Oldest Gorkha Battalion in the world celebrates 200 years of raising
25/04/2015
Jammu: First Battalion the First Gorkha Rifles (1/1 GR) celebrated its Bicentenary at Pathankot on 24 April with vigour and zest.
Hundreds of serving and veteran Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks both from India and Nepal attended the function. The Battalion was raised on 24 April 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 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 it's worth by gallant actions in various fields of battle across the world, through the two World Wars, the Indo-Pak wars and in the conflicts of the sub-conventional realm.
Unit's Bicentenary celebrations commenced with a solemn memorial service in honour of the martyrs. Thereafter, a Guard of Honour was presented to Lt Gen Ravi Thodge, Colonel of the Regiment. He also addressed a Special Sainik Sammelan and released a befitting First day cover to commemorate the landmark occasion. Veer Naris and Gallantry Awards winners were also felicitated during the event.
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 grand children to show them the oldest Gorkha Battalion, their home once. The spirit of bonhomie and espirit de corps on display during the course of the re-union was emblematic of the strong ties forged between officers and men alike, in the face of adversity, baptised by fire and having yet emerged triumphant - time and again.
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