Award is part of Modern History of India. Below are notes on 9 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers (coming soon).

Awards as a tool for political patronage and social control

  • State-conferred awards (e.g., Padma Awards, Bharat Ratna) serve as tools for both political patronage and social control in Modern India.
  • Political Patronage: Awards are selectively used to reward political loyalty, consolidate power, and acknowledge support for government policies or agendas.
  • Social Control: Awards incentivize contributions in fields aligned with national priorities, shape public values, and build legitimacy for state-defined objectives.
  • Homi J. Bhabha established the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in 1948. State recognition (e.g., through national awards) for such strategic scientific nation-building efforts reinforces government development goals and encourages specific societal contributions, thereby acting as a form of social control.
  • Indira Gandhi coined the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' (Eliminate Poverty) during the 1971 general election. The successful implementation of associated policies and the political support garnered could be recognized through state awards, functioning as political patronage to solidify her populist agenda and leadership.
  • During periods like Indira Gandhi's premiership, state awards were occasionally criticized for being influenced by political considerations, serving to reward allegiance or strategic contributions rather than solely merit.

Evolution of British Imperial Honours system in India

  • British Imperial Honours evolved from early EIC land grants/titles to formal orders post-1857 Direct Rule.
  • Order of the Star of India (OSI): Instituted 1861 by Queen Victoria for high service in India (e.g., GCSI, KCSI, CSI).
  • Order of the Indian Empire (OIE): Instituted 1878 by Queen Victoria for service to the Indian Empire (e.g., GCIE, KCIE, CIE).
  • Indians were also eligible for general British honours like Knight Bachelor and Order of the British Empire (OBE est. 1917).
  • Victoria Cross (VC): Highest military gallantry award (est. 1856); Indians became eligible from 1911.
  • Indian-specific civil titles: Rai Bahadur, Khan Bahadur (for civil service), Sardar Bahadur (military/police), Diwan Bahadur (South India).
  • Cessation: Post-1947, independent India discontinued recognition of British honours.
  • Indian Honours System: Established in 1954 (e.g., Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards).
  • Bharat Ratna (1957): Awarded to Govind Ballabh Pant.

Indian Order of Merit and other Indian-specific military awards

  • The Indian Order of Merit (IOM), instituted in 1837 by the East India Company, was the first gallantry award for native soldiers in British India.
  • The IOM initially had three classes, later two, and was awarded for conspicuous gallantry (military) or distinguished conduct (civilian). It preceded the Victoria Cross for Indian soldiers.
  • The IOM ceased to be awarded after 1947 and was eventually replaced by India's postindependence awards.
  • India's post-independence military awards include:
    • Wartime Gallantry: Param Vir Chakra (highest), Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra.
    • Peacetime Gallantry: Ashok Chakra (highest), Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.
    • Wartime Distinguished Service: Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (highest), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, Yudh Seva Medal.
    • Peacetime Distinguished Service: Param Vishisht Seva Medal (highest), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal.
    • Specific Service/Gallantry: Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal.
  • Darban Singh Negi, a soldier of the Garhwal Rifles, received the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1914 during World War I, one of the earliest Indian recipients.
  • Balbhadra Singh Negi is credited with founding the Garhwal Regimental Centre, which was established in 1887.

Knighthoods and other imperial civil distinctions for Indians

  • Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was awarded Knighthood (Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India - KCSI) in 1888 AD.

Notable Indian recipients of British honours and their contributions

  • Bharat Ratna: India's highest civilian award.
  • Bharat Ratna: Instituted 1954.
  • First Bharat Ratna recipients (1954): C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan, C.V. Raman.
  • C.V. Raman: Received both Nobel Prize (Physics) and Bharat Ratna.
  • Mother Teresa: Naturalised Indian, awarded Bharat Ratna.
  • Ustad Bismillah Khan: Recipient of Bharat Ratna.
  • Padma Shri: Nargis Dutt was the first Indian actress to receive it (1958).
  • Jnanpith Award: Awarded to four Gujarati writers (Umashankar Joshi, Pannalal Patel, Rajendra Shah, Raghuvir Chaudhari).
  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Devika Rani was the first recipient (1969).
  • Magsaysay Award: Vinoba Bhave was the first Indian recipient (1958).
  • Nobel Prize: Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian recipient (1913, Literature).
  • 'Rashtra Kavi' title: Associated with Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'.
  • 'Nightingale of India' title: Sarojini Naidu.
  • Karnam Malleswari: First Indian woman to win an Olympic medal (Bronze in Weightlifting, 2000 Sydney Olympics).
  • Bachendri Pal: Renowned mountaineer, first Indian woman to climb Mt. Everest.
  • Mihir Sen: First Indian to swim across the English Channel (1958).
  • Bhopal Gas Disaster: Occurred in 1984.
  • Narain Desai: Appointed Chairman of the International Antiwar Organisation in 1988.
  • Deepak Das: 25th Controller General of Accounts.
  • Ayesha Aziz: Youngest female pilot in India at age 25.

Rai Bahadur, Khan Bahadur, and other titular honours

  • Rai Bahadur/Rao Bahadur: Titular honour awarded by British Raj to Hindu/Christian subjects for distinguished public service or loyalty. Rao Bahadur was primarily used in South India.
  • Khan Bahadur: Titular honour awarded by British Raj to Muslim subjects for distinguished public service or loyalty.
  • Dalit Mitra: Awarded to V.R. Shinde by the State of Baroda in 1933 for his social reform efforts.
  • Grand Old Man of India: An appellation bestowed upon Dadabhai Naoroji for his significant contributions to Indian nationalism.
  • Pandit: A title associated with Nainsingh Rawat, a 19th-century Indian explorer, known for his geographical surveys in the Himalayas.

Renunciation of British titles and awards by Indian nationalists (e.g., Rabindranath Tagore)

  • Rabindranath Tagore: Renounced his 'Knighthood' title (conferred in 1915) in May 1919.
  • Reason (Tagore): Protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 13, 1919).
  • Mahatma Gandhi: Returned the 'Kaiser-iHind' Gold Medal (awarded in 1915 for service in Boer War) in August 1920.
  • Reason (Gandhi): Protest against the Jallianwala Bagh atrocities and Khilafat injustice.
  • Timing (Gandhi): Renunciation occurred at the beginning of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22).
  • Jamnalal Bajaj: Renounced the title of 'Rai Bahadur' in 1920 as part of the NonCooperation Movement.

Role of awards in consolidating British rule and creating loyalist elites

  • Jagjivan Ram: Longest-serving Union Cabinet Minister (approx. 30 years) in India.
  • Vijay Ghat: Cremation memorial of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
  • Bharatiya Jana Sangh: Founded by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951.
  • Dada Saheb Phalke Award: First recipient was Devika Rani (1969).
  • Teacher's Day (5th September): Celebrated to honor the birthday of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
  • Veer Bhumi: Cremation memorial of Rajiv Gandhi.
  • First Indian Nobel Prize winner: Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913).
  • First Bharat Ratna recipients (1954): C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. C.V. Raman.

Victoria Cross and other gallantry awards for Indian soldiers

  • Victoria Cross (VC): Highest military decoration of the British Empire for valour "in the face of the enemy," awarded to Indian soldiers pre-independence.
  • Post-Independence Indian Gallantry Awards: Instituted 26 January 1950, with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.
  • Wartime Gallantry Awards (for conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy):
    • Param Vir Chakra (PVC): Highest wartime gallantry award in India.
    • Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
    • Vir Chakra (VrC)
  • Peacetime Gallantry Awards (for conspicuous bravery otherwise than in the face of the enemy):
    • Ashok Chakra (AC): Highest peacetime gallantry award in India.
    • Kirti Chakra (KC)
    • Shaurya Chakra (SC)