The Contribution of Gurkhas in World Wars

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CHAPTER:ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background Nepali soldiers had shown their bravery and patriotism from the onset of the history of modern Nepali war. It was famous and internationalized in the period of Anglo Nepal War. In the battle of Deuthal and Jaithak, the decisive battle theatre of war, Nepali solders fought very bravely showing patriotism against EIC troops despite having dominated weapons and other logistics. The EIC Gen. Octoolony praised his opponent troops and paid his tribute towards them for their brevity. Then after Nepali troops were entitled to be part of EIC/England troops which was formally encoded in Sugauli Treaty-1816. Traditionally, recruitment had been only from the Nepali hill groups such as the, Chhetri(Thakuri), Magar and Gurung. These three castes are the original Gurkhas who fought against British. Brahmin, Sherpa/Tamang were not allowed to be recruited in Gurkha army. Today Gurkhas are from all tribes of Nepal including Gurung, Magar, Chhetri (Thakuri), Rai,limbu, Sherpa, Tamang, Newars, etc. Gurkhas were thought to be a martial race because they were considered to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle; to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness; to be able to work hard for long periods of time; and to fight with tenacity and military strength. Professor Sir Ralph Lilley Turner, MC, who served with the 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles in the First World War, wrote of Gurkhas: "As I write these last words, my thoughts return to you who were my comrades, the stubborn and indomitable peasants of Nepal. Once more I hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship. Once more I see you in your bivouacs or about your fires, on forced march or in the trenches, now shivering with wet and cold, now scorched by a pitiless and burning sun.

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