The Kukri (Khukuri) Knife of the Gurkhas; a Historical Description 1793-‐ 2014
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GURKHA ANTIQUES & SIRKUKRI. The Kukri (Khukuri) Knife of the Gurkhas; A Historical description 1793-‐ 2014. Intro -‐ The Kukri knife, also written as Khukuri, Khukri, Khookree, Kookeri, Kukoori, Koorkerie, Kookery, Kukery, Koukoori, Khokreis, Cookri, Gurkha Knife and other variations, takes its name from the Nepali word खुकुरी " " . This dagger-‐knife is today world famous and known f as the Symbol o the Gurkhas, National weapon Nepal of and a most excellent knife with a long and ancient history. Ive used the term "Kukri" over the more proper "Khukuri" as it is probably a wider used word and thus more familiar to the reader. This article/post is the result of an attempt to collect information from various authors and written sources over the last 221 years (1793 -‐ 2014) in regards to what has been written about the Kukri knife. Wikipedia gives the following statement (January, 2014): "The Kukri or Khukuri (Nepali: खुकुरी)) is a Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved edge, used as both a tool and as a weapon in Nepal. Traditionally it was, and in many cases still is, the basic utility knife of the Nepalese people. It is a characteristic weapon of the Nepalese Army, the Royal Gurkha Rifles and of all Gurkha regiments throughout the world, so much that many English-‐ 1 speakers refer to the weapon as a "Gurkha blade" or "Gurkha knife". The kukri often appears in Nepalese heraldry and is used in many traditional rituals such as wedding ceremonies." Objective: My general focus has been on how the Kukri has been described in various times by various authors. Its use over history iefly is only br mentioned here and there, will be left for another time. Some ons of the main questi I´ve tried to find answers/view about has been: -‐ What have been the conceptions, ideas and views regarding the Kukri from 1793-‐ 2014? -‐ How has the Kukri been described, has it changed or had periods of "media" attention? -‐ Are the views of the authors based on a particular "system of thought" or have other ideas been followed, which may dramatically change the prevailing idea of a given time or the author’s viewpoint. A Sirmoor, Nahan Style Kukri, 19th Century, North India / Nepal. Photo: Gurkha-‐Antiques & Sirkukri. These questions I've not answered in a traditional way but leave it up to you the reader to find out on based the different quotes and tings wri found over the last + 200 years. Even though Col. Kirkpatrick made his notes in 1793 when he was in Nepal they were only published in 1811, the Kukri was now available “public knowledge” and potentially exposed to a larger number of people then ever before being depicted in his book. 3 years later when the Anglo-‐Nepal broke out in 1814, the Kukri became a weapon to be reckoned with and widely known to the British Indian Military Establishment of the Bengal Presidency, India and throughout the Himalayas. The main "theme" or purpose for this work has been to collect information regarding how the Kukri has been described in writing. I hope that this article can serve us to understand the Kukri as a weapon and symbol much better and broader while also assisting further needed research of the Kukri knife. Any flaws I hold as my own and do not necessarily agree with all information found, but still useful for the discourse. Further material that I may have overseen 2 would be most appreciated if you could mail in to me so that we can keep it fully updated! -‐JAI KUKRI / JAY KHUKKRI – A collection of 8 kukri (Gurkha) knifes, Collection & Photo: VK Kunwor / Gurkha Antiques / SirKukri. Part -‐ 1 1793 -‐ 1899. 1793 / -‐ 1811 "It is in felling small trees or shrubs, and lopping the branches of others for this purpose, that the dagger, or knife worn by every Nepaulian, and called Khookheri, is chiefly employed; it is also of very great use, as I repeatedly experienced, in clearing away the road when obstructed by the low hanging boughs of trees, and other similar impediments (p.118)." 3 Illustration from Kirkpatrick’s work (p. 118-‐119) and thus probably the first Kukri to be shown to an international public. Further info can be found in my article on Academia (PDF), IKRHS (JPG) and on SirKukri Blog. A Early Gurkha /Ghoorka soldier, ca 1815, found in India Revealed. "Besides matchlocks, they are generally armed with bows and arrows; and Kohras, or hatchet swords; of the two last weapons, drawings are annexed (p. 214.)" 4 -‐ An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul by Col. William J. Kirkpatrick, London, 1811, (reprint New Delhi, 2007). "This example was possibly captured during the Gurkha (Nepal) War (1814-‐1816), but may date from the eighteenth century." National Army Museum, London, UK. Weapons, Kukri/Khukuri, Katar, Kora/Khora sword, and Dhal (shield) of Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, Western commanding General during Anglo-‐Nepal War 1814-‐1816. National Museum of Nepal, 2014. Photo: VK Kunwor /Gurkha Antiques /Sirkukri. 1826 -‐ “During the Nepal war, the sepoys unable to profit so much by their discipline, as they would have done in compact charges on the plain, found the musket and bayonet so unequal a weapon to oppose in single combat to the Goorkahs, that they endeavored clandestinely to take with them their tulwars, and latterly ten men of each company were permitted to do so (p. 182).” -‐ "On improving the mode of fixing the Bayonet & co" in The British Indian Military 5 Repository, vol. IV, by by Capt. Samuel Parlby, Calcutta, 1826. Early Gurkha warriors, ca 1815-‐1820`s, Osprey “The Gurkhas” 1833 -‐ “The Kookree, or knife, is their favorite weapon; but the Government has sagely armed them with fuses, and has taught them to rely upon the superior advantages of the bayonet; though, like the Highlanders, their predilection for the knife (a sort of claymore) is still cherished; at close quarters it is a formidable, but not equal to a broadsword. In bivouacking, stockading, and the more harmless occupations of household matters, building, hewing, & c. the natives are very expert in the use of this their national weapon (p. 219)." -‐ Tours in Upper India and in parts of the Himalaya Mountains by Maj. E. C. Archer, London, 1833, vol 2. 1846 -‐ “The kookree is sharp and narrow at the point, suddenly increasing in breadth, and thus presenting a great surface of cutting edge, which is rendered still more effectual by its bent shape and short edge. y The Goorkhas generall drive the kookree into the abdomen or belly of their opponents, and thus rip them up with great dexterity and expedition.” -‐ History of the Sikhs, by Dr. W. L. , M’Gregor London, 1846. 6 1852 – A Gurkha, painted 19th century, Gurkha Museum. "…by the Goorkas, is a most useful weapon at all times, and at close quarters in action a most dangerous and deadly one. The khokery is shaped like a curved knife, narrow near the handle, and curving inwards, the blade varying from fourteen to sixteen inches in length, and two and half inches wide at its broadest part. The case in which it is contained is likewise furnished with various useful articles, viz.: a couple of small knifes, a pair of scissors, needle and thread, tweezers, and the requisite apparatus for striking a light, and hich in the use of w the Goorkhas are remarkably expert…(p. 250)." -‐ Narrative of a Five Years’ Residence at Nepaul (Nepal), by Capt. Thomas Smith, London: 1852. A Ang Khola Hanshee model Kukri with damascus/wootz blade, dating to the Indian Mutiny, ca 1857-‐1858, in which both British Indian Gurkha troops and Royal Nepal Army Gorkhali troops led by Maharajah Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana partook. Collection of VK Kunwor / Gurkha Antiques / SirKukri. 7 1858 -‐ "The chief implement of the Goorkah is the Koorkerie, a curved knife, which has proved very formidable to the rebels, and with which they encounter a foe at close quarters, or dispatch a wounded man. ...1500 Goorkahs and two guns, was met by some 5000 of the enemy with seven guns...The curved knives made quick work. Ten minutes after their charge the enemy had disappeared. ...the Goorkahs carry koorkeries, formidable couteaux de chasse (p. 13)." -‐ "The Goorkah Knife" in The Illustrated London News, 2 January, 1858. Two soldiers of the 66th Regiment native Infantry (later 1st urkha G Rifles) 1854, from The Gurkha Museum, UK. “The facility with which the Gorkhas wielded the kukree—a native knife, and a most effective weapon of war in experienced hands—elicited the wonder of every beholder. Once plunged into the abdomen of an enemy, in a second he was ripped up, just as clean and cleverly as the butcher divides an ox or a sheep (p. 86).” -‐ The Chaplain’s Narrative of the Siege of Delhi, by Rev. John Edward Wharton Rotton, London, 1858. "....an officer, met a drunken Goorkha who drew his " kookree " (a weapon as rooked and ugly as its name) (p.100)." 8 -‐ The crisis in the Punjab, by Frederic Cooper, London, 1858. 1863 -‐ " There is another curious form of cutting-‐blade in which the curve is the reverse way to the usual form. Instances of this form are seen in the Khora, and Kookree knife of the Ghoorkas. In tools we have a familiar illustration in the billhook used to lop off small branches of trees, and in some forms of pruning-‐knives. The Kookree knife is the best known weapon of this kind, ated and the stories rel of its cutting power are very marvelous. If you examine it you will find that the weight is well forward, and in advance of the wrist, and in fig.