Nepal - Pokhara - Nepali boys during British Gurkha selection

Teenage Nepali boys await the start of a recruitment test for the Gurkha Regiment called the Doko race, part of a tough endurance series to find physically perfect specimens for British army infantry training. They have to carry 30kg of river stones in a traditional Himalayan doko (basket) for 3km up foothills within 37 minutes to pass. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those educated enough to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. Nepal has been supplying youths for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download

Filename: doko_gurkhas-16-01-1997_1.jpg
Copyright: Richard Baker
Image Size: 3072x2488 / 1.2MB; gurkhas lads boys young wannabe nepali nepal doko baskets weight heavy recruits trying testing test selection hills mountains race timed time teenagers fate fitness fit stamina endurance British Army Pokhara adolescent altitude career colonial competition duty history homeland honour military mountainous pride prospects regiment reputation service traditional youth training foothills joining lifetime Nepalese tough testosterone macho stress rigorous course cardio determination motivation mental strength strength tough guy athletic miles toughest elimination strongest nineties 1990s 90s
Contained in galleries: Richard Baker - All pics

Teenage Nepali boys await the start of a recruitment test for the Gurkha Regiment called the Doko race, part of a tough endurance series to find physically perfect specimens for British army infantry training. They have to carry 30kg of river stones in a traditional Himalayan doko (basket) for 3km up foothills within 37 minutes to pass. 60,000 boys aged between 17-22 (or 25 for those educated enough to become clerks or communications specialists) report to designated recruiting stations in the hills each November, most living from altitudes ranging from 4,000-12,000 feet. After initial selection, 7,000 are accepted for further tests from which 700 are sent down here to Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Only 160 of the best boys succeed in the journey to the UK. Nepal has been supplying youths for the British army since the Indian Mutiny of 1857.