Nishan-e-Haider: Difference between revisions

Nishan-e-Haider
نشان حیدر
Nishan-e-Haider ; نشان حیدر
	Obverse of the Nishan-e-Haider
Type	Medal
Awarded for	Acts of greatest heroism in circumstances of extreme danger in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air. In addition the person must have also died in the line of duty.
Country	Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Presented by	Government of Pakistan
Eligibility	Military personnel only
Post-nominals	NH
Status	Active
Established	16 March 1957 (applied retrospectively from 1948 onwards)
First awarded	16 March 1957 – Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Captain Muhammad Sarwar, Pakistan army
Last awarded	15 July 1999 – Kargil War, Havildar Lalak Jan, Pakistan army
Total	11
Total awarded posthumously	11
Website	pakistanarmy.gov.pk
	; Service Ribbon of Nishan-e-Haider
Precedence
Next (higher)	None
Equivalent	; Hilal-e-Kashmir
Next (lower)	; Hilal-e-Jurat

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Nishan-e-Haider (NH; Urdu: نشان حیدر, lit. 'Mark of the Lion' or 'Emblem of the Lion') is the highest military gallantry award of Pakistan.^[3]^[4] The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded posthumously and only to members of the Pakistan Armed Forces. It recognises the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land, or sea. It has been awarded only 11 times since Pakistan's independence in 1947.

Nishan-e-Haider literally means "Emblem of the Lion" in the Urdu language.^[5] The word "Haider" is also the epithet of Ali, who is referred to as the 'Lion of Allah', a valiant warrior and leader. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam and declared bravest person by Muhammad. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.^[6]

History

The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the Government of Pakistan and named after Ali on 14 August 1947,^{[citation needed]} the year that Pakistan became a republic. It was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. It is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the eleven Nishan-e-Haider recipients to date, ten have been from the Army and one from the Air Force.

Although some consider it equivalent to the British Victoria Cross and the United States Medal of Honor, it is unique in that it has so far been awarded only posthumously. At one point in time the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan was asked why it was only awarded posthumously, his response reportedly that if it is awarded to a living person he may be involved in dishonourable conduct in the future which may disgrace the Award.

Criterion

The Nishan-e-Haider can be awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces for showing feats of extraordinary courage in confronting the enemy. As a matter of practice and precedent, it has only been awarded where it has been established that the recipient acted despite high risks and was martyred (shaheed) in the act.^[7]^[8]

Manufacturing

The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by Pakistan Mint on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment^[9] and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.

Recipients

Recipients
No.	Name of the recipient	Regiment	Rank	Battle	Date of death
1	Raja Muhammad Sarwar	2 Punjab Regiment(Haidri Awal), Pakistan Army	Captain	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947	27 July 1948
2	Saif Ali Janjua	5 Azad Kashmir regiment(HAIDER DIL)/18 Azad Kashmir Regiment, Pakistan Army	Naik	Indo-Pakistani War of 1947	26 October 1948
3	Tufail Mohammad	13 Punjab Regiment, Border Guards East Pakistan Rifles, Pakistan Army	Major	Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes of 1958	7 August 1958
4	Raja Aziz Bhatti	17 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army	Major	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965	10 September 1965
5	Rashid Minhas	No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, Pakistan Air Force	Pilot Officer	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971	20 August 1971
6	Muhammad Akram	4 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army	Major	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971	5 December 1971
7	Shabbir Sharif	6 Frontier Force Regiment, Pakistan Army	Major	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971	6 December 1971
8	Muhammad Hussain	20 Lancers, Punjab (Armoured Corps), Pakistan Army	Sowar	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971	10 December 1971
9	Muhammad Mahfuz	15 Punjab Regiment, Pakistan Army	Lance naik	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971	17 December 1971
10	Karnal Sher Khan	12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army	Captain	Kargil War	5 July 1999
11	Lalak Jan	12 Northern Light Infantry, Pakistan Army	Havildar	Kargil War	7 July 1999

Legacy

Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include:

References

^ "Honours and Awards". Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
^ "ODM of Pakistan: Order of the Lion".
^ "First 'Nishan-e-Haider' recipient Sawar Shaheed remembered – Lahore". The News International. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
^ "How an Indian officer helped an enemy captain win Pakistan's highest gallantry award". ThePrint. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
^ "Nishan e Haider: Detailed account of 10 heroes of Pakistan". Times of Islamabad. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
^ "ʿAlī | Muslim caliph". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
^ "Honours and Awards". Pakistan Army. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
^ "Nishan e Haider holders of Pakistan Army ~ PAKISTAN DEFENCE BLOG". defenceblog.org. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
^ Arshad, Ambreen (5 September 2015). "They rest in honoured glory". Dawn. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
^ Muhammad Imran Saeed (2011) Captain Raja Muhammad S. Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider on Flickr
^ DHA Lahore (2021) Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park

External links

[1] "Honours and Awards". Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2014.

[2] "ODM of Pakistan: Order of the Lion".

[The_News_International_2017-3] "First 'Nishan-e-Haider' recipient Sawar Shaheed remembered – Lahore". The News International. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

[ThePrint_2019-4] "How an Indian officer helped an enemy captain win Pakistan's highest gallantry award". ThePrint. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

[Times_of_Islamabad_2018-5] "Nishan e Haider: Detailed account of 10 heroes of Pakistan". Times of Islamabad. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2020.

[6] "ʿAlī | Muslim caliph". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 4 February 2018.

[honours-7] "Honours and Awards". Pakistan Army. Archived from the original on 31 May 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2009.

[8] "Nishan e Haider holders of Pakistan Army ~ PAKISTAN DEFENCE BLOG". defenceblog.org. Retrieved 24 August 2015.

[9] Arshad, Ambreen (5 September 2015). "They rest in honoured glory". Dawn. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2013.

[10] Muhammad Imran Saeed (2011) Captain Raja Muhammad S. Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider on Flickr

[11] DHA Lahore (2021) Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Highest military award of Pakistan}}
 {{more citations needed|date=July 2015}}
-{{EngvarB|date=December 2013}}
+{{EngvarB|date=September 2024}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
 {{Infobox award
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 | individual       =
 | higher           = ''None''
-| same             = [[Hilal-e-Kashmir]]
+| same             = [[File:Hilal-e-Kashmir.gif|110px]]
+<br>       '''[[Hilal-e-Kashmir]]'''
-| lower            = [[File:Hilal-e-Jurat.png|120px]]<br>&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;&ensp;'''[[Hilal-e-Jurat]]'''
+| lower            = [[File:Hilal-e-Jurat.png|110px]]<br>       '''[[Hilal-e-Jurat]]'''
 | related          =
 | caption2         =
@@ Line 34: / Line 35: @@
 [[Service Ribbon]] of '''Nishan-e-Haider'''</div>|awardname=Nishan-e-Haider}}
-'''Nishan-e-Haider''' ('''NH'''; {{Lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|نشان حیدر}}|lit=Mark of the Lion}} or 'Emblem of the Lion'), is the highest [[military decoration|military gallantry award]] of Pakistan.<ref name="The News International 2017">{{cite web | title=First 'Nishan-e-Haider' recipient Sawar Shaheed remembered – Lahore | website=The News International | date=11 December 2017 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/254776-first-nishan-e-haider-recipient-sawar-shaheed-remembered | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="ThePrint 2019">{{cite web | title=How an Indian officer helped an enemy captain win Pakistan's highest gallantry award | website=ThePrint | date=24 July 2019 | url=https://theprint.in/defence/how-an-indian-officer-helped-an-enemy-captain-win-pakistans-highest-gallantry-award/266973/ | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded posthumously and only to members of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. It recognises the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land, or sea. It has been awarded only 11 times since Pakistan's independence in 1947.
+'''Nishan-e-Haider''' ('''NH'''; {{Langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|نشان حیدر}}|lit=Mark of the Lion}} or 'Emblem of the Lion') is the highest [[military decoration|military gallantry award]] of Pakistan.<ref name="The News International 2017">{{cite web | title=First 'Nishan-e-Haider' recipient Sawar Shaheed remembered – Lahore | website=The News International | date=11 December 2017 | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/254776-first-nishan-e-haider-recipient-sawar-shaheed-remembered | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="ThePrint 2019">{{cite web | title=How an Indian officer helped an enemy captain win Pakistan's highest gallantry award | website=ThePrint | date=24 July 2019 | url=https://theprint.in/defence/how-an-indian-officer-helped-an-enemy-captain-win-pakistans-highest-gallantry-award/266973/ | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> The Nishan-e-Haider is awarded posthumously and only to members of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. It recognises the highest acts of extraordinary bravery in the face of the enemy in air, land, or sea. It has been awarded only 11 times since Pakistan's independence in 1947.
-Nishan-e-Haider literally means "Emblem of the Lion" in the [[Urdu]] language.<ref name="Times of Islamabad 2018">{{cite web | title=Nishan e Haider: Detailed account of 10 heroes of Pakistan | website=Times of Islamabad | date=7 September 2018 | url=https://timesofislamabad.com/07-Sep-2018/nishan-e-haider-detailed-account-of-10-heroes-of-pakistan | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> The word "Haider" is also the [[epithet]] of [[Ali]], who is referred to as the 'Lion of Allah', a valiant warrior and leader. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam and declared bravest person by Muhammad. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ali-Muslim-caliph|title=ʿAlī {{!}} Muslim caliph|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2018-02-04|language=en}}</ref>
+Nishan-e-Haider literally means "Emblem of the Lion" in the [[Urdu]] language.<ref name="Times of Islamabad 2018">{{cite web | title=Nishan e Haider: Detailed account of 10 heroes of Pakistan | website=Times of Islamabad | date=7 September 2018 | url=https://timesofislamabad.com/07-Sep-2018/nishan-e-haider-detailed-account-of-10-heroes-of-pakistan | access-date=20 April 2020}}</ref> The word "Haider" is also the [[epithet]] of [[Ali]], who is referred to as the 'Lion of Allah', a valiant warrior and leader. Ali was the fourth Caliph of Islam and declared bravest person by [[Muhammad]]. He is known by his courage, bravery and power in Islam.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ali-Muslim-caliph|title=ʿAlī {{!}} Muslim caliph|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2018-02-04|language=en}}</ref>
 ==History==
-The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the [[Government of Pakistan]] and named after Ali on 14 August 1947,{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} the year that Pakistan became a republic. It was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. It is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the eleven Nishan-e-Haider recipients to date, ten have been from the [[Pakistan Army|Army]] and one from the [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]].
+The Nishan-e-Haider was established by the [[Government of Pakistan]] and named after [[Ali]] on 14 August 1947,{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} the year that Pakistan became a republic. It was applied retrospectively from the date of Pakistan's independence on 14 August 1947. It is Pakistan's highest award and takes precedence over all military and civil awards. Of the eleven Nishan-e-Haider recipients to date, ten have been from the [[Pakistan Army|Army]] and one from the [[Pakistan Air Force|Air Force]].
 Although some consider it equivalent to the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Victoria Cross]] and the [[United States]] [[Medal of Honor]], it is unique in that it has so far been awarded only posthumously. At one point in time the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan was asked why it was only awarded posthumously, his response reportedly that if it is awarded to a living person he may be involved in dishonourable conduct in the future which may disgrace the Award.
@@ Line 47: / Line 48: @@
 ==Manufacturing==
-The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by [[Pakistan Mint]] on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment{{cn|date=October 2022}} and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.
+The Nishan-e-Haider is manufactured by [[Pakistan Mint]] on the order of the Ministry of Defence. It is forged from captured enemy equipment<ref>{{cite news|last=Arshad|first=Ambreen|date=5 September 2015|title=They rest in honoured glory|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1204668/they-rest-in-honoured-glory|work=Dawn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906034916/https://www.dawn.com/news/1204668/they-rest-in-honoured-glory|archive-date=6 September 2015|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> and consists of 88% copper, 10% gold, and 2% zinc.
 ==Recipients==
@@ Line 58: / Line 59: @@
 !align=center|Rank
 !align=center|Battle
-!align=center|Date of martydom
+!align=center|Date of death
 |-
 | align="center" |1
 |[[Raja Muhammad Sarwar]]
-|2 Punjab Regiment, [[Pakistan Army]]
+|2 Punjab Regiment(Haidri Awal), [[Pakistan Army]]
 |[[Captain]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]]
@@ Line 78: / Line 79: @@
 |[[Tufail Mohammad]]
 |13 Punjab Regiment, Border Guards East Pakistan Rifles, [[Pakistan Army]]
-|[[Major]]
+|[[Major (rank)|Major]]
-|[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes 1958]]
+|Indo-Pakistani border skirmishes of 1958
 |7 August 1958
 |-
@@ Line 85: / Line 86: @@
 |[[Raja Aziz Bhatti]]
 |17 Punjab Regiment, [[Pakistan Army]]
-|[[Major]]
+|[[Major (rank)|Major]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
 |10 September 1965
@@ Line 91: / Line 92: @@
 | align="center" | 5
 |[[Rashid Minhas]]
-|No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit, [[Pakistan Air Force]]
+|[[No. 2 Squadron PAF|No. 2 Fighter Conversion Unit]], Pakistan Air Force
 |[[Pilot Officer]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
@@ Line 99: / Line 100: @@
 |[[Muhammad Akram]]
 |4 Frontier Force Regiment, [[Pakistan Army]]
-|[[Major]]
+|[[Major (rank)|Major]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
 |5 December 1971
@@ Line 106: / Line 107: @@
 |[[Shabbir Sharif]]
 |6 Frontier Force Regiment, [[Pakistan Army]]
-|[[Major]]
+|[[Major (rank)|Major]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
 |6 December 1971
 |-
 | align="center" | 8
-|[[Muhammad Hussain Janjua|Muhammad Hussain ]] Janjua
+|[[Muhammad Hussain (soldier)|Muhammad Hussain]]
-|20 Lancers (Armoured Corps), [[Pakistan Army]]
+|20 Lancers, Punjab (Armoured Corps), [[Pakistan Army]]
 |[[Sowar]]
 |[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
@@ Line 141: / Line 142: @@
 == Legacy ==
-Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include: <br />
+Monuments or places named after recipients of Nishan-E-Haider include:
 * [[Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti Shaheed Monument]], [[Gujar Khan Tehsil|Sanghori]]<ref>Muhammad Imran Saeed (2011) [https://www.flickr.com/photos/32072133@N06/5997143543 ''Captain Raja Muhammad S. Bhatti Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider on '''Flickr''''']</ref>
 * [[Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Memorial]], [[Lahore]]
 * [[Shrine of Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed]], [[Gujrat District|Gujrat]]
 * [[Rashid Minhas Boulevard]], [[islamabad|E-9 Islamabad]]
-* [[Rashid Minhas Road]], [[Gulberg Town, Karachi|Gulberg Town]] [[karachi|Karachi]]
+* [[Rashid Minhas Road]], [[Gulberg Town, Karachi|Gulberg Town]] [[Karachi]]
 * [[Muhammad Akram|Major Akram Shaheed Memorial]], [[Jhelum]]
-* [[Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Monument & Park]], [[Defence Housing Authority|DHA]] [[Lahore]]<ref>DHA Lahore (2021) ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T82Lsb73JAE Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park]'' </ref>
+* [[Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed Monument & Park]], [[Defence Housing Authority|DHA]] [[Lahore]]<ref>DHA Lahore (2021) ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T82Lsb73JAE Inauguration of Major Shabbir Sharif monument & park]''</ref>
 * [[Sawar Muhammad Hussain Stadium]], [[Gujar Khan Tehsil|Gujar Khan]]
 * [[Army Stadium, Peshawar|Karnal Sher Khan Stadium]], [[Peshawar]]
@@ Line 154: / Line 155: @@
 * [[Karnal Sher Interchange]], [[Mardan]]
 * [[Lalak Jan Park]], [[Multan]]
+* [[Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed Road]], [[Islamabad]]
 == See also ==

v t e Pakistan honours and military decorations
Gallantry awards	Nishan-i-Haider Medal (Sign of the Lion; 1st highest award) Hilal-i-Jur'at Medal (Crescent of Courage; 2nd highest award) Sitara-i-Jur'at Medal (Star of Courage; 3rd highest award) Tamgha-i-Jur'at (Medal of Courage; 4th highest award) Imtiazi Sanad Medal (Mention in Despatches; 5th highest award)
Non-operational awards (without enemy engagement)	Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Valour) Tamgha-i-Basalat (Medal of Valour) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class I) (Medal of Service; military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class II) (Medal of Service; military) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Class III) (Medal of Service; military)
Civilian military awards	Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence; civilian) Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence; civilian) Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence; civilian) Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Medal of Service; civilian)

v t e Highest military awards for gallantry
List of highest military decorations by country
Current	Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross (Argentina) National Hero of Armenia (Armenia) National Hero of Azerbaijan title (Azerbaijan) Bir Sreshtho (Bangladesh) Hero of Belarus title (Belarus) Order of Bravery (Bulgaria) Order of August First (China) Order of Duke Domagoj (Croatia) Valour Cross (Denmark) Cross of Liberty (Estonia) Mannerheim Cross (Finland) Légion d'honneur (France) Cross of Honour for Valour (Germany) Cross of Valour (Greece) Param Vir Chakra (wartime) / Ashoka Chakra (peacetime) (India) Order of Fat'h (Iran) Military Medal for Gallantry (Ireland) Medal of Valor (Israel) Gold Medal of Military Valor (Italy) Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (Malaysia) Military Order of William (Netherlands) War Cross (Norway) Nishan-e-Haider (Pakistan) Medal of Valor (Philippines) War Order Virtuti Militari (wartime) / Order Krzyża Wojskowego (peacetime) (Poland) Order of the Tower and Sword (Portugal) Order of Michael the Brave (Romania) Hero of the Russian Federation title (Russian Federation) Order of the White Eagle with swords (Serbia) Order of the Somali Star (Somalia) Nkwe ya Gauta (South Africa) Laureate Cross of St. Ferdinand (Spain) Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (Sri Lanka) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword (Sweden) Order of Rama (Thailand) Medal of Honor (Turkey) Order of Katonga (Uganda) Order of the Gold Star (Ukraine) Victoria Cross (United Kingdom Australia Canada New Zealand) Medal of Honor (United States)
Obsolete	Order of Saint Louis (Kingdom of France) Military Order of Maria Theresa (Austria-Hungary) Medal of Bravery (Kingdom of Hungary) Pour le Mérite (Kingdom of Prussia) Military Order of Max Joseph (Kingdom of Bavaria) Military Order of St. Henry (Kingdom of Saxony) Military Merit Order (Kingdom of Württemberg) Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Nazi Germany) Order of the Golden Kite (Empire of Japan) Order of Lāčplēsis (Latvia) Grand Cross of Valour (Rhodesia) Laureate Plate of Madrid (Second Spanish Republic) Castle of Good Hope Decoration (South Africa) Vietnam Military Merit Medal (South Vietnam) Hero of the Soviet Union (Soviet Union) Order of the Karađorđe's Star with Swords (Kingdom of Yugoslavia) Order of Freedom (SFR Yugoslavia) Grass Crown (Ancient Rome) Hero of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan)