It was initially named "Prithvinarayan" (Nepali: पृथ्वीनारायण) after King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was born in Gorkha and united and founded modern Nepal.

[citation needed] At the time of the 2021 Nepal census it had a population of 53,285 people living in 12,641 individual households.

[2] In 2014, the neighboring Village development committees Nareshwar, Phinam and thereafter Taple were merged into the municipality.

The old royal palace (Gorkha Durbar), Gorakhnath and Kalika (temple of the goddess Kali) are the main attractions.

[4] In terms of ethnicity/caste, 21.1% were Chhetri, 15.5% Magar, 12.8% Hill Brahmin, 10.1% Sarki, 8.8% Newar, 6.8% Gurung, 5.8% Kami, 4.7% Kumal, 3.2% Musalman, 2.7% Damai/Dholi, 2.4% Tamang, 1.4% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.8% Gharti/Bhujel, 0.7% Thakuri, 0.6% Darai, 0.5% Ghale, 0.3% Brahmu/Barahmo, 0.2% Badi, 0.2% Gaine, 0.2% Nuniya, 0.2% Tharu, 0.1% other Dalit, 0.1% Koiri/Kushwaha, 0.1% Limbu, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Rai, 0.1% Teli and 0.3% others.