Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu

The Most Puissant Order of the Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (Nepali: गोरखा दक्षिण बाहु; Order of the Gurkha Right Arm or Hand) was an order of knighthood of Nepal. It was one of the highest honors given traditionally by the king. It was awarded to both the military and civilians, including foreign nationals, for distinguished contribution to the country in the field of arts, literature, sports, science, and social service. It was the second highest honor of the Kingdom of Nepal after the Order of Tri Shakti Patta; the award was discontinued after the fall of monarchy in 2008.

Order of the Gurkha Right Arm
Second class of the Order
Type	Order
Awarded for	Valuable service to Nepal
Description	1st Class to 5th Class, plus a medal
Country	Nepal
Presented by	King of Nepal (now President of Nepal)
Established	1896, revived 7 September 1932
First awarded	1896
Last awarded	2006
Ribbon bar of the order
Precedence
Next (higher)	Order of Tri Shakti Patta
Next (lower)	none

History

The order was first instituted by King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1896. The order was later revived and reformed on 7 September 1932 by King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev. Attached to the order is a medal instituted by King Tribhuvan in 1936. It is the oldest order in Nepal. Its recipients include Sir Edmund Hillary, bestowed on June 23, 1953.

Insignia

The ribbon of the order is officially saffron.

Grades

The Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu has five classes and a medal:

• Member First Class (Suprasidha-Prabala-Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu)
• Member Second Class (Prasidha-Prabala-Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu)
• Member Third Class (Suprabala-Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu)
• Member Fourth Class (Prabala-Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu)
• Member Fifth Class (Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu)
• Medal (Gorkha-Dakshina-Bahu-Padak)

External links

• World Medals Index, Nepal: The Most Puissant Order of the Gurkha Right Arm