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From 1904-1929 the Royal Asiatic Society awarded a Gold Medal to a schoolboy writing on a chosen essay title. However, as entrants dwindled and few schools seemed interested in teaching Indian history, it was decided that the competition should be changed to one for undergraduate students. The change was finalised on 15th December 1931. Regulations for the University Prize Essay Fund were drawn up in 1932 and the first prize was awarded in 1933. In 1939, Professor Perceval Yetts designed a certificate to be presented with the prize (an example of this can be found in these papers). The prize was initially awarded annually but then became biennial. The prize money also increased at various intervals.
The records of the Universities Prize Essay cover the conversion from the Public School Medal to the Universities Prize Essay Fund, governance of the award and the conferment of the Honour in subsequent years. They include Rules, correspondence, and winning essays. However there are not records for all instances of the presentation of the award. Researchers are advised to also examine the Council Minutes and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (both held in the RAS Collections) when researching concerning the Universities Prize Essay and its recipients.

"The Mughal wars of succession, 1657 to 1661, and the ascendancy of Aurangzeb" - copy of the prizewinning essay by Gavin Richard Grenville Hambly. Typed, 19 pages. With the essay is the verification note from Philip Gaskell, Assistant Tutor, King's College Cambridge. Typed with printed letterhead, signed and dated by hand, dated 14 March 1957.

"The Significance of the First European Travellers to the Mongols" - prizewinning essay by Gavin Richard Grenville Hambly using the motto, "Ig-Drasil". Typed manuscript, 18 pages, undated. With this essay is a note from L. Wilkinson, Senior Tutor of King's College Cambridge, to certify that Hambly was an undergraduate at the College. Typed and handwritten with printed crest, dated 17 January 1956.