Punjab Medal, Silver, 1849, Without clasp, Name of awardee is erase, Obv: Victoria facing left, Rev: Depicts Sir Walter Gilbert receiving the Sikh surrender with the legend; 'TO THE ARMY OF THE PUNJAB' above and the date; 'MDCCCXLIX' below (MYB 114). Pin mark on obverse, fine for type, rare.
The Punjab Medal was a British Empire campaign medal presented for service during the Second Anglo-Sikh War. The medal was instituted in 1849 and was awarded to officers and men who served during the Punjab campaign between 7 September 1848 and 14 March 1849 - operations which ended in the British annexation of the Punjab.
A large number of these medals were awarded to Indian troops but many of them were later melted down for their silver content. As a result, more examples are found named to European recipients than native troops.