[History] 200 Years of Gorkha Brigade/Anglo–Nepalese War

[Issue in News: 200 Years+Location:Nepal this year for Earthquake]

Date: 1814–1816

Location: Kingdom of Nepal
Between: Kingdom of Nepal & British East India Company

During The Governorshp in India: Lord Moira

During Prime Minister Nepal: Bhimsen Thapa

Result: East India Company victory [The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, which ceded around a third of Nepal's territory to the British.]

They are one of the most feared soldiers in the world and have won the respects of even their enemies. The Gorkhas were integrated with the Indian Forces on April 24, 1815. Over time they have served in all theatres of war and won many military decorations. Here are some facts about the most respected regiment of the Indian Army.

The Gorkha Rifles, who have made a name for themselves across the globe with their exemplary courage and bravery, have completed 200 years of soldiering.

Brief history:

• It was raised in 1815.

• During the early 18th century, the Gorkhas from Nepal had extended their empire into Kumaon, Garhwal and Kangra Hills. This led to a confrontation with the British East India Company, resulting in the Gorkha War of 1815.

• Impressed by the fighting qualities of the Gorkhas, the East India Company offered to raise a Gorkha Regiment from the remnants of General Amar Singh Thapa’s army after the treaty of Sigauli.

• Thus, the First Nusseree (meaning friendly or loyal) Battalion came into being on April 24, 1815 at Subathu in Shimla Hills, the present home of the 14 Gorkha Training Centre.

• Since its raising, the Regiment has undergone a number of changes in its titles, the present being Third Gorkha Rifles.

• The war cry of the Battalion is “Aayo Gorkhali”.

• There are roughly around 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas currently serving in the Indian Army’s seven Gorkha Rifles or regiments (Ist, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, and 11th), each of which has five to six battalions (around 600 fighting soldiers each). The 200 years of service of the Gorkhas is also being marked by the British Army.

Facts About The Gorkha Regiment That Completes 200 Years In The Indian Army:

1. So impressed were the British by the fighting skills and valour of the Gorkha soldiers in the Anglo Nepal War of 1814-16, that they were quick to integrate them in the British Indian Army.
2. They weren’t raised as the Gorkha Regiment however. Instead it was called the Nasiri Regiment. The regiment was later renamed 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles.
3. After India’s Independence, six regiments, the 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR, 8 GR and 9 GR were retained in the Indian Army, while 2nd, 6th, 7th and 10th joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army.
4. Another regiment was raised by the Indian Army, the 11 GR, to accommodate the soldiers who refused to be transferred to the British Army.
5. The Gorkha units are some of the most decorated in the Army. They have played an important role in all the wars and have won Battle Honours in Uri sector in 1947-48, Ladakh in 1962, Jammu and Kashmir in 1965 and 1971. They were also a part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka.
6. The Gorkha Regiments have been awarded 3 Param Vir Chakras, 33 Maha Vir Chakras, and 84 Vir Chakras during operations.
7. The Regimental Insignia of all the Gorkha Rifles Regiments consists of a pair of crossed khukris. The khukri is a curved Nepalese knife which all Gorkha Rifles soldiers carry as a personal weapon.
8. The Gorkha Regiment also has a tradition of sacrificing a male buffalo on the festival of Dusshera. The head of the buffalo has to be severed in one clean sweep of the khukri. Usually the youngest member of the unit gets the privilege.
9. Field Marshal Manekshaw, who’s parent unit was 12th Frontier Force Regiment that moved to the Pakistani Army, became a part of the 8 GR. He would later become the Colonel of the regiment of the unit. He once famously said “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gorkha.”
10. The war cry of the Gorkha Regiments is ‘Jai Maha Kali, Ayo Gorkhali’ which translates to Hail Goddess Kali, The Gorkhas Are Here.
11. Officers in the Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army have to learn the Gorkhali language to be able to interact with their men in their native tongue.
12. The current Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh Suhag is also from the Gorkha Rifles. He was commissioned in 4/5 GR in 1974. And according to the 5 GR tradition, he wears his head gear with the strap below the lower lip. Other GR units wear the chin strap below the jaw.

Source: wiki, IE, Indiatimes, InsightsOnIndia