Punjab Medal 1848-49 61st Foot

Punjab Medal 1847-48. Clasps: Goojerat. Chilianwala. David Waldon. 61st Foot.

Medal is in Good condition with slight mark to rim, on old ribbon.

61st FOOT (SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT) 

In 1847 the 61st Foot were in the midst of a 15 Year deployment to India, having arrived in 1845, and were based at AMBALA carrying out routine, peacetime, Garrison duties.

BATTLE OF CHILIANWALA 13th January 1849

At the Battle Of Chilianwala the 24th Foot suffered 21 OFFICER and 503 OTHER RANK Casualties.

BATTLE OF GUJIRAT 21st Febuary 1849

A war started by a Rebellion against the East India Company’s control of the Sikh Empire which represented by the child, MAHARAJAH DULEEP SINGH who was in British custody at LAHORE.This hatred culminated in the murder of a British Resident in MOOTAN. 
This was the signal for MAHARAJA SINGH to start a rebellion. He had little difficulty in collecting several thousand followers among the recently disbanded Sikhs, but it was extraordinary where he managed to get the guns and other weapons which were to cause such grevious losses. 

At the Battle of Goojerat, GENERAL, SIR HUGH GOUGH, used his overwhelming Artillery before sending in the infantry, including the 61st Foot, to rapidly clear villages and capture Sikh Artillery. 
It was a decisive battle and the Sikh Army was defeated by British Regular troops and the Bengal Army of the British East India Company.

After the three defeats the Sikhs surrendered and capitulated a few days later, the Punjab was annexed to the East India Company’s Territories and DULEEP SINGH was deposed.

The famous KOHINOOR DIAMOND was handed over by DULEEP SINGH and eventually presented to QUEEN VICTORIA on 23rd July 1850.