Historian G. L. Rai says that Gurkhas and Rajputs are not related.The author explains that during Raj era, Rana used to be hereditary title of prime ministers of Nepal, which by coincidence also was the title of one of the erstwhile rajput ruling house.The Ranas used it for royal status.After the hereditary office of prime minister was abolished, the Gurkhas by mistake has described as descendant of Rajputs.
Gurkhas are best known for their history of bravery and strength in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments and the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas. The Gurkhas were designated by British officials as a "Martial Race". "Martial Race" was a designation created by officials of British India to describe "races" (peoples) that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strategy. The British recruited heavily from these Martial Races for service in the British Indian Army.
Former Chief of staff of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw once famously said about Gurkhas:
| “ | If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha. | ” |
