The recruitment of Nepali nationals, specifically the Gorkhas, into British military forces during the colonial era and its aftermath represents a significant and ongoing issue in the history of Nepal’s sovereignty. This issue, which was reignited by the National Sovereignty Movement led by Padam Bahadur Gurung, is rooted in the historical injustices that arose from colonial exploitation, the Martial Races Theory, and the subsequent consequences for Nepal’s sovereignty. Gurung’s assertion, “This is not just about compensation. It’s about sovereignty, justice, and addressing a historical crime against Nepal,” highlights the urgency of confronting the historical exploitation of Nepali soldiers who were forcefully recruited and deployed to fight in conflicts far beyond Nepal’s borders. As a direct consequence of this colonial legacy, Nepal’s sovereignty has been compromised, and its Gorkha soldiers have faced cultural exploitation, economic dependency, and legal violations under international humanitarian law (IHL).
This article delves into the historical roots, legal perspectives, cultural exploitation, and the impacts of the Martial Races Theory to explore the longstanding consequences of this injustice. By examining the dynamics of British colonial rule, Nepal’s sovereignty, and the enduring legacy of the Martial Races Theory, this piece presents a comprehensive analysis of the Gorkha issue and its calls for justice, reparations, and recognition on the international stage.
The Martial Races Theory: A Colonial Construct of Loyalty and Power
The Martial Races Theory emerged after the Indian Uprising of 1857 as a strategic construct aimed at categorizing certain ethnic and social groups as naturally predisposed to military service. This theory was designed to reinforce colonial governance, regulate military recruitment, and establish racial hierarchies. The British, viewing certain ethnicities, such as Gorkhas, Sikhs, Jats, Pathans, and Punjabi Muslims, as “martial races”, claimed these groups were inherently strong, loyal, and warlike. On the other hand, educated and politically active groups like Bengalis were classified as non-martial races—considered effeminate and disloyal to the British Crown.
The theory justified the selective recruitment of these "martial races" into the British Indian Army, particularly from regions such as Punjab, Nepal, and the North-West Frontier Province. According to this theory, groups like the Gorkhas were ideal for military service, perceived as loyal subjects of the British Empire, while those deemed non-martial, such as the Bengalis, were excluded from military service. This racialized perspective has had a profound impact on the legacy of colonial military practices in South Asia, perpetuating social inequalities and divisions that continue to shape the region today.
Colonial Exploitation of Gorkhas and Nepal’s Compromised Sovereignty
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The legal violations and cultural exploitation suffered by Gorkhas in colonial India were not limited to the Martial Races Theory alone. The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) marked the beginning of Nepal’s forced involvement in British military endeavors. During this war, Nepali soldiers were captured and coerced into British service, which violates the Third Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war. Chair of Himal Pratisthan and Advocate Amrit Kharel, an expert in international law, points out that the Sugauli Treaty (1815), which was imposed by the British after the war, was illegal under international law. The treaty was enforced under duress and lacked legitimacy, creating a legal framework for the recruitment of Nepali soldiers that has remained a source of historical injustice.
Kharel argues that the recruitment of Nepali youths—including minors—into the British military was not only morally wrong but also illegally violated child protection laws and United Nations principles. He compares the recruitment of Nepali soldiers to other historical injustices, such as the Japanese use of comfort women during World War II, and calls for reparations similar to those given to Kenya’s Mau Mau community for British colonial-era atrocities. He highlights the injustice that continues today, as Nepali soldiers were forced to fight in World Wars I and II—conflicts that had no bearing on Nepal’s sovereignty and were in direct violation of IHL principles such as necessity and proportionality.
Cultural Exploitation and the Legacy of Militarized Masculinity
The Martial Races Theory not only fostered racial exploitation but also led to cultural imperialism, particularly regarding the treatment of Gorkhas as martial subjects. Cultural expert Ram Kumar Rai sheds light on how Nepali soldiers were recruited based on their physical strength, yet were deprived of the necessary cultural and educational development. He argues, “This is not just a Lahure movement; it must be a movement of all Nepalis.” Rai’s critique of the Martial Races Theory suggests that the British glorified the physical prowess of Gorkhas, yet ignored their cultural and educational needs, resulting in the marginalization of entire communities.
The recruitment of Gorkha soldiers led to economic dependency in Nepal, as soldiers sent abroad often sent remittances back to their families, but this did little to develop the community's educational and economic structures. Furthermore, these soldiers were often separated from their families for years, which undermined their social cohesion and kept entire generations from developing the skills necessary for social mobility.
Nepal’s Sovereignty and the Legal Struggle for Justice
The erosion of Nepal’s sovereignty over the years has been a direct result of British policies, with Gorkha recruitment symbolizing this ongoing colonial legacy. Rabindra Bhattarai, the chairman of the Samajik Nyaya Pragyik Niketan, explains that Nepal’s sovereignty has been systematically compromised since the infiltration of the East India Company. Bhattarai emphasizes that even though Nepal’s constitution defines the nation as sovereign, the recruitment of Nepali soldiers into foreign military services continues without any international treaties governing this practice.
He highlights the contradiction in Nepal’s political framework, arguing that if Nepali scientists need government approval to accept international awards, then why is it that Nepali soldiers can be recruited by foreign military powers without any oversight from the Nepali government? Bhattarai coined the phrase, “We are not sovereign; we are sovereign illusions” (Sarba-bhrama, not Sarbabhauma), to emphasize that Nepal’s sovereignty has been undermined by colonial powers, and this illusion persists even today.
The National Sovereignty Movement: A Call for Justice and Action
On November 27, 2014, the National Sovereignty Movement, led by Padam Bahadur Gurung, convened a crucial press meet in Kathmandu after submitting a memorandum to the British Prime Minister, via the British Ambassador to Nepal, and Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, demanding the establishment of a high-powered bilateral committee to raise awareness about the continued exploitation of Nepali soldiers by foreign military forces. Gurung emphasized the need to establish the high-powered bilateral committee consisting of former prime ministers, chief justices and military chiefs, from both Nepal and Britain. The movement highlights that over 80,000 Nepali lives were lost during the World Wars, and it is no longer just a question of compensation—it is about justice and the restoration of Nepal’s sovereignty.
Gurung’s statement, “This is not just about compensation. It’s about sovereignty, justice, and addressing a historical crime against Nepal,” encapsulates the core demand of the movement. The movement also calls for international legal reforms to address the recruitment of Gorkhas into foreign military services and ensure Nepal's sovereignty is upheld in global military governance.
A Call for Global Justice and Legal Reforms
The recruitment of Nepali soldiers into foreign military forces, especially under British colonial rule, represents a deep injustice that continues to affect Nepal’s sovereignty and the rights of its citizens. The Martial Races Theory, rooted in racialized exploitation, perpetuated the glorification of certain ethnic groups while marginalizing others, leading to enduring economic, social, and legal inequalities.
Legal experts, cultural critics, and social justice advocates like Advocate Amrit Kharel, Ram Kumar Rai, and Rabindra Bhattarai have called for legal recognition, reparations, and international legal frameworks that would protect Nepal’s sovereignty and ensure the proper compensation for Gorkha soldiers. The time for justice is long overdue, and this issue must be addressed through international legal reforms, including the creation of bilateral treaties, to ensure that Nepal’s sovereignty is no longer compromised.
This is not just a question of financial compensation: it is about correcting historical wrongs and upholding the dignity of Nepal and its people on the global stage.
