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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Afghanistan Siege: The Gurkhas’ Stand at Now Zad

Reflections from Colonel Dan Rex MVO “Nowzad was twenty years ago, yet at times it feels as though it happened yesterday. Only recently has it begun to...

Life on the Line: The Gurkhas on the Western Front, 1914-1915

Introduction Between September and October 1914, six Gurkha battalions arrived on the First World War’s Western Front to help reinforce the British Expeditionary Force (BEF)....

After Victory IV: The Occupation of Japan

Introduction On the morning of 2 September 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered to the Allied powers. At 0900 hrs in the morning, a delegation...

Desert Victory: Gurkhas in the Liberation of Tunisia

The Second World War’s Tunisian Campaign began in November 1942, in the wake of the Allied victory at El Alamein. With his forces defeated, German...

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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