After the Nepal war of 1815, the British were so impressed with the military skills of its warriors that they began recruiting units exclusively from Nepal - the Gurkhas. This illustrated book traces the history of one of the world's most famous elite units through to the present day.



The origins of the Gurkhas date back to 1815, when one of the most skilled and determined opponents that the British soldier had to overcome in battle was the Nepalese warrior. The British were so impressed with the military skills of these fighters that they began recruiting units exclusively from Nepal. From this beginning grew the now famous Gurkha units. This volume examines the development of the Gurkhas through the various wars and confrontations of the 19th century, through the First World War, Second World War and the various postwar conflicts including Malaya, Borneo and the Falklands.