Order of the Indian Empire

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Victoria in 1877. The Order includes members of three classes:

Composition

The British Sovereign was, and still is, Sovereign of the Order. The next-most senior member was the Grand Master; the position was held, ex officio, by the Viceroy of India. Members of the first class were known as "Knights Grand Commanders," rather than "Knights Grand Cross," so as not to offend the non-Christian Indians appointed to the Order.

Related Topics:
British Sovereign - Viceroy of India

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Former Viceroys and other high officials were eligible for appointment, as were rulers of Indian Princely States. Generally, the rulers of the more important states were appointed Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India, rather than of the Order of the Indian Empire. Women, save the princely rulers, were ineligible for appointment to the Order. Female princely rulers were, oddly, admitted as "Knights," rather than as "Dames" or "Ladies."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~