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"Gorkha" and "Gorkhali" redirect here. For the early modern state, seeGorkha Kingdom.For other uses, seeGurkha (disambiguation).

Nepali soldiers; drawing byGustave Le Bon,1885
Monument to the Gurkha Soldier inHorse Guards Avenue,outside theMinistry of Defence,City of Westminster,London
Akhukuri,the signature weapon of the Gurkhas
Kaji(equivalent toPrime MinisterofGorkha Kingdom)Vamshidhar "Kalu" PandeandChief of the Gorkhali Army;one of the most highly decorated Gorkhali commanders

TheGurkhasorGorkhas(/ˈɡɜːrkə,ˈɡʊər-/), with theendonymGorkhali(Nepali:गोर्खाली[ɡorkʰali]), are soldiers native to theIndian subcontinent,chiefly residing withinNepaland some parts ofNorth India.[1][2]

The Gurkha units are composed of Nepali andIndian Gorkha,Nepali-speaking Indian people, and are recruited for theNepali Army(96,000),[3]theIndian Army(42,000), theBritish Army(4,010),[4]theGurkha ContingentinSingapore,theGurkha Reserve UnitinBrunei,for UN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the world.[5]Gurkhas are closely associated with thekhukuri,a forward-curving knife, and have a reputation for fearless military prowess. FormerIndian ArmyChief of StaffField MarshalSam Manekshawonce stated that: "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha."[6]

Origins

Historically, the terms "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali", which originates from the hill principalityGorkha Kingdom,from which theKingdom of Nepalexpanded underPrithvi Narayan Shah,who was the last ruler of theGorkha Kingdomand first monarch of theKingdom of Nepal.[7][8]In fact, the Gorkhas’ impressive conquests of the Kathmandu Valley supplied the British with an exaggerated view of Nepal’s strength, ultimately helping lead to theAnglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816).[9]The name may be traced to the medievalHinduwarrior-saint GuruGorakhnath[10]who has a historic shrine inGorkha District.The word itself derived fromGo-Raksha(Nepali:गोरक्षाi.e., 'Protector (रक्षा) of cows (गो')),rakshabecomingrakha(रखा).Rakhawalameans 'protector' and is derived fromrakshaas well.

There are Gurkha military units in theNepalese,BritishandIndianarmies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom, India and Singapore. Although they meet many of the criteria of Article 47[11]ofProtocol Iof theGeneva Conventionsregardingmercenaries,they are exempt under clauses47(e) and (f),similar to theFrench Foreign Legion.[12]

King ofGorkha Kingdomand founder of modern Gorkhali ForceMaharajadhirajaPrithvi Narayan Shah,(1743–1775) consulting with his first Army ChiefSenapatiShivaram Singh Basnyat(d. 1747)

During the 1814–16Anglo-Nepalese Warbetween theGorkha Kingdomand theEast India Company,the Gorkhali soldiers impressed the British, who called themGurkhas.[13][failed verification]

British East India Company army

Gurkha soldiers during theAnglo-Nepalese War,1815

The Anglo-Nepalese War was fought between the GurkhaKingdom of Nepaland theBritish East India Companyas a result of border disputes and ambitious expansionism of both belligerents. The war ended with the signing of theTreaty of Sugauliin 1816.[citation needed]

David Ochterlonyand British political agentWilliam Fraserwere among the first to recognize the potential of Gurkha soldiers. During the war the British used defectors from the Gurkha army and employed them asirregular forces.Fraser's confidence in their loyalty was such that in April 1815 he proposed forming them into a battalion under Lt. Ross called the Nasiri Regiment. This regiment, which later became the1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles,saw action at Malaun Fort under the leadership of Lt. Lawtie, who reported to Ochterlony that he "had the greatest reason to be satisfied with their exertions".[citation needed]

About 5,000 men entered British service in 1815, most of whom were not just Gorkhalis, but Kumaonis, Garhwalis and other Himalayan hill men. These groups, eventually lumped together under the termGurkha,became the backbone of British Indian forces.[citation needed]

As well as Ochterlony's Gurkha battalions, Fraser andLt. Frederick Youngraised the Sirmoor Battalion, later to become the2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles.An additional battalion—the Kumaon—was also raised, eventually becoming the3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles.None of these units fought in the second campaign.[citation needed]

Gurkhas served as troops under contract to the British East India Company in thePindaree Warof 1817, inBharatpurin 1826, and theFirstandSecondAnglo-Sikh Wars in 1846 and 1848.[7]

During theIndian Rebellion of 1857,Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of theBritish Indian Armyon its formation. The8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalionmade a notable contribution during the conflict, and 25Indian Order of Meritawards were made to men from that regiment during the Siege of Delhi.[14]

Three days after the rebellion began, the Sirmoor Battalion was ordered to move to Meerut, where the British garrison was barely holding on, and in doing so they had to march up to 48 kilometres a day.[15]Later, during the four-month Siege of Delhi, they defendedHindu Rao's house, losing 327 of 490 men. During this action they fought side by side with the60th Riflesand a strong bond developed.[16][17]

Twelve regiments from the Nepalese Army also took part in the relief ofLucknow[18]under the command of Shri Teen (3) MaharajaJung Bahadur Ranaof Nepal and his older brother C-in-CRanodip Singh Kunwar(Ranaudip Singh Bahadur Rana) (later to succeed Jung Bahadur and become Sri Teen Maharaja Ranodip Singh of Nepal).[citation needed]

After the rebellion the60th Riflespressed for the Sirmoor Battalion to become a rifle regiment. This honour was granted in 1858 when the battalion was renamed theSirmoor Rifle Regimentand awarded a third colour.[19]In 1863,Queen Victoriapresented the regiment with theQueen's Truncheon,as a replacement for the colours that rifle regiments do not usually have.[20]

British Indian Army (c. 1857–1947)

The Nusseree Battalion, later known as the1st Gurkha Rifles,c. 1857
Hindu Rao's house shortly after the siege
Gurkha soldiers (1896). The centre figure wears the dark green dress uniform worn by all Gurkhas in British service, with certain regimental distinctions.

From the end of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 until the start ofWorld War I,the Gurkha Regiments saw active service inBurma,Afghanistan,Northeast Indiaand theNorth-West Frontierof India, Malta (theRusso-Turkish War, 1877–78), Cyprus, Malaya, China (theBoxer Rebellionof 1900) and Tibet (Younghusband's Expeditionof 1905).

After theIndian Rebellion of 1857,theBritish authorities in Indiafeared the inclusion ofHinducastes in the army. They discouragedBrahminicalinfluence in the military and considered the Hindu castes more susceptible to Brahminical values.[21]As a result, they discouraged the inclusion ofThakuriandKhasgroups in the Gorkha units[21]and refused to recruit tribes other thanGurungsandMagarsfor Gorkha units.[22]They also exerted diplomatic pressure on Prime MinisterBir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Ranato ensure that at least 75% of new recruits wereGurungsandMagars.[21]

Between 1901 and 1906, the Gurkha regiments were renumbered from the 1st to the 10th and re-designated as the Gurkha Rifles. In this time the Brigade of Gurkhas, as the regiments came to be collectively known, was expanded to 20 battalions in the ten regiments.[23]

2nd/5thRoyal Gurkha Rifles,North-West Frontier 1923

DuringWorld War I(1914–1918) more than 200,000 Gurkhas served in the British Army, suffering approximately 20,000 casualties and receiving almost 2,000 gallantry awards.[24]The number of Gurkha battalions was increased to 33, and Gurkha units were placed at the disposal of the British high command by the Gurkha government for service on all fronts. Many Gurkha volunteers served in non-combatant roles, serving in units such as the Army Bearer Corps and the labour battalions.

A large number also served in combat in France, Turkey, Palestine, and Iraq.[25]They served on the battlefields ofFrancein the battles ofLoos,Givenchy,andNeuve Chapelle;inBelgiumat the battle ofYpres;inIraq,Persia,Suez CanalandPalestineagainst Turkish advance,GallipoliandSalonika.[26]One detachment served withLawrence of Arabia.During the Battle of Loos (June–December 1915) a battalion of the 8th Gurkhas fought to the last man, hurling themselves time after time against the weight of the German defences, and in the words of the Indian Corps commander, Lt. Gen. SirJames Willcocks,"found its Valhalla".[27]

During the unsuccessfulGallipoli Campaignin 1915, the Gurkhas were among the first to arrive and the last to leave. The 1st/6th Gurkhas, having landed atCape Helles,led the assault during the first major operation to take a Turkish high point, and in doing so captured a feature that later became known as "Gurkha Bluff".[28]At Sari Bair they were the only troops in the whole campaign to reach and hold the crest line and look down on the straits, which was the ultimate objective.[29]The 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Gurkha Rifles (2nd/3rd Gurkha Rifles) fought in the conquest ofBaghdad.

Following the end of the war, the Gurkhas were returned to India, and during the inter-war years were largely kept away from the internal strife and urban conflicts of the sub-continent, instead being employed largely on the frontiers and in the hills where fiercely independent tribesmen were a constant source of trouble.[30]

As such, between the World Wars the Gurkha regiments fought in theThird Afghan Warin 1919. The regiments then participated in numerous campaigns on the North-West Frontier, mainly inWaziristan,where they were employed as garrison troops defending the frontier. They kept the peace among the local populace and engaged with the lawless and often openly hostilePathan tribesmen.[citation needed]

During this time the North-West Frontier was the scene of considerable political and civil unrest and troops stationed at Razmak, Bannu, and Wanna saw extensive action.[31]

Gurkhas in action with asix-pounder anti-tank gunin Tunisia, 16 March 1943

DuringWorld War II(1939–1945) there were ten Gurkha regiments, with two battalions each, making a total of 20 pre-war battalions.[32]Following theDunkirk evacuationof theBritish Expeditionary Force(BEF) in 1940, the Nepalese government offered to increase recruitment to enlarge the number of Gurkha battalions in British service to 35.[33]This would eventually rise to 43 battalions.

In order to achieve the increased number of battalions, third and fourth battalions were raised for all ten regiments, with fifth battalions also being raised for 1 GR, 2 GR and 9 GR.[32]This expansion required ten training centers to be established for basic training and regimental records across India. In addition, five training battalions (14 GR, 29 GR, 38 GR, 56 GR and 710 GR) were raised, while other units (25 GR and 26 GR) were raised as garrison battalions for keeping the peace in India and defending rear areas.[34]Large numbers of Gurkha men were also recruited for non-Gurkha units, and other specialized duties such as paratroops, signals, engineers and military police.

A total of 250,280[34]Gurkhas served in 40 battalions, plus eightNepalese Armybattalions, parachute, training, garrison and porter units during the war,[35]in almost all theatres. In addition to keeping peace in India, Gurkhas fought inSyria,North Africa,Italy,Greeceand against the Japanese in the jungles ofBurma,northeast Indiaand alsoSingapore.[36]They did so with distinction, earning 2,734 bravery awards in the process[34]and suffering around 32,000 casualties in all theatres.[37]

Gurkha military rank system in the British Indian Army

Gurkha ranks in the British Indian Army followed the same pattern as those used throughout the rest of the Indian Army at that time.[38]As in the British Army itself, there were three distinct levels: private soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and commissioned officers. Gurkha commissioned officers in Gurkha regiments held a "Viceroy's Commission", distinct from the King's or Queen's Commission that British officers serving with a Gurkha regiment held. Any Gurkha holding a commission was technically subordinate to any British officer, regardless of rank.[39]

The 2nd/5th Royal Gurkha Rifles marching through Kure soon after their arrival in Japan in May 1946 as part of the Allied forces of occupation

Rank equivalents in modern Indian and British Armies

Viceroy Commissioned Officers (VCOs) up to 1947 and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) from 1947:[40]

Warrant officers

Non-commissioned officers

Private soldiers

Notes

  • British Army officers received Queen's or King's Commissions, but Gurkha officers in this system received the Viceroy's Commission. After Indian independence in 1947, Gurkha officers in regiments which became part of the British Army received the King's (later Queen's) Gurkha Commission, and were known as King's/Queen's Gurkha Officers (KGO/QGO). Gurkha officers had no authority to command troops of British regiments. The QGO Commission was abolished in 2007.
  • Jemadarsandsubedarsnormally served as platoon commanders and company 2ICs but were junior to all British officers, while the subedar major was the Commanding Officer's advisor on the men and their welfare. For a long time it was impossible for Gurkhas to progress further, except that an honorary lieutenancy or captaincy was (very rarely) bestowed upon a Gurkha on retirement.[39]
  • The equivalent ranks in the post-1947 Indian Army were (and are) known as Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs). They retained the traditional rank titles used in the British Indian Army: Jemadar (later Naib Subedar), Subedar and Subedar Major.
  • While in principle any British subject may apply for a commission without having served in the ranks, Gurkhas cannot. It was customary for a Gurkha soldier to rise through the ranks and prove his ability before his regiment would consider offering him a commission.[39]
  • From the 1920s Gurkhas could also receive King's Indian Commissions, and later full King's or Queen's Commissions, which put them on a par with British officers. This was rare until after the Second World War.
  • Gurkha officers commissioned from theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstand Short Service Officers regularly fill appointments up to the rank of major. At least two Gurkhas have been promoted to lieutenant colonel and there is theoretically now no bar to further progression.[39]
  • After 1948, theBrigade of Gurkhas(part of the British Army) was formed and adopted standard British Army rank structure and nomenclature, except for the three Viceroy Commission ranks between Warrant Officer 1 and Second Lieutenant (jemadar, subedar and subedar major) which remained, albeit with different rank titles Lieutenant (Queens Gurkha Officer), Captain (QGO) and Major (QGO). The QGO commission was abolished in 2007; Gurkha soldiers are currently commissioned as Late Entry Officers (as above).[39]

Regiments of the Gurkha Rifles (c. 1815–1947)

Memorial of10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles,Winchester Cathedral,Hampshire
Princess Mary's Own

Second World War training battalions

  • 14th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion[41]
  • 29th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion
  • 38th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion[41]
  • 56th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion[41]
  • 710th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion[41]

Post-independence (1947–present)

THE GURKHA SOLDIER

Bravest of the brave,
most generous of the generous,
never had country
more faithful friends
than you.

Professor SirRalph Lilley TurnerMC: Inscription on a monument to Gurkha soldiers (unveiled 1997,Whitehall,London)[42]

Under theTripartite Agreementsigned between the governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal afterIndian independenceand thepartition of India,the original ten Gurkha regiments consisting of the 20 pre-war battalions were split between the British Army and the newly independentIndian Army.[34]Six Gurkha regiments (12 battalions) were transferred to the post-independence Indian Army, while four regiments (eight battalions) were transferred to the British Army.[43]

To the disappointment of many of their British officers, the majority of Gurkhas given a choice between British or Indian Army service opted for the latter. The reason appears to have been the pragmatic one that the Gurkha regiments of the Indian Army would continue to serve in their existing roles in familiar territory and under terms and conditions that were well established.[44]The only substantial change was the substitution of Indian officers for British. By contrast, the four regiments selected for British service faced an uncertain future, initially inMalaya- a region where relatively few Gurkhas had previously served. The four regiments (or eight battalions) in British service were subsequently reduced to a single regiment of two battalions. The Indian units have been expanded beyond their pre-Independence establishment of 12 battalions.[45]

The principal aim of the Tripartite Agreement was to ensure that Gurkhas serving under the Crown would be paid on the same scale as those serving in the new Indian Army.[46]This was significantly lower than the standard British rates of pay. While the difference is made up through cost of living and location allowances during a Gurkha's actual period of service, the pension payable on his return to Nepal is much lower than would be the case for his British counterparts.[47]

With the abolition of the Nepalese monarchy in 2008, the future recruitment of Gurkhas for British and Indian service was initially put into doubt. A spokesperson for theCommunist Party of Nepal (Maoist)(later the "Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)" ), which was expected to play a major role in the new secular republic, stated that recruitment as mercenaries was degrading to theNepalese peopleand would be banned.[48]However, as of 2023, Gurkha recruitment for foreign service continues.

British Army Gurkhas

Main article:Brigade of Gurkhas
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles on patrol inHelmand ProvinceinAfghanistanin 2010.

Four Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army on 1 January 1948:

They formed theBrigade of Gurkhasand were initially stationed inMalaya.There were also a number of additional Gurkha units including the 69th and 70th Gurkha Field Squadrons, both included in the 36th Engineer Regiment. Since then, British Gurkhas have served inBorneoduring theconfrontationwith Indonesia, in theFalklands Warand on various peacekeeping missions inSierra Leone,East Timor,BosniaandKosovo.[49]

Major Gurkha Formations:

  • 43rd Independent Gurkha Infantry Brigade(Italy, circa 1943)
  • 26th Gurkha Brigade (Hong Kong, 1948–1950)
  • 17th Gurkha Division(Malaya, 1952–1970)
  • 51st Infantry Brigade (Hong Kong disbanded 1976)
  • 48th Gurkha Infantry Brigade (Hong Kong, 1957–1976; renamed Gurkha Field Force 1976–1997; returned to old title1987 – c. 1992)

As of August 2021, theBrigade of Gurkhasin the British Army has the following units:

The Brigade of Gurkhas also has its own chefs posted among the above-mentioned units. Gurkhas were among the troops who retook theFalklandsin 1982 and have served a number of tours of duty in theWar in Afghanistan.[51][52][53]

Indian Army Gurkhas

The soldiers of 5th Gurkha Rifles of theIndian Armytake position during a training exercise.
Main article:Gorkha regiments (India)

Upon independence in 1947, six of the original ten Gurkha regiments remained with theIndian Army.[43]These regiments were:

Additionally, a further regiment,11 Gorkha Rifles,was raised. In 1949 the spelling was changed from "Gurkha" to the original "Gorkha".[54]All royal titles were dropped when India became a republic in 1950.[54]

Since partition, the Gurkha regiments that were transferred to the Indian Army have established themselves as a permanent and vital part of the newly independent Indian Army. Indeed, while Britain has reduced its Gurkha contingent, India has continued to recruit Gorkhas of Nepal into Gorkha regiments in large numbers, as well as Indian Gorkhas.[45]In 2009 the Indian Army had a Gorkha contingent that numbered around 42,000 men in 46 battalions, spread across seven regiments.

Although their deployment is still governed by the 1947 Tripartite Agreement, in the post-1947 conflicts India has fought in, Gorkhas have served in almost all of them, including the wars with Pakistan in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 and also against China in 1962.[55]They have also been used in peacekeeping operations around the world.[54]They have also served in Sri Lanka conducting operations against theTamil Tigers.[56]

Singapore Gurkha Contingent

A trooper of the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force gives directions to a civilian.

TheGurkha Contingent(GC) of theSingapore Police Forcewas formed on 9 April 1949 from selected ex-British Army Gurkhas. It is an integral part of the police force and was raised to replace aSikhunit that had existed prior to the Japanese occupation during theSecond World War.[57]

The GC is a well trained, dedicated and disciplined body whose principal role is asriot policeand counter-terrorism force. In times of crisis it can be deployed as a reaction force. During the turbulent years before and after independence, the GC acquitted itself well on several occasions during outbreaks of civil disorder. The Gurkhas displayed the courage, self-restraint and professionalism for which they are famous and earned the respect of the society at large.[57]

Brunei Gurkha Reserve Unit

TheGurkha Reserve Unit(GRU) is a special guard and elite shock-troop force in theSultanate of Brunei.The Brunei Reserve Unit employs about 500 Gurkhas. The majority are veterans of the British Army and theSingaporean Police,who have joined the GRU as a second career.

Indian Special Frontier Force

TheSpecial Frontier Force(SFF) is an Indian paramilitary organization consisting of Tibetan refugees, Nepali Gurkhas, and other ethnic groups from mountainous areas. The SFF is tasked with conducting covert actions against China in the event of another Sino-Indian war. The SFF was originally intended to exclusively consist of Tibetan refugees living in India, however, the SFF began recruiting Nepali Gurkhas and hill tribesmen in 1965 to make up for a declining recruitment rate among Tibetans. It is believed there are around 700 Gurkhas serving in the SFF.[58]

Other

Victoria Cross recipients

Main article:List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross

There have been 26Victoria Crosses(VC) awarded to soldiers of Gurkha regiments.[59]The first was awarded in 1858 and the last in 1965.[60]Thirteen of the recipients have been British officers serving with Gurkha regiments. Since 1915, the majority have been awarded to Gurkhas serving in the ranks as private soldiers or NCOs.[24]Since Indian independence in 1947, Gurkhas serving in the Indian Army have been awarded threeParam Vir Chakras,which are equivalent to the Victoria Cross.[61]

TwoGeorge Cross(GC) medals have been awarded to Gurkha soldiers for acts of bravery.[24]The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the UK honours system, the George Cross is equal in stature to the Victoria Cross. This has been the case since the introduction of the George Cross in 1940.[62]

Treatment of Gurkhas in the United Kingdom

Nick Cleggbeing presented a Gurkha Hat by a Gurkha veteran during hisMaidstonevisit, to celebrate the success of their joint campaign for the right to live in the UK, 2009

The treatment of Gurkhas and their families was the subject of controversy in the United Kingdom once it became widely known that Gurkhas received smaller pensions than their British counterparts.[63]The nationality status of Gurkhas and their families was also an area of dispute, with claims that some ex-army Nepali families were being denied residency and forced to leave Britain. On 8 March 2007 theBritish Governmentannounced that all Gurkhas who signed up after 1 July 1997 would receive a pension equivalent to that of their British counterparts. In addition, Gurkhas would, for the first time, be able to transfer to another army unit after five years' service and women would also be allowed to join, although not in first-line units, conforming to the British Army's policy. The act also guaranteed residency rights in the UK for retired Gurkhas and their families.

Despite the changes, many Gurkhas who had not served long enough to entitle them to a pension faced hardship on their return to Nepal, and some critics derided the government's decision to only award the new pension and citizenship entitlement to those joining after 1 July 1997, claiming that this left many ex-Gurkha servicemen still facing a financially uncertain retirement. An advocacy group,Gurkha Justice Campaign,[64]joined the debate in support of the Gurkhas.

In a landmark ruling on 30 September 2008,Mr Justice Blakein the High Court in London decided that the Home Secretary's policy allowing Gurkhas who left the Army before 1997 to apply for settlement in the United Kingdom was irrationally restrictive in its criteria, and overturned it. He upheld the claim of six Gurkha soldiers for the right to settle in Britain at the end of their service, reciting the Military Covenant and observing that granting them residence in Britain "would, in my judgment, be a vindication and an enhancement of this covenant".[65]In response to the decision of the High Court, the Home Office said it would review all cases that were affected by it.[66]

On 29 April 2009 a motion introduced by theLiberal Democratsthat all Gurkhas be offered equal right of residence was passed in theHouse of Commonsby 267 votes to 246. This was the only first-day motion defeat for a government since 1978.Nick Clegg,the Liberal Democrat leader, stated that "this is an immense victory... for the rights of Gurkhas who have been waiting so long for justice, a victory for Parliament, a victory for decency." He added that it was "the kind of thing people want this country to do".[67]

On 21 May 2009 Home SecretaryJacqui Smithannounced that all Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years service would be allowed to settle in the UK. ActressJoanna Lumley,daughter of Gurkha corps Major James Lumley who had highlighted the treatment of the Gurkhas and campaigned for their rights, commented, "This is the welcome we have always longed to give".[68]

A charity,The Gurkha Welfare Trust,provides aid to alleviate hardship and distress among Gurkha ex-servicemen.[69]

On 9 June 2015, a celebration called the Gurkha 200, held at The Royal Hospital Chelsea and attended by members of the royal family, commemorated the bicentennial of the Gurkha Welfare Trust by paying tribute to Gurkha culture and military service.[70][better source needed]

Gurkha Square inFleet,Hampshire, which contains the Fleet war memorial, is named after the Gurkhas.[71]

Settlement rights

A 2008UK High Courtdecision on a test case in London,R. (on the application of Limbu) v Secretary of State for the Home Department[2008] EWHC 2261 (Admin), acknowledged the "debt of honour" to Gurkhas discharged before 1997. The Home Secretary's policy allowing veterans to apply on a limited set of criteria (such as connection to the United Kingdom) was quashed as being unduly restrictive. The Court found that the Gurkhas had suffered a "historic injustice" and that the policy was irrational in failing to take into account factors such as length of service or particularly meritorious conduct.[72]

See also

Notes

  1. ^Minahan, James (30 May 2002).Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups Around the World A-Z [4 Volumes].ABC-CLIO.p. 679.ISBN978-0-313-07696-1.British military pay and pensions became the primary source of income for the Gurkha peoples of Nepal and north-eastern India.
  2. ^"Who are Gurkhas?".www.gwt.org.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2019.Retrieved27 January2022.
  3. ^Sureis (9 August 2018)."Thapa to take charge of Nepali Army as acting CoAS".The Himalayan Times.Archivedfrom the original on 7 April 2022.Retrieved17 March2022.
  4. ^"Number of Gurkha"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 30 May 2021.Retrieved17 March2022.
  5. ^"» About the Gurkhas".www.gwt.org.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 29 February 2020.Retrieved29 January2022.
  6. ^"Who Are Gurkhas?".Gurkha Welfare Trust.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2019.Retrieved23 June2011.
  7. ^ab"Who are the Gurkhas?".BBC News.27 July 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 6 May 2019.Retrieved27 January2021.
  8. ^Land of the Gurkhas; or, the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, p. 44, by W.B. Northy (London, 1937)
  9. ^Rose, Leo E. Nepal: Strategy for Survival. 1st ed. University of California Press, 1971.
  10. ^asianhistory.about.comArchived17 October 2011 at theWayback MachineWho are the Gorkha?
  11. ^Kinsey, Christopher (26 June 2008)."International Law and the Control of Mercenaries and Private Military Companies".Cultures & Conflits(52).doi:10.4000/conflits.11502.S2CID152676827.Archivedfrom the original on 9 February 2021.Retrieved27 January2021.
  12. ^Wither, James (January 2005)."Expeditionary Forces for Post Modern Europe: Will European Military Weakness Provide an Opportunity for the New Condottieri?".Conflict Studies Research Centre.p. 11. Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2007.
  13. ^"Nepal Origins of the Legendary Gurkha – Flags, Maps, Economy, History, Climate, Natural Resources, Current Issues, International Agreements, Population, Social Statistics, Political System".Photius.com.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2013.Retrieved3 January2014.
  14. ^Parker 2005,p. 58.
  15. ^Parker 2005,p. 57.
  16. ^"History of the Brigade of Gurkhas".Brigade of Gurkhas.Archived fromthe originalon 3 April 2012.
  17. ^Streets, Heather (2004).Martial races: the military, race and masculinity in British imperial culture, 1857–1914.Manchester University Press. p.79.ISBN0-7190-6962-9.
  18. ^Parker 2005,pp. 62–63.
  19. ^Chappell 1993,p.13.
  20. ^Baker, Margaret (2008).Discovering London Statues and Monuments.Vol. 42 of Shire Discovering (5, illustrated ed.). Osprey Publishing. pp.18.ISBN978-0-7478-0495-6.
  21. ^abcSingh 1997,p. 221.
  22. ^Singh 1997,pp. 220–221.
  23. ^Parker 2005,p. 79.
  24. ^abcParker 2005,p. xvii.
  25. ^Chappell 1993,p. 9.
  26. ^Parker 2005,p. 99.
  27. ^Sengupta 2007.
  28. ^Parker 2005,pp. 117–118.
  29. ^Parker 2005,p. 121.
  30. ^Parker 2005,p. 150.
  31. ^For more detail seeBarthorp 2002.[page needed]
  32. ^abCross & Gurung 2002, p. 31.
  33. ^Parker 2005,pp. 157–158.
  34. ^abcdCross & Gurung 2002, p. 32.
  35. ^Osprey Military Elite Series #49 The Gurkhas by Mike Chappell 1993ISBN1-85532-357-5
  36. ^"Participants from the Indian subcontinent in the Second World War".Archivedfrom the original on 13 January 2007.Retrieved27 February2007.
  37. ^SeeParker 2005,p. xvii. Gurkha casualties in the Second World War were 8,985 killed or missing and 23,655 wounded.
  38. ^Cross & Gurung 2002, p. 33.
  39. ^abcdeCross & Gurung 2002, p. 34.
  40. ^Source: Cross & Gurung 2002, pp. 33–34
  41. ^abcd"115 Infantry Brigade Subordanates".Order of Battle. Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2012.Retrieved19 October2009.
  42. ^"The Gurkhas - Britain's oldest allies".BBC News.4 December 1997.Archivedfrom the original on 19 December 2007.Retrieved30 December2006.
  43. ^abParker 2005,p. 224.
  44. ^Parker 2005,p. 226.
  45. ^abParker 2005,p. 229.
  46. ^Parker 2005,pp. 322–323.
  47. ^Parker 2005,p. 323.
  48. ^Parker 2005,p. 344.
  49. ^Parker 2005,p. 360.
  50. ^British Army,August 2021 Soldier MagazineArchived2 August 2021 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  51. ^"Bravery medal for Gurkha who fought Taliban".BBC.1 June 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2018.Retrieved20 June2018.
  52. ^Kaphle, Anup; Wood, Graeme (10 May 2010)."Back to the Afghan Future: The return of the Gurkhas".The Weekly Standard.15(32). Archived fromthe originalon 3 June 2012.Retrieved1 November2012.
  53. ^Farmer, Ben (31 October 2012)."British Gurkhas shot dead in Afghanistan attack named".The Daily Telegraph.London.Archivedfrom the original on 11 January 2022.
  54. ^abcChappell 1993,p. 12.
  55. ^Parker 2005,p. 230.
  56. ^Parker 2005,p. 203.
  57. ^abParker 2005,p. 390.
  58. ^"Special Frontier Force: Invaluable yet Inconspicuous".17 November 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 24 September 2021.Retrieved24 September2021.
  59. ^Parker 2005,pp. 391–393.
  60. ^"Brigade of Gurkhas; Honours and Awards: Victoria Cross".British Army.Ministry of Defence. Archived fromthe originalon 5 February 2009.Retrieved27 January2021.
  61. ^"Param Vir Chakra".Pride of India.net.Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2011.Retrieved29 May2009.
  62. ^"Decorations, Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct medals: George Cross".UK Government.Archivedfrom the original on 23 June 2017.Retrieved27 January2021.
  63. ^Parker 2005,p. 334.
  64. ^Lumley, Joanna."Gurkha Justice Campaign".Gurkha Justice Campaign.Archivedfrom the original on 23 July 2013.Retrieved31 January2011.
  65. ^Paragraph 72, Limbu & Ors, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Ors2008 EWHC 2261Archived17 October 2019 at theWayback Machine(Admin) (30 September 2008).
  66. ^"Gurkhas win right to stay in UK".BBC News.30 September 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020.Retrieved2 September2011.
  67. ^"Brown defeated over Gurkha rules".BBC News.29 April 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2021.Retrieved31 January2011.Gordon Brown's government has suffered a shock defeat in the Commons on its policy of restricting the right of many former Gurkhas to settle in the UK. MPs voted by 267 to 246 for a Lib Dem motion offering all Gurkhas equal right of residence, with the Tories and 27 Labour rebels backing it.
  68. ^"Gurkhas win right to settle in UK".BBC News.21 May 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2021.Retrieved31 January2011.All Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997 with at least four years' service will be allowed to settle in the UK, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said. Ms Smith told MPs she was 'proud to offer this country's welcome to all who have served in the brigade of Gurkhas'. It comes after a high-profile campaign by Joanna Lumley and other supporters of Gurkha rights – and an embarrassing Commons defeat for the government.
  69. ^Parker 2005,pp. 379–383.
  70. ^"Gurkha 200".Gurkha 200.Archivedfrom the original on 30 May 2015.Retrieved9 June2015.
  71. ^"The Brigade of Gurkhas".www.fleethants.com.Archivedfrom the original on 13 September 2018.Retrieved16 July2019.
  72. ^"Gurkhas win right to stay in UK".BBC News.30 September 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 2 October 2008.Retrieved30 September2008.
  1. ^In August 2021, the battalion added the subtitle 'Gurkha'. Though the battalion has had Gurkhas for many years, it is now officially been subsumed into the Brigade of Gurkhas.

References

  • Barthorp, Michael (2002).Afghan Wars and the North-West Frontier 1839–1947.Cassell.ISBN0-304-36294-8.
  • Chappell, Mike (1993).The Gurkhas.Vol. 49 of Elite series (illustrated ed.). Oxford: Osprey Publishing.ISBN978-1-85532-357-5.
  • Chauhan, Dr. Sumerendra Vir Singh (1996).The Way of Sacrifice: The Rajputs,pp. 28–30, Graduate Thesis, South Asian Studies Department, Dr. Joseph T. O'Connell, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada.
  • Cross, J.P & Buddhiman Gurung (2002)Gurkhas at War: Eyewitness Accounts from World War II to Iraq.Greenhill Books.ISBN978-1-85367-727-4.
  • Ember, Carol & Ember, Melvin. (2003).Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Men and Women in the World's Cultures.Springer.ISBN0-306-47770-X.
  • Parker, John (2005).The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers.Headline Book Publishing.ISBN978-0-7553-1415-7.
  • Poddar, Prem and Anmole Prasad (2009).Gorkhas Imagined: I.B. Rai in Translation.Mukti Prakashan.ISBN978-81-909354-0-1
  • Purushottam Sham Shere J B Rana (1998).Jung Bahadur Rana-The Story of His Rise and Glory.ISBN81-7303-087-1
  • Sengupta, Kim (9 March 2007)."The Battle for Parity: Victory for the Gurkhas".The Independent.London. Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2009.
  • Singh, Nagendra Kr (1997).Nepal: Refugee to Ruler: A Militant Race of Nepal.APH Publishing. p. 125.ISBN978-8170248477.Retrieved7 November2012.
  • Tod, James & Crooke, William (eds.) (1920).Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan.3 Volumes. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Delhi. Reprinted 1994.

Further reading

  • Austin, Ian and Thakur Nahar Singh Jasol. (eds.)The Mewar Encyclopedia.[ISBN missing]
  • Austin, Ian (1999).Mewar – The World's Longest Serving Dynasty.Roli Books, Delhi/The House of Mewar.
  • BBC staff (2 June 2007)."Gurkha tells of citizenship joy".BBC News.Retrieved31 May2009.
  • Davenport, Hugh (1975).The Trials and Triumphs of the Mewar Kingdom.Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur.
  • Farwell, Byron (1985).The Gurkhas.W.W. Norton & Co.ISBN0-393-30714-X
  • Goswami, C.G. and M.N. Mathur.Mewar and Udaipur.Himnashu Publications, Udaipur-New Delhi.[ISBN missing]
  • Griffiths, Neil. Gurkha Walking books:'Hebridean Gurkha;'Gurkha Highlander';'Gurkha Reiver'.Neil takes a Scottish cross-country walk with Gurkhas every year to raise funds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
  • Latimer, Jon (2004).Burma: The Forgotten War,London: John Murray.ISBN978-0-7195-6576-2.
  • Masters, John(1956).Bugles and a Tiger– autobiography of the life and times of a British officer serving with a Gurkha regiment in India in the run up to World War II
  • Pemble, John (2009). "Forgetting and Remembering Britain's Gurkha War".Asian Affairs.40(3): 361–376.doi:10.1080/03068370903195154.S2CID159606340.Contains a historiographical analysis of the Gurkha "legend".
  • Seear, Mike (2002).With The Gurkhas in the Falklands.ISBN978-0-9556237-0-7
  • Tucci, Sandro (1985).Gurkhas.H. Hamilton.ISBN0-241-11690-2.
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