Gorkha regiments (India)

The Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army are infantry units primarily composed of ethnic Gurkha soldiers from Nepal, renowned for their courage, discipline, and martial tradition. Following the Indian Independence in 1947, six Gorkha regiments, previously part of the British Indian Army, were transferred to the Indian Army under the Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement. A seventh regiment, the 11 Gorkha Rifles, was raised post-independence to accommodate Gorkha soldiers from eastern Nepal who chose not to join the British Army. As of 2025, these regiments remain a vital part of India’s military, reflecting a shared legacy among Nepal, India, and Britain shaped by history, diplomacy, and the Gorkhas’ enduring contributions.

History

Origins in Nepal and British Recruitment

The Gorkhas’ martial heritage originates in the Gorkha Kingdom of Nepal, unified in the 18th century by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Their reputation as skilled warriors emerged during Nepal’s expansion and was tested in the Gurkha War (1814–1816) against the British East India Company. Impressed by their tenacity, Sir David Ochterlony proposed their recruitment into British service. On 24 April 1815, the first Gorkha battalion, known as the Nasiri Regiment (later the 1 Gorkha Rifles), was established. This unit saw early action at the Maulun fort under Lieutenant Lawtie.

Under British command, Gorkha troops bolstered the East India Company’s campaigns across the Indian subcontinent, participating in the Gurkha-Sikh War, the First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars, Afghan wars, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Their numbers grew steadily, and by the First World War, the British Indian Army included 10 Gorkha regiments. During the World Wars, they served in theaters from Monte Cassino to Rangoon, earning numerous battle honours. Their skill with the khukri, a traditional Nepalese knife, gained them respect, notably from the German Afrika Korps in North Africa.

The 1947 Tripartite Agreement and Post-Independence

After India’s independence in 1947, the Britain-India-Nepal Tripartite Agreement redefined the Gorkha regiments’ future. Signed by Nepal, India, and Britain, the agreement allocated six regiments to the Indian Army and four to the British Army, ensuring continued recruitment from Nepal under specific terms. Nepal’s consent reflected economic incentives, such as remittances from Gorkha soldiers, and diplomatic ties with both nations. The six regiments transferred to India were:

1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment) 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) 8th Gurkha Rifles 9th Gurkha Rifles In 1949, the Indian Army adopted the traditional spelling "Gorkha" over "Gurkha," and in 1950, royal titles were dropped upon India becoming a republic. Soldiers from the 7th Gurkha Rifles and 10th Gurkha Rifles, predominantly from eastern Nepal, were given the choice to join the British Army or remain in India. Many opted against British service, prompting India to raise the 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1949 to retain these troops. This regiment has no direct link to an earlier ad hoc unit of the same name from World War I.

The four regiments transferred to Britain later served in colonies like Malaya and Singapore, contributing to efforts like the Malayan Emergency. Today, their legacy persists in the Royal Gurkha Rifles (UK), Gurkha Reserve Unit (Brunei), and Gurkha Contingent (Singapore).

Service in the Indian Army

Since 1947, Gorkha regiments have been integral to India’s military campaigns, earning accolades in conflicts such as the Hyderabad Police Action (1948), the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Kargil War (1999), and peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Sudan. Notable gallantry awards include the Param Vir Chakra won by Major Dhan Singh Thapa (1/8 Gorkha Rifles, 1962 Sino-Indian War) and Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey (1/11 Gorkha Rifles, Kargil War). As of 2025, the Indian Army maintains 39 Gorkha battalions across seven regiments.

Structure

Current Regimental Strength

The Gorkha regiments in the Indian Army currently comprise 39 battalions across seven regiments:

1 Gorkha Rifles – 6 battalions 3 Gorkha Rifles – 5 battalions 4 Gorkha Rifles – 5 battalions 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) – 6 battalions 8 Gorkha Rifles – 6 battalions (includes a mechanised infantry battalion) 9 Gorkha Rifles – 5 battalions 11 Gorkha Rifles – 6 battalions

Regimental Centres

Gorkha recruitment and training occur at four centres in India:

11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre (11 GRRC) – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 14 Gorkha Training Centre (14 GTC) – Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh 39 Gorkha Training Centre (39 GTC) – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 58 Gorkha Training Centre (58 GTC) – Shillong, Meghalaya Primary recruitment is managed through the Gorkha Recruiting Depot (GRD) in Kunraghat, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Nepal’s Role and Legacy

The Gorkhas’ service in foreign armies stems from Nepal’s socio-economic context, with remittances forming a significant part of the national economy. While their bravery enhances Nepal’s global reputation, it has sparked debate within the country. Some Nepalese leaders argue the 1947 agreement is outdated, advocating for reevaluation of foreign recruitment policies. Meanwhile, Gorkhas also serve in the Nepalese Army, contributing to national defense, including during the Nepalese Civil War (1996–2006).

Culturally, the Gorkhas embody Nepal’s martial tradition, with the khukri symbolizing their identity. Their service abroad fosters pride but also raises questions about sovereignty and identity in modern Nepal.

Uniform and Traditions

The Gorkha hat, a wide-brimmed felt headgear worn tilted, is a distinctive feature of their uniform, adopted before World War I. The traditional rifle-green dress uniform, paired with a "pill-box" cap, is used for ceremonial purposes.

In Popular Culture

The Gorkha regiments have been depicted in Indian cinema, including the 2003 film LOC: Kargil, featuring Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey (played by Ajay Devgn) and Col. Lalit Rai (played by Sudesh Berry). Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, affiliated with the 8 Gorkha Rifles, was portrayed by Vicky Kaushal in the 2023 biopic Sam Bahadur.

References

[Placeholder for references: Include sources like The Gurkhas by John Parker, Nepal’s government archives, Indian Army records, and The Kathmandu Post.]

External Links

Official Indian Army Website Official Nepalese Army Website The Gurkha Museum (UK)