Understanding the Martial race theory and its effect on Social life with special reference to Nepali community

Abstract

By the end of Anglo- Nepalese war of 1814, the British officials admired the courage and braveness of Nepalese and decided to recruit them into British force. Nepalese who were regarded as Gorkhas were recruited in British military and by the end of 1850; many Gurkha Battalions were created in India. When Indian soldiers revolted against the British East Company during 1857, a new recruitment ideology was adopted by the British Officials called the Martial Race. In late 19th century, Martial race theory became one the most important criteria for recruiting soldiers in British military. The theory was based on physical characteristics and traditional racial prejudices. Though theory was racial but it was also a diplomatic strategy of British in India which created a division of races into two, warrior and non-warrior races. The Gorkhas was categorized into Martial race and the numbers of Gorkhas were recruited in British military not only in India but also for British Empire. Gorkhas of Nepal became important soldiers for the British even in European wars but the community of Nepalese were divided into two due to Martial race. Some few ethnic clans of Nepalese were regarded as warrior tribes and were listed as Martial race whereas Non martial race were those who were unfit for wars were and were regarded as Nepalis by the British. This paper is by no means an exhaustive or conclusive study rather it serves analyses on martial race theory and its effect on social life of Nepali community.