Who Are the Gurkhas? The Story Behind Being Gurkha — Australia's Nepalese Heritage Brand
What Does It Mean to Be a Gurkha?
The word Gurkha — or Gorkha as it is spelled in Nepali — carries centuries of weight. It is not simply a name. It is a declaration of who you are, where you come from, and what you stand for.
The Gurkhas are warriors who originated from the hill regions of Nepal, named after the town of Gorkha in the Gandaki Province. For centuries, they have been regarded as some of the finest soldiers in the world — recruited into the British and Indian armies, they became legendary for their courage, loyalty, and the unbreakable spirit they carried into every battle.
The famous words of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw say it best: "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha."
Gurkha vs Gorkha — What Is the Difference?
Many people searching for this brand ask the same question: is it Gurkha or Gorkha? The answer is both — and neither is wrong.
Gorkha is the original Nepali spelling, named after the Gorkha district and the medieval Gorkha Kingdom from which Nepal was unified. Gurkha is the anglicised version, adopted by the British military when they began recruiting Nepalese soldiers in the 1800s.
At Being Gurkha, we honour both. Whether you search for us as a Gurkha brand, a Gorkha clothing brand, or a Nepalese fashion brand — you have found the same thing: a brand built on an identity that refuses to be diminished.
Being Gurkha — Australia's Original Nepalese Fashion Brand
Being Gurkha was born from a simple conviction: that the Gurkha legacy deserved to be carried forward — not just in history books or military regiments, but in the fabric of everyday life. In what people wear. In how they carry themselves.
Based in Australia and rooted in Nepalese heritage, Being Gurkha is the original Gurkha clothing brand built for the diaspora and for anyone who understands that strength, loyalty, and cultural pride are not things you leave behind — they are things you wear.
Every piece in the Being Gurkha Legacy Series is designed with intention. From the heavyweight premium cotton of the graphic tees — featuring tributes to King Birendra, the Daura Suruwal, and Himalayan mythology — to the Melton Wool and genuine leather of the Legacy Varsity Jacket, built over four years of research and development.
The Three Values of Being Gurkha
The Gurkha warrior was known above all else for three things. These are the same three values that Being Gurkha is built on:
- Honesty — in every product, every material, every story we tell.
- Loyalty — to our heritage, our community, and everyone who wears this brand.
- Bravery — to build a Nepalese brand from Australia, to stand for something, and to refuse to be ordinary.
What Does Being Gurkha Make?
Being Gurkha is a full Nepalese heritage lifestyle brand. The Legacy Series includes:
- Graphic T-Shirts — heavyweight premium cotton, culturally driven designs including the Daura Suruwal, King Birendra, Mithila art, and Himalayan mythology
- Premium Hoodies — 530 GSM double-layered cotton, bold and built to last
- Jackets & Outerwear — from the Legacy Varsity to the 01 Racer Leather Jacket and the Summit Sentinel Puffer
- Fragrances — the Warrior's Spirit and Legacy Eau de Parfum, 100ml scents born from the mountains of Nepal
- Headwear — the Legacy Camper Cap, Legacy Snapback, and Ghost Patrol 5-Panel
- Accessories — the Legacy Ironcore Skeleton Watch, BG Training Duffel Bag, and more
Why Being Gurkha Matters
There are very few Nepalese clothing brands in the world. Fewer still that carry the full weight of Gurkha warrior heritage in their design language and brand identity. Being Gurkha is not a brand that wears its culture as an aesthetic. It is a brand that lives it.
For the Nepalese diaspora in Australia and around the world — for anyone who carries Gorkha pride in their blood — Being Gurkha exists as a home. A way of saying: we are here, we remember, and we are not going anywhere.
The Gurkha generation is alive. And it dresses like it.
Shop the Being Gurkha Legacy Series at beinggurkha.com
