History of India Postage stamps

In India, Mr. Bartle Frere, the Commissioner of Sind, introduced paper stamps in token of pre-payment of postage in the province of Sind in 1852. These stamps, the famous ‘Scindh Dawks’ were the first postage stamps brought out not only in India but also in Asia. The central design of the stamp was the East India Company’s broad arrow and the stamps were embossed in different colors. Vermilion stamps were issued first but they had a very short life because they were embossed on brittle wafers. White stamps followed but embossing on white paper could not be seen clearly. So, stamps were finally embossed in blue color on white paper.

After the ‘Scinde Dawks’ there was a general issue of stamps in India. The first design was the ‘Lion and the palm tree’ made by Colonel Forbes of the Calcutta mint. But as he could not promise an adequate supply with the machinery he had, the design was never used.

Captain Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor-General, then took up the production of stamps by lithography. With his zeal and efforts he succeeded in bringing out the first all-India stamps in September 1854. The stamps were of ½ Anna value, blue in color and had Queen Victoria’s head on them. Later, others of 1 Anna, 2 Anna’s and 4 Anna’s value were also printed.

Before printing the ½ Anna blue stamps, 900 sheets of a red ½ Anna stamp were printed. These red stamps had a slightly different design for the border arches. Further printing of these stamps had to be stopped as the imported vermilion ink was exhausted. This first printing was of no use and all the stamps that were printed were destroyed. A specimen

Copy is, however, preserved in our National Philatelic Museum. These red ½ Anna stamps which were printed but not used are popularly known as ‘9½ Arches’. The stamps printed by Captain Thuillier were ungummed and imperforated which means that they were without perforations or holds to tear them out.

From 1856 to 1926 Indian stamps were printed by Messrs Thomas De La Rue Co of London. The design was changed with the change of the ruler. Thus the stamps carried the head of Queen Victoria, Edward VII, George V and George VI in succession. Stamps of different denominations were printed in different colors. In 1926 the India Security press was set up at Nazi and the responsibility of printing postage stamps was entrusted to it.

The first Indian pictorial stamp was issued in 1931 on the occasion of the inauguration of New Delhi. These stamps depicted scenes and landmarks of New Delhi. The next occasion when commemorative stamps were issued was the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935. In 1937stamps with pictures showing the various aspects of carrying mail were issued. To commemorate the end of World War II a special issue of four stamps was brought out in since Independence, India has issued several definitive and commemorative series of stamps portraying various aspects of its life and culture. These have depicted our wildlife, religions, themes connected with our Five year plans, our ancient architecture, social and educational themes connected with children, historical events, the conquest of Mt Everest, etc. National leaders and freedom fighters, philosophers and thinkers, educationists and scientists, writers and artists, have also been similarly honored. To make the stamps more attractive and colorful, a multi-color printing machine has now been installed at the Nasik Security Press if March 1972. India will now bring out colorful stamps in series like Indian Masks, Indian Miniature Paintings, Indian Dances, etc. This will be another landmark in the history of stamps in India. There are two other landmarks which are worth remembering.

India was the first country in the Commonwealth to issue a special set of air mail stamps. This was in 1929. India was also the first country to fly mail. This was on 18th February, 1911 when 6500 letters and postcards were flown from Allah bad to Neonatal.