| Product
Code |
: |
PUD NO_846-1 AE |
| Subject | : | Viscount Hardinge of Lahore |
| Size | : | 57 mm |
| Metal | : | Copper |
| Year | : | 1846 |
| Description | : | obv. Bare head of Hardings, left. To right of bust a vertical : HARDINGE. Signed : G.G. ADAMS, rev. Victory standing to right receiving an olive branch from kneeling soldier. Around top of border : MENS AEQUA REBUS IN ARDUIS (Even-minded in difficulties). In exergues : MDCCCXLVI (1846). Signed : G.G. ADAMS.
Hardinge was Governor-General of India from July 1844 until January 1848. The Treaty of Lahore was signed on March 6, 1846, ending the first Sikh war and Hardinge was elevated to Viscount of Lahore, an event commemorated by this medal. Hardinge joined the Royal Army in1799 and saw active service in the Peninsular War were he lost his left hand as well as gaining military recognition. In 1820 he became a Member of Parliament and served as Secretary of State for War from 1826-30. A year before his death in 1856 he was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. Hardinge arrived in India as conditions in the Punjab were approaching near chaos. Ranjit Singh had died in 1839, and no strong leader of the Sikhs emerged. Maharani Jindan, mother of Ranjit Singh’s minor son, Dalip Singh, eventually goaded the Sikh army to cross the Sutlej on December 11, 1845. The British had been building up their forces and declared war two days later. Even though the Sikhs were saddled with a number of treacherous leaders, they were still a formidable fighting force and brought the British to their knees a number of times before they were finally defeated at Sobraon. Hardinge was present at this battle. He had waived his right to supreme command (a right which had been exercised by Cornwallis and Hastings) and served as second-in-command to Sir Hugh Gough. After Sobraon, both sides were eager for peace and the Treaty of Lahore resulted. The remainder of Hardinge’s tenure was undisturbed by other major events. |
