1st Gurkha Rifles

1 Gorkha Rifles
The Regimental Insignia of 1 Gorkha Regiment
Active	1815–Present
Country	India
Branch	Army
Type	Rifles
Role	Light Role
Size	6 Battalions
Regimental Centre	Sabathu, Himachal Pradesh
Motto(s)	Kayar Hunu Bhanda Marnu Ramro (Better to die than live like a coward)
Colors	Red; faced white 1886, Rifle—Green; faced red
March	War Cry: Jai Mahakali Ayo Gorkhali (Hail goddess Kali The Gorkhas are here)
Anniversaries	Raising Day (24 April)
Engagements	Jat War First Anglo-Sikh War Indian Rebellion of 1857 Perak War Second Afghan War Burma North-West Frontier Waziristan (1894) Tirah (1897) First World War Third Afghan War Second World War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Decorations	2 Victoria Cross 1 Param Vir Chakra 7 Maha Vir Chakras 16 Vir Chakras 1 Kirti Chakra 3 Shaurya Chakras 1 Yudh Seva Medal 22 Sena Medals
Insignia
Regimental Insignia	A pair of crossed Khukris with the numeral 1 above
Tartan	Childers (1st Bn pipe bags and plaids) Mackenzie HLI (2nd Bn pipe bags and plaids)

1 Gorkha Rifles is a Gorkha infantry regiment of the Indian Army composed of Gurkha soldiers of Nepalese origin, especially martial tribes of Magars and Gurungs. It was originally formed as part of the East India Company's Bengal Army in 1815, later adopting the title of the 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment), however, in 1947, following the partition of India, it was transferred to the Indian Army and in 1950 when India became a Republic, it was redesignated as 1 Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment). The regiment has a long history and has participated in many conflicts, including many of the colonial conflicts prior to Indian independence, as well as the First and Second World Wars. Since 1947 the regiment has also participated in a number of campaigns against Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 as well as undertaking peacekeeping duties as part of the United Nations.

The Gurkha War was fought between the Gorkha kings of Nepal and the British East India Company as a result of border tensions and ambitious expansionism especially into Kumaon, Garwhal and Kangra hills. Although the British East India Company's army defeated the Gorkha army led by General Amar Singh Thapa, they were nevertheless impressed by the skill and courage the Gorkhas had shown during the siege of Malaun fort in Bilaspur. As a result, during the post war settlement a clause was inserted into the Treaty of Sugauli enabling the British to recruit Gorkhas. On 24 April 1815 at Subathu, the East India Company formed a regiment with the survivors of Thapa's army calling it the First Nusseree Battalion. The formation of this unit marks the beginning of the history of the first Gorkha regiment.