The Order was founded in 1877 at the same time that Queen Victoria assumed the title of Empress of India. Like the Order of the Star of India, it began as a single class order before being expanded to three classes.
Seal
The seal is described in the statutes as: argent a rose gules, barbed vert, impaled with Our Royal Arms, with the following circumscription “The Seal of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire.”
Seal 1889 impression 
Seal 1934 impression
Other Signatures
Warrants are countersigned by the Secretary of State for India.
Case Study – Maharana Shri Wakhatsinghji, Raja of Lunawara, in the Rewa Kantha
The Raja was appointed KCIE in 1889, because he was unable to attend an investiture, a warrant of dispensation was issued.
P1 
p2-3
Case Study – Her Highness Nawab Sultan Jahan, Begum of Bhopal
The Begum was the only female recipient of the Order.
Warrant p1 
Warrant p2 
Dispensation p1 
Dispensation p2
Case Study – William McRae
McRae was a member of Indian Agricultural Service and Imperial Mycologist at the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research, Pusa. He was awarded the CIE in the 1934 Birthday honours. The Efficiency Medal, India suspension, is named to him as a private in the Bihar Light Horse, Auxiliary Forces India
Warrant 
Awards
