Which Nepalese ethnic groups supplied many soldiers for Gurkha units in the British army?

The term Gurkha refers to soldiers from Nepal who have served in the British and Indian armies. While the original military forces of the Shah dynasty were ethnically diverse, the majority of the famous Gurkha contingents recruited by the British army have historically been drawn from specific ethnic groups.12

The primary groups that have supplied these soldiers include:

• Magar: Inhabiting west-central Nepal, they are one of the core groups associated with Gurkha service.12
• Gurung: Also residing in west-central Nepal, the Gurung have long been renowned for their military service as Gurkhas.132
• Rai: Located in eastern Nepal, the Rai are another major group that has contributed significantly to these units.12
• Limbu: Along with the aforementioned groups, the Limbu people of eastern Nepal have also been historically identified as a source of recruits for these forces.12