Nepali Army
The Nepali Army (Nepali: नेपाली सेना, romanized: Nēpālī Sēnā), also referred as the Gorkhali Army (गोरखाली सेना, Gōrakhālī Sēnā; see Gorkhas), is the land service branch of the Nepali Armed Forces. After the Gorkha Kingdom was founded in 1559, its army was established in 1560, and was accordingly known as the Gorkhali Army. The army later became known as the Royal Nepali Army (RNA) following the Unification of Nepal, when the Gorkha Kingdom expanded its territory to include the whole country, by conquering and annexing the other states in the region, resulting in the establishment of a single united Hindu monarchy over all of Nepal. It was officially renamed simply to the Nepali Army on 28 May 2008, upon the abolition of the 240-year-old Nepalese monarchy, and of the 449-year-old rule of the Shah dynasty, shortly after the Nepalese Civil War.
Nepali Army | |
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नेपाली सेना | |
Emblem of the Nepali Army | |
Founded | 1560 |
Country | Nepal |
Type | Army |
Role | Land operations |
Size |
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Part of | Nepalese Armed Forces |
Garrison | Jangi Adda, Bhadrakali, Kathmandu, Bagmati state |
Nickname(s) | The Gurkhas |
Motto(s) | Better to die than to be a coward |
Anniversaries | Maha Shivratri |
Engagements | See list:
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Website | nepalarmy.mil.np |
Commanders | |
Chief of Army Staff | General Prabhu Ram Sharma |
Vice Chief of Army Staff | Lieutenant General Saroj Pratap Rana |
Assistant Chief of Army Staff | Lieutenant General Sitaram Khadka |
Notable commanders |
The Nepali Army has participated in various conflicts throughout its history, going as far back as the Nepali unification campaign launched by Prithvi Narayan Shah of the Gorkha Kingdom. It has engaged in an extensive number of battles within South Asia, and continues to take part in global conflicts as part of United Nations peacekeeping coalitions.
The Nepali Army is headquartered in Kathmandu and the incumbent Chief of Army Staff is General Prabhu Ram Sharma.