The India Medal was a
campaign medal approved in 1896[1] for issue to officers and men of the
British and
Indian armies.
The India Medal was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India, chiefly for service on the
North-West Frontier during 1895 to 1902. This medal replaced the
India General Service Medal (1854). Each campaign was represented by a clasp on the ribbon; seven were sanctioned.[2]
Description
The medal was awarded in silver to soldiers of the
British and
Indian armies, and in bronze to native
bearers and servants.[3]
The obverse shows the profile of Queen Victoria or, for those awarded the medal with the Waziristan 1901–02 clasp, King Edward VII, both with a suitable inscription. The reverse, designed by
G. W. de Saulles, portrays a British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard with the inscription "India 1895", although the Edward VII version omits the date.[3] The 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide ribbon had five equal stripes of red, green, red, green, red.[4]
The name and details of the recipient were engraved on the edge of the medal, normally in running script.[5]
^Army Order dated 1 April 1896 approved the 'India Medal 1895' with two bars: 'Defence of Chitral 1895' and 'Relief of Chitral 1895'. see British Battles and Medals, p. 177