Write a note on the structure, mandate and contribution of Gorkha Rifles. (200 Words)
Structure of Gorkha Rifle:
First regiment was raised by Sir Robert Colquhoun on April 24, 1815. But after 1947, as per the terms of the Britain–India–Nepal Tripartite Agreement, six Gorkha regiments, formerly part of the British Indian Army, became part of the Indian Army. The troops are Gorkhas, residents of Nepal and ethnic Gorkha (Nepali) citizens of India. Royal titles from Royal Gorkha Regiments dropped and became Gorkha Regiments.
Currently there are about 30,000 Nepalese Gorkhas serving in the seven Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army
Mandates:
Mandate of Gorkha Regiment is to show ultimate courage, duty and resilience in battlefield. They have a history of courage in battle, evident from the gallantry awards won by Gorkha soldiers and battle honours awarded.
Contributions:
- Producing one of the two Field Marshals of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and is still revered as one of its finest officers.
- Showed undisputed courage in 1962 Indo-Sino war.
- Battle of Sylhet under the Indian Army, Gorkhas have served in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Siachen, and in the UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Sierra Leone.
Hence, Gorkhas not only share duty in Indian army but also great patriotism with Indian National Army.