beckham
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Origins
Impressed by the fighting qualities displayed by the Gorkhas during the Gurkha War, Sir David Ochterlony was quick to realise the potential of the Gorkhas in the British Indian Army. Until then, Gorkha defectors were generally used as irregular forces. In April 1815, the first battalion of the Gorkha Regiment, was raised as the Nasiri regiment. This regiment later became the 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles, and saw action at the Maulun fort under Lieutenant Lawtie.
They were instrumental in the expansion of the British East India Company throughout the subcontinent. The Gorkhas took part in the Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars, and in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Throughout these years, the British continued to recruit the Gorkhas and kept increasing the number of Gorkha regiments.
By the time First World War started, there were 11 Gorkha regiments under the British Indian Army. The Gorkha regiments played a vital role in the Commonwealth armies during both the World Wars seeing action everywhere from Monte Cassino in the west to Rangoon in the east, earning Battle Honours everywhere. As a testament to the psychological factors of the Gorkha regiments on the enemies, during the North African campaign, the German army were really fearful of the Gorkha's wielding their khukris during battles.
Current Strength
Currently there are 7 Gorkha regiments serving in the Indian Army. Six regiments were transferred from the British Indian Army, one regiment was formed after independence. The following is a list of the Gorkha Regiments currently serving in the Indian Army:
1 Gorkha Rifles previously 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment);
*3 Gorkha Rifles previously 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles.
*4 Gorkha Rifles previously 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles
*5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) previously 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
*8 Gorkha Rifles aka The Shiny Eight
*9 Gorkha Rifles
*11 Gorkha Rifles (Raised after the independence of India)
The individual Gorkha rifle regiments of India are collectively known for regimental purposes as the 'Gorkha Brigade' between themselves and are not to be confused with the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army.
Their motto, Kafar Bhanda Marnu Ramro, or "better to die than live a coward" should itself be testament enough to the bravery and quality of this regiment.
The 1st Battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army take position outside a simulated combat town during a training exercise.
The recruit training below is from the first (and as far as I know, only) comprehensive photography of Indian army recruit training, held at 9 Gorkha Rifles's Gorkha Training Centre in Varanasi, which it shares with 3 GR.
War Cry -jai maha kali..Ayo Gorkhali (victory to Maha kali..The Gorkhas are here)
Here a drill instructor is busy 'motivating'. This particular exercise involves basically doing handstand pushups for upwards of 15-20 minutes
Initial Weapons training... here a drill instructor instructs recruits on the various infantry weapons used, like the INSAS, FN FAL, 7.62mm IB, etc. These pictures are several years old, and since then, army units have standardized with the INSAS system.
One of the unique weapons of the Gorkha regiments is the Kukhri knife, which was, as legend goes, designed from the Trishul. Here, Kukhri weapons training with traditional training shield. Most regiments have some form of unique weapon relating to their histories and ethnic groups, like the Chakram of Sikh regiments, the Dah knife of Assam rgt, etc.
Impressed by the fighting qualities displayed by the Gorkhas during the Gurkha War, Sir David Ochterlony was quick to realise the potential of the Gorkhas in the British Indian Army. Until then, Gorkha defectors were generally used as irregular forces. In April 1815, the first battalion of the Gorkha Regiment, was raised as the Nasiri regiment. This regiment later became the 1st King George’s Own Gurkha Rifles, and saw action at the Maulun fort under Lieutenant Lawtie.
They were instrumental in the expansion of the British East India Company throughout the subcontinent. The Gorkhas took part in the Anglo-Sikh wars, Afghan wars, and in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Throughout these years, the British continued to recruit the Gorkhas and kept increasing the number of Gorkha regiments.
By the time First World War started, there were 11 Gorkha regiments under the British Indian Army. The Gorkha regiments played a vital role in the Commonwealth armies during both the World Wars seeing action everywhere from Monte Cassino in the west to Rangoon in the east, earning Battle Honours everywhere. As a testament to the psychological factors of the Gorkha regiments on the enemies, during the North African campaign, the German army were really fearful of the Gorkha's wielding their khukris during battles.
Current Strength
Currently there are 7 Gorkha regiments serving in the Indian Army. Six regiments were transferred from the British Indian Army, one regiment was formed after independence. The following is a list of the Gorkha Regiments currently serving in the Indian Army:
1 Gorkha Rifles previously 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment);
*3 Gorkha Rifles previously 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles.
*4 Gorkha Rifles previously 4th Prince of Wales's Own Gurkha Rifles
*5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) previously 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force).
*8 Gorkha Rifles aka The Shiny Eight
*9 Gorkha Rifles
*11 Gorkha Rifles (Raised after the independence of India)
The individual Gorkha rifle regiments of India are collectively known for regimental purposes as the 'Gorkha Brigade' between themselves and are not to be confused with the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army.
Their motto, Kafar Bhanda Marnu Ramro, or "better to die than live a coward" should itself be testament enough to the bravery and quality of this regiment.
The 1st Battalion of 1 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army take position outside a simulated combat town during a training exercise.
The recruit training below is from the first (and as far as I know, only) comprehensive photography of Indian army recruit training, held at 9 Gorkha Rifles's Gorkha Training Centre in Varanasi, which it shares with 3 GR.
War Cry -jai maha kali..Ayo Gorkhali (victory to Maha kali..The Gorkhas are here)
Here a drill instructor is busy 'motivating'. This particular exercise involves basically doing handstand pushups for upwards of 15-20 minutes
Initial Weapons training... here a drill instructor instructs recruits on the various infantry weapons used, like the INSAS, FN FAL, 7.62mm IB, etc. These pictures are several years old, and since then, army units have standardized with the INSAS system.
One of the unique weapons of the Gorkha regiments is the Kukhri knife, which was, as legend goes, designed from the Trishul. Here, Kukhri weapons training with traditional training shield. Most regiments have some form of unique weapon relating to their histories and ethnic groups, like the Chakram of Sikh regiments, the Dah knife of Assam rgt, etc.
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