Third Gorkha Rifles (3 GR) celebrated the 200th anniversary of their raising. It was a solemn occasion as the inheritors of its hoary traditions reflected on the history of the regiment and the sacrifices made by its men in distant and diverse battlefields.
It reflects on the history of the Indian Army itself, which by its feat of arms secured the British Empire and after Independence ensured that our Republic withstood all threats. Its sacrifices stand as a badge of honour to the backdrop of the regiment’s motto “Kafar huno bandha marnu ramrod” (Better dead than be a coward).
The Gorkhas joined the Indian Army immediately after their defeat in the Nepal War of 1815. Their martial and doughty spirit so impressed the British that they happily enrolled them. Four battalions were raised in 1815. These simple and tough hill men continue to enrol and fight India’s battles with a courage and resoluteness which continues to strike awe in the enemy and inspire their leaders.
The outbreak of the World War 1 found the British Army in desperate straits and two Indian divisions were despatched to France. The 2 Battalion formed a part of the Garhwal Brigade and held the line between Neuve Chappelle and Givenchy. Bitter fighting took place and the first Gorkha Victoria Cross (VC) was won by Rifleman Kulbir Thapa during an attack on La Bassee on September 25, 1915. In fact Kulbir was the first non-Britisher to win the VC.On October 31, 1915, the Battalion was relieved and moved with the division to West Asia right bang into the campaign to evict the Turks from Syria. On February 3, 1917, the third Battalion of the regiment (3/3 GR) was raised and moved to West Asia.
It reflects on the history of the Indian Army itself, which by its feat of arms secured the British Empire and after Independence ensured that our Republic withstood all threats. Its sacrifices stand as a badge of honour to the backdrop of the regiment’s motto “Kafar huno bandha marnu ramrod” (Better dead than be a coward).
The Gorkhas joined the Indian Army immediately after their defeat in the Nepal War of 1815. Their martial and doughty spirit so impressed the British that they happily enrolled them. Four battalions were raised in 1815. These simple and tough hill men continue to enrol and fight India’s battles with a courage and resoluteness which continues to strike awe in the enemy and inspire their leaders.
The outbreak of the World War 1 found the British Army in desperate straits and two Indian divisions were despatched to France. The 2 Battalion formed a part of the Garhwal Brigade and held the line between Neuve Chappelle and Givenchy. Bitter fighting took place and the first Gorkha Victoria Cross (VC) was won by Rifleman Kulbir Thapa during an attack on La Bassee on September 25, 1915. In fact Kulbir was the first non-Britisher to win the VC.On October 31, 1915, the Battalion was relieved and moved with the division to West Asia right bang into the campaign to evict the Turks from Syria. On February 3, 1917, the third Battalion of the regiment (3/3 GR) was raised and moved to West Asia.