Nepalese army has a glorious history, Shiva's trident and damru are its identity; What is the unique military tradition with India?

The political crisis in Nepal has deepened. After the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the army has taken over the situation. Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, who has deep ties with India, can play an important role in establishing peace. He has done a course in defense management in India and has been awarded the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by President Murmu.

The political crisis in Nepal is at its peak, after the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the army has taken command in its hands. The responsibility of bringing the troubled Nepal on the path of peace now rests on the shoulders of the army. General Ashok Raj Sigdel, who is commanding the Nepali Army, has a special relationship with India. And in this period of crisis, the entire responsibility of bringing Nepal back on track is now on his shoulders.

Nepal is facing its most serious political crisis so far, at such a time Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel has emerged as a prominent face. General Sigdel can play an important role in the formation of the new government. If sources are to be believed, during the violent protests of Gen-Z, it was General Sigdel who advised PM KP Sharma Oli to resign so that loss of life could be prevented.

Talking about India's relations with Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, he has done a course in Defense Management from the College of Defense Management, Secunderabad, India. In the year 2024, General Ashok Raj Sigdel was honored with the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army by President Draupadi Murmu, which is a symbol of close military relations between India and Nepal.

Tradition has been going on for 7 decades

Apart from historical ties, India and Nepal also share deep military ties. As evidenced by this, both countries confer the honorary title of General of the Army on each other's army chiefs. This practice follows a seven-decade-old tradition of conferring honorary titles to each other's army chiefs. Commander-in-Chief General KM Cariappa was the first Indian Army Chief to be conferred this title in 1950.

Last year, President Draupadi Murmu had conferred the honorary rank of General of the Indian Army on Nepal Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel.

History of the Nepalese Army

The 1700s were a period of uncertainty all over the world. Rivalry between states was not limited to this part of the earth. World military powers like Britain, France and Portugal were busy colonising different parts. Their conflict of interests led to wars in various countries. Britain and France were also moving towards South and South-East Asia. This also posed a threat to Nepal.

Nepalese army was formed under the leadership of King Prithvi Narayan Shah

The British East India Company had occupied a large part of India and was moving towards the northeast and approaching Nepal. During this time Nepal was divided into many princely states. At this time, King Prithvi Narayan Shah of the princely state of Gorkha decided to unify Nepal. He was the creator of modern Nepal. Although Gorkha was small and economically weak, King Prithvi Narayan Shah surprised the world by doing such a challenging task in such difficult circumstances. The unification campaign began in 1740 AD, when the British started occupying Indian provinces.

This was a turning point in the history of the Nepali Army. Since unification was not possible without a strong army, the management of the armed forces had to be extraordinary. Apart from the standard army organized in Gorkha, technicians and experts were also brought in from abroad to manufacture war material. After the Gorkhali troops captured Kathmandu (then Nepal), the Gorkhali armed forces came to be known as the Nepali Army.

Gorkha soldiers astonished the world with their bravery

Their valour, honesty and simplicity impressed even the enemy so much that the British East India Company started recruiting Nepalis in its army. The British fought against the Nepali army, which by then was colloquially known as the "Gorkha Army" or "Gorkhali" army, so the British started calling their new soldiers "Gorkhas". So the 'Gorkha' heritage belongs first and foremost to the Nepali army.

Even today there are misconceptions that the Nepal Army is a part of the British and Indian armies. The Gurkha Rifles in India and Britain are part of foreign military organizations where Nepalese are recruited. The Nepal Army is, in fact, the proud national army of sovereign and independent Nepal with a history unbroken since the year 1744. The fact that Nepal and the Nepalese people have never been under the rule of any colonial power is a significant achievement of the Nepal Army. King Prithvi Narayan Shah was the founder of the Nepal Army.

Trishul and Dhamru on the flag of Nepali Army

The symbol on the flag of the Nepalese Army is connected to Indian traditions. Lord Shankar's trident and dhamru are adorned in the flag of the Nepalese Army. Since Nepal is connected to Hindu traditions, it is easily and naturally connected with India.

PC:Jagran