Lot Archive

Lot

№ 430

.

18 June 1997

Hammer Price:
£130

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Zabta Khan, Foot Const. 4th gde. No.1099 Peshawar Dist. N.W. Front. Prov. Pol.) scratch to obverse, otherwise very fine

K.P.M. Gazette of India 1 January 1920. ‘On the night of 11th-12th june 1919, a large gang of armed dacoits attacked the village of Badober in the Peshawar District. On the alarm being raised, Foot Constable Zabta Khan and Foot Constable Gul Ahmed, who were in the village on recruiting duty, raised a small party of villagers armed with lathis and attacked one of the picquets posted by the raiders. This picquet was on the main road and had been causing severe casualties among the villagers. In spite of the heavy fire directed on the party, the rush was successful and the dacoits composing the picquet were put to flight. Foot Constable Zabta Khan struck one of the raiders on the head with a lathi and capturing his rifle and bandolier of cartridges opened fire on the gang. The courage and enterprise shown by this small party in rushing and putting to flight the picquet undoubtedly improved the situation and resulted in more villagers turning out and driving off the raiders.’