281)
Maharaja Agrasen Ki Baoli”: UTSAV-2016: Special Cover released by the Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi, Department of Posts, India,
on 17.02.2016:
This Special Cover was
released by the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Postal Circle, during
UTSAV-2016, the 8th Delhi Philatelic Exhibition held from 15-17
February 2016.
This step-well in New Delhi,
was built by Maharaja Agrasen and later rebuilt in the 12th Century
by the Agarwal Community during the reign of Anangpal III:
The Front of the Special
Cover is inscribed on the top left hand corner “Rashtriya Dharohar: Maharaja
Agrasen ki Baoli” (in Hindi) and “National Heritage: Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli”
(in English”). There is a picture of the step-well with a message to conserve
water resources “Jal hi jeevan hai, boond boond sanchay karein” (meaning “Water
is life, Collect every drop). Below this is mentioned “8th Delhi
Philatelic Exhibition – 2016”. The Rs.5/- stamp is from the Children’s Day
celebrations issued on 14.11.2015, showing a painting of children playing in
the rain under the theme “A day in the rain”. The Cancellation Stamp is of New
Delhi and is inscribed “New Delhi Philatelic Exhibition 2016 – Maharaja Agrasen
ki Baoli”. The Cancellation date is 17.02.2016.
The Back of the Special
Cover shows a 25 Naye Paise Postage Stamp issued on 24.09.1976 honouring
Maharaja Agrasen. Below the stamp is mentioned “Samta Va Gantantra Ke Pujari,
Ahimsa Ke Rakshak, Maharaja Agrasen” (in Hindi) meaning “Believer of equality
of the people and the Republic, Defender of non-violence, Maharaja Agrasen”.
To the right is mentioned “Hailey
Road (Connaught Place ke nikat) par sthit Bawdi ka nirman Mahabharat kaal mein
Maharaja Agrasen ne karaya tha, jiska punah nirman 12vin sadi mein Anangpal
Tritiya ke samay mein Agrawal samudaay dwara kiya gaya. 60 metre lambi va 15
metre chaudi, char manzil va sau se adhik seedhiyon ki yeh adbhut Rashtriya
dharohar, paryatakon ke aakarshan ka Kendra hai. Dak Vibhag Maharaja Agrasen
Bawdi par vishesh aavaran zaari karte huay garv ka anubhav karta hai” (in
Hindi) and
“The Step Well(Baoli) on
Hailey Road (Near Connaught Place) was built by Maharaja Agrasen during the
Mahabharat epic era and it was rebuilt in the 12th Century by
Agarwal Community during the regime of Anangpal III. This 60 Meter long and 15
Meter wide and four storey remarkable National Monument with more than hundred
steps is the centre of attraction for tourists. The Department of Posts is
privileged to issue this Special Cover on Maharaja Agrasen Baoli” (in English).
The Special Cover has been
issued courtesy of: Yuva Agrawal Trust (Regd) Delhi and UTSAV 2016
The Cover has been issued
by the Chief Postmaster General, Delhi Postal Circle, New Delhi & bears the
logo of India Post and the Serial number DEL/06/2016 Stamp image
An image of the stamp of
25 Naye Paise issued in honour of Maharaja Agrasen in 1976.
Agrasen
(or Ugrasen) ki Baoli:
An image of the Agrasen ki Baoli
This is a 60 meter long
and 15 meter wide step well on Hailey Road, near Connaught Place, Jantar
Mantar, New Delhi. It is believed to have been originally built by the
legendary King Agrasen during the Mahabharat Epic era. Later, it was rebuilt in
the 12th Century, by the Agrawal community which traces its origins
to Maharaja Agrasen.
Water temples and temple
step wells were built in ancient India. Apart from the Agrasen ki Baoli, some
of the earliest forms of step well and water reservoirs can be traced back to
the Indus Valley Civilisation around 3300 BC.
Agrasen ki Baoli has 103 steps. The visible
parts of this historic step well consist of three levels. Each level is lined
with arched niches on both sides.
The Baoli is designated as
a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
About
“Maharaja” (“Great King”) Agrasen:
Maharaja Agrasen was born
as the eldest som of the Suryavanshi King Ballabh of Pratapnagar about 5200
years ago.
He was a
legendary King of Agroha, who is credited with the establishment of a kingdom
of traders/businessmen. He was known for his compassion and refusing to
slaughter animals in “yajnas”
(“sacrificial fires”), after he was moved by the efforts of a horse trying to
escape slaughter at a sacrificial post. He was a “Vysya” King of the Suryavanshi Dynasty of Ancient India, which
finds a mention in the “Puranas”,
particularly the Vishnu Purana, the Ramayan of Valmiki and the Mahabharat of Ved Vyas. The Raghuvamsh of Kalidas also mentions the
names of some of the Kings of this dynasty. He adopted the “Vanik Dharam” for the benefit of his
people. In the literal sense, Agrawal means the “children of Agrasen” or the
“people of Ag”, a city in ancient India, near Hisar in the State of Haryana. He
was born during the last stages of “Dwapar
Yug” and in the Mahabharat, he is
mentioned as a contemporary of Lord Krishna.
Setting
up the city of Agroha:
Interestingly, there is a
legend of how he came to set up the city of Agroha.
This legend has it that Agrasen
started a severe penance to propitiate Lord Shiva, in the city of Kashi.
Pleased with the penance
of Agrasen, Lord Shiva appeared and advised him to propitiate the Goddess
Mahalakshmi. Agrasen started meditating
on the Goddess who appeared before him and suggested to him to take up the
Vaishya tradition of business for the sake of prosperity of his people. She
then asked him to found a new kingdom and gave him a boon that she would bless
his descendants with prosperity. So he gave up his Kshatriya tradition and
embraced a Vaishya tradition.
Maharaja Agrasen travelled
all over India with his queen to select a place for his new kingdom. During his
travels, he found a few tiger cubs playing together with a few wolf cubs. He
believed that this was an auspicious sign/omen which indicated that this place
was a “Veerbhoomi” (meaning “the Land
of the Brave”) and decided to set up his kingdom at this place which he named
Agroha.
Agroha was established
around 51 years before the Mahabharat war.
Under his leadership,
Agroha became a very prosperous city with a hundred thousand traders making the
city their home. It is said that the
community of traders was so strong and caring for one another, that any
immigrant wishing to settle in Agroha would be given a brick and a silver rupee
by each of the inhabitants of the city. Equipped with over 1,000,000 bricks, he
would build a house for himself and start a new business with the 1,000,000
silver rupees.
Agrasen divided his
kingdom among his 18 children which resulted in the 18 Agrawal “gotras” (meaning “clan”).
The decline of Agroha:
The decline of Agroha:
The Agroha Republic was
renowned for its bravery and prosperity. However, over time, it could not stand
the foreign invasions of the Huns, Greeks and Yavanas who invaded North India
disintegrating various kingdoms in the Punjab.
Gradually
the city of Agroha declined and was ultimately destroyed in a great fire.
The devastation of Agroha led
to the migration of the residents of Agroha, the
Aggrawals, to other parts of the country –
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab & Malwa, and later to spread in various parts
of India, however they derived a common
name Aggarwals i.e. “Agroha-Wale”.
They are an extremely prosperous & influential business community today.
They are an extremely prosperous & influential business community today.
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"
8) Bicentenary of the "Old Theological Seminary" (OTS) Kottayam, Kerala
9) Commemorative 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
Ramchandra Lalingkar has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very interesting and informative post about "Maharaja Agrasen". thanks for sharing."
Thank you, Lalingkar sahab.
DeleteSeher Agarwala has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting article! Just a slight addendum I hope you won't mind : Stepwells were built in Delhi from the 12th century onward. So Agrasen Ki Baolo may be a few centuries/millenia off depending on what you interpret as the mythic time period of the Mahabharata."
Thank you , Seher for going through this piece. Got this info from here and there. I had information about the origins of the Agarwals & that they came from Agroha (in Haryana) & also have a 1970s stamp on Maharaja Agrasen. Never bothered to collate the info till I got this Special Cover from epostoffice in Philately Museun, New Delhi. The Baoli was built sometime in the Mahabharat Era by Agrasen and got a "makeover" through the efforts of the Agarwal Community in the 12th Century. At least this is what the "back of the Cover" of the envelope says. Elsewhere, I found info that the Baoli was rebuilt in the 14th Century. I guess the Post Office wallahs must have done their homework before putting it in print, so I took their date as the time/period of the "makeover".
DeleteSeher Agarwala has commented:
Delete"Maybe the post office wallas confused literary tropes for actual facts? It's possible. A good place to compare literary tropes is to read how the cities in Mahabharata are described with the archaeological reports -often a case of literary embellishment such as 84,0000 gold pillars is more of a trope than what was. this isn't lying, its just writers follow literary conventions thats all. so I would look at this construction/ "makeover" in this regard as well. I think the earliest step wells, in Gujarat, could be 9th century? But yeh, in general the government in general likes to give definitive answers or alternatively, they too often go by common hearsay and sometimes forget to question the material they encounter."
While researching for this post I tried to figure out when the Mahabharat War took place. I got varying dates from 5500 BC to about 400 AD from at least 10 eminent historians all advancing "evidences" in support of their claims. Was it a local conflict "glorified by bards" as some historians have put it. Nevertheless, there is a reasonable possibility that Agrasen ruled Agroha a huge kingdom in Haryana. It is possible that the territories of his kingdom could have also included areas of Delhi as well and that some sort of drinking/bathing water facilities (also called "Baolis" in Hindi) may have been provided by him. Again, as per one source, the earliest stepwells most likely date to about 550 AD, but the most famous were built in medieval times. It is estimated that over 3,000 stepwells were built in the two northern states of Gujarat & Rajasthan around 500 to 900 AD. Although many have fallen into disrepair, were silted in at some point in antiquity, or were filled in with trash in the modern era, hundreds of wells still exist. In New Delhi alone, there are more than 30. There were stepwells in the Chola Kingdom, in the Maratha territories etc. There were water reservoirs with some sort of steps leading to them even during the Indus Valley Civilisation. So the possibilities are enormous and we cannot discount one "fact" for the "other". The Post Office has mentioned the generally most likely version available to them, and there is no reason to disbelieve them unless one can produce "hard evidences" to the contrary. Even if one does, it will remain a "version" only, based on someone's "opinion".
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