Indian Title Badges

[Ed_Haynes]

One of my main interests are Indian Title Badges, relatively unknown and until recently fairly cheap. They are, however, researchable and often dispolay nice recommendations.

I'll show a few here.

[Ed_Haynes]

Political Naib Tehsildar Shahbaz Khan, Sarwekai, South Waziristan, North-West Frontier Province

1- Indian Title Badge, George V, second variety, 3rd class, Khan Sahib - Shahbaz Khan, 1st Jany, 1934.

Shahbaz Khan, Political Naib Tehsildar, Sarwekai, South Waziristan, North-West Frontier Province - Not. No. 21-H or 1 January 1934

Recommendation in F&P, 67-H/1933:

"Shahbaz Khan is the son of Honorary Captain Fateh Khan on Azizabad, a provincial darbari who rendered excellent service during the unrest of 1930. Shahbaz Khan has served in South Waziristan for the past four years. He first distinguished himself in 1929 when, in chase of the outlaw Bostan, he, accompanied by tribal maliks and Khassadars, penetrated into the heart of the Mahsud tribal territory. In November 1931 he, again at considerable personal risk, proceeded to the most jealously guarded sanctuary of the Mahsuds -- the Khaisara, in search of the murderer Zarre, Giga Khel. In March 1932 he was present with the Scouts and troops who carried out the engineer reconaissance for the proposed Rqazmak-Wana road and his skill in dealing with the tribes and the personal ascendency he has gained from his firm but sympathetic treatment of them was largely responsible for the peaceful outcome of the expedition. During the autumn of 1932 Shahbaz Khan was in charge of the negotiations with the Khaisara Mahsuds concerning the construction of the Razmak-Wana road through their country. He was most successful and road construction in the Tiarza Valley was commenced in November, and has since continued steadily under the personal supervision of this officer.

"Shahbaz Khan was of great assistance in August 1933 when certain action had to be taken against Mahsuds and Wazirs over a boundary dispute which was affecting the progress of road making. He showed courage and resource on this occasion and was largely responsible fo its successful conclusion.

"I consider his services to be most deserving of recognition"

FSGoI adds: "Political Naib Tahsildars in the N.W.F.P. have in the past been granted titles; tho' they appear to be comparatively junior officers for recognition. This gentleman however appears to have done very well & we need not raise the question of his juniority."

2- India General Service Medal, 1908-35, George V, 2nd variety - NORTH WEST FRONTIER 1930-31 - POL. NAIB TAHR. SHAHBAZ KHAN, POL. DEPT.

Political Naib Tahsildar, Political Department.

This group says a lot about "The Frontier"?

[Ed_Haynes]

Subadar Major Khan Bahadur Abdul Rauf Khan, Border Military Police and retired Extra Assistant Commissioner, Peshawar, NWFP

Khan Bahadur, George V, first variety - Abdul Rauf Khan - retired Extra Assistant Commissioner, Peshawar, NWFP - title 1897 (Foreign Department, Frontier Proceedings, September 1897, 264-287). Badge named "Abdul Rauf Khan". No date on reverse of badge = from the first set of badges awarded, the pre-1911 retrospective awards (the VERY first title badges). Awarded in the context of the 1911 Durbar.

There is quite a story here. Prepare to have your hair curled.

Shown as "Subadar-Major, Border Military Police".

L. W. Dane (Settlement Collector, Perhawar Division), ?Note on the Survey of the Border of the Peshawar District during Settlement 1894,? F, Frontier A, January 1896, 128-147:

?[border from Shamshattu Border Militia Post to Aimal Chabutra, in dispuite since 1869.] In 1893, a serious dispute arose between the Kalla Khel and Adezai owners of the tip [division of produce], and Major Deane, Deputy Commissioner, deputed Subadar-Major Abdul Rauk of the Border Militia to impose it. This was done and the Afridis had to pay their tip as they had not done for years.?

?[border from the Swat River to Hari Chand, Tahsil Charsadda.] As at Darwazgai the only serious chance of a disturbance arose, the history of the case deserves notice. In 1861-62 there had been a dispute between Totai and Tangi about the very area, which is a narrow strip of leven land intersected by nullahs running up to the low pass leading to Span Khara. It was decided by a jirga convened by Mr. Taylor, (sic) Assistant Commissioner, that the land belonged to Tangi, and this strip was accordingly measured at last settlement. Lately the Holy Mullah of Manki in Tahsil Naushera has been in the habit of going to Span Khara in the summer and has acquired great influence amongst the tribes there. As time went on he caused a small house to be constructed near an old Buddhist well in the bed of a nullah on this side of the pass. When I inspecxted this part of the frontier on 15th November 1893 I found that a small area near this had been broken up by trans-border men who were also cultivatring further to the south as well. After references to Major Deane it was decided that the area must be mapped within British territory. It is believed that the Mullah, though a British subject and owning valuable lands in Kheshgi in Tahsil Naushera and Gumati in Charsadda, objected to this, and raiused the tribes, whose attitude at one time was very threatening. Mr. Waterfield, Commandant, Border Militia, went to the spot on 18th April 1894 with a small excort of Border Militia under Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf Khan. Flags apopeared on the hill sides and several thousand men were collected. Mr. Waterfield explained matters to them, and Abdul Rauf went himself to Span Khara to the Mullah and remained there for some time. The result was that the cloud passed off and the area waqs measured on 29th April 1894 by four Patwaris under Abdul Haq, Field Kanungo, and Mir Alam, Deputy Superintendent. . . .

?[Note by Major H. A. Deane, Deputy Commissioner, Peshawar.] The dispute on the Uthman Khel and Ranizai border in regard to Asgarh, Killa and Dobandi was the most serious that we had. . . . The Mullah had obtained great influence among the Utman Khels and the Ranizais, and his object was to put them forward as claimants to the land, keeping himself in the background. He undoubtedly hoped that by a show of force we could be deterred from measuring the land and, if necessary, he intended to withdraw from Spin Khara himself, leaving the tribes to fight for the land. He got together a gathering of some 5,000 men and 87 standards, and as our information was to the effect that in Prangghar, Totai and the villages near the border the inhabitants had removed their cattle and the doors and woodwork from their homes, it was clear that the only chance was to fix the responsibility of the Mullah on the spot. This was done by the dispatch of Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf with a letter to the Mullah from myself [Deane], and with directions to Abdul Rauf to deliver it in person and to establish himself as the Mullah?s guest until he had permission to come away. The Mullah was taken by suirprise, he having made his preparations to leave Spin Khara the next day. He at first refused admitgtance to the Subedar-Major, who, however, was firm and acted all through with the greatest finesse and good sense. The Mullah owns considerable property in British territory and we ahd prevented his family from leaving British territory, which ensured him being careful for the safety of the Subedar-Major. The result of the Mullah?s responsibility being pressed on him was that the armed men found on the border next morning by Mr. Waterfield withdrew when told to do so, and the Mullah later with much entreaty dispersed the gathering. The measurements were then carried out without further trouble. Throughout these boundary disputres, which I was anxious should be settled finallyt without complications being brought about and also without making concessions to the tribes at the expense of our subjects, the Border Police under Mr. Waterfield, Assistant District Superintendent of Poilice, have done excellent service. Under his supervision they have carefully carried out my instructions not to bring about a collision with the tribes, nor to allow a few discontented individuals to force them into such a collision. Although, as Mr. Dane has mentioned in his report, shots were fired by the trans-border men during the measurement operations, not a shot was fired by the Border Military Police. At Dobandi Mr. Waterfield?s coolness and good sense prevailed with a considerable amount of armed men who were at one time within 40 yareds of him. . . . In conclusion, I would say that I cannot speak too highly of Mr. Waterfield, Commandant of the Border Military Police, and Subedar-Major Abdul Rauf in these troublesome matrters and I trust they may be suitably acknowledged by Government.?

F. D. Cunningham to Chief Secretary, Punjab, 8 July 1895, on demarcation of border between Peshawar District and independent territory, F, Frontier A, January 1896, 128-147:

?It is a pleasant duty to draw attention to the credit that is due . . . to the services of the officers of the Border Police, Mr. S. Waterman and Abrab Abdur Rauf Khan; their management of the Kala Khel Afridis, their arrengments for guarding survey parties throughout, and in especial their coolness and resource with hwihc they met the situation created by the sttitude of the Mullah of Manki and his thousands of fanatical clanslem at Dobandi, merit the highest praise, and will no doubt receive full recognition of Government.?

F, Frontier B, September 1897, 264-287, recommendation for Khan Bahadur:

"Belongs to Khalil Arbab Khel family. His services in the Border Military Police have been most distinguished, especially during the recent demarcation of the boundary of the district when, by his personal tact and courage in proceeding alone to the house of the Manki Mullah at Spankhara, he succeeded in securing the dispersion of a large armed body of some 6,000 tribesmen and prevented what might have been a most serious fracas (vide correspondence ending with Government of India, Foreign Department, No. 4636 F., dated 30th December 1895). He has been strongly recommended for this honour by Major Deane and Mr. Merk."

India Medal, 1895-1902, Victoria - PUNJAB FRONTIER 1897-98, TIRAH 1897-98 - named "Subdr. Major K. B. Abdul Rauf Khan Border Mily. Police".

Reunited from two very different sorces!

[Ed_Haynes]

Rai Sahib Panchanan Ghosh, B.E.M., Subdivisional Officer, Government House, Calcutta

1- Indian Title Badge, Rai Sahib, George VI - named "Babu Panchanan Ghosh 2nd June 1943"

Babu Panchanan Ghose, B.E.M., Subdivisional Officer, Government House, Calcutta ? 2 June 1943

PSV 42-H/1943:

?Babu Panchanan Ghosh has worked in the Communications and Works Department for 30 years, and during the greater part of this period he has held charge of subdivisions relating to Government House, Calcutta or Darjeeling. He has proved to be an exceptional and tactful officer, and his work has been marked by thoroughness and accuracy of judgment. In 1938 he received the Medal of the Order of British Empire, and since that year his work has continued to be of a very high order. His present pay is Rs.325/- and he is due to retire shortly. It is recommended that his long and meritorious service should be recognized by the award of the title of Rai Sahib.?

2- British Empire Medal (civil), George VI - named "BABU PANCHANAN GHOSE"

Babu Panchanan Ghose, Sub Divisional Officer, Government House, Calcutta, Bengal ? 1 January 1938.

PSV, 10(3)-H/1937:

?FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE.

?Babu Panchanan Ghose has put in 24 years? service under Government in the Public Works Department and has held charge of the Government House sub-divisions in Darkeeling and now in Calcuttra. In 1935 he was awarded the Jubilee Medal. In 1936 he was awarded a first class certificate for his services in connection with famine relief work in Burdwan. He is an exceptionally able and tactful officer and his work [is] marked with thoroughness and good judgment. He is striongly recommended for the award of the Medal, and is of a class lower than those considered eligible for ?Membership? of the Order.?

3- Jubilee Medal, 1935 - unnamed, on roll, p. 213, #539, as "Pachnanan Ghosh, Sub-Divisional Officer, Government House, Sub-Division, Calcutta"

[Chris Boonzaier]

The top two are superb!! Any chance of seeing the naming on the back of them?

Thanks

Chris

[Ed_Haynes]

Despite the prevailing bias toward army awards (and men in uniform?) --the forum's title? -- the civilian awards are often much more interesting and much more uncommon (e.g., Panchanan Ghosh's pair).

Reserve namings? Sure. Gald to oblige (and glad there is interest).

First, Abdul Rauf Khan's -- pretty beaten up, so it may not scan well? This badge has been worn a lot as was approtiate in his era, around the neck, so it has taken lots of "hits". His is from the first, undated, retrospective set of George V awards.

[Ed_Haynes]

And the later, cleaner, dated Shahbaz Khan naming:

[Ed_Haynes]

If there is any interest, I could post more, but I am not anxious to bore you-of-other-interests.

While I snooze off over the 385th maker-variety of identical WWII German wound badges, I know not everyone is as turned on by Title Badges as I.

[David Gregory]

Ed,

Although I tend to be interested in Imperial German documents more than anything else, I do find it interesting to see what else there is to collect and research.

Please show us some more!

David

[Ed_Haynes]

Khan Sahib Bhicajee Dadabhoy, Military Accounts Department

1- Khan Sahib, George V - Mr. Bhicajee Dadabhoy 1st Jany 1920

No. 17-I-C of 1 January 1920 ? Khan Sahib to ?Mr. Bichajee Dadabhoy (retired), Office of the Controller of Military Accounts, 6th (Poona) Division?

F&P, Internal B, February 1920, 436-442:

?Mr. Bicajee Dadabhoy rendered loyal and faithful service to Government for a period over 31 years and retired in December 1916. On offering his services in connection with the war, he has been re-employed on Rs. 250 per mensem since June 1918 and has been of great help to the Field Accounts Officer, Aden, in organizing and running his office where he carried out his duties as Head Clerk, most efficiently. He is absolutely trustworthy, is a well known and much respected member of the Parsi community and the proposed title will be a fitting reward for a long and useful career spent in the service of Government.

?The Local Government has no objection to this recommendation.?

2- 1914-15 Star - B. DADABHOY, MILY. ACCTS. DEPT.

3- British War Medal - KHAN SAHIB ~~~ B. DADHABOY, M. A. D. (renamed by obscuring "MR." and adding "KHAN SAHIB")

4- Victory Medal - KHAN SAHIB ~~~ B. DADHABOY, M. A. D. (renamed by obscuring "MR." and adding "KHAN SAHIB")

[Ed_Haynes]

Diwan Bahadur Keshavrao Bapuji Tillou, Revenue Minister, Indore State, Central India

1- Indian Title Badge, George V, second variety, 1st class, Diwan Bahadur - Rao Sahib Keshavrao Bapuji Tillou 1st February 1937

The ribbon is incorrect (as is usual) and is the CGM(F). I hope to be able to fix this "soon".

Rao Sahib Keshavrao Bapuji Tillou, Revenue Minister, Indore State, Central India - Not. No. 77-H of 1 February 1937

F&P 66(2)-H/1936:

?Mr. Keshavrao Bapuji Tilloo received the title of Rao Sahib in 1930 after putting in 27 years good service in the Revenue Department of the Holkar State. Since then his rise has been rapid as, after two years as Commissioner, he became Revenue Minister in the State Cabinet. He has recently received a year's extension in that capacity and is likely to retire in 1937.

"The Prime Minister spoke to me recently about the earnest desire of His Highness the Maharaja Holkar that, following upon the rceent conferment of a Knighthood upon himself (Sir S.M. Bapna), some recognition shpould be accorded to his colleagues who share with him the credit for the very sucessful and stable administration of the Holkar State since His Highness came to power. His Highness hopes that this recognition might take the form of a grant of the title of Dewan Bahadur to Rao Sahib Tilloo and Rai Bahadur to the Finance Minister, Mr. S.V. Kanungo. The latter is still comparatively young and it is considered inappropriate that he should be honoured with a title until the services of Rao Sahib Tilloo have received further recognition.

"The Rao Sahib is undoubtedly an admirable officer whose untiring energy and straightforward unassuming personality have won widespread respect. Admittedly his promotion from Rao Sahib to Dewan Bahadur within 6 years would be somewhat exceptional, but His Highness feels that his position as a senior member of his Cabinet justifies the proposal, and the tile of Rai Bahadur would not be welcomed. The Holkar State have, in recent years, been very modest in their recommendations for titles for their officials and in the special circumstances I strongly support the recommendation not only on its own merits but as a tribute to the progressive ideals and admirable standard of the administration at Indore which has attained a level incomparably superior to that prevailing in the time of His Highness's father and grandfather.

"Rao Sahib Tilloo, being a Jagirdar of the State and having excellent pensionary prospects, is in my opinion fully qualified to maintain the high position of a Dewan Bahadur."

The 1933-1937 variety with left-facing bust. Gilt almost entirely intact and bright! Wear from breast ribbon.

2- George VI Coronation Medal - unnamed

On Indore State roll. Gosh, this scanned badly!

[David Gregory]

Ed,

Are these titles granted in a particular order, i.e. do they equate to a rank system?

Were they connected to any financial privileges, e.g. a pension?

Thanks in advance,

David

[Ed_Haynes]

It was a very complex system that changed over time. To simplify:

First standardised in the 1890s, drawing on systems of granting titles for acivement that pre-dated British rule in India.

At the time of the 1911 Durbar, at the suggestion of Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, badges were introduced to provide a wearable augmentation to the title (which became part of one's name).

Basically, there were three levels.

First:

Khan Sahib -- for Muslims, Parsis, and Jews

Rao Sahib -- for Hindus and Sikhs (non-Punjabi) in southern India

Rai Sahib -- for Hindus and Sikhs (non-Punjabi) in northern India

Sardar Sahib -- for Sikhs (in Punjab)

In general, you'd be appointed first to this lowest level and then promoted, though numerous exceptions were made. Indian Christians were appointed depending on what they were before their conversion, or failing that, as honorary Muslims. Buddhists and Jains were treated as honorary Hindus (except in Burma, where there was a completely separate title system). There was no provision for Anglo-Indians ("Eurasians") and this produced some tensions and a demand for 4th and 5th classes of the Order of the Indian Empire. All of this was part of the religious construction of India by the British (much like Ireland in this regard).

Second:

Khan Bahadur -- for Muslims, Parsis, and Jews

Rao Bahadur -- for Hindus and Sikhs (non-Punjabi) in southern India

Rai Bahadur -- for Hindus and Sikhs (non-Punjabi) in northern India

Third:

Sardar Bahadur -- for Sikhs (anywhere) and Baluchi Muslims only

Diwan Bahadur -- for Hindus only, mainly in the south

So the usual track would be:

Hindu: Rao/Rai Sahib => Rao/Rai Bahadur => Diwan Bahadur (very rare at top level)

Muslim: Khan Sahib => Khan Bahadur => Sardar Bahadur (in Baluchistan only)

Sikh: Sardar Sahib (in Punjab) or Rao/Rai Sahib (elsewhere) => Sardar Bahadur (a very rare leap)

This was, of course, complicated by the fact that "Sardar Bahadur" was also used for the OBI 1st class; this overtsight produced MANY problems.

This is a a gross over-simplification of a fascinating tale.

For those who have "doubts" (to put it mildly?) about civil Title Badges, try this:

Rai Sahib, GVI, Not. No. 141-H of 8 June 1944: ?Babu Promode Ranjan Guha, Assistant Engineer, Bhagalpur, Bengal?. Shown additionally as ?Offg. Executive Engineer? and ?Bihar Engineering Service, Class II?. Pay Rs. 580/month.

PSV, 47-H/1944:

?Mr. Guha was appointed as a permanent Assistant Engineer in the Bihar Engineering Service, Class II on 27.7.29. Throughout his service he has done consistently well.

?In the disturbances of 1942 ["Quit India" Movement], he was in combined charge of two outlying subdivisions of the Son Canals ? Nokha and Nasrigang. He was at Nokha when a mob consisting of many hundreds of persons attempted to raid the canal office and treasury but were kept at bay by the Subdivisional Officer (Mr. Guha) with the help of his staff. Menawhile, in the nearby town of Bikramganj, rioters became completely out of hand and caused much damage including the destruction by fire of a Canal inspection bungalow. As police were not available for protection, Mr. Guha became very perturbed about the safety of the Govt. Treasure at both Nokha and Nasriganj offices. Collecting the Nokha treasure in his car, he left secretely by devious roads at dead of night for Nasriganj and after securing the treasure there, he motored at high speed to the headquarters of his Division, Arrah. This he succeeded in reaching in the early hours of the morning after traversing 60 miles through some of the most disturbed areas. In this way, Mr. Guha avoided the loss of many thousands of rupees to Govt. ? a loss, unfortunately, that could not be prevented in another subdivision alongside. The mob refrained from raiding the Nokha office when the information got around that the treasure had been removed but the Nasriganj office was burnt to the ground.

?Within a few hours of his arrival at Arrah, Mr. Guha volunteered to accompany a Military party for restoring communications to Sasaram and Buxar and for this purpose collected and took with him staff for the repairs of bridges etc.

?Later, when it was essential to have an energetic Executive Engineer to be placed in charge of the Bhagalpur Division for the urgent construction of a new Camp Jail, Mr. Guha was specially selected for this post, although he was a junior officer which made it necessary that his appointment should be an officiating one. In this charge he had shewn exceptional ability, completing this very large jail in a remarkably short time and in all respects to the stringent requirements of Govt.

?He has not been recommended on this occasion or during the same year for any other title.?

Yes, it in my "custody".

[David Gregory]

Ed,

Thanks for that concise overview. I have only visited India twice and am still amazed at the British legacy still apparent in many aspects of daily life.

Has this system disappeared completely or is it still upheld by some parts of Indian society?

David

[Ed_Haynes]

No, this system has been carefully and intentionally wiped out as a last remnant of the bad old feudal days. Article 18 of the Indian constitution is there specifically to strike at the heart of what was seen as a system of fawning toadyism to the Brits. Only among the remnant Indian royals does the system continue, but in the pre-British sense that titles always ran deep beneath the surface, even in British days, when they tried to extinguish this, for the King-Emperor was to be the only Fount of Honour. A fascinating tale, I think, and one I am involved in weaving together and teasing out of the archives.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Over to ed...

[Ed_Haynes]

. . . yes . . . ???

[Chris Boonzaier]

I was searching the back pages and found this sleeping in another section of the forum, so I knocked it over into South Asia for you.

[Ed_Haynes]

I was searching the back pages and found this sleeping in another section of the forum, so I knocked it over into South Asia for you.

Thanks, Chris. Very close to drawing all this (and more) together into a (large) journal article. But for whom, OMRS or OMSA? Difficult to say.

[Ed_Haynes]

A few more. Not than anyone cares about these as much as I do. Well, could ANYONE care THAN much???

Rai Bahadur -- Rai Sahib Jamini Mohan Ghosh, Special Land Acquisitiion Deputy Collector, Bengal

Not. No. 19-H, 1 January 1931

F&P 94(2)-H/1931

(These awards are INCREDIBLY close together!)

"He has a long record of good service and in particular has done excellent work as Land Acquisition Officer and the bestowal of the title recommended would be a fitting recognition of his services."

Sounds like a retirement gift to me?

Rai Sahib -- Babu Jamini Mohan Ghosh, Special Land Acquisitition Collector, 24-Parganas, Howrah and Hoogly, Bengal

Not. 19-H, 1 January 1928

F&P 71(4)-H/1927

"This officer is a member of the Bengal Civil Service (Executive) to which he was promoted from the Junior Civil Service in 1921. He has an excellent record and has done consistently good work under the Revenue Department. Having made a special study of revenue records he was placed on special duty to examine the history of, and rights in, the foreshore of the Hoogly [River] on both the Calcutta and Howrah sides within the port. He produced an excellent report which will be of greatest use not only to the Revenue Department but from the point of view of historical interest. His excellent services deserve recognition."

No indication of Jubilee or other medals.

While this may not be as sexy (to some) as young men in "Pathan suits" on "the Frontier", such awards may say more about the nature of British rule in India than most other phaleristic relics?

Edited October 30, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

For reference, the naming(s):

[Ed_Haynes]

Much research needed, but a nice pair from OMSA '07. (Anyone care to fly me back to Delhi to do the work needed?)

Rai Sahib -- Mr. Dan Singh Rai, Superintendent, Medical Branch, Lahore District Headquarters.

Not. No. 333-H, 3 July 1926

India Medal, 1895 -- Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, and Tirah 1897-98 -- Clerk Dan Singh Rai office of P.M.O.

[Hugh]

So the usual track would be:

Hindu: Rao/Rai Sahib => Rao/Rai Bahadur => Diwan Bahadur (very rare at top level)

Muslim: Khan Sahib => Khan Bahadur => Sardar Bahadur (in Baluchistan only)

Sikh: Sardar Sahib (in Punjab) or Rao/Rai Sahib (elsewhere) => Sardar Bahadur (a very rare leap)

So as he progressed up the tree of these awards, did he wear only the highest, or all two / three?

Edited October 31, 2007 by Ed_Haynes

[Ed_Haynes]

Technically, you'd wear only the highest. By regulation, that is. There was no requirement to return the lower badge(s), as the government deemed it too expensive to oversee that process. Their idea was that the lower badges would be retained "as a memento". In reality, people kept them, and often wore them. Though not after 1947, of course.

[Ed_Haynes]

1- Rai Bahadur -- Rai Sahib Bhupendra Nath Banarji, Deputy Commissioner of Police, South District, Calcutta, Bengal

Not. No. 316-H of 3 June 1931

F&P 94-H/1931

"Rai Sahib B. N. Banarji is an Imperial Police Officer having been promoted to that rank in 1926, and having acted as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Calcutta, since 1924. For the last six years he has held charge of the South District and throughout the period of his administration has been characterised by initiative and thoroughness. He did exceptionally well in the communal troubles in Calcutta in 1926 and has handled the civil disobedience movement in his district with firmness and success. [!] He has throughout his career proved himself a loyal, industrious, and successful police officer. He received his present title in 1927 and has justified his advancement to the higher title for which he is now recommended.

2- Rai Sahib -- Babu Bhupendra Nath Banarji, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Calcutta, Bengal

Not. No. 21-H of 1 January 1927

F&P 71(2)-H/1926

"Babu Bhupendra Nath Banarji joined the Bengal Police in 1905 and secured promotion to the rank of inspector in 1914 and Assistant Commissioner in 1919. Since 1914, when his services were transferred tro the Calcutta Police, his work has been exceptionally good, and has been distinguished by unusual ability, energy, integrity, efficiency and reliability. Whilst holding charge of Calcutta during the communal riots of 1926, during the first phase of which he was seriously injured in the performance of his duty, he displayed great presence of mind, courage, and perserverance. These qualities and the excellent work done by him at every stage of his career render him worthy of the distinction recommended."

3- George V Jubilee, 1935

On roll (p. 58, sl. 459) as "Banarji, Bhupendra Nath - Rai Bahadur - Indian Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Calcutta".