9th Gorkha Rifles
Active1817 – Present
Country India
Branch Indian Army
TypeRifles
Size5 Battalions
Regimental CentreVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh
Motto(s)Kafar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Niko काफर हुनु भन्दा मर्नु निको (Better to die than live like a coward)
ColorsRed faced yellow
1894 Dark Green; faced black
MarchWar Cry: Jai Maha Kali, Ayo Gorkhali (Hail Goddess Kali, The Gorkhas are here)
Decorations3 Victoria Cross
5 Maha Vir Chakras
17 Vir Chakras
7 Shaurya Chakras
13 Sena Medals
1 Ashoka Chakra
Battle honoursPost Independence Phillora,
Kumarkhali and
Dera Baba Nanak
Commanders
Colonel of
the Regiment		Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla
Insignia
Regimental InsigniaA pair of crossed Khukris with the numeral 9 below
Chhetri or gorkhas

The 9th Gorkha Rifles is a Gorkha infantry regiment of the Indian Army and, previously, the British Army. The regiment was initially formed by the British in 1817, and was one of the Gurkha regiments transferred to the Indian Army after independence as part of the tripartite agreement in 1947. This Gorkha regiment mainly recruits soldiers who come from Nepal's Gorkhali Kshatriya community i.e. the Chhetri and Thakuri clans. Domiciled Indian Gorkhas are also recruited, and they form about 20 percent of the regiment's total strength. The 9 Gorkha Rifles is one of the seven Gorkha regiments of the Indian Army. The other regiments are 1 GR, 3 GR, 4 GR, 5 GR (FF), 8 GR and 11 GR.

History

Pre-independence

The history of the 9th Gorkha Rifles dates back to 1817, when it was raised as the "Fatehgarh Levy"; this designation was changed the following year to the "Mynpoory Levy". In 1823, the unit became the 1st Battalion, 32nd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry, although this only last until 1824 when it was renamed the "63rd Regiment", and was formed as a regular unit as part of the Bengal Native Infantry. After the reorganisations that took place in the aftermath of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the regiment's designation was changed to the "9th Bengal Native Infantry" in 1861;[1] at this time one of its companies was formed by Gorkhas and the others by hillmen. By then the regiment had fought at Bhartpur and in the difficult Battle of Sobraon in the First Anglo-Sikh War.[citation needed]

By 1893, the regiment became a wholly Gorkha unit of Khas origin, accepting only those who were more closely linked to Hindu ways as compared to the Buddhist ways. In 1903, the regiment was designated as the 9th Gurkha Rifles.[2]

9 GR fought in World War I in Europe,[3] and in the inter war years took part in the operations on the North-West Frontier.[4]

Soldiers of the 9 Gorkhas formed part of the command of Brigadier General Reginald Dyer which fired into the crowd at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.[5]

Soldiers from 2/9 GR in Malaya, October 1941

In World War II, the regiment's battalions fought in Malaya,[6] Italy, and North Africa.[7] The 3/9 GR and 4/9 GR formed part of the Chindit operations in Burma,[8] and earned a reputation in the long range penetration operations.[citation needed]

Post-independence

India gained its independence in 1947 and 9th Gorkha Rifles was one of six Gurkha regiments (out of 10) allocated to the Indian Army as part of the Tripartite Agreement between Britain, India and Nepal.[9][10] Since 1947 the regiment has fought in the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1/9 GR fought under the most demanding conditions on the Namka Chu in (Arunachal Pradesh).[citation needed]

The battalions of the regiment were involved in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.[citation needed]

Designations

British and Indian officers 9th Gurkhas at their headquarters (Photo 24-59) in France. July 1915
Gorkhas from the Khas or Kus tribe

The regiment has existed since 1817 under the following designations:[citation needed]

Battle honours

The battle honours of the 9th Gorkha rifles are:[11]

Uniforms

As the 9th Regiment of Bengal Infantry red coats with yellow facings were worn. In 1894 the newly renamed 9th (Gurkha Rifles) Bengal Infantry were issued with what was to become the standard Gurkha parade and cold weather uniform of rifle green, with puttees, silver insignia, black metal buttons and black facings. The headdress was a round black Kilmarnock cap with a badge of crossed kukris over the numeral 9. Pipers for the 1st Battalion wore a green plaid while the 2nd Battalion were granted the Duff clan tartan by a colonel of that name.[12] The broad brimmed "Kashmir" slouch hat[13] was adopted by the 9th Gurkha Rifles in July 1902.[14] It continued in use with khaki drill service dress as general wear by all ranks in winter and summer, between the two world wars.[15]

Victoria Cross recipients

Notable members

References

Citations
  1. ^ "9th Gurkha Rifles". Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and the Commonwealth. Archived from the original on 13 January 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  2. ^ Carman 1969, p. 210.
  3. ^ Parker 2005, pp. 102–103.
  4. ^ Punjab disturbances, April 1919; compiled from the Civil and military gazette. Lahore Civil and Military Gazette Press. 9 April 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ^ Punjab disturbances, April 1919; compiled from the Civil and military gazette. Lahore Civil and Military Gazette Press. 9 April 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ Cross & Gurung 2007, p. 37.
  7. ^ Parker 2005, pp. 164 &210.
  8. ^ Allen 2000, pp. 351 & 353.
  9. ^ Cross & Gurung 2007, pp. 169–171.
  10. ^ Parker 2005, p. 224.
  11. ^ Singh 1993.
  12. ^ Carman 1969, pp. 210–211.
  13. ^ Mollo, Boris (1981). The Indian Army. p. 129. ISBN 0-7137-1074-8.
  14. ^ Carman 1969, p. 211.
  15. ^ Nicholson, J.B.R. (15 June 1974). The Gurkha Rifles. pp. 33–34. ISBN 0-85045-196-5.
  16. ^ Parker 2005, p. 392.
  17. ^ Parker 2005, p. 393.
  18. ^ Parker 2005, p. 210.
  19. ^ "Obituaries: Stafford Beer". The Telegraph. 28 August 2002. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Indian Army Infantry Regiments
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