1Ph.D. scholar, Dept. of History, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam
2Associate Professor, Dept. of History, The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam. Email: susmitahazarika02@gmail.com
After 1857, British officials working in colonial India developed the theory of the martial race, according to which groups, castes, tribes, or communities that were brave, loyal, and possessed fighting skills were considered martial races. In contrast, those who were unfit for military service were considered non-martial races. During the 19th century, colonial administration of India divided the communities, tribes, castes or groups into two categories: martial races and non-martial races, in which martial races were considered for the military and non-martial races were reserved to be labourers. The Gorkhas or Gurkhas of Nepal were considered a martial race, especially ethnic tribes like the Magars and the Gurungs, whereas the other Nepali communities were categorised under non-martial races and were generally recruited for working in economic sectors. Gradually, when the demand for labourers increased in Assam, the Gorkhas, who were considered a martial race, not only served in the British military but were also forced to work in economic sectors. The martial races, like Gorkhas, who were turned into labourers in Assam by the British, changed the basic concept and definition of martial and non-martial races by the end of 20th century.
Keywords: Gorkhas, British colonialism, Martial race, indentured labourers.
How to cite this article: Jordan Thapa, Dr. Susmita Hazarika. Turning martial race into labourers: A phase of modernity in Assam’s colonial past. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026; 16(8s): 525-529; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.64
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None