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Indian General Service Medal (1854-95): CM.1264-2009

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Artist: Wyon, Leonard Charles
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

The Army of India Medal's issue in 1849 having marked the previous half-century's combats in the region, further conflicts in the 1850s led in 1854 to the design and issue of a General Service Medal for the theatre, for which bars would be issued as each new campaign merited.
The Chin or Kuki peoples lived (and live) in an area now split between modern Bangladesh and Myanmar, but in the late nineteenth century were not part of any state. Worries over the security of the area engendered British plans to disarm the tribes, as a result of which they rose in rebellion in 1892. 6 different columns were dispatched into Chin territory and did various damages but the Chins mostly avoided battle, and surrender terms were arranged early in 1893.
This medal was awarded to Private Papayya of the 28th Madras Infantry. Lester Watson purchased it from the dealer Gifford in 1928.

Notes

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

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 35.7 mm
Weight: 41.09 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1903

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Victory crowning seated Classical warrior with laurel wreath

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1264-2009
Primary reference Number: 141358
Watson Catalogue: 165
Ordering: M-0147
Previous object number: LW.0147
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) "Indian General Service Medal (1854-95)" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141358 Accessed: 2024-11-04 18:18:03

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141358 |title=Indian General Service Medal (1854-95) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-11-04 18:18:03|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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