Importance of the Gurkhas

Alsina González
Specialist journalist and researcher

The SAS, the Green Berets, the French Foreign Legion, the Russian Spetsnaz... there are many names of legendary military units of services special, hardened troops that are capable of inflicting heavy damage on the enemy even in the worst conditions for them.

Among these, one stands out for its history, dedication and efficiency: the Gurkhas, a warrior lineage that sinks its roots in history to shine with its own strength in the present.

The so-called Gurkhas are a Nepali warrior caste who serve in the Indian and British army, the latter being the most famous, as special forces.

This caste, founded by Guru Gorkhanath, migrated from northern India to what is now Nepal.

The historical existence of Gorkhanath himself has been questioned by some, although most historians consider him a existing historical figure, despite the fact that they do not agree on the historical period in which he lived, dating from the 11th century to the XIV.

In 1768 AD, the Gorkha dynasty took control of Nepal.

The British, future employers of the ferocious Nepali warriors, confronted them in 1814. within the framework of the "Great Game", in what is known as the Anglo-Nepali War or, also, "War Gurkha”.

The British, feeling militarily and morally superior (typical of the colonial mentality and racist of the time), they counted on a quick military campaign based also on their experience in the India.

But the reality check was given to them by some Nepali troops who, outnumbered, fought with great courage, inflicting heavy losses on the army of the British India Company Orientals.

Finally, and after two years of arduous campaign, the British achieved a victory decisive enough (but not final) to bring the Nepalis to the negotiating table.

The generals of the Company's army were seduced (professionally, that is) by the effectiveness of those they called Gurkhas, in such a way that immediately after the war, they already formed a first unit with those Nepalis who wanted to enlist, the legendary Gurkha Rifles.

The Gurkha Rifles were active in suppressing the Sepoy revolt of 1857.

One of the consequences of this revolt was the dissolution of the British East India Company and the integration from his private army into the British Army.

Gurkha units also became part of the British Army, but did not mix with the rest of the troops, but they maintained their own regiments and units as troops of elite.

Until the outbreak of the First World War, the Gurkhas were used by the British in various Asian theaters of operations, such as Afghanistan or during the Boxer Rebellion in China.

During World War I, Gurkha units served both on the European front and in the Middle East, also showing their courage.

In some cases, like Loos (France, near the Belgian border), where they fought to the last man, or at Gallipoli, where they captured a Turkish artillery position by assault suffering few numbers of losses.

We can say without fear of being wrong that the world knew the Gurkhas and learned to fear them, since they made good their motto: "it is better to die than to be a coward”.

In total, some 200,000 Gurkha soldiers fought in the conflict, of whom 10% (20,000) never returned home.

Aware of the allies' need for soldiers, the government The Nepalese allowed the British to recruit a greater number of Gurkhas than their bilateral treaty stipulated.

During World War II they also fought, especially in the Asian and African theaters.

In Europe they were seen on the Italian front, while on the Asian front they contributed, fighting in the Burmese jungles, to preventing the Japanese from reaching India, the "jewel" of the British Empire.

In 1947 India became independent, but the British Army's interest in the Gurkhas only increased.

Thus, the British government reached a tripartite agreement with those of India and Nepal that allowed it to continue recruiting Gurkha soldiers.

Currently, there are about 3,500 serving in the British Army, while 120,000 serve in the Indian Army. Why are the former more famous?

Well, because of the hardness required to pass the selective tests.

British Gurkhas are selected from those who can run 5km over rough terrain with a 25kg backpack in less than an hour.

Every year some 28,000 candidates apply to fill 200 positions, who have been prepared for it by their families from the early age of five. This selection process is considered one of the toughest -if not the toughest- in the world.

Despite this, members of such valuable forces did not receive the same conditions as their British counterparts.

Only from 2007 were retired Gurkhas paid on par with that of soldiers of British origin, and only from 2009 were they allowed to reside in the UK upon retirement.

Gurkha units have continued to serve the British crown during the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Of them, an Indian general said that if someone claims not to be afraid of dying, either he is a liar, or he is a Gurkha. A phrase that defines the deep impression they have left on the world.

Fotolia art: Ingo Bartussek