Miniature Group of Eight.
General Service Medal, 1947-1965. Miniature Circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the haloed upright Bhavani Talwar (sword) of Shivaji the Great; the reverse with a central lotus flower in bud, circumscribed ‘GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL’ and dated ‘1947 at the base; diameter 18.33mm (0.72 inch).
The Medal was instituted by the President of India on 5 June 1950 for active service and was awarded for 180 days’ service in Nagaland and the Mizo Hills and for participation in the annexation of Goa in 1961.
Bhavani is a warlike aspect of the Hindu goddess Parvati who is reputed to have given a sword to the great Maratha ruler Shivaji (1627-1680). The sword is now in the Armoury at Windsor Castle, though the Royal Collections appear to dispute this, perhaps to avoid the prospect of returning it.
The medal was India’s most senior post-independence medal until superseded by the Samanya Seva Medal in 1965.
Samar Seva Star, 1965. Miniature five-pointed gilt star imposed on a circle, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters within a ring inscribed in Hindi ‘Samar Seva Star 1965’; the reverse plain; diameter 23.19mm (0.91 inch).
The Star was instituted on 11 February 1967 and awarded for active service during the war with Pakistan of 1965 over Kashmir.
Pashchimi Star, 1971. Miniature five-pointed gilt star imposed on a circle, with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters within a ring inscribed in Hindi ‘Pashchimi Star’ and ‘PASHCHIMI STAR’; the reverse plain; diameter 24.67mm (0.97 inch)
The Star was instituted shortly after the war with Pakistan that took place from 3 to 16 December 1971 and was awarded for active service on the front with Western Pakistan, Pashchimi being the Hindi word for ‘Western’.
Raksha Medal, 1965. Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters; the reverse with a radiant rising sun centrally, circumscribed above ‘Raksha Medal’ in Hindi characters and dated ‘1965’, crossed laurel branches below; diameter 18.41mm (0.72 inch).
The Medal was instituted by the President of India on 26 January 1967 to be awarded for active service in the war with Pakistan that took place in August and September 1965, mainly in Jammu Kashmir. ‘Raksha’ is the Hindi word for Defence and was probably chosen as the immediate cause of the war was Pakistan’s ‘Operation Gibraltar’ in which Pakistani troops infiltrated Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Sangram Medal, 1972. Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters, circumscribed ‘Sangram Medal’ in Hindi characters and ‘SANGRAM MEDAL’; the reverse with a radiant rising sun above a laurel wreath; diameter 18.24mm (0.72 inch).
The Medal was instituted in 1972 and awarded for active service in the war with Pakistan that took place from 3 to 16 December 1971 and for related service up to 20 December 1972. ‘Sangram’ is the Hindi word for ‘battle’.
25th Independence Anniversary Medal, 1972. Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters, circumscribed ‘25TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY MEDAL’ in Hindi and in Latin characters; the reverse with the Indian chakra, dated ‘1947’ and ‘1972’ above and below respectively; diameter 18.27mm (0.72 inch).
The Medal was instituted in 1973 and awarded to members of the armed forces serving on the 25th anniversary of the independence of India.
Long Service Medal for 20 Years. Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters, circumscribed ‘Dirgh Seva’ (Long Service) in Hindi characters and ‘LONG SERVICE’ above, ‘Bis Varsh’ (Twenty Years) in Hindi characters and ‘20 YEARS’ below; the reverse with the Triservices crest, being a naval anchor, crossed Indian swords and an eagle with wings outstretched for the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, a radiant rising sun above; diameter 18.49mm (0.73 inch).
The Medal was instituted by the President of India on 19 April 1971 to be awarded to members of the Armed Forces for twenty years’ diligent blameless service.
Long Service Medal for 9 Years. Miniature circular cupro-nickel medal with scroll and decorated ribbon bar suspension; the face with the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (Truth Alone Prevails) in Hindi characters, circumscribed ‘Dirgh Seva’ (Long Service) in Hindi characters and ‘LONG SERVICE’ above, ‘Naw Varsh’ (Nine Years) in Hindi characters and ‘9 YEARS’ below; the reverse with the Triservices crest, being a naval anchor, crossed Indian swords and an eagle with wings outstretched for the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, a radiant rising sun above; diameter 18.41mm (0.72 inch).
The Medal was instituted by the President of India on 19 April 1971 to be awarded to members of the Armed Forces for nine years’ diligent blameless service.
The Group is bar-mounted on original ribbons and with pin to the reverse for wear.
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