10 Mind-Blowing Feats Performed By Gurkhas
5. The Defence Of Kalunga
One of the earliest encounters the British had with the ferocious Nepalese warriors that would eventually make up the Gurkhas came when the British attempted to take the hill fortress of Kalunga during the Nepal War of 1812.
During the fighting around 520 of the 600 Gurkha stationed at the fortress were killed but, instead of surrendering or running from the battle, the remainder continued to fight valiantly against massive odds in an effort to defend their position into the night and it was not until they were under cover of darkness that the remaining eighty or so retreated.
It was a move which won the warriors great respect from the British and a special monument was erected after the battle that was dedicated to the bravery of the soldiers they had finally managed to best.
It was these fighters who would eventually go on to form the backbone of Britain's own Gurkhas following an agreement that was hashed out with the East India Company in 1815.