Gurkhas

Why in news?

• The Assam government on 17^th August 2021 issued a notification ordering the State police’s Border wing not to forward any case against Gurkhas to the Foreigners’ Tribunals under the Foreigners’ Act of 1946.

More about the news:

• The notification is based on the Assam cabinet’s decision to exempt the Gurkha community from being tagged as non-citizens and tried in the tribunals for ascertaining their citizenship or detaining and deporting them.

About Gurkhas

• Gurkhas are soldiers native to South Asia of Nepalese nationality recruited for the British Army, Nepalese Army, Indian Army, Gurkha Contingent Singapore, Gurkha Reserve Unit Brunei, UN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the world
• Historically, the terms ‘Gurkha’ were synonymous with ‘Nepali’, which originates from the hill principality Gorkha Kingdom, from which the Kingdom of Nepal expanded
• There are Gurkha military units in the Nepalese, British and Indian armies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom, and India.
• Gurkhas are closely associated with the ‘khukuri’, a forward-curving Nepali knife, and have a reputation for military prowess.

Gurkhas under British rule:

• During the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) between the Gorkha Kingdom (present-day Nepal) and the East India Company, the Gorkhali soldiers impressed the British, who called them Gurkhas
• Gurkhas served as troops under contract to the British East India Company in the Pindaree War of 1817, First and Second Anglo-Sikh Wars in 1846 and 1848 etc.
• During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the British Indian Army on its formation
• From 1857 to 1947 >> Gurkha Regiments saw active service in various wars fought by British including first and second world wars.
• Under the Tripartite Agreement signed after Indian independence in 1947, the original ten Gurkha regiments consisting of the 20 pre-war battalions were split between the British Army and the newly independent Indian Army.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements:

1. During the revolt of 1857, Gurkhas fought against the British East India Company.

2. In 1947, when India became independent, it was decided to split Gurkha regiments between the British and Indian armies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer