Khukuri

The kukri is a type of machete that originated in the Indian subcontinent and is traditionally associated with Nepal's and India's Nepali-speaking Gurkhas. The blade of the knife has a distinct recurve. It is used as a melee weapon as well as a regular cutting tool throughout most of South Asia. For the Gurkhas, the blade has traditionally served as a basic utility knife. The kukri is Nepal's national weapon, and as such, it is a distinctive weapon of the Nepalese Army.

The kukri is also used by various regiments and units in the Indian Army, including the Assam Rifles, the Kumaon Regiment, the Garhwal Rifles, and various Gorkha regiments. Outside of its native South Asia, the kukri is also seen in service with the British Army's Royal Gurkha Rifles—a unique regiment that is quite different from the rest of the British Army in that it is the only regiment that recruits its soldiers solely from Nepal; a relationship that dates back to the days of British colonial rule in India.

The kukri is the standard issue weapon of all Gurkha military regiments and units around the world, so much so that some English-speakers refer to it as a "Gurkha blade" or "Gurkha knife." The kukri is frequently depicted in Nepalese and Indian Gorkha heraldry, and it is used in many traditional, Hindu-centric rites such as wedding ceremonies.

There have been and continue to be many myths surrounding the kukri since its first recorded use in the 7th century, most notably that a traditional custom revolves around the blade, which must draw blood before being sheathed due to its sole purpose as a fighting weapon. They are, however, frequently used as regular utility tools. Extraordinary stories of Gurkhas using them in combat may contribute to this misconception. The spellings kukri, khukri, and kukkri are all of Indian English origin, with khukuri being the original Nepalese English spelling.

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