By Denis D. Gray, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
POKHARA, Nepal - Two centuries later, young men are still being drawn from their poverty-stricken Himalayan hills by the thousands to fight and die, with legendary valour, for another man's country.
In an era when the world's armies are hard pressed to fill their ranks, the Gurkhas are a recruiter's dream. Last year, 17,349 applied to join the British military and, after gruelling physical, medical and mental tests 230 were accepted - just one in 75.
These warriors could be regarded as Britain's mercenaries. Good money and adventure are major attractions. But ask almost any Gurkha soldier and he is also likely to talk of history and upholding a tradition of being among the world's finest infantrymen.
This reputation was first acquired in the 19th century, after the British thought it wiser to recruit rather than fight foes who bloodied them badly when they moved northward out of colonial India into Nepal.
From those days, through two world wars to today's Afghanistan, the spine-chilling cry of "Ayo Gurkhali!" - "The Gurkhas are coming!" - has sent enemies quaking. Some have even surrendered rather than face a relentless charge by the rugged soldiers wielding their trademark kukri knives. Read full article
In an era when the world's armies are hard pressed to fill their ranks, the Gurkhas are a recruiter's dream. Last year, 17,349 applied to join the British military and, after gruelling physical, medical and mental tests 230 were accepted - just one in 75.
These warriors could be regarded as Britain's mercenaries. Good money and adventure are major attractions. But ask almost any Gurkha soldier and he is also likely to talk of history and upholding a tradition of being among the world's finest infantrymen.
This reputation was first acquired in the 19th century, after the British thought it wiser to recruit rather than fight foes who bloodied them badly when they moved northward out of colonial India into Nepal.
From those days, through two world wars to today's Afghanistan, the spine-chilling cry of "Ayo Gurkhali!" - "The Gurkhas are coming!" - has sent enemies quaking. Some have even surrendered rather than face a relentless charge by the rugged soldiers wielding their trademark kukri knives. Read full article
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