HON. EAST INDIA COMPANY'S SERVICE MEDALS.
607. Campaign in West of India, 1784. Obv. Britannia seated r., on arms, holding wreath and spear; fortress in the distance; at her side, shield. Rev. Inscription in Persian: "Presented by the Calcutta Government in memory of good service and intrepid valour A.D. 1784. Mahommedan Era 1199;" and "Like this coin, may it endure long in the world, and the exertions of those lion-hearted Englishmen of great name, victorious from Hindostan to the Deccan, become exalted." Silver. Size 1·6.
This medal was awarded to the Company's troops for services performed in the First Mahratta War, and the Second Mysore War with Hyder 'Alee 1778—1784. It was struck in two sizes, the larger having been awarded to officers only.
608. Another. Same: but of smaller size. Silver. Size 1·25.
Awarded to the non-commissioned officers and privates.
609. Mysore: War with Tippoo Sahib, 1791—1792. Obv. Sepoy in uniform, facing, holding in r. hand English flag, and in l. Mysore banner reversed; in the distance, fortress of Seringapatam. Rev. Within laurel-wreath, FOR SERVICES IN MYSORE. A.D. 1791—1792; around, Persian inscription, "A memorial of devoted services to the English Government at the war of Mysore, Christian Era 1791—1792, equivalent to Mahommedan Era 1205—1206." Silver. Size 1·7.
This medal was presented to the successful forces under Lord Cornwallis, who so completely paralysed the power of Tippoo Sahib that he was compelled to submit to the terms of a treaty which deprived him of half of his dominions. This medal was struck in two sizes, the larger having been awarded to officers only. On 21 Mar. 1851 the Queen authorized this medal to be worn by survivors.
610. Another. Same: but of smaller size. Silver. Size 1·45.
Given to the non-commissioned officers and privates.
611. Mysore: Second War with Tippoo Sahib: Taking of Seringapatam, 1799. Obv. Lion r., subduing Tiger; above, banner with Arabic inscription, "The lion of God is the conqueror;" in ex., IV. MAY. MDCCXCIX. C. H. K. Rev. View of the storming of Seringapatam, soldiers mounting the breach; above, mid-day sun; in ex., Persian inscription, "The Fort of Seringapatam the gift of God, 28 Zulkaadeh, 1213 Mahommedan Era" (4 May, 1799). Gold. Size 1·9. Ribbon, deep yellow. By C. H. Küchler.
The second war with Tippoo Sahib, which was terminated by the taking of Seringapatam, lasted only from Feb. to May 1799, Lord Harris and General Baird commanding. The Tiger was the favourite emblem of Tippoo Sahib. This medal was struck in gold, silver-gilt, silver, copper-bronzed, and tin. The gold ones were given to the King, the Governor-General, and various princes, the Commander-in-chief and the general officers on the staff; those in silver-gilt, to the field-officers and the general staff, the members of the Council of the three Presidencies, the Residents at Hyderabad and Poonah; those in silver, to the captains and subalterns; those in copper-bronzed, to the non-commissioned officers; and those in pure grain tin, to the privates. By an order of the Prince Regent, 29 Aug. 1815, officers were authorized to wear these medals in any part of his Majesty's dominions. This order was confirmed 21 Mar. 1851, when the Army of India medal (No. [577]) was issued.
612. Egyptian Campaign, 1801. Obv. Sepoy facing, holding English flag in r. hand; in the distance, battle and tents; in ex., Persian inscription, "This medal has been granted as a memorial of the defeat of the French army in Egypt by the victorious and brave English army." Rev. Ship towards r. on sea; in the distance, sea-shore with pyramids and obelisk. MDCCCI. Silver. Size 1·9.
Given by the East India Company to the seven thousand English and Native troops commanded by Major-General Baird, who landed at Kosseyr, marched across the Desert, and from Kinè descended the Nile to Rosetta, 1800—1801.
613. Capture of Rodriguez, Bourbon, and Mauritius, 1809—1810. Obv. Sepoy holding English flag and musket, trampling on French standard; behind, cannon; and in the distance, sea with ships, &c. Rev. RODRIGUES VI. JULY. MDCCCIX. BOURBON VIII. JULY. & ISLE OF FRANCE III. DEC. MDCCCX; in field within laurel-wreath, Persian inscription, "This medal has been granted as a memorial of the bravery and devotion shown by the Sepoys of the Honourable East India Company, in the conquest of the Islands of Rodrigues, Bourbon and Mauritius, in the Mahommedan Era 1226." Silver. Size 1·9.
This medal was awarded to the Sepoy regiments who took part in the above expeditions.
614. Conquest of Java, 1811: Capture of Port Cornelis. Obv. Sepoy regiment carrying Fort Cornelis by storm: on the fort is the British flag over the Dutch; above, CORNELIS. Rev. JAVA CONQUERED. XXVI. AUGUST. MDCCCXI; in field, Persian inscription, "This medal is presented in commemoration of the valour and courage displayed by the Sepoys of the Honourable East India Company in the conquest of Java, 1228 Mahommedan Era." Silver. Size 1·9.
Presented by the East India Company to the native troops under Sir Samuel Achmuty for their assistance in capturing the Island of Java, 1811, from the Dutch and French troops. The capture of Fort Cornelis decided the success of the campaign. For this campaign the European regiments afterwards received the medal for Military Services (No. [592]), with clasp for Java.
615. First Burmese War, 1824—1826. Taking of Ava. Obv. Elephant in attitude of submission l., crouching before lion, behind whom English flag unfurled; behind elephant, flag of Burmah drooping; in ex., Persian inscription, "The Elephant of Ava submits to the Lion of England year 1826." W. DANIELL. R.A. DES. Rev. Troops advancing towards a pagoda within stockade; in foreground, general commanding, steamer, and boats in river bombarding; in ex., Persian inscription, "The victorious standard of the English army upon Ava." W. WYON. Gold. Size 1·45. By W. Daniell and W. Wyon. Ribbon, crimson with blue edges.
This medal in silver was bestowed upon the native troops which at any period during the war were employed under the command of General Sir Archibald Campbell, including the officers and men of the gunboats serving on the river Irrawaddy. The regiments of the Crown as well as the navy received for this war the Army of India medal (No. [577]), with clasp for Ava.
616. Afghan War, 1839—1842. Defence of Jelálábád. Obv. Mural crown; above, JELLALABAD. Rev. VII. APRIL 1842. Wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·5. Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
This medal was struck by order of the Governor-General, Lord Ellenborough, who distributed it to every officer, non-commissioned officer, and private, European and native, of the garrison of Jelálábád, 7 April, 1842, on which day the besieging army of Akbar Khán was defeated by a general sortie, Colonel Dennie and others commanding. Sir Robert Sale commanded the defence. The 13th Light Infantry, the only Queen's regiment engaged in the defence, was authorized to wear this medal 22 Aug. 1842; but it was subsequently replaced by the following one.
617. Second Jelálábád medal. Obv. Head of Queen l., wearing crown. VICTORIA VINDEX. W. WYON. Rev. Victory with wreaths and English flag, flying r. over fortress of Jelálábád. JELLALABAD VII. APRIL; in ex., MDCCCXLII. W. W. Wearer's name on edge. Silver. Size 1·4. By W. Wyon. Ribbon, rainbow-pattern.
It may be inferred from the great scarcity of this medal that but few availed themselves of the offer of exchange.