fought to the last man. They were often the first troops to arrive and the last to leave.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust, which was organized by the British to assist their Gurkha veterans acknowledged that “If there was a minute’s silence for every Gurkha casualty from the World War alone (meaning World War I), we would have to keep quiet for two weeks.” Sam Maneskshaw, Former Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, once commented, “If a man is not afraid of dying, then he is either lying, or he is a Gurkha.” This kind of courage has won the highest admiration and praise from their British allies. Sir Ralph Turner, of the 3rd Queen Alexander’s Own Gurkha Rifles was once moved to comment about the Gurkhas,“ As I write these last words, my thoughts return to you who were my comrades, the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal. Once more I hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship. Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun.

Uncomplaining you endure hunger and thirst and wounds; and at the last your unwavering lines disappear into the smoke and wrath of battle. Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had country more faithful friends than you. ”

Question: What name was given to Nepalese soldiers recruited into the Indian army?
Answer: Gurkhas