The First Gurkha Rifles (1/1 GR) marked its 200 years of military service in New Delhi with officers and other rankers from India and Nepal.
“Hundreds of serving and veteran officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks both from India and Nepal attended the functionâ€, 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.
The unit’s bicentenary celebrations saw various events, starting with a solemn memorial service in honour of the martyrs, including a guard of honour and cultural programme.
Lt. Gen Ravi Thodge, colonel of the regiment, was also 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.
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