The Ghurkas — Monkey Men of the Himalayas

1898

The average "monkey-man of the Himalayas" is by no means a type of beauty. A short body, little legs, round head, and flat features are a few of his prominent physical characteristics; and being for a long period clothed in one of the ugliest uniforms the genius of man ever invented, he could not compete in picturesqueness with the fine physique and carriage of the handsome Sikhs, Pathans, or Bayputs.

But, in spite of his unprepossessing appearance, once let his officers gain his respect, and he is ready to follow them with doglike fidelity, to "go anywhere and do anything," to use a hackneyed phrase; and those qualities which commend themselves to a Ghurka are the same as those which serve to endear an officer to the British private.

Indeed, the devotion, courage, energy of character, and love of enterprise of these formidable but merry little warriors are such that the writer of a recent article on the native army gives expression to his conviction that "there is not a single instance on record of Ghurka soldiers having failed in their duty against an enemy." — Pall Mall.

Comment: We're all so superior, aren't we?