What is a Gorkha’s native dress?
Posted by barunroy on September 20, 2008
BY JYOTI THAPA MANI
A 19th Century Gorkha
Gorkha soldiers in their native cloths in 1900s
A Gorkha Soldier 1956
Initially, the Gorkha warriors were recruited largely from the Magar, Gurung, Rai clans of the mountain regions. They were and are mountain agriculturists. Their dress consisted of a white dhoti called Patuka which could be folded or unfolded. The Patuka enabled working in the mountains while planting rice fields in muddy soil or climbing trees to cut fodder for their animals. The garment offered ease of movement for any kind of hill work. The patuka was held in place with a Kamarpati or belt made of fabric or leather. A waistcoat called ‘astcoat’ is the upper garment, alongwith a galbandi or muffler and a topi/cap. In extreme cold, they would drape a woolen shawl. The old timers still sport this attire. The Gorkha mountain dwellers with this dress could even withstand the coldest of weathers. The Dauro suraal was worn by those who did not live working off the land, mainly by the Bahun-Chhetri clans. The villages’ priest Bahun Baje always wore the Dauro Suruwal even today.
PS. These are archival pics from the Gorkha museum. Pl kindly do not misuse or reprint without permission. Thank you.
ravee said
forgive me my ignorance, but it appears as if they are wearing langoti and dhoti.
JTM said
The dhoti was multifunctional. It could be hitched up like a ‘Langoti’ or anything. In the first pic lso note, he has khukri tucked in his waist and is carrying bow and arrow. The Gorkhas were expert archers. At any battle, Gorkha archers hidden in forests checked the advance of the enemies with their 4 feet bows and arrows. The same tactic was also ued the 1814 Battle of Nalapani.
JTM said
What is prevalent now as Nepalese culture developed from the Kathamandu darbar formed in 1765. THe GOrkhas were and are still are from the mountain regions far from Kathmandu. FRom Wn,En Nepal and Pokhara region. In India from the Northwestren Indian region and the east and Northeastern region. Can you imagine any Gorkha warrior slithering up and down mts in suruwals? The stitching would have come apart.
Daily Observer said
JTM, correct me if I am wrong!
But I believe U are trying to show ur disapproval of the GJMM’s diktat to wear the daura sural by posting the pics and ur comments….which, in some way, is nice!!
JTM said
I have no other motive but to stick to the correct truth . Since we are in the process of redefining ourselves as Gorkhas, we ought to research properly into the original. It is a chance to know what we actually were.The pics are how the Gorkhas dressed originally. How much you’ll want to pick up or how authentic a Gorkha tradition you want to restablish is finally upto Darj society.
Roshan Giri or Bimal Gurung have nothing to do with historical ethnic evidences. They are politicians. Since the dauro surawal is in the air, i thought i should present what the Gorkhas wore when not in uniform. Since i do not find anybody from the Darj side really looking deeply into what or who is a Gorkha. Their knowledge of Gorkha is shallow. Their knowledge of Nepaliness is good. Everything Nepalese especially from Kathmandu is not Gorkha.
Rest is upto to Darj. But i shall continue to present the actual Gorkha.
Sometimes i find a lot of suspicion from bloggers. Chill! Unless there is something funny going on. Taking a name and giving it a diffrent garb. That will not work at all in the long run.
JTM said
Dear DO, a state for a majority of Nepali-speaking people is on ethinh. What is the identity of a Gorkha is another with a string of history behind it? By asking for Nepali as language instaed of calling it Gorkhali in India was a historical blunder. Kindly be carefull of any more blunders. We will end up obliterating the actual identity of Gorkha in the process of getting ourselves recognised as Gorkhas. What an irony of fate! Killing our ownselves.
JTM said
Sorry folks, DO is the worng person to answer since he is not a Gorkha but a Tibetan.
JTM said
But a welcome one.
Mamps said
Well the dress code is a dikat. People should be asked and requested and not forced to wear the traditional dress. Besides, its so unappealing and difficult to work with.
I am a sympathizer of the general cause but also a wide critic of the ways and means of the GJM leaders to achieve it and their intolerance to criticism. Its a persons right to wear what he feels like provided its not provocative.
Besides, a little bengali connection to our so called traditional dress…..
” How come..”DHAKA TOPI”- “DHARA SARI” “DHAKA LUGA”…interesting na?!!! Tara aajkal ta sabai…made in China!!!
and …JTM’s right….
Daily Observer said
JTM, having born and based in Darjeeling I am also concerned and affected by whatever goes on over here. So, my being a Tibetan should not give u the impression that I can not have an opinion on these. Infact, I support the statehood demand as enthusiastically as any of my Gorkha brethren. And, I also keep some criticism against the GJMM for some of their whimsical strategies!!
JTM said
Dhaka topi was so named because the special weave of the fabric always came from Dacca, which was famous for its jacquard(multilayered) weaves. Dacca was also famous for its muslin which was so fine that it could slip through a ring. An original Dacca topi would have fabric made from Dacca.
The same weave formed the fabris for ‘khastos’ (Dacca chaadar) and cholis.
Save Original Gorkha Culture and traditions!
JTM said
Its okay DO, I consider you a sensible blogger. My apologies if I have hurt you. But pl do not mix up my quest for retaining and preserving the original Gorkha ethnicity with any Political motive. They are doing their job. I am doing mine.
JTM said
The picture created from Oct 7th will be one of MINI-NEPAL. Then people should not crib of being called Nepalese.
Daily Observer said
It’s people’s perception, JTM! I am sure you are doing ur job very nicely but U cannot expect people to view ur postings in the way u want them to. This the reason why we have opinions!! And, this is the very reason why I commented about this the way I did earlier. May be, I read too much between the lines, or may be I found it relevant with the present scenario in the Hills.
JTM said
The dress code should of have been of the Patuka, waistcoat, cummerband,topi and a khukri tucked in the kamarband. THAT WOULD HAVE CREATED A SENSATION AND A PICTURE NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!! TOTALLY DIFFRENT FROM KATHMMANDU. And what would be obvious that there is a link of the entire region till North-east where Bengalis, Manipuris, Assamese, Meghalaya, etc all have the traditional dress of the white dhoti is some form or the other. THAT would have stablished that we are people of the same continuous topgraphical background!
JTM said
I am not expecting anyone to follow my opinions. That is why I am on the blog which is an opionist’s arena. In any case not too many people would actually carry out my ideas, anyway. They are all on a tidal wave. I am just a boat trying to hold my Save the Gorkhas flag high and flow against the tide. I might get drowned in the process. But all tides recede leaving flotsam on the beach.
Daily Observer said
But, ur comment at No. 6 & 7 appeared to convey that if I was a nepali or a Gorkha for that matter, I was supposed to take heed of ur so-called opinion and follow them.
JTM said
When i was small I learnt a song which i still sing.
Row, row, row yr boat gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream
But since this the age of rock and strong emotions
Rock, rock, rock your boat swiftly down the stream
Heavily, heavily, heavily life is but a dream
JTM said
Yes people should take heed of truth, of consequences of actions. But if they do not want to I cannot and would not hunt them down. Otherwise i would have been on the field with my group of the choicest Gorkha men and women handpicked from east and west with me. But I am not even a member of any Gorkha orgs except to some extent Gorkhapedia.org
Daily Observer said
If U are so concerned then I believe it would be more reasonable of you to adopt other means than to just while away ur time by blogging. Stepping out on the field, like u say with your group of choicest Gorkha men and women, is a very good option!!
I do think ur postings are great but I don’t think a majority of the people who should know all these facts have access to this world!
JTM said
My dream Gorkha group would be one member each from:
Pithoragarh, Almora, Tehri Garhwal, Dehradun, Hardwar-Rishikesh, Chamba, Kulu, Manali, Bakloh, Subathu, Shimla, Mandi, Ladakh, LaulSpiti, Dharamshala, Kangra, Jogindernagar, Nahan, Nagrota, Kinnaur, Sirmour,Darjeeling, Sikkim, Kalimpomg, Kurseong, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Assam, Kohima, Shillong,Tezpur, Imphal, Dimapur, Dooars, Kolkata, Ranchi, Bangalore, Mahabalipuram, Patna, Muzzafarpur, Gorakhpur, Delhi, Mumbai, Pathankote, Ludhiana, Jullender, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kashmir and Haryana.
JTM said
Dear DO, there are those who want immediate results. My work will take fruit in course of time. I am in no hurry.
JTM said
Also Salua, Kharagpur.
Daily Observer said
Well, JTM I must say you are quite far-sighted! I wish u all the best in whatever u are doing to bring recognition to ur community.
Have a wonderful sunday!!
JTM said
and one each from the high mt regions of west, central and east of Nepal. I would also have a special cell of Gorkha researchers and historians from India and Nepal. And another of honourable Officers of the Gorkha regts. They can be ethnically non-Gorkhas. because it is only the Gorkha regts who are mainatining and prserving the Gorkha heritage. The only Gorkha museum so far is in the 14 Gorkha Training Centre, Subathu. Many of the Gorkha regt Commandants have amazing knowledge and love for the Gorkhas. We need people who love us whether they are native gorkhas or not. I do not like clannish herd mentalities.
JTM said
Thank you DO, Good wishes and good luck to you.
kalidash said
“The Dauro suraal was worn by those who did not live working off the land, mainly by the Bahun-Chhetri clans. The villages’ priest Bahun Baje always wore the Dauro Suruwal even today.”
jtm i’m little confused,
if this was the case,then the Bhahun-chettris do not belong to the Gorkha community,no?b coz they were the ones who wore D-sural.
JTM said
Of course they belong to the social community. A diffrent dress does make one an outsider. Attires were according to one’s occupation and terrain. The bahuns had the role of performing the pooja paath. The Newars were the businessmen and artisans. But the ones who joined the Gorkha army (first under the Prithvi Shah 1700s, then under Bahadur Shah, Girvan Yuddha Shah and General Amar Singh Thapa late 1700s to early 1800s, then the British-Gorkhas early 1800s to 1947, then the Indian Gorkha regts 1947 till date) and became the Gorkhas fighters were all from the Mountain-dwelling clans. And the Gorkha community from the settlements and families of these fighters.
THe Chhetris and Bahuns drew a lot of importance at the Shah Durbar.
JTM said
I forget to add Lucknow to my list. Friends these are all India Gorkha service habitats not Nepalese migrant community.
JTM said
# 27. You can call them the social support system members to the Gorkhas. But the importance of their jobs and affluence as enjoyed fom the diktat of the darbar made them upper class. Bahuns were respected for their knowledge of the shastras. I dont know if it is still prevalent in Nepal, but the study of sanskrit after a junior class was banned to non-Brahmins. So that only the Brahmins could master the religion and knowledge which is based on Sanskrit text. All this affected the development of the Gorkha clans.
kalidash said
if it is so,i don’t think there can be one single dress code for the whole gorkha community,no?
JTM said
Look at BG and RG. It is generally RG who signs all the memorandums, notices, etc. BG gets all the dhoongas.
kalidash said
jtm,why are these people called Gorkhas despite living in Nepal?
JTM said
Look at Gorkha surnames. There are some which could belong to any community in India. There are some which could only belong to a Gorkha.
As per the Hindu sytem of caste allocation based on professions, all Gorkhas who ever fought becomes a Kshatriya. So all Gorkha warriors/soldiers are Kshatriyas. Whether he is Brahmin or Sherpa or Gurung or Tamang. All traders are Vaishyas. All intellectuals are Brahmins. All craftsmen are Shudras.
kalidash said
i think forcing/appealing everybody to wear D-sural will not help in unifying the whole lot of Indian Nepalis/Gorkhas.
PJ said
JTM di, when did newars start joining the army? any info on that…
kalidash said
jtm,
do you think there can be a common dress code for the whole gorkha community?if you do,pliz tell me what it shall be.
JTM said
This is what i have been trying to say for so many months. The Gorkhas have diversified so much that there is no more any Gorkha bhasha or dress code. We have become totally muliticultural and that is our wealth. Now if all reps of the Gorkha habitats mentioned above got together, the Nepali Bhasha Samiti would go bonkers. The Daurosural is the National dress of Nepal.
A Gorkha can wear dauro Sural or the Patuka waistcoat outfit. In fact the latter if worn elegantly would look wonderfull. What is a Indian dress? There are 101 types. Gandhi’s selreliance charkha movement brought about the white kurta-Pyjama,Nehru cap look only during 1947. Indians wore lungi-dhoti-kurtas earlier which are again back on on the fashion ramp.
Manipuri and NEastern still adorn their dhoti and cotton stole/angavastra for their traditional display. Gorkhali dress today can vary from Patuka-kamarbandi-waistcoat look to dauro-suraal. Head gears are also varied. From pagrees (you must have noticed in my Malaun article pictures) to round Bhanubhakta style topi the pointed lahore Dacca topi.
Let us study the origins of our culture and introduce all the diversities of it the new Gorkhaland.
JTM said
PJ
You have to give me time to chalk out the Newar Gorkhas. You see earlier they had surnames like Nagarkoti, etc. Later they became Pradhans and the others. So i am not likely to find names like Shresthas or Pardhans to start with. I ahve to look at names like Nagarkoti, etc. You are unlikely to find Newars in the 1700s. Because one they were mostly in and around Kathmandu which was attacked by the Gorkha army. Secondly the Newars were mainly the artisans and traders of Kathmandu which is a valley. Not the place to recruit fighters from. Later after the society got more assimilitated, Newars also joined in the forces especially wars outside Nepal. The whole beauty of Nepali art and architecture are all thanks to the Newars. Also pushed down the social rung by the chosen nobility castes of the darbar
kalidash said
thanks, jtm
JTM said
THis is my suggestion for a new Gorkha dress.
Men: Black or dark grey Sleevless Waistcoat. White Patuka or dhoti worn in the manner as sees in the pictures. Folded as seen. Kamarband made of leather or rounds of cloth like the Western Cummerband in red. A khukri in black scabbard tucked at the left side. AND WITH BLACK GORKHA ARMY BOOTS. And a small silver khukri brooch on the lapel of the waistcoat.
Since our Gorkha boys are very much into body-building and naturally have great biceps and calves STEP OUT IN STYLE, MAN
Headgear could be topis or Gorkha hat or even a Bandana
THE NEW GORKHA!
WOW! WOW! WOW!
JTM said
I hope you have noticed in picture number 2. Nobody is wearing the Dacca topi. Because all these Gorkhas came from outside Kathmandu.
JTM said
Also please carry a flute and madal and play them on the mall. It will serve our purpose more than the giant LCD screen they are planning. Have a great dasain Darjeeling!
PJ said
Thank you for the great photos JTM di!!
JTM said
What about the great dress idea? Just as a treat for Newars I shall soon post Newar Gorkha army archival pictures. They were always very handsome.
raja lama said
The Gorkha in the photo might be suffering an acute ring worm…or “Virengae “,
Or,what do you call the condition when the balls grow like water melons….
One photo do not shake a tradition…
raja lama said
the boys who gather for army recruits do not do so in jeans or coats…nor daura suruwal….
will the photos taken during the recruits will establish gorkhas dress as a brief and underpaants in the future….????
kalidash said
but why would chettris-bahuns accept this dress since they have worn D-suruwal from the begining.
and as that newspaper has traced the origin of D-suruwal,similarly the origin of your dhoti could also be traced to some other community , race or place,no?
kalidash said
so,there is no point discussing what our actual or real or indegeneous dress was or is,its a mere foolishness.
the whole of the human race is interdependent.each race has some point in time learnt something from another.every race or community is influenced by another civilized race or community,and in the process have learnt something from them.be it their dress,languaqge,food or whatever,some similarities will always be there.
kalidash said
raja,i laughed my heart out after reading your comment.good one man.
JTM said
Thank God I do not live in the society of the kinds of Raja Lamas
raja lama said
dry guu lai jati scratch gar chau…the more it will smell…..
Dress and food…evolve with time…and at a point of time become classic….
so you say the fellow wearing a fleece shirt and a canvas is also a gorkhali traditional dress????
JTM said
No, he came from Switzerland to join the Gorkha regimnet
PJ said
raja lama
why are you being so narrow minded? the photos above speak for themselves don’t they? nobody is forcing anything on you, why are you overreacting?
kalidash said
ask some newspaper to trace the origin of the drees worn by the photo guy!
JTM said
These pics are hardly a little over a 100 years ago. Raja Lama and Kalidas are reacting as if some dress of 1000 years ago is being foisted on them. On worst of all they refuse to identify themselves with them. REALLY A SOCIETY SUFFERING FROM IDENTITY CRISIS but from within. If you do not know who you are how will the world know who you are.
kalidash said
infact, take the D-suruwal with the same point of view,you’ll get the answer.
kalidash said
infact i was testing jtm how much you are obsessed with yourself of belonging to Thapa/ mangar community which has the most numbers of jawans.your idea about the common gorkha dress code reflects this. do you think that the people wearing D-suruwal for generations will accept this?
the thing is ,there can never be a single common dress code for the Gorkha community.its as diverse as India itself.hence no question of one single dress.
JTM said
You accept: The Thapas, Puns, Alleys, Buras, Ranas, Ghaleys of the Magar tribe formed the majority of the Gorkhas from the 18th to date century.
They came from the Mt belts and hence their dress code is more tribal or ethnic or original
Just like the other tribes.
Nepal’s darbari culture introduced the dauro suruwal just like a lot of other cultures. I have a choice in India to confirm or not to confirm. Nepal itself is rebelling against ancient dogmatic cultures foisted on them
I do not know what community you belong to so you ought to bettermannered about addressing to someonelse’s community.
The Magars are a minority in Darj so what is wrong in me trying to keep their prsence in history intact?
Why is only Durga Malla hailed as the Gorkha martyr when Dal Bahadur Thapa was also hung at the same place for the same reasons? Dont you think it is discrimination? If society can be such to martyrs I shudder to think about the people.
Since you guys are not interested in Thapas, someone has to put their case forward and that happens to be me.
If you have a problem, yr new Gorkha society will be a problem
Since you agree that there cannot be a single dress code, you are agreeing with me in saying the same.
What is wrong if i draw attention to the fact that the Dauro Surawal is not the Gorkha dress but the Nepalese dress? It is the truth. And if Tamangs, Sherpas, Lepchas, Bhutias can be proud of their dress, why shuld i or you or Raja lama have a problem of accepting how the Gorkhas dressed natively.
Kalidash wants a newspaper to investigate. If at all they are bothered to do it, they will go to the very source from where these pictures came from. You can also accompany the reporter to do a story on proving a Gorkha and the Gorkha army archives wrong.
I think you’ll are totally confused between Gorkhas and non-Gorkha Nepalese.
JTM said
In Dehradun, Dharamshala and Bakloh we are honest enough to have statues of both the shaheeds Durga Mall amd Dal Bahdur Thapa always together. Why is Darj, especially the BGP, only promoting Durga Mall? Is it right?
JTM said
The Bhartiya Gorkha Parisangh made Durga Mall the figurehead martyr of the Gorkhas. Even if they could not accomodate both the statues on parliament grounds, they could have at least kept them together in promotions of the martyrs. Another historical blunder. A GL based on dishonesty,discrimination and distortion will be the death knell of the Gorkhas.
aardee said
JTm did u see the tea story?
JTM said
Sorry Aardee I have been engrossed here. People have got shocked to see Gorkhas for the first time in their native homeland dress. Culture Shock!
JR said
I believe the basic discussion going on here is about the Gorkha’s dress rather than an ethnic war between the Gorkhas itself !!
This is somewhat wrong even before we achieve our main goal ‘Gorkhaland’…..fighting among ourselves rather than looking at the goal ahead…..
Sad !!
JTM said
That is true. So do something about it.
JTM said
If people are so blind that they make mockery of archival Gorkha pictures, it does not signal a healthy new society in the making. If the roots are not healthy how will the tree grow and bear fruit?
JTM said
While I am for GL, I am deadly against commentators like #46 and #52 getting the Gorkha identity. They dont deserve it. They are just waiting for the facilities which will comeby for them as a state. If you have no respect for Gorkhas just GET OUT!
JTM said
When an individual like myself expresses her opinion it is taken as audacity
If a group does, it becomes a following.
However, I would like to point out the historical blunders once more which will be a problem in the GL society in the future.
1) Enforcing Nepali as Indian language, instead of Gorkhali
2)Promotion of only Shaheed Durga Mall and cutting out Dal Bhadur Thapa. Both from INA and both hung by the British. In rank Dal Bahdur Thapa was senior also.
3) Enforcing of Nepalese national dress as GL’s dress code without allowing for also choice of the original dress of the those who became the Gorkhas. The mt people. Glad to know that the Tamangs, Sherpas, Bhutias, Lepcahs have refused to toe the line.
4) Starting an all India Identity movement without knowing anything about the Gorkhas of India.
5) Bhartiya GP governing bodies in Delhi only having members from the Darj side
6) Bhartiya GP trying to impose pure Nepali language on Gorkhas of other states. When by this time there are multidialects of the language
7) Creating a narrow perspective of Gorkha history and feeding to the people. Causing great injustice to the rich history of the Gorkhas.
8)Encouraging disdain and dismissal for the real Gorkhas-the warriors
Thank you, I shall add more as they happen
raja lama said
the people join the army when other options for them closes…
In the past the poorest of the poor joined the army….
Not that they were die hard patroits but ‘coz of the fire in the stomach…(excluding a very few)…Till today British army is money…
Now the common sense is…the poorest of poor do not sport the proper attire…
they just need to hide their “shame”…
The photos are indeed priceless…but, to question the national dress without proper investigation is totally wrong…
raja lama said
observe the first sketch properly…
the shape of the khukuri…
Are we to change that too…just because of the foreigner’s bad drawing..????
raja lama said
I wonder why isn’t the cow India’s national animal????
JTM said
The khukri ranges from different sizes.
PLease also wonder why Nepali, an Indian language today, was first the the National language of Nepal. So in Nepal, Nepali also ebcomes an Indian Language? In fact, Late King Birendra was not favour of it, for justifiable reasons.
Who is asking you to change? The point is there is diversity in the Gorkhali dress, and that should be the concept. The more uni diktats on culture and traditions is applied more the society will get fragmented. Politics and culture should not be mixed. Or you’ll become like the SIMI fanatics. In fact you already sound like one.
As for yr stupid Magar digs, pl read my opening letter in Save the Gorkhas. Also the Present President of Himachal Punjab Gorkha Association is a Newar. We are more Gorkha than you Raja Lama.
Darjeeling said
Dear Jyoti,
Thank you so much for sharing these valuable photos. Hope to see more on near future.
Di, these so called political leaders does not care about history.
They think that mailpos is Gorkha dress.
Once again, thank you for sharing the pictures.
Regards,
JTM said
# 69 the people join the army when other options for them closes…
In the past the poorest of the poor joined the army….
Not that they were die hard patroits but ‘coz of the fire in the stomach…(excluding a very few)…Till today British army is money…
You make it sound like some army of destitutes.
Just poverty and hungry bellies do not make any race the ‘Bravest of The Brave’ neither would the poorest of the poor become a legend ‘Better to die than live a coward’
Even we were poorest of the poor but still richest in spirit, bravery and valour.
JTM said
Raja Lama
If you are from Nepal, then let me tell you that Nepal’s claim to fame globally are the Gorkhas and The Mt Everest.
If you are from the aspiring Gorkhaland, then why do you want to be the ‘Poorest of the Poor’?
Every dictionary describes the Gorkha as the fighting forces of the Gorkha Regts.
You seem to be nowhere and suffering from a terrible identity crisis.
PPA said
JTM – its an amazing collection. Thank you for sharing this with us.
JTM said
In the last pic, he is getting ready for the Rango-sacrifice with the large khukris. For this event, even till date they wear the tradional patuka.
Raja lama said
I’m 100% Gorkha and an Indian….
But, I think that the Gorkhas should give the bir ko santhan image a back seat….or for the time being forget about it…
and focus more on stock exchange, manufacturing sector, bussiness, etc…
The world knows the gorkhas are the bravest of the brave….
only when there is some superior leader from a different clan to shout orders….
this is a hard hiting fact ….
if I’m wrong then Nepal would be the No.1 country of the world…with all the gorkhas…ohhh…how scary…
I believe the british and the indians have till date played with our bravery and dumbness and made personal gains…
I feel a bit uncomfortable when people fill air of praise in our blood and tell us to fight for them….and i feel more uncomfortable to see our gorkhas with head held high and with a foolish grin following orders….
And to make matters worse for me they cherish the job done to the end of time…
these are all my personal views and don’t want anyone to take it to heart…
for me in the new Gorkhaland….
the bussiness will be run by my own community…in fair competetion with the whole world…
No one issues orders on us but we hire british army for our protection and we label them the bravest of the brave…
i want bill thapas to come out for my gorkhaland…not a war machine…
JTM said
What do you do?
raja lama said
found in the net….
“The Daura has eight strings that assists to tie itself up around the body. In fact, eight is considered to be the lucky number in accordance to Nepali mythology. In addition to this,
the traditional Daura has five pleats or Kallis that signify the Pancha Buddha or Pancha Ratna. The closed neck of the Daura-Suruwal signifies the snake around the Lord Shiva’s neck.”
JTM said
Dear Raja lama, it seems you have been dwelling long on the Gorkha dress. But pl dont get phobic. As it is you have phobia of Gorkha warriors and khukris. (I get thrilled with them) now you are phobic about strings around your body and snakes around necks.
By the way, Number 8 is a very symbolic number in Hinduism. It is the number of Shiva. Also the number of the eight arms of the Devi.
Also Number 8 stands for resurrection therefore most Muslim tombs are 8-sided, eg Humayuns tomb New Delhi.
But very good find. What do you do?
raja lama said
i’m from a fashion design back ground….
now on a long sick leave at home
passangs said
I was going throught the posts which have churned up quite a lot and answers a lot of questions I had placed in the previous blogs about the upcoming dresscode for the month of October .
First of all I would like to thank JTM for her(presumed because someones reference as di)effort in bringing out researched facts in this blog.
Then I would like to respond to a few comments:
The condition that you are referring to as hydrocoele of the testis,
A hydrocele testis is the accumulation of fluids around a testicle, and is fairly common. It may be treated surgically. It can also be as a result of cancer, trauma (such as a hernia), or orchitis. It can also be the result of a plugged inguinal lymphatic system caused by repeated chronic infection of Wucheria bancrofti or Brugia malayi which is very common in , two mosquito-borne parasites of Africa and S.E. Asia, respectively. As such the condition would be a part of more diffuse sequelae commonly referred to as elephantiasis. the incidence of the same disease is very high ind eastern India and the Nepal low lying areas.
Its good that JTM has mentioned occupation but the others thing that was not mentioned was that not only the occupation determined what one wore but also the regions where they lived.
i think that is the universal law now also the religion,altitude, the climatic conditions, the occupations, socioeconomic conditions and not to forget the acculturation to different areas where we live that still govern what we wear. just to cite an example the full pant , quarter pant and the halfpant.
Another point that needs mention is evolution, industrial revolution and globalisation. The so called “Gorkhas” fighting for “Gorkhaland” are not field workers and warriors any more. There are field workers , students , teachers, army personell who range from jawans to Officers, Beaurocrats, Politicians, Doctors, Engineers and even our Fashion Designers.
Then there are the hindus and the budhists and the christians , (Muslims I have not come across)
There are ” Gorkhas” living across the continents.
I am not to sure Calling ourselves Gorkhas is comprehensive enough. I would rather call myself a himalayan.
The weave of Dacca that you so mentioned is an alternative form of Ikkat which is a weave that is common in Eastern India.
As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs I a person is an Indian irrespective of the clothes we wear or the language we speak or the religion we follow or the food we eat.
Similarly a Sikkimese of Today is Sikkimese irrespective of whether one wears a Bakhu, Saree, Kurta, Jeans
Politicians have mislead, are misleading and will mislead the people. It is time for the people of the hills of darjeeling to open their eyes and focus on their one big demand which will bring about a change!
Solving the eternal problem of education , employment and recognition , Now that is another matter!!! there is no end to problems.
It is in the Human nature to discriminate :
Be it based on education, occupation,religion, state, dress, language, food, economics, caste, country etc the list is endless….
there is only on universal language that is of peace and humanity , the rest are to fuel politics,literature, history and geography…
RAJA said
Most valuable words….thanks to Pasang!!
passangs said
we have come a long way from being bare foot farmers, nomads, warriors.
raja lama said
thanks passangs bro…
won’t let the mosquitoes near my groin areas….
passangs said
well the mosquito can bite anywhere, the parasite localises in the lymphatics which cause blockage to outflow.
so protect yourself from mosquito bites in general it it is possible.
JTM said
With 85 percent of Indian Gorkhas in the Indian army, it is still our present, Passangji. Well if you want count only the Darj areas, the stats are completely diffrent ethnically, professionally, culturally from the rest of Indian Gorkhas. With 80 lakhs Gorkhas outside Darj districts and 20 lakhs Nepali-speaking in GL proposed area, a stats graph will have to have two trendline lines.
JTM said
Point is Gorkhas today have fanned out in multiple diversity according to all factors which govern mankind. Even the size of ones eyes is from geographical conds. Anyway that is for an anthropologist to study. But when it comes to traditions it is always what was yesterday not tomorrow. In the quest of tomorrow pl do not discard yesterday, because that becomes our heritage. Gorkhas was the name for soldiers from Nepal, now from India and Nepal, and will remain so. What we are creating is the society which has developed from these chapters of history who are not all into soldiering anymore. The Rajputs whatever they do now are so proud of their warrior lineage. The Sikhs are also proud of their warrior lineage. Both Rajput and Sikh regts exist today. Does not mean that the entire community are soldiers? we should learn to move forward with pride in our past.
JTM said
I would like to correct myself. The Gorkhas majority were and are from the mountain tribes—Magars, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs (in order of percentage). Now they are Magars, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Chhetris, Newars, Sherpas, Lepchas, Bahuns (in close percentage orders). Today From Nepal (diminishing numbers) and India (increasing numbers). But the same tribes.
The Gorkha is different from what is classified as national Nepalese culture. The Gorkha is diverse, the common bhasha is called Gorkhali. In the army theor dress is the same. Outside they remain what they were or are now according to modernisations.
As in Nepalese society, the Gorkha society has no ethnic superiority of any tribe.
How many of these tribes are in the upper class of Nepalese civil or army society? The Magars and Gurungs which were considered the creme de la creme of the Gorkha Regts are nowhere in Nepalese army. The same for the other mt tribes who are highluy respected in the Gorkha regimental history.
So we are different from Nepalese society.
Th Nepal national language has been demanded in India as the language of the Gorkhas.
The Nepalese national dress is beinf introduced as the Gorkha dress.
What is left? Gyanendra? Bring him to Darjeeling also.
The gorkha is diverse and the Gorkha dress and culture is diverse and should remain so. A Gorkha dress parade would consist of ethnic dresses of all the tribes mentioned above. It does not mean we are regressing. It means the ‘Gorkha’ society is not the same as the kathmandu culture and society. Today except for the retired pensioners and Baba Gorakhnath, nobody is Gorkha in Nepal. We are. In India.
If a Gorkha lady wears a saree, long-sleeved choli blouse, with a potey mala or tilhari, she is definitely dressing ethnic.
JTM said
In Nepal, members of our tribes are called janjaati. Rubbish!
JTM said
Today we have Gurungs, Magars as Maj Generals in the Indian army. Not one of these tribes have made it to that level in Nepalese army. Why? If India can find thes emen capable of commanding brigades, how come Nepal does not find them capable of rising maxm beyond majors in their army which has never seen war?
JTM said
Sorry forgot to add Bhutias in my list. In have seen some in the Gorkha Regts. God these guys are real tough, tall and fantastic esoecially with rifle shooting.
JTM said
If the identity is right, Gl will be attained in no time. But if the identity continues to be mixed up with Nepal, there is a problem. THe GL identity should lean towards incorporating the Gorkha cultures of India, Northwest with Darjeeling.
Nimesh Nepali said
Dear JTM,
your comments no. 90, 91 and 92 are quite misleading. I don’t understand what do you wanna prove????
Currently I am in Nepal, and like to mention some facts.
Nepalesee Defense Minister Badal will be accompanied by the Nepal Army Major General Chatra Man Singh Gurung.
Hem Bahadur Gurung is the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
JTM said
You are right. Things are changing now. Good. But what has happened in the past in Nepal should not be reborn here.
I know Badal is a Thapa, son of an Indian Gorkha Regiment soldier. And Prachand entrusted a Pun to take his place while he was away. But all that thanks to politics of the Mao movement. In a normal course, I still have to see such a trend happening in the Nepalese army. In the future perhaps if the nexus can be broken. In Nepal, if a Thapa does well he is called Chhetri Thapa. I cannot understand and will not accept this. In our Gorkha society a Thapa is a Magar. How can a Thapa be a Magar and a chhetri? Rubbish!
When one calls people janjaati that it means that there is another group which are the privileged. So i do not like the word Jan or any other jaati-suffixed word. Sounds like harijans or Dalits.
JTM said
Anyway, dear friends all that I have said here is food for thought. Since BG has given the call for wearing the said dress, as Roshan Giri described as ‘cultural agitation’, let us respect it as much as possible.
Nimesh Nepali said
no JTM, not only now, there are different paltans for Gurung, Magar and others in Nepal Army….There were lots of Generals who were Gurung, Magar, Rai and limbu….. Why u always bring Magar, Gurung or Chettris????? Why don’t u think that he is a Nepali/Gorkha????And for your kind information in our Gorkha society Thapa is also a Chettri. What about bada kaji Amar Shing Thapa…. He was Chettri…….But i don’t wanna talk about this kind of rubbish thing. For me, he is only Nepali/Gorkha…..neither chettri nor Magar. Please don’t take it in worng way, but i think, you as an intellectual, should try to post comments which will try to promote Gorkha as ONE race, not Magar, gurung, chettris, or others.
We r one, only one Gorkha/ Nepali….
JTM said
Nimesh. Just a historical curiosity, how does one believe that amar Singh Thapa was Chhetri or magar? Is it by his gotra and kuldevata?
JTM said
Dear friends
While we are in the process of creating the multi-dimensional true Gorkha identity in India, I am trying to understand the double surname syndrome as our society should be based without the blind-superstitions and social dictats which led the revolution in Nepal and ended the ruling Rana and Shah dynasties.
In Uttarakhand there are many dual surnames:
Bist in Gorkhali and Bisht in Garhwali-Kumaoni
Rawat in Gorkhali and Rawat in Garhwali-Kumaoni
Karki in Gorkhali and Karki in Garhwali-Kumaoni
Paramar in Gorkhali and Parmar in Garhwali-Kumaoni
In Dharamshala, as yet we do not hve any dual surnames
The Chhetris are all Chhetri, Khatri, Thakur, Varmas, Kanwar, Karki,
The Magars are Thapas, Puns, Ales, Ranas, Buras, etc
The Newars are mostly Pradhans and one Shah family (our Present president is GS Shah)
Rais are Rais
Gurungs are Gurungs
Bahuns are Sharmas, Adhikari
Limbus are Limbus
Subbas are Subba
In Nepal, the clans which were of Indian origin became the upper class and the natives were pushed to lower class by the darbari govt.
It is also interesting that the battles that Amar Singh Thapa’s army had during their Gorkha dominion were the subjugation of the Rajput princes of Garhwal, Kumaon and todays HP.
The Gorkhas lost the Anglo-Gorkha war because of betrayal by the same Rajput rajas who took the side of the British. That is why I fail to understand IF all the Thapas of the Gorkha army wre Rajputs/Chhetris why would they have this situation with the Rajput rulers.
Kshatriya according to Hindu customs is a title given to proven warriors. It is possible that many tribes acquired the Chhetri caste because of their valour. That is why there are many Mongolian faces amongst Chhetris too. So in my opinion not all Chhetris are from rajasthan.
My queries are historical with nothing personal. I am still very curious to know of Magar Thapas and Chhetri Thapas. Maybe because of warrior accomplishments as awarded by the Simha darbar. I am always asked ‘Are you Magar Thapa or Chhetri Thapa?’ So i do have a right to know the difference and how it came to being?’
Magars might be a minority in Darj, but in the whole of India Magar Gorkhas form the largest percentage. While I understand, Darj Gorkhas are largely Tamangs and Rais. Pl correct me if I am wrong. It is all for understanding a pan-India Gorkha identity. Nothing to do with who is more who is less. A Gorkha regt is not dictated by it why should a Gorkha society be? Everyone is a Gorkha. You can call it a survey. Thank you.
passangs said
Well JTM it is apparent that your effort is to preserve the Gorkhas
I am Guessing you are a historian?? May be I am Far off track,
But the issue here is of statehood, which our dear politicians have decided to call it “Gorkhaland” for reasons known/ unknown to them. My ancestors have not been in the Army , I am a Sherpa , worn bakhu, celebrate losar and my initial question still stands? Am I a gorkha????
How do I classify as one?? If not then Why should I sport a daura surual / chaubandi cholo
passangs said
Dont get me wrong, I am all for the statehood , but I still question this one sided dominance of a universal demand and need which is statehood for upliftment, recognition of our society in the foot hills of the himalayas.
Again I am for democracy and not for autocracy.
I am talking about protecting our(sherpa) cultural heritage which is as important to us as is preserving your Gorkha heritage is
passangs said
As u are an Avid Historian you will need to consider the geographical location of those you seen in the regions of
In Uttarakhand,Garhwal,Kumaon,Dharamshala, Nepal….
I am sure you would have noticed that they are the foothills of the Himalayas which stretch from east to West of the country. You will find a lot of similarities and differences.
If you have been to the hills of kumaon and garhwal and dharamshala you would notice the subtlity in similarities and differences.
It really will depend on how you want to see it.
The similarities or differences?? the choice is yours.
YKS said
Passang, “kal doi”?? Do u understand sherpa langage? What is the origin of Sherpas? “Sher” from Tibet. Where are Sherpas found now? Nepal. What do the Sherpas of Nepal call themselves? Nepali.
I tell you that because my mom is a Sherpa. So, Sherpas are all Gorkhas. Bhai, gadhalai dhuyer gadha “gai” ta hudaina ni ta!!
JTM said
Protecting your culture also means knowing the origins well and truly.
JTM said
I am trrying find answers to why Magar Thapas and chhetri Thapas? Yes it is causing me an identity confusion. I just need logical answers. I am not syaing that Thapa chhetris ought to revert to just Chhetris. You are lucky there are no Sherpa Sherpas or Sherpa Chhetris. I am not questioning any Gorkha here. Maybe when i am listing out everything to make a pt I forgot to wrote Sherpa. But if was an official list, I would be more carefull. I also expect a lot more surprises coming in the future from less known Gorkha tribes. Sometimes I find some very strange and unknown names also in the Gorkha army history.
Nepali gorkhali said
The gorkha regiment of Indian army takes bahuns chettris and other communities from Nepal.Nepal was called Gorkha initially after the king of Gorkha(a place in Nepal) united the hilly kingdoms.After the British fought war with the Gorkhali army(Nepali army) of Nepal they got impressed by the bravery and asked for the Gorkhali army of Nepal in their regiment. In this way The gorkhali regiment was formed in India.Since the British pronouced it as gurkha now its called gurkha in indian and british army.Mind it that Indian government and Nepal government signed a treaty to provide gorkhali army . A similar treaty that Nepal signed with British.So,gorkha is not a tribe of india that you people would like to call.Many of the gorkha regiment soilders stayed in India after serving in army.