Who are the Gurkhas? The history of Brave Nepalese

200 years ago, in January 1815, in the armed forces of the British East India Company were the first units, staffed by Gurkhas. These Nepalese mountain tribes have traditionally occupied a niche in the South Asia, Europe allotted Swiss mercenary infantry and German Landsknecht.

     Gurkhas, known for their iron discipline, courage and fidelity to the oath taken since then participated in nearly all of the UK armed conflicts. In our time, these units fearless Himalayan mountaineers, there are the armies of other countries.

Origin

     Gurkha - code-named ethnic groups (Jats) Tibetan and Indian origin living in the foothills of the Nepalese Himalayas. In addition, large community representatives tribes Gurkhas in recent decades have appeared in the border areas of India with Nepal.

     This low strong mountaineers, differing remarkable stamina and courage. Gurkha - innate soldiers do not leave their knives-famous khukuri. Their craft for centuries was a military seasonal work they were hired squads Raja in the plains of India.

     In the XVIII century, they were united in a military alliance had fled from the Mughal Rajput. Led by the Gorkha ruler of the principality (hence the name "Gurkhas") Prithvi Narayan they conquered the Kathmandu valley and created a modern Nepal. Narayana dynasty descendants ruled the country before the overthrow of the monarchy in 2008. In Nepal, the Highlanders, serving in foreign armies, traditionally called "Lahuri" - before the arrival of the British in India, the main "market mercenaries" of the subcontinent was in Lahore, Pakistan.

     All tribes, from the composition of which can be recruited Gurkhas, eight.

     Gurung and magary live in the mountains of Nepal Midwest (in fact, the root area Gorkha principality). Gurung language most similar to Tibetan. Magara also experienced a strong Indian influence - to the point where they stopped eating beef.

     Kirata - original inhabitants of eastern Nepal. They are usually divided into heaven and the limb, which serves as the boundary between the River Arun. They look more Mongoloid than Gurung and magary speak in the languages ​​of the Tibeto-Burman group, but their languages ​​are closer to the dialects of Assam than in Tibetan.

     Neighbors paradise are sunwar people - a small tribe, akin to Maharam, moved to the east of Nepal. All these tribes are formally Hindus, but among them are common elements of Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism), and shamanism.

In the service of the British colonial empire

     Service history Nepalese mountaineers Britain began during the Anglo-Nepalese War 1814-1816 years, when the British were impressed by the martial qualities of the Gurkhas oppose them, including their ability to quickly learn from their enemies. Already during the war, January 24, 1815, the British commander, Major General David Ocherloni (North American, who preferred to remain British) ordered the admission of the service Gurkhas from among the captives.

     In February of 1815 was created the first unit (Sirmursky battalion) of 800 Gurkhas, under the command of Lieutenant Fridrik Yang, and in April - Nasiri battalion led by Lt. Peter Louth. It was his night attack April 14, 1815 in Malaunskoy battle was the beginning of the service the Gurkhas of the British Empire. By the end of the war in the ranks of the army has been fighting Ocherloni 5000 Gurkhas.

     The peace treaty article has been included at the end of the war, monopolized for the East India Company the right to recruit Gurkhas for military service.

The earliest known photograph of Gurkhas (Mussorsky battalion) about 1858

     In the service of the East India Company Gurkhas fought in the war with the Sikhs. During the Mutiny they remained loyal to the British and became part of the British Indian Army since its inception. Gurkhas fought in Burma, Malaya, Cyprus, China, Tibet, participated in all of the Afghan war and guarding the north-western border of British India.

     In the early twentieth century, in the course of reform in-Chief of the Indian Army Kitchener, numerous gurkhskie parts were consolidated into 10 regiments gurkhskih shooters dvuhbatalonnogo composition, which had the following names to the 1947-th:

• 1st own King George V (Malaunsky Regiment)
• 2nd private King Edward VII (Sirmurskie arrows)
• 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own
• 4th Prince of Wales's Own
• 5th Royal (Frontier Force)
• 6th
• 7th
• 8th
• 9th
• 10th Princess Mary's Own

Painting depicting the battle of the Gurkhas with Pashtuns in the north-western border of British India in 1920

     The system of military ranks in gurkhskih shelves adopted was similar in the British Indian Army:

• Active: arrows.
• Non-commissioned officers: Lance-Naik, Naik, havildar, company commander, quartermaster havildar.
• Warrant officers: company commander, Major havildar, havildar Regimental Major.
• Vice-royal officers (ie, their officers signed a patent is not a king / queen and Viceroy of India): dzhemadar, Subedar, Subedar Major.

     Dzhemadary and Subedar typically served as commander and deputy commander of the platoon, and Subedar Major was a consultant to the senior British officer. Move above the Gurkhas could not. Is that the retirement distinguished themselves had an opportunity to get an honorary lieutenant or captain. Reforms Montague Chelmsforda in the 20s gave the Indians the opportunity to take a full-fledged officer positions, were not extended to gurkhskie shelves.

     Just at the beginning of the Second World War Gurkhas accounted for 14% of staff of the British Indian Army.

Gurkhas in France during World War I.

     Gurkhas fought in both world wars. During the Second World their regiments were deployed to chetyrohbatalonnogo composition. At the initiative of the King of Nepal formed three more regiments. In addition, two gurkhskih parachute battalion was created. Gurkhas fought in the ranks of special forces chinditov, raided the Japanese-occupied Burma.

     Total on the fronts of the two World Wars has fallen more than 52 000 Gurkhas, almost 5,000 received various military awards. The personnel of the gurkhskih regiments won 25 Victoria Crosses, but 13 of them were British officers. The first of the "real" Gurkha highest military decoration awarded by the United Kingdom was the shooter Kulbir Thapa from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, distinguished himself in the autumn of 1915 in France.

Gurkhas march on the Japanese city of Kobe, 1946

Britain and India shared a Gurkha

     When the British left India, and there was a question about the fate of the Gurkhas. Commander in Chief of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Klod Okinlek fell asleep London proposals to create from the Gurkhas, "something like the Foreign Legion in His Majesty's service."

     Negotiations on the section gurkhskih parts between India and Britain, despite the public rhetoric of Nehru on his concerns about the use of the Gurkhas "in the interests of the colonial regime and the suppression of the national liberation movements" were successful. August 8, 1947, a week before India's independence, it has been declared under the Gurkha units of the two armies.

     British got four regiments (2nd, 6th, 7th, and 10th), the other six departed India. In the four shelves retreating British, arranged referendum. Soldier regiments data did not wish to remain in the British Army on 1 January 1948, the 11th Regiment was formed gurkhskih shooters. It is interesting that all holders of the Victoria Cross gurkhskie chosen for further service the army of India.

     To specify how to further service the Gurkhas, Britain, India and Nepal was signed in Kathmandu, November 9, 1947 the first tripartite agreement. Its main provisions were as follows:

• Gurkhas recruited as a citizen of Nepal, and is retiring as a citizen of Nepal.
• Gurkha provided for performance and the preservation of all Hindu religious vows.
• Gurkhas in foreign armies receive allowance at the same level as ordinary soldiers armies.
• Every three years, Gurkhas are advanced (five months) leave for a trip to Nepal.
• Gurkhas are fully integrated into the army and are considered part of it.
• SPECIFICALLY ban on the use of the Gurkhas' against Hindus. "
• Every 10 years, the parties may sign an additional protocol, clarifying certain provisions of the treaty. Usually it concerned the number of recruited annually. Last Protocol, signed in May 2007, raised the retirement gurkhskih retired three times - before they received when retired a third of the pension or an ordinary soldier of the British Indian Army. Also, the agreement of 2007 allowed the recruitment of women.

Recruitment

     Since 1953, Britain recruit Gurkhas in Nepal. Recruitment centers are located in Pokhara (previously - in Paklihave) and Dharan. It was recently established third recruitment center - Kathmandu, for those living in the metropolitan area Gurkha children.

     The selection process takes place every year from September to December. Admission requirements include: age from 17 to 22 and a half years, the growth of not less than 160 cm, the weight of not less than 50 kg, breast coverage of not less than 79 cm, the availability of education at the level of a minimum of six classes, in good health. In the first stage of 10-11 thousand applicants selected from 800 to a thousand people, who are called in the recruitment centers.

Selection in Pokhara

     There, for 17 days, candidates undergo a medical examination and interview, exams of English and mathematics are tested for strength and endurance. According to their results in December are selected 250: 170 - for the British Army, 80 - for the armed forces of Singapore.

     Qualifiers are waiting for 9-month training at the training center in the garrison brigade Ketterik in North Yorkshire. The first 11 weeks of the new recruits kept locked in the barracks - held a combined-arms course. Followed by a 9-week training course - Gurkha outputted to the city, explain how to live in a Western society, carry on trips to London and other historic sites. Then passes the 19-week special combat course. Show the best math scores are sent to serve in the signalers and engineers. All military rifle battalions are parachute training.

     Gurkhas serving in the British Army for at least 5 years. The maximum service life - 30 years, and for a pension have to serve at least 15 years. The first home leave Gurkhas are obtained after three years of service. Since 2004, soldiers who have served at least four years, received the right to apply for British citizenship.

As part of the British Army

       Since the mid-90s all gurkhskie part of the British army reduced to one dvuhbatalonnogo composition Regiment - Royal Gurkha Rifles. Also, when there exist auxiliary squadron size - signalers, engineers, logistics. The total number of gurkhskih parts - 3,640 people.

The chief of the regiment Prints Charlz awards the Gurkhas to return from Afghanistan

     Since 1948, the Gurkhas have switched to the standard military ranks of the British Army, with the exception of the category of vice-royal officers. They became known as Lieutenant (Royal gurkhsky officer), Captain (CLC) and Major (CLC). Royal gurkhsky officer patent was issued after the passage of short-term courses in Sandhurst without the right to command in negurkhskih parts. Only in 2007 These patents were abolished, and gurkhskie officers were equated to the usual British officers.

     By the beginning of the 60s British officers in gurkhskih often remain only at the level of battalion and regimental commanders. In recent decades, at least two Gurkha rose to the position of battalion commander.

     HQ Regiment Royal Gurkha Rifles is located in Camp Ayrfild about Nezereyvona in Wiltshire. One battalion based in Shornklife about Folkestone in Kent, second - a series (Brunei Sultanate). battalions rotation takes place every three years.

     In 40-50s Gurkhas have actively participated in the war against communist insurgents in Malaya, and in the 60s - in the confrontation with Indonesia in Borneo. It was there that Gurkhas received the only Victoria Cross after World War II: in 1965, scored a corporal of the 2nd Battalion of the 10th Regiment Rambahadur Limbu.

Gurkhas caught up with the guerrillas in Borneo, the beginning of the 60s

     In 1982, the 7th Gurkha regiment went to the Falklands - really participate in the battles he had not, but the image of the "bloodthirsty mountaineers, despising death," the British are actively used in the psychological war against the Argentine conscripts.

     In the 90 years of Gurkhas involved in peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, and in our century we have returned to Iraq and Afghanistan. During the last Afghan campaign gurkhsky Regiment lost 6 soldiers.

Gurkhas in Afghanistan

     "For the outstanding bravery" Corporal Dip Prasad Pun became the first Gurkha, he was awarded the Cross. On the night of September 17, 2010 he single-handedly repelled an attack on a Taliban squad post in Helmand province, killing 12 of the attackers.

In the service of India

     Gorkha recruitment centers for the Indian army in the territory of India itself - in Gorakhpur and Darjeeling. Admission and selection procedures on paper requirements are similar to the UK. The selection is carried out twice a year - spring and fall.

     Each year, 1000-1500 people are selected from thousands of applicants 13-15. In this case, priority is officially given to the sons and brothers of those who served in this regiment. The result was a real military dynasty numbering up to five generations, the father, son, grandson, etc. They served in the same platoon of the same shelf.

     Also for the Indian regiments characteristic that separate Gorkha Jats serve in specific shelves. For example, the 5th and 8th regiments formed from the Gurung and Magar, 9 th - from Thakur and Chetri and 11th - out of paradise and limb.

Gorkha Training with kukri

     Qualified recruits are sent to training centers gorkhskih regiments - in Varanasi, Lucknow, Shillong and Sabatier (Himachal Pradesh) near Simla, where the 42-week intensive training course in which great attention is paid to training in jungle warfare and counterinsurgency operations. After that, give the Gorkha Regiment oath of allegiance and the country, where, inter alia, undertake not to take up arms against India after retirement. The minimum term of Indian Gorkha service is the same as in the UK and parts - 5 years, but the maximum long - 35.

Presentation sanctified kukri

     the word "Gorkha" was replaced In 1949 the word "Gurkha" in Indian regiments title. After the proclamation of the republic in 1950, the name of regiments disappeared the word "king" and all references to communication with the British monarchy.

     Currently, Indian Army has 7 regiments gorkhskih shooters - 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th. Each shelf has 5-6 battalions - a total of 39. They serve about 40 thousand soldiers, that is 4% of the total number of personnel of the Indian Army. Operational regiments battalions are composed of different brigades of the Indian Army.

Gurkhas of the Indian Army on parade

     Officers in gorkhskih parts are mostly Indians, Gurkhas usually occupy positions of junior officers and lieutenants. Nevertheless, the fundamental obstacles to the promotion there. Currently, there are two brigadier and a major general from among the Gurkhas as part of the Indian Army.

     Gorkhskie shelves actively participated in all the wars of India and various peacekeeping operations under the UN aegis.

Gurkhas 11th Regiment captured with "Stinger" in Kargil, 1999

     Three Gurkhas were awarded the highest military award in India - Paramvir Chakra. 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment is the most awarded part of the Indian Army.

In other states,

     In addition to the UK and India, Gurkhas serve in several other countries.

     Gurkhsky contingent of police forces of Singapore is a part of their shock. He played a crucial role in maintaining Singapore's social and ethnic peace in the 60-70s. The architect of modern Singapore Li Kuan Yu in his autobiography, explaining the decision to establish gurkhskogo units that could not be allowed to shoot in the Chinese Malaysians or Malays - in Chinese. Therefore, to maintain order needed a neutral force. How to write like leftists, "Gurkhas guarding Singapore despotism."

Singapore Gurkhas on parade

     Now Gurkha contingent of an anti-terrorism unit and Singapore security forces guarding the government leaders and key facilities. He also represents the country in peacekeeping operations. The number of Gurkhas in Singapore - 1850 people (13% of the police). At the moment, all the officers in the units - Gurkhas. Only the commander of the British tradition is a retired officer.

     About the same as a "Praetorian Guard" plays Gurkhskoe reserve units of the Royal Brunei Police. It has about two thousand people, and is formed of veterans of British and Singaporean parts.

Brunei Gurkhas

     Many Gurkhas because of long stays gurkhskih battalions of the British army in Hong Kong have settled in this city. Gurkhas also serve in various international private military companies, which including guarding the American base in Bahrain and the US embassy in Kabul.

     In the foreseeable future, stocky men with impenetrable swarthy faces and cold eyes, fearlessly going on the attack with a battle cry «Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali!» ( «Glory to the Great Kali, are Gurkhas!"), Are unlikely to disappear from the battlefield. Despite periodically expressed opinion that the time of Gurkha passed, and the regiment of the British Army to an anachronism, the Englishmen still continue to hire them, except perhaps the best in the world infantrymen. For  Nepalese Gurkhas also, aptly journalists are one of the main export items.