The following regiments were engaged in this campaign, and those marked * were mentioned in general orders with sentiments of unfeigned admiration: 1st,* 13th,* 38th,* 41st,* 44th, 45th,* 47th, 54th, 87th,* and 89th,* also 14th Madras Native Infantry, Madras Fusiliers (European, now 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers), and 1st Madras Cavalry, Bengal and Madras Artillery (European).
The Ava Medal.—By a General Order, dated "Fort William, April 22nd, 1826," a medal was bestowed upon the native troops engaged in the war between 1824-26. The medal, 1½ in. in diameter, was struck in gold for the officers (Sir Archibald Campbell was the only British officer to receive one) and in silver for the men: it was attached to a large steel clip and ring for suspension from a crimson ribbon with blue edges, 1½ in. wide. On the obverse is the White Elephant of Ava crouching before the British Lion; behind the Lion is the Union Jack unfurled, and behind the Elephant the Burmese colours submissively lowered; in the background are palm trees. The exergue is occupied by a Persian inscription, "The Elephant of Ava is obedient to the Lion of England, Year 1826." In the left upper corner of the exergue is the designer's name, W. DANIELL, RA. DEL. On the reverse is depicted a storming party advancing against the Great Pagoda of Rangoon, which is surrounded by stockades; to the left is the Irrawady flotilla of gunboats and the "Diana"; In the foreground is depicted Sir Archibald Campbell directing operations from the shade of a palm tree. In the exergue is the Persian inscription, "A medal for the victorious British soldiers on Ava" (on Ava territory). In the left upper corner of the exergue is W. Wyon. Although 750 gold medals were struck for distribution among native officers and civil dignitaries, and over 24,200 silver medals were issued, they are very rare. It is noteworthy, as Dr. Payne points out, that in connection with the issue of this medal it was the first time a ribbon was mentioned for use with an Indian medal. It was ordered to be worn perfectly square upon the centre of the left breast, the upper edge of the ribbon being even with the button for ranks wearing sword-belts only, and even with the second button for ranks wearing cross-belts. A bar for AVA was issued with the "Army of India" medal in 1851.
Burmese Chiefs' Medal.—The H.E.I. Co. had a medal, 23∕20 in. in diameter, struck in gold for presentation to six Talaing chiefs who served with the British army during 1825-26. On the obverse are the arms and motto of the East India College; above is a scroll with "Award of Merit," and underneath a scroll to take the name of recipient. On the reverse in the foreground are two steamers by a river-side, and two soldiers, one bearing a flag, addressing a group of Burmese; in the background are hills, a pagoda, and a palm tree, and behind all the setting sun. To the right are a cannon and bungalow. The medal has a loop for suspension, composed of two plates held together by means of a gold bezel.
Bhurtpore.[5]—Owing to the assumption of sovereign power by Doorjun Sal, the nephew of the deceased Rajah of Bhurtpore, Baldeo Singh, it became necessary for the Indian Government to take steps to ensure the succession of the dead ruler's young son, Bhulwunt Singh. An army under Lord Combermere was dispatched to lay siege to the city of Bhurtpore, which with its 5 miles of fortifications, as already described, was able to withstand the four assaults made by General Lake's army twenty years before. On December 10th, 1825, the British army of just over 25,000 men appeared before the city, and prepared to lay siege to the fortress, which was garrisoned by about 25,000. On December 24th the artillery began to fire on the city, but despite the continual bombardment, so well had the walls been built that breaches could not be made large enough to admit of stormers. Mining, therefore, was resorted to, and by the morning of January 18th, 1826, a determined assault was made, and within two hours the British had gained possession of the ramparts; by 4 o'clock the citadel surrendered, and the 14th, as a reward for their gallantry, placed to garrison it. The impregnable city, the capital of the Jants, had fallen after a twenty-six days' siege; Doorjun Sal was captured, spoil to the value of £500,000 taken, the young Rajah placed upon the throne, and the conquest of India confirmed by the success of Lord Combermere, who was rewarded with a Viscountcy. Hand grenades were last used in India at the siege of Bhurtpore. One hundred and eighty of the British troops were killed and 780 wounded. The following regiments took part in the siege: 14th and 59th Regiments, 11th Light Dragoons, and 16th Lancers (who had only just been armed with the lance). The Native Regiments included: 11th, 15th, 21st, 23rd, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 37th, 41st, 63rd, and 66th Bengal Light Infantry; Simoor Rifles; 1st Bengal Cavalry; 6th Light Cavalry and one wing of the Bengal Fusiliers (Europeans), now 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery and Bengal Engineers. The 14th, "The Old and Bold," were specially mentioned in dispatches.
[5] This is spelt BHURTPOOR on the bar of the "Army of India" medal.
Coorg, 1837.—For suppressing the insurrection in Canara in 1837 the Coorg soldiers were, on the recommendation of the Commissioner, Lieutenant-Colonel Mark Cubbon, awarded a medal as a recognition of their noble conduct and courage. The medals of gold and silver were 119∕20 in. in diameter, and of varying thicknesses according to value. They were worn suspended from the neck by chains by the superiors who received them; 20 gold medals and 200 silver medals given to junior officers and ryots were presented without chains. Two gold medals valued at 400 rupees, and 12 valued at 200 rupees, were bestowed with chains. On the obverse is a Coorg warrior in fighting attitude, his upraised right hand grasping a Coorg knife ready to strike, and in his left a matchlock; round the face of the medal is the inscription in Carnese, "For a memorial of Fidelity to the Government of the East India Company in suppressing rebellion in the months of April and May 1837"; on the reverse a trophy of Coorg arms and ornaments within a laurel wreath, surmounted by the inscription, for DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT AND LOYALTY TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, and in the EXERGUE COORG APRIL 1837.
FIRST AFGHAN WAR
The Shah of Persia, having laid claim to a considerable portion of Afghanistan after Shah Shoojah had been driven from his throne and his kingdom divided among a number of chieftains, sent an army to besiege Herat. The Indian Government then decided to effect the restoration of Shah Shoojah, and sent forward the "army of the Indus" under the command of Sir John (afterwards Lord) Keane. The Persians had meanwhile raised the siege of Herat, and retired toward their capital. Fighting their way against almost insuperable obstacles, short of food for man and beast, the divisions of the British army pushed their way through to Candahar, which they reached on April 27th, 1839. In the meantime Hyderabad had been captured, the Ameers of Scinde compelled to submit, the erstwhile rulers of Afghanistan forced from their thrones, and the deposed ruler restored, but considerable fighting had to be done ere he could settle down peaceably, and several important battles were fought.
Ghuznee, 1839.—The army of the Indus left Candahar at the end of June 1839, and arrived before Ghuznee, which Prince Mahomed Hyder Khan had strongly fortified; leaving only one gate unblocked by masonry. He had with him a garrison of 3,000 Afghans. As the British force possessed no means of breaching the walls, it was determined to take the place by storm, and in order to effect this the gate was blown in by the 13th (now Somerset Light Infantry), and the troops entered the fort, only 5 men being killed, and 6 officers (including Brigadier-General Sale, severely) and 63 men wounded out of Her Majesty's Regiments. On the fall of the fortress the Afghan cavalry outside fled in the direction of Cabul, the British forces following. At Ughundee Dost Mahomed Khan had resolved to try conclusions, but dissatisfied with the morale of his troops he decamped, and on August 7th Shah Shooja regained his throne, which, however, he did little to strengthen. The British losses were 18 men and 20 officers killed, and 153 men wounded. The force engaged in this comparatively bloodless campaign was composed of 8 companies of Her Majesty's 2nd (Queen's Royal); 13th Light Infantry; 17th (Leicestershire); two squadrons 4th Light Dragoons; 16th Lancers; and the following regiments of the H.E.I. Co.'s army: 1st Bengal Fusiliers (Europeans); Bengal Sappers and Miners; 1st Bombay Light Cavalry; 2nd and 3rd Bengal Light Cavalry; 2nd Skinner's Horse; 300 Poona Horse; Bengal Horse and Foot Artillery; two troops Bombay Horse Artillery; Bombay Foot Artillery; 16th, 19th, 35th, and 48th Native Infantry.