Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Indian Police Medal for Distinguished Conduct awarded to Constable Dost Mohamed, Hyderabad District Police

Indian Police Medal, G.VI.R., for Distinguished Conduct (Dost Mahomed, Constable, Hyderabad Distt., Sind) good very fine £200-240

Recommendation read: ‘Constable Dost Mohamed was sent to Mahomedabagh village on 22nd November 1939 shortly after rioting had spread from Sukkur town to Sukkur District - in order to escort Hindu refugees from that village to the larger village of Rustom. He was returning with a bus full of Hindu men and women at about 7.30 p.m. when suddenly a crowd of 200 or 300 Muslims armed with guns and axes opened fire on the bus and tried to stop it. Constable Dost Mahomed was himself wounded but nevertheless he returned the attacker’s fire and dispersed them for long enough to enable the bus to get past the danger point.

Constable Dost Mahomed showed great presence of mind and devotion to duty in returning the mob’s fire though himself wounded, as, if the bus had been stopped, he and all the Hindu passengers would certainly have been killed.’

A note with the citation states that the award was made for gallantry and carried with it a special allowance.