The Gurkhas - Fiercest Soldiers in Modern History - DOCUMENTARY

Kings and Generals animated historical documentary series on the armies and tactics now covers the Gurkhas, an invincible group of Hindu warriors from Nepal considered to be the most invincible soldiers of the modern era. We will talk about the origins of the Gurkhas, how they fought against the British East India Company. We will tell stories of insane Gurkha heroism, and discuss their massive impact on conflicts like World War 1, World War 2, and the Afghanistan War.

Music courtesy of EpidemicSound

00:00 Intro
02:20 Who are the Gurkhas? Gurkha training
04:56 Examples of Gurkha Heroism
07:44 Origins of the Gurkha - The Unification of Nepal
09:59 The Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816
13:01 The Treaty of Sugauli - The Gurkhas Join the British Army
15:16 History of Gurkha Military Service
17:55 Legacy of the Gurkhas

#Documentary #Gurkhas #Britain

[LeoWarrior]

During WWII, the British Indian Army planned to drop a company of the toughest Gurkhas behind Japanese lines to help stop the oncoming invaders. A British major explained the plan to the Gurkha sergeant major, saying: “We’ll drop you from 600 feet.”

The sergeant major talked to his troops, then went back to the major: “Sah, the men say 600 feet too high. They want to be dropped lower.” The British major said: “All right, sergeant major, we’ll make it 500 feet.”

The sergeant major spoke to his troops again, and again went back to the major: “Sah, the men say 500 feet is still too high and want to be dropped lower.” The major said: “Sergeant major, we could go down to 400 feet to drop you but that wouldn’t leave enough time for the parachutes to open.”

The sergeant major replies: "Wait, we get parachutes?"

[_Saracen_]

Gurkha's are not just respected for their combat prowess and endurance but also for their personalities, they're the most polite and generous soldiers you'll ever meet.

[airborngrmp]

I passed through a Brit base in E. Afghanistan while I was deployed, and there was a company of Gurkhas (along with various other nationalities and Armed Services) there. Those guys were the nicest, friendliest guys you've ever met. Very polite and honest, big smiles, deadly-sharp knives tucked into the back of their belt.

Our assigned Tommy while we were there (A Yorkshireman called Dan) was walking with the two of us (Americans) past the motor pool, and I noticed that the Gurkhas were painting over their crossed Kukri insignia on their MRAPS, covering them up. We immediately asked, who the hell convinced these guys to cover up their insignia? Apparently the local Afghan fighters had figured out not to mess with the Gurkhas, and avoided the Kukri marked vehicles - so the Gurkhas decided to disguise themselves in order to not miss out on any action.

I still don't quite know what to make of those guys, except that I'm absolutely ecstatic that they're on our side.

[tim]

I climbed Mera Peak in the Himalayas once. At about 6 000 meters above sea level there was a steep and long slope of a glacier to traverse. I was in full equipment, but low oxygen, ice and strong wind made every step exhausting, so I had to take a breather every few minutes. Then, to my amusement, I saw two Nepali men wearing sneakers and carrying a huge cupboard to the camp above. They quickly caught up with me, said hi, got around me like I wasn’t even there and continued to ascend with utmost speed. One of them was smoking a cigarette while at it... I took a deep breath and hobbled after them.

[marccan]

I worked and served with them.. They stood out from the rest of the British contingent with their endurance.

[subashgrg]

I was born in a family with long military tradition (Gurkhas). Mum's side are mostly Indian Gurkhas (her dad was a subedar and died in his early 40s) whilst paternal side of my family are British Gurkhas and my granddad fought in the Malaya war of the 50s ans the 60s. Two of my greatgrandfathers fought in Burma during the WW2 against the Japanese. One of them was a paratrooper and after being deployed in the enemy lines, he ended up getting shot. When I was young, his bullet wound scar used to terrify me. He survived the war and was awarded a medal for bravery in the battlefield. Then, he was the only surviving child of his parents since most of his siblings had died at birth or infancy. Hencewhy, his parents relunctantly sent him to join the Gurkhas. On top of that, they saw many families in their village mourning the loss of their sons who left to join the Gurkhas to fight during the ww1. Had my great grandfather died there and then, I wouldn't be here today since he was in his late teens and hadn't married. Counting my lucky stars that his comrades managed to quickly get him out of harm's way and get him the medical treatment he urgently needed which is why he survived and I exist. 🙏, 🙏,

BTW, I really appreciate K&G for covering the controversial aspects regarding Gurkhas and the mistreatment by the UK government which led to The Gurkha Justice Campaign. My own grandfather having served in the British Gurkha and retired in the 70s, never set foot in the UK. He wasn't allowed to visit, let alone settle in the UK. He passed away in 2005. RIP bajey.

[lindseykipp]

Worked with them in Afghanistan. They were a wild bunch, for sure. Always enjoyed watching them practice their Kukri fighting while we swept the sand from the motor pool

[bidhibhandari]

I am nepali and thank you for showing to the world about our bravest ancestor, struggles for the nation. # jai gurkhali😊 ... nepali haru like hanam 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

[pteg]

My grandfather was an officer in the Gurkha regiments in a time when all officers were white. He was of the last British generation to be born in Imperial India, and was every bit of the stereotype of an Oxbridge educated, career military, stiff upper lip type. Very rigid, and very 'British'. But he was also one of the kindest and most accepting people I've ever met, far more than most of his contemporaries. Growing up in India, and later serving with the Gurkhas completely eroded any sense of prejudice or superiority. He talked of the Gurkhas with high esteem often. His Kukri and other paraphernalia from his service now lives at the Gurkha Museum in Winchester. Winchester is where he chose to retire, and quite coincidentally, many of the women that worked in the care home where he spent his final days were the wives of Gurkha veterans, which felt serendipitous.

[runswithcows]

I took a Gurkha, deaf John, paintballing once many moons ago. No one apart from John had fun that day.

[synchc]

At the place I used to work there were three ex-Ghurkhas on the security. Their kids worked there briefly, presumably between school and uni. The whole bunch just a delight; polite, warm, hard working, honest and, I can't stress this enough, absolutely brimming with life and without a trace of malice. A very special people. One of the very few things our government has done right over the last fifty years is giving these absolute stars an almost fair wedge of what they truly deserve.

[thijs]

A colleague of mine was in the Dutch army on exercise with the Gurka's. They went to sleep and when they woke up they noticed all the men of his unit had a stripe on their necks and or throaths, set with a pencil. They then found out the Gurka's practiced an invasion in the night to see how many they could kill before anyone woke up or noticed them. All would have been dead. True story.

[unificationofnepal]

As from Nepal and historical content creator, so happy to see the full cover video on our Nepalese history on this channel which i admired the most! Thank u Kings and Generals!

[hydrarn]

I was waiting forever for a day when Kings and Generals would make a video on Gorkhalis, it seems that day is finally over . I am happy, more than happy .

[Thebulelucu]

My father worked with the Gurkhas, and in passing he told one of the soldiers that if he was ever in England he was welcome to stay with our family, 3 weeks later a gentle quiet man named Ratan graced our life, he gave my father a special Kurki knife which still stands on display in our house, 35 years later. We were told that we had to totally respect him and don't be rude (us children were young teenagers at the time) and you could see by my fathers face he wasn't joking. He was the epitome of politeness and friendliness, . We took him on trips over the UK and I know we couldn't afford it but now I understand why my father did this, the respect between them was tangible and i am always honored to know that my father was a friend and colleague of a Ghurka.

[WeirdSeagul]

I live near where they first start training in the UK. They are the most polite respectful people you will ever meet. badass people

[ishantlimbu]

My grandpa served in borneo as gurkha regiment. He didnt send any of his sons because of hardships he endured. But its chilling to know about our forefathers deeds.

[rebeccab]

I worked with some Gurkhas in Baghdad, Iraq 2003-4. They were really great guys -- quiet, gentle, meditative, and very kind. I really wish I had been able to stay in touch; they had invited me to visit them in Nepal, saying its beauty was indescribable and should be seen. I have never heard anyone say the slightest word against them, only respect for their bravery and skill. These men are still the penultimate professional soldiers.

[RaiO_o]

Gurkhas are the only people who can bring a knife to a gun fight and win.

[Handlers]

🙏Thank you for creating a video about my ancestors. Jai Mahakaali, Jai Nepal🙏