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Punjab Medal
(Specimen, Full Size)
旁遮普戰役獎章
(官方版樣章)
Item number: M268
Year: AD 1849
Material: Bronze
Size: 35.9 x 35.9 x 3.6 mm
Weight: 28.75 g
Provenance: Dixons Medals 2024
This medal is a specimen ofthe Punjab Medal, awarded to officers and soldiers of the British Army and the East India Company who participated in the Second Anglo-Sikh War from AD 1848 to AD 1849.
The specimen medal is made of bronze, featuring a profile of Queen Victoria wearing a crown on the obverse, flanked by the Latin inscription “VICTORIA REGINA,” meaning Queen Victoria. The reverse depicts the scene of Sikh troops surrendering to Sir Walter Gilbert, who is mounted on a horse. In the background, British troops can be seen waving the British flag, and palm trees are visible on a hill. The inscription “TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB” is placed above, and the year of the medal’s issue, AD 1849, is engraved in Roman numerals “MDCCCXLIX” below. The ribbon is deep blue with yellow stripes along the edges.
The designer of this medal was William Wyon, who served as the Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828.
The Punjab Campaign Medal was issued with three clasps: Mooltan, Goojerat, and Chilianwala, awarded to soldiers who participated in the sieges at these locations.
This Punjab Medal is a sample officially made to test new designs or production methods, and the official version of the Punjab Medal was made of silver. Therefore, this bronze sample was not issued to any recipients, underscoring its rarity.
The First Anglo-Sikh War ended with the defeat of the Sikh Empire and the signing of the Treaty of Lahore. According to the treaty, the Sikh Empire was required to pay a large indemnity and cede part of its territory. Subsequently, Britain attempted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Sikh region and influence its policies, leading to discontent among many Sikh nobles and officials, and eventually sparking the Second Anglo-Sikh War.
The Second Anglo-Sikh War began in AD 1848 with the uprising in Multan. At that time, two British East India Company officials and military officers stationed in Multan were attacked and killed, leading to an escalation of the rebellion as more Sikh soldiers joined the revolt. The battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat were among the key engagements of the war. Although the British won several battles, they paid a high price in terms of manpower and resources, with significant losses. Particularly in the Battle of Chilianwala, General Hugh Gough, who commanded the British forces, faced severe criticism.
After the war, Britain annexed the Punjab region, making it a province of British India. The conflict highlighted the combat capabilities of the Sikh people, leading Britain to begin recruiting Sikhs into the army. They played a significant role in suppressing the Indian Rebellion of AD 1857, helping the East India Company maintain its control.
這枚樣章以銅質打造,正面是頭戴王冠的維多利亞女王側像,兩側以拉丁文刻有「VICTORIA REGINA」銘文,意為維多利亞女王。背面為錫克軍隊向騎著馬的沃爾特·吉爾伯特爵士投降的情景,遠方有揮舞著英國國旗的英國軍隊、小山丘上長著棕櫚樹。上方刻有銘文「致旁遮普軍隊」(TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB ),下方則以羅馬數字刻有此獎章的頒布年份1849「MDCCCXLIX」。獎章的綬帶為深藍色,兩側邊緣有黃色條紋。