India General Service Medal (1854)

The India General Service Medal (1854 IGSM) was a campaign medal approved on 1 March 1854, for issue to officers and men of the British and Indian armies. It was awarded for various minor military campaigns in India and nearby countries, between 1852 and 1895.

India General Service Medal
Obverse and reverse of the medal.
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forCampaign service.
DescriptionSilver or bronze disk, 36mm diameter.
Presented byUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
EligibilityBritish and Indian forces.
Campaign(s)India 1852–1895.
Clasps
  • Pegu
  • Persia
  • North West Frontier
  • Umbeyla
  • Bhootan
  • Looshai
  • Perak
  • Jowaki 1877–78
  • Naga 1879–80
  • Burma 1885–7
  • Sikkim 1888
  • Hazara 1888
  • Burma 1887–89
  • Burma 1887–9
  • Chin Lushai 1889–90
  • Lushai 1889–92
  • Samana 1891
  • Hazara 1891
  • NE Frontier 1891
  • Hunza 1891
  • Burma 1889–92
  • Chin Hills 1892–93
  • Kachin Hills 1892–93
  • Waziristan 1894–95
Established11 March 1854
Ribbon: 32mm, three crimson and two dark blue stripes of equal width.

In 1852 Lord Dalhousie had suggested a general service medal for smaller Indian campaigns, in order to limit the number of individual medals awarded.

Indian Army units made up the majority of forces present for nearly all campaigns. While the expeditions covered by the medal included few formal battles, most were undertaken in difficult terrain against determined resistance from local tribesmen.

In 1895, the India Medal was authorised to reflect service in further Indian expeditions, replacing the 1854 General Service Medal.

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