Migration is as old as humanity—driven by survival, curiosity, or the promise of a better life. But in today’s world of borders and bureaucracy, migration has also become a negotiation of identity. For Indian Gorkhas, this journey began not with a mass exodus, but through a slow and strategic expansion—organic, layered, and deeply intertwined with the history of the Indian subcontinent.
Long before the formation of India and Nepal as modern nation-states, the Himalayan frontier—Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, parts of Assam and Northeast India—was a tapestry of fluid kingdoms and shared geographies. Darjeeling belonged to Sikkim until it was annexed by Nepal in the late 1700s. Kalimpong was once part of Bhutan. These lands changed hands frequently, and so did the people who lived there. The concept of fixed borders was yet to arrive.
The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816) marked a turning point. Known also as the Gorkha War, it was a clash of empires—Nepal’s expanding kingdom versus the British East India Company. Though Nepal’s Gorkha warriors put up fierce resistance, the war ended with the Treaty of Sugauli. Nepal lost a third of its territory, including Sikkim, Kumaon, and Garhwal, and a new border between India and Nepal was drawn.
This treaty not only redrew maps but also divided communities. Nepali-speaking people suddenly found themselves on either side of a new line. Impressed by the courage and discipline of the Gorkha soldiers they had just fought, the British began recruiting them into the colonial army. By 1815—just a year after the war began—Gorkhas were being enlisted into British regiments.
The recruitment wasn’t limited to soldiers. The British needed hardworking, loyal people for their growing tea plantations and infrastructure projects. Gorkhas from different ethnic backgrounds—Magars, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, and Tamangs—began to migrate into India, drawn by employment and survival.
But this wasn’t just an economic movement. It was the beginning of a cultural shift. As Gorkhas settled across the Indian subcontinent—particularly in the Northeast—they brought their language, values, and traditions, shaping the regions they now call home.
The Northeast Chapter
In Northeast India, the Gorkhas became an integral part of the region’s fabric. Initially employed in tea estates, forests, and border guarding, many eventually moved into farming, administration, and business. They lived and worked in areas that were remote, difficult, and often overlooked.
Over generations, they built lives and communities. Their contribution to the Northeast’s development- economic, cultural, and even political- is both significant and under-documented.
While British opportunities “pulled” Gorkhas into India, there were “push” factors too. Nepal in the 19th and early 20th century was marked by social inequality, rigid caste systems, and economic stagnation. The feudal elite owned most of the land, while ordinary farmers and marginalized ethnic groups had few rights.
The Rana and Shah regimes, while consolidating power, created a system that pushed many to seek dignity and livelihood elsewhere. Crossing into India was not difficult; the Himalayas had always been a porous corridor rather than a hard barrier.
Identity Crisis in Independent India
After independence, India signed the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Nepal, allowing free movement between the two nations. While this ensured ease of travel and trade, it also complicated the citizenship status of Nepali-speaking people.
Even today, many Indian Gorkhas (Nepali speaking Indians) are mistaken for ‘foreigners’. Despite generations of life and service in India—including a decorated history in the Indian Army—Gorkhas continue to battle stereotypes, discrimination, and administrative hurdles.
The confusion is not helped by the fact that mainstream Indian narratives rarely include them. History textbooks do not mention Gorkha contributions, and government records often lump all Nepali-speakers together—regardless of origin or nationality.
In 1992, the Nepali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. It was a symbolic step—but not enough. Its official recognition remains confined largely to Sikkim and parts of West Bengal.
The Gorkha community has long demanded better representation in the Indian national consciousness—not just in political forums, but in history books, civil services, and cultural institutions. They are not asking for favors, but for their rightful place in the Indian story.
Why “300+ Years”?
The phrase “300+ years of Gorkha presence in India” is not poetic license. It’s rooted in evidence—from pre-colonial Himalayan migration patterns to 18th-century settlements in Sikkim, Bhutan, Darjeeling, and the Northeast. Even before formal recruitment or colonial rule, Gorkhas were present in these regions as farmers, traders, and mercenaries.
It’s a history that predates modern borders—and one that has grown, evolved, and endured.
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This article was originally published on www.indiangorkha.com and has been republished with permission from the author. All rights remain with the original author.
About the Author
Shweta Raj Kanwar is a development communication & media specialist, and founder of www.indiangorkha.com, a platform that documents the culture, history, and identity of Indian Gorkhas in simple language. Her writing explores identity, marginalization, and the power of storytelling to reclaim space in public consciousness. She is based out of Meghalaya and Darjeeling. She can be reached at shwetarajkanwar@gmail.com