3 Gorkha Rifles’s feat of arms reflects the glorious traditions of the Indian Army itself and its sacrifices stand as a badge of honour to the backdrop of the Regimental Motto ‘better to die than be a coward’
‘Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you’
—Quote by Col Ralph Turner, 3 GR, inscribed at the Gorkha Memorial in London
On April 24, 2014, as the 3 Gorkha Rifles (3 GR) celebrate the 200 years of its raising, it will be a solemn occasion as the inheritors of its hoary traditions reflect on the history of the regiment and the sacrifices made by its men in distant and diverse battlefields.
The Gorkhas joined the Indian Army immediately after their defeat in the Nepal War, 1815. Four battalions were raised in 1815. The 1st Battalion was raised as the Kumaon Provincial Battalion in Almora by Sir Robert Colquhoun. Its first major campaign was the second Afghan War, where the battalion formed squares at Ahmed Khel and repeatedly repelled attacks by 15,000 Ghazis. It earned a battle honour, which is celebrated to this day.
The 2nd Battalion was raised in April 1891, with a Garhwali component, which became the nucleus of the Garhwal Rifles. It participated in the Tirah Campaign in the North West Frontier. The capture of Dargai heights is commemorated by a martial tune played by the pipes and drums.
The World Wars
The British Army was in desperate straits once the World War 1 began and two Indian divisions were dispatched to France. The 2nd Battalion formed a part of the Garhwal Brigade and held the line between Neuve Chappelle and Givenchy. Bitter fighting took place and the first Gorkha Victoria Cross (VC) was won by Rifleman Kulbir Thapa on an attack on La Bassee defences. He also happened to be the first non-British to win the award. On October 31, the battalion moved with the division to the Middle East, bang into the campaign to evict the Turks from Syria. On February 3, 1917, the 3rd Battalion of the regiment (3/3 GR) was raised and moved to the Middle East to serve in the same division. Rifleman Karna Bahadur Rana won the second VC for 2/3 GR for showing exceptional courage in the Battle of Mogg Ridge against desperate Turk attacks. 3/3 GR took part in the attacks to capture Jerusalem and after the war was demobilised.
The 4th battalion of the Regiment, 4/3 GR, was raised initially as the 1st Reserve Battalion in October 1916. It remained in the North West Frontier for nearly six years, taking part in some desperate actions attested by 74 awards it received. It was disbanded in 1922.
With the onset of World War II, the 3rd and 4th battalions were again raised. 1/3 GR formed a part of 17 Indian Division and was forced to retreat the length of Burma against Japanese onslaught, suffering heavily at the disaster of the Sittang Bridge. The unit eventually repulsed the Japanese attack at Bishenpur on the plains of Imphal and thereafter fought their way into Burma. It was four years of near non-stop fighting.
Meanwhile 2/3 GR moved west, fought at the Battle of El Alamein, which was the turning point of the War in Africa, though suffering heavily in the bargain. They were in the forefront of 8 Army advance up the boot of Italy and were dreaded by the Germans for their khukri attacks. While 3/3 GR took part in the defence of Imphal and at Armistice, and later moved into Indonesia for peace keeping, 4/3 GR remained in the North West Frontier and maintained the peace until de-mobilised in Apr 1947. By now the regiment had won 48 Battle cum Theatre Honours, a drum roll of bravery and sacrifice which stretched from 1857 to 1945. At the time of Independence, the Gorkha Regiments were divided between UK and India, though most of the troops voted overwhelmingly to remain with India. The 3 Gorkha Rifles were allotted to India and received its first batch of Indian officers. All the three battalions were heavily involved in internal security duties all over South Asia and saved many lives.
Battle Ready and Battle Hardy
The fledgling Indian state had to face its first major challenge with Pakistan making a go for Kashmir immediately after Independence. It was a near thing but soon the tide turned, and the advance on Muzzafarabad began. Just short of Muzzafarabad, on the Uri- Domel Road stands the 11,000-foot massif of Pirkanthi. It had to be captured if the advance was to continue. In a fine feat of arms, 2/3 GR captured it on June 26, 1948 and received the first post- Independence battle honour for the regiment.
Peace on the borders did not mean peace within. The Nagas had started their insurgency in 1955 and 1/3 GR was moved into the Naga Hills. The Nagas had set up a formidable underground force armed with abandoned weapons of World War II. The battalion took over a chaotic situation where the civil administration had totally collapsed, and rapidly brought the situation under control. Commanding Officer Lt Col J.R. Chitnis was awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously for his bravery while personally clearing an ambush on his column.
The Chinese invasion of 1962 saw 3/3GR valiantly facing them for the defence of Walong, where the unit suffered grievously as orders for withdrawal did not reach them and they were cut off. After the war, there was an expansion in the Army and the Regiment raised two battalions — 4/3 was re-raised for the third time while 5/3 GR was raised as a new battalion.
During the 1965 War, 3/3 and 4/3 GR curbed Pakistan adventurism on the borders. While the former captured a Pakistani post, the latter launched a successful raid. It was 1/3 GR, however, which fought major actions during the advance to Lahore, suffering grievously from air raids and artillery, especially as they were asked to move during daytime.
1/3 GR was the only battalion in post- Independence history which carried out an amphibious operation in 1971 to cut off any fleeing Pakistani troops. It is, however, 5/3 GR which covered itself with glory, wherein the heart of winter it captured the formidable 14,000 feet Hathi Matha in addition to 13 picquets, which overlooked the lines of communications to Leh. It rightfully deserved its Battle Honour, ‘Shingo River Valley.’
The next major engagement fought by the regiment was the Kargil War where four battalions participated, the highest in the Indian Army. All were covered in blood and glory on those forbidding heights. 3/3 GR received the Theatre Honour ‘Kargil.’
In between, two battalions participated in UN missions in Rwanda and Congo and won accolades, including a Force Commander Citation. In addition, all battalions were frequently employed in intense counter insurgency operations in Kashmir, Punjab and the North East, where they achieved commendable success including three citations from their respective Army Commanders. The achievement of 2/3 GR is special. The battalion has twice served in the Siachen Sector. In its second induction, the battalion served on the main Glacier and has had the unique distinction of not suffering a single casualty. 32 Rashtriya Rifles, with troops from the regiment, was raised on September 1, 1994 and has been in continuous counter-insurgency operations ever since, winning a citation in the process.
In sports the regiment has contributed national level sportsmen in many sports, especially boxing and martial arts. As a young Captain, the late Lt Gen MK Lahiri played for the Indian national football team. In mountaineering, the regiment has a proud history of achievement, climbing many peaks. The late Naib Subedar ND Sherpa, 5/3 GR, remains an iconic figure.
The saga of the 3 Gorkha Rifles is a microcosm of the warfighting done by the Indian Army over two centuries. The hardy Gorkhas from the hills of Nepal serves for his livelihood but his bravery, sacrifice, humour and discipline has made him an indispensable icon of the Army.
Battle Honours – Pre Independence
1. Delhi 1857.
2. Chitral 1914.
3. Ahmed Khel 1878-80.
4. Afghanistan 1878-80.
5. Burma 1885-87.
6. Tirah Punjab Frontier 1914.
7. La Bassee 1914.
8. Armentiers 1914.
9. Festubert 1914.
10. Givenchy 1914.
11. Neue Chapelle 1914-15.
12. Aubers 1914-15.
13. France & Flanders 1914-15.
14. Egypt 1915-16.
15. Gaza 1917-18
16. El Mighar 1917-18.
17. Nebi Semwil 1917-18.
18. Jerusalem 1917-18.
19. Tel-Asur 1917-18.
20. Megiddo 1917-18.
21. Sharon 1917-18.
22. Palestine 1917-18.
23. Sharqat 1917-18.
24. Mesopotamia 1917-18.
25. Afghanistan 1919.
26. Deir el Shein.
27. North Africa 1943.
28. Monte delaa Gorgace 1944-45.
29. II Castello 1944-45.
30. Monte Farneto 1944-45.
31. Monte Cavallo 1944-45.
32. Italy 1943-45.
33. Sittang 1942.
34. Kyaukse 1942.
35. Imphal 1942-45.
36. Uitum 1942.
37. Sakawng 1942-45.
38. Shenam Pass 1942-45.
39. Bishenpur 1942-45
40. Tengnoupal 1942-45.
41. Burma 1942-45.
42. Meiktila 1945.
43. Defence of Meiktila 1945.
44. Rangoon Road 1945.
45. Pyawbwe 1945.
46. Pegu 1945.
47. Burma 1945.
Battle Honours – Post Independence
1. Pirkanthi (2/3 GR) 1947-48.
2. Shingo River (5/3 GR) 1971.
—Gen Randhir is an alumnus of RCDS (UK). Three generations and six members of his family have served in 3GR
