History

The Kaisar-I-Hing Medal was established by Queen Victoria on April 10, 1900. The Medal was permanently discontinued in 1947 following the establishment of Indian independence in the same year.

The Medal was awarded to any citizen regardless of race, gender, or class, in recognition of meritorious contributions to public service in India. It was originally awarded in two grades, but it was expanded to three grades in 1933. It could be awarded multiple times to the same recipient, in which case a silver bar clasp was worn on the ribbon to denote each additional award.

There are multiple versions of the medal that differ according to the royal cypher on the obverse. In addition, there are versions manufactured during and after the reign of King George V which are solid, as opposed to hollow designs of the Medal manufactured previously to this time. The later versions are also smaller in size, but it is unknown by what margins.

The I Class Medal was awarded by the British Sovereign.