 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Myanmar,Yangon,Mandalay,Mogok,Pyin Oo Lwin,Taunggyi,Mandalay Division,Shan State,Kachin State | |
| Languages | |
| Burmese andNepalese | |
| Religion | |
 Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Nepalese peoples andIndian Gorkhas |
Burmese Gurkhas (Burmese:ဂေါ်ရခါးလူမျိုးများ;Nepali:गोरखाली) are a group ofNepali-speakingBurmese people of theKhas ethnic group living inMyanmar (formerly Burma). While theGurkhas have lived in Burma for many centuries, it was during theBritish rule in Burma, that the majority of theGurkhas migrated fromNepal.[1][2]
The estimated population of Gurkha is nearly 1 million. The majority of Gurkha now reside inYangon (Rangoon),Mandalay,Pyin U Lwin,Mogok,Tamu,Kalaymyo,Taunggyi,Myitkyina and other parts of the country.[3]
Like many other people who reside inMyanmar and who have their origin inNepal, the majority ofGurkha came along with the British administration. ManyGurkhas served during theSecond World War in the Burma Campaign, especially asrear guard units for the British retreat from Burma.[3]
After Burma's independence in 1948, the Gurkhas joined the newBurma Army. ManyGurkhas have served in the new republic's various campaigns against ethnic insurgents and theKuomintanginvasions. The Gurkha were considered key assets of the Burmese Army in the 1950s.[4] There was also a soldier namedSuk Bahadur Rai † that won the highest honor ofTatmadaw,The Aung San Thuriya Medal.[5]
In theMyanmar civil war, many Gurkhas fight for theKachin Independence Army.[6]
Many ofGurkha inMyanmar practiceHinduism and Buddhism. A very small number of them practiceChristianity. There are a few Gurkha Hindu temples Buddhist monastery in the cities around Kachin State, Shan State, Yangon and Mandalay. Gurkha form a large minority in Myitkyina, Mogok, and the hill station of Pyin U Lwin (Maymyo).[7]
Most Gurkha typically speakNepali andBurmese languages.
The Gurkha place high importance on education, and they represent a disproportionately high share of those with advanced (medical, engineering or doctorate) degrees in Burma.[8][9]
