History
The India Medal was approved in 1896 for the officers and men of the British and Indian armies, replacing the India General Service Medal of 1854. It was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India, chiefly for service on the North-West Frontier between 1895 and 1902, in the era of the great tribal risings that saw actions such as the relief of Chitral and the Tirah campaign.
Each campaign was represented by a clasp, of which seven were sanctioned. Because the medal spanned the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, it exists with two obverses: Victoria for the earlier awards, and Edward VII for those who earned the medal with the Waziristan 1901 to 1902 clasp. As an Imperial-era award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is silver, 36 millimetres in diameter, and in bronze for native bearers and servants. The obverse bears the profile of Queen Victoria, or of King Edward VII for those awarded the Waziristan 1901 to 1902 clasp. The reverse, designed by George William de Saulles, shows a British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard, with the inscription INDIA 1895; the Edward VII version omits the date. The recipient's details are impressed on the rim.
The ribbon
Red, green, red, green and red stripes.
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, in five equal stripes of red, green, red, green and red.
Clasps
Each campaign is represented by a clasp; seven were sanctioned.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for minor military campaigns in India, chiefly on the North-West Frontier, between 1895 and 1902.
- Officers and men of the British and Indian armies qualified, the medal being struck in silver for combatants and bronze for native bearers and servants;
- Seven clasps were sanctioned, from Defence of Chitral 1895 and Relief of Chitral 1895 to Tirah 1897-98 and Waziristan 1901-02;
- It exists with a Victoria or an Edward VII obverse, spanning the change of reign. As an Imperial-era award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. They are worn after the Australian honours of their kind and among the Imperial awards in the order set by the Australian Order of Wearing, which follows the British order of precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the India Medal 1895-1902 awarded for?
Minor military campaigns in India, chiefly on the North-West Frontier, between 1895 and 1902; it replaced the India General Service Medal of 1854.
Why are there two obverses?
The medal spanned the death of Queen Victoria in 1901; earlier awards bear her effigy, while those with the Waziristan 1901-02 clasp bear King Edward VII, whose version omits the date on the reverse.
What does the reverse show?
A British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard, a design by George William de Saulles, with the inscription INDIA 1895 on the Victoria version.
How many clasps were there?
Seven were sanctioned, each naming a frontier campaign, from the Chitral operations to Waziristan 1901-02.
Did Australians receive it?
It was awarded overwhelmingly to British and Indian forces; its presence on an Australian rack would reflect particular individual service.
Is it named to the recipient?
Yes, impressed on the rim.