List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Indian Army facts for kids

The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross (VC) is a very special military award. It is given for amazing bravery "in the face of the enemy." This means someone showed incredible courage when fighting. It is the highest award for bravery in some Commonwealth countries and former British Empire areas.

From 1857 until 1947, 153 members of the British Indian Army and civilians working with them received the VC. This medal is more important than all other awards. Anyone can receive it, no matter their rank or job in the military. Even civilians under military command can get it.

Usually, the British monarch gives the VC to the person at Buckingham Palace. But often, this was not possible. So, a high-ranking official would present it in the field. Queen Victoria created the VC on January 29, 1856. This was to reward brave acts during the Crimean War.

At first, Indian troops could not get the VC. They had their own award, the Indian Order of Merit, since 1837. This was the oldest British award for bravery. When the VC was new, the British East India Company controlled Indian troops. They did not come under the British Crown until 1860.

European officers serving with the East India Company could not get the Indian Order of Merit. So, the VC was made available to them in October 1857. Later, people wanted Indian troops to also be able to receive the VC. This finally happened in 1911.

The first Indian troops to get the VC were Darwan Singh Negi and Khudadad Khan. Their awards were announced on December 7, 1914, in The London Gazette. Khudadad Khan's brave act was on October 31, 1914. Negi's act was a bit later, on November 24/25. However, King George V gave Negi his VC on December 5, 1914. This was during a visit to troops in France. Negi was one of the few soldiers to get his award before it was officially announced.

In total, 148 people serving with the Indian Army or the Honourable East India Company (HEIC) received the VC.

• 63 VCs went to British officers and men of the HEIC. This was during the Anglo-Persian War (1856–1857) and the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
• 33 VCs were given for actions between 1857 and the First World War.
• 18 VCs were awarded during the First World War.
• 30 VCs were awarded during the Second World War.
• Also, 5 civilians working with the military received the VC.

Brave Heroes: Victoria Cross Recipients

This section lists some of the brave people who received the Victoria Cross while serving with the British Indian Army or the Honourable East India Company. The names marked with a star (*) mean the award was given posthumously. This means the person received the award after they had died.

      This along with the *, indicates that the Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously.