An Afghan War I.O.M. pair awarded to Sepoy Futteh Khan, 21st Punjab Infantry, for gallantry at the Shutargardan

INDIAN ORDER OF MERIT, 3rd class, the reverse officially engraved '3rd Class Order of Merit' and additionally named (Recruit, 21st Regt. NI., 14.10.1879); AFGHANISTAN 1878-80, no clasp (Sepoy, 21st Regt. N.I.) some light co ntact wear but generally very fine (2)

Futteh Khan was awarded the Order of Merit for conspicuous gallantry in action at the Sarkai Kotal on 14th October, 1879 (G.C.O. 152 of the 5th March 1880).

He is shown in the official casualty list as having been severely wounded in the same action. In the spirited attack on the 14th October the enemy, estimated to number 3000, were driven from the post at Sarkai Kotal by men of the 21st Punjab Infantry and the 3rd Sikh's under Colonel G.N. Money. Only 2 Orders of Merit were awarded for this action.