Glorious Soldiers
The Gurkhas
The Gurkhas first came into prominence during the Gurkha- British wars during the 19th century. The Gurkhas were defeated, but the British were impressed with the fighting qualities of their opponents.
Much water has flown down the Ganga since then and today the Gurkhas are part of the British and Indian army. The British had also classified the Gurkhas as a martial race and the Gurkha battalions lived up to their reputation during two wars and numerous operations in far away territories from Hongkong to the North West Frontier. The Gurkhas who have been recruited belong to four main ethnic groups. These are the Gurung and Magars from central Nepal and the Rais and Limbus from eastern Nepal.
125th Anniversary
In 2011 the 2/5 GR (FF)- the Second Battalion of the Fifth Gurkha Rifles celebrated its 125th anniversary . This battalion is also referred to as the VC Palton( Force) as its personnel won 3 Victoria crosses in the Second World War in 1944 in operations against the Japanese Army in Burma. This battalion was raised at Abbotabad ( Now in Pakistan) in 1886.
The Gurkha soldiers are all Hindus and are devotees of the Hindu Goddess Durga also known as Mahakali. Hence their war cry is ‘Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali' (' Victory to Goddess Mahakali, the Gurkhas are coming’).
Gurkhas as Soldiers
Not many people are aware that the Gurkhas have been part of the British Indian army and later the Indian army for close to 2 centuries. The Gurkhas are loyal soldiers and it is on record that 43,000 Gurkhas gave their lives on the battlefield in the two world wars. At a conservative estimate 200,000 Gurkha enlisted in the British Indian army and served with distinction.
1947
In 1947 when the British were leaving India the Gurkha battalions were given the option of joining the Indian or the British army. This was as per a tripartite agreement between India, Britain and Nepal. To the chagrin of the British the majority opted to serve with the Indian army. Thus out of 10 regiments, 6 opted to join the Indian army. The regiments that opted to join the Indian army were the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th, while the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th were incorporated in the British army. Presently the Indian army has 39 Gurkha battalions as part of 7 Gurkha regiments.
The Gurkhas were used by the British in the Falkland operations.They were also used in Afghanistan. The Indianarmy used them in the heliborne attack on Sylhet during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
The Gurkhas first came into prominence during the Gurkha- British wars during the 19th century. The Gurkhas were defeated, but the British were impressed with the fighting qualities of their opponents.
Much water has flown down the Ganga since then and today the Gurkhas are part of the British and Indian army. The British had also classified the Gurkhas as a martial race and the Gurkha battalions lived up to their reputation during two wars and numerous operations in far away territories from Hongkong to the North West Frontier. The Gurkhas who have been recruited belong to four main ethnic groups. These are the Gurung and Magars from central Nepal and the Rais and Limbus from eastern Nepal.
125th Anniversary
In 2011 the 2/5 GR (FF)- the Second Battalion of the Fifth Gurkha Rifles celebrated its 125th anniversary . This battalion is also referred to as the VC Palton( Force) as its personnel won 3 Victoria crosses in the Second World War in 1944 in operations against the Japanese Army in Burma. This battalion was raised at Abbotabad ( Now in Pakistan) in 1886.
The Gurkha soldiers are all Hindus and are devotees of the Hindu Goddess Durga also known as Mahakali. Hence their war cry is ‘Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali' (' Victory to Goddess Mahakali, the Gurkhas are coming’).
Gurkhas as Soldiers
Not many people are aware that the Gurkhas have been part of the British Indian army and later the Indian army for close to 2 centuries. The Gurkhas are loyal soldiers and it is on record that 43,000 Gurkhas gave their lives on the battlefield in the two world wars. At a conservative estimate 200,000 Gurkha enlisted in the British Indian army and served with distinction.
1947
In 1947 when the British were leaving India the Gurkha battalions were given the option of joining the Indian or the British army. This was as per a tripartite agreement between India, Britain and Nepal. To the chagrin of the British the majority opted to serve with the Indian army. Thus out of 10 regiments, 6 opted to join the Indian army. The regiments that opted to join the Indian army were the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th, while the 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th were incorporated in the British army. Presently the Indian army has 39 Gurkha battalions as part of 7 Gurkha regiments.
The Gurkhas were used by the British in the Falkland operations.They were also used in Afghanistan. The Indianarmy used them in the heliborne attack on Sylhet during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
The Special weapon of the Gurkhas
The Gurkhas go into battle with their curved knives which have 18 inch blades. Called ‘Kukhri’ these broad blades have proved lethal in close combat and hand to hand battles.
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