Issued by India

Issued on Oct 11, 2025

Issued for : The Department of Posts is pleased to release a commemorative postage stamp on Sitaram Maroo, for his dedication to nation-building, social service, and cultural revival.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Ravneet Kaur

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 304450

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Sitaram Maroo

Born on 11 Oct, 1925 at Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Died on 6 Dec, 2003

About : 

• Sitaram Maroo was born on October 11, 1925, in Ranchi. His father, Chauthmal Maroo, originally from Renwal, Rajasthan, migrated to Ranchi in 1920 for business purposes. From an early age, Sitaram Maroo became an active volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• Alongside his business pursuits, Sitaram Maroo developed a deep commitment to social service from an early age. In 1951, he became Secretary of Ranchi’s renowned social organisation, the Marwari Sahayak Samiti. In 1958, along with other visionaries, he helped establish Nagarmal Modi Seva Sadan, a charitable hospital.
• Further, strengthening nationalist ideals, he launched a weekly, “Jai Matribhoomi,” in Patna. In 1986, he became President of Sanskriti Vihar, the oldest cultural institution in South Bihar, now Jharkhand. Under his leadership, the organisation initiated night schools, rural medical camps, and eye-care programs, especially serving leprosy patients and marginalised communities.
• That same year, he laid the foundation for a spiritual centre dedicated to Lord Bhuvan Bhaskar (Surya Narayan) on a hill near NH-33, between Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Today, it stands as a revered religious and tourist destination in Jharkhand. From this centre, Sitaram Maroo launched Shishu Mandirs, promoting value-based education. More than 2,000 students across eight schools are currently being educated from classes 1 to 10.
• In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, he was honoured with the Manav Mitra Samman on January 25, 1997. That same year, the Rajasthan Parishad of Kolkata awarded him the title of “Social Worker of South Bihar” during Pratap Jayanti.
• To promote Indian culture, he initiated a Geeta Press (Gorakhpur) sales centre from his office premises, providing easy access to spiritual literature for the people of the region. He passed away on December 6, 2003.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 23, 2021

Issued for : The Government of India will commemorate the 125^th Birth Anniversary of Netaji on 23 January 2022. Department of Posts is pleased to issue a commemorative postage stamp on 125^th Birth Anniversary Year of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to begin the year long celebrations.

Credits :
Stamps, FDC and Brochure : Sh. Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 504000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Subhas Chandra Bose

Born on Jan 23, 1897 at Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, British India [now in Cuttack district, Odisha, India]

Died on Aug 18, 1945 at Army Hospital Nanmon Branch, Taihoku, Japanese Taiwan [now Taipei City Hospital Heping Fuyou Branch, Taipei, Taiwan]

About : 

• Subhas Chandra Bose, fondly called Netaji who was born on 23 January 1897, was undoubtedly one of the most prominent Indian nationalist whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India.
• He became President of the Indian National Congress in 1938. However, soon after being re-elected in 1939, he was ousted from Congress leadership positions following differences with the Congress high command. He was subsequently placed under house arrest by the British before bravely escaping from India in 1940.
• Netaji arrived in Germany in April 1941, where the leadership offered unexpected cold sympathy for the cause of India’s independence. However, he did not divert from his goal which was freedom for India. In November 1941, with German funds, a Free India Centre was set up in Berlin and soon a Free India Radio, on which he would make nightly broadcasts. A 3,000-strong Free India Legion, comprising Indians captured by Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps, was also formed to aid in a possible future German invasion of India. Later the same year, with German help, he was transferred to a Japanese submarine from which he disembarked in Japanese-held Sumatra in May 1943.
• With Japanese support, Netaji revamped the Indian National Army (INA). Before long the Provisional Government of Free India, presided by Netaji, was formed in the Japanese-occupied Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Netaji had great drive and charisma. The INA under Netaji was a model of unity in diversity comprising a splendid mix of ethnicity, religion, and even gender from all regions of India.
• The Japanese also took possession of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1942 and a year later, the islands were renamed Shaheed (Martyr) and Swaraj (Independence). During Netaji’s only visit to the islands in early 1944, India hoisted its own tri-colour flag for the first time. On the Indian mainland, an Indian Tricolour, modelled after that of the Indian National Congress, was raised for the first time in the town of Moirang, in Manipur, in north-eastern India. On 6 July 1944, in a speech broadcast by the Azad Hind Radio from Singapore. Netaji addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the “Father of the Nation” and asked for his blessings and good wishes for the war he was fighting. This was the first time that Gandhiji was referred to by this honorific title.
• Netaji believed in the Bhagavad Gita as a great source of inspiration for the struggle against the British. Swami Vivekananda’s teachings on universalism, his nationalist thoughts and his emphasis on social service and reform had all inspired Netaji from his very young days. He believed that socialism in India owed its origins to Swami Vivekananda. He had clearly expressed his belief that democracy was the best option for India. The most famous quote of Netaji was “Give me blood and I will give you freedom”. Another famous quote was “Dilli Chalo” (“On to Delhi”). This was the call he used to give the INA armies to motivate them. “Jai Hind” or “Glory to India” was another slogan used by him and later adopted by the Government of India and the Indian Armed Forces. Netaji was considered a patriot even by some of his rivals in the Congress. Gandhi himself wrote that Bose’s “… patriotism is second to none”, and he was moved to proclaim after Netaji’s death that he was a “prince among patriots” – a reference, in particular, to his achievement in integrating women and men from all the regions and religions of India in the Indian National Army. Netaji wanted freedom for India at the earliest opportunity.
• Text : Sh. Pallab Bose.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 15, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is glad to issue a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet on UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-III. The stamps have been designed based on the photographs of the prize-winning entries.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Smt. Nenu Gupta. Based on the photographs of the prize-winning entries
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (5)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Department of Posts has been conducting Stamp Design competitions since 2015 to commemorate Independence Day, Republic Day and Children’s Day at the National level. Based on the prize-winning entries, stamps are designed and released to mark the occasion. This year too, Department of Posts conducted a nationwide Photography contest for Stamp Design, on the theme UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (Cultural). The first three winners are Ms Sanya Khandale, Ms Madhu Tripathi and Ms Poonam Amol Bhosale. Five consolation prize winners are Sr Jousse, Mr Saksham Saxena, Mr Hardik Kansara, Ms Arishna Kamran and Mr Atul Padia. There are 38 World Heritage Sites located in India. These include 30 Cultural sites, 7 Natural sites and 1 Mixed site.
• One of the prominent landmarks of the Historic City of Ahmadabad a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sarkhej Roza is known for its rich history and reverence. The architecture of the complex is credited to Azam and Muazzam Khan; two Persian brothers who are buried in the tomb near Vasna, Ahmedabad. Like many monuments built during that period, the Sarkhej Roza fused both non-Indian and Indian principles of architecture. In its architecture, Sarkhej Roza is an example of the early Islamic architectural culture of the region, which fused Islamic stylistic influences from Persia with Indian Hindu and Jain features to form a composite Indo-Saracenic architectural site.
• The Church of Bom Jesus is a Roman Catholic basilica located in Goa, and is part of the Churches and Convents of Goa UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. ‘Bom Jesus’ (literally, ‘Good (or Holy) Jesus’) is the name used for the Ecce Homo in the countries of Portuguese colonization. Construction work on the church began in 1594. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by the archbishop, Dom Fr. Aleixo de Menezes. This is one of the oldest churches in Goa and in India. The floor is of marble inlaid with precious stones. Apart from the elaborate gilded altars, the interior of the church is simple.
• The Qutb Minar, is a victory tower that forms part of the Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Qutubuddin Aibak, at that time a deputy of Muhammad of Ghor, but after his death, founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar’s first storey in 1199. It has a height of 72.5 meters, making it the tallest minaret built of bricks in the world. The surface is elaborately decorated with inscriptions and geometric patterns. The tower has five superposed storeys. The lower three comprise fluted cylindrical shafts or columns of pale red sandstones, separated by flanges and by storied balconies. The fourth column is of marble, and is relatively plain. The fifth is of marble and sandstone. The whole tower contains a spiral staircase of 379 steps.
• Located in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for a group of Hindu and Jain temples, well known for their Nagara style symbolism. The Javari temple is one of the most prominent of all of these temples in the Khajuraho complex. It was built between 975 and 1100 A.D. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. It has well-proportioned architecture, with a sanctum, vestibule, mandapa and portico, but without pradakshinapatha. It has Makara Torana (Capricorn Arch) and shikhara (top). It has three bands of carved sculptures on the outer wall. The entrance gate of sanctum has sculptures depicting nava-graha on the top. Along with nava-graha sculptures, sculpture of the Hindu deities Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva can also be seen.
• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal is a complex of 7^th and 8^th century AD Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka. Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World Heritage site is 14 miles (23 km) from Badami and about 6 miles (9.7 km) from Aihole, both of which are historically significant centres of Chalukya monuments. The Hindu temples are generally dedicated to Shiva, but elements of Vaishnavism and Shaktism theology and legends are also featured. The friezes in the Hindu temples display various Vedic and Puranic concepts, depict stories from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata Purana, as well as elements of older Hindu texts, such as the Panchatantra and the Kirātārjunīya. The Jain temple is only dedicated to a single Jina. A number of inscriptions in the old Kannada language have been found at the complex.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 16, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet on Natural sites under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India-II.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (2), 1200 Paise (3)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• UNESCO World Heritage Convention which was established in 1972, recognised various sites of cultural and natural importance around the world. After the latest addition to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India now has 38 World Heritage Sites and that makes India the country with the 6^th largest number of World Heritage Sites in the world.
• MANAS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
  • On a gentle slope in the foothills of the Himalayas where wooded hills give way to alluvial grasslands and tropical forests, lies the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is home to rare and endangered wildlife species such as Pygmy Hog, Golden Langur, Hispid Hare and the Assam Roofed Turtle.
• GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK
  • Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Great Himalayan National Park is one of India’s prominent national parks. The National Park was established in 1984 and is spared over an area of 1,171 sq km at an altitude between 1,500 and 6,000 m. In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
  • The National Park protects over 800 plant species, including many medicinal herbs, 31 mammal species and 209 bird species, as well as amphibian species, reptile species and insect species. A trek of 35 to 45 km in any of the park’s valleys brings one into the high altitude habitat (3,500 m and above) of animals such as Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer. Best sightings can be made in autumn (September-November) as animals start their seasonal migration to lower altitudes.
• NANDA DEVI & VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARKS
  • The Nanda Devi National Park or Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1982 is a national park situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7,816 m) in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park. Together they encompass a transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The National Park was inscribed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988.
  • Nanda Devi National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some 312 floral species that include 17 rare species have been found here. Fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper are the main flora. Common larger mammals found in this National Park are Himalayan Musk Deer, Mainland Serow and Himalayan Tahr. Goral are not found within, but in the vicinity of the park. Carnivores are represented by Snow Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear and perhaps also Brown Bear.
  • One of the most picturesque and colourful natural sights in India is the Valley of Flowers National Park. Nestled in Uttarakhand, this National Park is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Legends believe it to be the place from where Hanuman collected the Sanjeevanibuti for curing Laxman. This National Park has floral pastures, running streams and beautiful backdrop of mountains. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 and is a World Heritage Site.
• WESTERN GHATS
  • The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri (Benevolent Mountains), are a massive mountain range that covers an area of 1,40,000 square kilometres parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, traversing the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world. According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.
  • The area has over 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 179 amphibian species, 6,000 insect species and 290 freshwater fish species. It is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats. At least 325 globally threatened species exist in the Western Ghats.
  • The major river systems originating in the Western Ghats are the Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Thamiraparani and Tungabhadra rivers. The majority of streams draining the Western Ghats join these rivers, and carry a large volume of water during the monsoon months.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 26, 2020

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a pair of se-tenant Commemorative Postage Stamps on the Constitution of India.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Ms. Gulistaan
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Constitution Day also known as ‘Samvidhan Divas’, is celebrated in our country on 26^th November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. On 26^th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the Constitution of India, which came into effect from 26^th January, 1950. On 19^th November, 2015, the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notified the decision of Government of India to celebrate the 26^th day of November every year as ‘Constitution Day’ to promote among citizens, the values enshrined in our Constitution.
• 26^th November, 2019 marked the 70^th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly. Beginning 26^th November, 2019, year-long nationwide activities on Constitution Day were launched with the objective of publicizing the glorious and rich composite culture and diversity of our nation and creating awareness of Fundamental Duties as enshrined in the Constitution of India. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, urged all citizens to uphold the duties enshrined in the Constitution of India. As part of the year-long nationwide activities, Department of Posts would be bringing out Commemorative Postage stamps. The first such set on the theme “Constitution of India” will be released on 26^th January, 2020.
• The Constitution of India was drafted by a Constituent Assembly elected under the Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946. The Assembly held its first meeting on 9^th December, 1946, and elected Dr. Sachhidanand Sinha, the oldest member of the Assembly, the temporary chairman. On 11^th December, 1946, the Assembly elected Dr. Rajendra Prasad its permanent Chairman. 299 members (including 15 women) of the Assembly took less than three years (1946-1949) to draft the Constitution. Out of the 299 members, 284 members actually signed the Constitution. The Constituent Assembly set up 13 committees for framing the Constitution including a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. On the basis of the reports of these committees, a draft of the Constitution was prepared by the seven-member Drafting Committee.
• The Constitution of India was not typeset or printed but was handwritten and calligraphic in both English and Hindi. It was entirely handcrafted by the artists of Shantiniketan under the guidance of Acharya Nandalal Bose, a pioneer of modern Indian art who designed the border of every page of the Constitution. The pair of se-tenant stamps in the present issue feature the border from the Preamble of the Constitution. Shri Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a master of calligraphic art, handwrote the Constitution singlehandedly, a task that took him six months to complete. Each part of the Constitution begins with a depiction of a phrase or scene from India’s national history. The artwork and illustrations (22 in all), rendered largely in miniature style, represent vignettes from different periods of history of the Indian subcontinent, ranging from Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley, the Vedic period, the Gupta and Maurya empires and the Mughal era to the national freedom movement. By doing so, Nandalal Bose has taken us through a veritable pictorial journey across 4000 years to rich history, tradition and culture of the Indian subcontinent. The original copies of the Constitution of India are kept in special helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament of India.
• The Constitution of India is the foundational law which lays the basic political structure of our country. It establishes a parliamentary democracy and a republic with a federal structure. The Constitution of India embodies the vision and values of our founding fathers. It represents their thinking – social, political and economic ethos, faith and will. It defines the main organs of the Republic of India – the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary – and defines their powers and demarcates their responsibilities. It is the longest written Constitution in the world containing 395 Articles, 22 Parts and 12 Schedules.
• The people of India are the ultimate custodians of the Constitution. It is in them that sovereignty vests and it is in their name that the Constitution was adopted. The Constitution empowers the citizen, but the citizen too empowers the Constitution – by following it, by adhering to it, by protecting it and by persevering to make it more meaningful with words and deeds. The Constitution is nobody’s preserve – and it is everybody’s preserve.
• Text : Based on information received from the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Nov 29, 2019

Issued for : The Char Dham Yatra is sacred; it gives the pilgrim a new life and vision. It is a journey of the self towards the Lord and enables one to experience the sublime. Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps on Char Dham, Uttarakhand.

Credits :
Stamp/Sheetlet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise (2), 1500 Paise (2)

Sheetlets Printed : 25000 each of 5 types 

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Religion has always been a cardinal influence on the belief system and way of life of people across the world. A Pilgrimage is a journey undertaken in the light of this intense faith. People walk miles to fulfil their devotional urge. The word Dham literally means an abode where God resides. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand consists of four holy sites namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. According to the Hindu tradition, each individual must undertake this holy pilgrimage in order to find salvation and peace after death.
• Yamunotri, as the name itself suggests is derived from one of the most holy rivers of India, the Yamuna. Being the first point amongst the four dhams, it is believed that taking a holy dip in Yamunotri rids the devotees of their sins, washes away the evil deeds. Besides this, there is a temple of historic significance which was built by the king of Tehri in the year 1839. It houses the idol of Goddess Yamuna in the form of black marble idol and also of Ganga Devi in white stone by the side of Yamuna. One of the astonishing characteristics of the place that attracts the pilgrims is the hot water springs found near the temple. The spring is called Surya Kund; devotees boil potatoes and rice in the hot boiling water, which is later accepted as Prasad of Devi.
• Gangotri Dham was built in the reverence of Goddess Ganga, considered to be an epitome of forbearance and sacrifice as she observed herself into the mother Earth to protect humanity from destruction. The temple stands amidst the serenity of exquisite natural beauty facing the Bhagirathi river. The river originates from a glacier called Gaumukh, almost 18 kilometres away from Dham. It is one of the oldest rivers in India and holds a special and sacred place in the heart and soul of the Hindus.
• Kedarnath, situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand is the most far flung amongst the Char Dham heritage sites. Located at a height of nearly 3500 metres above the sea level, the Kedarnath temple is covered in snow throughout the year. The spirituality of the place, the ecstatic experience of seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva in the lap of nature, the snow-capped mountains and the peerless beauty of the temple combine to produce an absolutely fulfilling experience for the pilgrim. Chanting of Vedic hymns and extensive religious rituals are a part and parcel of the functioning of the Shiva temple. The tradition of carrying the idol down to a village called Ukhimath during the winter season is celebrated like a festival.
• Badrinath or Badrinarayan Temple is the most visited temple of India. The temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand alongside Alakhnanda river. It has got its name from the ‘Badri tree’ under which Lord Vishnu was believed to have meditated, oblivious of the extreme weather conditions of the place. The temple has a glorious historic significance as its name is mentioned in ancient religious texts like Vishnu Purana and Skanda Purana; also it is defiled in one of the earliest texts composed by Tamil saints called the Divya Prabandhan. The festival ‘Mata Murti Ka Mela’ is one of the most prominent festivals celebrated at the temple with great pomp and show. It is the commemoration of the descent of river Ganga on mother Earth. It is believed that the mother of Badrinath divided the river into twelve channels for the well-being of humankind; she is therefore, venerated and remembered during the festival. The temple is of immense significance for the Hindu community as it allows them to connect with their ancestors. They offer various oblations in the temple for their ancestors with the help of a priest.
• It is believed that these sites are interconnected and the journey is said to be complete when the devotee visits four of them together. Although the journey is tough, challenging and tiresome given the unfavourable weather conditions, the pilgrims find solace once they complete it. The devotees visit the Char Dham with a sense of hope that God will bring unto their fold, happiness and well-being alongwith prosperity to their families. Every year thousands of devotees undertake this pilgrimage to the Char Dham in Uttarakhand; it has also attracted foreign tourists who aspire to observe the Indian culture closely.
• Text : Ms. Anika Singh.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 19, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of eight Commemorative Postage Stamps on Historical Gates of Indian Forts and Monuments.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (6) and 1000 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The magnificent forts and monuments built during the Mughal times either by the Mughal rulers or the Indian Princely Royals, had mammoth entry or exit gates to their main city area. These gates not only served as controlled movement points for the common people but also the military troops during times of war. Most of these gates were later reconstructed and reinforced by the British. Standing in most cases as dividers between the old and the new city, these gates are a reminder of India’s glorious past.
• BULAND DARWAZA, FATEHPUR SIKRI
  • Buland Darwaza or the “Gate of victory”, was built in 1601 A.D. by Mughal emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, which is 43 km from Agra. It is a typical example of Mughal architecture, made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by white and black marble and is higher than the courtyard of the mosque. On the outside a long flight of steps sweeps down the hill giving the gateway additional height. The total height of the structure is about 54 metres from the ground level. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza throws light on Akbar’s religious tolerance and broad mindedness. The Buland Darwaza is semi-octagonal in plan and is topped by pillars and chhatris, echoing early Mughal design with simple ornamentation, carved verses from the Koran and towering arches.
• KOTE GATE, BIKANER
  • During the medieval period, Bikaner city was also covered by a protecting wall, like other king ruled cities of Rajasthan. Kote gate is the heritage entrance gate to the old Bikaner city. Credit to its solid architecture, that even after 500 years and heavy modern day traffic everyday, Kote gate stands tall with the same royal pride. Built during the reign of King Ganga Singh, the word Kote gate is taken from word ‘Parkota’ meaning wall of city for its protection. Now it is a busy junction with the main shopping area of the city of Bikaner all around it. Kote Gate is a famous tourist attraction in the city. It overlooks the famous shopping markets. It is the entry point between the old city of Bikaner and the new city overlooking the attractive havelis, which are huge mansions with intricate architecture.
• JORAWAR SINGH GATE, JAIPUR
  • Jaipur was founded in the 16^th Century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He did everything to make it a spectacle for the entire world and to keep it safe from intruders. A prominent part of city’s history are the ‘Gates of Jaipur’, the original entrance into the walled city. Commonly known as the Zorawar Singh Gate, Dhruv Pol is the northernmost gate of the walled city. It is named after the Pole Star or the Dhruv Tara, a star that marks the North direction. It is also the widest of all the gates. Jorawar Singh Gate in Jaipur leads to Amber fort. Named after a general, this gate is the entryway to the northern area of the city and acts as a beautiful introduction to a walk around this part of town.
• SARDAR MARKET GATE, JODHPUR
  • Sardar Market of Jodhpur is one of the popular landmarks along with Ghanta Ghar or Clock Tower. There is a big gate with name of the market called Sardar Market gate. It is a symbol of typical Rajasthani architecture fused with Mughal architecture, with balconettes, arches and floral designs. The façade of each unit is characterised by jharokhas and openings on all sides of the gate. Made of red sandstone and white marble, this gate divides the new city from the old.
• KASHMERE GATE, DELHI
  • Kashmere Gate is the famous northern gate to the historic walled city of Delhi. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it leads to the Lal Quila, the Red Fort of Delhi. The gate faces towards Kashmir, so it was named Kashmere Gate under the British Raj. During the First War of Independence of 1857, the British had used the gate to prevent the rebels from entering the city. The left leaf of the Gate was destroyed using gunpowder, starting the final assault on the rebels towards the end of Siege of Delhi. After 1857, the British moved to Civil Lines and Kashmere Gate became the fashionable and commercial centre of Delhi, a status it lost only after the creation of New Delhi in 1931. In 1965, a section of the Kashmere Gate was demolished to allow faster movement of vehicular traffic. Since then, it has become a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India.
• RUMI DARWAZA, LUCKNOW
  • The Rumi Darwaza sometimes known as the Turkish Gate, is an imposing gateway which was built under the patronage of Nawab Asaf–Ud–daula in 1784. It is an example of Awadhi architecture. The Rumi Darwaza, which stands 60 feet tall, was modelled after the Sublime Porte (Bab-i Hümayuo) in Istanbul. It is adjacent to the Asafi Imambara in Lucknow and has become a logo for the city of Lucknow. It used to mark the entrance to Old Lucknow City, but as the City of Nawabs grew and expanded, it was later used as an entrance to a palace which was later demolished.
• MAGAZINE GATE, AJMER
  • Magazine Gate is the main gate leading to the magazine building also known as Akbar’s Palace that was built by Akbar in A.D. 1570. Akbar used to stay here during his visit to Dargah of Khwaza Saheb. Later on, it was taken over by the British from Marathas in A.D. 1818 and was used as arsenal ground. Thereafter, this building was known as Magazine Building. This palatial building was also used as embassy building of Sir Thomas Roe, who presented his credentials to Jahangir on tenth January, A.D. 1616. In the year A.D. 1908, it was converted into Rajputana Museum. This gate is made of sandstone and is symbolic of the grand Mughal architecture.
• DELHI GATE, DELHI
  • Delhi Gate is the southern gate of the historic walled city of Old Delhi, or Shahjahanabad. The gate links the New Delhi city with the old walled city of Delhi. The Gate was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638. The emperor used this gate to go to the Jama Masjid for prayer. The gate is similar in design and architecture to the northern gate of the walled city, the Kashmere Gate. It was built in sandstone and is an impressive and large structure. Near the gate entry, two stone carvings of elephants were erected. The road from this gate passes through Daryaganj leading to the Kashmere Gate. A part of the fort wall to the east has been demolished to build the Old Delhi Railway Station while the wall to the west exists.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 15, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a set of two fragrant Commemorative Postage Stamps each on Agarwood and Orange Blossom on the theme Indian Perfumes.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Information Brochure : Smt. Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (2) and 2500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 8.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 2.0 Lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Perfume basically refers to a scented mixture of essential oils, fixatives and solvents to provide an agreeable scent to the body, food, objects and living spaces. Etymologically speaking, the word “perfume” is derived from the Latin word, “per fumus” meaning through smoke. Perfume and perfumery finds prominence in the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. One of the earliest references to distillation of perfume was in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita and deals mainly with the manufacturer of perfumes. It was also understood that perfumes attracted angels and warded off darkness or evil spirits. Saints and spiritual aspirants would adorn themselves with the finest scents to assist them in their journey towards enlightenment. Some of the prominent lovers of Indian perfumes, also called ittar, were the Mughal nobles of India.
• AGARWOOD perfume, also known as Oud, has a bitter sweet, woody and balsamic nuance. It is reputed to be one of the most expensive perfumes in the world. There are many names for the resinous, fragrant heartwood produced primarily by trees in the genus Aquilaria. Oil extracted from agarwood is used as a high-quality perfume. The Indian sub-continent was the main source of agarwood for many centuries. Today Agarwood plantations exist in a number of countries, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam etc. The best quality oil comes out from the first distillation process and after this, the wood undergoes the second distillation. Hence, it is graded according to the number of times it is cooked. With its warm, smoky balsamic fragrance it is sure to calm, inspire and brighten one’s mood.
• ORANGE BLOSSOM is aromatic, sweet and elegant and is a highly coveted scent in perfumes. It is traditionally associated with good fortune and is often favoured by brides on their wedding day. It is the fragrant flower of Citrus sinensis (orange tree) and is one of the most popular flowers in perfume making. It came to India originally through Chinese travellers and traders and later through the Portuguese and Dutch. Today India, Brazil and China are the largest cultivators of the orange tree. Orange blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume. The fragrant flower is used by many top perfumers and is usually combined with floral bouquets and oriental scents.
• Text : Shri Pallab Bose.

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Issued by India

Issued on Sep 6, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts has tried to capture the stages in the entire process from conceptualization to the development of the finished product and is pleased to bring out a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps portraying them.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/First Day Cover/Brochure : Shri Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1500 Paise (2) and 1000 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 5.0 Lakh each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 1.1 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The story from the concept to the consumer is imbued with inspiration, ideation, labour and glamour. The metamorphosis from an idea to a pleasing product begins, more other than not, with inspiration. Paradoxically, fashion inspiration is an ongoing process in which the mind is trained to gather ideas. The sources of inspiration abound in nature, flora and fauna, the wild, culture, social values, customs and mores that vary from place to place.
• Every designer follows a process for design development. When starting a collection, a designer needs to consider the color story, design functionality, technical package and garment patterns. Some designers select an image, or series of images, to display their color story. Others use forecasting services which offer a variety of different color swatches, silhouette and textile forecasts.
• The world of design is never as easy as it looks. Designing a garment entails demographic and trend research, blending the research result with the brand image and translating it all to a collection – a process that requires a great deal of toil, time and attention to detail. One of the most important aspects in the process is the Technical Design. Though many people do not know about this process, developing the technical sketch and technical package is essential to move on to production.
• The technical package is similar to the drafting of the design. It shows graphic placement, points of measure, graded measurements, trim placement, seams, etc. Manufacturing a garment without a tech pack leads to difficulty when it comes to assembling of the garment. This is the last step in the development process. Garment patterns are the key ingredients to fit and styling. More returns happen because of fit issues than any other reason, especially among online sales. A well fit garment is worn more often and spends less time in the customer’s closet, which increases brand awareness and follow-up sales.
• Customer satisfaction and functionality are other very significant aspects that play a big role in designing a garment. The designer and product developer have to take into consideration what their customer desires in a specific garment. A garment is created by balancing function with design as well as the customer’s need for style, brand value and image. Designers, fashion forecasters, merchandisers, visual merchandisers and product developers work in unison to determine the direction of the product while moving from concept through technical sketch and display to finally putting the collection on rack for sale.
• Production can be either at customised level or for masses. Today, fashion industry is highly mechanised and with the help of augmented technology, fashion industry has grown manifold.
• Presenting “Indian Fashion – Concept to Consumer : Series 3…….”
• Text : Based on the material provided by Prof. Manika Walia.

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Issued by India

Issued on Aug 20, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of four Miniature Sheets on the theme “Indians in First World War” to commemorate the contribution of “Indians in the First World War”.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheets/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash (Based on the designs provided by Imperial War Museum, UK and USI, CAFHR, New Delhi)

Type : Miniature Sheets, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise (8), 1000 Paise (3), 1500 Paise (3) and 2500 Paise (1)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature sheets printed (4 types) : 1.10 lakh each

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The First World War (1914-1918) was a watershed event in modern world history. The events of that conflict changed the social and political map of the world. Though a colony at the time, India actively supported the war effort in its bid to gain Dominion status and contributed immensely in terms of men and material. Indian soldiers served with credit and honour in numerous battlefields around the globe. By the end of the war nearly 14,00,000 Indians had served overseas at the cost of approximately 74,000 dead. They earned over 9,200 decorations for gallantry including 11 Victoria Crosses. These figures include the contribution of over 26,000 Imperial Service troops who were a part of the armies of the semi-autonomous Princely States or Indian States Forces as they were commonly known.
• MAJOR BATTLE THEATRES
  • Mesopotamia – In Mesopotamia, after initial setbacks to the designated Indian Expeditionary Force ‘D’, the series of operations which culminated in the capture of Baghdad completely transformed the military situation and produced political effects of far reaching significance. India’s share in the achievement of this important success consisted in providing over three-quarters of the force employed, over three-quarters of the river craft and the entire railway material and personnel, without which the operations would have been impossible. Of the 86 battalions composing the force at the time of the capture of Baghdad, India had contributed 73, and all but two of the 43 squadrons of cavalry. Three Indian soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of supreme gallantry in Mesopotamia.
  • France and Belgium – Designated Indian Expeditionary Force ‘A’, the Indian Corps that served in France and Belgium from Sep 1914 consisted of two infantry and two cavalry divisions. 85,000 Indian soldiers under 1,500 officers, supported by 26,000 Indian non-combatants, served in the Indian Corps. Indian soldiers fought at the battles of Ypres, Festubert, Givenchy, Neuve Chapelle, Second Ypres, Cambrai and Loos, suffering some 34,252 casualties in the process.
  • Gallipoli – The object of the Gallipoli Campaign, from start to finish was to force the passage of the Dardanelles and get a fleet of British and French warships to Constantinople; hoping thereby to force the surrender of Turkey and bring about a speedy conclusion of the war in the Middle East. The Indian Expeditionary Force ‘G’ that served in the Dardanelles was not very large in number; yet it had a significant impact upon the course of the operations and no account of the campaign can ignore the contribution of the 14^th Sikhs in the Third Battle of Krithia or the 1/6th Gurkhas in the climactic Battle of Sari Bair.
• AIR WARRIORS
  • Lieutenant Indra Lal Roy was credited with shooting down eight German fighter aircraft in aerial combat; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is the only Indian pilot to get the decoration during World War I. He was killed in action in a dogfight against German Fokker D. VIIs aircraft over France on 22 July 1918. He was 19 years old.
  • Lieutenant Hardit Singh Malik was the first Indian to be commissioned as an officer into a combatant arm. He flew in No. 28 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps (RFC), in France and served with distinction, ending the war with a German bullet in his leg, which he carried till the end. He became India’s Ambassador to France after independence.
  • Lieutenant SG Wellingkar volunteered and joined the Royal Flying Corps and got his wings in April/May 1917 after which he flew a number of combat sorties over France to blunt the German offensives in the summer of 1918. On 27 June, 1918 he was shot down over France and died on 30 June, 1918.
  • Lieutenant Erroll Suvo Chunder Sen was an Indian pilot who served in the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and was among the first Indian military aviators. His grandfather was the philosopher and social reformer Keshab Chandra Sen. He was assigned to No. 70 Squadron RFC, based at Poperinge in West Flanders, Belgium and equipped with the Sopwith Camel. While taking part in an offensive patrol, Sen crash-landed behind enemy lines and became a PoW. He was eventually repatriated to the U.K. on 14 December, 1918.
• INDIAN WAR MEMORIALS
  • India Gate – New Delhi. The foundation of India Gate was laid on 10 February 1921. Designed by Edwin Lutyens, the memorial was inaugurated on 12 February 1931, by Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy. Both sides of the arch are inscribed with INDIA, flanked by the dates MCMXIV (1914) and MCMXIX (1919). Below the word INDIA, is inscribed, in capital letters: ‘To the dead of the Indian Armies who fell honoured in France and Flanders, Mesopotamia and Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli and elsewhere in the Near and the Far-East …………’. Since the installation of the Amar Jawan Jyoti, in 1972, it has served as a national memorial to India’s fallen soldiers.
  • Teen Murti / Haifa Memorial – New Delhi. It is a memorial to honour the fallen of the Indian State Forces during World War One. The three lancers represent the constituent regiments of the 15^th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade, viz., the Hyderabad, Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers, who won renown during the Palestine campaign. The charge of the Jodhpur Lancers at Haifa lives on its history as the only known instance of the capture of a fortified town by a cavalry action. This memorial has since been designated as the Indian Cavalry Memorial. In January, 2018 its name was changed from Teen Murti Memorial to Teen Murti Haifa Memorial to commemorate the capture of Haifa (now in Israel) by the Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers on 23 September, 1918.
  • Neuve Chapelle Memorial – France. The Memorial is dedicated to the memory of those Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in France and Belgium in the First World War and who have no known grave. It was inaugurated on 7 October 1927.
  • Chattri Memorial – Brighton, UK. – During the War many Indian soldiers wounded on the Western Front were hospitalised in towns along the south coast of England. One of the sites used was the Brighton Pavilion, which was converted into a temporary military hospital. 74 Indian soldiers died in Brighton’s military hospitals. The Chattri memorial was built by the people of Brighton to honour the Indian dead of the First World War and was unveiled in 1921.
  • Menin Gate Memorial – Ieper (Ypres), Belgium. Units of the Indian Army played a crucial role in the defence of the Ypres salient during the First and Second Battles of Ypres in October 1914 and April 1915. The memorial commemorates more than 400 Indian Servicemen who died here during the war.
  • The Indian Great War Military Memorial at Villers Guislain, France was unveiled by the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu on 10 November 2018. It commemorates the men of the Indian Armed Forces who fell on the Western Front during WW1. It is located near the battlefield where Lance Dafadar Gobind Singh won his Victoria Cross for his death defying valour on 1 December, 1917.
• SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES, 1919
  • Indian plenipotentiaries signed the peace treaties alongside representatives of other sovereign states on the basis of legal equality of status. Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner can be seen in the centre standing beside the right-hand pillar. For its contribution to the war effort, India gained independent representation at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, which established India’s presence in the international arena with far reaching consequences. As a signatory of the Treaty of Versailles, India was granted automatic entry to the League of Nations on its formation in 1920 and later became one of the founding member-states of the United Nations in 1945.
• Text : Based on the information provided by USI, CAFHR (United Service Institution of India, Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, New Delhi).

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