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Durkha

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Durkhas
Dōrkhā
Royal Durkha in Delamaria.jpg
Durkha troops in a military parade, serving abroad in Delamaria
Countries
Size21,000
Nickname(s)Dorkhas, nickname by the Delamarians
Motto(s)'Hirō jastai marnu, sipāhī jastai ji'unu!'
' Die like a hero, live like a soldier!'
EngagementsBattle of Bidakiye (Victory)
Battle of Six Waters (Victory)
Battle of Bhuramia (Victory)

The Durkhas or Dorkhas (Mahanan: गोर्खा | Dōrkhā-), are soldiers native to Mahana renowned for their fighting prowess.

The Durkha units are composed of Mahanans and are recruited for several militaries around the world; The Mahanan Military, the Mekabirian army, the Namdatkan army, the Delamarian Army, the Rhodellian army and the Gallambrian Army, as well as being deployed for AN peacekeeping forces and in war zones around the wurld.

Origins

Historically, the term 'Durkha' and 'Dorkha' originate from the western regions of Mahana from the Khaddic Empire where the family of 'Durkarie' were hugely important advisors to the emperor. The Durkhas were initially a group of highly skilled and practised mercenaries and warrior monks that were hired by the Durkarie to protect them, giving them the name the 'Durkhas' or 'Dorkhas'. The name itself means ('Holy Protectors' or 'Pavitra Durkhā'). The Durkha military units are deployed around the world, notably in the Mekabirian army, the Mahanan army itself and the Namdatkan army. They are also deployed as part of the AN peacekeeping forces. The Durkha military are always associated with their indispensable 'Kuhkiri', a traditional forward curving Mahanan blade. When describing the Durkha, Namdatkan Army Chief of Staff Field Marshall Palmo Jigme stated; "If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Durkha."

Background

Earliest Forms

A depiction of the Durkha in the Khaddic Empire, by Orinese artist in the 1770s.

The earliest forms of the Durkha date back to the early Khaddic Empire were those who eventually came to be known as the Durkhas were a small, skilled and well known regional mercenary group for hire. They followed the principles of Gaism, however, which has remained a commonality in the regiments of Durkhas even until the present day. Before their official foundation, they are most well known for being hired by the emperor of the Khaddic Empire to protect the empire's top advisors and generals, as well as the emperor himself. They got the earliest version of their name as a group when hired to defend the 'Durkarie' family of advisors, which is when they first became known as the 'Durkhas'. After the collapse of the Khaddic Empire, the Durkhas existed in peace as the Mahanan government specifically passed a law to allow their work to continue, legally, as long as they could show proof of their allegiance to the Durkhas with their blade. They spent a majority of this time working for free as warrior monks, protecting the Gai.

Official Foundation

Durkha soldiers, 1799.

The organisation was officially founded in 1763 as a branch of the Mahanan Army. They were paid extensively for their service, as they were seen as essential during times of rising tensions in the region. About 10,000 Durkha fighters joined the army initially, with the rest seeing as their duty to stay and protect the religious leader of Gaism. The Durkha were used in training the main branches of the military, with their own training sessions being far harsher than those of a normal soldier. It is said that if, upon inspection, the soldier's Kuhkiri was seen to be dirty or not in condition, the soldier would be removed.

Mahanan-Mekabirian War

A Kuhkiri knife.

The first conflict seen by the Durkhas was the Mahanan-Mekabirian War of 1791. The Durkhas played a huge part in the war, being decisive in battles such as the Battle of Bidakiye and the Battle of Six Waters. The soldiers impressed in the mountainous terrain, being able to easily adapt to any form of fight that occurred in the war, including firefights. The war was the first time outside powers began to see the potential of hiring the Durkha soldiers for their own military operations, with many stories of the war and the Durkhas prowess travelling far beyond the Orient.

Mahanan-Namdatkan Conflict

Depiction of the Durkha from Namdatka, 1814.

The second major conflict seen by the Durkhas was the Mahanan-Namdatkan War of 1813. Unlike the war against Mekabiri, the Durkhas were not deployed in such high quantities due to the use of modern technologies that the Durkhas were believed not to have adapted to at the beginning of the war, notably gunpowder. Despite this, they were incorporated into the war efforts in 1815, using early gunpowder and previous techniques together in order to make a turning point in the war, although a white-peace was agreed with no clear winner as the war began to become detrimental for both sides. Historians argue that without the involvement of the Durkha it would have been a defeat for the Mahanan forces.

Mahanan-Delamarian Conflict

Battle of Bhuramia, Daruwa, Mahana.

The final conflict that the Durkha fought for Mahana was against the Delamarian Oriental Company, Delamaria's small port colony on the Bay of Bhuram. To take the port city, now known as Daruwa, the Delamarian's had to capture and overthrow the local city council, taking the port city and using it for trade within the Oriental subcontinent. Seeing the occupation of the city as an act of war, King Veyda III tried launching an invasion into the city to kick out the colonisers. Over the course of the first few months, Mahanan ground troops were sent in, with the nation's navy lacklustre in comparison to the Delamarian navy. The troops struggled against the heavily trained and skilled Delamarian soldiers within the walled city. Some of what happened following is assumed to be myth, however it is known that the Durkha were sent to recapture the city after three months. It is said that 400 Durkha soldiers entered the city, against the almost 3,000 Delamarian soldiers, and won. The famous story of Durkha Bajra Singh came from the battle. Legend states the Bajra Singh single-handedly held off almost 50 Delamarian soldiers in an alley within the city, however the reality of the story has been questioned since.

What is certain, however, is that the Durkha managed to recapture the city for Mahana, showing again their prowess in combat. However, the treaty that ended the conflict included something different. The King of Mahana had written 'In exchange for your abstinence in our lands, we will send with you a dozen of our own, our Durkha' which lead to the first foreign Durkha division being sent home with the Delamarians.

Gallambrian Recruitment

Durkha service began initially following the Bashan War, where the Gallambrian Army were struggling to maintain peace and security following a number of Sharab Insurgencies. Following the establishment of the Trucial States, King George III invited the Durhkas to remain in Bashan to bolster security and policing forces. Shortly after, The Gallambrian Army established a similar formation for Durkhas as the Mekabirian Army.

First Argic War

A Royal Durkha training in Delamaria, 1949.

The Durkha saw major fighting in Argis during the First Argic War, notably for Delamaria in Iverica. They served valiantly for Delamaria and the joint Periphery Alliance throughout the majority of the war, however they are most renowned for their presence and heroics in Iverica, fighting against Galicia and Narva by assisting in many major victories throughout the conflict.

The Durkha began to be distributed by Delamaria through other armies, offering their services as mercenaries to many fronts for the Periphery Alliance. They earned great respect in Argis following the war, with many taking their great sacrifices made and monuments to their great sacrifice arose across the country, such as the monument in Bodminton.

Migration out of the Mahanan Army

At the turn of the 1950s, the Misra Dynasty had begun to become authoritarian leaders over Mahana, asserting power over the nation and it's citizens using force. This began to create tension in the nation as people began to become afraid of their rule. This also lead to the Durkha leaving the Mahanan Army in 1953, with the government "Going against all codes and honour of the Durkha" according to historians.

Mahanan Civil War

During the Mahanan Civil War of the 1990s, the army deployed the Durkhas as peacekeepers in major cities such as Jutpandi and Ghobari. The soldiers were seen as 'too harsh' in their techniques by the government, and the Durkha were used to calm tensions within the major cities.

Modern Durkhas

In the modern day, Durkhas are deployed in multiple different militaries for multiple nations. The Durkhas command respect due to their historic and cultural prowess, representing Mahana at home and abroad, where they serve.

Royal Mahanan Durkha Regiment

Durkhas in active training, Jutpandi.

Durkhas still remain in Mahana, as an extension of the Mahanan Army. Now four regiments remain in Mahana;

  • 1st Royal Durkha Regiment
  • 2nd Royal Durkha Regiment
  • 501st Gaian Durkha Regiment
  • 502nd Gaian Durkha Regiment

Despite Mahana being the country of the Durkhas origin, they only have three regiments of active Durkhas in their army. However, it should be noted that Mahana is home to the Sukedhara Training Camp in Jutpandi, the world training headquarters for the Durkhas.

Mekabirian Army Durkhas

The highest foreign Durkha deployment is within Mekabiri, a neighbour of Mahana. The Durkha began being recruited by the Mekabirian Army in 1922 as they became available to hire after leaving the Mahanan Army during the reign of the Subban Dictators. Since then, the Durkha have seen it as an honour to serve Mekabiri. In the present day, 29 regiments exist in Mekabiri.

A Mekabirian Durkha patrol.

Major Divisions:

  • 43rd Independent Durkha Infantry Brigade
  • 26th Durkha Brigade
  • 18th Durkha Division
  • 48th Durkha Infantry Brigade
  • 51st Durkha Infantry Brigade

As of August 2021, the following divisions are deployed in Mekabiri:

A Durkha in Mekabiri deployed into the police giving directions to a tourist.
Mekabirian Durkha in training around the Bidakiye.
  • 1st Battalion, The Royal Durkha Rifles (1RDR)
  • 2nd Battalion, The Royal Durkha Rifles (2RDR)
  • 3rd Battalion, The Royal Durkha Rifles (3RDR)
    • 250 Durkha Signal Squadron, 30 Signal Regiment
    • 246 Durkha Signal Squadron, 2 Signal Regiment
    • 247 Durkha Signal Squadron, 16 Signal Regiment
    • 248 Durkha Signal Squadron, 22 Signal Regiment
    • 249 Durkha Signal Squadron, 3rd (Mekabiri) Division Signal Regiment
  • 10 President's Own Durkha Logistic Regiment RLC
  • President's Durkha Engineers, which includes:
    • 58th Durkha Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment
    • 59th Durkha Field Squadron, 36 Engineer Regiment
  • Durkha Staff and Personnel Support Company
  • Band of the Brigade of Durkhas
  • Durkha Company (Sittang), Free Military Academy
  • Durkha Wing (Mandalay), Infantry Battle School
  • Durkha Company (Tavoleto), Land Warfare Centre

The Brigade of Durkhas also has its own chefs posted among the above-mentioned units.

Rhodellian Durkhas

The Rhodellian Durkhas during a wargames operation.

One of the highest recruiters of the Durkhas in modern day is Rhodellia, who historically were one of the earliest recruiters of the Durkha and a lot of Durkha remain in their army into modern day. Currently, two regiments remain in Rhodellia;

  • King's Royal Durkha Regiment
    • 1st King Augusts Guns Infantry Durkha Regiment
    • 3rd King Augusts Guns Infantry Durkha Regiment
    • 4th King Augusts Gun Infantry Durkha Regiment
  • Prince of Rhodellia's Durkha Regiments
    • 502nd Prince's Durkhas
    • 503rd Prince's Durkhas
    • 506th Prince's Durkhas

Delamarian Army Durkas

Durkhas in action in Iverica, fending off Narvan tanks.

Three active Durkha regiments serve the Delamarian Army under the Delamarian Durkha Legion, and have since the Delamarian Oriental Company's withdrawal from Mahana. The three current regiments are;

  • Daruwan Durkha Division One
  • Daruwan Durkha Division Two
    • Durkha Intelligence Sector
  • Daruwan Durkha Division Three

The Durkha in Delamaria serve for the Delamarian Army due to the Treaty of Daruwa which lead to, in exchange for the withdrawal of all Delamarian colonies from the Bay of Bhuram. Since then, a further regiment has been established in Delamaria, with service to the country seen as an honour by the Durkha.

The Durkhas have served in many Delamarian wars, most notably the First Argic War where they saw action primarily in Iverica. After the war the Durkha regiments gained great praise in Delamaria, and monuments to their great sacrifice arose across the country.

Gallambrian Army Durkhas

The Gallambrian Army along with the Rhodellian Army, is one of the highest recruiting foreign militaries of Durkhas.

Durkha service began initially following the Bashan War, where the Gallambrian Army were struggling to maintain peace and security following a number of Sharab Insurgencies. Following the establishment of the Trucial States, King George III invited the Durhkas to remain in Bashan to bolster security and policing forces. Shortly after, The Gallambrian Army established a similar formation for Durkhas as the Mekabirian Army.

Selection and initial training for service with the Gallambrian Army runs concurrently with the training courses facilitated by the Mahanan Army. Durkhas volunteering for service with the Gallambrian Army are limited to serving in the Bashan, as Gallambrian legislation prohibits the hiring or conscription of foreign nationals for service in Gallambria.

  • Brigade of Durkhas, Gallambrian Army
    • Royal Corps of Signals
      • 37 Signal Regiment (King's Durkha Signals)
      • 38 Signal Regiment (King's Durkha Signals)
      • 39 Signal Regiment (King's Durkha Signals)
      • 40 Signal Regiment (King's Durkha Signals)
    • Royal Engineers
      • 45 (Royal Durkha) Engineer Regiment
      • 46 (Royal Durkha) Engineer Regiment
      • 47 (Royal Durkha) Engineer Regiment
      • 48 (Royal Durkha) Engineer Regiment
      • 51 (Durkha) Engineer Regiment
    • Royal Durkha Regiment
      • (Duke of Carnoustie's Own) 1st Battalion
      • (Princess Catherine's Own) 2nd Battalion
      • (Queen Charlotte's Own) 3rd Battalion
      • (King George III's Own) 4th Battalion
      • (King George IV's Own) 5th Battalion
      • (Princess Royal's Own) 6th Battalion
    • Durkha Rifles
      • 1st Battalion (Battagara Rifles)
      • 2nd Battalion (Veydu Rifles)
      • 3rd Battalion (Daruwa Rifles)
      • 4th Battalion (Ghobari Rifles)
      • 5th Battalion (Jutpandi Rifles)
      • 6th Battalion (Lhakpa Rifles)
    • Royal Military Police
      • 12th (Durkha) Military Police Battalion
    • Royal Logistics Corps
      • 63 King's Own Durkha Logistics Regiment, RLC
      • 64 Queen Anne's Own Durkha Logistics Regiment, RLC
      • 65 Duke of Wessex's Own Durkha Logistics Regiment, RLC
  • Bashan National Police Force, Durkha Contingent
    • Durkha Guards Service
      • Headquarters Company, Durkha Guards Service
      • 1st Company of Durkha Guards (Government Protective Services)
      • 2nd Company of Durkha Guards (Foreign Protective Services)
      • 3rd Company of Durkha Guards (Foreign Protective Services)
      • Support and Logistics Company
    • Durkha Special Response Group
      • Headquarters Company, Durkha Special Response Group
      • 1st Special Response Unit (Counter-Terrorism & Special Operations)
      • 2nd Special Response Unit (Counter-Terrorism & Special Operations)
      • 3rd Special Response Unit (Counter-Terrorism & Special Operations)

Application and Training

Early Application

Part of the Durkha medical test.

The long process to joining the Durkhas begins in the application stage, which begins every April. The earliest stages begin as 10,000-20,000 applicants each year, aged under 22, arrive at the Sukedhara Training Camp in Jutpandi to begin the first stage, being accepted into the lower training camp. During the first day, the young men undergo medical tests and basic fitness tests, with those that fail being sent home to reapply the next year for another chance at making it into the Durkha academy. Those that pass the first day of basic training then undergo a basic discipline and mannerism test on the second day, which involves testing a soldier's posture and temperament through differing tests and trials which are changed each year. Once again, those who fail to pass all the tests are sent home with a heavy heart. The third and final day of the application is the mental tests. The Durkha Academy requires not only physically strong soldiers, but also mentally quick and stable soldiers. The young men take a series of tests under heavy conditions, these include basic mathematic and arithmetic tests, spelling tests and common knowledge assessors. If they pass these tests, they are accepted into the lower training camp, and still at least two years ago before official acceptance into the Durkha regiment.

Lower Training Camp

Kuhkiri training in the Lower Training Camp.

The 'Lower Training Camp' takes up the first of two years that are required in training to become a Durkha. The camp has harsh conditions, with phone calls home only allowed for half an hour a day past 9:00PM. These conditions help the soldiers become used to how harsh being a Durkha can be in the outside world. The soldiers have a strict weekly routine, including rifle training, Kuhkiri training as well as conditioning, strength building, rock running and more intense physical conditioning. The soldiers also undergo lessons to keep their brains growing, very similar to higher education in Mahana. The soldiers are given time off to return to their families between late April-June and November-early January. Once this first year is complete, the soldiers are given a graduation ceremony in the hall of their camp, where they are presented with a Medal of Dedication by the Head Chief of their camp. With this, they move onto the final, most brutal year of training with the Higher Training Camp.

Higher Training Camp

Practise for parading in the Higher Training Camp.

Two weeks after their graduation, those who passed the Lower Training Camp begin their move to the Higher Training Camp, a much harsher but quicker camp which leads to complete integration into the Durkha regiments. The higher camp lasts only 6 months, in comparison to the lower camp having a year. However, they do not offer breaks throughout the 6 months, preparing the soldiers for complete time away from family and friends. They follow a similar routine to the initial lower camp, however with harder tasks. If a soldier cannot reach the standards of the tasks, they will be removed from the program completely, with little compensation for the years they spent getting to the higher camp. This is done to preserve the reputation of the Durkha for having some of the greatest soldiers on Eurth. New tasks include parading, which involves soldiers standing for hours on end, and wargames, which simulate modern conflict and warfare for the soldiers. Sometimes the wargames held by the camps last days, making soldiers work for their survival in the games. A majority of the modern higher training camps are unknown as they are kept under secret by the Durkha. After the hard 6 months are complete by the soldiers, they are personally welcomed into the Durkhas by the standing President of Mahana in a ceremony in October. This officiates the final stage of completion into becoming a Durkha.

Fighting Style and Combat

The Durkha are renowned for their fighting style and prowess. Historically, the Durkha have been most effective in close quarter combat, being able to use the terrain to their advantage in their home regions around the Samripe Mountain Range in their war against Mekabiri. In recent times, they have also become efficient at using rifles, making them effective in multiple climates and situations. The conflict style usually consists of engaging the enemy with personal weapons at a very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand-held weapons such as swords or knives. They are also required to be efficient in Taekwondo and Kuhkiri Fighting. Another advantage that the Durkha have is for mountain combat, Mahanans naturally have a higher concentration of red blood cells, which means that they have high oxygen consumption and less fatigue, making them better adaptable to different conditions. It's also said that Durkhas have naturally got nice aim and strong leg muscles too.

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