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Kaisar-i-Hind Medal

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"Kaiser-i-Hind" redirects here. For other uses, see Kaiser-i-Hind (disambiguation).

The Kaisar-i-Hind (sometimes misspelt as Kaiser-i-Hind) was a medal awarded by the British monarch between 1900 and 1947, to civilians of any nationality who rendered distinguished service in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj.[1]

Kaiser is the Middle-Eastern (and via Persian, the vernacular Indian) title for "Emperor", hence Kaisar-i-Hind could be rendered as "Emperor of India" (Hind being the Persian/Urdu word for India). Kaisar-I-Hind was also inscribed on the obverse side of the India General Service Medal (1909).[2]

History

Empress of India or Kaisar-i-Hind, a form coined by the orientalist G.W. Leitner in a deliberate attempt to dissociate British imperial rule from that of preceding dynasties[3] was taken by Queen Victoria from 1 May 1876, and proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar of 1877.

The medal was instituted by Queen Victoria on April 10, 1900.[1][4] The name translates as "Emperor of India", a name also used for a rare Indian butterfly Teinopalpus imperialis. The Royal Warrant for the Kaisar-i-Hind was amended in 1901, 1912, 1933 and 1939. While never officially rescinded, the Kaisar-i-Hind ceased to be awarded following the passage of the Indian Independence Act 1947.[5] Recently discovered, this award has been given out a total of 142 times. The awards are published in the [London Gazette].

Medal grades and design

Ribbon of Kaisar-i-Hind Medal

The medal had three grades. The Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal for Public Service in India was awarded directly by the monarch on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for India. Silver and Bronze medals were awarded by the Viceroy.

The medal consisted of an oval-shaped badge or decoration in gold, silver or bronze with the Royal Cipher and Monarchy on one side, and the words "Kaisar-i-Hind for Public Service in India" on the other. It was to be worn suspended from the left breast by a dark blue ribbon. The medal has no post-nominal initials.[5]

Its most famous recipient is Mohandas Gandhi, who was awarded the Kaisar-i-Hind in 1915 for his contribution to ambulance services in South Africa. Gandhi returned the medal in 1920 as part of the national campaign protesting the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.[1][6]

Recipients

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Kaiser-i-Hind medal". britishmilitarymedals.co.uk. Retrieved 12 May 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ File:India General Service Medal 1909 G5-v1.jpg
  3. ^ B.S. Cohn, "Representing Authority in Victorian India", in E. Hobsbawm and T. Ranger (eds.), The Invention of Tradition (1983), 165-209, esp. 201-2.
  4. ^ "United Kingdom: Kaiser-i-Hind Medal". Medals of the World. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b "Imperial Awards". Awards and Culture branch, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Commonwealth of Australia. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  6. ^ "Mohandas K. Gandhi: Beginning in South Africa". Gandhi Book Centre. 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  7. ^ Raja Ravi Varma with the Kaiser -I- Hind medal granted in 1904
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