India General Service Medal 1908-35. GV 1st type silver issue with 3 x clasps 'Mahsud 1919-20', 'Waziristan 1919-21' & 'North West Frontier 1930-31' (Bhishti Bali, 25 Cavy.)

Upper clasp attached by customary locally fitted rivets

The recipient was a native attested 'Non Combatant' regimental follower, who at the time of earning the medal had been performing the trade of 'Bhisti' (Water Carrier) while serving with the 25th Cavalry

The mostly unsung but vital role of the humble 'Bhisti' (Water Carrier) was immortalised in Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Gunga Din', which was subsequently made into a Hollywood blockbuster movie

Kipling's immortal 'Gunga Din', was based on an earlier Bhisti of the Corps of Guides Infantry who had been appointed a Native Officer in respect to his repeated acts of conspicuous gallantry serving as a Bhisti at the 'Siege of Delhi' during the Indian Mutiny

25th Cavalry: The regiment could trace its origins to its raising in nd the subsequent chronology of the regiment was

- 1849 raised in Multan as 5th Regiment of Punjab Cavalry by Capt Robert Fitzpatrick of the 12th Bombay Native Infantry
- 1851 retitled the 5th Regiment of Cavalry, Punjab Irregular Force
- 1861 became the 5th Punjab Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force
- 1903 became the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force)
- 1921 merged with the 22nd Cavalry to become 22/25th Cavalry (Frontier Force)
- 1922 became the 12th Cavalry (Frontier Force)
- 1937 became the permanent training regiment of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Group

A very scarce seen IGS 1908 GV issue named to the 25th Cavalry

Condition: About GVF

Code: 24908