The Afghanistan Medal, for the Campaigns of 1878–80 1880

This bronze Afghanistan Medal was designed by Leonard Charles Wyon to commemorate the campaigns of 1878–80. These campaigns were part of what is known as The Great Game, a period of strategic rivalry and conflict between the British and Russian Empires for supremacy in Central Asia. The medal features a profile of Queen Victoria, with the words "Victoria Regina et Imperatrix," signifying her role as Queen and Empress. Awarded to soldiers involved in the conflict, the medal embodies Victorian imperial power and the personal impact of colonial expansion. Medals such as these were often the only recognition received by soldiers who risked their lives in service of the Empire. While seemingly a tribute to British military achievement, the medal also serves as a reminder of the human cost of colonial endeavors. Think about the experiences of the soldiers who received this medal. What did it mean to them? What were the long-term impacts of their service in Afghanistan, both for themselves and for the Afghan people?