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Ghuznee Medal: CM.1235-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: Calcutta
Ruler: Shuja al-Mulk (1803-9, 1839-42)
Issuer: East India Company
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Mint: London

Entities

Categories

Description

The First Anglo-Afghan War was brought about, against a background of British desire to control this troublesome area on the Indian North-West Frontier, by the campaign of the exiled Shah Shujah al-Mulk, to oust his brother Mahmud from the Afghan throne (something which he had done in 1803 in order to succeed in the first place).
After an unsuccessful attempt in 1833 backed by the ruler of the Punjab, Shujah managed to add British support for a campaign of 1839 and was thereby restored, although he was assassinated almost as soon as the British left the country, provoking a return to conflict for which other medals were awarded.
The most difficult part of the campaign was the capture of the fortress in the mountain pass of Ghazni, and for participation in this battle Shah Shujah had a medal stuck at Calcutta. He was dead before it could be issued, but Queen Victoria and the East India Company allowed it to be awarded through the usual channels anyway.
This example was awarded to Sergeant S. Fenton of the 13th Regiment. Lester Watson purchased it at some point before 1928.

Notes

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

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 37.1 mm
Weight: 31.07 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1842

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Fortress

  • Text: GHUZNEE
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Recipient's name above mural crown, with laurel branches around

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Related exhibitions

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1235-2009
Primary reference Number: 141329
Watson Catalogue: 133
Ordering: M-0118
Previous object number: LW.0118
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 15 January 2024 Last processed: Monday 15 January 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 (2024) "Ghuznee Medal" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141329 Accessed: 2024-10-09 11:57:19

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141329 |title=Ghuznee Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-10-09 11:57:19|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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