Order of the Star of India

The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is a British order of knights, which was founded in 1861 by Queen Victoria.

Since the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, the membership has not been awarded in the Order, but it still exists. The only surviving member is still Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign of the Order. The Order is the fifth of the ten British orders of chivalry, his motto is Heaven's light our guide (English: The light of heaven guide us ).

The Order was founded to honor Indian rulers and high-ranking officials of the British administration in India can. Some Indian states were so important that their rulers almost automatically awarded the highest medal class were given ( for example, the Nizams of Hyderabad and the Maharaja of Mysore ).

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 princesses in their 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 of light blue 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 lotus flower, red and white roses and branches of palm trees, each with the Imperial State Crown in the middle.

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 alternately at 26 large and 26 small rays. The star of Knights Grand Commander was made ​​of gold and circular, one silver for Knights Commanders and achtstrahlig. In the center of the star was a blue band in which the motto of the Order was played back. In the center of this band in turn was a five-pointed star, which was occupied at the Knights Grand Commanders with diamonds.
  • The religious character was worn as Lone by all members of the Order. It was worn on a light 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 an oval medallion with the image of the sovereign surrounded by the above-described band with the motto of the Order. The medallion was connected to the band by a five-pointed star, which was also occupied at the Knights Grand Commanders with diamonds.

Unlike the majority of the British orders of chivalry had deliberately avoids the use of crosses in the insignia; they considered this to be the Indian princes 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 perform the salutation 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 GCSI; Knight Commander letters KCSI; Companions the letters CSI (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

Syed Ahmad Khan Nizam of Hyderabad Hyderabad State Kingdom of Mysore Collar (Order of Knighthood) Style (manner of address) Supporter Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Jagadish Chandra Bose
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