The Royal Gurkha Rifles: A unique infantry unit with deep roots in Nepal

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Formed in 1994, the Royal Gurkha Rifles represents a distinct military tradition within the British Army. Composed primarily of soldiers recruited from Nepal, this regiment maintains a global operational footprint, from peacekeeping missions in the Balkans to combat tours in Afghanistan, while bridging cultures through rigorous language training for its officers.

The Royal Gurkha Rifles emerged from the consolidation of four historic Gurkha regiments: the 2nd King Edward VII's Own, the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own, the 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own, and the 10th Princess Mary's Own. This restructuring in 1994 was largely driven by the geopolitical shifts surrounding the United Kingdom's handover of Hong Kong to China. Initially organized into three battalions, the regiment underwent further adjustments, including the 1996 merger of the 3rd Battalion into the 2nd while stationed in Brunei.

A defining characteristic of the regiment is its recruitment base in Nepal, a practice that persists despite the unit serving under British and Commonwealth officers. To ensure effective integration and leadership, all officers are required to undergo specialized language training in Nepal. This commitment to cultural fluency is matched by the unit's operational versatility. In 1995, the regiment achieved a significant milestone when Lieutenant-Colonel Bijaykumar Rawat became the first Nepali officer to command a Gurkha infantry battalion.

The regiment's operational history is extensive, encompassing peacekeeping, rescue, and training missions across Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, and Australia. Furthermore, both battalions participated in combat and mentoring roles during operations in Afghanistan. While a short-lived 3rd Battalion was briefly re-established in 2020 for specialist infantry roles, it was disbanded under the British Army's 'Future Soldier' reforms. Today, the regiment continues its legacy with two active battalions, maintaining a permanent presence in both England and Brunei.

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