Indian Gorkhas

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Indian Gorkhas, also known as Nepali Indians, are Nepali language-speaking Indians. The modern term ‘Indian Gorkha’ is used to differentiate the ethnic Gorkhas from Nepalis.

Indian Gorkhas are citizens of India as per the gazette notification of the Government of India on the issue of citizenship for the Gorkhas from India. The Nepali language is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. However, the Indian Gorkhas are faced with a unique identity crisis with regard to their Indian citizenship because of the Indo-

The Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) permits “on a reciprocal basis, the nationals of one country to enjoy in the territories of the other the same privileges in the matter of residence, ownership of property, participation in trade and commerce, movement, and other privileges of a similar nature”.

Ethnicities and castes

Indian Gorkhas are considered an Indian indigenous ethnic group found in multiple states in the northeastern part of the country with a mixture of castes and ethno-tribal clans. The Gorkhali Parbatiya ethnic groups include the Khas-Parbatiyas, such as Bahun (hill).

Brahmins), Chhetri (Khas), Thakuri, Badi, Kami, Damai, Sarki, Gandarbha, Kumal, and others. Other Tibeto-ethnic groups include Tamang, Gurung, Magar, Newar, Bhujel (Khawas),

Sherpa and Thami. The Kirati people include Khambu (Rai), Limbu (Subba), Sunuwar (Mukhiya), Yakkha (Dewan), Dhimal, and others. Although each of them has its own language (belonging to the Tibeto-Burman languages or Indo-Aryan languages), the lingua franca

among the Gorkhas is the Nepali language, with its script in Devnagari. It is one of the official languages of India.

Population of Gorkhas in India

West Bengal·As per the 2011 Census, a total of 2,926,168 people in India spoke Nepali as their mother tongue. The largest populations can be found in – 1,155,375 (+12.97% from the 2001 Census).

Assam· – 596,210 (+5.56%)

Sikkim· – 382,200 (+12.87%)

Uttarakhand· – 106,399 (+16.86%)

Arunachal Pradesh· – 95,317 (+00.42%)

Himachal Pradesh· – 89,508 (+27.37%)

Maharashtra· – 75,683 (+19.22%)

Manipur: 63,756 (+38.61%)·

Meghalaya: 54,716 (+4.91%)·

Nagaland: 43,481 (+27.06%)·

Mizoram: 8,994 (+0.51%).·

Apart from this, there are additional speakers of languages such as Limbu (40,835), Rai (15,644), Sherpa (16,012), and Tamang (20,154). So the combined strength of Nepali and the other four Gorkha languages comes to 3,018,813.

As per the 2001 Census, a total of 2,871,749 people in India spoke Nepali as their mother tongue. The largest populations were in the following states.

West Bengal· – 1,022,725 (+18.87% from the 1991 Census);

Assam· – 564,790 (+30.58%);

Sikkim· – 338,606 (+32.05%)

Uttarakhand· – 355,029 (+255.53%);

Arunachal Pradesh· – 94,919 (+16.93%)

Himachal Pradesh· – 70,272 (+50.64%)

Maharashtra· – 63,480 (+59.69%),

Meghalaya: 52,155 (+6.04%);·

Manipur: 45,998 (1.08%);·

Nagaland: 34,222 (+6.04%);·

Mizoram· – 8,948 (+8.50%).

As per the 1991 Census, the number of Nepali speakers in India was 2,076,645.

During the 1991 Census, the districts with the largest concentrations were Sonitpur: 91,631 (6.43%), Tinsukia: 76,083 (7.91%), and Karbi Anglong: 37,710 (5.69%).

As per the 2001 Census, the districts with the largest ethnic Nepali populations are Sonitpur (131,261), Tinsukia (87,850), and Karbi Anglong (46,871; 7.81% of the total population). Tehsils with the largest proportion of Nepalis are Sadiya (27.51%), Na Duar

(16.39%), Helem (15.43%), Margherita (13.10%), and Umrangso (12.37%).

As per the 2011 Census, the districts with the largest ethnic Nepali populations are Sonitpur – people, or 7.04% of the total population), Tinsukia (99,812 people, or 7.52%), and Karbi Anglong (51,496 people, or 5.38%). The tehsils with the largest proportion of Nepalis are Sadiya (26.2%), Na Duar (14.88%), Helem (14.35%), Margherita (13.47%), and Umrangso (12.46%).

Festivals

Durga Puja: The first Durga Puja that the Gorkha regiment organized was in Shillong, in 1864, in the ground behind Bara Bazaar, with an installation made with weapons instead of an idol (this site is currently the seat of the Nepali Durga Mandir). It was an ode to the ancient belief of Yumaism, or the biogenesis theory of life. According to this ancient thought process (followed in Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan back in the day), human life is a web of karmic cycles. And annually there is this phase – often decided and deciphered by the change of the atmospheric colour (read season)—when there are three days when one can acknowledge one’s bad karma and relinquish it. In other words, it is the time when the created can sit in front of Yuma, the creator, and earn another chance to start afresh. So, the puja was a ruse to reflect on life and begin anew. The puja’s ancient link is the reason that the food made during isn’t about different preparations altogether, but a few dishes picked from the local cuisine. The bali (sacrifice) in the end, to carry out which boys are especially trained, marks not only the relinquishment of the bad karma but also a new beginning that is celebrated with meat, which in the local belief is a food of sustenance and power. The intriguing side to this puja is the month (which eventually was fixed for Durga Puja) it fell in: Ahimaha (autumn month). Incidentally, this is the month when tribes called a truce on the war front and concentrated on tribal life, much like nature, which sets to start again.

Tihar: Tihar (also known as Deepawali and Yamapanchak) is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, particularly the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which host a large number of ethnic Indian Gorkha people.

Tihar is analogous to the Indian festival of Diwali, the festival of lights, but there are some significant differences. Like with Diwali, Tihar is marked by lighting ‘Diyo’ inside and outside the home, but unlike the Indian festival, the five days of Tihar include celebration and worship of the four creatures associated with the Hindu god of death, Yama, with the final day reserved for people themselves. According to the Vikram Samvat calendar, the festival begins with Kaag (crow) Tihar on Trayodashi tithi of Kartika Krishna paksa (the 13th day of the waning moon) and ends with Bhai Tika on Dwitiya tithi of Kartika Sukla paksha every year. In the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls sometime between October and November every year.

Janai Purnima: Janai Purnima, a Hindu festival, is observed on the full moon day in Shravan month. A person wearing the Janai thread should have control over their body, speech, and mind. This day is also celebrated as Rakchya Bandhan and Kwati Puni. In various places in India and Nepal, people celebrate it by visiting the ponds and rivers and taking a dip. On the day before Janai Purnima, male members of the Brahmin and Chettri communities cut their hair and did a clean shave. A partial fast is observed on the day; non-vegetarian food is avoided, as is food made from onions and garlic. The Janai Purnima is performed by a priest. Verses from the holy book are chanted, and the new thread is sanctified. At the end of the ceremony, the thread is worn by all male members. On the same day, Rakshabandhan is observed in India and Nepal. In the nation, Rakshabandhan Rakhi is tied by all people and is tied for good luck.

Raksha Bandhan has its roots in a popular incident described in the epic,

Mahabharata. Once, Lord Krishna was flying a kite and cut one of his fingers with the thread.

Then Draupadi tore a piece from her saree and tied it on Krishna’s finger to stop the bleeding.

Moved by the gesture, Krishna promised her that he would protect her from all evils throughout his life.

These days, when sisters tie rakhi, brothers offer them gifts and sweets. Sweet dishes are cooked at home, and all family members wear new clothes. After tying the Rakhi, giving gifts, and performing aarti are just a few of the lovely customs that accompany Raksha Bandhan. This is the time of year when families get closer and connections are stronger. The best thing about Hindu festivals is that they unite the entire family under one roof.

The festival is often observed between cousins and other distant relatives in addition to the family. The festival unites people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, overcomes the boundaries of biological family, and stresses love and harmony via ritual. That is what makes Raksha Bandhan so beautiful.

The special occasion of Raksha Bandhan is here. It’s an opportunity to embrace sibling love and cherish the bond. India as a whole celebrates it with great enthusiasm.

Raksha Bandhan is made more enjoyable by lovely rakhis, homemade sweets, presents, and puja. Any Hindu festival is incomplete without religious rituals. In Raksha Bandhan, prayers are offered to God, and then sisters worship their brothers and tie rakhis on their wrists while chanting the Raksha Mantra. It brings positivity and eliminates all the negative energies from his life.

According to Hindu tradition, Brahmins and Kshatriya men have been wearing yajnopavit, i.e., Janai. After chanting the Gayatri Mantra in the ears of the boy (Batuk) by the Guru-Purohit after performing the ritual Vratbandha Karma, it is accepted that the Guru-Purohit has prepared the mantra by placing it under the right hand on the left shoulder with a firm resolve to follow the right path.

Teej:- Teej, short for Hartalika Teej, is the fasting festival for women. It usually takes place in the Nepali Bhadra month (August to September in the solar calendar) and lasts for three days. Teej

Puja is particularly held at Pashupatinath to commemorate the reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. During Teej Festival, Gorkha women will dress in their beautiful red saris, fast to honor Lord Shiva, and pray for a happy marriage. It’s a festival for Gorkha Hindu women, which is also celebrated in some parts of India.

Background of the Teej Festival and Nepali Women’s Day

A long time ago, the king of Himalaya had a beautiful daughter named Parvati, who was very intelligent and deeply admired the Hindu god of destruction and creation, Shiva.

But the king decided to marry Parvati to the wealthy Vishnu. With the assistance of her friends, Parvati successfully escaped from the house and hid in the thick forest. From then on, she led an ascetic life. Upon hearing this, Shiva was so surprised that she decided to test her sincerity. He disguised himself as the rich Vishnu and rode a gorgeous carriage to see Parvati, trying to lure her to marry him. However, Parvati still remained unmoved. Shiva was so impressed by her determination that he revealed his identity. At last, Parvati realized her dream and married Shiva. With her friends’ help, Parvati could get rid of the arranged marriage. She was very grateful to them and held a party to celebrate this happy ending. This is the origin of the Teej Festival.

Local food in the villages of Gorkha

· Daal-bhat-tarkari and achaar: Daal-bhat-tarkari is the daily meal eaten by all the Nepalese throughout the country. Daal is a soup made of lentils and spices that is served over boiled grains known as bhat. Any variety of curry is known as tarkari.

Achaar means any type of pickle, especially one made of tomatoes, potatoes, radish, or cucumber. Usually, tomatoes smashed with garlic and chiles and salt refers to achaar eaten with daal bhat. It is the main staple diet of most Nepali people and is usually eaten twice a day.

· Gundrook-Dhido: Gundrook is a dried and fermented green vegetable. It is usually prepared as a soup with beans and potatoes. It has a very unique taste that is slightly sour and tangy. Dhido is a sugar-free dish made of wheat and maize. The food is high in nutrition and satisfies the taste buds as well. It is usually eaten with gourd soup. Dhido is considered to be very healthy, especially for diabetic people. This dish is also called the national food of Nepal and can be found in typical Nepalese cuisine, restaurants, and the local homes of the villages.

* Bhuteko Makai: Bhuteko means “fry” and makai means “maize”. Bhuteko makai is a very famous snack or dinner, especially eaten in the local homes of the villages. It is usually served with pickles or sometimes even with leafy vegetables. It is one of the healthy foods as it contains very few calories.

· Dahi: Dahi means curd or yogurt in Nepali. One can have a chance to enjoy the best type of dahi in the local homes as the villagers possess various cattle like cows, buffalo, etc. It is also used as a complimentary or welcome drink or even served as dessert.

· Sel Roti: A crispy and sweet munching treat, Sel Roti is a marriage between a doughnut and a bagel. One of the most relished Gorkhali food items, Sel Roti, is made during the festivals of Tihar and Dashain. The circular rice flour bread is deep fried, which gives it a crunchy texture from the outside and soft and doughy from the inside. It is usually had during breakfast with the dipping sauces made with yogurt and along with vegetables.