Knighthood, a medieval tradition signifying chivalry and honour, represents a code of conduct that has captured the imagination of societies for centuries. Emerging during the early medieval period, knighthood was not merely a military rank but a way of life encompassing virtues like courage, loyalty, and courtesy. The iconic image of a knight clad in armour, mounted on horseback, and wielding a sword has been an inalienable symbol of medieval European culture.
At its core, knighthood was an aristocratic and martial class, often bestowed upon individuals for exceptional service or bravery in battle. The ceremony of dubbing, where a knight-to-be was ceremoniously tapped on the shoulders with a sword, marked the formal initiation into this esteemed order. Yet, the responsibilities of a knight extended beyond prowess in combat; they were expected to adhere to a strict moral and ethical code known as chivalry.
The tradition of awarding knighthoods to individuals still carries on today. Individuals who have achieved exceptionally in their respective fields are awarded this honour by the British Sovereign. Several people have been awarded this in the past few years, some of them being Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Sir Andy Murray and many others. What's also interesting here is that recently, the prestigious honour was given to an Indian citizen for the very first time.
Sunil Bharit Mittal, now Sir Sunil Bharti Mittal, is an Indian billionaire and industrialist. He is the chairman of Bharti Enterprises, which is also the parent company of telecom giant Bharti Airtel. Mittal received this honour for his contributions in the field of business between India and the UK. There have also been other examples in the past, of Indian-origin individuals receiving this honour.
Watch the video to know more about who these people are, and when they get a knighthood.
