Baha-ud-din Khan had a long and very distinguished military career. He had served on the North-West Frontier, in the Indian Rebellion and in the China and Afghan Wars. At the end of his active service, tribute was paid to his ‘straightforwardness, honesty, utter fearlessness and strong personality’. He was appointed Risaldar-Major (Commander) of his regiment in 1884 and was made Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy in 1895. Sirdar Bahadur was an Indian military distinction.

Here he is depicted in uniform with the badge of the Order of British India. His other badges include: the Jubilee medal; the Indian Order of Merit; the Indian Mutiny [Rebellion]; China 1857-60; India General Service 1854-94; Afghanistan 1878-80; and the Kabul to Khandahar Star. He was one of the soldiers in the Indian contingent which came to England for the Diamond Jubilee.