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The Gurkhas (Nepali : ) ( or ), also spelled as Gorkhas, are soldiers from Nepal. Historically, the terms "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali," and derived from the hill town and district of Gorkha from which the Kingdom of Nepal expanded.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=BBC News - Who are the Gurkhas? )〕〔Land of the Gurkhas; or, the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, p. 44, by W.B. Northy (London, 1937)〕 Legend has it that the name may be traced to the medieval Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath〔(asianhistory.about.com ) ''Who are the Gorkha?''〕 who has a historic shrine in Gorkha.〔Gorkha District〕 Gurkhas are traditionally recruited from various Nepali hill ethnicities, but do not come from a single group or region in the multi-ethnic country. Although the Gorkhas found in Himachal are mostly from Nepal, there have been reports of non-Nepalese Gorkhas (such as Thai Gorkhas, Naga Gorkhas and Chinese Gorkhas). There are Gurkha military units in the Nepalese, British and the Indian army (''Gorkhas'') enlisted in Nepal. Although they meet many of the requirements of Article 47 of Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions regarding mercenaries, they are exempt under clauses 47(e)&(f) similar to the French Foreign Legion. Gurkhas are closely associated with the khukuri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife and have a well known reputation for their fearless military prowess. The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, once stated that "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha." == Background == During the Gurkha War (1814–1816) between the Gorkha Kingdom in Nepal and the East India Company, the British were impressed by the Gorkhali soldiers, whom they called ''Gurkhas''. Their war cry was and is to this very day: ''Jaya Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali ((ネパール語:जय महाकाली, आयो गोर्खाली))'' (Glory to Great Kali, Gorkhas approach!) In the Peace Treaty it was agreed that Gorkhalis could be recruited to serve under contract in the East India Company's army. Traditionally, recruitment had been only from the Nepali hill groups such as the, Chhetri (Thakuri), Magar and Gurung. These three castes are the original Gurkhas who fought against British. Brahmin, Sherpa/Tamang were not allowed to be recruited in Gurkha army. Today Gurkhas are from all tribes of Nepal including Gurung, Magar, Chhetri (Thakuri), Rai, limbu, Sherpa, Tamang, Newars, etc.〔Kirat〕 Gurkhas were thought to be a ''martial race'' because they were considered to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle; to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness; to be able to work hard for long periods of time; and to fight with tenacity and military strength. Professor Sir Ralph Lilley Turner, MC, who served with the 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles in the First World War, wrote of Gurkhas: 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gurkha」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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