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Burma War Medal: CM.1157-2009

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An image of Burma War Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Issuer: East India Company
Artist: Daniell, William

Entities

Categories

Description

In 1824 raiding by Burmese troops of King Bagyidaw of Ava, in modern-day Myanmar, into the border states of Sylhat and Cachar (now both in India) caused their independent rulers states to appeal for help from the British in India. This led to an orchestrated reprisal expedition whose aim was to take Rangoon. The campaign lasted through two years of extremely difficult fighting but in 1826, with his forces driven from Assam, Rakhine and Manipur, King Bagyidaw agreed a treaty with the British. He was to abdicate in 1837.
This medal was awarded by the British East India Company to the land forces involved in what was called the "war in Ava"; naval and marine forces were awarded a bar to the Army of India Medal.
This gold issue of the medal was awarded to the Indian officers and officials involved in the campaign; their troops received a silver medal. This one is unnamed, so the recipient cannot be identified. Lester Watson purchased the medal from the London dealer Baldwin at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Baldwin before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 37.9 mm
Weight: 35.34 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1831 CE - 1832 CE

Materials used in production

Gold

Techniques used in production

Struck

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1157-2009
Primary reference Number: 141251
Watson Catalogue: 43
Ordering: M-0040
Previous object number: LW.0040

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Burma War Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141251 Accessed: 2025-12-05 07:22:02

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141251 |title=Burma War Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 07:22:02|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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