200 years of Gorkha Rifles
The famed Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army — known for their Khukris
and their ‘Aayo Gorkhali’ battle cry — completed 200 years of their
raising on Friday( 24).
The Gorkhas were first recruited by the East India Company and later
fought under the British in several battles, including World War I and
II and continued in the Indian Army after Independence. The first
regiment was raised by Sir Robert Colquhuon on April 24, 1815 in
Uttaranchal with men from Gorkhas, Kumaon and Garhwal regions. Two
battalions, 1/1 GR and 1/3 GR, were raised.
“Only a few others including the Madras and Grenadiers Regiments
(1758), Punjab Regiment (1761), Rajputana Rifles (1775), Rajput Regiment
(1778), Jat Regiment (1795) and Kumaon Regiment (1813) are among the
other native infantry regiments that preceded them,” said an officer.
Currently there are about 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas serving in the
seven Gorkha regiments about 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas serving in the
seven Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army with their motto being: “Kafar
hunu bhanda marnu ramro! (It's better to die than be a coward!)”. The
Gorkhas are highly decorated having earned 117 gallantry and
distinguished awards since Independence including an Ashoka and Kirti
Chakra, two Shaurya Chakras and a Padma Bhushan among others. India's
first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw belongs to this regiment as does the
current Army Chief General Dalbir Singh.
(Hindu) |