__NOTOC__ The Indian Mutiny Medal was a campaign

medal A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...

approved in August 1858, for officers and men of British and Indian units who served in operations in suppression of the

Indian Rebellion of 1857 The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against Company rule in India, the rule of the East India Company, British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the The Crown, British ...

. The medal was initially sanctioned for award to troops who had been engaged in action against the mutineers. However, in 1868 the award was extended to all those who had borne arms or who had been under fire, including such people as members of the Indian judiciary and the Indian civil service, who were caught up in the fighting.John Sly. "Battle Stars". ''Ancestors'', issue 57, May 2007, pp36–43. Some 290,000 medals were awarded.British Battles and Medals, p136 In 1862, the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot's mascot, Private Derby, received the Indian Mutiny Medal at Poona. The obverse depicts the diademed head of a young Queen Victoria with the legend VICTORIA REGINA, designed by

William Wyon William Wyon (1795 – 29 October 1851) was a British engraver who was official chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death. Biography Wyon was born in Birmingham and, in 1809, was apprenticed to his father, Peter Wyon who ...

.British Battles and Medals, p136 The reverse shows a helmeted Britannia holding a wreath in her right hand and a union shield on her left arm. She is standing in front of a lion. Above is the word INDIA, with the dates 1857–1858 below. The reverse was designed by

Leonard Charles Wyon Leonard Charles Wyon (23 November 1826 – 20 August 1891) was a British engraver of the Victorian era most notable for his work on the gold and silver coinage struck for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887 and the bronze coinage of ...

, who also engraved the die of the medal. The wide ribbon is white with two scarlet stripes, with each stripe of equal width. The recipient's name and unit is impressed on the rim of the medal in block Roman capitals.British Battles and Medals, p136

Clasps

Five clasps were authorised, though the maximum awarded to any one man was four.''Medal Yearbook'' 2015, p145 The clasps read downwards from the top of the medal.British Battles and Medals, p136 *Delhi :''30 May – 14 September 1857''. Awarded to troops participating in the recapture of

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

.British Battles and Medals, p140 *Defence of Lucknow :''29 June – 22 November 1857''. Awarded to original defenders of

Lucknow Lucknow () is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the largest city of the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is the administrative headquarters of the epon ...

, including the masters and boys of La Martinière College in Lucknow who escaped to the

Residency Residency may refer to: * Artist-in-residence, a program to sponsor the residence and work of visual artists, writers, musicians, etc. * Concert residency, a series of concerts performed at one venue * Domicile (law), the act of establishing or m ...

and assisted in its defence,National Army Museum collection
/ref> and to the first relief force commanded by Sir Henry Havelock.British Battles and Medals, p140 *Relief of Lucknow :''November 1857''. Awarded to the second Lucknow relief force under the command of Sir Colin Campbell.British Battles and Medals, p140 *Lucknow :''November 1857 – March 1858''. Awarded to troops under command of Sir Colin Campbell who were engaged in final operations leading to the surrender of

and the clearing of the surrounding areas.British Battles and Medals, p140 *Central India :''January – June 1858''. Awarded for service during the Central Indian campaign, including to those who served under Major-General Sir Hugh Rose in actions against

Jhansi Jhansi ( ) is a historic city in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. (Toshan) Balwant Nagar was the old name of Jhansi. It lies in the region of Bundelkhand, on the banks of the Pahuj River, in the extreme ...

Kalpi Kalpi is a historical city and municipal board in Jalaun district in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is on the right bank of the Yamuna. It is situated 78 kilometres south-west of Kanpur from which it is connected by both road and rail. History Th ...

, and

Gwalior Gwalior (Hindi: , ) is a major city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; It is known as the Music City of India having oldest Gwalior gharana, musical gharana in existence. It is a major sports, cultural, industrial, and political c ...

. Also to those who served with Major-General Roberts in the

Rajputana Rājputana (), meaning Land of the Rajputs, was a region in the Indian subcontinent that included mainly the entire present-day States of India, Indian state of Rajasthan, parts of the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and adjo ...

Field Force and Major-General Whitlock of the Madras Column.British Battles and Medals, p140 The medal was issued without a clasp to those who served, but were not present during these major operations. The majority of these awards were made as a result of the 1868 extension of eligibility.British Battles and Medals, p136

Notes

Bibliography

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External links

Searchable database of all 50,700 men of the British Forces who received the Indian Mutiny MedalIndian Mutiny Medal, roll of recipients
{{Campaign medals of the Honourable East India Company * British campaign medals Indian Rebellion of 1857