Sepoy Harnam Singh

Tibet Medal 1903-1904, Silver issue, no clasp, awarded to a Sikh, Sepoy Harnam Singh, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, Indian Army, who saw service during the Tibet "Obverse design: King Edward VII, bust, in uniform (Field Marshal). "EDWARDVS VII KAISAR-I-HIND". Reverse design: fortress-city, Potala Lhassa, having ramparts and access steps, situated on a mountainous vantage point. Below the city, a cluster of trees. At the base of the design the text: "TIBET 1903-4". Suspender form: ornate scroll, swivel. Ribbon colours: green & white & maroon. Ribbon pattern: green/white/MAROON/white/green. Clasp (when awarded) form: straight bar with fish-tail ends and double raised edges outlining its shape, supported at each end by a rosette." "Lietunant Colonel Sir Francis Edward Young husband, with regiments of 23 Sikh Pioneers and 32 Sikh Pioneers, entered Tibet from Sikkim in the year 1904. They were successful in conquering the Gyantse Fort (which was built around 12th century) and made it their base from where they led further successful expeditions to Karo La pass (5,010 meter) and Lhasa. These may sound just names but having personally traveled to the heights around Karo La pass, due to thinness of air, I found it hard to carry my two heavy cameras. One can only imagine the feat for the soldiers at these heights, having to carry their weapons and backpacks.

The success of this expedition resulted in a treaty between British India and Tibet, resulting in the weakening the Russian aspiration of expansion. Thereafter the British Indian forces subsequently moved back from the Tibetan plateau. Along the way from Lhasa to Gyantse, one can still find remains of stone fortifications built by 23 and 32 Sikh Pioneer regiments as they advanced on the plateau. I spotted many of these bricked outposts while driving from Lhasa to the Western front of Tibet."

STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe to WanjaraNomad to receive updates and alerts about nominations, the WanjaraNomad Photography Competition, and other news and events.