Kaisar-i-Hind Medal
(Full size, with case)
Gold, George V, Second Type
喬治五世
第二類型金製凱撒印度獎章
(官方版, 含盒)
Item number: M262
Year: AD 1900-1947
Material: Gold
Size: 97.1 x 33.3 x 2.7 mm
Weight: 58.3 g
Provenance: Noonans 2024
The “Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for Public Service in India” was established on April 10, AD 1900, by Queen Victoria. It was awarded by the Emperor or Empress of India to “any person who has rendered important and useful service in the promotion of the public interests of India, irrespective of their race, occupation, or gender.” The medal was housed in a black leather case with a red velvet lining.
The appearance of the medal is an oval gold medal. The obverse features the royal cypher of George V, King of the United Kingdom and Emperor of India, marked “GRI,” surrounded by a laurel wreath. The reverse has a central scroll inscribed with “Kaisar-i-Hind,” surrounded by the words “FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IN INDIA.” There is a crown at the top of the oval medal. The ribbon of the medal is dark blue and includes a pin.
“Kaisar” in Hindustani means Emperor of India, a term derived from the Roman Imperial title “Caesar,” signifying a monarch or emperor. This title was used by British monarchs in India from AD 1877 to AD 1947.
The medal initially had two grades: gold and silver. During George V’s reign, a new bronze grade was introduced, and the medal was redesigned. Only the gold medal was awarded directly by the Indian monarch based on the recommendation of the Secretary of State for India, while the silver and bronze medals were awarded by the Governor-General.
The Kaisar-i-Hind medal during George V’s reign could be divided into two types:
Type | Feature | Place of manufacture |
1st Type | Hollow badge | Within UK |
2nd Type | Solid badge | Within India |
Although the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for Public Service was never formally abolished, it ceased to be awarded after India declared independence in AD 1947.
In AD 1897, India experienced a severe plague outbreak. Many British officers and soldiers, as well as Indian residents, provided exceptional assistance. However, there were no appropriate awards or titles to honour these outstanding contributions at the time. After reporting and discussions, the Viceroy of India and the Secretary of State for India recognised the need for a new award and proposed this to Queen Victoria, who ultimately approved it. Thus, the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal for Public Service was established.
物件編號: M262
年代: 公元 1900-1947 年
材質: 黃金
尺寸: 97.1 x 33.3 x 2.7 mm
重量: 58.3 g
來源: 諾南斯 2024
此枚獎章為公元1900年4月10日由維多利亞女王頒布的「凱撒印度公共服務獎章」,由印度皇帝或女皇授予「任何為促進印度公共利益提供了重要而有用的服務者,不分其種族、職業、或性別」。這枚獎章收納於紅絲絨內襯的黑色皮製收納盒。
獎章的外型為橢圓金質獎章,正面刻有英國國王兼印度皇帝喬治五世的皇家記號「GRI」,周圍以月桂葉作為裝飾圍繞,獎章背面中央則有一條刻著「Kaisar-i-Hind」字樣的布幔,周圍刻有「FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IN INDIA」,在獎章橢圓本體的上方有一頂皇冠。這枚獎章的綬帶為深藍色,綬帶上附有一枚別針。
「Kaisar」在印度斯坦語中是印度皇帝的意思,其中Kaisar一詞是由羅馬帝國皇帝的頭銜「Caesar」演變而來,為君主、皇帝的意思。該詞是公元1877年至公元1947年間英國君主在印度使用的頭銜。
該獎章最初分為金、銀兩個等級,喬治五世在統治期間添加了新的銅級獎章,並重新設計了此獎章。其中僅金質獎章是由印度君主根據印度國務秘書的推薦直接頒發的,銀質和銅質獎章則由總督頒發。
在喬治五世時期,凱撒印度獎章可分為兩種類型:
類型 | 特徵 | 製造地點 |
第一類型 | 空心徽章 | 英國 |
第二類型 | 實心徽章 | 印度 |