"The 'First Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles', known as the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles is the oldest existing

infantry battalion of the Third

Gorkha Regiment.

KOLKATA: Over the next few days, a military camp near Siliguri in north Bengal will be
witness to celebrations unlike any other. After all, there are few battalions in the Indian Army
that can boast a glorious history spanning 200 years. The celebrations, starting on Wednesday,
will reach their climax on Friday, April 24, the date in 1815 when Sir Robert Colquhuon
raised the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles in Almora.
"The 'First Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles', known as the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles is the oldest
existing infantry battalion of the Third Gorkha Regiment. Only a few others including the
Madras and Grenadiers Regiments (1758), Punjab Regiment (1761), Rajputana Rifles (1775),
Rajput Regiment (1778), Jat Regiment (1795) and Kumaon Regiment (1813) are the other
native infantry regiments that preceded the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles," an officer said.
What makes the raising of this battalion more interesting is the fact that this happened
towards the end of the Anglo-Nepal War when the British realized that the Gorkhas are feisty,
ferocious and fearless warriors. The battalion was first known as 'Kemaoon Local Battalion'
and entrusted with policing the border with Nepal.

On April 19, 1880, in the Second Afghan War, they would earn their most famous Battle
Honour "Ahmed Khel", which is commemorated till date. By 1945, the Battle Honour count
was 37, ending with their last "Pegu-1945", spanning operations including the two World
Wars.
The 1/3 Gorkha Rifles now operates under the Eastern Command and plays an important role
along the Line of Actual Control with China in Sikkim. This battalion has been historically
associated with Bengal. It's first Indian Commanding Officer, Lt Col (later Lt Gen) P O Dunn

took command from Lt Col H V Rose at Fort William, Kolkata, on November 29, 1947. The
soldiers of 1/3 GR, adept and skillful in football, gave the top teams in Kolkata some tough
competition, winning the hearts of soccer-loving Bengalis.

The battalion would then serve in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland before returning
to Kolkata in 1970. By then, it had proved its mettle post-Independence. In 1956, CO Lt Col J
R Chitnis bravely led his men in clearing an ambush against his column resulting in 20 dead
insurgents. Col Chitnis attained martyrdom in this operation and was awarded the Ashoka
Chakra Class - I.

"In 1965, the battalion played a pivotal role on the Amritsar-Lahore. In 1971, it became the
only battalion in post-Independence India to carry out amphibious operations. While
operating in Kargil in 1999, the battalion won laurels. It was selected for an UN Mission in
Rwanda between 1994 and 1996. In the aftermath of the Bhuj earthquake of January 2001,
the Battalion would play a Samaritan role, providing succor and relief under 'Op Sahayata'.
The battalion boasts 200 gallantry and distinguished service awards pre-Independence. After
1947, the tally increased by 117," the officer added.
More from The Times of India
SALUGARA (North Bengal): Wednesday's start of the bicentenary celebrations of
the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles in north Bengal had been planned nearly eight years in
advance. The first battalion of the third Gorkha Rifles had two options. This
battalion, one of the two oldest of the Gorkha Regiment, which still serves with
the Indian Army had two options. It could have held the celebrations at Dehradun
but chose Sevoke Military Station in Salugara instead. The reason was to
facilitate the movement of veterans from Nepal.
"Over 600 retired Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks from
Nepal have crossed into India through Kakarvitta. We have vehicles waiting at

the border to get them to Sevoke. Nearly 130 retired JCOs and other ranks from
India, primarily Dehradun, are also attending. Apart from this, retired officers and
their families account for nearly 200 guests. Veterans from Nepal may have
thought twice before travelling to Dehradun to attend the bicentenary
celebrations," said Col B S Sawian, commanding officer, 1/3 GR.
According to him, it was nearly a year and a half ago that the battalion began
putting things in place for the event. A trophy to commemorate the occasion, a
war memorial and mementos for guests and serving soldiers were planned. The
battalion also got in touch with Gorkha veterans in Britain but those still alive are
in no position to fly to India.
"Most of them are over 90 years old. Some of them have sent e-mails with their
best wishes. There used to be an association for Gorkhas of the Third Regiment
in Britain. This no longer exists," Sawian added.
Col B S Sawian, commanding officer, 1/3 GR.
Officers, some of them former COs, have flocked to the bicentenary celebrations,
as they shared a unique relationship with the men. All officers (whether of Nepali
origin or not), like Sawian, speak fluent Nepali. They are also well accustomed
with the ways and customs of the Gorkhas.
"As a young lieutenant, an officer is not accommodated in the officers' mess. He
has to put up with the men for one and a half months to learn the way they live.
Even after this, they have to read up on three volumes of military history on the
Gorkhas and pass a test before they formally get their entry into the officers'
mess. We are the infantry and must learn to live and die with our men. We have
to learn to lead and motivate them. We have to eat, live and die with them.
Unless, we can prove our worth, the men would never listed to us or have
confidence," Sawian, a third generation officer said.
Having been associated with the Gorkhas since childhood, he believes that they
are simple and the most patient people in the world. "Their tolerance levels are
very high. They don't complicate their lives and their loyalty to who they serve
has no parallel. Had this not been the case, arranging for an event of this level
may not have been possible. They have extraordinary physical and mental
strength," Sawian added. He was commissioned into the regiment in March, 1998
at Sevoke. In March, 2013, he took over as commanding officer.

1/1 and 1/3 Gorkha Rifles Celebrate Bicentenary in

Style
1/3 Gorkha Rifles, gorkha army, Gorkha Regiment, Gorkha Rifles, Gorkha soldier,
indian army 9:59 AM
With officers and other ranks from India and Nepal in attendance, the First
Gorkha Rifles (1/1 GR) on Friday marked its 200 years of military service.

First Gorkha Rifles marks 200 years of service

Hundreds of serving and veteran officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs)
and other ranks both from India and Nepal attended the function, an army
spokesman said.
The battalion was raised on April 24, 1815 from the remnants of Gorkha General
Amar Singh Thapa's forces who valiantly fought the British at the Malaun Fort
near Shimla.
"The raising of the battalion signalled the birth of present day Gorkha Brigade.
Over the last two centuries of the battalion's existence, it has time and again
proven its worth by gallant action in various fields of battle across the world,
through the two World Wars, the India-Pakistan wars and in the conflicts of the
sub-conventional realm," the spokesman said.
Starting with a solemn memorial service in honour of the martyrs, the unit's
bicentenary celebrations saw various events, including a guard of honour and
cultural programme.
Lt. Gen Ravi Thodge, colonel of the regiment, was present on the occasion.
"The event was a re-union for erstwhile comrades-in-arms who travelled from
across the globe to be together at this momentous once-in-a lifetime occasion.
Veterans proudly brought their children and grandchildren to show them the
oldest Gorkha Battalion," the spokesman added.

The illustrious battalion has been famous for two centuries for warfare skills and
bravery.
Similarly, The First Battalion of the Third Gorkha Rifles celebrated its bicentenary
in style on Friday at the Sevoke Road Military Station near Siliguri in North
Bengal.

3rd Gorkha Regiment celebrates bicentenary at Sevoke

The day's programme started with unveiling of a 'War Memorial' in the presence
of veterans of the 1/3 Gorkha Rifles. As many as 38 retired officers of the
battalion got together to design a trophy and present it on the occasion of the
bicentenary to the unit. This too place on Thursday evening.
After Friday's unveiling of the War Memorial, the figurine of a Gorkha soldier in
Shok Shastra pose (rifle pointing downward), the CO said: "This is a moveable
memorial that the unit will carry with it to all locations. Wreaths will be laid at
this memorial on April 24 every year." The 1/3 Gorkha Rifles is moving out of
Sevoke Road later this year and will be deployed along the LOC.
After unveiling of the War Memorial, a Sainik Sammelan as held in which JCOs
and soldiers of the battalion were honoured. A first day cover to mark the
occasion was also released. Major General Avinash Singh, Colonel of the Gorkha
Regiment, said that the foundations of all the battalions are extremely strong.
The Gorkhas, indomitable warriors, have created a mark for themselves in the
annals of the Indian Army.
"While the First of the Third have been winning trophies of overall excellence
every year, the Second of the Third has also created a record. They are the only
battalion to have served in Siachen without a single casualty or evacuation. In

the third week of October, the Gorkha Regiment will be holding another
gathering in Varanasi to mark the bicentenary," Singh said.

Gorkha Rifles set to complete 200 years of service

11 gorkha rifles, 3/1 Gorkha Rifles, 4/5 Gorkha Rifles, 5/5 Gorkha Rifles, 5/9
Gorkha Rifles, 7/11 Gorkha Rifles, featured, gorkha army, Gorkha Regiment,
Gorkha Regiments, Gorkha Rifles, History, indian army 1:13 PM
The world known Gorkha Rifles or Gorkha Regiment is to complete 200 years of
existence who have served India and the British-ruled Indian before
independence on April 24 2015.

1st Battalion, 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifle, Waziristan,

1936 - photo via nam.ac.uk
Known for their bravery Gorkha Rifels was organised under British East India
Company at Subathu in Himachal Pradesh on April 24, 1815. The unit still exists
and is known as the First Gorkha rifles (1/1 GR) serves with the Indian army
during peace and war.
As part of the commemoration of this historic occasion, there will be regimental
celebrations at Pathankot in Punjab where 1/1 GR is presently stationed. The
Colonel of the 1st Gorkha Rifles, Lt Gen Ravi Thodge, Master General Ordnance,
will preside over the function at Pathankot where other senior officers of the
regiment will also be present. A bigger celebration is planned later in the year, in
October, at Subathu when the regimental reunion is supposed to take place and
the Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, a Gorkha Rifles officer himself , is

likely to attend that.

Invitations for the event have also been extended to former Indian and British
soldiers who served in the regiment.
The Gorkha regiment started out as one but now comprises seven regiments. Of
those, the Indian army takes services from the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and the
11th regiments and Gorkha troops also serve in the Rashtriya rifles, Artillery and
the Territorial Army units.
Commenting on the 200th anniversary, Lt Gen TK Sapru (retd), former GOC-in-C
Western Command and a former Gorkha officer described them as the most
amazing soldiers. Tailor made for soldiering, very honest with integrity of
highest order. They very quick on their feet and somehow they have been
endowed by God with all qualities required for soldiers, he said.
The 200 years of service of the Gorkhas is also being marked by the British Army
where a host of events are kick-starting from April 24 onwards. A formal event is
being held on April 30th by the British Brigade of Gorkhas with a march from
Wellington Barracks to the Gorkha Statue in Whitehall, where a memorial service
will be held.
As per the British Gorkha Welfare Trust, there will be a service at the Gorkha
Statue to re-dedicate the Campaign Service and Gurkha Units plates, to reflect
200 years of rich Gorkha history and to commemorate those killed in service to
the British Crown.
With inputs from indianexpress

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Gorkha Rifles set to complete 200 years of service

The world known Gorkha Rifles or Gorkha Regiment is to complete 200
years of existence who have served India and the British-ruled Indian b...

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