Rao Bahadur

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Rao Bahadur
Rao Bahadur Medal.jpg
Title Badge for Rao Bahadur
TypeCivilian Honour
CountryBritish Raj Red Ensign.svg  British India
Presented by Flag of the Governor-General of India (1885-1947).svg Viceroy of India
Eligibility Hindu Indian
StatusDiscontinued (since 1947)
Precedence
Next (higher) Dewan Bahadur
Equivalent
Next (lower) Rao Saheb

Rao Bahadur (in South India) and Rai Bahadur (in North India), abbreviatedR.B., was a title of honour bestowed during British rule in India to individuals for outstanding service or acts of public welfare to the Empire. From 1911, the title was accompanied by a medal called a Title Badge. [1] Translated, Rao means "King", and Bahadur means "Brave". Bestowed mainly on Hindus, the equivalent title for Muslim and Parsi subjects was Khan Bahadur . For Sikhs it was Sardar Bahadur .

Contents

The title was given to recognise and reward individuals who had made significant contributions in various fields such as public service, commerce, industry, and philanthropy.

Those awarded the Rao Bahadur title were usually drawn from the lower rank of Rai Sahib, both of which were below the rank of Dewan Bahadur. [2] These titles were subordinate to the two orders of knighthood: the Order of the Indian Empire and the higher Order of the Star of India. A holder of a Rai Sahib, Rai Bahadur or Dewan Bahadur title came lower in the order of precedence. [1]

Selected recipients awarded the Rao/Rai Bahadur title

Academics and education

Activists and politicians

Civil servants and government officials

Commerce and industry

Rai Sahib and Rai Bahadur title badges of Jamuna Das Choudhury Rai Sahib & Rai Bahadur Jamuna Das Choudhury 1.jpg
Rai Sahib and Rai Bahadur title badges of Jamuna Das Choudhury

Engineering, science and medicine

Law and justice

Literature and arts

Philanthropy, religion and charity

Police and emergency services

Other

See also

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References

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