The Collection

       The complete medal collection was procured from Spink & Son in London, by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh during his visits to England between 1911 and 1935.  Maharaja Yadvindra Singh presented the collection to the Punjab Government in 1962 (when his son, Captain Amarinder Singh was undergoing training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla).  This was done on the condition that this collection should be displayed only in Patiala and not taken out of the town under any circumstances.  It is believed that Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to his father suggesting that the collection be given to the Indian Army to be displayed at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, but by then the Maharaja had already offered the collection to the Punjab Government.

      Initially, the medals were displayed in the central hall, well known as the Medals' Hall, of the old Moti Bagh Palace, now housing the National Institute of Sports.  Thereafter, on being gifted to the Government, this treasure remained confined to one room in Rajindra Palace, Baradari, a building which now houses the Archives Department of the Punjab Government.  The present Medal Gallery came into being in October 1985, when the late Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi visited Patiala for inaugurating the North Zone Cultural Centre.  The collection is displayed in 135 wooden cases made by Spink & Son.  There are about 1500 medals and 700 orders and decorations, besides 1000 odd other artifacts.  Contained therein are some very rare orders, in particular the 'Order of the Garter', which was instituted in 1348 by King Edward III.  The medals range from those instituted during the Civil War in England to the First World War.  Only a few medals were added after Maharaja Bhupinder Singh's demise in 1938.  Medals, instituted during the Second World War and thereafter are not a part of the collection.  Most of the medals are the gallantry medals awarded to men-at-arms.  Rarest amongst the decorations is the priceless collection of five Victoria Crosses, the highest decoration for valour in the Commonwealth.

       In addition, there are medals and decorations given on various occasions like the coronation of a king, the silver jubilee of a monarch, regimental and police medals.  There is a very interesting series of medals, known amongst collectors as 'Regimental Medals.' These are of great antiquity and were generally presented by officers to their men for bravery and for long and meritorious service.  It is interesting to note that earlier regiments would regularly take up a case to cut their own medals and the Crown would invariably grant permission.

      It was the British who popularised the tradition of instituting orders and medals.  A majority of the medals and decorations housed in the Medal Gallery are of British origin.  However, the collection of orders and medals of other countries is equally large and interesting.  Some old and rare orders and medals of countries such as Afghanistan, African states, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Persia, Peru, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand (Siam), Turkey, USA and Zanzibar can also be seen at the Medal Gallery.

      Medals instituted by the East India Company, which were given to the native troops and to British soldiers, also form a part of this magnificent collection.  An interesting medal is that of the famous Battle of Seringapatam in 1799, where East India Company achieved a decisive victory over Tipu Sultan of Mysore.  The Company gave medals for the capture of Seringapatam in five categories: gold medal for general officers, silver medal for field officers, bronze medal for captains and subalterns and alloy medal for non-commissioned officers and men.  The native troops received medals made of tin.  Also in the collection are medals cut by erstwhile Indian Princely states mainly Bahawaipur, Holkar (Indore), Gwalior and of course, Patiala.  Most of the medals were designed and made by either Spink & Son or by Garrard & Co, both based in London.  However, Janardhan Singh & Bros in Moga, Punjab, are known to have designed and manufactured medals for the Princely states.

       Numerous other artifacts are also housed in the Gallery, but these do not fall strictly within the scope of this site.  Nevertheless, these artifacts need to be mentioned as they are martial in nature and form an important part of the collection.  These artifacts, numbering almost 1000, are the belt plates, buckles, sash plates, and the badges mainly of British regiments.  There are swords, lanyards, miniature medals, cuff-links, shoulder epaulettes and gorgets. Incidentally, gorgets were the last traces of armour in the British Army, and were worn by officers around the neck when on duty.

       There are also a number of swords in the collection.  Most of these swords were given to various officers by their regiments and are from the collection of the Duke of Cambridge.  Mention must also be made of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's sword, a beautiful weapon with a jade handle in the form of a horse's head with jewelled gilting and a miniature portrait of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.  Its scabbard is mounted in gold and set with rubies and emeralds.  This was later transferred to Amritsar Museum in 1980 during the Bi-Centenary Celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

       There is also a gold wrist chain in the shape of a bracelet which belonged to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh.  Relics of other important personalities are those of General Sir Fredrick Edward Chapman, GCB 1811-1893, Royal Engineers.  Amongst others is the sword of General Sir Thomas Picton, GCB who fell mortally wounded at t e Battle of Waterloo, 1815.  The inscription on the sword reads; "From the inhabitants of TRINIDAD to Governor Picton for a colony preserved.”

       The collection catalogues history. Each order, decoration and medal is in itself a work of great art and antiquity. It reflects the richness of human race and of the endeavour to excel.