Indian Mutiny Medal

Indian Mutiny Medal
Obverse and reverse of the medal
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service.
DescriptionSilver disk, 36mm diameter.
Presented byUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
EligibilityBritish and Indian forces.
Campaign(s)Indian Mutiny 1857–58.
Clasps
  • Delhi
  • Defence of Lucknow
  • Relief of Lucknow
  • Lucknow
  • Central India
Established1858
Total290,000
Ribbon: White with two red stripes.

The Indian Mutiny Medal was a campaign medal approved in August 1858,[1] for officers and men of British and Indian units who served in operations in suppression of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Medal with edge inscription, awarded to Corporal D Alderton, 5th (Northumberland) Fusiliers

The medal was initially sanctioned for award to troops who had been engaged in action against the mutineers. However, in 1868 the award was extended to all those who had borne arms or who had been under fire,[2] including such people as members of the Indian judiciary and the Indian civil service, who were caught up in the fighting.[3] Some 290,000 medals were awarded.[4] In 1862, the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot's mascot, Private Derby, received the Indian Mutiny Medal at Poona.[5]

The obverse depicts the diademed head of a young Queen Victoria with the legend VICTORIA REGINA, designed by William Wyon.[4] The reverse shows a helmeted Britannia holding a wreath in her right hand and a union shield on her left arm. She is standing in front of a lion. Above is the word INDIA, with the dates 1857–1858 below. The reverse was designed by Leonard Charles Wyon, who also engraved the die of the medal.

The 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide ribbon is white with two scarlet stripes, with each stripe of equal width. The recipient's name and unit is impressed on the rim of the medal in block Roman capitals.[4]

  1. ^ Authorisation contained in General Order 363 of 18 August 1858 and General Order 733 of 1859
  2. ^ General Order 771 of 1868, see British Battles and Medals, p136
  3. ^ John Sly. "Battle Stars". Ancestors, issue 57, May 2007, pp36–43.
  4. ^ a b c British Battles and Medals, p136
  5. ^ "The Regimental Mascot". Retrieved 3 Mar 2023.