1 GORKHA RIFLES

1 GORKHA RILES

Gorkhas from Nepal had extended their empire into the Kumaon, Garhwal and Kangra hills by the mid-18th century. The Gorkha War of 1815 was the result of the interface between the Gorkhas and the British at the time. Always on the lookout for reliable soldiers, the British started a Gorkha (Nusseree) battalion in the Simla hills. Before long, this battalion had made its mark in the battle for Bharatpur in 1826. In 1850, the battalion was termed 66th Gorkha Light Infantry and later the First Gorkha Light Infantry. It became the First King George's Own Gorkha Rifles in 1910 (Malaun Regiment). After Indian independence, the designation changed to '1 Gorkha Rifles'. The Regiment's other battalions were raised after 1959. Its Regimental Centre is Subathu, Himachal Pradesh and its Regimental insignia is a pair of crossed Khukris (a Gorkha dagger) supported by a bugle, with the numeral 1 above. Its Regimental motto is ‘Kayar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Ramro’ meaning 'It is better to die than to be a coward' and its war cry is ‘Ayo Gorkhali’ (The Gorkhas Are Here).