History

The India General Service Medal (1854) was established by the Governor-General of India in late 1853 and was later approved in March 1854. The Medal was created in commemoration of successful campaigns lead in India from 1849-1895. It was permanently discontinued in 1895 and was replaced by the India Medal in the following year. The Medal was awarded to British and Indian Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and enlisted men of the British Army, the Honourable East India Company Army, and later the Indian Army, in recognition of participation in battles during these campaigns. The Medal was originally awarded in a single grade to all ranks, but after 1885, it was also awarded in a lesser grade to non-combatants.

Every Medal was awarded with a clasp that denoted participation in a specific battle. Multiple clasps could be awarded to the same recipient, and the most awarded to the same recipient is seven. The following 23 clasps were officially awarded:

1. “NORTHWEST FRONTIER”
2. “PEGU”
3. “PERSIA”
4. “UMBEYLA”
5. “BHOOTAN”
6. “LOOSHAI”
7. “PERAK”
8. “NAGA-1879-80”
9. “JOWACKI 1877-8”
10. “BURMA 1885-7”
11. “BURMA 1887-8”
12. “BURMA 1887-9”
13. “SIKKIM 1888”
14. “HAZARA 1888”
15. “LUSHAI 1889-92”
16. “BURMA 1889-92”
17. “CHIN-LUSHAI 1889-90”
18. “HAZARA 1891”
19. “N.E.FRONTIER 1891”
20. “SAMANA 1891”
21. “HUNZA 1891”
22. “CHIN HILLS 1892-93”
23. “KACHIN HILLS 1892-93”
24. “WAZIRISTAN 1894-5”

Every Medal was issued named, but there are a number of different styles, including dedications, that are impressed, engraved, and those that feature Roman or italic script. All Medals awarded to Indian troops were named in India.

There may be additional versions of the Medal
that differ in size.