Gurkha

The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (), with the endonym Gorkhali (Nepali: गोर्खाली [ɡoɾkʰaːliː]), are soldiers native to South Asia, chiefly residing within Nepal and some parts of North India. The Gurkha units consist of Nepali and (in India) Indian Gorkha, Nepali-speaking Indian people. They are recruited for the Nepali Army (96,000), the Indian Army (42,000), the British Army (4,010), the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force, the Gurkha Reserve Unit of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, and United Nations peacekeeping forces in war zones around the world. Ordinary citizens of the two demographic groups become a Gurkha by applying for, and passing, the selection and training process. Gurkhas have a reputation for fearless military prowess. Indian Army Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw said "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha." Gurkhas are closely associated with the khukuri, a forward-curving knife.