Capture of Ceylon Medal
The Capture of Ceylon Medal was a campaign medal awarded by the East India Company to Bengal Army artillerymen who took part in the British invasion of Ceylon in 1795.
Capture of Ceylon Medal
- Name
- Capture of Ceylon Medal
- Period
- 1807
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Documentary summary
The Capture of Ceylon Medal was a campaign medal awarded by the East India Company to Bengal Army artillerymen who took part in the British invasion of Ceylon in 1795.
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wikidata · Q42377984 · wikipedia · Capture of Ceylon Medal
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Capture of Ceylon Medal • Presenter — East India Company • Type — Campaign medal • Eligibility — Bengal Army artillerymen • Campaign — Invasion of Ceylon • Description — Circular medal, struck in gold and silver • Established — 15 May 1807 • Total Awarded — 123 (2 gold, 121 silver) • Image2 — * Illustration — x30px • Caption2 — Worn round the neck on a yellow cord
Criteria
Criteria
The medal was instituted on 15 May 1807 by an Order in Council at Fort William, India. It was awarded to surviving members of the Bengal Army's artillery units who served under the command of the East India Company during the British invasion of Ceylon, which lasted from 21 July 1795 to 16 February 1796. The medals were finally completed and distributed in 1811. Two medals were cast in gold for award to officers, probably captains Barton and Clarke but possibly to two native officers, with 121 being cast in silver for Indian non-commissioned officers and enlisted men (known as Gun Lascars) of the artillery units. Other participants of the invasion, including other East India Company troops and British Armed Forces personnel, did not receive a medal.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 2 entries
1807
Capture of Ceylon Medal first recorded.
1807
Capture of Ceylon Medal is recorded from 1807.
Description
The medal was struck at the Calcutta Mint in gold and in silver. Both types were 2 in in diameter. They were of a plain design, with both sides of the medal having only an inscription: The obverse has the English wording: For Services on the Island of Ceylon A.D. 1795/6. The reverse has a Persian inscription that translates as: This medal was given by way of acknowledgment of services in Ceylon in the year of the Hijrah 1209-1210. The medal was issued unnamed. The original suspension was a flattened loop, riveted at the base, and was intended to be worn round the neck with a yellow cord; the EIC would not award medals with ribbons proper until 1826 with the award of the Burma Medal.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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