What is Brigade of Gurkhas?

Gurkha Soldiers in 1896 A.D.

The Brigade of Gurkhas is the collective term for units of the current British Army that are composed of Nepalese soldiers. The brigade, which is 3,640 strong, draws its heritage from Gurkha units that originally served in the Indian Army prior to Indian independence, and prior to that of the East India Company. The brigade includes infantry, engineer, signal, logistic and training and support units. They are famous for their ever-present kukris, a distinctive heavy knife with a curved blade, and for their reputation of being fierce fighters and brave soldiers. They take their name from the hill town of Gorkha from which the Nepalese Kingdom had expanded. The ranks have been dominated by four ethnic groups: the Gurungs and Magars from western Nepal; and the Rais and Limbus from the east, who live in hill villages of hill farmers.The Brigade celebrated 200 years of service in the British Army in 2015.

The history of the service of the Brigade of Gurkhas to the British Crown goes back as far as 1815. Since then the Brigade has conducted itself with distinction during numerous conflicts worldwide. Prior to 1997 the Brigade's focus was in the Far East but following the handover of Hong Kong it moved to the UK which is now its base.The Brigade still maintains a battalion in Brunei and plays a full part in the British Army's operational deployments worldwide - currently, in Afghanistan.

The major units of the Brigade today are The Royal Gurkha Rifles (two battalions), The Queen's Gurkha Engineers, Queen's Gurkha Signals, and The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment. In addition there are two independent companies - Gurkha Company (Sittang) at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Gurkha Wing (Mandalay) at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon.
The Gurkha Company at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, meanwhile, trains the recruits who pass the demanding selection procedure. This selection is organized by HQ British Gurkhas Nepal, which also works with the Gurkha Welfare Scheme, the field arm of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, in support of retired Gurkhas. Sub-units also include the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkha Staff and Personnel Support Company and the Learning Development Wing.