Ranjitshinhji Medal of Merit

The Order of Merit (“Ranjitsinhji Medal of Merit”) is an order of chivalry of the once powerful Indian princely state of Nawanagar. The order was established around 1900 by His Highness the Si Jamji, or Jam Saheb Jaswant Singh, ruler of Nawanagar. The order led a hidden existence and was rarely awarded, and then only to subjects of the Si Jamji.

In 1907, Digvijasinhji Ranjitinhji Jadeja became the Sri Jamji, and he too awarded his order sparingly. In 1919, seven gold and one silver decorations were awarded. In 1930, only a single decoration in this order was awarded.

In 1935, the ruler awarded a gold medal to the British Inspector General of Police, who had broken up a gang of bandits. Officials of the Raj were strictly forbidden to accept gifts and decorations, especially orders of chivalry, from the maharaja. When the official informed his superiors in Delhi of his decoration, the government sought a solution that would spare the feelings of both parties.

At the suggestion of the Durban, the Upper House of India, the policeman’s order was renamed “The Ranjitinhji Medal of Merit”.