The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Major-General C. B. Basden, 61st Bengal Native Infantry, who ‘was attacked by Sowars, cut at by one, thrust in the arm by another, struck at by a Sepoy with his musket, and assailed by a coolie with a bamboo. He rode away only when resistance was hopeless’

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. C. B. Basden 61st. Regt. N.I.) surname officially re-impressed, otherwise good very fine £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from a Mutiny Collection.

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Provenance: Jack Wadey Collection, 1968.

Charles Brenton Basden was born at Plymouth, Devon, on 22nd January 1823, the son of Rear-Admiral Basden, and was commissioned Ensign on Christmas Day 1840. Posted to the 61st Bengal Native Infantry, he was promoted Lieutenant on 16 July 1842. He served in Bundlecund from November 1843 to March 1845 and was on duty in a column under Major Forbes at the capture of the Fort of Gegahut, in Bundlecund 1844.

Promoted Captain on 6 July 1853, Basden was present when the 61st Native Infantry mutinied on 7 June 1857, and ‘received a sabre wound in the arm from a trooper of the 6th Light Cavalry, when endeavouring with Ensigns Hawkins and Durnford, to prevent the men of his regiment (led by a troop of the 6th Light Cavalry) from seizing their arms from the Left Wing Bell of Arms of the Regiment.’ (London Gazette 19 May 1858).

Annals of the Indian Rebellion by A. H. Chick gives further information:
‘While these occurrences were taking place at the right wing, Captain Basden, with Lieutenant Hawkins, was less fortunate on the left wing. The former was attacked by Sowars, cut at by one, thrust in the arm by another, struck at by a Sepoy with his musket, and assailed by a coolie with a bamboo. He rode away only when resistance was hopeless.’

Recovering from his wounds, Basden joined the Army of Delhi on 21 September 1857, and served with a column throughout the rest of the campaign. In 1859 he was transferred to the 5th Punjab Cavalry, ands the following year was present with this regiment in the action at Tank when the city was attacked by 3,000 Mahsud Wazirs on 18 March 1860 - the enemy were repulsed, leaving 200 dead on the field.

Promoted Major on 18 February 1861, Basden was appointed Commandant of the 36th Bengal Native Infantry in 1864, and the following year joined the 45th Rattray’s Sikhs as Second in Command and Wing Officer. Advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 10 August 1865, he transferred to the 15th Loodhiana Sikhs as Commandant in 1868, before returning to Command the 45th Rattray’s Sikhs in 1870, and was promoted Colonel on 25 December 1871. He retired on 2 November 1878, being granted the honorary rank of Major-General, and died in Hove, Sussex, on 28 November 1914.

Sold with copied research.