The Emergence of Gorkhali
Gorkha was a small place in the Central hills of Nepal. The people of Gorkha who were under the Hindu Shah Kings were Known as Gorkhali.
The rise of Gorkha in Nepal from 1736 to early 1800 proved crucial in the remarkable journey of the Gorkha empire.
- They extended their boundaries from central Nepal to the eastern and western sides of the Gorkha region.
- Gorkha’s had conquered the lands of Sikkim, Kumaon, and Garhwal. Nurtured the ambition to further expand the territories in northern India.
- The Gorkha battle cry “Jai Mahakali Ayo Gorkhali” and Khukri Weapon became the symbol of the Gorkha soldier’s bravery and strength.
- Even today their Forts can be seen from the Mahakali River to Pithoragarh, Almora, Nainital, Haridwar, Khalanga, Dehradoon, Mussoorie, and Nahan.
- At present, there are approximately 60,000 members of Gorkha families in Himachal Pradesh, and 70,000 in Kumaon and Garhwal. And 3 million Nepali-speaking Indians live in Assam, Meghalaya, and the North-Eastern states.
Anglo-Gorkha War of Nepal and the East India Company
Anglo-Gorkha War started in the year 1814 and continued till 1816. Eventually turned out beneficial for both the British East India Company and Nepal. It established the bravery and valour of the Gorkha Nepalese Army. To the extent that till date the Gorkha men are hired by Britain and India in their Army and also by the Singapore police. And on the other hand, the British consolidated northern regions of India into it and gained access to trade with Tibet through Nepal.