Gurkha

American  

[gur-kuh, goor-] / ˈgɜr kə, ˈgʊər- /

noun

plural

Gurkhas,

plural

Gurkha

1. a member of a Rajput people, Hindu in religion, who achieved dominion over Nepal in the 18th century.

2. a Nepalese soldier in the British or Indian army.

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Gurkha British  

/ ˈɡɜːkə, ˈɡʊəkɑː /

noun

1. a member of a Hindu people, descended from Brahmins and Rajputs, living chiefly in Nepal, where they achieved dominance after being driven from India by the Muslims

2. a member of this people serving as a soldier in the Indian or British army

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Etymology

Origin of Gurkha

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

He was in one with a Gurkha unit, but continued to film.

From BBC • Aug. 15, 2025

For centuries, Nepali nationals were recruited by the British army to fight as famed Gurkha soldiers and later by India when it gained independence from Britain.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024

Magar was born in a remote mountain village in Nepal and later was recruited by the British army as a Gurkha.

From Washington Times • May 23, 2023

“Gurkha veteran, Hari Budha Magar creates history … as the first ever double above-knee amputee to scale Mt Everest,” the Gurkha Brigade said in a twitter post.

From Reuters • May 21, 2023

The only other elements in the army were four Gurkha regiments, enlisted from Nepal, and the local Punjab irregular force.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various