The Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal. The name may be traced to the medieval Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath who has a historic shrine in Gorkha; Nepal.

Gurkhas are closely associated with the khukuri; a forward-curving Nepalese knife and have a well known reputation for their fearless military prowess. The former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw; once stated that 'If a man says he is not afraid of dying; he is either lying or is a Gurkha'.