Order of British India

The Order of British India
Insignia of the Order, Second Class (above) and First Class, prior to 1939, (below)
Awarded by the British Empire
Type Order of merit
Eligibility Officers of the British Indian Army holding a Viceroy's commission, Indian Officers of Indian States Forces, Frontier Corps and Military Police
Awarded for Long, faithful and honourable service
Status No longer awarded after 1947
Post-nominals OBI
Statistics
Established 17 April 1837
Precedence
Next (higher) Royal Red Cross (Class II)
Next (lower) Kaisar-i-Hind Medal[1]

Ribbon 18371838

Ribbon 18381939

First Class ribbon 19391947

Second Class ribbon 19391947
1st class Insignia of design awarded from 1939, with presentation case

The Order of British India was an order of merit established in 1837 by the East India Company for "long, faithful and honourable service".[2] The Company's powers were removed after the Indian Mutiny, and the Order was incorporated into the British Honours System in 1859. The order became obsolete in 1947, after the partition of British India into the Dominion of India and the Dominion of Pakistan.

The Order

The Order of British India was awarded by the Viceroy of India for long, faithful and honourable service by Viceroy's Commissioned (i.e. native Indian) Officers in the Indian Army. While the Order could be awarded for distinguished service on a particular campaign, it was more often awarded to selected serving officers of between 20 and 30 years service.

In September 1939 eligibility was extended to include native officers serving in the Indian States Forces, Frontier Corps and Military Police,[3] and further extended in January 1944 to include native officers and Indian Warrant Officers in the Royal Indian Navy and the Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery, as well as foreign officers, who could be appointed honorary members of the Order.[4]

The Order was awarded in two classes, both worn from a neck ribbon:[5]
First Class. The badge consisted of a gold star 1.7 inches (43 mm) in diameter composed of rays of gold with in the centre the words ORDER OF BRITISH INDIA encircling a lion on a background of light blue enamel, surrounded by a laurel wreath, surmounted by a Crown. The enamel behind the wording was dark blue until 1939, when it was changed to the same light blue as appears behind the lion.[5] Recipients of the first class were entitled to use the title Sardar Bahadur (heroic leader).[3]
Second class. The badge comprised a slightly smaller gold star 1.5 inches (38 mm) in diameter of similar design to the first class, but without the crown and with the centre enamel in dark blue enamel. Recipients of the second class were entitled to the title Bahadur (hero).[3]

Holders of both classes could use the post-nominal letters OBI.[3]

All initial awards to the Order were in the second class, with appointments to the first class made from existing members of the second class.[2]

The ribbon was originally sky-blue, but changed to dark red in 1838 after it was found that the hair oil favoured by Indian soldiers stained the ribbon. From September 1939 the first class ribbon had two thin light blue strips added towards the centre of the dark red ribbon, while the second class had one light blue stripe added to the centre of the ribbon.[2]

Pakistan awarded the Order to a small number of seconded British officers who rendered outstanding services at the time of independence.[6][5]

Recipients

The following is an incomplete list of people appointed to the Order of British India:

First Class

  • Sardar Bahadur Unjur Tiwari, 1st Bengal Native Infantry. Spied for British forces during the Indian Mutiny.[7]
  • Nawab Mir Hashim Ali Khan, Col Hahsim Nawaz Jung, OBI SB, (1st Class 1897).[8]
  • Sardar Bahadur Raja Jeoraj Singh, of Sandwa, C.B.E., O.B.I., Major-General in the Bikaner State Forces, Member, Executive Council, Bikaner State, Rajputana.[9]
  • Honorary Captain Subedar Major, Sardar Bahadur, Sardar Lehna Singh, O.B.I. 1st Class, 45th Rattray's Sikhs, Chief of Lehna Singhwala. Served in 45th Rattray's Sikhs from 1853 to 1893 (40 yrs) and served during the Indian Mutiny 1857-58, Jyntah and Khasia Hills campaign, Afghan campaign 1878-80, Zhab Valley Expedition 1884 and Hazara campaign 1888.
  • Title Khan Bahadur given to Sardar Mir Muhammad Hassan Gichki of Sami by Governor General of India Victor Bruce, 9th Earl of Elgin on 31 December 1895.
  • Title Khan Bahadur given to Zaman Ali Khan by Governor General and Viceroy of India Victor Bruce, on 1906. He served in Punjab regiment in British India Army from 1872 to 1906 continued the period of 34 years.
  • Title Khan Bahadur given to Risaldar Major Muhammad Raza Khan, aide de camp to His Excellency the Governor of Orrisa in 1 January 1938 by the Viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow.
  • Sardar Bahadur Sewa Singh, District and Sessions Judge Punjab, New Delhi, 1 January 1946.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Ram Singh, OBI (1st Class 1945) he was born in Tharu village, Amritsar district. Served in both World Wars and retired from service in 1948.
Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Ram Singh, OBI (1st Class)
  • Risaldar Major Hony Captain Bhajan Singh, Sardar Bahadur, OBI, Hodson's Horse, Gujjarwal, Ludhiana, Punjab.
  • Subedar Major Hony Capt Jailal Singh, MC, OBI, Sardar Bahadur, the Royal Daccan Horse (1888 - 9 Nov 1939).
  • Sardar Bahadur Captain Qalandar Khan Khattak OBI, Khan Bahadur, Chief of Khattaks and Zaildar of Lahore.
  • Sardar Sampuran Singh Gill OBI 1st Class. Sardar Sahib served in the British Indian Army during WWI and WWII. He was given the title Sardar Sahib by the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow as a personal distinction in 1937.
  • Sardar Bahadur Major Gauri Charan Dikshit OBI 1st Class, Sindh Rifles.
Honorary Lieutenant Pehlwan Khan OBI First Class
  • Honorary Lieutenant Sardar Bahadur Raja Painda Khan Janjua of 1/14th Punjab Regiment, village Mohrah Rajgan, Tehsil Choa Saiden Shah, District Chakwal.
  • Hony. Captain Shri Berishal Singh Khichi Sardar Bahadur OBI, IOM mentioned Despatch 1943 (Indroka).
  • Subedar Sardar Kirpal Singh Sasson, OBI (1st Class) bestowed in 1932 in Sialkot. Also ADC to Sir Frank Messervy, the first general of the Pakistani army. Also part of army operation in Burma and Malaysia.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Rewat Singh Chandawat (Gotan), 18th K.E.O Cavalry British India Army received the following orders and decorations for his meritorious and gallantry services: Order Of British India, Military Cross 30 May 1919 (Mesopotamia) WW1, awarded a bar to the Distinguished Service Order by the King on 20 January 1920 (The Edinburgh Gazette). He was selected as ADC to King George V and a member of the five-man Indian contingent that participated in the coronation of King George. Rajput Squadron of 32nd Lancers in 1922, He was the HM the King's ADC from 1923 to 1924 (18th K.E.O Cavalry) (Gotan, Nagour).
Honorary Captain 'Sardar Bahadur' Rewat Singh Chandawat Gotan War. Highly decorated for World War 1
  • Captain Khushal Singh Ugrawat OBI (1st Class) and IDSM (Indian Distinguished Service Medal). He was awarded for extraordinary bravery in the First World War and was also rewarded the title of Sardar Bahadur. He raised a Rajput company in Lucknow in 1920 and served from 1910 to 1939 in 1st Punjab Regiment.
  • Honorary Captain Karam Singh, OBI, IDSM.
  • Risaldar Major Gokul Singh, OBI. He served in the 18th KEO Cavalry for 30 years and retired from service in 1939. He died at the age of 65 in 1951.
  • Subadar Major and Hon. Captain Sant Singh, 2/3rd Sikh Pioneers (late 1/32nd Sikh Pioneers), Sardar Bahadur, OBI, IOM, IDSM.
  • Honorary Captain, Sardar Bahadur, Sant Singh Mangat, I.O.M., I.D.S.M., O.B.I. (1st Class, 1931), British Indian Army.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Bakhshi Jaswant Singh, O.B.I. 1st Class in 1916. Born 1867, died 1933.
  • Honorary Captain, Sardar Bahadur Abhimansing Gurung, OBI (1st Class),1891-1898, 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Bakhshi Jagat Singh, O.B.I 1st Class, 16th Bengal Cavalry, by Lord Minto.
  • Sardar Bahadur General Bakhshish Singh OBI 1st Class 15 June 1912. (Military Secretary Patiala).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Khan Bahadur OBI 1st Class January 1947.
  • Khan Bahadur General Fateh Naseeb Khan OBI 1st Class 17 January 1929 (Alwar State Forces).[10]
  • Major General Sardar Bahadur Agha Mohammad Afzal Khan, C.I.E O.B.I.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Hazura Singh (1st Class 1914).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Muzzafar Khan Kayani, OBI (Ist Class),12th Cavalry FF. ADC to Viceroy Lord Wavell and to Lord Mountbatten.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Harnam Singh Bindra, OBI (1st Class, World War II).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Ranjit Singh OBI (1st Class, World War II).
  • Sardar Bahadur Lt Col Dr Gopal Singh Chawla OBI (1st Class 1946).
  • Subedar Major Sardar Bahadur Singh Atwal, OBI (1st Class, World War 2).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Hazara Singh Bahad, OBI (1st Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Mihr Din, OBI (1st Class 1918).
Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur, Mihr Din, OBI (1st Class)
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Dr. Kartar Singh Grewal, OBI (1st Class 1939).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Bhola Singh Gulia, OBI (1st Class), Indian Survey Regiment of Badli, Haryana, India.[11]
  • Honorary Captain Subedar Bahadur Nar Gurung, MC, OBI (1st Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Muhammad Ismail Arain, IOM (3rd Class 1897), OBI (1st Class 1917), British Indian Army.[12]
  • Lt. Gangadat Bahadur: Risaldar Major Gangadat Bahadur had a professional army qualification in musketry. He was first enrolled 28 Oct 1885. His regiment 2nd Lancer received the battle honour Cambrai Nov. 1917. He was admitted to the OBI effect from 19 April 1917. he was born in village Matanhail District Jhajjar Haryana.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Sardar Bahadur Aman Singh Jodha, OBI, IOM, Jodhpur Lancers.[13]
  • Honorary Lieutenant Sardar Bahadur Ahmadullah Khan, Khan Bahadur, IOM, OBI (1st Class 1 January 1909), IMD Khillat Sword of Honour, Jagirdar and Honorary Magistrate.
  • Subadar Major and Honorary Capt Sardar Bahadur Ghafur Khan O.B.I., I.D.S.M. late 4/15th Punjab Regiment.[14]
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Raja Larasahib Khan, OBI (1st Class 1939).
  • Sebedar and Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Zain Muhammad Khan, OBI (1st Class).
  • Subedar-Major Sardar Bahadur Oomar Khan, OBI (1st Class), 2nd Baluch, 29th Regiment BO; N.I. 1880, (Zamindar Karachi).
  • Subedar Major and Honorary Lieutenant Sardar Bahadur Pehlwan Khan MBE, OBI, Bronze Star Medal.[15]
  • H.E. Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Sardar Bahadur Raja Atta Ullah Khan, OBI (1st Class 1868), IOM.[16]
  • Subedar Major/Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Bishon Singh Kathait, OBI (1st Class, World War 2), 5/9 Gurkha Rifles.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Kalandar Khan Khattak, of Jalozai-Noshera, OBI (Chief of Khattaks and Zailidar).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Shankar Dass Randhawa, OBI (1st Class), 2nd Punjab Regiment.[17]
  • Captain Sardar Bahadur Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, MBE, MC and Bar, OBI (1st Class), of Prithvipura.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Sardar Bahadur Anop Singh, OBI (1st Class), Jodhpur Lancers.
  • Subedar Major Sardar Bahadur Jodh Singh, OBI (1st Class), 14th Punjab Regiment, British Indian Army.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Rup Singh, OBI (1st Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Bhawani Datt, OBI (1st Class 1945). Regiment: Royal Indian Army Service Corps. Year of birth: 1895. From: Dungari Malli Village, Pauri Garhwal, British Garhwal (Now Uttrakhand). He served in France and Egypt during World War 2 for which he got this medal. He was a good horse rider and polo player. After retirement he was Pradhan (Head of many villages) of his native place for 15 years continuously. He died in 1980 in Rampur, UP. His two sons followed his footsteps and serviced in Indian Army as officers. His two grandsons are serving as Colonels in the Indian Army.
  • Sardar Bahadur Hari Singh Thapa, OBI (1st Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Th. Khushal Singh Ugrawat, OBI (1st Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Kishan Singh Grewal of Kila Raipur, OBI (1st and 2nd Class).
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Phoola Singh.
  • Honorary Captain Sardar Bahadur Doola Singh.
  • Sardar Bahadur Risaldar-Major Malook Singh Ahlawat OBI (1st Class), of Gochhi Haryana - Cavalry (Awal Rissala).
  • Sardar Bahadur Rijha Singh.
  • Subedar Unad Singh IOM (1st Class) 24 August 1916 (Zamindar of Kharak Kalan, Harayana) Unit- 1/119th Infantry.
  • Deputy Commandant Sardar Bahadur Sardar Kishan Singh Thind, OBI.
  • Sardar Bahadur Karim Khan (born 1813) belongs to a Pathan Afghan family settled in Unao Oudh. Received the title of Sardar Bahadur as a personal distinction by a Sanad dated 18 September 1860 (Submitted by Shumail Asad Khan).
  • Sardar Bahadur Miran Buksh.
  • Sardar Bahadur Moovera Kallapa OBI (Coorg Regiment, Nalknad, Kodagu). Served in Karachi and Rangoon in World War 2.
  • Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Sardar Bahadur Muhammad Ismail, IOM (3rd Class 1897), OBI (2nd Class 1909), OBI (1st Class 1917), 32nd Mountain Battery British Indian Army.[18]
  • Sardar Bahadur Hon. Captain Khetroji Hariba Nikam belong to Apshinge Military from Satara District in Maharashtra.

Second Class

  • Hon. Captain and Risaldar Major Kabul Singh Bahadur I.O.M. I.D.S.M. 13th D.C.O. Lancers
  • Lieutenant Colonel Bahadur Hem Singh Bhati, was awarded OBI (Served in World War 1, Jodhpur Sardar Risala, Jodhpur). His son Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was awarded the Param Veer Chakra for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice during Indo China War 1962 (War of Rezangla, Chusul).
  • Subedar Karam Ilahi "Khan Bahadur" Awarded OBI (Served In both World Wars), Trained Platoons in Poona, Headquarters: Diggi Camp, Mentioned In Dispatches: The Afghan War on 01.11.1919 under the name: Karam Elahi 4111 Naik 3rd S&M. For his gallant and distinguished services rendered in the Army recorded By C.C.Monro, date of enrolment: 18 October 1912, date of discharge: 05.02.1944 From: Rawalpindi / Pakka Khoo
  • Subedar Bahadur Puran Singh Saran, OBI (2nd Class) (Pind: Mallah, Jagraon, Ludhiana District, Punjab, India)
  • Subedar Major Purshotam Dass OBI (2nd Class)
  • Risaldar-Major Mir Dad Khan Tarin/Tareen, of Rihanna, NWFP, 9th Hodson's Horse.
  • Risaldar Nadir Ali Khan, Bamba Rajput, 9th Hodson's Horse.[19]
  • Subedar Saad Ullah Khan Kals, OBI (2nd Class), Retired from ASC Centre Nowshera, Pakistan Army. Served in both World Wars and awarded OBI in 2nd World War.
  • Sub Inspector Mounted Police Ali Gohar Khan Kadri (2nd Class) World War II OBI 1918, the younger brother of Wadero Ghulam Kadir of Ratodero MBE.1913.
  • Subedar and Honorary Captain Bahadur Inayat Ullah Asmie, OBI (2nd Class), 10 Baluch Regiment.[20]
  • Subadar and Honorary Major Bahadur Umar Din (2nd Class), Order of British-India, Hawas, Ludhiana.
  • Honorary Captain Zaman Sardar Khan Bahadur British India, I.O.M 1895/96, OBI (2nd Class 1901, 5/14th Punjab regiment
  • Subedar and Honorary Lieutenant Bahadur Mohammed Abdul Hafiz, OBI (2nd Class 1917), IDSM, 61st Pioneers.[21]
  • Sardar Subedar Bahadur Humail Khan, OBI (1st Class).
  • Subedar Major Bahadur Raja Nazar Muhammad Khan, OBI (2nd Class), IOM.
  • Subedar Bahadur Niaz Muhammad Khan, OBI (2nd Class), IOM, 7th Rajput Regiment, British Indian Army.
  • Subedar-Major Bahadur Syed Nazar Mohammad Shah, OBI (2nd Class).
  • Subedar and Honorary Captain Bahadur Syed Rasool Shah son of Syed Fazal Shah, OBI (2nd Class), RIASC, PJO 31511.
  • Colonel Rao Bahadur Thakur Balu Singh ji Inderpura, OBI (2nd Class).
  • Subedar-Major Bahadur Jagindar Singh, OBI (2nd Class), IOM (2nd Class).[22]
  • Subedar Bahadur Maima Singh OBI (2nd Class), IOM, 15th Bengal Infantry.
  • Subedar Bahadur Richpal Singh, OBI (2nd Class).[23]
  • Subedar Bahadur V. Parangusam Naidu OBI (2nd Class) RIASC.
  • Subedar Bahadur Syed Nawab Shah, Madina Syedan, Gujrat, Pakistan. (1879-190
  • Subedar Muhammad Sulaiman Major Bahadur, Star of India.
  • Subedar Major and Honorary Lieutenant Ram Singh Kaila, Bahadur, IOM, OBI, of 15th Ludhiana Sikhs (1887-1916), 82nd Punjabis (1916-21). IOM for gallantry at Chagra Kotal (Tirah, NWFP, Pakistan).[24]
  • Subedar Major (Hon Capt) Muhammad Ismail OBI 2nd Class, OBI 1st Class, IOM 2nd Class, 32nd Mountain Battery.[18]

Notes

  1. ORDER OF WEAR, Website of the UK government: Directgov, date accessed 4 January 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 H. Taprell Dorling (1956). Ribbons and Medals. A. H. Baldwin & Son, London. p. 42.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "London Gazette, 26 Sept 1939, page 6511". Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  4. "London Gazette, 21 January 1944, page 434". Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 John W. Mussell, editor (2015). Medal Yearbook 2015. Token Publishing Limited, Honiton, Devon. p. 88.
  6. Edward C Joslin. Observer Book of British Awards and Medals. p. 42. Published by Frederick Warne & Co, 1973.
  7. Field Marshal Lord Roberts, Forty-one Years in India 1897. Note, page 208.
  8. Various (15 March 2007). Hyderabad State List of Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages. Potter Press. p. 4. ISBN 1-4067-3137-4.
  9. Singh, Raja Jeoraj. "SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, I JANUARY, 1941" (PDF). www.thegazette.co.uk.
  10. Various (15 March 2007). Alwar State List of Leading Officials, Nobles and Personages. Potter Press. p. 4. ISBN 1-4067-3137-4.
  11. 33 Years record of unbroken service (1911–1944). Served in both world wars. Madras War Review journal. 21 January 1944.
  12. Captain Sardar Bahadur Muhammad Ismail Arain, 32nd Mountain Battery British India Army received the following orders and decorations for his meritorious and gallantry services: IOM (3rd Class) 10 June 1897, OBI (2nd Class) 9 October 1909, Royal Victorian Medal 1910, OBI (1st Class) 1917. He was selected as ADC to King George V and a member of the five men Indian contingent that participated in the coronation of King George V. His appointments, OBI, and IOM awards are recorded in both GGO[L/Mil/17/2, L/Mil/17/5] and the India Gazette [V/II].
  13. Lieutenant Colonel Sardar Bahadur Aman Singh Jodha was awarded the IOM, 23 September 1918 at Haifa.
  14. "The London Gazette". 20 November 1936. p. 7495.
  15. Condon, W.E.H. (1962). The Frontier Force Regiment. Gale & Polden. p. 574.
  16. Hodson's Horse by Cardew 1876 & Testimonials published by Punjab Government 1900 and List of British Agents in Afghanistan. He was resident of Wazirabad and grandson of the Raja of Rajawar (Rajouri).
  17. Fought in both the World Wars including theatres in Mesopotamia, Egypt et al. Born 1893 (perhaps), retired in 1948 and died at Tanda Hospital, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India on 11 January 1967 after an illness. This information is submitted by Ishwar Kaur's younger son, Guru Sharan Singh.
  18. 1 2 GGO[L/Mil/17/2, L/Mil/17/5] and the India Gazette [V/II]. Also The History of Indian Artillery by Brig Gen Graham.
  19. The award of the OBI to him was gazetted in August 1897, as he was one of a special contingent that went to London to present a Guard of Honour to Queen Victoria, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee. Naval and Army Illustrated August 1897; also see Indian Army Lists, 1902, 1911
  20. Captain Bahadur Inayat Ullah Asmi, OBI served in two World Wars, as Subedar and Captain (King's Commission); he died in 1947 in Lahore.
  21. Lieutenant Bahadur Mohammed Abdul Hafiz, OBI, IDSM, awarded OBI 2nd Class on 2 August 1919 for "gallant and distinguished services in the Field" on 11 October 1917.
  22. Subedar-Major Bahadur Jagindar Singh, OBI "" O'Dwyer, Michael Francis (1918). War Speeches. Lahore, Punjab: Superintendent Government Printing. p. 129. his conspicuous gallantry in action on the 17th November 1914 when with a party of Sappers under the command of a British Officer he was always to the fore and led his men with great determination into the enemy's trenches. Subedar-Major Jagindar Singh, Saini Sikh of Kheri Salabatpur in Bupar, gained the 2nd Class Order of Merit at the battle of Loos in Belgium for striking leadership and conspicuous bravery in action after most of his company and all but one British Officer in his regiment had been killed or wounded. This officer was also awarded the 2nd Class of the Order of British India for distinguished conduct in the field.
  23. Subedar Bahadur Richhpal Singh was Mentioned in (the Commander-in-Chief's) Despatches for the operation in the Western Desert, Libya and Cyzinaica in December 1940 and again for distinguished services in Italy.
  24. vide GGO No. 430 of 1898. OBI vide Gazette of India No. 872 of 1917.

17. Abdul Gaffar khan, Bahadur Lt. colonel, OBI IOM commandant Junagadh lancers, appointed 1937 Hon Aide de camp to his excellencies personal staff. (file 89 HS, Br. Library)

References

  • Peter Duckers, British Orders And Decorations, Shire Publications, Buckinghamshire, 2004
  • "No. 34694". The London Gazette. 26 September 1939. p. 6511.
  • "Digital Indian Army Lists". Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  • "Indian Army List - Jan 1920". Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  • "Indian Army List - Jan 1931". Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  • "Indian Army List - Jan 1941". Retrieved 8 August 2017.
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