Date
Instituted: 1881.
Campaign: Second Afghan War 1878-80.
Description: The obverse of this medal bears
the head of Queen Victoria and the legend 'VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX'.
The reverse depicts an invaision column with an elephant and a mounted
soldier in the foreground with the inscription 'AFGHANISTAN' to
the top left and the dates '1878-79-80' in the exergue below. The
suspender is of the plain straight swivelling type.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36mm.
Clasps: 'ALI MUSJID', 'PEIWAR
KOTAL', 'CHARASIA', 'KABUL', 'AHMED KEL' and 'KHANDAHAR'.
| Ribbon: |
 |
Naming: Naming
is usually in engraved upright square or sloping capitals while
some examples are found with impressed or engraved running script
for Indian troops.
Comments: The maximum number of clasps
awarded per medal was four. The most sought after (and most valuable)
of these medals are those awarded to 66th Foot and E Battery of
B Brigade, Royal Artillery who suffered heavily at the infamous
battle of Maiwand in July 1880. |
