Since the independence of India in 1947, as per the terms of the
Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement, six Gorkha regiments,
formerly part of the British Indian Army, became part of the Indian Army and
have served ever since. The troops are Gorkhas, residents of Nepal and ethnic
Gorkha citizens of India. They have a history of courage in battle, evident
from the gallantry awards won by Gorkha soldiers and battle honours awarded to
Gorkha both before and after joining the Indian Army. A seventh Gorkha Rifles
regiment was re-raised in the Indian Army after Independence to accommodate
Gorkha soldiers of 7th Gurkha Rifles and the 10th Gurkha Rifles who chose not to
transfer to the British Army. Origins
Impressed by the fighting qualities displayed by the Gorkhas of Nepal during
the Gurkha War, Sir David Ochterlony was quick to realise Gorkha Regiment, was
raised as the Nasiri regiment. This regiment later became the 1st King
George’s Own Gurkha Rifles, and saw action at the Malaun fort under
Lieutenant Lawtie. They were instrumental in the expansion
of the British East India Company throughout the subcontinent. The Gorkhas
took part in the Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars, and in suppressing the Indian
Rebellion of 1857. Throughout these years, the British continued to recruit
the Gorkhas and kept increasing the number of Gorkha regiments.
By the time First World War started, there were 11 Gorkha regiments under the
British Indian Army. The Gorkha regiments played a vital role in the
Commonwealth armies during both the World Wars seeing action everywhere from
Monte Cassino in the west to Rangoon in the east, earning battle honours
everywhere. As a testament to the psychological factors of the Gorkha
Regiments on its enemies, during the North African campaign, the German
Afrikakorps accorded great respect to the brave Nepalese knife khukri-wielding
Gorkhas. Post-independence
Following India's independence, India, Nepal and Great Britain signed a
Tripartite Agreement, and of the total of 10 regiments, six, 8 GR and 9 GR)
regiments of the Gurkha Rifles joined the Indian Army. In 1950, when India
became a republic, the "Royal" titles were dropped from 5 RGR that joined the
Indian Army. Following the divisions of the Gorkha
regiments, the British Army decided that joining of the British Army would be
entirely voluntary for the Gorkha soldiers and decided to hold a
referendum. As a result, large numbers of men from the 7th Gurkha Rifles and
the 10th Gurkha Rifles, which recruited predominantly from Eastern Nepal,
decided not to join their regiments as part of the British Army. In order to
retain a contingent from this area of Nepal, the Indian Army made the decision
to raise the 11 Gorkha Rifles. Although there was an ad hoc regiment raised
during World War 1 with troops drawn from the various Gurkha units, the
troops mostly retained the uniform and insignias of their respective regiments.
This regiment was disbanded in 1922 and has no relation to the present-day 11
Gurkha Rifles, though some do claim so. Since independence, the Gorkhas have
fought in every major campaign involving the Indian Army being awarded numerous
battle and theatre honours. The regiments have won many gallantry awards
like the Param Vir Chakra and the Maha Vir Chakra. The 8 Gorkha Rifles, has the
unique distinction of producing one of the two Field Marshals of the Indian
Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and is still revered as one of its finest
officers. 5/5 Gorkha Rifles fought gallantly in
Hyderabad police action in 1948. Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa of 5/5 Gorkha Rifles
earned the first Ashok Chakra Class I of independent India, in Hyderabad Police
Action on 15 September 1948. 1/5 Gorkha Rifles captured the Sehjra bulge
fighting against a whole Pakistani battalion during the Indo-Pakistani War
of 1971. 4/5 Gorkha Rifles fought in the Battle of Sylhet, earning the
distinction of being the first regiment of the Indian Army to be involved in a
heliborne attack. Under the Indian Army, Gorkhas have served in Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, Siachen, and in the UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Sudan
and Sierra Leone. 1/5 Gorkha Rifles was the first battalion in the history of
peacekeeping to be earmarked as Air Mobile Force Reserve battalion and given
an entire country as its area of responsibility.
Major Dhan Singh Thapa of the 1/8 Gorkha Rifles won the Param Vir Chakra for his
heroic actions during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict. The 1st battalion
of the 11 Gorkha Rifles was involved in Operation Vijay where Lt. Manoj Kumar
Pandey won the Param Vir Chakra for his gallant actions.
Current strength Currently there are 39 battalions
serving in 7 Gorkha regiments in the Indian Army. Six regiments were
transferred from the British Indian Army, while one was formed after
independence; 1 Gorkha Rifles 5 battalions).
3 Gorkha Rifles 5 battalions. 4 Gorkha Rifles 5 battalions.
5 Gorkha Rifles 6 battalions). 8 Gorkha Rifles 6 battalions.
9 Gorkha Rifles 6 battalions. 11 Gorkha Rifles 7 battalions and one TA
battalion. The individual Gorkha rifle regiments of
India are collectively known for regimental purposes as the 'Gorkha
Brigade' between themselves and are not to be confused with the Brigade of
Gurkhas of the British Army. In popular culture
A platoon of the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, led by Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, has been
depicted in the Bollywood movie LOC Kargil.
See also People of Nepal
Gurkhas Indian Army
British Indian Army Royal Gurkha Rifles
Brigade of Gurkhas Gurkha Contingent
References Sir Mark Tully's presentation of the
Indian Army during the Second World War Bharat-Rakshak