User:Avnish6900

THE GORKHA IN JAMMU.

The Gorkhas in Jammu & Kashmir have a deep-rooted historical connection that began in the 18th century, when they were invited by the Dogra rulers, who governed the region. The Dogra kingdom maintained strong ties with Nepal, fostering the migration of Gorkhas, many of whom served as soldiers in the Jammu & Kashmir State Forces. Their contributions in battles such as the Battle of Hunza and the World Wars are well remembered, as well as their resistance during the Pakistani invasion of 1947.

The Gorkhas have long been recognized for their martial tradition, and many continued to serve in the Indian Army after India’s independence in 1947. Despite their history of service, the community faced challenges in gaining permanent resident status in Jammu & Kashmir. However, the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special status, brought new hope to the Gorkha community, as they anticipated being granted domicile rights. This would allow them to secure government jobs and educational opportunities, rights they had previously been denied.

A prominent historical link between Nepal and the Dogra dynasty was the marriage of Maharaja Dr. Karan Singh to Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi, daughter of General Sharda Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, from the influential Rana family of Nepal. The Gorkhas who resided in Kashmir until the 1990s faced hardships during the insurgency and were forced to flee due to Islamist terrorism. Today, many Gorkhas live in a densely populated area known as Gorkha Colony in Jammu city, still seeking recognition and rights as full residents of the region.