First Battalion the Fourth Gorkha Rifles

150 Years of Valour and Service

4th Gorkha Rifles has a proud and distinguished history spanning 150 years, marked by courage, glory, and selfless service to the nation. Renowned for its battlefield heroism and unwavering discipline, the Regiment occupies a place of honour in the annals of the Indian Army.

Raising and Early Campaigns

The Regiment was raised as an “Extra Regiment” at Pithoragarh on 6 August 1857 under the command of Lt. D. Macintyre. It holds the distinction of being the last battalion raised under the rule of the East India Company in India.

The transformation from a newly raised unit into a seasoned fighting force was swift. The Regiment proved its mettle during the First and Second Afghan Wars, earning a reputation for steadfast bravery and operational excellence. Since 1953, the Regimental Centre has been located at Subathu. Today, the Regiment comprises five battalions.

Leadership and Transition

Prior to India’s independence, only British officers served in the Gorkha Regiments. A historic milestone was achieved in 1955 when Brigadier Moti Sagar became the first Indian Colonel of the Regiment, succeeding General Lentaigne. This transition symbolized the growing Indian leadership within the armed forces.

Operational Excellence

Over the decades, the Regiment and its affiliated Rashtriya Rifles battalion have distinguished themselves in numerous military operations:

• The First Battalion spearheaded the relief operation of the garrison at Punch.
• The Second Battalion, alongside 2 Grenadiers, captured Gurais and Kanzalwan, effectively sealing the enemy’s northern route into the Kashmir Valley.
• During the 1962 Chinese aggression, the Third Battalion operated in Ladakh while the First Battalion was deployed to NEFA.
• In the 1965 Indo-Pak War, two battalions saw active engagement.
• During subsequent conflicts, the First, Second, and Third Battalions fought bravely on the western front in Jammu & Kashmir.

Particularly noteworthy was the magnificent stand of the Third Battalion on the world’s highest battlefield, where it inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and successfully repelled repeated attacks — a glorious chapter in the Regiment’s history.

All battalions have also played active roles in counter-insurgency operations across the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab, demonstrating versatility and resilience.

International and Sporting Achievements

The Second Battalion earned the distinction of being the first Indian battalion to participate in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, representing India on the global peacekeeping stage.

The Regiment has also excelled beyond the battlefield. Lt. Col. Puran Bahadur Thapa of the Third Battalion represented India in football at the Melbourne Olympics. Sub Dhan Bahadur of the Fifth Battalion brought laurels to the nation by winning a Silver Medal at the Asian Boxing Championship, a Bronze Medal at the SAF Games in Dhaka (1985), and another Bronze Medal at the Asian Games in Seoul (1987).

Legacy of Leadership

Despite being a relatively small Regiment of five battalions, the Fourth Gorkha Rifles has produced a remarkable number of senior officers who have held prestigious appointments within the Indian Army — a matter of immense pride for the Regiment.

Commemorative Postage Stamp: 150th Raising Day

To honour 150 years of gallantry, dedication, and distinguished service, the Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp marking the 150th Raising Day of the First Battalion of the 4th Gorkha Rifles. The stamp stands as a tribute to the indomitable spirit and heroic legacy of this illustrious Regiment.