The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria on 1 January 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:
- Knight Grand Commander (GCIE)
- Knight Commander (KCIE)
- Companion (CIE)
Shahu of the Bhonsle dynasty of Marathas was a Raja and the first Maharaja (1900–1922) of the Indian princely state of Kolhapur. Rajarshi Shahu was considered a true democrat and social reformer. Shahu Maharaj was an able ruler who was associated with many progressive policies during his rule. From his coronation in 1894 till his demise in 1922, he worked for the cause of the lower caste subjects in his state. Primary education to all regardless of caste and creed was one of his most significant priorities.
Sir Bhupinder Singh, was the Maharaja of Patiala and a cricket player. Singh's reign as Maharaja of the princely state of Patiala, in British India, lasted from 1900 to 1938. He was born in a Sidhu royal Jat Sikh family. During his reign, Singh was most noted for his extravagance, contributions to sports, and for being an ally to the British Raj. He was also a member of the Phulkian dynasty.
Sir Udai Bhan Singh was the Maharaj-Rana of Dholpur from 1911 until his death in 1954.
Sir Reginald Henry Craddock, was a British colonial official and politician, who served in the Indian Civil Service and as Lieutenant-governor of Burma. He later became a Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) and sat on the Joint Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform as a strong opponent of Indian nationalism.
Sir Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma VI (1857–1924) was Maharajah of the princely state of Travancore between 1885 and 1924, succeeding his uncle Maharajah Visakham Thirunal (1880–1885). Moolam Thirunal is considered as the first in India to implement the concept of public participation in governance through the formation of Travancore Legislative Council.
Maharajadhiraj Mirza Maharao Sir Khengarji III Sawai Bahadur was a progressive and one of the longest ruling monarchs and also the longest ruling king of the Princely State of Kutch from 1875 to 1942.
Hon Colonel. HH Raj Rajeshwar Bharat Dharma Prabhakar Maharaja Shri Sawai Sir Jai Singhji Veerendra Shiromani Dev Bahadur, was the Naruka Kachwaha Rajput ruler of the Princely State of Alwar from the year 1892 to 1937. The only son of the previous ruler, Sir Mangal Singh Prabhakar Bahadur, Sir Jai Singh initially was noted as brilliant, erudite and charming. However, he was later forced into exile. He died in 1937 at the age of 54. He was succeeded by a distant relative, Tej Singh Prabhakar Bahadur.
Prabhu Narayan Singh was ruler of the Benares State, an Indian princely state, from 1889 to 1931. Prabhu Narayan Singh would reign for 42 years as Maharaja; in 1891, he was knighted with the KCIE, later becoming an honorary colonel in the Indian Army.
Brigadier Maharajah Sir Ranbir Singh G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E. was the Maharaja of Jind. He ruled Jind from 1887 to 1948- one of the longest terms as the ruler.
Sir Krishnarajapur Palligonde Puttanna Chetty was a British Indian administrator, bureaucrat and philanthropist who served as the first President of the Bangalore municipality.
Sir Trevredyn Rashleigh Wynne (1853–1942) was the Managing Director of the Bengal-Nagpur Railway Company from 1915 until 1930 when he became Chairman. During his long career he expanded the length of the Indian Railways by more than 5 times its original size and had an influential share in the construction and management of Indian Railways.
Sir Chinubhai Madhavlal Ranchhodlal, 1st Baronet, also spelled as Sir Chinubhai Madhowlal Runchorelal, commonly known as Sir Chinubhai Baronet, was the first Hindu Baronet of British India, textile mill owner and philanthropist from Ahmedabad, India.
The New Year Honours 1909 were appointments by King Edward VII to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by members of the British Empire. They were announced on 5 January 1909.
Bikaner railway station is located in Bikaner district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It serves Bikaner. Bikaner is headquarters of Bikaner railway division.
The 1920 Birthday Honours were appointments by King George V to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of the British Empire. The appointments were made to celebrate the official birthday of The King, and were published in The London Gazette on 4 June 1920.
The 1903 New Year Honours, announced at the time as the Durbar Honours, were appointments to various orders and honours of the United Kingdom and British India. The list was announced on the day of the 1903 Delhi Durbar held to celebrate the succession of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India. The membership of the two Indian Orders were expanded to allow for all the new appointments.
The New Year Honours 1907 were appointments by Edward VII to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by members of the British Empire. They were published on 1 January 1907.
The 1911 Delhi Durbar was held in December 1911 following the coronation in London in June of that year of King George V and Queen Mary. The King and Queen travelled to Delhi for the Durbar. For the occasion, the statutory limits of the membership of the Order of the Star of India and the Order of the Indian Empire were increased and many appointments were made to these and other orders. These honours were published in a supplement to the London Gazette dated 8 December 1911.
With the inception of Company rule in India by the East India Company in 1757, the tradition of giving medals also began. Campaign medals and awards were given to soldiers who fought in the Company's presidency armies. After 1895, with the formation of British Indian Army, soldiers were awarded with gallantry awards alongside Imperial Service Troops of the princely states. Awards were also bestowed upon the personnel of Royal Indian Navy and of Royal Indian Air Force with its incorporation in 1932. Indian Imperial Police were also eligible for the police honours.
The company's powers were removed in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny, and the British Crown assumed direct control of India and monarch took the title of Emperor of India in 1876. During the British Raj, new medals and orders were established and were awarded for the services to the Crown and the Indian Empire by Europeans and Indians of British India and the princely states. After 1914, Indians also became eligible for British Honours. The following is a list of orders, decorations and medals related to British in India:
