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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 39

(x) The Cabul Medal attributed to Sepoy S. Pandy, 26th Bengal Native Infantry, who mutinied with his unit at Mean Meer on 13 May 1857 and was subsequently blown from a cannon at Benares on Christmas Eve later that year

Cabul 1842, unnamed as issued, original clip replaced with ring and loop suspension, contact wear, fine, together an old label stating 'Cabul Medal 1842 taken from Sepoy Soochit Pandy 26 Native Infantry who was blown from a gun at Benares on Xmas Eve 1857 for Mutiny and the Massacre of Women and Children R Day', the reverse states 'From the collection of Robert Day Esq J.P., F.S.A., Myrtle Hill House, Cork. 19.4.1910.'

Presumably dispersed as part of the Auctions of the Collections of Robert Day Esq. dispersed by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge in April 1910 over two days.

The 26th Bengal Native Infantry formed part of General Pollock's Army at Cabul in 1842, they attempted to mutiny at the Mean Meer, Lahore on 13 May 1857 but where disarmed. Unfortunately this did not end their participation in the mutiny however and sepoys from the Regiment murdered Major Spencer on 30 July. A number of mutinous sepoys, primarily comprising the men of the 26th Native Infantry, fled to the River Ravi, still unarmed.

They were attacked by a force of local policemen and villagers who killed around 150 of them, the rest fled to on an island in the river near Ajnala. Unable to escape they surrendered to a force of the Sikh horse led by Deputy Commissioner Francis Cooper. All were killed, mostly by shooting however some were blown from guns, apparently including Sepoy S. Pandy, a veteran of the Army of Retribution which burned Cabul in 1842; sold together with an original label which states:

'Cabul Medal 1842 taken from Sepoy Soochit Pandy 26 Native Infantry who was blown from a gun at Benares on Xmas Eve 1857 for Mutiny and the Massacre of Women and Children R Day'

The obverse gives further attribution stating:

'From the collection of Robert Day Esq J.P., F.S.A., Myrtle Hill House, Cork. 19.4.1910.'

Robert Day was a well known antiquary and one time president of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320