2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles: A Historical Overview 1. Origins and Early History The King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles trace their lineage to the 2nd King Edward VII’s Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles), a distinguished regiment of the British Indian Army. Raised in 1815 as the Sirmoor Battalion in Nepal, they were initially part of the East India Company’s forces. Their early reputation was cemented during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, particularly at the Siege of Delhi, where their va