- Time Period: Pre-WW1
- Year of Institution: 1861
- Country: Great Britain
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861 to honor Indian Princes and Chiefs, as well as British officers and administrators who served in India. Former viceroys and other high officials, as well as those who served in the Department of the Secretary of State for India at least thirty years were eligible for appointment. Rulers of Indian Princely States were also eligible.
The order is the fifth most senior British order of chivalry, following the Order of the Garter, Order of the Thistle, Order of St Patrick, and the Order of the Bath. With the death in 2009 of the last surviving knight, the Maharaja of Alwar, the order became dormant (but still exists). The British Sovereign was, and still is, Sovereign of the Order.
The Order included members of three classes:
- Knight Grand Commander (GCSI)
- Knight Commander (KCSI)
- Companion (CSI)
The Order of the Star of India Design
The mantle was made of light blue satin lined with white silk and was worn only by Knights Grand Commanders. The collar was made of gold and was composed of alternating figures of lotuses, red and white roses, and palm branches, with an imperial crown in the center. It was worn only by Knights Grand Commanders over their military uniform, formal day dress, or evening wear.
The star featured a sunburst, with twenty-six large rays alternating with twenty-six small rays and worn only by Knights Grand Commanders and Knights Commanders. It was in gold and circular for Knights Grand Commanders, and in silver and eight-pointed for Knights Commanders. In the center of the sunburst was a light blue ring bearing the motto of the Order. Within the ribbon was a five-pointed star, decorated with diamonds for Knights Grand Commanders.
The badge was worn on a white-edged light blue riband, or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip by Knights Grand Commanders, and by Knights Commanders and Companions from a white-edged light blue ribbon around the neck. It included an oval, containing the effigy of the Sovereign, surrounded by a light blue ring bearing the motto of the Order. The oval was suspended from a five-pointed star, which may be decorated with diamonds depending on the class.
