Orders, decorations, and medals of British India

This article is about the honours related to British rule in India. For the current honours of Republic of India, see Orders, decorations, and medals of India.

With the inception of Company rule in India by the East India Company in 1757, the tradition of giving medals also began. Campaign medals and awards were given to soldiers who fought in the Company's presidency armies (Bengal Army of Bengal Presidency, Madras Army of Madras Presidency and Bombay Army of Bombay Presidency). After 1895, with the formation of British Indian Army, soldiers were awarded with gallantry awards alongside Imperial Service Troops of the princely states. Awards were also bestowed upon the personnel of Royal Indian Navy and of Royal Indian Air Force with its incorporation in 1932. Indian Imperial Police were also eligible for the police honours.
The company's powers were removed in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny, and the British Crown assumed direct control of India and monarch took the title of Emperor of India in 1876. During the British Raj, new medals and orders were established and were awarded for the services to the Crown and the Indian Empire by Europeans and Indians of British India and the princely states. After 1914, Indians also became eligible for British Honours. The following is a list of orders, decorations and medals related to British in India:[1][2]

Orders

For other uses, see Order of India.

Orders of chivalry

Order of merit

Medals

Civil medals

Military medals

Service medals

Police medals

Commemoration medals

Campaign medals

See also: Category:Medals of the Honourable East India Company

Battle honours

Main article: Repugnant battle honours of the Indian Army

Titles

First class

Second class

Third class

See also

References

  1. ^ Puddester, Robert P. (2014). Medals of British India: The story of the Army of India Medal and the medal roll of the East India Company's land forces. Puddester Numismatic Foundation. ISBN 978-0-9920141-0-0.
  2. ^ Puddester, Robert P. (1987). Catalogue of British India Historical Medals: Including Temperance, Shooting and Sporting Medals, Badges, and Miscellaneous Items. R.C. Senior. ISBN 978-0-9511308-2-7.



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