Deccan Medal

The Deccan Medal was the first campaign medal instituted by the East India Company (EIC). It was awarded to native Indian troops who took part in the major campaigns in India between 1778 to 1784. It is sometimes referred to as the Carnatic Medal.

Deccan Medal
Obverse and reverse depicted on cigarette cards (Note: The medal would have been suspended from a cord, not a ribbon)[1]
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service
Presented by the
East India Company (EIC)
EligibilityNative EIC forces
Campaign(s)First Maratha War, 1778-82
Second Mysore War, 1780-84
ClaspsNone
Established1784
Suspension cord for the medal

Criteria

The Deccan Medal was awarded to native Indian soldiers of the armies of the EIC who participated in the campaigns in the West of India and Guzerat, and the Carnatic region of Southern India, from 1778 to 1784. This included service in both the second phase of the First Maratha War 1778-82 and the Second Mysore War of 1780-84.[2]

The first campaign medal to be awarded by the EIC to all ranks, it was authorised in 1784 by the Governor-General of India. It was issued in two sizes: a larger medal to native officers, in gold to Subedars and silver to Jemadars; with a smaller silver medal to other ranks, including Havildars, Naiks and Sepoys.[3] In January 1785 eligibility was extended to artillery Lascars.[4] Europeans, including those in EIC service and with British Army, were not eligible for the medal. It was only awarded to those still alive when the roll of recipients was compiled in May 1785.[4]

In addition to the medal, native soldiers who served in the relevant campaigns received additional pay of one rupee a month, while other ranks of EIC European units – who did not receive the medal – were granted a further two rupees a month. Each participating Indian battalion also received a pair of honorary standards.[4]

Description

The medal was struck and minted by a private contractor in Calcutta.[5] The gold medals were 1.6 inches (41 mm) in diameter, while the silver were issued in two sizes: 1.6 inches (41 mm) and 1.25 inches (32 mm). All types have a common design:[3]
The obverse depicts Britannia seated on a number of military trophies, holding a laurel wreath with her right hand towards a distant fort flying a Union Jack. There is no inscription.
The reverse has two Persian inscriptions that translate as: in the centre: As coins are current around the world, so shall be the bravery and exploits of those heroes by who the name of the victorious English Nation was carried from Bengal to the Deccan; around the edge: Presented AD 1784 (Hijri year 1199) by the East India Company's Calcutta Government.
The medal, issued unnamed, has a milled edge like a coin.[5]
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). Medal Yearbook 2015. p. 113. Token Publishing Ltd. Honiton, Devon.ISBN. ISBN 978-1-908-828-16-3.
  2. Steward, William Augustus (1915). War Medals and Their History. London: Stanley Paul & Co. p. 9. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  3. Joslin, Litherland and Simpkin. British Battles and Medals. p. 19. Published Spink, London. 1988. ISBN 978-0-907605-256.
  4. Mayo, John Horsley (1897). Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Volume I. A. Constable & Co. pp. 105–112. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  5. Collett, D.W, Medals Yearbook, (1981). Page 42. ISBN 0950694312
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