Mysore Medal

The Mysore Medal is a campaign medal that was awarded by the Governor-General of India to native Indian soldiers of the armies of the Honourable East India Company (HEIC) who participated in the Third Anglo-Mysore War of 1790 to 1792.[1]

Mysore Medal
Obverse of the medal depicted on a cigarette card
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service
Presented by the
Honourable East India Company (HEIC)
EligibilityNative HEIC forces
Campaign(s)Third Anglo-Mysore War
ClaspsNone
Established1793
TotalApproximately 7,000
Suspension cord for the medal

Criteria

The Third Anglo–Mysore War was fought between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British HEIC and its allies. The war ended in March 1792 with the Treaty of Seringapatam, in which Mysore gave up much of its territory.[2]

The medal was authorised in April 1793 by Lord Cornwallis, the Governor-General of India, who had commanded HEIC forces in Mysore.[3] It was awarded to native Indian members of the HEIC forces: in gold to more senior native officers including Subedars; in silver to junior officers including Jemadars and Serangs; with NCOs and Sepoys, including Havildars, Naiks, Tindals and Lascars receiving a smaller silver medal.[4] Europeans, including those in HEIC service and with British Army, did not receive the medal.

In total, about 7,000 medals were awarded.[5]

In addition to the medal, HEIC soldiers who served in the campaign received an additional six months batta allowance.[5]

HEIC regiments that took part in the campaign received the battle honour Mysore (1789–91).[6]

Description

The Government of India commissioned a private goldsmith in Calcutta to prepare the dies and strike the medals in gold and in silver.[5] The gold medals were 1.7 inches (43 mm) in diameter, while the silver were issued in two sizes: 1.7 inches (43 mm) and 1.5 inches (38 mm). All types had a common design:[4]
The obverse depicts a full-length image of a Sepoy holding a Union Jack in his right hand and the flag of Mysore, upside down, in his left. In the background is the fortress of Seringapatam. There is no inscription.
The reverse has, within a laurel wreath, the English wording FOR SERVCIES IN MYSORE AD 1791-1792 with, around the edge, the Persian inscription that translates as: A token of the bravery of the troops of the English Government in the war in Mysore, in the Hijri years 1205-1206.
The medal was issued unnamed.[7]
A ring suspension allowed the medal to be worn around the neck by way of a suspension cord, usually yellow or sand colour.

References
  1. John Mussell (ed). (2014). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 115. Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.ISBN. ISBN 978-1-908-828-16-3.
  2. Naravane, M.S. (2014). Battles of the Honorourable East India Company. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. pp. 175–178. ISBN 9788131300343.
  3. Steward, William Augustus (1915). War Medals and Their History. London: Stanley Paul & Co. pp. 10-11. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  4. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. (1988). British Battles and Medals. p. 20. Published Spink, London. 1988. ISBN 978-0-907605-256.
  5. Mayo, John Horsley (1897). Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Volume 1. A. Constable & Co. pp. 116-121. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  6. Sarbans Singh, Battle honours of the Indian Army, 1757–1971, University of Michigan, 1993, pp. 102–104.
  7. Collett, D.W, Medals Yearbook, (1981). Page 43. ISBN 0950694312
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