Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw

A K.P.M. awarded to Foot Constable Zabta Khan, N.W. Frontier Province Police

King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Zabta Khan, Foot Const. 4th Gde. No. 1099 Peshawar Dist. N.W. Front. Prov. Pol.) in case of issue, scratch to obverse, otherwise good very fine £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to the Indian Army from the Collection of AM Shaw.

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Ex D.N.W. 18 May 2011.

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 piquet 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.’