| This Order was instituted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, 23rd February, 1861, and enlarged 28th March, 1866, and in 1875, and 1876. The Order consists of the Sovereign, the Grand Master, and 205 Ordinary Companions or Members, together with such Extra and Honorary Members as Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, shall from time to time appoint. The 205 Ordinary Members are divided into three classes. The first Class are styled Knights Grand Commanders, and consists of thirty members (eighteen Natives and twelve Europeans); the second class of seventy-two members, styled Knights Commanders; the third class of one hundred and forty-four members, styled Companions. Her Majesty's Viceroy and Governor-General of India is Grand Master. The Statutes enable the Sovereign to confer the dignity of Knight Grand Commander of the Order upon such of Her Majesty's British subjects as have, by important and loyal services rendered by them to the Indian Empire, merited the Royal favour; and the second and third classes upon persons who, by their conduct or services in the Indian Empire, have merited the Royal favour. The badge - an onyx cameo of Her Majesty's effigy, set in a perforated and ornamented oval, containing the motto of the Order "Heaven's Light our Guide," surmounted by a Star all in diamonds. The Collar of the Order is sky-blue, having a narrow white stripe towards either edge, and is worn from the right shoulder to the left side. The collar is composed of the Lotus of India, of palm branches, tied together in saltire, and of the united Red and White Rose. In the centre is an imperial crown; all richly enamelled on gold, in their proper colours. The star is composed of rays of gold issuing from the centre, having thereon a Star in diamonds, resting upon a light blue enamelled circular riband, tied at the ends, inscribed with the motto of the Order, viz.: "Heaven's Light our Guide," also in diamonds. The mantle - Light blue satin, lined with white, and fastened with a cordon of white silk, with blue and silver tassels, on the left side a representation of the Star of the Order. The motto, "Heaven's Light our Guide". |