- Time Period: Pre-WW1
- Year of Institution: 1778
- Country: Great Britain
The Deccan Medal is a silver medal issued by the East India Company to Indian officers and men for service in Gujerat during the First Maratha War (1778-1782) and for service in the Carnatic during the 2nd Mysore War (1780-1784).
The First Anglo-Maratha War was the first of three Anglo-Maratha wars fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Empire in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai. British troops under the command of Colonel Keating, left Surat on March 15 1775 for Pune. They were totally defeated on May 18, 1775 with some 96 people killed.
The Supreme Council of Bengal condemned the Treaty of Surat, sending Colonel Upton to Pune to annul it and make a new treaty with the regency. An agreement between Upton and the ministers of Pune called Treaty of Purandar was signed on March 1, 1776.
The Deccan Medal is the earliest Anglo-Indian medal issued alike to all ranks and is considered the first ‘general issue’ war medal.
The Deccan Medal Design
Minted in Calcutta, the Deccan medal was round and struck in gold, silver and small silver. The medal was awarded in two sizes: 40.5mm for gold and silver, and 32mm for small silver. The larger medals were given to Indian officers only.
The medal was worn round the neck suspended from a yellow cord.
