Page:A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire Chunk 2.djvu/585

BRITISH ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD. THE MOST EXALTED ORDER OF THE STAR OF IND1A. Instituted by Her Majesty Queen Victoria, February 23rd, 1861, and enlarged, March 28th, 1866. The Order consists of the Sovereign, a Grand Master, and 175 Ordinary Companions or Members, together with such Extra and Honorary Members as Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, shall from time to time appoint. The 175 Ordinary Members are divided into three Classes —thefirst Class are styled Knights Grand Commanders, and to consist of twenty-five Members; the second Class to consist of 50 Members, to he styled Knights Ccmmanders; the third Class to consist of 100 Members, to be styled Companions. Her Majesty’s Viceroy and Governor-General of India for the time being is Grand Master. Tnn statotes enable the Sovereign to confer the dignity of Knight Grand Commander of the Order upon Princes and Chiefs of India as shall have entitled themselves to her Majesty’s favour, and npon such of her Majesty’s British subjects as have, by irnpcrtant and loyal services rendered by them to the Indian Empire, merited the Royal favour; and the second and third Classes upon persons who, by their conduct or services in the Indian Empire, have merited the Royal favoor. The Star.—Rays of gold issuing from a centre, having thereon a star in diamonds, resting upon a light blue enamelled circular riband, tied at the ends, inscribed with the motto of the Order, viz. —“HEAVEN’S LIRT OUR GUIDE,” also in diamouds. The Collar—Composed of the lotus of India, of palm branches, tied together, in saltier, and of the united Red and White Rose. In the centre is an imperial crown; all richly enamelled on gold, in their proper colours. The Badge.—Au onyx cameo of Her Majesty’s effigy, set in a perforated and crnamentsd oval, containing the motto of the Order, “HnavnnsLCOHT OUR euiun,” surmounted by a star all in diamonds. The Ribbon of the Order is sky-blue, having a narrow white stripe towards either edge, and is worn from the right shoulder to the left side. The Mantle.—Light blue satin, lined with white, and fastened with a cordon of white silk, with blue and silver tassels, on the left side a representation of the star of the Order. [287