History of the Ghurka Khukri

 

History of the Khukri

 

    The spelling of Khukri has been in dispute for some time. It has been documented as Khookree, Kookerie, Khukri, Khukuri, Kukery, Kukoori, Koukoori, and Kukri. These are mostly from early British accounts. The spoken word is actually 3 syllables: ( koo - ker - ee ). Today's accepted spellings are Kukri or Khukri

 

    As far as I can tell (culled from several historical versions), the present Khukri design found it's origins with the Ghurka tribes in or around the 7th century BC (about 2500 years ago). It may have been a derivative of some of the short swords of the day, either of early Greek design, or of those of the Macedonians who invaded Northwest India around the 4th century BC. The curved design as we know it today, however derived, was born in the hills of Nepal, and it was used for both farming and for battle. Several offshoot designs emerged ranging from smaller versions on the order of 8-10 inches in length, to massive two-handed broadsword versions several feet in length.