The historic journey of Gurkhas into UN peacekeeping began almost 80 years ago, right after World War II. As of 2023, this legacy continues; the nation stands as the largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions, with 6,247 personnel serving.
Synonym for Nepal, the brave Gurkhalis have fought in some of the most demanding military campaigns. They are renowned for discipline and loyalty and have paved the way for the country to participate in major United Nations peacekeeping missions. With their legendary military achievements on the battlefield, they have made the nation one of the leading contributors to global peace in the modern world.
From the Hills to the Battlefields
It all began in the early 19th century when the Anglo-Nepal War on November 1, 1814, saw the British East India Company face the formidable combat skills of the Gurkhas. Despite being enemies, respect grew between the British and the Gurkhas. After the signing of the Sugauli Treaty in 1816, the British began recruiting Gurkha soldiers for their fighting abilities.
They served in numerous conflicts, such as the Indian Sepoy Rebellion of 1857. Over 250,000 Gurkhas served in different theatres during both World Wars, from the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of Burma, earning them thousands of medals for valour and suffering significant casualties.
Institutionalisation of the Gurkhas
The Rana regime (1846–1951) formalised the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers. Jung Bahadur Rana, the then prime minister, sent the soldiers to assist the British in the Indian Mutiny of 1857, thus earning a strategic alliance. The Ranas permitted and promoted the recruitment of Nepali men into the British Indian Army. The 1923 Nepal-Britain Treaty of Friendship then codified the relation between the two nations, which acknowledged Nepal as sovereign and legitimised Gurkha recruitment.
The Ranas received subsidies, and Gurkha service turned out to be a major aspect of the nation’s overseas military; tens of thousands served throughout the world wars.
Entry into UN Peacekeeping
Eventually, when Nepal provided 5 military observers to Lebanon as part of the United Nations in 1958, its formal participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations commenced. This initiative started a history of association with UN peace operations that has spanned more than half a century.
United Nations Emergency Force II (UNEF II) fielded the first sizeable Nepali battalion, the Purano Gorakh Battalion, to Egypt in 1974. Since then, many who were influenced by Gurkha have participated in over 44 UN missions in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Along with infantry forces, the soldiers have been part of specialised units, including engineers, medical teams and special operations, working in some of the most difficult and hazardous conditions.
As of 2025 the nation stands as the largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping missions, with 5,912 personnel serving in some of the most troubled regions globally. They have even pledged to provide up to 10,000 peacekeepers if the UN requires additional support.
Each peacekeeper goes through meticulous training to be well-equipped to handle conflict in the most difficult corners of the world. The Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, in Kavre, prepares them with physical training and addressing etiquette.
The Faces and Forces of Change
Behind every deployment statistic is an overlooked human story. Consider Captain Poonam Khadka, a senior medical officer who recently returned from the blistering heat of Darfur, Sudan, where she had to navigate challenges only a few could imagine. Her duties were a mix of a delicate balance: ensuring care for the patients in the field hospital while spearheading health promotion campaigns in the affected communities, including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
More than a mere path of service, her journey is a process of successful rehabilitation. As the gender focal person for her contingent, Captain Khadka took on the responsibility to ensure women and children in the camps understood the importance of hygiene in preventing waterborne diseases.
“Coming from a society where many women are still waiting for opportunities, I am proud to see Nepali women stepping beyond those barriers. We are proving that courage and compassion know no boundaries.” She says proudly and adds, “It’s not just about peacekeeping; it’s about showcasing the strength and resilience of our people.”
Poonam is one of the 10% of Nepal’s peacekeeping women personnel, but the number is steadily rising. Unbound by gender norms, over 2,500 have joined the mission so far.
More Than Just Patriotism
To most soldiers, becoming part of UN peacekeeping missions is not only patriotic or keeping the rest of the world peaceful but also a solid career prospect.
The basic salary paid to peacekeepers is approximately USD 1,200 per month, supplemented by allowances given through the Nepal Army Welfare Trust, amounting to more than USD 1,100. It constitutes an enormous leap forward compared to the basic salary of the Nepal Army, which lies between 180 and 280 USD.
Moreover, paid in US dollars, peacekeepers have excellent insurance and benefits, such as pensions and family assistance supported in part by UN reimbursements. These perks offer more security in the long run than a typical army service.
Similarly, the military as a profession and the fact that one represents one’s nation overseas are often associated with honour and prestige.
Sacrifice and Legacy Beyond Borders
But with greater opportunities come even greater risks. So, peacekeeping has not been without sacrifice. Seventy-three Nepali peacekeepers have lost their lives, with 68 others injured, since the first deployment. These costs of peacekeeping do not hit the headlines but remain in the hearts of many families and the nation.
Yet, it is precisely this sacrifice that defines Nepal’s peacekeeping story, a story not of grand celebrations or loud applause, but of courage and determination. Ordinary people step into extraordinary roles to bring hope to the world’s most fragile corners.
For them, peace isn’t just a mission; it’s a way of life, shaped by resilience, compassion, and an unshakeable sense of duty. While medals serve as recognition, their legacy lies in the lives they change.
Pratikshya Bhatta is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.