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Gurkhas,
Gorkhas, Ghoorkhas...
|
 |
In
the Nepal war of 1812 the British sent a force
of 30,000 against 12,000 Gorkhas (in reality at
this time there was no such thing as a Gurkha
-- they were called Gorkhalis) thinking in their
usual arrogance they would take Nepal by storm.
Just the opposite proved to be true. The Gorkhas
fought the British to a standstill.
For example, during extremely bitter fighting
while defending the hill fortress of Kalunga the
Gorkhas lost 520 out of 600 defenders but they
fought so bravely and so well and the losses they
inflicted on the British were so staggering it
inspired the British to erect a stone battle monument
at Kalunga inscribed with the words:
THEY FOUGHT IN THEIR CONFLICT LIKE MEN AND, IN
THE INTERVALS OF ACTUAL CONFLICT, SHOWED US A
LIBERAL COURTESY. |
|
But,
it was a two way street. In another incident British
Lieutenant Frederick Young leading a party of
irregulars was surprised by a force of Gorkhas.
The irregulars upon seeing the khukuri yielding
Gorkha force ran away leaving the British Officers
to face the Gorkhas alone. There was little battle
here since the Gorkha force was so superior but
the fact that the British Officers had remained
to try to hold their ground and had not fled greatly
impressed the Gorkhas. They asked Young and his
subordinates why they had not also ran away and
according to legend Young replied, "I have
not come so far to run away. I came to stay."
And stay he did. For about a year the Gorkhas
held Young captive but during this year the Gorkhas
developed a sincere and deep respect for Young
and the British fighting spirit which uch resembled
their own. And, indeed, it was Young himself who
was able to recruit the first Gorkhas to serve
under the British flag -- 3,000 Gorkhas divided
into four battalions. Young went on to serve as
the commander of the Sirmoor Battalion of Gurkhas
for 28 years and, amazingly, was able to report
his battalion service ready after only six months.
These were the first Gorkhas, fighting men from
the mountain kingdom of Nepal -- Rai, Magar, Limbu,
Gurung and Sunwar tribesmen. Small of stature,
large of heart, accustomed to hardship, good natured
with a keen sense of humor, loyal to death, more
disciplined than any fighting force in the world,
brave and capable, and absolutely without fear.
The same can be said for every Gorkha to come
down the line since those first Gorkhas and for
every Gorkha in service today.
BILL MARTINO 2/17/99 |
|
| |
Gurkhas
and Kukris
Probably
the most renowned fighting knife in the world
is the kukri, the wickedly curved knife of the
Gurkhas of Nepal. Wherever these British-trained
mountain men have gone into battle, their kukris
have carved a wide swath among the enemy. Some
years ago, when I worked in Malaysia, I went on
an occasional patrol with the famed British Tracker-Killer
Teams in Malaya and the Borneo States. The mission
of these skilled jungle experts was to move into
the jungle and keep pressure on enemy guerrillas,
eventually tracking them to their hideouts and
destroying them. The small, mobile groups, usually
no more than a dozen men, were composed of Gurkhas
with their tracker and killer dogs, British NCOs
and Iban headhunters from Borneo. The Ibans and
Gurkhas had much in common. They loved knives.
During rest periods in the jungle they would unsheathe
their blades and gently test the edge with their
thumb, knowing all the time, of course, just how
sharp they were. Whenever action seemed imminent,
even though they were armed with the small Sterling
gun, they would draw their kukris
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A
perfect example of this reliance on knives was demonstrated
one morning. Nearing a small native village that
reportedly harbored guerrillas, two Gurkhas- a scout
and his safety man-moved with the grace and elegance
of ballet dancers from bush to tree, ever nearer
to a lone hut in the clearing. Placing his gun on
the ground, one soldier took two concussion grenades
from his belt and hung them from his teeth. Then,
drawing his kukri, he ran like a flash and vaulted
through an open window, jumped out the far side
and tumbled into the jungle, leaving the grenades
inside. The roof seemed to lift off a few feet and
drop down |
| |
again.
Two very frightened Indonesians ran out to face
a yelling horde of snarling dogs, soldiers and
wildly painted headhunters. There was no question
of a fight, since orders were to take the enemy
alive, and everybody was reasonably happy (except
the Ibans, who wanted heads).
Often the mere sight of an unsheathed kukri is
enough to discourage any further action by causing
a cold, cramped feeling in the nether regions
of the stomach. In fact some years ago a show
of kukris aborted a revolt before it turned into
a full-fledged revolution. We must go back some
years to when the Federation of Malaysia was being
formed after the Second World War. At that time
the Sultanate of Brunei decided to remain under
British protection, even though independent. (After
all, they had all the oil.) A small enclave, Brunei
sits comfortably along the lush jungle coast of
Borneo (now Sabah) between Sarawak to the south
and what was formerly Jesselton in British North
Borneo. |
|
Once
while His Highness was on annual holiday in England,
far removed from political intrigues and palace
coups, an uprising was attempted. British military
headquarters, then stationed in Kuching, the capital
of Sarawak, was alerted and quickly flew a company
of Gurkhas the short distance up the coast.
Landing at Brunei airport, the little brown men
double-timed into Bruneitown and soon came in view
of the rioters.
Forming a thin khaki line across the lone main street,
they unsheathed their kukris and stood facing the
howling mob. Looking at that silent row of men,
their knives sparkling in the sun, the insurgents
had some fast second thoughts and slowly began to
disband. The troops smartly about-faced, trotted
back to the airfield and flew home to Kuching. Elapsed
time to crush a rebellion-under two hours. |
From
Knives and Knifemakers by Sid Latham......
Macmillan / Collier
|
Sonam
on the organization of an Indian Gorkha unit
Section = 10 Riflemen, commanded by 1 Naik (corporal)
Platoon = 3 Sections, commanded by Subedar (JCO
- will come to this later)
Company = 3 Platoons, commanded by Major & Coy
HQ
Battalion = 4 Rifle Companies, commanded by Colonel,
Lt. Col is 2IC (second-in-command)
+ Support Company (MGs, Mortar platoon, pioneer
platoon, sniper section, etc.) + HQ
Company (cooks, clerks, transport, etc.); making
a grand total of about 750 - 800 personnel per Battalion.
Each Battalion belongs to a certain specific Regiment
and follows the traditions, norms, etc.of that Regiment.
|
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Rifleman
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs):
Lance-Naik (L/Cpl) - (one stripe on right arm, if
I remember correctly. The other arm bears the
insignia of the Division to which the battalion
is serving with)
Naik (Corporal) - (two stripes)
Havildar (Sergeant) - three stripes
Havildar-Major (Sergeant-Major) - (three stripes
with an Ashoka Lion on top).
There are a couple of other ranks in between that
I'm not too sure about - Company
Havildar-Major, Battalion Havildar-Major, etc. -
I know some of them wear an additional
insignia in the form of a leather bracelet with
an Ashoka-Lion, not sure of the details, though.
Junior-Commissioned Officers (JCOs):
This layer of ranks used to be called the Viceroy's
Commissioned Officers (VCOs) in the
British days. They are picked from the NCO ranks
- in other words, you don't get
commissioned automatically as a JCO, you have to
pay your dues in the ranks. In the old
days (and even nowadays) they served as a vital
link between the officers and the troops |
| |
 |
both
coming from such different backgrounds, I guess
they needed old hands around to make things run
properly). They wear rank badges similar to commissioned
officers (except with an additional yellow-reb strip
of ribbon on the epaulettes just above the regimental
insignia) and are accorded a lot of the same respect.
Naib-Subedar (one star on shoulder epaulette) Subedar
(two-stars)
Subedar-Major (Ashoka-Lion). The SM is one of the
most important figures in the battalion, having
had the longest service, many times longer than
the Colonel's, and is his closeconfidant in many
matters ranging from Regimental and Gorkha customs
and traditions, to training, to welfare of the troops,
etc. Commissioned Officers (in this case, mostly
Indian, and there is stiff competition among the
officer candidates to get a commission in the Gorkhas)
- they're more or less the same as in
the British Army: |
| |
2
Lt. - one star
Lt. - two star
Captain - three stars
Major - Ashoka Lion
Lt. Col (2IC) - Ashoka Lion and one star (nickname
"Lamb" - since in case of any trouble
from higher-ups he's the first one to be "offered
for sacrifice" )
Colonel (CO) - Ashoka Lion and two stars, with red
tabs on the collar and a red band on his
Gorkha-hat (nickname "Tiger" for obvious
reasons) |
| |
Here
is a some commentary directly from a retired Gurkha
officer and historian:
In my time, although the British Officer (BO) rank
and promotion structure in Gurkha battalions was
such that they always needed to bring in a few extra
captains or majors temporarily -- volunteers from
British regiments, who would definitely have thought
of it as `an interesting posting' for a while --
the great majority were home-grown, coming straight
from Sandhurst (or other officer training establishments
that existed from time to time) and spending their
careers badged in the Regiment |
| |
There
were always plenty of candidates for commissions
in the Gurkha regiments, I guess because of their
reputation for good discipline, loyalty and fighting
skills, and probably because they were usually in
the Far East, and this meant that regiments could
be `picky'. In all, I think the standard of officer
WAS higher in Gurkha units, but I would not want
to exaggerate it. Above all, one should avoid the
word `elite', either for the officers or the men.
There is only one truly elite part of the British
Army, and that is the SAS; the term is justified
here because they can take the best from other units.
|
|
| |
Regiments
which recruit direct from the population cannot
really be called elite in my opinion. That the
Gurkhas were issued pretty much the same kit issued
to other commonwealth soldiers for the particular
theater of operation is broadly true. When I joined
10 GR in UK, we had 1944 Pattern webbing, which
had been designed for the Far East, but everyone
else in UK and Germany had the 1958 Pattern. Units
in Hong Kong had older anti-tank platoon weapons
(old MOBAT then WOMBAT 120mm recoilless guns in
my time, while in Europe the MILAN missile was
being issued
The
most exceptional piece of equipage apart from
their khukuris was their level of experience.
On average the gurkha soldier served for at least
15 years. He was chosen from 100s or thousands
of applicants, this is true, so perhaps `elite'
is justified and his training was longer and harder
than the training provided to other commonwealth
troops."
Only longer because they needed to learn more,
including some English (also such basics as how
to use a knife and fork, and many other details
of western life)... |
| |
 |
To
a young boy in Nepal during the 19th and early 20th
centuries, an appointment as a soldier in a Gurkha
unit would have been a tremendous accomplishment.
They would have been set for life. This should not
be taken as meaning they would ever sit back having
got on the bottom rung of the ladder -- all wanted
(and still do) to stay as long as possible and be
promoted as far as possible. Although at one level
Gurkhas are very good at accepting heirarchy, and
always respect people older than themselves, paradoxically
they are very egalitarian among their peers, and
often very resentful when not picked for further
promotion.
There is mention of the 'kookrie' as being an 'official
piece of equipment' as early as 1837. They are Gurkhas
and they have always carried a khukuri. No time
periods are specified.
You take into combat what you need to get the job
done. Inspections and parades were probably a different
story as to what to carry.
|
| |
The
Caste System
The
Hindu caste system is divided into four basic
castes:
1) Bahun/Brahmin (highest, priestly caste)
2) Chhetri/Kshatriya (warrior/king caste -- King
of Nepal goes here, no military service that I
know of but he inherited his caste as all do)
3) Baishra/Vaishya (business caste -- Newaris
and businessmen go here)
4) Sudra (kamis, butchers, undertakers, janitors
and the like go here -- untouchables [actually
untouchables are usually considered to be a fifth
division, outside of the caste system entirely
-- BMS])
|
| |
These
basic castes are divided into subcastes. I never
paid much attention to it but I believe, for example,
that a kami is a higher caste than a butcher but
both are still untouchables. The caste system has
been outlawed in both India and Nepal but it is
still observed to some degree, especially in rural
areas. At one time it had a distinct effect on one's
life. Examples: intermarriage between castes was
forbidden and even today in some rural areas heavily
frowned upon. The kami who made the khukuri that
killed the bear would not enter my father-in-law's
home except for funeral or wedding if invited. However,
since the caste system was outlawed things have
improved and I believe today the Prime Minister
of India is an untouchable.
|
|
Gurkha
Training ??
The
pictures to the left & below are provided
courtesy of the British Army Picture Library.
They depict Gurkha recruits training with khukuris
during week six of their basic infantry training
at Catterick Army Base, North Yorkshire, UK. These
pictures demonstrate that some formal military
training with the khukuri currently exists.
-- Howard Wallace - 5/01 |
Some
time back we were having a fairly lively discussion
regarding khukuri training for Gorkhas. The Bando
community seemed convinced there was rigorous training.
Sonam whose father was a Gorkha commander commented
he had never seen any formal training during his
many years of living in Gorkha camps. I knew that
my father in law had a few combat moves but they
were simple -- head, gut, and thigh strikes but
I had never asked him about formal training. So,
to put the record straight I asked my brother-in-law,
Jeevan, to survey at least 30 Gorkha vets, both
old and young, back in Nepal,the birthplace and
home of the Gorkhas, and ask them what training
they had received in khukuri combat so we would
have the real story straight from the horses mouth,
so to speak. Here is Jeevan's reply verbatim as
he wrote it in a bit stilted but I think comprehensible
English and I have a couple of explanatory comments
in parenthesis tossed in. Here is what he wrote:
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| |
Dear
Brother:
Sorry keeping you waiting for messages. Sometime
my side business makes me really crazy and
I can not handle all the jobs immediately.
Anyway, here I come with some informations
you asked in previous mail. Nepali are not
given a special training on Khukuri because
Khukuri is one of Nepal's national weapon.
Further as Nepalese uses Khukuri on most of
the occasions, they don't think its in need
to give them training on Khukuri. Pala (father-in-law)
had used Khukuri |
 |
| during
his period (1950's) in Indian Army for going
to forest and cutting the busbushes which
blockAnd he used it to chase away the dogs
during patrolling time. In case of the failure
of rifle or in finishment of the bullets too
he used Khukuri against his enemy or say opponent.
Whenever going on war, there'd be more chances
of hitting own opponent with bullets. So,
in order to control mishappening the Khukuries
were used. I asked the same question with
many Gorkhas for which the reply was the same.
The Gorkhas keeps the Khukuri with them all
along 24 hours although they have very modern
weapons with themAs may be it "Khukuri"
a national weapon of Nepal is known to be
popular not only among ourselves but through
the entire world. Even today, the Khukuri
plays a vital role in most of the wars no
matter, the scientific world have developed
laser guided missiles. Khukuri to be seen
is nothing but a small iron weapon. But its
usage and importance cannot be denied by no
body else. To say the way you have introduced
Khukuri in America is a real pride not only
for us but for all the Nepalese and the late
Gorkhas. I will get more stories on Khukuri
sooner or later to you so that you will be
well known about it. |
|
So,
there you have it, straight from Nepal, straight
from 30 Gorkha vets, both young and old. Unless
we are foolish enough to call these former
Gorkhas liars then we must accept it as fact
that there is no formal khukuri training for
Gorkhas.
But a note of support for this lack of training.
Remember the story I told of Dende Sherpa,
Yangdu's cousin, who whacked half an ear off
a fellow who had accused him of cheating?
Obviously, Dende knew how to use his 15 inch
Sirupati, quickly and accurately -- and he
was never a Gorkha and never had a single
day of formal training with the khukuri. Also,
we might consider the farmer who killed the
bear -- quite an accomplishment and he never
had any formal training with the khukuri.
So, maybe they really don't need any formal
training. --BILL MARTINO 1/14/99 |
One
evening, in the hills of Nepal a couple of
days north of Kathmandu, I observed a woman
slicing potatoes for the evening meal. She
was using a khukuri for the task.A full sized
khukuri is not the tool of choice for slicing
potatoes. Nevertheless, she was doing pretty
well. She was slicing on a tall round of wood,
so her hand could be below the plane of the
chopping block. She was slicing them up as
quickly as I do when I'm in the kitchen, but
it was fairly obvious that she would loose
a potato slicing race with a French chef using
a chef’s knife.She was probably using
the only knife she owned. As I began to ponder
what else she could make that khukuri do,
my thoughts went back to the other people
I had seen using them. People cutting bamboo,
butchering chickens, splitting firewood, preparing
food. She could probably use her tool as effectively
for any of those jobs. Could she fight with
it? A quick glance up at her face reassured
me that she was still smiling. Good thing,
because I doubt I could have outrun her.
-- Howard Wallace 2/20/99 |
She
was probably using the only knife she owned.
As I began to ponder what else she could
make that khukuri do, my thoughts went back
to the other people I had seen using them.
People cutting bamboo, butchering chickens,
splitting firewood, preparing food. She
could probably use her tool as effectively
for any of those jobs. Could she fight with
it? A quick glance up at her face reassured
me that she was still smiling. Good thing,
because I doubt I could have outrun her.
-- Howard Wallace 2/20/99
|
When
one grows up using a khukuri out of necessity
one learns how to use it well. And, in the
hands of a highly motivated user the khukuri,
like any tool such as an axe, screwdriver
or hammer, can quickly turn into a very effective
weapon.
--BILL MARTINO 2/21/9 |
As
Pala mentioned most of his Gorkha service
was devoted to keeping the integrity of international
borders and a few special ops assignments
because of his language ability. Pala's usual
confrontations were with people wanting to
jump the border or smuggle contraband. His
job was simply to stop them. Most of the time
a fellow in Gorkha garb with an M-3 and khukuri
who says "you can't do this" was
enough.
|
 |
On
a few occasions where profit from smuggling
was high enough they might argue the issue.
Pala couldn't draw down on them and shoot
them so he would draw the khukuri and s you
are not going to do this." Killing a
man and chopping off a limb are two completely
different things.Pala had developed the mind
set, looked the guychopping off a limb are
two completely different things.Pala had developed
the mind set, looked the guyright in the eyes,
and made his stand. As Pala puts it, "lucky
for me maybe they all ran away."
--BILL MARTIN |
My
khukuri self defense consisted of a strong
offense of only three moves -- a head strike,
gut strike, or leg strike. I always looked
into the eyes of the opponent because they
seemed to tell me what he was going to do
-- perhaps lucky for me he always ran away.
And, I conditioned my thinking to make myself
to be willing to trade up -- I would trade
a finger for a hand, a hand for an arm, and,
of course, an arm for a head.
--KAMI SHERPA |
| I
have several customers who carry a khukuri
concealed for defensive purposes. Every man
has made or had made a shoulder rig which
allows him to carry the knife under his arm,
under a jacket. The usual khukuri of choice
for this purpose is a 12 inch Sirupati |
 |
When
Yangdu was a young girl and used to travel
to India to visit relatives she would ride
what is called the "night bus."
The male passengers would often try to become
amorous with female passengers during the
darkness of night so Yangdu would always tape
a small 9 inch khukuri to the inside of her
thigh. If she was approached she would reach
under her anghi (long Sherpa dress) and whip
out her little khukuri. Her stock phrase was,
"if you want to keep that hand then keep
it off me."
--BILL MARTIN |
The
khukuri, a short, curved, broad-bladed, and
heavy knife, is the real weapon of the Gurkas,
and it is worn by all from the highest to
the lowest. In out regiments they are carried
in a frog attached to the waist-belt. From
the beginning of the handle to the end, or
spear point of the blade they average about
20 inches in length. Where wood is plentiful,
they are very fond of practicing cutting with
the kukri, and they will cut down with one
blow a tree the size of an ordinary man's
arm. A really skillful cutter will cut off
slice after slice from the end of a piece
of green wood, each slice being thicker than
an ordinary piece of shoe leather. They call
this 'chinnu', 'to slice off'.
--Vansittart (circa 1890 ) |
| |
Using
a Khukuri
Ever since I was stationed as a liason officer
to a Soviet intellegence unit in Kashmir in
the middle-to-late 60s, I have been a fan
of the khukuri. In India I also found other
very important things such as God, meditation,
and yoga--all of which have helped me survive.
Of course the various guns and knives I have
carried over the years have, at times, helped
me survive also. One definitely needs inner
as well as outer survival skills in my opinion.
But back to khukuris. In my opinion, they
make an excellent close-quarters weapon as
well as excellent and durable field knives
and choppers. Before
I begin about the battle worthiness of the
khukuri, I would like to say several important
things. First of all even in special forces
operations, field knives are used 99-100%
of the time for mundane tasks such as bush
clearing, shelter buiding, firewood gathering,
opening crates and cans, and as a pry bar.
A well-made khukuri is excellent for all
of this. Secondly one tends to fight best
with the weapons one frequently trains with.
If you are a revolver shooter and someone
hands you a $3,000 custom 1911, you won't
shoot it as well as the revolver until you
practice sufficiently with it. The same
goes with fighting knives (IMO).
|
| As
I don't know how much training background
you have in stopping determined attackers,
I will talk a little bit about how such people
are usually stopped along with the khukuri's
fighting assets. 1.
Severing the spinal column is usually the
most reliable way to stop a determined attacker.
Whatever is below this area is paralyzed.
The neck is the best area as this paralyzes
the arms. Because of the curved blade, the
khukuri excells at this. Lower hits will
cause a person to fall down, thus making
them an easier target. The khukuri, as well
as any heavy (1+ lbs.) slashing blade does
this job very well.
2.
Smashing the skull if done with a heavy
blow will,at the least, usually stun if
not stop an opponent. Howver I don't know
how it might affect large animals like bears,
etc. But if such an opportunity presents
itself, the khukuri will do a good job--as
will any heavy blade.
3.
Severing or breaking shoulder bones and
limbs are also good ways to stop or at least
slow down a fight. A severed limb is enough
to make any but the toughest, most determined
opponent stop. If it doesn't, the loss of
blood will lower the blood pressure in 3-4
minutes so that the brain will not receive
oxygen, and the oponent will pass out. Smashed
bones also disable tactical necessities
like hands an feet. The khukuri's curved
blade excels at dismemberment. However any
sharp heavy blade will do the job alsoMaking
wounds (thrust or slash)that will result
in rapid blood loss. |
| Slashing
major veins and arteries can be done with
any knife, but the heavier and longer the
knife, the better. The khukuri's curved blade
excells at this. All heavy knives do well
also. However one of the most deadly moves
in a knife fight is the reverse cut; this
is where long heavy Bowie knives and naval
cutlasses dominate. A reverse move can also
be done with a khukuri, but because of its
dull spine, it will only break or smash bone;
whereas a heavy double bladed knife can cut
deeply and perhaps even can severe a limb. |
| Thrusting
deep into vital organs will also cause severe
blood loss. This puts the khukuri at a slight
disadvantage. Because the tip is significantly
lower that the line of thrust, it is harder
to hit the exact spot being aimed at. Again
bowie knives, cutlasses, parangs, etc. do
this job more easily. However the khukuri
is not at such a disadvantage as many think
it is. When I spar with others and make a
thrust, the point I am aiming at is seldom
there as my rubber bladed knife tip makes
contact with my adversary's skin. However
when I use my real khukuri and quick thrust
at a marked point on a box, I find that the
point is an inch or so off, whereas while
using a straight blade, I almost always hit
the spot I aiming for. However in the heat
of battle, I think this might be a moot point.
I
have also seen khukuris penetrate Level
IIA body armour with a hard thrust, but
of course, it couldn't slash itself through--but
then neither could a full-size sword.
---'Lone Tree' 11/01 |
|
|
From
the 2003 annual Khukuri Khonvention (in Reno,
Nevada):
Duvon prefers and uses the 18" WWII model
and this is the one he almost "insists"
his students use.
Duvon is a 6th degree black belt with 20+
years in martial arts and just a hell of a
guy. Been an HI nephew for a dozen+ years.
He has entered the Monk system of Bando at
this stage of his life -- khukuris, kick boxing,
agression are history now. He teaches but
no longer practices or competes. The
Bando Monk system is the end result of most
martial arts worth their salt. Meditation,
yoga, spiritual pursuits are now foremost.
In the Bando Monk system a monk can use
his staff, sash, and a rope with rocks or
knots at each end (I call it the Bando bolo)
for defensive purposes only. The Monk system
is the manifestation of the realization
that there are more important pursuits in
life than killing or maiming.
--Uncle Bill, March 2003 |
|
| above
- The other four pics of Duvon in action demonstrating
different stances, Offensive Techiques, striking
methods, defensive techniques, defined in
the handout. I would have to refer to my notes,
study handout and try to define specifically
each pic, but hopefully you get the general
idea. |
|
| above
- The other four pics of Duvon in action demonstrating
different stances, Offensive Techiques, striking
methods, defensive techniques, defined in
the handout. I would have to refer to my notes,
study handout and try to define specifically
each pic, but hopefully you get the general
idea. |
|
Josh
was kind enough to be used as an opponent
several times. Josh lying flat on floor,
Duvon getting ready to neutralize him to
the next dimension. Duvon is demonstrating
one of the 'zones' in the chest area and
I believe, the beginning of extraction/
Rend (push), rotate (pull), run (pry)
|
Photos
From the National Musuem of Nepal: |
|
Some
ancient Gorkha weapons
|
| Here
is the battle dress of an ancient Gorkha.
This leather outfit supposedly belonged to
and was worn in battle by Prithivi Narayan
Shah, King of Gorkha, first King of Nepal,
and organizer of the world's first Gorkha
fighting force. The uniform looks as though
it has been through some pretty tough times
and if Prithivi took the shots as shown on
his trousers it must have been in a few very
painful encounters. Notice the heavy duty
gloves |
Great
old pictures from "The Navy and
Army Illustrated", July 24th,
1896. |
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5th
Gurkha Regiment & 72nd Highlanders
(1878 Northwest Frontier)
[ from the Illustrated London News
]
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Gurkhas
& Highlanders at Tirah (Northwest
Frontier)
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| Gurkha
Links |
|
Brigade
of Gurkhas - official UK Royal
Army site
The history of the Brigade of
Gurkhas service to the Crown
goes back as far as 1815. Since
then the Brigade has conducted
itself with distinction during
numerous conflicts worldwide.
Gurkhas are employed as an integral
part of the British Army and
plays a full part in its operational
commitments.
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British
Gurkhas Nepal - Gurkha Recruitment
British Embassy in Kathmandu
- British Gurkhas Nepal (BGN)
is an organisation of the British
Army tasked with supporting
the 3500 Gurkhas serving in
the British Army. Based at 3
sites, in Kathmandu, Pokhara
(West Nepal) and Itahari (East
Nepal).
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Gurkha
Welfare Trust
The Gurkha Welfare Trust was
established in England in 1969.
Its remit is to provide financial,
medical and community aid to
alleviate hardship and distress
among Gurkha ex-servcemen of
the British Army and their dependants
after they have returned to
their homeland of Nepal. |
|
The
Gurkha Museum
The Gurkha Museum at Winchester
(England) tells the moving and
unique story of Gurkha service
to the British Crown and people
over nearly 200 years. Gurkha
graves are spread across the
face of the earth in nearly
every country in which Britain
has fought - silent testament
to Gurkha Loyalty and Courage. |
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Gurkha
Collection
This site was originally set
up for the late Roy Morris to
share his passion for the Gurkhas
and his collection of Gurkha
militaria with everyone. |
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Gurkhas.com
Gurkha-related news, personal
stories/interviews with Gurkhas,
and contact/community for Gurkha
soldiers and officers. |
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