India General Service Medal (1854)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| India General Service Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse and reverse of the medal. | |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Awarded for | Campaign service. |
| Description | Silver or bronze disk, 36mm diameter. |
| Presented by | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |
| Eligibility | British and Indian forces. |
| Campaign(s) | India 1852–1895. |
| Clasps |
|
| Established | 11 March 1854 |
 Ribbon: 32mm, three crimson and two dark blue stripes of equal width. | |
The India General Service Medal (1854 IGSM) was a campaign medal approved on 1 March 1854, for issue to officers and men of the British and Indian armies. It was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India and nearby countries, between 1852 and 1895.
In 1852 Lord Dalhousie had suggested a general service medal for smaller Indian campaigns, in order to limit the number of individual medals awarded.[1]
Indian Army units made up the majority of forces present for nearly all campaigns. While the expeditions covered by the medal included few formal battles, most were undertaken in difficult terrain against determined resistance from local tribesmen.[2]
In 1895, the India Medal was authorised to reflect service in further Indian expeditions, replacing the 1854 General Service Medal.[3]
The medal is 1.4 inches (36 mm) in diameter, and was struck at the Royal Mint.[4]
It was initially awarded only in silver. From the Burma 1885–87 clasp, medals in bronze were awarded to authorised native followers who accompanied the troops, such as bearers, sweepers and drivers.[5][6]
The obverse bears a left facing effigy of Queen Victoria wearing a diadem. Surrounding the head is the inscription VICTORIA REGINA.[7]
The reverse depicts Victory crowning a seated warrior with a laurel wreath. In the exergue are lotus flowers and leaves.[7]
It was always issued with the recipient's rank, name and unit engraved or impressed on the rim.[8]
The medal is suspended by a scrolled bar.
The 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide ribbon is divided into five stripes, three red and two dark blue, each 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) wide.[7]
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=spacer}
.png){kind=small}
