Tibet Medal 1903-04, with clasp for Gyantse,Sepoy Iman Din, The Queen’s Own Corps of Guides...

Tibet Medal 1903-04, with clasp for Gyantse, awarded to Sepoy Iman Din, The Queen’s Own Corps of Guides, Punjab Frontier Force. In 1903 the Guides took part in Major Francis Younghusband’s invasion of Tibet. It was aimed at preventing the Russian Empire from interfering in Tibetan affairs and thus gaining a foothold in one of the buffer states surrounding British India. The 3000 strong British Indian force marched on Lhasa, easily defeating Tibet’s poorly armed army, and dictated a treaty to the state's rulers. The obverse of the medal bears the head of King Edward VII while the reverse depicts the Potala palace in Lhasa. Most issues of the Tibet medal went to Indian soldiers who along with British personnel were awarded it in silver. Camp followers received the medal in bronze.