Who are Gurkhas? 10 Mind Blowing Facts About Gurkhas.

Who are Gurkhas? 10 Mind Blowing Facts About Gurkhas.

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw had rightly said, “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”

 Gurkhas have been internationally recognised as one of the most resilient and fierce militaries in the world. They are also famous for their endurance and adeptness in battles.  But, who are the Gurkhas?

Origin of Gurkhas

The Gurkhas are the soldiers of Nepalese nationality who are recruited in the British Army each year. Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for 200 years after The Battle of Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16), also known as the Gurkha War which was fought Between Nepal and Britain. After suffering heavy causalities by the British force, the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli. Thus began Britain’s relationship with Nepal. 

A soldier of the 87th Foot wrote in his memoirs: "I never saw more steadiness or bravery exhibited in my life. Run they would not, and of death, they seemed to have no fear, though their comrades were falling thick around them".

Selection Process For Gurkhas

The selection method for the Gurkhas is extremely onerous and demanding. Solely, 200 units are recruited annually out of about 30,000 candidates. It culminates in the fearful 'Doko race' - a 5-mile run, uphill, where the soldiers have to be compelled to carry 25 kilograms in a basket on their backs that is connected solely only by a head-strap in less than 55 minutes. They even have to go through the different stage in the selection process before being recruited as a British army.

Gurkhas Best Friend: Kukri

Gurkhas are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife, and have a well-known reputation for fearless military prowess. In times past, it was said that once a kukri was drawn in battle, it had to "taste blood" - if not, its owner had to cut himself before returning it to its sheath.

Britain's Highest Military Honour: Victoria Cross

The Gurkhas have loyally fought for the British all over the world, receiving 13 Victoria Crosses between them. There have been twenty-six awards of this highest badge of courage made to members of the Gurkha regiments, half to Gurkhas and the half to their British officers – more than to any other regiment.

World War

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.

During World War II (1939 – 1945), Gurkhas earning 2,734 bravery awards in the process and suffering around 32,000 casualties in all theaters.

During the two world wars, 43,000 Gurkhas lost their lives.

“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you” by Sir Ralph Turner MC, 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles, 1931.

Hitler Facing Hard Time

 It is said that Gurkhas gave Hitler’s German forces such a hard time during the World War II that he said in admiration, “If I had Gurkha, I can win the whole world.”

Motto

"Better to die than be a coward" is the motto of the Gurkhas.

One Man Army

Gurkhas will do things in a fight that wouldn't occur to even the most seasoned combat veterans. They will fight outnumbered, they will fight outgunned. They hold their positions against impossible odds and often come out on top. 

1 Gurkha vs 200 Japanese Soldier

This particular story of Gurkha heroism stars Rifleman Gurung during a battle in Burma against the Japanese. The Japanese took Gurung and his men by surprise and lobbed a few grenades into their trench. Gurung threw two of the grenades back at the 200 Japanese soldiers lying in wait, but when he grabbed the third one it blew up in his hand. Gurung lost a few fingers; most of his right arm, and took shrapnel in his face and leg.

Despite being partially blind and bleeding out, Gurung did what only a Gurkha would do, he pulled out a kukri knife with his good hand, stabbed it into the ground, and announced to the Japanese that none of them would make it past his knife. He picked up is bolt-action Lee-Enfield mark two rifles, chambered a round with one hand and invited the enemy to come play. Gurung fought for hours with his friends dead and dying around him. He would lie down until the Japanese were on top of his position, then kill the closest at point-blank range, chamber a new round, again, with one hand, then take out the enemy's battle buddy. He fought throughout the night and into the next day, killing 31 Japanese soldiers in total. At the end of the battle, he was still shouting, "Come and fight! "Come and fight, I will kill you!" After the battle, Gurung was hospitalised through the end of the war. He lost partial vision in his right eye and the use of his right arm.

For his Brave courage on the battlefield that night, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest military honour. 

1 Gurkha vs 30 Taliban Fighters

In September 2010, Sergeant Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles single-handedly held his post against more than 30 Taliban fighters. Pun was on duty at a two-story outpost when he heard a suspicious noise leading him to discover two insurgents attempting to plant an IED nearby. Suddenly, small arms and RPG fire lit up the night as the Taliban launched their assault. Despite being surrounded, Pun refused to surrender, determined to take out as many of the enemy as he could before going down.

In all, he fired off 250 machine gun rounds, 180 SA-80 rounds, threw six phosphorous grenades, six normal grenades, and even threw a Claymore mine. When an enemy fighter climbed onto the roof of his outpost, Pun attacked him with his machine gun tripod knocking him off the roof to his death.

Against all odds, he managed to hold his post until reinforcement arrived. Pun was awarded the conspicuous Gallantry Cross from Queen Elizabeth II.