Serving London, the South of England & the Midlands
Current Threat Level: Severe
Serving London, the South of England & the Midlands
Current Threat Level: Severe
Gurkhas are marked by their graciousness, loyalty, and great courage. As gentle in daily life as they are fearless and tenacious in battle, they are a dignified people with the upmost dedication to duty. We pride ourselves in sharing their core values and understand what is means to be a Gurkha serving on the front lines.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ruler of the small kingdom of Gorkha, successfully unified several smaller states and kingdoms to form modern Nepal.
Significance: This established the foundations of Nepal and cemented the Gorkhas’ reputation as fierce warriors. The Gurkha ethos is believed to stem from this era, combining loyalty to the king with a tradition of valor.
The Gurkhas have a long, steadfast and distinguished association with the United Kingdom. They first encountered the British in the Gurkha War of 1814 – 1816 , which ended not just in stalemate, but with an abiding sense of mutual respect and admiration between the two sides.
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”.
The Nasiri Battalion was one of the first Gurkha regiments formed by the British East India Company. It was primarily composed of Gurkhas who had served in the Nepalese Army but decided to join the British after the treaty.
The battalion laid the foundation for the Brigade of Gurkhas, which eventually became an integral part of the British Army.
This historical moment highlights how the Gurkhas transitioned from being adversaries to trusted allies, a legacy that continues in the modern Brigade of Gurkhas serving in the British Army.
Gurkhas fought on the British side in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and at the end of the war, Gurkhas became a part of the British Indian Army. In recognition of their service at Delhi, the 2nd Gurkha Rifles was awarded the Queen’s Truncheon, a unique emblem which is believed to have magical powers. To this day, new recruits to The Royal Gurkha Rifles swear allegiance to the Crown and the Regiment on the Truncheon.
The involvement of the Gurkhas in World War I is one of the most celebrated chapters in their military history. Their courage, discipline, and loyalty solidified their reputation as formidable soldiers.
Over 200,000 Gurkhas served during the war. This included multiple battalions and support units deployed across the British Empire’s vast fronts.
Gurkhas earned over 2,000 gallantry awards for their exceptional service, including 10 Victoria Crosses (VCs), the highest military honor in the British Army.
Rifleman Kulbir Thapa was the first Nepali Gurkha to be awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded comrades under fire during the Battle of Loos.
After the war, the Gurkhas continued to play a vital role in maintaining peace and order within the British Empire, contributing to subsequent military campaigns.
The Gurkhas made an invaluable contribution during World War II, participating in some of the most critical campaigns across multiple theaters. Their courage, adaptability, and resilience under harsh conditions reinforced their legendary reputation as elite soldiers.
Over 250,000 Gurkhas served in various capacities, including combat, reconnaissance, and logistical support.
Gurkhas served in 40 battalions during the war, a dramatic increase from the 10 battalions at the start of the conflict.
Gurkhas earned 2,734 bravery awards for their actions during WWII.
This includes 12 Victoria Crosses (VCs), the highest military honour in the British Army.
Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung received the VC for single-handedly repelling a Japanese attack despite severe injuries during the Burma Campaign.
Signed in 1947, the Tripartite Agreement was a formal arrangement between Britain, India, and Nepal.
It divided the Gurkha regiments between the British and Indian armies, preserving the Gurkha tradition of service in both armed forces.
Four regiments of Gurkhas joined the British Army, forming the foundation of the modern Brigade of Gurkhas:
The Gurkha Justice Campaign was a pivotal movement in the history of the Gurkhas, marking a significant moment of recognition for their contributions to the British Army. It was both a legal and public campaign to address perceived inequalities faced by retired Gurkha soldiers.
Prior to 2009, Gurkhas who retired before 1997 did not have an automatic right to settle in the UK.
This policy was rooted in the 1947 Tripartite Agreement, which stipulated that Gurkhas were to retire in Nepal. However, it created a disparity between Gurkhas and other British Army veterans.
In May 2009, the UK government announced that all Gurkhas who had served at least four years in the British Army would be granted the right to settle in the UK.
This decision applied to Gurkhas who retired before and after 1997, correcting a long-standing inequity.
Joanna Lumley had a pivotal role in the Gurkha Justice Campaign. Her father Major James Rutherford Lumley, was a British Army officer who served with the Gurkhas.
From 1857 until 1947, the Gurkha regiments saw service in Burma, Afghanistan, the North-East and North-West Frontiers of India, Malta (The Russo-Turkish War 1877-78), Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer rebellion of 1900), Tibet, and in the First and Second World Wars. They have continued to serve in every major conflict since.
British officials in the 19th century declared the Gurkhas as a ‘Martial Race’, a term describing people thought to be ‘naturally warlike and aggressive in battle’ possessing qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strength.
Gurkhas are famed for carrying a khukuri. It is the national weapon of Nepal, but it is also used as a work tool in the Hills. Each Gurkha carries two khukuris, one for every-day use and one for ceremonial purposes. Their famous war cry, “Ayo Gorkhali” translates as “The Gurkhas are here”, their motto, ‘Kaphar hunnu bhanda marnu ramro’ means, ‘It is better to die than to live like a coward.
