Gurkhas (United Kingdom)

Gurkhas (United Kingdom)
Unit name	Gurkhas (United Kingdom)
Native name	Gurkha Regiment
Caption	Traditional khukuri
Dates	1815–present
Country	United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Allegiance	Monarch of the United KingdomMonarch of the United Kingdom
Branch	British ArmyBritish Army
Type	InfantryInfantry
Size	BrigadeBrigade
Garrison	AldershotAldershot
Nickname	The Gurkhas
Motto	Better to die than be a cowardMotto
Notable commanders	Sir Adrian Carton de WiartAdrian Carton de Wiart, Sir Claude AuchinleckClaude Auchinleck

Gurkhas (United Kingdom) Gurkhas serving in the British Army trace their formal incorporation to treaties and campaigns of the early nineteenth century, forming regiments renowned for service across colonial, world, and post-colonial conflicts. They are recruited predominantly from Nepalese regions and serve within distinct units, maintaining unique cultural practices such as the khukuri blade and regimental festivals while participating in contemporary operations and legal-political debates over residency and citizenship.

History

The origins of Gurkha service to the British Crown began after the Anglo-Nepalese War and the 1816 Treaty of SugauliTreaty of Sugauli when the East India CompanyEast India Company raised battalions that later fought in the Anglo-Sikh WarsAnglo-Sikh Wars, the Indian Rebellion of 1857Indian Rebellion of 1857, and the Second Anglo-Afghan WarSecond Anglo-Afghan War. Gurkhas served in both World War IWorld War I and World War IIWorld War II, notably at GallipoliGallipoli Campaign, the Western FrontWestern Front (World War I), the Italian CampaignItalian Campaign (World War II), and in BurmaBurma Campaign. Post-1947 partition led to agreements between the United KingdomUnited Kingdom and the Kingdom of NepalKingdom of Nepal formalising recruitment; Gurkha units fought in the Malayan EmergencyMalayan Emergency, the Falklands WarFalklands War, the Gulf WarGulf War, operations in IraqIraq War and AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and peacekeeping in BosniaBosnian War and Sierra LeoneSierra Leone Civil War.

Recruitment and Training

Recruitment takes place through selection centers in Nepal such as PokharaPokhara and DharanDharan, drawing candidates from regions including the hill districts of GorkhaGorkha District, LamjungLamjung District, and ArghakhanchiArghakhanchi District. Prospective soldiers undergo physical tests influenced by historical selection practices exemplified by the 1819 enrolment patterns that attracted figures like Sir Henry HavelockHenry Havelock to the regiments. Recruits are trained at institutions like the British Army Training Unit SuffieldBritish Army Training Unit Suffield and at depots such as Winchester BarracksWinchester Barracks and Queen Elizabeth BarracksQueen Elizabeth Barracks (Strensall), following curricula comparing with SandhurstRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst adaptations for non-commissioned officer development. Officer engagement includes links with British officer cadres and exchange with Nepalese ArmyNepalese Army traditions and veterans’ organisations such as the Gurkha Brigade AssociationGurkha Brigade Association.

Organisation and Units

Gurkha units are organised under the Brigade of GurkhasBrigade of Gurkhas and include regiments and corps such as the Royal Gurkha RiflesRoyal Gurkha Rifles, Queen’s Gurkha EngineersQueen's Gurkha Engineers, Queen’s Gurkha SignalsQueen's Gurkha Signals, Gurkha Company (Sittang) in BruneiBrunei, and the Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support CompanyGurkha Staff and Personnel Support Company. Historically distinct regiments like the 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles), 6th Gurkha Rifles6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles, and 7th Gurkha Rifles7th Gurkha Rifles were amalgamated into modern formations. The Brigade reports through Headquarters InfantryHeadquarters Infantry and connects with commands such as UK Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom) structures, NATONATO commitments, and Permanent Joint HeadquartersPermanent Joint Headquarters tasking.

Service and Deployments

Gurkhas have deployed in major engagements including the Siege of LadysmithSiege of Ladysmith, the Battle of ImphalBattle of Imphal, the Battle of KohimaBattle of Kohima, the Battle of Monte CassinoBattle of Monte Cassino, and the Battle of WaterlooBattle of Waterloo in earlier permutations of service. In contemporary eras they deployed to AfghanistanHelmand Province operations and IraqBasra operations under Operation HerrickOperation Herrick and Operation TelicOperation Telic respectively, and served on peacekeeping tours with the United NationsUnited Nations in CyprusUnited Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and in UNPROFORUnited Nations Protection Force mandates. Gurkhas have also fulfilled security duties in Hong KongBritish Hong Kong before 1997 handover, in Brunei garrison duties under the Five Power Defence ArrangementsFive Power Defence Arrangements, and specialist jungle warfare roles during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontationIndonesia–Malaysia Confrontation and the Malayan Emergency.

Rights, Residency, and Citizenship

Legal and political debates over rights led to cases involving the European Court and UK domestic law, with campaigns led by figures and organisations such as Joanna LumleyJoanna Lumley, the Gurkha Justice CampaignGurkha Justice Campaign, and Members of Parliament including David BlunkettDavid Blunkett. The 2009 settlement altered residency rules and pathways to British citizenshipBritish nationality law for long-serving veterans and dependants, intersecting with the terms of the 1947 Tripartite AgreementTripartite Agreement (1947) between the United Kingdom, IndiaIndia, and NepalKingdom of Nepal. Subsequent Home OfficeHome Office (United Kingdom) policy, appeals processes, and litigation influenced settlement patterns in places such as NepalGunjanKathmandu and British towns with Gurkha communities like FolkestoneFolkestone and AldershotAldershot.

Culture, Uniforms, and Traditions

Gurkha culture within the British Army blends Nepalese customs—festivals like DashainDashain and TiharTihar (festival)—with British ceremonial practices such as Trooping the ColourTrooping the Colour. Iconic elements include the khukuriKhukuri, regimental cap badges like the Brigade of Gurkhas cap badgeGurkha cap badge, and distinctive dress including the kukri-wearing infantry accoutrements and ceremonial sabres modelled after patterns used by units like the Royal Welch FusiliersRoyal Welch Fusiliers. Traditions include regimental marches and memorials such as the Gurkha MemorialGurkha Memorial and annual remembrances tied to campaigns like Kohima DayKohima and regimental alliances with units such as the RiflesThe Rifles (British Army). Museums and archives preserving Gurkha heritage include the National Army MuseumNational Army Museum and the Gurkha MuseumGurkha Museum (Winchester).

Notable Gurkhas and Commemorations

Prominent individuals include Victoria Cross recipients such as Dipprasad PunDipprasad Pun, Kulbir ThapaKulbir Thapa, and Lachhiman GurungLachhiman Gurung, alongside historical leaders like Nain Singh ThapaNain Singh Thapa and figures commemorated by monuments like the Memorial GatesMemorial Gates (London). Campaigning figures and veterans such as Tul Bahadur PunTul Bahadur Pun and recipient community leaders participate in public recognition events with patrons including Queen Elizabeth IIElizabeth II and political advocates like Prime Minister Gordon BrownGordon Brown. Commemorations occur at sites including the Gurkha War MemorialGurkha War Memorial, Aldershot and annual services at St Paul's CathedralSt Paul's Cathedral and the CenotaphCenotaph, Whitehall.

Category:British Army units and formations Category:Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom