The First Gorkha Rifles is a Gorkha infantry regiment of the Indian Army comprising Gurkha soldiers of Nepalese origin. The Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army is known for their Khukris, their ‘Aayo Gorkhali’ battle cry and their motto being 'Kayar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Ramro' (Better to die than live like a coward). The Gorkhas were first recruited by the East India Company and later fought under the British in several battles including World War I and II and continued in the Indian Army after Independence. The first regiment of Gorkhas was raised by Sir Robert Colquhuon on 24th April, 1815 in Uttaranchal with men from Gorkhas, Kumaon and Garhwal regions. Two battalions, 1/1 GR and 1/3 GR, were raised. There are roughly around 30,000 Gorkhas currently serving in the Indian Army’s seven Gorkha Rifles or regiments (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 11th), each of which has five to six battalions (around 800 soldiers each). The Gorkhas are highly decorated having earned 117 gallantry and distinguished awards since Independence including an Ashoka and Kirti Chakra, two Shaurya Chakras and a Padma Bhushan among others. India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw belongs to this regiment as does the current Army Chief General Dalbir Singh.
The First Gorkha Rifles
completed 200 years of their raising and to mark the Bicentenary of The
First Gorkha Rifles Army Postal Service released an Army Postal Cover on
29th October 2015 at 14 GTC Subathu, Himachal Pradesh.
