ORDERS OK KNIGHTHOOD. 867 THE MOST EMINENT ORDER OF THE INDIAN EMPIRE. This Order, instituted by H.M. Queen Victoria, Empress of India, Jan. 1st, 1878, and extended and enlarged in 1887, consists of the Sovereign, twenty-five Knights Grand Commanders (of whom the Grand Master is first and principal), fifty Knights Commanders, and Companions. The Insignia are : (z) The COLLAR of gold, formed of elephants, lotus flowers, peacocks in their pride and Indian roses, in the centre the Imperial Crown, the whole linked together with chains ; (ii) The STAR of the Knight Grand Commander comprised of five rays of silver, having a small ray of gold between each of them, the whole alternately plain and scaled, issuing from a gold centre, having thereon Her Majesty's Royal Effigy within a purple circle, edged and lettered gold, inscribed Imperatricis Auspiciis, and surmounted by an Imperial Crown, gold ; (Hi) The BADGE consisting of a rose, enamelled gules, barbed vert, and having in the centre Her Majesty's Royal Effigy, within a purple circle, edged and lettered gold, inscribed Imperatricis Auspiciis, surmounted by an Imperial Crown, also gold ; (iv) The MANTLE is of Imperial purple satin lined with and fastened by a cordon of white silk, with purple silk and gold tassels attached. On the left side a representation of the Star of the Order. ' A Knight Commander wears : (a) around his neck a ribbon two inches in width, of the same colour and pattern as a Knight Grand Commander, pendant therefrom a badge of smaller size ; (/>) on his left breast a star, similar to that of the first class, but the rays of which are all of silver. A Companion wears from the left breast a badge of the same form as appointed for a Knight Commander, but of smaller size, pendant to a like ribbon of the breadth of one and a half inches. Registrar Sir Albert William Woods, K.C.M.G., C.B. Secretary Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, K.C.I. E., C.S.I. THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER. This Order, instituted by H.M. Queen Victoria, by Royal Warrant, Sept. 6, 18816, consists of the Sovereign, and of the Members or Companions. The BADGE of the Order is a gold cross enamelled white, edged gold, having on one side thereof in the centre, within a wreath of laurels enamelled green, the Imperial Crown in gold upon a red enamelled ground ; and on the reverse, within a similar wreath, and on a similar red ground, the Imperial and Royal Cypher, VRI. It is to be suspended from the left breast by a red riband, edged blue, of one inch in width. Secretary and Registrar Robert Henry Hobart, Esq., C.B.
