Ashoka Chakra (military decoration) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ashoka Chakra
Ashoka Chakra and its ribbon
Awarded for	India's highest peacetime military decoration
Presented by	Republic of India
Country	India

The Ashoka Chakra (also spelled Ashok Chakra) is India's top award for bravery when there is no war. It is given for amazing courage, daring actions, or putting your life at risk. This award is for brave acts that happen away from the battlefield.

It is like the Param Vir Chakra, which is given for bravery during wartime. The Ashoka Chakra can be given to both military personnel and ordinary citizens.

Havildar Bachittar Singh and Naik Narbahadur Thapa were the very first people to receive the Ashoka Chakra. If someone receives the Ashoka Chakra more than once, a special bar is added to their medal ribbon. A person can also receive other bravery awards like the Kirti Chakra or Shaurya Chakra for different acts of courage.

History of the Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra medal was first created on January 4, 1952. It was initially called "Ashoka Chakra, Class I." This was the first of three bravery awards for non-combat situations.

In 1967, the awards were renamed. They became the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. This change showed India's own way of honoring brave people.

Since February 1, 1999, the Indian government has given a monthly payment to those who have received the Ashoka Chakra. The state of Jammu and Kashmir also gives a special cash award to recipients.

What the Ashoka Chakra Looks Like

The Ashoka Chakra medal has a special design.

Front Side (Obverse)

The medal is round and made of gold-plated metal. It is about 1.375 inches (3.5 cm) wide. In the middle, there is the chakra (wheel) of Ashoka. This wheel is surrounded by a lotus flower design. The edges of the medal are also decorated. The medal hangs from a straight bar. The name of the person who received the medal is written on its edge.

Back Side (Reverse)

The back of the medal is mostly plain in the center. The words "Ashoka Chakra" are written in Hindi at the top edge. The same name is written in English along the bottom edge. On both sides of the center, there is a lotus flower design. The middle part is left empty, perhaps for details about the award to be carved there later. The medals given before 1967 look the same as those given after 1967.

Ribbon

The ribbon for the Ashoka Chakra is 32 millimeters wide. It is dark green with a thin, 2-millimeter saffron stripe in the middle.

Ashoka Chakra Recipients

As of August 2021, 86 people have received the Ashoka Chakra. Out of these, 68 awards were given to people after they had passed away. The rank listed is the rank the person held when they received the award. The "Action" column tells you about the event or conflict during which the Ashoka Chakra was awarded.

Ashoka Chakra Awards by Year and Service

These graphs show how many Ashoka Chakra awards have been given over the years and to people from different services.

Interesting Facts About Ashoka Chakra Recipients

• Havildar Bachittar Singh and Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa were the first people to receive the Ashoka Chakra.
• Flight Lieutenant Suhas Biswas was the first person from the Indian Air Force to get the Ashoka Chakra.
• Paratrooper Sanjog Chhetri was the youngest person to receive the Ashoka Chakra. He was only 20 years old when he was honored after his death.
• Colonel Neelakantan Jayachandran Nair received both the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra.
• Damodar Kashinath Jatar, a pilot, was the first ordinary citizen to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
• Colonel Yury Malyshev and Flight Engineer Gennadi Strekalov from Russia were the first non-Indians to receive the Ashoka Chakra. Both were astronauts.
• Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the first Indian astronaut to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
• Neerja Bhanot, a flight attendant, was the first woman to receive the Ashoka Chakra.
• Kamlesh Kumari Yadav, a police constable, was the first person from the CRPF to receive the Ashoka Chakra.
• Bhure Lal, a police constable, was the first state policeman to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra.

See Also

• List of highest military decorations by country