When The British Fought The Gurkhas | Anglo Nepalese War 1814-16

Some years ago whilst trekking through a village in the Himalayan foothills I was approached by a local who explained that grandfather had a letter written in english and that no one in the village could read it, would I read it to them? On reading it I discovered that the old gentleman was an ex British Gurkha and that the letter was informing him that he had been granted a pension. He was ecstatic and I was left feeling extremely privalidged to have given the good news to someone who had served our country.

Whilst working in Germany 50 years ago, I met a retired Gurkha who was working in a Chinese restaurant. He told me he had served 25 years in the British army, so I suggested he must have a good pension. He replied that he received half of what a British serviceman received, and, as a Brit, I wished the ground would swallow me up there and then. I am glad this travesty has now been corrected

I'm so pleased! I was one of the many, I'm sure, that had suggested this might be an interesting topic; having served in Aldershot and worked alongside the Gurkhas there. We owe them more than a lot of people contemplate.

I was so happy to hear this story and learn more about the history of the Gurkhas. When I was younger, my father had a book on them, which I inherited along with his kukri. I must have read that book over and over. My father passed away over 20 years ago and was a former UDT man in the US Navy. I am looking forward to the next installment on British history and what else I can learn. Well done, amigo y gracias!

number of years ago I knew a captain of nursing. Her posting was alongside gurkhas. One night the nursing staff were out on the town and convinced a group of gurkhas to come clubbing with them. A huge fight kicked off in the club. The Gurkhas gathered the nurses in a corner and formed a ring round them facing out. Not one combatant went anywhere near that corner.

What an incredible story, such bravery on both sides. "They are as brave as lions and NEARLY equal to us" classic. Certainly glad that both nations became allies.

Chris, I'm digging the Ghurka videos as much as the Zulu! I am always so glad to see a new video from you. I'm not even British but I dig it, man!

Many thanks for this inspirational story. You too are also an inspiration for many of us! My grandfather fought against the Otterman Turks alongside the Gurkhas during WWI. I still remember how much he respected the "silent" and deadly Gurkhas!

It's an amazing story of mutual respect. Thank you for telling it.

Thanks Chris. Loved this story and insight into the Gurkhas.

Excellent presentation History Chap! Thank you for posting. I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter. I was unaware of the war between the British Empire and the Gurkhas in 1814. As you stated, the Napaloeonic war was going on, which seemingly overshadowed this war in history. I learned of the Gurkhas when I became interested in WWII while growing up in the 70s. I have learned more about them over the years, mostly about their service in the Pacific Campaign against the Japanese. I'm pleased to see their history and their legacy getting the recognition they so richly deserve.

Best day's work the British Army ever did, in many ways. We learned about the Gurkhas and made friends with them. Now they are the best friends and bravest comrades our country has EVER had.

I am bedazzled by your skills. Your craftsmanship in weaving together your history stories is masterful. Well done.

Great history, I had never heard the details before. Glad the gurkhas are on our side! Fearless fighters!

Fascinating tale, Chris, and told with your usual panache. I loved it.

I've been eagerly awaiting this one and wasn't disappointed! I've worked with Guhrkas a couple of times, really great and genuinely humble men. Thanks Chris 👍

Another great story! Thanks Chris!

Looking forward to this one, as my dad and grandad had alot of respect for the gurkhas. They served with them during WWII

MY GOD, was I certainly so happy to have THIS be your next video, Chris dear chap, cos while I've certainly known extremely full well about the legendary bravery and loyalty of the amazing Gurkhas of Nepal during their 200 years of service with us Brits, I've known absolutely NOTHING, zero, zilch, for all this long time about the very war which began that very adventure and service in the first place, being of course the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16, the only time we fought each other. And WOW, I mean WOOOOOOWWWW, and I not only refer that to the facts I've now newly gained, again thanks to you- seriously, THANK YOU for doing the Dad's Army video that you did which allowed me to find you in the first place, I would NEVER have found and come to just LOVE your amazing channel so so much otherwise-, but also what you've revealed about the certainly almost incredible to believe facts about Robert Rollo Gillespie, who I TOTALLY say you have GOT to do a video about, I SO wanna know EVERYTHING about what happened to him in his military years before meeting his death against the Gurkhas, please PLEASE do HIM for sure, YES, sir. And btw, I checked out your video from a year or so ago about the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, the war which lasted literally just under three quarters of an hour, the other night, and once again I was just absolutely wowed by what I learned of it, 500 of the defiant enemy Sultan's men killed during those 38 minutes of war and just one of our naval men wounded but survived, and all because of stubbornness to not want to end the slave trade which was still going on in that region at the time. So that's another of your earlier videos finally seen by me, and the fact that that happened two years before the big event of the Spanish-American in Cuba would kick off...

/Hi Chris. Loved the video. I have a great love and respect for the Gurkhas. I have heard many tales of their bravery and the respect everybody has for them. One snippet that I heard, a number of times, was that of when the Gurkhas were around, you better have your boot laces ties correctly, especially on guard duty. Great men and even great soldiers.