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60-471: Palpa district and Rolpa district of Nepal (majority of Kham Magars ), both located in Province 5 of Nepal, are the top two districts of Nepal with the highest indigenous Magar population. Magars are martial people who first established their kingdom in present-day western Nepal. They were animistic and shamanic in their religious practices. The Kham Magar of the upper Karnali basin and their brethren of

120-483: 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. Viceroy Commissioned Officers (VCOs) up to 1947 and Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) from 1947: Warrant officers Non-commissioned officers Private soldiers Notes Bravest of

180-603: A buffer between the easternmost Baise kingdom , Salyan , and the westernmost Chaubisi kingdom, Pyuthan . For the Hindu Brahmin, the intervening highlands, unsuited for rice cultivation, were hardly worth contesting. Kham people are considered to have existed in this Himalyan belt since 3000 years ago, much longer before the birth of Buddha as they believed in shamanism , while the Magars are historically mentioned after 1100 ADs by various foreign researchers. Kham civilization

240-493: A feature that later became known as "Gurkha Bluff". 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. The 2nd Battalion of the 3rd Gurkha Rifles (2nd/3rd Gurkha Rifles) fought in the conquest of Baghdad . Following the end of the war, the Gurkhas were returned to India, and during the inter-war years were largely kept away from

300-991: A total of 20 pre-war battalions. Following the Dunkirk evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in 1940, the Nepalese government offered to increase recruitment to enlarge the number of Gurkha battalions in British service to 35. 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. 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

360-474: Is a well trained, dedicated and disciplined body whose principal role is as riot police and 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

420-595: Is no evidence of their migration or origin. Oral histories handed down from generation to generation say that Kham people migrated from icy northern icy Himalayan Region in the southern part of China , after the Kham civilization got lost and submerged in the icy glaciers in and around 200 AD. Later, the Kham kings ruled from the present Karnali region or ancient Nepal region in the far west. However, after Khas kings from Kumaon and Garhwal continued to attack upon Kham kings in

480-614: Is one of the ancient cultural festivals celebrated by the Kham Magar tribes of Rolpa and Rukum. The main celebration takes place during the first week of June. Kham Magars people dance very slowly in the Jholeni and Bhume dances, while Magars dance a fast dance, the Kaura dance . Currently Kham people worship their ancestors through animism and shamanism. Gorkha The Gurkhas or Gorkhas ( / ˈ ɡ ɜːr k ə , ˈ ɡ ʊər -/ ), with

540-666: Is said to have given "Pal" title to many of its inhabitants. As a matter of fact, Pal kings were the early rulers of Nepal during which Kham Magar were given the title of Pals at the end of their names. After unification of Nepal coming Shaha king, official neglect, underdevelopment and poverty essentially continued through the 19th and 20th centuries. The main export was mercenaries for the British and Indian armies, or whatever other employment opportunities could be found for largely uneducated and unskilled labor. Northern magar also practice transhumance by grazing cattle, sheep and goats in summer pastures in subalpine and alpine pastures to

600-881: Is subdivided into many sub-clans name. The language of the Kham Magars is called Magar Kham among other glottonyms. It is estimated that about 71,000 Kham Magars live in the Middle Hills of mid-western Nepal , in the districts of Rukum , Rolpa , Baglung and Myagdi . Scattered communities also live in Jajarkot , Dailekh , Kalikot , Achham , and Doti districts as well as in the capital city of Kathmandu . Due to their oral mythology and distinctive Shamanistic practices , Kham Magar are thought to have originally migrated from Siberia according to shamanic tradition , but some writers have written that they originated in Rukum district . There

660-740: Is suggestive of ‘water’ in Magar. In the Kali Gandaki region and western Nepal, rivers, small streams, towns and villages retain their Magar language names. Examples include Marshyang+di river in Tanahu, ‘Lang+di’, ‘Darang+di’; ’Lun+di’ in Gorkha , ‘Hosrang+di’ village in Parbat, Chhang+di in Tanahu, ‘Argaun+di’ village, ‘Hug+di’ in Plapa district. During the period of Magarat ( Confideration of Twelve Magarat & Eighteen Magarat ) In

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720-525: The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) . The name may be traced to the medieval Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath who has a historic shrine in Gorkha District . The word itself derived from Go-Raksha ( Nepali : गोरक्षा i.e., 'Protector (रक्षा) of cows (गो')), raksha becoming rakha (रखा). Rakhawala means 'protector' and is derived from raksha as well. There are Gurkha military units in

780-634: The Dhaulagiri range, forming a triple divide between the Karnali- Bheri system to the west, the Gandaki system to the east, and the smaller (western) Rapti and Babai river systems that separate the two larger systems south of this point. Since the uppermost tributaries of the Karnali and Gandaki rise beyond the highest Himalaya ranges, trade routes linking India and Tibet developed along these rivers, whereas

840-525: The Gurkha Reserve Unit in Brunei , for UN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the world. Gurkhas are closely associated with the khukuri , a forward-curving knife, and have a reputation for fearless military prowess. Former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw once stated that: "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha." Historically,

900-631: The Humla and Jumla area in and around 400 AD. The Kham kings are reported to have fought against brute and uncivilized Khas aggressors for hundreds of years. But Kham's last king, Khudu, was defeated. He fought fiercely against the Garra army but was deposed. Khas kingdom flourished in the Jumla region after they claimed this region as Khasan. Northern Magars inhabit highlands 3,000–4,000 metres (9,800–13,100 ft) above sea level , some 50 km (31 mi) south of

960-642: The Indian Rebellion of 1857 , Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the British Indian Army on its formation. The 8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion made a notable contribution during the conflict, and 25 Indian Order of Merit awards were made to men from that regiment during the Siege of Delhi. Three days after the rebellion began, the Sirmoor Battalion was ordered to move to Meerut, where

1020-750: The Nepalese , British and Indian armies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom, India and Singapore. Although they meet many of the criteria of Article 47 of Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions regarding mercenaries , they are exempt under clauses 47(e) and (f) , similar to the French Foreign Legion . During the 1814–16 Anglo-Nepalese War between the Gorkha Kingdom and the East India Company ,

1080-793: The endonym Gorkhali ( Nepali : गोर्खाली [ɡorkʰali] ), are soldiers native to the Indian subcontinent , chiefly residing within Nepal and some parts of North India . The Gurkha units are composed of Nepali and Indian Gorkha , Nepali-speaking Indian people, and are recruited for the Nepali Army (96,000), the Indian Army (42,000), the British Army (4,010), the Gurkha Contingent in Singapore ,

1140-679: The 36th Engineer Regiment. Since then, British Gurkhas have served in Borneo during the confrontation with Indonesia, in the Falklands War and on various peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone , East Timor , Bosnia and Kosovo . Major Gurkha Formations: As of August 2021, the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army has the following units: The Brigade of Gurkhas also has its own chefs posted among

1200-580: The Brahmins and in second place and the Chettri (previously Khasas)as first). This meant that the one-time rulers of the Nepali mid-hills became the ruled. The introduction of Hinduism in itself became the cataclysmic event in the undoing of the Magar empire. Aramudi is a name of a legend in the 8th century Himalayan history, particularly of Kashmir and Nepal . In a war between King Aramudi and Kashmir (King Jayapida),

1260-696: The British garrison was barely holding on, and in doing so they had to march up to 48 kilometres a day. Later, during the four-month Siege of Delhi, they defended Hindu Rao 's house, losing 327 of 490 men. During this action they fought side by side with the 60th Rifles and a strong bond developed. Twelve regiments from the Nepalese Army also took part in the relief of Lucknow under the command of Shri Teen (3) Maharaja Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal and his older brother C-in-C Ranodip Singh Kunwar (Ranaudip Singh Bahadur Rana) (later to succeed Jung Bahadur and become Sri Teen Maharaja Ranodip Singh of Nepal). After

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1320-675: The Dahya Gauda route and attacked the Durbar and defeated the Khadka Raja (Khadka a sub-clan of Rana Magar clan's). As Dravya Shah took his seat on the gaddi and named the new Gorkha Kingdom , Dravya Shah used the army of the Khas Thakuri and Magars to invade neighboring states. His successors continued this aggression to increase

1380-506: The German defences, and in the words of the Indian Corps commander, Lt. Gen. Sir James Willcocks , "found its Valhalla". During the unsuccessful Gallipoli Campaign in 1915, the Gurkhas were among the first to arrive and the last to leave. The 1st/6th Gurkhas, having landed at Cape Helles , led the assault during the first major operation to take a Turkish high point, and in doing so captured

1440-633: The Gorkhali soldiers impressed the British, who called them Gurkhas . The Anglo-Nepalese War was fought between the Gurkha Kingdom of Nepal and the British East India Company as a result of border disputes and ambitious expansionism of both belligerents. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. David Ochterlony and British political agent William Fraser were among

1500-603: 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. During World 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. The number of Gurkha battalions

1560-499: 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. They have also been used in peacekeeping operations around

1620-652: The Japanese in the jungles of Burma , northeast India and also Singapore . They did so with distinction, earning 2,734 bravery awards in the process and suffering around 32,000 casualties in all theatres. Gurkha ranks in the British Indian Army followed the same pattern as those used throughout the rest of the Indian Army at that time. 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

1680-799: The Kashmir king was defeated and imprisoned in a fortress built above the bank of Kali Gandaki river is called Kalhana aśma-veśman " (stone house) in present Gulmi district . Aramudi was also called king Baradev of ancient Nepal. Lalitpattan, presently Lalitpur, was his capital. Aramudi sounds like an indigenous Magar name with ‘di’ suggesting – ‘water’ or ‘river’. The four morphemes or segments ‘a’ + ‘ra’ + ‘mu’ + di’ or ‘mo + di’. Conjugating these morphemes produces either “aramu + di” or “ara’ + ‘mudi or modi”. In Magar ‘aramu’ or ‘armu’ means ‘sweet smell’ and ‘di’ means ‘water’ - hence literally “aramu + di” means ‘sweet smelling water’ or ‘sweet tasting spring water', in Nepali ‘jharanako mitho pani’ . The ‘di’ in ‘Aramudi’

1740-501: The Shahs had toyed with. The Rolpa and Rukum districts in the center of the magars homelands became known as the " Maoist heartland " and Kham Magars were prominent as footsoldiers of its guerrilla forces and Deputy Commander during Maoist Civil War like Barshaman Pun Magar and Nanda Bahadur Pun Magar former chief commander who led the People's Liberation Army . Bhume Naach ( Bal puja )

1800-734: The Sirmoor Battalion, later to become the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles . An additional battalion—the Kumaon—was also raised, eventually becoming the 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles . None of these units fought in the second campaign. Gurkhas served as troops under contract to the British East India Company in the Pindaree War of 1817, in Bharatpur in 1826, and the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars in 1846 and 1848. During

1860-523: 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. 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

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1920-559: The above-mentioned units. Gurkhas were among the troops who retook the Falklands in 1982 and have served a number of tours of duty in the War in Afghanistan . Upon independence in 1947, six of the original ten Gurkha regiments remained with the Indian Army . These regiments were: Additionally, a further regiment, 11 Gorkha Rifles , was raised. In 1949 the spelling was changed from "Gurkha" to

1980-548: The advance of Muslim forces into the Gangetic plains , Brahmins entered Magarat as refugees. These two groups were given sanctuary. The latter group started to impose their view of Hinduism upon the Magars, while the former group was given the status of Chhetri by the Brahmins in accordance with their view of Hinduism. This left the Magar people in the third tier in the kingdom (following

2040-603: The army. They discouraged Brahminical influence in the military and considered the Hindu castes more susceptible to Brahminical values. As a result, they discouraged the inclusion of Thakuri and Khas groups in the Gorkha units and refused to recruit tribes other than Gurungs and Magars for Gorkha units. They also exerted diplomatic pressure on Prime Minister Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana to ensure that at least 75% of new recruits were Gurungs and Magars . Between 1901 and 1906,

2100-551: The battles of Loos , Givenchy , and Neuve Chapelle ; in Belgium at the battle of Ypres ; in Iraq , Persia , Suez Canal and Palestine against Turkish advance, Gallipoli and Salonika . One detachment served with Lawrence 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

2160-599: The brave, most generous of the generous, never had country more faithful friends than you. Under the Tripartite Agreement signed between the governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal after Indian independence and the partition of India , the original ten Gurkha regiments consisting of the 20 pre-war battalions were split between the British Army and the newly independent Indian Army . Six Gurkha regiments (12 battalions) were transferred to

2220-412: The case for his British counterparts. 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 the Communist 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

2280-419: The first to recognize the potential of Gurkha soldiers. During the war the British used defectors from the Gurkha army and employed them as irregular 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 the 1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles , saw action at Malaun Fort under

2340-407: The frontier. They kept the peace among the local populace and engaged with the lawless and often openly hostile Pathan tribesmen . 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. During World War II (1939–1945) there were ten Gurkha regiments, with two battalions each, making

2400-449: The high ridges along the Rapti's northern watershed and then the Dhaulagiri massif beyond were rigorous obstacles. Similarly, Hindus fleeing Hindu-Muslim conflicts, Brahmin people, settled around these highlands with the Kham Magars by following the Mahabharat Range to the south or the Dhorpatan valley to the north which—by Himalayan standards—offers exceptionally easy east–west passage. The Kham Magar highlands may also have been left as

2460-419: The highlands and contrasts became even more invidious. Development introduced motor transport, which diminished porterage employment. Cultivating hemp and processing it into charas (hashish) lost standing as an income generator after 1976 when international pressure persuaded the national government to outlaw these recreational drugs and close government stores where those so inclined could freely purchase what

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2520-456: 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. As such, between the World Wars the Gurkha regiments fought in the Third Afghan War in 1919. The regiments then participated in numerous campaigns on the North-West Frontier, mainly in Waziristan , where they were employed as garrison troops defending

2580-414: The kingdom called Palpa the King was ‘ Mukunda Sen Magar ” in Naradsmriti Granth . He waged a war against Nepal [KathmanduValley] twice in 1521 Bikram Era and on Chaitra 11,1522 BE. Mansingh Khadka Magar was a king of Majhakot and Uppalokot in Gorkha until 1559. At an annual running event called Liglig Daud , the winner was chosen King Of Ligligkot Kingdom Dravya Shah (youngest son Of Yashobrahma)

2640-470: The leadership of Lt. Lawtie, who reported to Ochterlony that he "had the greatest reason to be satisfied with their exertions". 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 term Gurkha , became the backbone of British Indian forces. As well as Ochterlony's Gurkha battalions, Fraser and Lt. Frederick Young raised

2700-400: The mid-hills of Nepal had a flourishing kingdom. Archaeological proof of their existence can be found in the western mid-hills of Nepal. The Magar have a strong military and warrior tradition. However, their hospitality and concern for their fellow human beings is legendary. Two waves of immigrants became the undoing of the Magar empire. Firstly, the Khasas were welcomed and assimilated. Due to

2760-461: The north, working their way down to winter pastures in the Dang - Deukhuri valleys. Despite unending toil, food shortages have become a growing problem that still persists. Food deficits were historically addressed by grain imports bought dearly with distant work at low wages. As some corrupted development brought schools, electricity, motor roads, hospitals and some range of consumer goods to specific surrounding areas, few benefits trickled up into

2820-450: The original "Gorkha". All royal titles were dropped when India became a republic in 1950. 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. In 2009

2880-498: The peace in India and defending rear areas. 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 Gurkhas served in 40 battalions, plus eight Nepalese Army battalions, parachute, training, garrison and porter units during the war, in almost all theatres. In addition to keeping peace in India, Gurkhas fought in Syria , North Africa , Italy , Greece and against

2940-525: The post-independence Indian Army, while four regiments (eight battalions) were transferred to the British Army. 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. The only substantial change

3000-422: The rebellion the 60th Rifles pressed for the Sirmoor Battalion to become a rifle regiment. This honour was granted in 1858 when the battalion was renamed the Sirmoor Rifle Regiment and awarded a third colour. In 1863, Queen Victoria presented the regiment with the Queen's Truncheon , as a replacement for the colours that rifle regiments do not usually have. From the end of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 until

3060-414: The start of World War I , the Gurkha Regiments saw active service in Burma , Afghanistan , Northeast India and the North-West Frontier of India, Malta (the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78 ), Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer Rebellion of 1900) and Tibet ( Younghusband's Expedition of 1905). After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 , the British authorities in India feared the inclusion of Hindu castes in

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3120-456: The terms "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali", which originates from the hill principality Gorkha Kingdom , from which the Kingdom of Nepal expanded under Prithvi Narayan Shah , who was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal . 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

3180-494: The territory belonging to Gorkha . Kingdoms such as Rishing, Ghiring, Argha, Khachhi, Gulmi, Dhor, Satung, Paiung, Bhirkot, Gharung Mishikot, Isma were collectively known as Barha Magarat or Confederation of Twelve Magar Kingdoms and were ruled by Magar Kings. The annual festival of Barhakune Tal in Ghorahi of Dang district commemorates the founding of Twelve Magarats Confederation of Twelve Magar Kingdoms. Similarly Athara Magarat or Confederation of Eighteen Magar Kingdoms

3240-400: The world. They have also served in Sri Lanka conducting operations against the Tamil Tigers . The Gurkha Contingent (GC) of the Singapore Police Force was 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 a Sikh unit that had existed prior to the Japanese occupation during the Second World War . The GC

3300-413: Was degrading to the Nepalese people and would be banned. However, as of 2023, Gurkha recruitment for foreign service continues. Four Gurkha regiments were transferred to the British Army on 1 January 1948: They formed the Brigade of Gurkhas and were initially stationed in Malaya . There were also a number of additional Gurkha units including the 69th and 70th Gurkha Field Squadrons, both included in

3360-404: Was illegal in most of the world. But the Hindu government directly indirectly encouraged the drugs. Despite adversity, the Magar people retained a robust oral history and a sense of past greatness, which created grievances and made them receptive to the Maobadi (Maoist) movement that opposed the Shah Dynasty regime in the 1996-2006 Nepalese Civil War and even the multiparty democracy that

3420-400: 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. They served on the battlefields of France in

3480-427: Was invited to take over the throne by the Brahmins, in particular Bhagirath Panth and Ganesh Pande. On the 8th of Bhadon Badi, Saka 1481 (A.D. 1559) Dravya Shah was aided by Bhagirath Panth, Ganesa Pande, Busal Arjyal, Khanal Bohra, Murli Khawas and Gangaram Rana Magar of Liglig-kot . Ganesa Pande had collected all the people of Gurkha, such as the Thapas , Busals, Ranas and Maski Ranas of the Magar tribe, they went by

3540-515: Was located west of Kali Gandaki, primarily inhabited by Kham Magars . Kham Magar The Kham Magars (खाम मगर), also known in scholarship as the Northern Magars , are a ( Tibeto-Burman language ) Magar Kham language or Kham Kura speaking indigenous ethnic tribal community native to Nepal. In general, Kham Magars refer to themselves using their clan name and the ethnic identity of Magar . Kham Magar clan names include Budha / Budhathoki , Gharti , Pun and Roka , and each clan

3600-473: Was the substitution of Indian officers for British. By contrast, the four regiments selected for British service faced an uncertain future, initially in Malaya - 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. The principal aim of

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