kcie

Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) was a title in the British honours system, part of the Order of the Indian Empire established in 1878 by Queen Victoria to reward public service in British India. The KCIE was the second-highest class of the order, ranking below Knight Grand Commander (GCIE) and above Companion (CIE). Recipients were entitled to use the title Sir, and in the case of women the title Dame, and to post-nominal KCIE.

The order recognized distinguished service by British officials, military officers, and Indian rulers or administrators who contributed to the governance and development of British India. The KCIE, like other classes of the order, could be awarded for a range of achievements in public administration, diplomacy, and service to the Crown.

Insignia associated with the KCIE formed part of the order’s recognition, including the wearing of the relevant badge and star on appropriate ceremonial attire. Recipients bore the post-nominal KCIE and could be addressed with the honorifics associated with knighthood.

The Order of the Indian Empire and its classes, including the KCIE, were discontinued in 1947 following Indian independence. Existing holders retained their titles and post-nominals, but no new awards were made under the order after abolition. Today, KCIE is considered a historical element of the British honours system tied to the late colonial period in India.