I joined the Gurkha army when I was 17-years-old. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t cut out for the army and left the military before I was 30.
For a very long time, I’d doubted the policy of Nepalese people enlisting in a foreign army and wrote an article about the abolition of the practice.
The policy of exporting the Nepalese workforce seems wrong and now five million young people from Nepal work abroad because of job opportunities.
With few job opportunities at home, this trend will continue. It seems pointless to talk about stopping Gurkhas being recruited until this pressing problem at home is solved.
Read: History: Britain, Nepal and some questionable treaties
After doing research in the past two years, my conclusion is that many people, including myself, had misunderstood the Gurkhas. The Gurkhas seldom write their own stories. Even in Nepal, people have only little understanding about the Gurkhas, although there is an impression that the Gurkhas are brave people.
Many think the British had ulterior motives when they introduced the “brave” Gurkhas to the world, which ended up being a very successful propaganda campaign for the British.
However, the Gurkhas’ story is about much more than bravery. It’s a story about love, commitment, camaraderie, loyalty, brotherhood, respect, tenacity, adaptability, perseverance and sorrow. Most importantly, it’s a story about sacrifice, responsibility as well as grief and tragedy.
The British were an almost unmatched world power by the early 19th century and they could have overwhelmed Nepal with sheer numbers and advanced weaponry. But they took a friendly approach to Nepal from the start, and for good reason – the Gurkhas.
The Gurkhas had not only saved Nepal on various occasions, but also secured its independence and future. Had it not been for the sacrifices of the Gurkhas, Nepal would have been in a completely different situation today.
History can be forsaken but not forgotten. The Gurkhas deserve respect for what they have done.
A lack of written history means only one outcome – no proof of contribution, no knowledge of sacrifice and no argument for their rights. The Gurkhas have been neglected and marginalized.
Read: Gurkhas’ latest battle is a fight for equal rights
Sadly, the people who helped save our nation are now mocked as naïve, thick-headed and uneducated and are looked down on by their countrymen. An ungrateful nation has forgotten the sacrifices the Gurkhas made for the country and its people.
The Gurkhas are a proud people who have dignity, and honor.
After working on my Gurkha book for the last two years, it is their true identity that stands out – their identity and mine. I am proud and honored to be part of this distinguished community called the Gurkhas. Jai Gurkhas!
Gurkha is derived from the name Goorkha. Goorkha Empire’s soldiers were composed of Chhetris and the tribes from Western NEPAL–mostly from Magar and some Gurung tribes/clans. The name Gurkha is the British Version nd is the by-product of the –NEPAL WAR, 1814 TO 1816. The British EastIndia Compay as is extended its British Raj wanted a way–road to Tibet via the GOORKHA EMPIRE. I grew up from Baby to age 22 in the Family Lines of Gurkha Battalions. My Great grand father trekked to Assam in 1860s and enlisted in the British East India Company Army which was being taken over by the Britisg Government aftermath of the INDIAN MUTINY in 1857. My grand-father was sent to local school in Shillong. He also enlisted in the British Indian Army- – and then his only daughter as midwife joined 10th Gurkha Rifles in Happy Valley Base in Shillong. The ECONOMIC REALITY OF NEPAL meant Rustic Nepalee had to find a job.Nepalese.are in both Indian and Britsh Army as GURKHAS OR THE ORIGINAL TITLE IS GOORKHAS.Goorkha Empire started the enlistment of Rustic Nepalese HILLMEN after the Battle of NALAPANI–KHALUNGA around DHERA DOON.Actual enlistmen started in 1815 and officially in larger numbers after the Treaty of Segauli was signed between the Goorkhas and British East India Company. The very Topogrphy OF nepal ENSURED THE hOMOGENY OF THE tRIBES. gURKHA rEGIMENT BEFORE THE rOYAL gURKHA rIFLES STARTED AS THE RESULT OF THE gURKHA rEDUNDANCY AND ENSUING amalgation.7TH AND 10 gURKHAS COMPOSED MAINLY OF Tribes from Eastern NEPAL and 6th and 2nd Gurkha Rifles soldiers from the WEASTERN TRIBES–mAGAR AND gURUNG.
Gurkha is derived from the name Goorkha. Goorkha Empire’s soldiers were composed of Chhetris and the tribes from Western NEPAL–mostly from Magar and some Gurung tribes/clans. The name Gurkha is the British Version nd is the by-product of the –NEPAL WAR, 1814 TO 1816. The British EastIndia Compay as is extended its British Raj wanted a way–road to Tibet via the GOORKHA EMPIRE. I grew up from Baby to age 22 in the Family Lines of Gurkha Battalions. My Great grand father trekked to Assam in 1860s and enlisted in the British East India Company Army which was being taken over by the Britisg Government aftermath of the INDIAN MUTINY in 1857. My grand-father was sent to local school in Shillong. He also enlisted in the British Indian Army- – and then his only daughter as midwife joined 10th Gurkha Rifles in Happy Valley Base in Shillong. The ECONOMIC REALITY OF NEPAL meant Rustic Nepalee had to find a job.Nepalese.are in both Indian and Britsh Army as GURKHAS OR THE ORIGINAL TITLE IS GOORKHAS.Goorkha Empire started the enlistment of Rustic Nepalese HILLMEN after the Battle of NALAPANI–KHALUNGA around DHERA DOON.Actual enlistmen started in 1815 and officially in larger numbers after the Treaty of Segauli was signed between the Goorkhas and British East India Company. The very Topogrphy OF nepal ENSURED THE hOMOGENY OF THE tRIBES. gURKHA rEGIMENT BEFORE THE rOYAL gURKHA rIFLES STARTED AS THE RESULT OF THE gURKHA rEDUNDANCY AND ENSUING amalgation.7TH AND 10 gURKHAS COMPOSED MAINLY OF Tribes from Eastern NEPAL and 6th and 2nd Gurkha Rifles soldiers from the WEASTERN TRIBES–mAGAR AND gURUNG.