STAR OF INDIA, THE MOST EXALTED, THE ORDER OF TnE, an order of knighthood instituted by queen Victoria in June, 1861, with the view of affording the princes, chiefs, and people of the Indian empire a testimony of her majesty's regard, commemorating her majesty's resolution to take on herself the government of India, and rendering honor to merit and loyalty. The order consists of the sovereign, a grand-master, who is to be the governor-general of India for the time being, and 25 knights, together with such extra and honorary knights as the crown may appoint. The members of the order are to be military, naval, and civil officers who have rendered important service to the Indian empire, and such native chiefs and princes of India as have entitled themselves to her majesty's favor. The insignia consist of a collar, badge, and star. The collar of the order is composed of the heraldic rose of England, two palm branches in saltire tied with a ribbon, and a lotus-flower alternating with each other, all of gold enameled, and connected by a double goldeli chain. From an imperial crown, intervening between
two lotus•leaves, depends the badge, consisting of a brilliant star of five points, and hanging from it an oval medallion, with an onyx cameo profile bust of queen Victoria, encircled by the motto: " Heaven's light our guide," in gold letters, on an, enriched I border of light-blue enamel. The investment badge is similar to the collar-badge, but with the star, the setting of the cameo, and the motto all of diamonds: it is worn pen dent from a ribbon of pale blue with white borders. The star of the order is a five pointed star or mullet of diamonds on au irradiated field of gold. Around it, on an azure fillet bordered with gold, is the same motto in diamonds, the whole encircled by wavy rays of gold.