The Maha Vir Chakra Decoration was established on 26 January 1950 and is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra.
The decoration was awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO). The decoration was created after the independence of the country, when the British honors and awards system in India informally came to an end. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to give gallantry awards for the ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir in June 1948 it was decided to institute new Indian awards for gallantry. These included the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra, and the Vir Chakra decorations.
The Maha Vir Chakra Design
The medal is circular in shape and struck in silver.
The obverse has an embossed five-pointed circular star. In the center is the gilded state emblem of India. The reverse has the inscription “Mahavira Chakra” embossed in Hindi and English, with two lotus flowers in the middle.
The ribbon or ribband measures about 3.2 cm in width and is half-white and half-orange riband.
