- Nichan Iftikhar
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Grand cross, miniature, and officer class
Nichan Iftikhar or Atiq Nishan-i-Iftikhar or Nişan-i İftihar (English: Order of Glory, 1831-1918[1]), was an Ottoman and Tunisian honorary order founded in 1835 by Al-Mustafa ibn Mahmud (Bey of Tunisia). The order was awarded until the constitutional role of the Bey was abolished following 1957.
Contents
Background information
The order essentially existed in two different models: the first awarded from its creation in 1835 and the second following 1859. Initially awarded in a single class, the order was reorganized and awarded in five classes following 1843 and expanded to six classes in 1882:
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- Grand Cross
- Grand-officer
- Commander
- Officer
- Knight of 1st class
- Knight of 2nd class
This order could be awarded to people of French nationality, cities (like Verdun), and other notable foreigners with some connection to Tunisia. It was given by the bey of Tunis on a proposal from the chief vizier for Tunisian subjects and, in all the other cases, on a proposal from the resident general of France (which occupies de facto the post of Foreign Minister of Tunisia). Although the resident general has a quota, this last remains about it always the large Master. Each bey having put his monogram on the center of the decoration, it is possible to determine the approximate award date of each order.
Examples of the decoration
The typical decoration is manufactured from solid silver with green and red enameled rays for some classes. The reverse of the decoration as well as the bow and suspension ring may have jeweler, date, and acceptance markings. These particular decorations (second model) were awarded by Ali Muddat ibn al-Husayn Bey (1882–1902).
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Commander, Grand Cross, Knight of 2nd class and Officer (all but knight French made)
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JM Abdul Aziz seen wears the Commander around his neck.
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Grand-officer (Tunisian made)
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Commander (detail) (Tunisian made)
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Officer (detail) (French made)
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JMA-Nichan Iftikhar.jpg
The Commander Medal from JM Abdul Aziz Estate Collection
These particular decorations were awarded by Muhammad III as-Sadiq Bey (1859–1882) and illustrate the differences that can exist between French and local Tunisian manufactured decorations:
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Grand-officer (Tunisian made)
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Grand-officer (French made)
Text of the diploma
Awardees were given a diploma which in general had the following text (translated):
Praises with God alone! On behalf of the Servant of God glorifié, of that which puts as a God his confidence and the care of its destinies leaves him, [name of the bey], Possesseur of the Kingdom of Tunis with [name of the decorated person] on the proposal of Our Foreign Minister, which made known to us your noble qualities, We conferred this decoration to you. Our name is engraved there and it is [number of the class] class of Our Kind of Nichan Iftikhar. Carry it with joy and happiness! Writing it [date of decoration].
These two diplomas awarded to the same person in 1927, commander class, illustrate the order's typical diplomas:
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Arabic diploma
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French diploma
Notable Recipients
- Samuel Morse, American inventor
- Albert Besson, doctor, hygienist and bacteriologist French
- Pierre Billotte, general and politician French
- Gustave Daladier, French flying ace and professional soldier
- A. Peter Dewey, American army officer
- Bernard Dupérier, aviator and politician French
- Dwight David Eisenhower, general and American president
- Louis Leon César Faidherbe, soldier and colonial administrator French
- Henri Gadeau de Kerville, French scientist
- Leon Gregoire, French general
- René Negresco, of the historical hotel in Nice
- Benjamin Jaurès, French naval officer
- Louis Loyzeau de Grandmaison, French general
- Pierre Messmer, French politician
- Young Perez, French boxer
- Ali Riahi, Tunisian singer
- Bernard Saint-Hillier, French general
- Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cunningham
- J.M.Abdul Aziz His Respectful, (1905–1958), received both the Commandeur and Chevalier of Nichan Iftikhar. Also recipient of Légion d'honneur of France, Ordre du Nichan El-Anouar of French Somaliland, Royal Order of Sahametrei of Cambodia, National Order of Vietnam and Extreme Orient.
Sources
- ^ Bir Onurlandırma Aracı olarak Osmanlı Nişan ve Madalyaları, Osmanlı Bankası Arşiv ve Araştırma Merkezi. (Turkish)
External links
Categories:- Orders, decorations, and medals of Tunisia
- Orders, decorations, and medals of the Ottoman Empire
- 1835 establishments
- 1957 disestablishments
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