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Gurkhas

Gurkhas have their roots in Nepal. Those that have come to Southeast Asia were brought here as special soldiers on the payroll of colonial British masters. They have a reputation for their keen fighting skills and a loyalty to their masters.

Background
The Nepalese Gurkhas here were mostly either of Mongolian or Aryan descent with the bulk of the Gurkhas from the former.They came mainly from the hill tribes of Magar, Gurung, Rai, Limbu and Sunwar. Gurkhaharus were warriors who fought for the King of Gorkha, Prithivi Narayan Shah in the 18th century. The term Gurkhas is an Anglicised version of King Prithivi's birthplace, Gorkha. It was Prithivi who established a Nepalese nation and it was with Prithivi that the British signed a peace treaty which included a clause encouraging the Gurkhas to join the British India Army.

The cry of Ayo Gorkhali! or "The Gurkhas are upon you" was much feared in battle. The Gurkha soldier wields a signature weapon, the kukri, a curved fighting knife. Even though, Gurkhas were armed with rifles in the later years, they preferred to use their kukri. Traditionally, when the kukri was unsheathed, blood must be drawn. Thus should it be drawn in a non-combative situation, the kukri must be satiated and blood was drawn from the Gurkha himself with a self-inflicted nick.

The Gurkhas are predominantly Hindu, with the rest embracing Buddhism and animism. Southern Nepal was predominantly Hindu, while those who lived in the northern region were mostly Muslims. Those who lived in the mountains often followed animism. Gurkhas are known for their quick-wit. The men are known to be affectionate husbands, often doing their part in the household chores, including childcare.

Occupation
The Nepal War of 1812 set the British against the Gurkhas. Although the latter were outnumbered, their fighting prowess defeated the British. They then held Lieutenant Frederick Young captive and soon developed a deep respect for his patriotism and chivalry. Ironically, it was Young who recruited the first Gurkha soldiers into the British forces. Three thousand Gurkhas were recruited into four battalions. The soldiers were operationally ready in an amazingly short period of six months. The association of the Gurkhas with the British led to the diaspora of the Gurkhas in Southeast Asia. As the British presence became prevalent in the 19th century, the Gurkhas followed them.

Singapore
In Singapore, the Gurkhas represent a small community comprising about 3,000 men, women and children. On 9 April 1949, the Gurkha Contingent was formed as a part of the Singapore Police Force. They were made up of ex-British Army Gurkhas and replaced a Sikh Unit within the Police Force that had disintegrated during World War II. Major Scott Leathart was the contingent's first commanding officer. Besides having fought in the defence of Malaya during World War II, the Gurkhas proved themselves ready to defend whilst remaining neutral. This was evident during the racial riots of Maria Hertogh in 1950, the Hock Lee Bus Riots in 1955 and the 1958 riots by the Chinese High School. Gurkhas come to Singapore as young as age 18 and return to Nepal after 15 to 20 years of service. Whilst here, they reside at the Gurkha Cantonment, a self-contained community which has its own temple and schools. Built in the 1950s, the Cantonment or camp is located at Mount Vernon, off Upper Aljunied Road, and has remained closed to the public since its completion.

Journalist S. Tsering Bhalla is a Gurkha who has established himself in the local community outside the traditional role of a soldier.



Author
Renuka M.



References
Cross, J. P. (1986). In Gurkha company: the British Army Gurkhas, 1948 to the present. London: Arms and Armour Press.
(Call no.: RSING 355.310941 CRO)

Farwell, Byron (1984). The Gurkhas. New York: W.W Norton & Company.
(Call no.: RSING 356.1 FAR)

Smith, E.D. Valour: A history of the Gurkhas. Kent: Spellmount, 1997.
(Call no.: R 355.35 SMI)

Lee, J. (1999, April 10). Gurkhas mark 50th year. The Straits Times, Home, p. 38.

Raymond, J. (1999, April 18). Home away from home for Gurkhas. The Straits Times, Home, p. 27.

War or peace, Gurkhas deserved reputation. (1999, January 2). The Straits Times. 

Singapore Police Force. (2003). Gurkha Contingent. Retrieved January 9, 2005 from www.spf.gov.sg/about_spf/gurkha/index.htm##top

Jacinto, L. (2001, June 19). Legendary warriors: Gurkhas' reputation for bravery precedes them. Retrieved November 19, 2002, from ABC News.com Web site: abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/nepal020619_side.html

Further Readings
Leathart, S. (1996). With the Gurkhas: India, Burma, Singapore, Malaya, Indonesia, 1940-1959. Edinburgh ; Cambridge: Pentland Press.
(Call no.: R 356.113092 LEA)

Rathaur, K. R. S. (2000). The Gurkhas: A history of the recruitment in the British Indian Army. New Delhi: Nirala Publications.
(Call no.: 355.310941 RAT).

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>National Security>>Defence
Gurkhas
Gurkha soldiers--Singapore
Singapore--History
Law and government>>Security>>Army

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