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Award
The
Indian Independence Medal
was instituted by the
Dominion of India
and approved by King
George VI
by way of a Royal Warrant dated 21 July 1948.
[3]
It was a commemorative medal for service with the Indian armed forces at the time of independence in August 1947. Attached British personnel were eligible.
It was awarded to all those who, on 15 August 1947, were members of the armed forces of India, including the forces of
princely states
that acceded to Indian rule before 1 January 1948. British military personnel who remained in India after independence and who served with Indian forces up to 1 January 1948 qualified,
[4]
although those with British units awaiting repatriation did not.
[5]
The medal is circular, 1.4 in (36 mm) in diameter and made of
cupronickel
. The obverse has the
Ashoka Chakra
wheel surmounted by a
Tudor Crown
, surrounded by the inscription
GEORGIUS VI D:G: BRITT:OMN: REX: FID DEF
. The reverse shows the
Ashoka lions
, which is the
State Emblem of India
, with the words
INDIAN INDEPENDENCE
above and the date
15th AUGUST 1947
below. The 1.25 in (32 mm) ribbon consists of three equal stripes of saffron, white and green, the colours on the flag of India. The medal is worn on the left chest, with the saffron furthest from the left shoulder.
[6]
In most cases, the name and details of the recipient were impressed on the edge of the medal.
A
Police Independence Medal
was instituted in 1950 for award to all serving members of India's police forces.
[7]
The design is similar to the Indian Independence Medal. The obverse shows the Ashokan Lions above the Indian National motto
Truth Alone Prevails
in
Sanskrit
( ??????? ???? ) with the words
INDIAN INDEPENDENCE
above and
26th JANUARY 1950
below ? the day India became a republic. The reverse shows the chakra wheel with a lotus border above and the word
POLICE
below. The ribbon is red with a blue-edged orange central stripe.
[8]
See also
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References
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