# Indian Order of Merit

The Indian Order of Merit (IOM) was a military and civilian decoration of British India. It was established in 1837, (General Order of the Governor-General of India, No. 94 of 1 May 1837) although following the Partition of India in 1947 it was decided to discontinue the award and in 1954 a separate Indian honours system was developed, to act retrospectively to 1947. For a long period of time the IOM was the highest decoration that a native member of the British Indian Army could receive and initially it had three divisions. This was changed in 1911 when Indian servicemen became eligible for the Victoria Cross. A civilian division of the IOM also existed between 1902 and 1939, however, it was only conferred very rarely.

## History

The medal was first introduced by the East India Company in 1837, under the name "Order of Merit" and was taken over by the Crown in 1858, following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The name of the medal was changed in 1902 to avoid confusion with a British Order of the same name. The Indian Order of Merit was the only gallantry medal available to Native soldiers between 1837 and 1907 when the Indian Distinguished Service Medal was introduced, and when the Victoria Cross was opened to native soldiers in 1911. Both divisions of the order were removed when India became independent in 1947. Recipients receive the post nominal letters IOM.
The original object was to "afford personal reward for personal bravery without reference to any claims founded on mere length of service and general good conduct"

## The medal
### Military Division

The medal was originally introduced with three classes (first, second and third classes), until others medals were made available to Indian soldiers, at which point it was reduced to two classes (the Victoria Cross replacing the first class), and reduced to one class in 1944. A recipient technically needed to be in possession of the lower class before being awarded a higher class, although recipients were sometimes awarded the higher class if they performed more than one act of gallantry, then they may have been awarded the higher class, without receiving the lower one. The recipients of the order received increased pay and pension allowances and were very highly regarded.

### Civil Division

A civil division was available in two classes between 1902 and 1939, when it was reduced to one class. The civil medal was rarely awarded.

## Description
### Third Class

Eight pointed dull silver star with blue circle, surrounded by silver laurels, in the middle, with crossed swords and the words Awarded for Valour, this was changed to Awarded for Gallantry in 1944.
Conspicuous act of individual gallantry on the part of any Native Officers or Soldiers, in the Field or in the attack or defence of a Fortified place, without distinction of rank or grade.

### Second Class

Eight pointed shiny silver star with blue circle, surrounded by gold laurels in the middle, with crossed swords and the words Awarded for Valour, this was changed to Awarded for Gallantry in 1944.
To be obtained by those who already possess the third and for similar services.

### First Class

Eight pointed gold star with blue circle, surrounded by gold laurels in the middle, with crossed swords and the words Awarded for Valour, this was changed to Awarded for Gallantry in 1944.
To be obtained in like manner only by those who possess the third and second classes.

### Ribbon

Dark Blue ribbon flanked by two red stripes of about a sixth of the width.

## Notable recipients

* The first recipient of the IOM was Sub Devi Singh of Bengal Sappers who along with 12 sappers demolished the impregnable gates of the Ghazni fort in Afghanistan on 23 July 1839.
* Subedar Mir Dast V.C., I.O.M.
* Subedar Kishanbir Nagarkoti, I.O.M. 1/5 GR (FF) Only person to have been awarded the IOM four times and hence awarded a gold clasp as recognition.
* Maharajadhiraja Bahadur Sir Bijay Chand Mahtab G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., I.O.M.
* Sowar A.L. Dafadar Udey Singh, 1726 was awarded Indian Order of Merit for his gallant action and playing important role in pushing the enemy forces back during his time in France during World War I.
* All 21 soldiers of the detachment of 36th Sikhs British Indian Army which fought to the death against overwhelming numbers at the Battle of Saragarhi in 1897.
* Havildar Kabir Pun was awarded the I.O.M. for his joint actions along with John Duncan Grant who was awarded the Victoria Cross along with other members of the 8th Gurkha Rifles on 6 July 1904 at the attack at Gyantse Dzong, Tibet as a part of the British invasion of Tibet with Colonel Younghusband
* Havildar Nur Khan, I.O.M., I.D.S.M., Regt No-13535, 3/2 Punjab Regiment, for planning and implementing and escape plan from Nazi POW camp at Tobruk, Libya Archived 17 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine
* Subadar-Major and Hon. Captain Bisesar (alternatively spelt Bissesar) Tewari, Surdar Bahadur, the senior Indian officer of the 1st Brahmans regiment from 1909 to 1914. As a sepoy (private) in 1886, he was awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM), 2nd Class for his bravery in the 3rd Burma War (1885): 'in charging the enemy's position, when suffering from a severe wound in the neck, and remaining in action during the whole day.'
* Subedar Major (Hon. Capt.) Sardar Bahadur Muhammad Ismail, I.O.M. 2nd Class 1897, O.B.I. 2nd Class 1909, O.B.I. 1st Class 1917 - 32nd Mountain Battery British India Army
* Sub. Major & Hon. Capt. Rithu Singh Rawat, I.O.M., I.D.S.M., M.D., 3rd Battalion 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles, for acts of gallantry in the Middle East, during World War II, on 3 May 1941 vide Gazette of India No. 113-
* Sardar Bahadur Arjan Singh Bhullar, I.O.M., O.B.I., 1st Punjab Sikh Regiment
* Sardar Bahadur Captain JAWALA SINGH, LABANA SIKH, I.O.M., O.B.I. ,14th SIKH PENNIER, ROYAL VICTORIAN MEDAL, GEORGE 6TH CORONATION MEDAL1937
* Jemadar Jai Lal, Gaur Brahmin 4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment during "attack on sannaiyat" 17 February 1917
* No. 1706 Sowar Dost Muhammed Khan of the 18th Bengal Lancers was cited by Lieutenant Francis Aylmer Maxwell for the 3rd Class Order of Merit Medal for his gallant conduct on the 30th March 1900 at the battle of Sanna’s Post, a small British garrison near Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State, South Africa. Sowar Dost Muhammed Khan was an orderly to Lt. Maxwell of which both men served at the Robert’s Horse Regiment. On the above-said date, Lt. Maxwell was part of the leading squadron in the advance charge at Koorn Spruit and was forced to retire after coming under heavy fire. He was unfortunate to have ended up in the rear as the regiment retired from the charge with Khan at his side. One of the men of the regiment fell when his horse was shot and killed in the battle. Lt. Maxwell went to his assistance with Khan in pursuit, while under heavy fire from a proximity of 150 yards. Lt. Maxwell repeatedly ordered Khan to retreat with the regiment out of fear of him being captured or wounded to which Khan refused. Khan distinguished himself by holding Lt. Maxwell’s horse steady under fire as the dismounted soldier was able to mount and they were able to retreat safely to the regiment. Both Khan and his horse were wounded and he was almost captured during the action by waiting on Lt. Maxwell. Sowar Dost Muhammed Khan was wounded once more at Diamond Hill. On Government General Order 575, dated 27th September 1901, the Governor General conferred the 3rd Class Order of Merit to No. 1706 Sowar Dost Muhammed Khan for conspicuous gallantry of the 18th Bengal Lancers. Lt. Maxwell was decorated with the Victoria Cross for actions, which was recorded on 5 separate occasions.