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Saturday 20 February 2016

267) PUNPEX 2016, held at Chandigarh from 06-09 February 2016: (Part 1) (a) Indian Dak Runner (b) PUNPEX 2016 Logo: Special Covers released on 06.02.2016:



267) PUNPEX 2016, held at Chandigarh from 06-09 February 2016: (Part 1) (a) Indian Dak Runner (b) PUNPEX 2016 Logo: Special Covers released on 06.02.2016:


The State Level Philatelic Exhibition of Punjab Circle, PUNPEX – 2016 was held from 06.02.2016 to 09.02.2016 at Chandigarh, Punjab. Tradition, culture and modernity were reflected in the Exhibition through the various exhibition frames, stalls of various dealers and cultural activities.

On the first day of the Exhibition (i.e. 06.02.2016), two interesting Special Covers were released – one on “INDIAN DAK RUNNER” and the other on “PUNPEX 2016 Logo”:

a)  The Indian Dak Runner or “Harkara”:

For several centuries, the “Dawk” or “Dak” was carried through a very old postal system of Runners. The Runners were paid according to their distance of travel and the weight of their letters. This was the local  system of mail delivery Indus Valley, not suited to the military and commercial needs of the British East India Company, particularly after their conquest of Sindh in February 1843 after the Battle of Miani. As such, the system of Dak Runners had to be revamped by the British East India Company (BEIC) into a more efficient system of Postal delivery.

Early History & Introduction of Indian Postage stamps – “Scinde Dawk” or “Sindh Dak”:

In 1774, copper tokens began to be used for payment of postage. The use of these copper tokens was, however, not found very convenient and alternative methods of accepting payments for postage were being explored.

In 1852, the Penny Postage became a huge success in England. In the same year, Bartel Frère, who took over as the Commissioner of Sindh Province introduced Paper Stamps for his Province on the lines of the Penny Postage Stamps. These stamps were known as “Scinde Dawk” or “Sindh Dak” and this was a much cheaper and uniform rate of postage than the rates paid to the Indian Dak Runners. Stamps were now required for the pre-payment of postage, instead of paying the Indian Dak Runners later after delivery of the Dak.

“Scinde Dawk” or “Sindh Dak” Stamps were round in shape and came in three variations – embossed on white paper without colour, on white paper in blue and on vermillion wafers.

These stamps carried the “Bale Mark” of the British East India Company (BEIC) in a design embossed on wafers of red sealing wax impressed on paper. However, there were instances in which the paper cracked and disintegrated, hence the colourless design was introduced embossed on white paper.

Each of these stamps was of the uniform value of one-half Anna each as against the variable rates paid to the “Harkaras”.

A more efficient system of using horses and camels was now introduced along the routes through Scinde Province, mostly along the Indus River Valley (on the lines of system followed by the Mughal Empire for running messages along the Grand Trunk Road from Delhi to Calcutta). The Mail was carried quickly and efficiently, connecting government offices and post offices from Karachi through Kotri and Hyderabad up to Sukkur in the North. The success of this system led to the Indian Dak Runner system passing into history.

Special Cover brought out on 06.02.2016 at PUNPEX 2016 on the “Indian Dak Runner”:



The above is an image of the Special cover brought out on 06.02.2016 depicting the “Indian Dak Runner” mode of transporting mail. Only a limited edition of 700 pieces were issued by the  Chief Postmaster General, Punjab Circle. This Special Cover bears the Punjab Postal Circle no. PB/11/2016.

The Stamp of the “Senior Post Master Chandigarh GPO” is marked in blue. The Special Cover is titled “Bhartiya Dak Harkara” (in Hindi) and “Indian Dak Runner” (in English). There is an image of the Harkara sending mail across a river through a make-shift rope-pulley to his counter-part on the other side. The signature of the Harkara appears as “Gaurav” (Surprisingly it is shown in a firm hand, written in English, as almost all the Harkara’s were illiterate).

The Special Cancellation Stamp reads “PUNPEX 2016 in Hindi & English and “Dak Harkara” (in Hindi) and “Dak Runner” (in English). The Cancellation stamp shows a Harkara en-route to his destination for delivering the mail and the Cancellation stamp is dated “Chandigarh 06.02.2016”

Some interesting facts about the early stamps which rendered the Indian Dak Runner system and payment to the Runners obsolete:

i)             In 1854, it was decided to issue stamps for British India and have them printed in India. The first Design for India Postage stamps was attempted by Col. Forbes of the Calcutta Mint showing the “Lion and the Palm tree” a design which was never put to use on Stamps.

ii)           The stamps which were designed and actually printed in 1854 were blue lithographed half Anna stamps with a portrait of Queen Victoria.

iii)          While the first India Postage Stamps issued in 1854, bore the inscription “India Postage”, the inscription was changed in the same year to “East India Postage

iv)         From 1882, this was again reverted to “India Postage” which continued till 1962, even after India gained Independence in 1947.

v)           The first Independence stamps were three in number – depicting the Ashok Pillar (National Emblem of India), the Indian National Flag and an Aircraft.



Issued on 15.08.1947, these three stamps depicting the Ashok Capitol (1 ½ Annas), National Flag (3 ½ Annas) and a Douglas IX 4 Aircraft (12 Annas) were the first three stamps of Independent India.

The various modes of mail transport in India from the days of the Indian Dak Runner to the decade of the 1930s:

Around the first half of the 20th Century, a Series of Commemorative India Postage stamps was brought out depicting various modes of mail transport as the system evolved. I have a set of 10 Post cards in my Philately Collection brought out by Karnataka Postal Circle in 2015, which traces the evolution of the various modes of transporting Mail/Dak:



This post card shows the evolution of the “Scinde District Dawk” which introduced a fixed payment system, instead of the variable rates charged by the Indian Dak Runners.

India’s so-called first stamp was released in 1852. It was embossed individually onto paper or a wax wafer. The shape was circular, with “SCINDE DISTRICT DAWK” around the periphery and the British East India Company’s Bale Mark as the Central Emblem. The paper was either white or greyish white. The stamp was printed using blue dye. The wax version was embossed on a red sealing wax wafer on paper, but both had the same value of ½ Anna/ “Scinde” was how the British spelt the Province of Sindh and “Dawk” is the anglicised spelling of the Hindustani word “Dak” or “Post”. These “stamps” were used till 1854. The 81 dots (9 x 9 rows in a diamond shaped format) stamp (in the Centre of the above Post Card) post marks were used to cancel “Scinde Dawk” during 1852. This cancellation stamp was also used on the 1854 stamps.

This post card also shows the evolution of the Scinde Dawk Seal designs based on the “Bale Mark of the British East India Company and a ½  Anna Stamp.



The above is an image of the red Scinde Dawk Seal/Stamp on the early postage envelops of the Scinde Half Anna Dawk. The Bale Mark of the East India Company “EIC” in the centre is circled with the inscription “SCINDE DISTRICT DAWK”. The value of the Stamp “½ Anna” is mentioned below the Bale Mark.



The above is an image of the Seal/Stamp on the early postage envelops of the Scinde Half Anna Dawk. The Bale Mark of the East India Company “EIC” in the centre is circled with the inscription “SCINDE DISTRICT DAWK”. The value of the Stamp “½ Anna” is mentioned below the Bale Mark.



The Indian Dak Runner mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. This Stamp is part of the Series depicting various mail transports in use in India, with the head of the King towards the right.



The Dak Toga mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 3 Annas Stamp.



The Dak Bullock Cart mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 2 Annas 6 Paise



The Dak Camel mode of transport.  King George VI, 23.08.1937. 3 Annas 6 Paise



The Mail Lorry mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 8 Annas



Aircraft De Havilland D.H. 66 Hercules mode of transport through Air Mail. King George V, 22.10.1929. 3 Annas.



The Mail Train mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 4 Annas.



The Mail Plane mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 12 Annas.



The Mail steamer mode of transport. King George VI, 23.08.1937. 6 Annas.

(b) PUNPEX 2016 Logo: Special Cover released on 06.02.2016:



The above is an image of a Special Cover released on the occasion of PUNPEX – 2016, on the first day of the exhibition i.e. 06.02.2016. The Special Cover shows the logo of PUNPEX 2016, which, inter alia, is a symbolic representation of a Dove, the Sukhna Lake and the famed Rock Garden of Chandigarh. Below the image of the logo is mentioned “Rajya Stariya Dak Tikat Pradarshni, Chandigarh 160011” (in Hindi) and “State Level Philatelic Exhibition, Chandigarh -160011 06.02.2016 to 09.02.2016”. The Cancellation Stamp is a symbolic representation of the PUNPEX 2016 logo and is dated 06.02.2016. This Special Cover bears the Punjab Postal Circle no. PB/10/2016.







Links to posts on Indian Post-Cards:

1) Historical First Day Covers on Post Cards compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle on Post Independence India

2) For Part I of the DYKS (32) "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" (Part I) - Description of 16 birds with picture postcards)

3) For Part II of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas", please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

4) For Part III of DYKS (32): "Birds of the Himalayas" please click on the following link: ("Birds of the Himalayas" Description of 16 Birds with picture postcards)

5) Two Series of Postage Stamps issued during the reign of George V: Inauguration of New Delhi in 1931 and Silver Jubilee of the reign of George V in 1935 compiled by Karnataka Postal Circle   

6) Aero India 2015: Asia's Premier Air Show: A set of 10 Post cards issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post in 2015. 

7) Himalayan Lakes: Chandratal, Roop Kund, Sela, Tsangu and Tsomo Riri: A set of five post cards issued by India Post in 2015 

8)  Incredible India: (Part I) A set of 48 Post Cards issued by India Post in 2015
9) Incredible India: (Part II) A set of 48 Post cards issued by India Post in 2015
10)   Incredible India: (Part III): A set of 48 Post cards issued by india Post in 2015
 11) Olympic Events: A set of 12 Post cards issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 11.07.2016  

12) "Orchids": A set of 12 postcards issued by the Karnataka Postal Cicle of India Post, with designs inspired by 6 Stamps on Orchids issued by India Post on 21.10.1991 and 6 Stamps issued on 08.08.2016 
  
Maximum or Maxim Cards: 

1) Did You Know series (33): 1) Maxim or Maximum Cards 2) A set of 5 Maximum Cards issued by the Department of Posts, India to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

"My Stamps" Albums:

1) "Ajanta & Ellora Caves": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Sumita and Rajeev

 2) "Ghats of Varanasi": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Sumita

3) "Sun Temple, Konark": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 

4) "Fairy Queen": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 

5) "Mahabodhi Temple": "MyStamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev 
  
 6) "Port Blair Island": "My Stamps" (issued by India Post): Rajeev

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2016:

1)  Special India Post Cover  carried in a dedicated Hot Air Balloon flown during the II International Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Pollachi, Tamilnadu, released by Tamilnadu Circle of India Post in January 2016

2) "Vibrant India": Postage Stamps issued by India Post on this theme

3) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nasik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 1) Spl. Covers on Pandu Leni Caves and Smt. Kusum Dhirubhai Mehta released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 16.01.2016 

4) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.2016: (Part 2) Spl.Covers on Kalaram temple and Nashik "Grape City & Wine Capital of India" released by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 17.01.2016 

5) MAHAPEX - 2016 held at Nashik from 16-18.01.16: (Part 3) Spl. Covers on "Nashik Dhol" and "Dr. Anand Gopalrao Joshi" released by Maharashtra postal Circle on 18.01.2016 

6) International Fleet Review - 2016 (IFR - 16) held at Vishakhapatnam from 04.02.16 to 08.02.16: Commemorative Postage stamps issued by India Post 

7) Celebrating 75 Years of setting up of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal : Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by India Post. 

8) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06 - 09.02.2016: (Part 1): Spl. Covers on "Indian Dak Runner" & "The PUNPEX-16 logo" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 06.02.2016 

9) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 2): Spl. Cover on "Butterflies of Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

10) PUNPEX - 16  held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 3): Spl. Cover on "Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh" released by Punjab Postal Circle on 07.02.2016 

11) PUNPEX - 16 held at Chandigarh from 06-09.02.2016: (Part 4): Spl. Cover on "Migratory Birds of Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh" released on 07.02.2016 

12) "Gurudwara Shri Paonta Sahib": Spl. Cover released by HP Postal Circle, of India Post 

13) India's First International Fleet review held on 18.02.2001 at Mumbai 

14) "Jal Mahotsav" on the River Narmada from 12-21.02.2016: Spl Cover issued by the Department of Posts, India 

15) "Simhasth Kumbh Mahaparv", Ujjain 22.04.2016-21.05.2016: MAPPEX-2016 Spl Cover released by Postmaster General, Indore Region, India Post on 07.02.2016 

16) Unique Handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh: MAPPEX 2016: A Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General , Indore Region, Indore, on 05.02.2016 

17) Golden Jubilee of The Statesman Vintage & Classic car Rally": Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi on 28.02.2016 

18) Mahamaham Kumbha Mela Festival, Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu: February 13-22, 2016. Special Cover issued by the Postmaster General Tamilnadu Circle, Chennai, India Post. 

19) "Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli " in New Delhi: "UTSAV 2016"- A Special cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle on 17.02.2016 

20) Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios Birth Centenary celebrations : A Special Cover issued by Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi, India Post on 15.02.2016

21) Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple: UTSAV 2016: A Spl Cover issued on 17.02.2016 by Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi 

22) National Science Centre Delhi: UTSAV 2016: A Spl Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi , Department of Posts, India on 16.02.2016 

23) Commemorating the Birth Centenary of Vasantrao Srinivassa Sinai Dempo: A Rs.5/- Stamp issued by  India Post on 04.03.2016 

24) 150th Anniversary of the Allahabad High Court : Commemorative Stamps & Coins issued by the Department of Posts, India & India Government Mint, Mumbai respectively 

25) National Archives of India (Part 1): 125th Anniversary Celebrations: Commemorative Stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India on 13.03.2016 

26) The Gilgit Record (Manuscripts): National Archives of India (Part 2) A 30 paise Stamp issued in 1979,  by the Department of Posts, India. 

27) "A Minor Rock Edict" of Samrat ashok found in Gujarra , Distt. Datia M.P. : A Special Cover issued by the Indore Region, MP Postal Circle, Deptt. of Posts, India

28) "Batesara Group of Temples": A Special Cover issued by Indore Region, M.P. Postal Circle, Deptt. of Posts, India 

29) "India-UN Women HeForShe Programme": Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post  

30) Fire Services of India: A Rs. 5/- Stamp issued by the department of posts, india to honour the "Fire Services of India

31) Govardhanram Tripathi: Commemorative Rs.5/ Stamps brought out in his honour by the Department of Posts, India. 

32) The "Everlasting Flame international Programme 2016": A Special Cover issued by Delhi Postal Circle, Department of Posts, India. 

33) "Ahimsa Ball": Commemorating the 10th Installation Ceremony of the Ball: A Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle on 26.04.2016 

34) "BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 14-16 April 2016, held at Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle on 14.04.2016 

35) "25th Shukla Day Coin and Philately Fair" held from 22-24.04.2016 at Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by the Maharashtra Postal Circle, India Post on 22.04.2016 

36) "Indian Coast Guard Air Station Chennai Silver Jubilee": A Special Cover issued by Tamilnadu Postal Circle of India Post on 07.03.2016 

37) Swami Chidananda: A Rs.5/- Commemorative stamp issued by India Post on 21.05.2016, celebrating his Birth Centenary. 

38) "Brave Fighter Narvir Shivaji Kashid: A Special Cover issued by Maharashtra Postal Circle on 05.05.2016 

39) Tata Power: Commemorating the centenary of the establishment of The Company by India Post, by issuing Rs.5/- stamps on 10.06.16 

 40) "Surya Namaskar": The theme of second International Day of Yoga: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post on 21.06.2016

41) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Jharkhand: DEOPEX:2016: A Special Cover issued by the Jharkhand Postal Circle, India Post on 18.03.2016 

42) "Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar": DEOPEX-2016: A Special Cover issued on him by Jharkhand Postal Circle, India Post on 18.03.2016 

43) "Philatelic Seminar, Jaipur": A Special Cover issued by the Rajasthan Postal Circle, India Post on 28.02.2016 

44) "Shantheyanda Okkada Hockey Namme - 2016": A Spcial Cover issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 03.05.2016 

45) The Indian Institute of Architects: Commemorating the Centenary year of the Institute by issuing a Special Cover by Maharashtra Postal Circle, India Post on 12.05.2016  

46) Indian Naval Air Squadron 300 (INAS 300): A Special Cover issued on the Induction of MiG-29Ks and de-induction of Sea Harriers in the Squadron, by the Maharashtra Postal Circle of India Post on 11.05.2016 

47) State Trading Corporation : Celebrating 60 Glorious Years: A Special Cover issued by the Delhi Postal Circle, India Post on 18.05.2016 

48) Christ Church Fort Teppakullam, Tirichirappalli: 250th Anniversary Celebrations: A Special Cover issued by Tamilnadu Postal Circle, India Post on 17.05.2016 

49) "BSE" (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange): Commemorating the 140th Year of its establishment: A Rs.5/- commemorative stamp brought out by India Post on 09.07.2016 

50) "VIKAS PARV - CHHAU DANCE": A Special Cover issued by Jharkhand Postal Circle on 17.06.16 

51) 65th Plenary of the North Eastern Council held on 26-27 May 2016 at Shillong: A Special Cover brought out by the NE Postal Circle of India Post, on 03.06.2016 

52) Platinum Jubilee of the First Philatelic Bureau set up in Mumbai: A Special Cover issued by Karnataka Postal Circle, India Post on 21.06.2016 

53) Chennai Book Fair: A Special Cover issued by the Tamilnadu Postal Circle of India Post on 01.06.2016

54) Chennai Book Fair (Part II) A.K. Chettiar : One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

55) Chennai Book Fair (Part III): T.Janakiraman: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

56) Chennai Book Fair (Part IV): P.V. Akilandam: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

57) Chennai Book Fair (Part V): D. Jayakanthan: One of 6 eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

58) Chennai Book Fair : (Part VI): Pudhumaipithan: One of Six Eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

59) Chennai Book Fair: (Part VII): Va Ramasamy: One of six eminent Tamil writers on whom Tamilnadu Postal Circle has issued Special Covers on 10.06.2016 

60) Tadoba Andhari National Park: Commemorative stamps brought out by India Post on "International Tiger Day" at Nagpur on 29.07.2016 

61) Tara Mata Temple Shimla: Famous Temples of Himachaal Pradesh Series: A Special Cover issued by HP Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016 

62) Bagla Mukhi Temple, Bankhandi, Kangra: Famous Temples of Himachal Pradesh Series: A Special Cover released by the H.P. Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016  

63) Chintpurni Temple , Chintpurni Una, HP: Famous temples of Himachal {radesh Sries: A Special Cover released by H.P.Postal Circle of India Post on 29.04.2016 

64) Ter-Centenary of the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: A Special Cover brought out by Delhi P0stal Circle of Indiapost on 20.06.2016 

65) "Rio 2016" Summer Olympics: Commemorative Stamps and booklets issued by the Department of Posts, India on 05.08.2016

66) "Orchids": A set of 6 Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post on 08.08.2016  

67) Indian Metal Crafts: A set of six Stamps issued by India Post on 26.08.2016 

68) Independence Day - Tourism in India: A Rs. 25/- Commemorative Stamp issued by India Post on 15.08.2016 

Links to other Commemorative Stamps posts on Indian Stamps issued during 2014 and 2015:

1) 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil - A set of four stamps issued by India Post.

2) Commemorative Stamps on "Swachh Bharat" Mission

3) Commemorative Stamps on "Project Rukmini"

4) Commemorative Stamps on "Indian Ocean & Rajenda Chola I"

5) International Day of Yoga - "Commemorative Stamps & Coins" 

6) India-France - 50 Years of Space Co-operation - Commemorative Stamps

7) Commemorative Stamps on 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of "Engineers India Limited"

8Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala

9Commemorative stamps issued on Nabakalabera (Jagannath Temple, Puri)

10) Commemorative stamps issued on an Indian Game called "Sagol Kangjei" originated in Manipur, from which Polo was adapted all over the World  

11) Samrat Ashok - Commemorative Stamps issued on the legendary Emperor of Ancient India 

12) Women Empowerment - Commemorative Stamps

13) Baba Amte - Commemorative Stamps 

14) Did You Know Series (4): A sample of the beautiful stamps brought out by Department of Posts, India 

15) 10th World Hindi Conference held at Bhopal - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts India

16) 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak War: Commemorative stamps issued by Department of Posts, India. 

17) Commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. B.R. Ambedker by Department of Posts, India with a stamp titled "Dr B.R. Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution" 

18) The "Charkha" or the Spinning Wheel: Commemorative stamps issued by the Department of Posts, India 

19) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam - Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

20) 50th Anniversary of the Border Security Force (BSF): Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts, India 

21) 3rd India- Africa Forum Summit at New Delhi - Commemorative Stamps issued by Department of Posts, India 

22) Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL): Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post.

23) Commemorating the Bicentenary of the Raising Day of the First and Third Gorkha Rifles: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post.  

24) India-Singapore Joint issue: 50 Years of Bilateral Relationship: Two Commemorative Stamps issued by India-Post. 

25) Celebrating 60 years (Golden Jubilee) of EEPC India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

26) Centenary of the setting up of the Zoological Survey of India: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

27) Celebrating Children's Day on November 14th - Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post. 

28) Musicians of India - Commemorating Classical Musicians of India by issue of Stamps by India Post. 

29) Sumitranandan Pant (poet and writer) : Commemorative postage stamps issued on him by India Post 

30) Golden Jubilee of the Establishment of the IDSA, New Delhi: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post 

31) 100 Years of Return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915: Commemorative postage stamps issued by India Post 

32) Commemorating Alugumuthu Kone, one of the first Freedom Fighters against the British: Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

33) Centennial of the Patna High Court of Judicature: Commoemrative Stamps issued by India Post 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on stamps issued in 2013: 

1) Commemorative Postage stamps on the "Wild Flowers of India" issued by India Post.

2) 100 Years of Indian Cinema: 50 commemorative stamps issued by India Post. 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts on Stamps issued in 2012:

1) Shekhawati and Warli Paintings (Part I) - Warli Paintings - Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post in 2012

2) Shekhawati and Warli Paintings (Part II) - Shekhaati Paintings - Commemorative postage stamps brought out by India Post in 2012 

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2011:

1) Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs.100/- issued on Mahatma Gandhi on Khadi Cloth for the first time ever by India Post.

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts  on Stamps issued in 2010:

1) Princely States of Indore, Sirmoor, Bamra and Cochin : Commemorative Stamps issued by India Post

List of Commemorative Stamps Posts issued in 2008: 

1) Centenary of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru: Commemorative Stamps brought out by Indiapost in 2008

2) Standard Chartered Bank: Commemorating 150 Years of Banking in India: A Rs.5/- Commemorative Postage Stamp issued depicting the SCB Mumbai Heritage Building 

3) "Aldabra Giant Tortoise": A commemorative postage stamp brought out by India Post in 2008 

List of Commemorative Stamps issued in 2007:

1) 2550 years of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha: Commemorative stamps issued by India Post  

Commemorative stamps issued in 1931, 1947 and 1950:

1) Three Series of original Indian stamps which depict : Inauguration of New Delhi (1931), First Independent India postage stamps (1947) and Republic of India Inauguration (1950)

 Postage Stamps from Thailand depicting Buddhist Jataka Tales:

1) Thailand postage stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Magha Puja Day (Part I)

2) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Asalha Puja Day (Part II)  

3) Thailand Post stamps commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales & celebrating Visakha Puja Day (Part III)

4) Postage stamps from Thailand commemorating Buddhist Jataka Tales

Forever Stamps from United States Postal Service (USPS):

1) Forever Stamps: A Series of Stamps commemorating the "US Civil War 1861-1865"

2) Forever Stamps: The Hindu Festival of Lights - Diwali (2016) 

Postage Stamps from the Bailiwick of Jersey

1) "Man of Steel": A Superman movie. Jersey post stamps commemorating a local lad Henry William Dalgliesh who played Superman in the Movie 

Postage Stamps from Gibraltar:

1) 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta - the Universal guidepost/landmark in Liberty and Freedom: A miniature stamp sheet issued by the Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau

Postage Stamps issued by Hongkong Post:

1) Working Dogs in Government Service: A sheetlet showing six dogs issued by Hongkong Post in June 2012

Postage Stamps issued by New Zealand Post

1) ICC Cricket World Cup - 2015 14 Commemorative Stamps issued with the theme "Have A Ball"

International Philately Exhibitions :

1) World Stamp Show New York 2016

2) Thailand 2016 - FIAP 32nd Asian International Stamp Exhibition 10-15 August 2016







4 comments:

  1. Saroj Nanda has commented:
    "I was not aware of the Harkara system. I am always amazed by India's postal system. In the 1980s and before, the only mode of communication was a Post Card or Inland Letter which were widely used. Inland Letters sent even from remote places in Uttar Pradesh were duly delivered in my small home town in Odisha and that too in time. There never was an occasion when a mail was lost. Thank you India Post!"

    ReplyDelete
  2. This method of postal delivery was in place for several centuries around most of the Provinces of India. One of the early alternatives to this mode of mail delivery was the system which Sher Shah Suri had adopted for delivering important mail from Delhi to Calcutta on the Grand Trunk Road in a maximum of three days - there were "Sarias or Inns" at short distances upto where a mail despatch horse rider would travel and from where another rider would take over the mail - like handing over the baton in a relay race. It was sad to see the Harkara system pass into history as faster alternative systems of mail delivery emerged. Nevertheless, their contribution to mail delivery cannot be undermined. Punjab Postal Circle has done well to honour their traditional form of mail delivery through a Special Cover.

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  3. Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
    "Sounds somewhat like the Phantom's drums and mail delivery system! Lee Falk possibly got the idea from Harkaras?!"

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    1. That is a quite possible, Vikram. Come to think of it seems almost a certainty. But these guys were like African "Bush Runners" and could walk/run several miles and had been providing efficient postal delivery services for centuries/generations. It was sad to see them pass into history to make way for more efficient postal delivery services.

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