Order of the Indian Empire

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is a British order of knights, which was founded in 1877 by Queen Victoria.

Since the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the Order has not been awarded, but it still exists. After the death of the last Knight Commander, the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, in August 2010, Queen Elizabeth II is the last surviving member of the Sovereign of the Order. The motto of the Order is Imperatricis auspiciis (Latin for under the auspices of the Empress ).

The Order was founded to honor British and local officials may. It was created as a less exclusive award against the Order of the Star of India and also given more often.

Order outline

The Order has three classes:

Deviating from the usual terminology the highest class was not referred to as Knight / Dame Grand Cross, in order not to violate non-Christian Indians in their religious feelings.

Women could be appointed only as a prince in his own right in the Order. They were then in contrast to the other religious orders that are not a lady but, as men, as Knight.

Grand Master ( Grand Master) of the Order was by virtue of office of the Viceroy of India.

Ceremonial clothing and insignia

The members of the order wore on important occasions such as the coronation of British monarchs, its own ceremonial clothing that was dependent on the class:

  • The cloak was worn only by Knights Grand Commanders. He was in navy satin framed with white silk. On the left side of the breast star (see below) was born.
  • The Collar of ( chain of orders ), also worn only by Knights Grand Commanders, was made ​​of gold. Her limbs were alternately formed as a golden elephants, Indian roses and peacocks.

At less important occasions, simpler insignia are used:

  • The breast star was worn only by Knights Grand Commanders and Knights Commanders of the on the left chest. He pointed to ten rays. By the star of Knights Grand Commanders these were alternately silver from gold and silver, at the Knights Commanders only. In the center of the star is a picture of Queen Victoria surrounded by a dark blue ribbon with the motto of the Order, which was, in turn, was crowned.
  • The religious character was worn as a single by all members of the Order. It was worn on a dark blue ribbon with white edges. Knights Grand Commanders wore the religious character of a sash that was worn over the right shoulder to the left hip. Knight Commanders and Companions, it contributed to the band as a neck order. The religious character itself was a five-petal red flower crowned with the image of Empress Victoria in the middle surrounded by the above-described band with the motto of the Order.

Unlike the majority of the British orders of chivalry had deliberately avoids the use of crosses in the insignia; we considered this to be the Indian awardees as unacceptable.

Hierarchy and privileges

The members of the Order had a position in the log Aryan ranking in the UK ( Order of Precedence ), a list in which the registered persons are classified by their nominal significance and plays an important role in ceremonial events. Wives of male members were there also included; as sons, daughters and daughters of Knights Grand Commanders and Knights Commanders. Relatives of a female member received contrast, no classification in the list.

The Knights Grand Commanders and Knights Commanders were authorized to use the title Sir before their name; Knights Grand Commanders female and the Knights Commanders and Knights Grand Commanders Wives of Knights Commanders and could result in the addition of Lady before their name; a similar privilege did not exist for the husbands of female Knights. These additions were not led by Indian princes and peers usually, unless their name was reproduced in full length.

Knights Grand Commanders led as suffix letters GCIE; Knight Commander letters KCIE; Companions the letters CIE (so-called post- nominals ).

Knights Grand Commanders were authorized to take plate holder in their coat of arms. They were also a hoop that had the motto of the Order, and take a picture of the Collar of in their coat of arms. However, Knights Commanders and Companions were only allowed to the hoop in their coat of arms, do not show the chain of orders.

Known awardees

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