Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with claw and fixed ribbon bar suspension; the face with a chakra (wheel) centrally, the Imperial crown above, circumscribed ‘GEORGIUS: VI: D: G: BRITT: OMN: REX: FID: DEF’ (George VI by the Grace of God King of Great Britain Defender of the Faith); the reverse with the Ashokan Lions, circumscribed ‘INDIAN INDEPENDENCE’ and dated ‘15TH AUGUST 1947’ below; diameter 17.96mm (0.71 inch); on original ribbon.
The Medal was instituted in October 1949 and awarded to members of the Indian armed forces, including those of the Princely States that had acceded to India before 1 January 1948, who were serving on 15 August 1947 and to British military who stayed in India after independence to assist in the reorganisation of the Indian armed forces after partition and who were still serving on 1 January 1948.
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