Explore and Research the History of the Gurkhas

“Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had country more faithful friends than you”. Professor Sir Ralph Lilley Turner MC, former Gurkha Officer

The Gurkha’s service to Britain originated during the Anglo-Nepal war in the early 19^th century and arose out of each side’s respect for the others honour, bravery and fighting capabilities. Since then they have loyally served Britain as part of the British Indian Army for over a century, fighting for and defending us through numerous wars, campaigns and periods of political unrest. Following the Partition of India in 1947, an agreement between Nepal, India and Britain meant four Gurkha regiments from the Indian Army were transferred to the British Army, eventually becoming the Brigade of Gurkhas.

More than 200,000 fought in the two world wars, and in the past 50 years they have served in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Borneo, Cyprus, the Falklands, Kosovo, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. Gurkhas today continue to protect and serve Britain with regiments across the UK and the world manned by Nepali soldiers and officers and British officers, a blend of culture that makes the Brigade of Gurkhas unique. Gurkhas are known for their professionalism, fighting prowess, humour and humility, qualities that distinguish themselves in a variety of roles from military deployments to training and public duties and supporting humanitarian efforts.

Explore Gurkha History & Our Collections

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In Service and In Memory: Remembering Britain’s Gurkhas

Since 1815, roughly 350,000 Gurkhas have served the British crown. Due to poor record keeping in the Indian Army during the 1800s, it is not...

Emergency Action: The Gurkhas in Malaya, 1948 – 1960

Introduction Between 1948 and 1960, the British Army fought an extensive campaign in Malaya, known as the Malayan Emergency. The conflict was fought primarily against...

Tooth and Nail: The Fight for Damdil Piquet, 1937

Introduction On the night 20/21 March 1937, in a tiny shelter on India’s North West Frontier, eight Gurkha soldiers fought for their lives. These soldiers...

After Victory V: The Partition of India

Introduction In the summer of 1947, Gurkha soldiers found themselves amid the Partition of India. With an estimated death toll ranging between 200,000 to 2...

Archive Enquiries

The Gurkha Museum Trust is a Registered Charity (Reg Charity No: 1169920) and the provision of archive research can only be made possible by the work of an Archivist. As such we reluctantly have to charge for research carried out on your behalf.

Our Research Facilities

The Gurkha Museum holds records and archive material from over 200 years of Gurkha History, including documentation from the period of the earliest Gurkha recruitment into Britain’s forces in 1815. The museum’s records document the expansion of the Brigade and their actions in the 19th century along the North-West Frontier, and records detailing the role of the Gurkhas in both World Wars.

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