4 Gorkha Rifles - Post 1947

Post 1947

Following India's independence in 1947, the 4th Gurkhas was one of the Gorkha regiments to be allocated to the Indian Army. In 1950, when India became a republic, the regiment's name was changed to the 4th Gorkha Rifles as it was decided to adopt the Indian spelling.

The centre at Bakloh was abandoned as the Gorkha regimental training centres were merged. As a result, the 4th's training centre was merged with that of the 1st Gorkha Rifles and located at Subathu.

The 4th Gorkhas have distinguished themselves in the three Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 being awarded battle and theatre honours for all three conflicts. The third battalion fought a fine action at Bilafond La, at heights of nearly 20,000 feet (6,100 m) in 1987.

The 1st Battalion (JETHI) was awarded the COAS Unit Citation in 2002, for its performance in counter terrorism operations in Kupwara district, Kashmir. The Battalion was commended for neutralizing 94 Foreign Terrorists, in a number of operations in Tangdhar, Panzgam and Lolab. The Battalion suffered two fatal casualties, Capt Anirban Bandhyopadhyay and Nb Sub Deb Bahadur Thapa. They were posthumously awarded the Sena Medal and the Kirti Chakra respectively.

The Regiment is unique in the Indian Army, as the battalions do not celebrate individual Raising Days. Regimental Day (called Neuve Chapelle–Baghdad Day) is celebrated on 11 March by the entire Regiment, commemorating the 1st Battalion's entry in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in France and the 2nd Battalion's entry into Baghdad on that day (albeit in different years), during the First World War.

The Regiment derives most of its drills and standards from the British 'Greenjackets', and marches 'quickstep' at 180 paces a minute, the only Indian Army regiment to do so. The Pipe Band of the First Battalion is one of the finest in the Indian Army. The uniform and insignia are Spartan, and a healthy disdain for pomp or being 'Red' is central to the Regiment's identity and professional approach. The 4th Gorkhas are also the only Regiment in the Indian Army who wear the Lanyard (a plain Black) over the Jersey. This is again taken from the British Rifle Regiments, where only those exercising command over men wear a lanyard for the whistle. The right hand occupied by the sword, the left is free to draw the whistle - easier done from the right pocket. Many erroneously believe that lanyard is worn on the Right shoulder only by the erstwhile 'Royal' regiments, and the 4th Gurkhas do so because they were the 'Prince of Wales' Own'. This is wrong. A regiment's 'Royal' status is marked by the colour of the lanyard (Red) and the prefix 'Royal' only. Many Indian Army units have dropped their pre-independence prefix of 'Royal', but still wear the Red Lanyard in honor of their long service.

The Regiment celebrated its Sesquicentenary in 2007.