Who are the Gurkhas and why are they the most respected Soldiers in the world? Part 1 (The Unification of the Gorkha Kingdom)

Today Nepalese Gurkhas are known as some of the most fearsome warriors in the world and are some of the most respected soldiers in the British and Indian armies. Known for their elegant swords known as kukuri, one former Indian Army chief of staff was quoted as saying If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha." So why are the Nepalese Ghurkas such formidable fighters and how did they become an integral part of the British and Indian Armies?

The Gurkhas rich history can be traced back to 1559 when prince Dravya Shah formed the first kingdom of Gorkha. The oldest existing Kukuri is dated back to this time and is thought to be based on a variation of the sickle that was used for hunting and war.

In 1736 the Gorkhalis expanded into neighbouring territories and eventually laid siege to the Newar confederacy of the Kathmandu valley, beginning the war which would one day unite Nepal


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