With its independence in 1947 and its emergence as a fully self-governing republic in 1950, India created new awards that arguably represent the first phaleristic manifestations of the country’s freedom. These new awards also represented the unique values of the new republic, and not just meant to discard the colonial legacy. Ostensibly, these awards were created to reward Indian citizens for bravery and national service. The first ever of its kind, the ...
