The Legendary Gurkha Soldiers
One of the most famous legends surrounding the Gurkhas involves the traditional kukri knives which all the soldiers carried, These are short, curved and deadly blades and the legend goes that no Gurkha has ever drawn a kukri without also drawing blood. This website has a fantastic image of two charging Gurkha soldiers, with kukri knives at the ready.
Courage, loyalty, toughness and skill all combined to bring about one of the toughest military forces in the world. Soldiers in the Nepalese army are not generally called Gurkhas; that designation has traditionally belonged to the soldiers serving in the British Brigade of Gurkhas. They served with distinction, gaining honors in two world wars and several other conflicts, as well as garnering a total of 13 Victorian Crosses, no mean feat. Since 1948, as a result of a signed agreement by Great Britain, India and Nepal, Gurkhas serve in the miltitaries of both the United Kingdom and India.
Terrific site for learning about the Gurkha soldiers, past and present. Includes links to Gurkha sites, such as the Royal Gurkha Rifles, an extensive book list, the text of the 1923 treaty between Nepal and Great Britain, news, the list of the 13 Victorian Cross recipients, images and much more.
Online presence of a museum in Winchester, Hampshire, UK commemorating the services of the Gurkhas to the British since 1815.
Major reference source:
Andrea Matles Savada, ed. Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies. Library of Congress, 1993.
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