Royal India Society Medal

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I got this medal today because I liked it but I know nothing about this medal. Does anyone know more about this medal?

Thanks

[Figleaf]

The heraldry is no help. The motto HEAVEN'S LIGHT OUR GUIDE is that of the star of India. The last three nizams of Hyderabad received this order. The last one had a moustache of the same shape, but I can't find a picture of the eighth nizam.

Hyderabad is speculation, based on its loyalty to the British and its access to modern minting equipment.

Peter

[Oesho]

It's a medal of Patiala

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I understand that the Royal Indian Society was formed after the British Crown absorbed the East India company after the Sepoy Mutiny. It was formed in order to create a order of Indian kings that was loyal to the crown. Perhaps the emblem of the Elephant was included to all kingdoms that were a part of the order, including Patiala and Hyderabed. Just a guess, I might be completely wrong about it.

[akona20]

Well sounds good but I don't think that is correct. From my family information (distant relative was a member) it was formed in around 1910 by Ananda Coomaraswamy as a reaction against the view propounded by the Royal Society of Arts that there was no fine art in India.

The Royal piece comes from Queen Mary of Teck. (wife of George V).

Wiki seems to have the same story.

[Oesho]

The portrait depicted on the medal is Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (1900-1938). Bhupinder Singh was still a minor when he ascended the gaddi and a Councel of Regency exercised the functions of the State. On the 3rd of November 1910 he was invested with full ruling power by the Viceroy of India, the Earl of Minto.
The reverse of the medal shows the Coat of Arms of Patiala State. The motto HEAVEN'S LIGHT OUR GUIDE obviously refers to the order of the Star of India, which was received by Narendra Singh (1845-1862) of Patiala.
Why and when this medal was made is unknown and I have not come across any reference to this medal, nor any illustration. A small (29 mm.) silver medal is known, PATIAL PANCHAYAT (the Panchayat was the Council of Regency) on which the young Maharadja (without beard and mustache) is depicted.

[akona20]

The Maharaja was a truly remarkable person.His story is on Wiki but for me the fact he played cricket for and captained India is a standout (lol).

His connection with Queen Mary is interesting and worth the read.

[Coinsforever]

The Maharaja was a truly remarkable person.

Indeed he was promoter of sports and one of the pioneer for cricket in India.

Here is awesome photograph of Maharaja of Patiala.

Cheers

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Thanks everyone for your help!

[Figleaf]

The picture in the Wikipedia lemma seems to have inspired the portrait on the medal. On both, the maharaja is wearing the Patiala Necklace.

Peter

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Here's a picture of the Patiala necklace. The necklace was supposed to have the world's 7th largest diamond.