Vintage South Indian Railway Battalion Decanter

Found at market just outside Paris, this Vintage South Indian Railway Battalion Decanter is a commemorative memento marking British service in the battalion during its final period of presence in India during the country's independence movement of the 1930s and 40s. 

Foreign employment in service to the British Crown often proved an attractive draw for ambitious working class young men hoping to increase their future economic prospects. From the 1860s onward, ample opportunities for positions across the Empire were touted with the development of Canada, Australia and India promoted as burgeoning territories to not only seek one's fortune, but to do so with the sanction and appreciation of one's Queen and country. Postings abroad in business, infrastructure and government were widespread for traditional laborers and men of all education levels.

Once in India enjoying the privileges and position available to them under the auspices of their home nation's colonial occupation, men with employment in positions with the railways found themselves expected to serve within workplace auxiliary volunteer corps like the South Indian Railway Battalion. With titles and functions familiar to similar organizations at home, many were honored to be recognized and called up to functions from which they had largely been previously excluded in their native Britain. As an auxiliary military regiment of the Indian British Army, the South Indian Railway Battalion was originally formed in 1884 as the South Indian Railway Volunteer Rifle Corps. Comprised of anglo-European and native British staff of the South Indian Railway, it was absorbed into Britain's Indian Defense Fund during World War I with a small number of groups permitting native Indians to join as volunteers during this period of European conflict.

From the 1920s forward, these local forces were renamed Railway Battalions, called up more and more frequently to temper both India's growing demands for independence and native worker strikes on the country's railroad lines. As conflicts became more common and India's independence movement spread more widely, many British and European men grew to resent their compulsory participation in taking up arms against native Indian co-workers, who they began to view as seeking similar rights of determination to those they perceived themselves enjoying as British subjects. In fact, many disgruntled railway staff members claimed undue influence and coercion, citing a commitment to join the Railway Battalion as a pre-condition of employment.

With a complex and storied provenance, this commemorative piece from the final era of India's fight for self-governance features the Battalion's 20th century logo on its sleek hand blown decanter. Complete with original stopper, its' smart and streamlined silhouette, rising from a graceful base promises to make a striking impression. A unique railway and military artifact, we are confident its handsome presence will add dimension and intrigue to your growing collection.

Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. 13"H x 4.75"D. In very good vintage condition.