Burmese Gurkha
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Myanmar,Yangon,Mandalay,Mogok,Pyin Oo Lwin,Taunggyi,Mandalay Division,Shan State,Kachin State | |
| Languages | |
| BurmeseandNepalese | |
| Religion | |
 Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nepalese peoplesandIndian Gorkhas |
Burmese Gurkhas(Burmese:ဂေါ်ရခါးလူမျိုးများ;Nepali:गोरखाली) are a group ofNepali languagespeakingBurmese peopleofKhas/Gurkhaethnic group living inMyanmar(formerly Burma). While theGurkhashave lived in Burma for many centuries, it was during theBritish rule in Burmathat the majority of theGurkhamigrated fromNepal.[1][2]
The estimated population of Gurkha is nearly 1 million. The majority of Gurkha now reside inYangon(Rangoon),Mandalay,Pyin U Lwin,Mogok,Tamu,Kalaymyo,Taunggyi,and other parts of the country.[3]
History and demography[edit]
Like many other people who reside inMyanmarand who have their origin inNepal,the majority ofGurkhacame along with the British administration. ManyGurkhasserved during theSecond World Warin the Burma Campaign, especially asrear guard unitsfor the British retreat from Burma.[3]
After Burma's independence in 1948, the Gurkhas joined the infantBurma Army.ManyGurkhasserved in the new republic's various campaigns against ethnic insurgents and theKuomintanginvasions.The Gurkha were considered key assets of the Burmese Army in the 1950s.[4]This was also the soldier namedSuk Bahadur Rai†that won the highest honor ofTatmadaw,The Aung San Thuriya Medal.[5]
Culture[edit]
Many ofGurkhainMyanmarpracticeHinduism and Buddhism.A very small number of them practiceChristianity.There are a few Gurkha Hindu temples Buddhist monastery in the cities around Kachin State, Shan State, Yangon and Mandalay. Gurkha form a large minority in Myitkyina, Mogok and the hill station of Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo).[6]
Language[edit]
Most Gurkha typically speakNepaliandBurmeselanguages.
Education[edit]
The Gurkha place high importance on education, and they represent a disproportionately high share of those with advanced (medical, engineering or doctorate) degrees in Burma.[7][8]
Notable Gurkha people in Burma[edit]
- PrivateAung San ThuriyaSuk Bahadur Rai– No.4 Burma Regiment (4th Gurkha)Myanmar Army.[9]– recipient of the Aung San Thuriya award, the highest gallantry award in Myanmar.[10]
- Suk Bahadur(Burmese: ဗဟာဒူး) is a Burmese footballer who served as the captain of Myanmar national football team (1952–1970). He is considered the greatest Burmese footballer that ever lived for the tremendous success he brought to country's football. He's also a major in Myanmar Army[11]
 | This article's list of peoplemay not follow Wikipedia'sverifiabilitypolicy.(January 2018) |
- CorporalThiha ThuraMan Bahadur Thapa – No.4 Burma Regiment (4th Gurkha)Myanmar Army
- Lt. ColonelZeya Kyawhtin ThuraLachhuman Rai – No.4 Burma Regiment (4th Gurkha), Myanmar Army
- ColonelZeya KyawhtinTanka Dhoj – Director General of Hotel and Tourism Department underNe Win's government
- Lt. Colonel Raj Bahadhur Lama – (A 1) Eastern Command, Myanmar Army
- MajorZeyakyawhtinBhagiman Subba – No.4 Burma Regiment (4th Gurkha),Myanmar Army
- Assistant Director Arun Kumar – Internal Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance, Union of Myanmar
- Professor of Chemistry Attar Singh Chettry (M.Sc.),Mandalay University,Myanmar
- Gannes Basnet (Advocate ) first Gurkha Candidate for Myanmar Parliament
- Cherry Myae Maung Tin Tun (Writer)
- Nyein Thazin (Taekwando) two gold, three silver and two bronze medals
- Nanda Soe Maha Nandar Gyawali Kick boxer
- Nandar Gyawali,Podcaster, human rights activist and feminist activist
References[edit]
- ^Gurung, Tim I. (2017-06-24)."Meet the proud Gurkha community of Myanmar".Asia Times.Retrieved2024-03-20.
- ^"Emerging dynamics among Southeast Asia's Nepali diaspora".New Mandala.2020-09-24.Retrieved2024-03-20.
- ^ab"Gurkhas in Myanmar".lostfootsteps.org.Retrieved2024-03-20.
- ^Defence Museum, Yangon
- ^Lawi Weng (May 20, 2014)."The Forgotten Gurkhas of Burma".Irrawaddy.
- ^Tuladhar, Pratibha (2021-03-09)."Memories of a country in transition".nepalitimes.com.Retrieved2024-03-20.
- ^Burma Citizenship Law harsh on ethnic Burma Citizenship Law harsh on ethnic|"The Irrawaddy News Magazine [Covering Burma and Southeast Asia]".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-23.Retrieved2013-05-14.
- ^Burma Citizenship Law 1982|http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6b4f71b.htmlArchived2013-01-17 at theWayback Machine
- ^Defence Museum, Yangon
- ^"ဆာ့ခ္ဗဟာဒူးရြိဳင္း၊ (ေအာင္ဆန္းသူရိယ)".23 February 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-04-19.Retrieved2018-04-19.
- ^"Hamro Myanmar".sites.google.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-04-13.Retrieved2018-04-19.
Further reading[edit]
- May Myo Chit Swe, "Myanmar Pyi Phwar Gurkha", 2000 November (in Burmese).
- Scott of The Shan Hills, Edited by G. E. Mitton (Lady Scott)
- Report of Frontier Areas Committee of Enquiry, Part 2,1947
- Burma Gazetteer,28.6.1948
- Ruby Mines District Gazetteer
- New Times of Burma,7.6.1948
- New Times of Burma,10.6.1948
- The Hundred Days of Burma, Lt.MACHOTON
