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Gurkhas
Gurkhas A Hindu people which was driven from Rajputana (northern India) by Muslim invaders in the eighteenth century. They united and subjected Nepal, and henceforward formed the predominant social group. When the country came under British influence in 1816, the British were happy to enlist the independent Gurkhas into their British Indian army whose loyalty and support they could rely on. They formed elite regiments within the British Indian army, and then the British army. They served with distinction in both World Wars, and in the British colonies worldwide. As the latter declined, so did their numbers, with a small force of around 8,000 Gurkhas remaining in Hong Kong until its return to China in 1997. Thereafter, they served in a range of military missions, notably as part of the British peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAN PALMOWSKI. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Gurkhas.html JAN PALMOWSKI. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Gurkhas.html |
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Gurkhas
Gurkhas or Gorkhas were the ruling clan of the Kathmandu valley who, in the 18th cent., expanded their empire over much of Nepal and encroached into sub-Himalayan India. They were defeated in 1814–16 by Lord Hastings. However, their valour and fighting qualities—especially with the kukri knife—earned much respect. The king of Nepal was invited to supply Gurkha contingents to the British Indian army. Gurkha battalions served with distinction in many colonial engagements, including the Indian mutiny, and in the First and Second World Wars. They are still represented in both the British and the Indian armies.
David Anthony Washbrook |
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Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-Gurkhas.html JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-Gurkhas.html |
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Gurkhas
Gurkhas or Gorkhas were the ruling clan of the Kathmandu valley who, in the 18th cent., expanded their empire over much of Nepal. They were defeated in 1814–16 by Lord Hastings. However, their fighting qualities—especially with the kukri knife—earned much respect. The king of Nepal was invited to supply Gurkha contingents to the British Indian army. Gurkha batallions served with distinction in many colonial engagements, including the Indian mutiny, and in the First and Second World Wars.
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Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 13, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-Gurkhas.html JOHN CANNON. "Gurkhas." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-Gurkhas.html |
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