Every once in a while everyone finds themselves in a position for great opportunity. Whatever benefit that opportunity brings depends solely on the person experiencing it and whether they are open to it. Many years ago this writer was made aware of a certain knife that originates from Nepal and has a surrounding history of legendary tales when it comes to knife combat. Although during my teens I never saw much interest in said knife; one could not help but be enamored by such rich and colorful history. The knife I write about is the Gurkha Kukri pronounced (Koo-ker-ee). Over the years, I recall several occasions when speaking on the terms of edged weapon combat; colleagues and others praising the Gurkha for their extensive and brutal art of edged weapon craft. I never personally took much stock in the legend and here say; that is until now.
In 2009, this writer came across a Gurkha soldier working with the British in Sierra Leone, Africa. I made good relations with the soldier who by military occupational specialty was a communications man. After getting to know the said individual I decided to reach out and ask about his heritage, the Gurkha history, the Kukri and the Gurkha knife fighting methods. Much to no avail, he claimed to know little about any fighting style and Gurkha history. He went on to talk about the lineage of soldiers or UK Gurkha in his bloodline, but nothing of the Gurkha knife fighting and little of the Kukri. This begat my personal interest in the truth behind the Kukri.
In 2012, my path again crossed with a former British Gurkha. This man was well experienced in the ways of combat and fought as a British Gurkha in the Falklands. He spent nearly 30 years as a soldier for the British. Like any other Gurkha I have met in the past this man named only Rahm for sake of privacy was very disciplined, respectful and pleasant to deal with. He is a friendly acquaintance of mine to this day. However once more after building a strong rapport I began asking the same questions about Gurkha History, his Gurkha soldier lineage, the Kukri and the Fighting style. I learned a great deal from Rahm, except for the Gurkha fighting style. My questions about any alleged fighting style was simply met with a chuckle and comment about the “Kukri Dance”. Upon that response I questioned no more and only assumed; like so many of the Asian martial arts, that practitioners kept the secrets of their art safe from foreigners such as myself.
Only four weeks prior to the writing of this article. This writer came across yet two more Experienced, battle tested Gurkha warriors whom I interact with regularly. Again, I persisted on asking about the Kukri and the fighting method. One of the gentlemen again laughed and began performing a rendition the famed “Kukri Dance” in jest. He tried to explain to me that the Kukri is natural to the Gurkha of Nepal and that they learn to chop and hack from a young age. He insisted that there is no “fighting style”. While the other gentleman; “Mr. Shyam” explained something similar but went even deeper.
He explained that the Kukri is with the Gurkha from childhood. They grow up wielding it, chopping saplings and small trees for fires and slaughtering animals for ritual and survival. Again he insisted that there is “No style”. He simply explained and taught me how to chop at the right direction and angle. He began to teach myself and colleagues about the design of the knife; the specifications, weight and other intricate details. He demonstrated the “Kukri dance”, and began to sing an ethnic song of his own choice to the movements. Mr. Shyam, who I respect very deeply and will remain only as Mr. Shyam for privacy began to truly teach us the purpose, history and dynamics of the Gurkha Kukri. He even agreed to teach us the Kukri dance. I have the Kukri Dance on video, however out of respect for the Gurkhas who have shared their techniques and culture with me I will not exploit it.
Immediately after the short period of instruction; I knew that the information I was learning; no matter how simple must be shared and would make a great article for The Fort Worth Martial Arts Examiner. This article is intended to enlighten fellow martial practitioners whether they be traditional martial artists, soldiers, survivalists or just enthusiasts about the Gurkha and their Kukri. Before we begin on the fighting style and what this writer has learned from real Gurkha warriors, we first need to learn about the warriors themselves. We will also cover some of the misconceptions out there, some deliberate and others unintentional before finishing this edition.
Understand the warrior, understand the weapon
The Gurkha and Kukri are so intertwined that they go together since over 2000 years ago. Since that time period of the seventh century BC Gurkha boys are brought up wielding the Kukri. Most Kukri are hand made to the skill-set and specifications of the wielder; and the Gurkha soldier’s personal Kukri is the weapon of issue along with their firearm. In some cases young men are taught to fabricate their own Kukri by their fathers. Unlike many other warriors or self-professed experts on edged weaponry the average Gurkha uses his knife; not only as a weapon but a survival tool for everything from fire wood procurement to food procurement.
They test their blade’s metal and their own skill on living flesh regularly. This gives the Gurkha a mastery of their weapon system matched by few. The weapon and tool is so entrenched in the Nepalese culture they even have a dance named for it “The Kukri Dance”. These are a simple people who live under harsh conditions in most cases and the fact that they must use their tool for survival and combat in these primitive conditions bring out the martial prowess of both the weapon and the warrior.
The Gurkha warriors have a strict code. “It’s better to die than to be a coward”. In conversation one day my Gurkha friends and I were discussing military strategy and philosophy when I brought up “The Gurkha motto” (mentioned above). My friend a Gurkha tactical commander began to enlighten me. He explained that for the Gurkha soldier; they live to execute orders from their master. He explained to me, “If you are in charge and tell a Gurkha to go down that road (pointing) and kill that man (figuratively focusing his attention on a fictitious man); he will do it. If he does not then he has failed and should die”. Anyone who has worked with these men know how loyal and dedicated they are. Their level of conviction to the mission is humbling.
On Weapon Design and use
The Macedonians invaded India, Nepal and Burma in the seventh century AD time frame. Many believe that this is where the Gurkha got the design of the Kukri. The swords of the time were the Illyrian Thika or the Kopis. Either or perhaps both are believed to have influenced the Kukri design. The interesting part of the Kukri design is that in spite of its unorthodox look, it is quite utilitarian. The forward curve of the blade for example makes this an excellent tool for chopping when it comes to procuring fire wood. The energy of the chop is centered at the inner apex of the curvature of the blade and focuses all the energy to that point for a penetrating chop. This design is also excellent for what the Gurkha warriors are famous for; and that is decapitating one’s enemy.
The making of some of the greatest soldiers in history
The history of the fighting Gurkha can be traced back to 1757 with Clive’s victory at the battle of Plassey. This is where Britain established its foothold in India. Ten years later Britain’s forces came into contact with King Prithvi’s armies along the Indian borders of Bengal and Bihar. The boundary disputes led to numerous encounters with Gurkha columns during raids in British occupied territory. By 1814 The Indian Governor General declared war on Nepal. After two long and very bloody campaigns the British sent an emissary to the capital of Nepal for a peace treaty and truce agreement. Due to a deep respect for the Gurkha fighters whom were able to hold off the better equipped British forces with as little as guerrilla tactics and the famed Kukri; the peace treaty allowed for Gurkha volunteers into the British army. The Gurkha was recognized as fierce adversaries and ideal soldiers.
During the attempted British occupation of Nepal, the British encountered the Gurkha in groups. The British soldiers had fine rifles and were the renowned marksmen of the day. The Gurkha were armed only with Kukris, yet did not cower. Instead they mounted assaults, dodging and weaving through the thickets until they were right on top of the British troops. The British would fix bayonets, but the following account describes the Gurkha tactics:
"When they come near, they suddenly crouch to the ground, drive under the bayonets and strike upward at the men with their knives, ripping them open in a single blow."
Since the truce the Gurkha and their Kukri have served Britain as some of the toughest and most loyal soldiers in the British arsenal. They have served as the 1st, 3rd 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Gurkha Rifles. They have seen battle from India to China and Afghanistan. In 1950 when India became an independent republic the Gurkha forces were divided and thus today's Gurkha s are typically Nepalese, Indian or British, United Kingdom trained.
The only Gurkha regiments in modern British forces are the 7th, 10th and today’s 11th Gurkha Rifles. In 2011 , Gurkha forces were deployed to Afghanistan in support of Great Britain when they came into contact with a high level local Taliban leader. Their mission was to kill or capture. The Taliban leader was killed and the Gurkha were required to bring back proof of the deed for completion of the mission. According to eyewitness accounts; upon ex-filtration from the objective the unit had come under heavy enemy insurgent fire and one of the Gurkha soldiers was carrying the dead Taliban over his shoulder. The fighting became too intense for the Gurkha soldier to carry the dead insurgent leader over his shoulder without him risking his own life. With every good intention of finishing the mission at all cost; the dedicated Gurkha soldier used his Kukri to lop off the head of the already dead insurgent in order to bring proof of his capture or death. For the soldier’s dedicated he faced criminal charges and was nearly court - martial-ed as a result.
Another example of Gurkha edged weapon fighting prowess and valor is the case of Bishnu Shrestha of Baidam; a retired Indian Gurkha soldier who single-handedly fought off 40 train bandits with his Kukri. Shrestha, was on a train well on his way home from voluntary retirement from the Indian Gurkhas when he selflessly stepped forward in defense of an innocent girl about to be raped by vagabond robbers. He killed three and wounded eight, thus holding off the band of rogues on the train. He has since become a living legend.
This concludes this article in The Fort Worth Independent Martial Arts Examiner's 2 part series on The Nepalese Gurkha and their Kukri Fighting methods. Our next edition in this series will discuss the Gurkha kukri fighting methods and techniques or perhaps the lack there of and even more realities and misconceptions surrounding this brave soldier and their exotic weapon. In the mean time this writer will be immersed in unraveling the truth and secrets behind the warrior, the culture and the weapon. Till next time.
