Colonial orders were orders of knighthood awarded by European imperial states in Africa and Asia for those who conquered and administered their territories. They were sometimes adopted by post-colonial successor states, or remained one of the former imperial power's orders of knighthood. The orders of the states of the Commonwealth are not colonial orders, and owe their existence to their nations' personal union with the United Kingdom or to their own governments or parliaments.
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Belgium
France
Italy
Portugal
Netherlands
The Netherlands had no colonial orders, even though governors-general of the Dutch East Indies often called for such orders to be created. There were numerous other awards for service in the Dutch East Indies, the most notable being the establishment of the Cross for Courage and Fidelity and the Star for Loyalty and Merit.