Book Description
This book goes beyond the normal boundaries of military history. Travelling extensively in Nepal, John Parker has met many Gurkhas to investigate the background to their traditional service to Britain and the threat that this is now under. He recounts famous battles during which these fighters collected a huge number of VCs, earning worldwide admiration.
Customer Reviews:
Ayo Gurkhali! .......2007-08-14
This inspired book takes the story of the famed Gurkhas up to more recent times. While Byron Farwell has covered much of this story in his earlier book about the Gurkhas in the Britsih army, John Parker provides a more up-to-date coverage. The book is also enlivened by the author's travelogue account of a recent visit to Nepal. Here he provides interesting descriptions of the beautiful, though forboding landscape, as well as the largely primitive living conditions. Nepal seems to be a country which time forgot, although perhaps that is slowly starting to change. Many interestig characters are also met en-route, including some famous Gurkha veterans who turn out to greet the visitors.
The author then launches into an historical account starting off with that fateful campaign of 1818 when British soldiers first encountered these hardy little fighters and soon wanted them as friends! Although conquered, the Gurkha's spirit was not broken, and it was these qualites that most impressed the British to begin their long term relationship with them. From that time until the present the Gurkha has been a devoted adjunct to British forces. They were far more trustworthy and less difficult than most Indian troops, and did not allow their religious beliefs to restrict their deployment anywhere. All have feared the Gurkha war cry of "Ayo Gurkhali" which means the Kurkris is about to strike! Fearless soldiers, they are also disciplined to a fault. Under their specially selected British officers, this pairing produces one of the most feared and respected combinations in modern military history. We should not discount how the British officers who were selected to lead the Gurkhas brought out the best of their martial qualites. On their own Gurkhas were firece fighters, but with their British officers they became both firece and disciplined.
I disagree with one reader who believes this book would have been twice as interesting if it included exploits of the Gurkhas in the new Indian army. Doubtless these soldiers have been an asset for India, but I doubt very much they have the same historical fascination as they do in the British army. Plus we have 189 years of history vs. only about 60! I think the historical interest and roll of battle honors goes to the service of the Gurkhas in the British army! Still, perhaps a chapter on the Indian army since partitition and how Gurkhas have been used might have been interesting. This awaits another book, but again, the interest to English speaking military historians might be a lot less.
The author brings the Gurkha story up to the present with an intersting chapter on the Falklands conflict and how the 7th King Edward's Own Gurkha Rifles terrorized the Argies into surrendering their whole garrison! The Gurkhas were at first crest-fallen that they did not get to drench their Kurkris with Argie blood, but then came to realize how their reputation virtually won the conflict, and this gave them some solace!
The last part of the book chronicles the ever changing environment in the British army. Much time is spent discussing the state of Gurkha veterans and what can be done to improve their pay and retirement. Certainly the MoD needs to address these issues and perhaps by now they have. The author does a good job weaving first-hand accounts and current interviews together into a compelling narrative. This seems a hallmark of his several books he has done already on elite military formations. Sadly the famous regimental names of the Gurkhas have gone and have been replaced by the bland sounding "Royal Gurkha Rifles", and numbers are way down, but the Gurkha presence in the British army continues to be a viable one. Long may it continue!
Quite a lot missing.......2001-04-06
Though this is a well written book and brings out the strength,courage and determination of the Gorkhas,it has hardly a mention of their real exploits during service with the Indian army.Their battles during the Indo-pak wars,China and Kargil have been completely ignored.The British may have employed them once but they are and always were an integral part of the Indian army and this fact is not at all focussed upon.
If the Author had actually attempted to get information about their service in the Indian army,the book would have been thrice as large,twice as interesting and quite heart-stopping.It is really sad that the most obvious expectation from the book has completely been ignored.
Excellent bbok to read for all Gurkha lovers!!!.......2001-02-24
Hi, One book you just want to read and keep on doing so.Kept reading it till i had to miss my meals until i finished it.It's a book that demonstrates the quality of these men, Gurkhas, their work and their deeds, it goes on to tell us about how these tough mean men are thoroughbred gentleman ,helping unfortunate ones in Hong Kong , Kosovo and so on.It is a book that at times made me cry that there are men out there who honour loyalty more than money in these selfish and greedy times of ours.God Bless them, and those who gave their lives for someone's else freedom.....
Entertaining account of very brave men.......2000-12-06
Is there anyone with an interest in militaria who has not heard of the Gurkhas ? Then let this book introduce you to the bravest men in any regiment of the British Army, with the most Victoria Crosses (highest British battle honour) to their name.
Packed with reminisences from the warriors themselves along with the author's competent overview and asides this is a fine testament to the men, their skill and their courage. Starting with the history of the first encounters between the Brits and the Gurkhas when they were on opposing sides in India, it continues with accounts of their Afghan frontier duties, exploits in two world wars and deployment in modern wars and in trouble zones such as Kosovo and Timor.
One of my favourite parts is the description of when a wounded Gurkha from a beseiged fort staggered to the British lines for medical treatment. The British treated him thinking this was a surrender whereupon he returned to the fort to take up his post and continue the fight leaving the Brits bemused and astounded by his bravado.
The Brits should consider themselves very lucky to have these brave and cheerful fighters on thier payroll and as the reviewer below points out, should better their pay right away. The Gurkhas may be the richest in Nepal but they don't have pay parity with Brit frontline troops as yet. And boy have they earned it.
The Gurkhas.......2000-06-23
The Gurkhas are considered to be the worlds most feared foot soldiers. The crack Nepalese troops have fought almost every British military caqmpaign since 1816. When WW1 broke out, virtually every Nepalese man of fighting age vounteered. The British no longer employ many Gurkhas, though, so there's now about 300 applicants for every vacancy. Some who fail to make the cut commit suicide rather than face the disgrace they think they bring upon their families. Wages and pensions paid to Gurkhas are now Nepals third biggest source of forein currency, but Parker points out that the Gurkhas are still being ripped off with paltry pensions after a career on the front line that often leaves them permanently maimed.
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The Gurkhas [Osprey Military] [Elite Series]
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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The Gurkha Rifles (Men-at-Arms)
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The Indian Army 1914-1947 (Elite)
ASIN: 1855323575
Release Date: 1993-09-30 |
Book Description
The origins of the Gurkhas date back to 1815, when one of the most skilled and determined opponents that the British soldier had to overcome in battle was the Nepalese warrior. The British were so impressed with the military skills of these fighters that they began recruiting units exclusively from Nepal. From this beginning grew the now famous Gurkha units. This volume examines the development of the Gurkhas through the various wars and confrontations of the 19th century, through the First World War, Second World War and the various postwar conflicts including Malaya, Borneo and the Falklands.
Customer Reviews:
Typical Handy Review.......2002-01-04
There are few literate people in the world who have not heard of the Gurkhas, the legendary fighting men from Nepal, a steep country of hill people of Asiatic ancestry. For over a century and a half the soldiers recruited from the Himalayas on the southern face of the range overlooking India faithfully served in the British Indian Army and since the independence of India form one of the largest contingents of the Army of India today. They still serve faithfully the British crown but with retrenchment and reductions their units are fading out of existence. This book briefly covers the history of the Gurkhas and reviews the current units in British service. Those units in the Army of India are not. Do not confuse the Army of India (post 1947) with the Indian Army of the British Empire which was divided up in 1947 to form both the Army of India and the Army of Pakistan.
Their reputation for fierceness in battle is well deserved as is their cheery disposition and love for the tasks of a soldier. Of course, not being citizens or subjects of the nations they serve, they are characterized as mercenaries. Unfortunately that name has recieved much undeserved opprobium in the last forty some years due to the excesses of those who served in fight for pay units in the Congo and other places in Africa but those persons should more properly be termed "soldiers of fortune" as were those in the early part of the twentieth century. Those men were essentially amoral who killed for a living and put their life on the line for a big payoff in loot or cash so that they could squander it on rioutous libertinous living until the money ran out.
A mercenary is really someone who earns his living at soldiering in the service of a nation not his own. No one in the French Foreign Legion ever got rich in the ranks, but they are mercenaries. In the mid millenium there were many such men. Sir John Falstaff, the Shakespearian character in Henry V, was one such. Dutch, Swedish, and Swiss have long been mercenaries. The famous Swiss Guard of the Vatican is a current example.
So honor the Gurkhas for the jolly fellows they are and the virtues they personify, loyalty, steadfastness in adversity, and athletic courage, and forget unjust stereotypes of pillage and rapine properly attributed to mercenaries-soldiers of fortune of other times and places.
Book Description
The Gurkhas have a long and distinguished service record. This book examines the uniforms, equipment, history and organisation of the Gurkha rifles. It traces the 19th origins of the now famous Gurkha regiments and also covers their service history during the Great Mutiny and the 3rd Afghan War. During the two World Wars the Gurhah rifles performed countless tours of duty and their regimental battle honours listed in the book bear testimony to their extensive service. A series of full colour illustrations accompany the text.
Customer Reviews:
Some really great Troops from the Hills.......2005-07-02
The Crown really got itself a real bargain with these tough little guys from the hills of Nepal. This book does them the credit that is due them. Its good to go!
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- The Official Untold Stories of Gurkhas......
- The Official Untold Stories of Gurkhas......
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Valour: A History of the Gurkhas
E. D. Smith
Manufacturer: Overlook Hardcover
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The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers
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The Gurkhas
ASIN: 0879518170 |
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The Official Untold Stories of Gurkhas.............2000-03-29
This book about the valour is a very powerful and almost complete stories about the tales of gurkhas. The valour states all the 10 gurkha regiments and tell the events of everyone of them in the theatre of war.When i got down to read it i was so enthralled by the heroic tales and bravery of these courageous men that i skip my lunch and dinner. I was keen to finish the book and to look for the next title on gurkhas. It' s an excellent book overall. A must read for all those interested in military.
The Official Untold Stories of Gurkhas.............2000-03-29
This book about the valour is a very powerful and almost complete stories about the tales of gurkhas. The valour states all the 10 gurkha regiments and tell the events of everyone of them in the theatre of war.When i got down to read it i was so enthralled by the heroic tales and bravery of these courageous men that i skip my lunch and dinner. I was keen to finish the book and to look for the next title on gurkhas. It' s an excellent book overall. A must read for all those interested in military.
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Gurkhas at War: Eyewitness Accounts from World War II to Iraq
Manufacturer: US Naval Institute Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1591143179
Release Date: 2007-06-29 |
Product Description
The result of unprecedented in-depth interviews with Gurkha soldiers past and present, Gurkhas at War depicts key military campaigns of the twentieth century. These eyewitness accounts cover the lengthy battles against the Japanese in Burma, the action against Communist rebels in Malaya and Hong Kong, plus more recent deployment of Gurkhas in the Falklands, the Gulf, the Balkans, and East Timor. The result is a powerful and intimate introduction to Gurkha culture and recruiting traditions and an insider s view on the numerous issues facing the Gurkhas today in Nepal and in context with the British Army.
Customer Reviews:
A good book about some stouthearted soldiers.......2005-05-06
Most Mercenary Troops are not what you would call top drawer people. Most having the most pressing reason not to hang around home. The reason usually involving a Woman or a Noose. Some of these outfits are noted for their draconian discipline like the Foreign Legion or the German Penal battalions of WWII. I would of not wanted to of been an officer or Non Com in those units. The Ghurkhas are another story and its a great story. From their war with "John Company" in 1815 to the present, The Gurkhas have set a very high standard indeed. As an example,It was a sight to see at Buckingham Palace in watching them mount Guard in place of the Guards. I just can't picture the Legion doing the same job in Paris. Of all the Regimental stories I have read so far this is near the top of the list. Mr. Farwell has done his usual good job of telling a good story about Englands Army and her late Empire.
"Ayo Gurkhali!" The Gurkhas are Coming!.......2004-04-29
This is another splendid book by Farwell. Over the years he has written many books chronicling the life of the British soldier and his many gallent campaigns in the days when the sun never set on the Union Jack. The Gurkhas have established themselves as one of the world's elite fighting forces, and justly so. Farwell does a nice job telling their story from their beginnings in 1815 when the British first encountered these redoubtable hillmen as enemies. Over the decades they steadily gained the trust and respect of all who commanded them in India. Their exploits during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 firmly endeared their trust to the British who were justly weary of the loyalty of any native troops after the attrocities committed by seapoys in that rebellion.
The Gurkhas identified themselves as Rifles, or Light Infantry and assumed many of the traditions of the Rifle Brigade and Royal Green Jackets. This includes the fast 140 pace, the green hued uniforms, the use of bugles and the like. This is also seen in the style of performance in the band of the Brigade of Gurkhas who perform in their own unique style at Tattoos with fast paced marching and music. Past association with Scottish regiments resulted in another carry over tradition, the inclusion of pipes in all regimental music. Again, the Gurkhas have developed their own keen style of piping, including many traditional Napalese tunes as well as Scots pipe music. Too bad Farwell did not touch a little more on these interesting traditions which make the Gurkhas quite unique.
Sadly in todays much reduced British army all of the Gurkha regiments have been reduced to one, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, with a paltry two battalions. Farwell's book is as much social history as well as military anedotes. This is a standard feature of many of his works. Since the book was written back in the 1980s it does not reflect any of the recent conflicts and peace keeping missions which the Gurkhas have been involved with, nor their current force reductions. Still an entertaining and informative book nonetheless.
Third Person narration fails to impress.......2004-01-19
There are two kinds of books on history - one which relies on the author's own understanding of the subject and another that is acquired from another person's. This book unfortunately is of the latter.
While a young schoolkid growing up near the major Indian military base at Siliguri in Bengal, I had watched these slant eyed men with awe. They were indeed the best turned out soldiers with their slant hats, cross belts and the deadly "khukri"(hand knife)hanging by their side. I have ever since tried to read every book on this subject that I could get my hands on.
Mr Farwell looks at the Gurkha from a purely British perspective. At the end he is still a glorified mercernary to the British. It is as if the Gurkha's soldierly qualities started and ended with British rule in India. He is no doubt led to that opinion by former British Indian officers he interviewed for this book(who share a dim opinion along with the author of other Indian soldiers).
What the author does not mention is that Gurkhas were first used as mercernaries not by the British but Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Punjab. Even their uniforms coopted by the British was designed by a member of his court. Gurkhas had the opportunity to eschew their mercernary ways when India evicted the British in 1947 and invited them to join the Indian army.Large numbers today serve that army with distinction and pride. Unlike the British, the Indians have treated them on par with other citizens. The British ostensibly claim that they pay Gurkhas less(a fifth or less of other British troops)so as not to disrupt Nepali social life. Also, they are free to settle in India and indeed large numbers of them have.
As for his claim of Indian troops not being impartial during the independence riots, it is a clear case of poor leadership. British officers left in great haste and as they trained very few Indians to replace them, men often found themselves confused as their country was breaking up around them. The British were so jealous of their Gurkhas that they even invented a reason to keep Indian officers out - some so called treaty with the king of Nepal. There are some juicy snippets of the British officers sleeping with their men( good reason for keeping the Indians out!!)
For those of you wanting to learn about the Gurkhas , John Masters' Bugles and a Tiger would be a wonderful source. Mr. Byron Farwell quotes him extensively in his book but misses his message.
Gurkhas.......2003-11-22
I really liked it. It is not easy to find books on this topic, grab them when you get the chance.
A history of honor, valor and integrity........2003-10-12
In the history of human conflict, people have often fought simply for their pay and the love of a good fight. However, mercenary troops are generally of dubious quality, in that while they often fight with a great deal of ferocity, their loyalty to their employer is generally suspect. That is not the case for the Gurkhas, sturdy mountain men from Nepal, who have served in the forces of the British Empire for two centuries. Considered by many observers to be the best infantry units ever fielded, they exhibited a loyalty to the Empire that exceeded that of the British themselves. After British power in India collapsed and the carnage of religious strife began, the Gurkha units left in India were the only ones who could be counted on to keep the peace without taking sides.
This book is their story, of how they first came to be recruited to serve under the Union Jack, and a list of their many heroic exploits. You cannot help but be awed by their achievements in battle, where individual achievements often helped turn the tide of battles. Whole Argentine units deployed in the Falklands either surrendered or fled when they learned that they were about to be attacked by a unit of these extraordinary troops.
The history of human conflict is replete with tales of atrocities committed by troops of foreign extraction. In this book, you learn of soldiers who fought fiercely, giving their enemy no quarter while the battle raged. And yet, after two centuries of being engaged in battles all over the world, there are almost no instances of Gurkha troops injuring or killing a civilian, or engaging in any other unnecessary act of destruction. The old adage of "rape, pillage and burn" does not apply to these people, and this is the history of their valor, strength, courage and moral integrity. One of the most uplifting military histories that I have ever read.
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The British Army, the Gurkhas and Cold War Strategy in the Far East, 1947-1954 (Studies in Military & Strategic History)
Raffi Gregorian
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
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ASIN: 0333801482 |
Book Description
This book argues that postwar Britain's "imperial over-extension" has been exaggerated. Britain developed and adjusted its defense strategy based upon the perceived Communist threat and available resources. It was especially successful at adapting to meet the strategic and resource challenges from the Far East from 1947-54. There British and Gurkha forces were deployed only in contingencies that threatened vital British interests, while the US and Commonwealth allies were persuaded to accept key wartime missions, thus preserving Britain's ability to fight in Western Europe.
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Gurkhas
Sandro Tucci
Manufacturer: Hamish Hamilton
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0241116902 |
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Imperial Warriors: Britain and the Gurkhas
Tony Gould
Manufacturer: New York Review of Books
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The Gurkhas: The Inside Story of the World's Most Feared Soldiers
ASIN: 1862073651 |
Book Description
Gurkhas have been recruited into the British and Indian armies since 1814. In this absorbing study, Tony Gould examines the many legends that have grown up around these stocky soldiers whose name has become synonymous with courage, endurance, and loyalty. He details the colorful history of the Gurkhas' relationship with the British and the Indians and their place in Nepalese history, showing that the reality of these fierce warriors is in many ways more remarkable than the myth. “A significant piece of original historical research.” — The Times Literary Supplement
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The Steadfast Gurkha: Historical Record of 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles
Charles Messenger
Manufacturer: Secker & Warburg
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ASIN: 0436277808 |
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