Indian Police Medal (1951) – Lance Naik Shangara Singh, BSF

Indian Police Medal for Gallantry in bronze, named on the rim to Lance Naik Shangara Singh of the 20th Battalion, BSF (possibly, but unlikely, Border Security Force), complete in its original India Government Mint, Calcutta issue case. The medal is circular in form and made of bronze, the obverse bearing the State Emblem of India — the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath — at the centre, with the words “POLICE MEDAL” inscribed above in English and the state motto “सत्यमेव जयते” (Satyameva Jayate, “Truth Alone Triumphs”) in Devanagari script below, with two five-pointed stars flanking the base of the emblem, separating the inscriptions. The suspension is a straight bar with ball finials, the bar and suspension in bronze matching the medal’s body. The reverse bears a laurel wreath with the words “INDIAN” above and “POLICE” below, enclosing the central inscription “FOR GALLANTRY”. The rim is engraved with the flowing script “Shangara Singh L/Nk 20th Bn B.S.F.” — Lance Naik Thangiara Singh, 20th Battalion, BSF — the naming style consistent with the engraved rim convention applied to all named Police Medal for Gallantry awards of this period. The ribbon is dark blue with a broad central stripe of crimson, the blue sections divided by thin silver stripes. This gallantry pattern ribbon distinguishes this medal from the meritorious service version, which lacks the silver stripes. The medal is contained in its original black-covered issue case with a dark navy velvet interior and silver satin lid lining; the lid interior is stamped with the Lion Capital device above the maker’s legend “I.G. MINT / CALCUTTA”, confirming manufacture at the India Government Mint, Calcutta.

The Police Medal was established on 1 March 1951 by the President of India as part of a new honours system instituted following the promulgation of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, at which point awards and honours of the Commonwealth realms ceased to be awarded in India. The Police Medal for Gallantry is awarded to members of Indian law enforcement agencies — including state police forces, the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, and other paramilitary and intelligence organisations under the Ministry of Home Affairs — in recognition of acts of gallantry in the line of duty. The medal is awarded annually on the occasion of Republic Day, announced by the Union Home Ministry. The rank of Lance Naik is equivalent to a Lance Corporal in the British Army system. The India Government Mint, Calcutta — one of four mints operated by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India — has been the principal manufacturer of Indian state medals and decorations since independence, and the presence of the original issue case with the Calcutta mint mark is a significant provenance feature confirming this medal as an original government-issued example rather than a later production.

This named Police Medal for Gallantry, complete in its original issue case with a confirmed maker’s mark, provides an unaltered record of an act of gallantry by a named lance naik in the service of the Republic of India. Named Republic of India Police Medals for Gallantry are collected as examples of post-independence Indian civil and paramilitary gallantry awards, and original issue medals of the India Government Mint, Calcutta, complete with their original presentation cases.

Condition

Very good, however the suspender is distorted