"If a man says that he is not afraid of death, he is either lying or he is a bitch." - Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army.
Hailing from South Asia, Gurkha soldiers have been recognized throughout history for their loyalty and bravery. They are known to be among some of the fiercest warriors who ever lived.
About 200 years ago, the British noticed how useful Gurkha soldiers could be to them. In 1816, they officially began recruiting Gurkhas, making Nepal Britain's oldest ally in Asia. Later in the mid-19th century, the Gurkhas won over 2,500 awards for their bravery in World War II.
Legend Lachhiman Gurung was a Gurkha soldier who served the British forces in World War II. His heroic actions in the war embodied the spirit of a true Gurkha soldier and earned him the prestigious Victoria Cross.
While in battle, Gurung was at the head of his squad and fought 200 Japanese soldiers alone. Two grenades were thrown at him landing close enough for him to throw them back at the Japanese before they detonated. A third grenade was thrown at him but unfortunately exploded next to his leg, injuring him badly and leaving him bloodied, blind, fingerless and alone. When an ordinary soldier would have given up, Gurung uses his non-dominant hand to reload his rifle and opens fire on the Japanese. The Japanese retreated, forever fearful of the Gurkhas, until Gurung shouted, "Come and fight the Gurkhas!"
Their hand-to-hand combat is like no other, and their weapon of choice is known for being as ferocious as the soldiers themselves.
Gurkha soldier is never seen without his kukri, the national weapon of Nepal.
A kukri is a type of "...curved-bladed machete that was developed in South Asia hundreds of years ago".
The Kukrito can perform the functions of a small blade or even an axe thanks to its shape, which has a narrower blade on the handle and a wider blade on the tip, which can also be used as an all-purpose knife. It usually has a blade length of 10-15 inches, which has proven effective whether you're cutting through trees or chopping an enemy through bone.