In January 2012 the BBC News reported that the British Ministry of Defense had announced major job cuts in the British Army. According to the chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society, Major Tikendra Dal Dewan, these retrenchments were about to affect the Gurkha Brigade the most. During the past decades, the Brigade has repeatedly been faced with several problems of similar kind. The working conditions of the Gurkha soldiers have always been very poor compared to those of their fellow soldiers serving the British Army, which becomes most obvious when looking at the different incomes: a Gurkha soldier earns only around one third of the salary of a British soldier. Furthermore, their pension is by far not as high as the pension of those former soldiers being of British origin.
Additionally, once retired, they were not allowed to stay in Great Britain with their families for a long time. Instead, they were sent back to Nepal. In the face of all the inequities and disadvantages the Gurkhas have been experiencing over the last decades, the question arises, why the British Army is still able to recruit Gurkha soldiers to such an extend?
The name Gurkha, also Gorkha or Goorkha, is derived from the Nepali word ‘“Gorkhali”’. Gorkha, literally signifying ‘Defender of cows’, means a man of Mongolian ancestry, from the ancient princedom of Gorkha about fifty miles to the west of Kathmandu, whose King, Prithivi Narayan Shah, constituted the Gorkhali army.
Surely, not all Nepalese soldiers had or have Gurkhali ancestors in their families. Nevertheless, the label ‘Gurka’ is uniquely used for all Nepalese soldiers who serve the British Army. Using a certain variety of spellings, the military still continues to label the ethnically diverse group of Nepali soldiers as Gurkha and by doing so manifests the term as a stereotypical designation that was obviously shaped by western imagination.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- I. Introduction
- II. Traditional, Economic and Social Aspects that Shall be Considered as Reasons for Serving in the British Army
- III. Current Events
- IV. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the reasons why young Nepalese men continue to join the British Army, despite historical inequities and disadvantages faced by Gurkha soldiers. The analysis considers the enduring appeal of the Gurkha tradition, the economic opportunities offered by army service, and the social factors influencing recruitment.
- The enduring legacy and tradition of Gurkha service in the British Army.
- The economic incentives and opportunities for employment in Nepal.
- Social pressures and familial expectations contributing to recruitment.
- The historical context of Gurkha recruitment and the Anglo-Nepalese War.
- The evolving image of the Gurkhas in British society and media.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the paradox of continued Gurkha recruitment into the British Army despite historical and ongoing disparities in pay, pensions, and post-service benefits. The chapter uses a BBC News report on job cuts as a springboard to discuss the persistent inequalities faced by Gurkha soldiers. It introduces the historical context of Gurkha involvement with the British Army, tracing it back to the Anglo-Nepalese War and the subsequent treaty that established the recruitment system. The chapter also touches upon the complexities of the term "Gurkha," highlighting its stereotypical nature and its evolution as a designation for Nepalese soldiers in British service. The introduction establishes the central question the paper aims to answer: why do young Nepalese men continue to seek enlistment, given these historical and ongoing challenges?
II. Traditional, Economic and Social Aspects that Shall be Considered as Reasons for Serving in the British Army: This chapter delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the continued recruitment of Gurkha soldiers. It examines the powerful influence of tradition, noting that for many Nepalese, serving in the British Army is a deeply ingrained cultural practice passed down through generations. The chapter highlights the role of familial legacy and the idolization of Gurkha fathers by their sons as a significant motivator for enlistment. Furthermore, it addresses the crucial economic dimension, emphasizing the lack of employment opportunities in Nepal and the relatively lucrative nature of Gurkha service as a means of escaping poverty and securing a better future. The chapter uses examples like Arjun Rana's Facebook profile picture to illustrate the potent combination of traditional pride and economic necessity driving young men to seek enlistment.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Gurkha soldiers, British Army, recruitment, Nepal, Anglo-Nepalese War, tradition, economic opportunity, social factors, historical inequities, Gurkha Brigade.
Frequently Asked Questions: Reasons for Nepalese Recruitment into the British Army
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper analyzes the reasons why young Nepalese men continue to join the British Army, despite historical inequities and disadvantages faced by Gurkha soldiers. It explores the enduring appeal of the Gurkha tradition, economic opportunities, and social factors influencing recruitment.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the enduring legacy and tradition of Gurkha service, the economic incentives and opportunities in Nepal, social pressures and familial expectations, the historical context of Gurkha recruitment (including the Anglo-Nepalese War), and the evolving image of the Gurkhas in British society and media.
What does the introduction chapter cover?
The introduction highlights the paradox of continued Gurkha recruitment despite historical and ongoing disparities. It uses a BBC News report as a starting point, introduces the historical context (Anglo-Nepalese War and subsequent treaty), and discusses the complexities of the term "Gurkha." The central question is established: why do young Nepalese men continue to enlist despite challenges?
What are the key arguments presented in Chapter II (Traditional, Economic and Social Aspects)?
Chapter II delves into the multifaceted reasons for continued recruitment. It examines the strong influence of tradition (familial legacy), the crucial economic dimension (lack of opportunities in Nepal and lucrative army service), and illustrates how traditional pride and economic necessity intertwine to motivate enlistment (e.g., using examples like Arjun Rana's Facebook profile picture).
What are the chapter summaries provided?
Summaries are given for the Introduction and Chapter II. The Introduction sets the scene, highlighting the paradox of continued recruitment despite inequalities and introducing the historical context. Chapter II focuses on the traditional, economic, and social factors driving enlistment, emphasizing the interplay of cultural legacy and economic necessity.
What keywords are associated with this research?
The keywords include Gurkha soldiers, British Army, recruitment, Nepal, Anglo-Nepalese War, tradition, economic opportunity, social factors, historical inequities, and Gurkha Brigade.
What is the overall structure of the document preview?
The preview provides a comprehensive overview including the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It's designed to give a clear understanding of the paper's scope and content.
- Quote paper
- Anne Lipp (Author), 2014, The Impact of the British Empire in Nepal, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/345084
