Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:Knight Grand Commander (GCSI)
Knight Commander (KCSI)
Companion (CSI)
George V investing an Indian Prince with The Star of India, 14th December, 1911 by William Barnes Wollen
Investiture of the Star of India, Delhi (detail), by George Jacomb-Hood. King George V is depicted awarding the GCSI to Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, at the 1911 Delhi Durbar
Mantle of the Order
Representation of the star of the order on the mantle
The Star of India refers to a group of flags used during the period of the British Raj in the Indian subcontinent. India had a range of flags for different purposes during its existence. The Princely states had their own flags which were to be flown alongside the British flag as a symbol of suzerainty. The official state flag for use on land was the Union Flag of the United Kingdom and it was this flag that was lowered on Independence Day in 1947. The flag of the governor-general of India was defaced with the Star of India. The civil ensign and naval ensign were the Red Ensign or Blue Ensign, respectively, defaced with the Star of India emblem.
Blue ensign
The Red Ensign used to represent India as a member of the Allies in World War II, showing the original United Nations in 1942
Indian hockey players arrive in the Netherlands for the 1928 Summer Olympics
Flag of the Viceroy of India being used to represent India at the 1936 Summer Olympics
