March 11, 2026 08:08 am (IST)
Follow us:
First-Third Gorkhas celebrate 200 yrs of foundation
Kolkata, apr 24 (IBNS): The 1st Battalion of the 'Third Gorkha Rifles' (1/3 GR), one of the four pioneering infantry battalions that heralded the legend of Gurkhas as among the bravest warriors of Indian Army, turned 200 on Friday.
A ceremonial event was held on Friday at the Military Station, Sevoke Road, near Siliguri in West Bengal, where the ‘First-Third’, as they are also referred to as celebrated their bicentenary.
The Battalion was initially raised as the ‘Kumaon Provincial Battalion’ on April 24, 2015, under Sir Robert Colquhoum at Hawalbagh, Almora,and eventually became the ‘Third Gorkha Rifles’.
Incidentally, elsewhere in the Northern Sector, the 1st Battalion of the ‘First Gorkha Rifles’ (1/1 GR), which was also raised on this day in 1815, also commemorated its bicentenary.
Celebrations marking the historic commemoration of the ‘First-Third’ that began on April 22, culminated today with several events being held spread across three days.
A war memorial statuette depicting a solitary Gorkha soldier with his head lowered in reverance, palms placed on his reversed rifle, symbolizing paying of homage to his fallen comrades was unveiled by Maj Gen (Retd) OP Sabharwal, the senior most veteran present who also placed the first wreath.
Maj Gen Avinash Singh, Colonel of the Regiment, Col BS Sawian, Commanding Officer and others also placed wreaths at the memorial, which has been specially designed to serve as a mobile memorial to move with the Battalion whenever they relocate.
Later, a Sainik Sammelan was specially convened where nearly 850 veterans including a large number of retired soldiers from Nepal who came in large numbers attended the event sitting alongside serving soldiers and officers of the unit.
A special First Day Cover to mark the Bicentenary of the Battalion issued by the Army Postal Service was also released on the occasion.
Veer Naaris (war widows) of the unit were also among those felicitated at a separate function.
Bonhomie marked the celebrations as Gorkha soldiers, past and present, also lived up to the feisty spirit they are also associated with apart from their fame as soldiers of valour.
The Regimental Brass Band and the Pipe Band of First-Third played out martial tunes on the occasion while the Regimental Song was sung with gusto as the Gorkha soldiers heaved their chests with pride realising they were part of history.
Earlier various events were held in the preceding days that included weapon and tactics display, a fete called ‘pagal gymkhana’ and other traditional ceremonies and festivities where old bonds among comrades, some of them veterans of 1965 and 1971 wars, revived old ties.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
As Iran-US war disrupts global gas supply, India issues guidelines to manage shortages
Tue, Mar 10 2026
Mumbai dentistry student dies by suicide, note alleges mental harassment by boyfriend
Tue, Mar 10 2026
Kolkata: Mamata calls off dharna against SIR after five days, says ‘fight for justice’ will continue
Tue, Mar 10 2026
US: Dance video at WWII Memorial sparks outrage, Indian-origin man may face deportation
Tue, Mar 10 2026
'Most effective answer': Supreme Court says Uniform Civil Code key to ensuring equal rights for women
Tue, Mar 10 2026
Iran war disrupts LPG supplies, restaurants in major Indian cities edge towards shutdown
Tue, Mar 10 2026
‘How dare you question judicial officers?’: SC raps Bengal SIR pleas, orders appellate tribunals for voter list appeals
Tue, Mar 10 2026