Nepal Army celebrated its establishment day as the Nepal Army Day on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri earlier this week. The Nepal Army has long regarded Hinduism, Nepal’s predominant religion, as a cornerstone of its strength. Each unit of the army is named after a deity, and daily worship of these deities is an integral part of the army’s tradition. The army views divine power as a crucial aspect of its military prowess. In Kathmandu, the army organized a parade, cannon salutes, and cultural programs at the Army Pavilion as part of the Army Day celebrations. Similar events were held at various military bases, including divisions, brigades and battalions. The tradition of celebrating Army Day extends to Nepali peacekeeping forces deployed in conflict zones worldwide.
The Nepal Army traces its origins to the military structure established under the command of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Historical records show that Shah initiated the unification of Nepal by launching attacks on smaller states with his Gorkhali army on the day of Maha Shivaratri. However, the formal celebration of Army Day began only three decades ago. Military experts explain that since there is no specific date marking the army’s establishment of the Nepal Army, Maha Shivaratri was chosen as Army Day to honor the day Prithvi Narayan Shah organized his forces.
The Nepal Army is considered one of the oldest armies in South Asia. Its formation dates back to 1744. Military historians say that the Nepal Army, which has fought in numerous battles since its inception, is one of the oldest in the region. However, the exact date of its establishment remains unclear.
Historian and Retd Brigadier General Prem Singh Basnyat says that the Nepal Army was formed in 1616 BS, coinciding with the establishment of the Gorkha Kingdom. According to Basnyat, the army gained recognition as the Royal Nepal Army after victories over Nuwakot and Kantipur. According to another historian, Dinesh Raj Panta, the Nepal Army was formally established on Falgun 10, 1819 BS (262 years ago). That was the year when the Gorakh Gana Battalion was formed. Before this, while the Nepal Army existed, it lacked a formal structure. If Basnyat’s research is to be believed, the Nepal Army is now 465 years old. However, the army itself recognizes its establishment 262 years ago when its organizational structure was first laid with the formation of the Gorakh Gana Battalion.
The organized army of Gorkha, established about two hundred years ago, did not engage in battles. Historians suggest that this might be the reason why the history of the army is relatively short. The Nepal Army, which began under the command of Bhagirath Pant in the Gorkha state, is currently led by Ashok Raj Sigdel.
The Nepal Army’s history is intertwined with Nepal’s unification and its resistance against foreign invasions. The army’s bravery and sacrifices during the Anglo-Nepal War (1814-1816) earned it respect from the British, who later recruited Nepali soldiers into their ranks. The Gorkhali soldiers, known for their valor, became an integral part of the British Indian Army after the Sugauli Treaty (1816).
The Nepal Army has also contributed to global peacekeeping efforts. Since 1958, it has been actively involved in United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The Nepal Army reached India in 1857, under the command of Junga Bahadur Rana, to suppress the Indian Sepoy Mutiny. The Nepal Army fought in World War I and the Third Afghan War in Waziristan in 1920 on behalf of the British. Similarly, during World War II, the Nepal Army supported British India and participated in battles. The Nepal Army fought three times against Tibet. On one occasion, it defeated the joint forces of Tibet and China.
The expansion campaign of the state, which began during the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah, extended the country’s territory from Tista in the east to Kangda in the west. However, it lost most of the territory after the Treaty of Sugauli was signed in 1816 following Nepal’s defeat in the war with the British.
The Nepal Army has also served friendly nations. It helped British India in its wars India. Likewise, it won the heart of China by suppressing the Khampa rebellion in Tibet. Whether it was the Falklands War or other external conflicts, the name of the Nepal Army is always taken with respect.
The Nepal Army was known as the Royal Nepal Army until the 11th generation of the Shah dynasty. When the then Royal Nepal Army refused to support King Gyanendra and accepted its role as the army of Nepali citizens, the monarchy ended in 2008. In 2007, with the declaration of the reinstated House of Representatives, the name of the Royal Nepal Army was formally changed to the Nepal Army.
In 2006, the interim parliament passed the Military Act which ended the palace’s control over the army and placed it under the parliament. In 2011, after integrating the then-Maoist combatants, the number of Nepal Army personnel was reported to be around 100,000. Women are also being recruited into the army. The army has set a target to increase its women personnel to 5% of its total strength.
The army has played a crucial role in national development, constructing roads in remote areas and contributing to infrastructure projects. For instance, the Kathmandu-Nijgadh fast track, a strategic road connecting Kathmandu to the Tarai plains, is being built by the army. However, delays and cost overruns in such projects have raised concerns about inefficiencies and political interference.
Despite its achievements, the Nepai Army has been facing challenges, including maintaining discipline and addressing corruption within its ranks. Recent reports of senior officers seeking foreign citizenship for their spouses and tempering with citizenship certificates and passports for fraudulent purposes do not augur well for the army.
The Nepal Army must reliably provide security for various national assets. For example, it is currently safeguarding electricity infrastructure, telephone towers, historical forts and palaces, national parks, and museums. This has also strengthened the relationship between the military and civilians.
While the Nepal Army is progressing by embracing the global recognition of human rights, it has struggled to fully integrate this into public perception. Even within the chain of command, there is a persistent tendency where legal matters are overlooked, and speaking up against seniors often leads to being targeted. The military leadership lacks the mindset of acknowledging mistakes and valuing honesty. The army has yet to rise above the practice of favoring what suits them and avoiding accountability when questions arise.
The Nepal Army’s modernization efforts have been supported by India. The southern neighbor has provided training and resources for the army The two armies share a close relationship. They have a unique tradition of conferring Army Chiefs of each other’s country with the honorary rank of General. That honor also signifies that the Nepal Army and the Indian Army collaborate and respect each other. Just as the Indian Army operates under political leadership, the Nepal Army must also function in a similar manner. The army should not have the character of advising or overthrowing political leadership, as seen in Bangladesh or Pakistan. In this regard, the political leadership must also be vigilant and wise.
The Nepal Army has won the hearts of the general public through disaster management and the construction of challenging tracks and roads. However, officers within the army should not enjoy luxuries while soldiers are forced to live in bunkers. The army should not speak out on political matters either. Its responsibility is to provide suggestions to the leadership through the Security Council. If the army spokesperson’s office starts speaking on political issues, the stature of the army will diminish.
In this context, the royal era of former King Gyanendra is noteworthy. It was Gyanendra’s stubbornness that led to the end of the royal legacy. Therefore, the army leadership must pay attention to even the smallest details. It is inappropriate for military leaders to attend book launches or ordinary programs just to please political leadership. If the army also starts making speeches, how is it different from political party leaders? The military leadership needs to be aware of this.
