Gorkhas

Gorkha, also spelled Gurkha, refers to people from the hill districts of Nepal who are linked to the historic Kingdom of Gorkha. The term has both civilian and military associations, and in English-language usage is widely connected with Nepali soldiers recruited for service abroad, as well as with communities that share the Nepali language and Gurkha heritage.

Historically, the Kingdom of Gorkha expanded under Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 18th century to unify much of what is now Nepal. The Gorkha identity spread with the state’s rise and the development of a distinct Nepalese polity. After the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816), the Treaty of Sugauli formalized relations with the British and began a long tradition of recruiting Nepalese soldiers for the British Army. Gurkha regiments were formed in the British Indian Army in the 19th century and continued within the British Army after Indian independence in 1947, known collectively as the Brigade of Gurkhas.

Today, Gurkha units serve in the British Army and in other countries, including a Gurkha Contingent with the Singapore Police Force. In South Asia, India maintains multiple Gurkha regiments, and Nepal maintains its own military forces that draw from diverse hill communities. The Gorkha identity encompasses numerous ethnic groups, such as Gurung, Magar, Tamang, Rai, and others; Nepali is the common language for many of these communities, and the historic district of Gorkha remains a central reference point for the name. The term Gorkha/Gurkha thus reflects a long-standing military and cultural heritage that spans Nepal and several other countries.