The Gurkhas: Settlement and Society (With Reference to Shillong, 1867-1969)

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The history of the British Period in India, though rich and enlightening, is however devoid of its completeness for one finds little mention about the Gurkhas who were once the pillar of the British defensive set-up in India. This is perhaps due to lack of research work on this particular community whose settlement in various parts of India started on a large scale owing to their recruitment in the British Indian army. After the independence of India the British rule came to an end but these hardy mountaineers who once formed the bulwark of the British defensive set- up remained settled intact in various parts of India. Yes it is true that books on the recruitment policies of the British with regard to this particular martial race are to be found but what is more important is the fact as to what happened to the Gurkhas settled in various parts of India where the British had established cantonments.

This particular book is an attempt to project as to how the settlement of the Gurkhas started in Shillong and what sort of social and cultural development took place within this particular community settled there. The author has taken pains to provide documentary evidences to these facts with the hope that some more would emerge with regard to this particular community from other regions as well, and in the process help researchers to construct a reliable history of this particular community.

SANJAY RANA (b. 1967) is at present Principal, BBS College, Shillong. He had presented his study in nutshell in a seminar organised by the Department of Sociology, NEHU, in 2001. [International Seminar on the Nepalese in India with reference to North-East India (ASNINC)].

The history of Gurkha settlement in Shillong is basically linked with the British penetration and inroad into the Khasi and Jaintia Hills and establishment of Shillong as their administrative centre. As the Gurkhas were part of British defensive setup in India, the welfare of the Gurkhas were of great importance to the British. Great care was taken about them which is highlighted by the fact that their command was never ever given to an Indian Officers and were kept in isolated cantonment.

The attitude of the British and constant movement of Gurkha troops while in service gave rise to the necessity of a permanent station where the Gurkha pensioners, families of the serving personnels and reserves could settle down. The ultimate result was the establishment of Gurkha village in Shillong for which assistance was provided by the British. Once the settlement started various institution of the Gurkhas began to grow and this social institution helped the Gurkhas in preserving their cultural and ethnic identity. An attempt is being made to document the settlement of the Gurkhas in Shillong and development of various institution of the Gurkhas upto 1969. The work had been presented in an International seminar on Human movement - The Nepalis in India with special reference to North East India organised by Area studies on N.E. India and its neighbouring countries (ASNINC) and department of sociology, NEHU.

In the publication of the work I am greatly indepted to Prof Imdad Hussian, Department of History for the help rendered in choosing the topic and for the guidance provided by him in the completion of the work. I am also greatly indepted to Prof Tanka Bahadur Subba and Prof AC. Sinha for providing me the opportunity to present the work in the seminar organised by them for it was this seminar that had induced me to publish the work. I am also greatly indepted to Shri. B.B. Chettri, Dr. P.B. Gurung, Shri Uttam Thapa, Shri B. B. Rana, Bishnu Gautam and Rajesh Thapa of Printing Zone for the valuable suggestion that they had input while the work was in progress. Last but not the least I am also greatly indepted to all those who have provided the material to bring out the work in the present state. Although the work is supported by documentary evidence valuable suggestion with regard to the work is welcomed.

I have the privilege to go through the manuscript of the papers presented by Sri Sanjya Rana, Principal Budha Bhanu Saraswati, College, Shillong (Meghalaya) at the seminar on "The Nepalis in India with special reference to north east India" organized jointly by ASNINC and Department of Sociology, North East Hill University held during March, 2001 at Shillong under the title "The Gorkhas: Settlement and society.

Sri Rana has taken rigorous research works on the subject and collected all relevant documents available in Shillong and compiled it to give authenticity to his papers.

It is not that other writers have not attempted write up on the subject but could not justify the subject and their writings became either superfluous or limited to passing reference only. Sri Rana can, thus be considered to be the first scholar of Shillong to give vivid description of the settlement of Gorkhas and establishment of various Gorkha socio-cultural organisations in Shillong with authenticity.

I am happy to know that the seminar papers are being published in book form. This book will not only be a unique historical document but also provide sufficient materials to the research scholars also. I feel that all Gorkhas should read this book to know the real history of the settlement of Gorkhas in this part of the country.

I am elated to now that Sri Sanjay Rana's paper on "Gorkha Institutions of Shillong is being also published in a volume edited by Prof. A.C. Sinha and Dr. T.B. Subba under the title" In search of an Indian identity: Nepalis in North East India.