Deccan Medal
| Deccan Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse and reverse depicted oncigarette cards(Note:The medal would have been suspended from a cord, not a ribbon)[1] | |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Awarded for | Campaign service |
| Presented by |  theEast India Company(EIC) |
| Eligibility | Native EIC forces |
| Campaign(s) | First Maratha War,1778–82 Second Mysore War,1780–84 |
| Clasps | None |
| Established | 1784 |
 Suspension cord for the medal | |
TheDeccan Medalwas the firstcampaign medalinstituted by theEast India Company(EIC). It was awarded to native Indian troops who took part in the major campaigns in India between 1778 and 1784. It is sometimes referred to as theCarnatic Medal.
Criteria
[edit]The Deccan Medal was awarded to native Indian soldiers of thearmies of the EICwho participated in the campaigns in theWest of IndiaandGuzerat,and theCarnatic regionof Southern India, from 1778 to 1784. This included service in both the second phase of theFirst Maratha Warof 1778–82 and theSecond Mysore Warof 1780–84.[2]
The first campaign medal to be awarded by the EIC to all ranks, it was authorised in 1784 by theGovernor-General of India.It was issued in two sizes: a larger medal to native officers, in gold toSubedarsand silver toJemadars;with a smaller silver medal to other ranks, includingHavildars,NaiksandSepoys.[3]In January 1785 eligibility was extended to artilleryLascars.[4]Europeans, including those in EIC service and withBritish Army,were not eligible for the medal. It was only awarded to those still alive when the roll of recipients was compiled in May 1785.[4]
In addition to the medal, native soldiers who served in the relevant campaigns received additional pay of onerupeea month, whileother ranksof EIC European units – who did not receive the medal – were granted a further two rupees a month. Each participating Indian battalion also received a pair ofhonorary standards.[4]
Description
[edit]The medal was struck and minted by a private contractor inCalcutta.[5]The gold medals were 1.6 inches (41 mm) in diameter, while the silver were issued in two sizes: 1.6 inches (41 mm) and 1.25 inches (32 mm). All types have a common design:[3]
The obverse depictsBritanniaseated on a number of military trophies, holding a laurel wreath with her right hand towards a distant fort flying aUnion Jack.There is no inscription.
The reverse has twoPersianinscriptions that translate as: in the centre:As coins are current around the world, so shall be the bravery and exploits of those heroes by who the name of the victorious English Nation was carried from Bengal to the Deccan;around the edge:PresentedAD1784 (Hijri year1199) by the East India Company's Calcutta Government.
The medal, issued unnamed, has a milled edge like a coin.[5]
A ring suspension allowed the medal to be worn around the neck by way of a suspension cord, usually yellow or sand colour.
References
[edit]- ^John Mussell (ed). (2014).Medal Yearbook 2015.p. 113. Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.ISBN.ISBN978-1-908-828-16-3.
- ^Steward, William Augustus (1915).War Medals and Their History.London: Stanley Paul & Co. p. 9.Retrieved20 April2019.
- ^abJoslin, Litherland and Simpkin. (1988).British Battles and Medals.Spink. p. 19. Published Spink, London. 1988.ISBN978-0-907605-256.
- ^abcMayo, John Horsley (1897).Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Volume I.A. Constable & Co. pp. 105–112.Retrieved20 April2019.
- ^abCollett, D.W,Medals Yearbook,(1981). Page 42.ISBN0950694312
External links
[edit]Campaign medals of theHonourable East India Company | |
|---|---|
| 18th Century |
|
| 1801 – 1837 |
|
| 1st Afghan War |
|
| 1843 – 1858 |
|
Note: Where no ribbon is shown, the medal was suspended around the neck by a cord: | |
