The Victoria Cross is the highest and most prestigious military award created by Queen Victoria in 1856.
The award has been given as the highest recognition of bravery to the members of the armed forces of the British and Commonwealth countries.
It was the highest of all honours, awards, and decorations and was given for valour in the “face of the enemy”.A person in any rank of service and civilians under military command were eligible for this.
It was awarded from the year 1857 till India’s Independence in 1947.
Initially, Indian troops were awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the oldest British gallantry award. Later, in 1911, Indian troops were eligible to receive the Victoria Cross.
Param Vir Chakra, the highest military award of India, replaced the Victoria Cross post Independence. It was established on January 26, 1950, and the first person to receive the award was Major Somnath Sharma.
The Param Vir Chakra is equivalent to the Victoria Cross in the UK and the Medal of Honor in the USA.
The latest recipients of Param Vir Chakra are Subedar Major Yogendra Singh and Subedar Sanjay Kumar.
Param Vir Chakra was designed by Savitri Bai Khanolkar.
Further Reading:
Find more related IAS Questions in the linked article.
Related Links:
Comments