all the festivities of welcome as one of the leading men of Behar. Immediately afterwards he returned to Patna to receive His Royal Highness there also, being one of the few privately presented to the Prince during his visit. His Royal Highness received him most graciously, eulogising him for his past services and especially for his courage and loyalty during the Mutiny. A year later a certificate of honour was presented to him on the auspicious occasion of the assumption by the Queen of the title of Empress of India.
On the 1st of January 1878 came further recognition. The Companionship of the most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire was conferred upon him on account of his prominent and devoted services rendered during the Mutiny and of his munificent liberality. His investiture took place at a Durbar held by the Commissioner of the Division at Sonepur on the 13th of March, 1878. In presenting to him the insignia of the order, the Commissioner paid this glowing tribute to his services—
'Syed Walayet Ali Khan, you have always been a most devoted and loyal subject of Government. During the Mutiny you have eminently distinguished yourself by displaying remarkable and inflexible loyalty. Your services during that crisis were invaluable........Professions of loyalty are valuable in proportion as they are voluntary and timely and their sincerity is tested by acts. "The proffer of
