This decoration was instituted in 1900, presumably by the English Queen Victoria, the preamble to the Royal Warrant — which was amended in 1901, 1912, 1933, 1938 and then in 1939 — being as follows: “Whereas We, taking into Our Royal consideration that there do not exist adequate means whereby We can reward important and useful services rendered to Us in Our Indian Empire in the advancement of the public interests of Our said Empire, and taking also into consideration the expediency of distinguishing such services by some mark of Our Royal favor: Now for the purpose of attaining an end so desirable as that of thus distinguishing such services aforesaid, We have instituted and created, and by these presents for Us, Our Heirs, and Successors, do institute and create a new Decoration.” The decoration is styled “The Kaiser -I-Hind Medal for Public Service in India” and consists of three classes. The Medal is an oval-shaped Badge of Decoration, in gold, in silver or in bronze, with the Royal Cipher on one side and on the reverse the words “Kaiser-i-Hind for Public Service in India;” it is suspended on the left breast by a dark blue ribbon.

The following Theosophical Society members were awarded the medal, but the Theosophical Year Book (1938) does not indicate the actual grade in every case:

Chandrashekara Aiyer, (Srimati Parvati Ammal) for philanthropic services; Leonora Gmeiner, Sanjiva Rao, (Srimati Padmabai), Gold Medal, for work in education; Sinha, Dewan Badahur Purnedu Narayan, Gold Medal, for work in education.

(Source: Indian Year Book and Who’s Who 1941-42.)

P.S.H.

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