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On World Post Day, explore these amazing vintage and rare postage stamps issued by the Indian Postal Service since 1947. From marking India’s independence to the Everest conquest, from celebrating the country’s miniature art to it’s varied wildlife, these amazing stamps will give you a glimpse of India and the world through the years.

To commemorate the establishment of Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874, October 9 is celebrated as World Post Day every year since 1969. Several countries across the globe take this opportunity to celebrate the day and launch new stamps to acknowledge the success and importance of postal services in nation building.

Founded in 1774, Department of Posts, India has 154,866 post offices as per 2011 records. India also hosts the world’s highest postal office in Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh, located at 15,500 feet. With its amazing vintage stamps and colourful history, the postal services surely have done an extra ordinary work for hundreds of years. We salute their work and dedication today.

This year, UPU celebrates its 140th anniversary and India Post its 240th! On this occasion, here are some of the most incredible vintage Indian stamps that take you through interesting historical events in India and around the world –

1. Marking India’s Independence

This commemorative postage stamp on was issued on 15th December 1947 and features the Ashoka Lion symbol to mark India’s independence on 15th August 1947. The stamp valued 1.50 Annas.

2. Remembering Gandhi

This stamp was issued on 15th August 1948, to acknowledge Gandhi’s contribution in the Indian struggle for independence. Gandhi was assassinated earlier in 1948 on 30th January. The stamp was valued at Rs.10 which was a big amount at that time.

3. Air India’s first international flight

This 12 annas stamp was issued on 29th May, 1948 to celebrate Air India’s first international flight on 8th June 1948.

4. Inaugration of Republic of India

This commemorative postage stamp that shows rejoicing people was issued in 1950 to mark the inauguration of the Republic of India on the same day. The stamp valued two annas.

5. First Asian Games

This stamp was issued on March 04, 1951 to acknowledge the first Asian Games celebrated in Delhi from March 4 to March 11, 1951.

6. Conquering Everest

The stamp that shows mountain peaks was issued on October 2, 1953.

7. 100 years of Indian Railways

This commemorative postage stamp was issued on 16th April, 1953 to mark the amazing 100 years of Indian railways which was founded on April 16, 1853.

8. 100 years of Indian Post

The postage stamp that shows a courier pigeon and a plane was issued on October 1, 1954 to mark 100 years of the Indian postal service.

9. Budhha jayanti

This stamp was issued on May 24, 1956 to mark 2500th Budhha Jayanti.

10. Children’s day

Issued on 14th November 1957, this stamp acknowledged Children’s Day which was celebrated across the country in honour of Jawaharlal Nehru.

11. All India Radio

This stamp that valued 15nP was issued on June 8, 1961 to mark the silver jubilee of All India Radio.

12. World against Malaria

The stamp issued on April 7, 1962 portrayed the world united against eradicating malaria.

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13. Wildlife series

This stamp which showcases Indian elephant was issued on October 7, 1963 as part of the wildlife series.

14. Family Planning

This stamp was issued on December 12, 1966 to acknowledge family planning week.

15. Wheat revolution

This stamp was issued on 17th July 1968 to mark the wheat revolution.

16. Man on the Moon

The stamp issued on November 1969 to acknowledge first step of a human on the moon on July 20,1969.

17. Raja Ravi Varma

This 20 nP stamp was issued on April 29, 1971 to celebrate the renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma’s birth centenary on April 29,1948. He passed away on October 2, 1906.

18. Olympic Games

This stamp was issued on August 10, 1972 to mark the 20th Olympic games.

19. Indian Miniature Paintings

The stamp shows the taming of an elephant and was part of Indian Miniature Painting series issued on May 05, 1973.

20. Commemorating St. Fracis Xavier

The 25p stamp released on Christmas eve in 1974 pays respect to the saint who was born on 7 April, 1506 and carried out extensive missionary work in large parts of India, most notable Goa, before his death on 7 December, 1552.

21. Celebrating dance forms

The stamp that features a Manipuri dance form was issued on October 20, 1975 as part of Dances of India series.

22. Vande Mataram

This stamp includes excerpts from the Indian national song “Vande Mataram” originally written in Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chaterji. The stamp was issued on Dec 30, 1976.

23. Phonograph

This stamp showcases a phonograph and was issued on 20 July 20, 1977. Phonograph was first introduced in 1877.

24. Charlie Chaplin

This amazing entertainer also got a place in India’s stamps. The stamp was issued on April 16, 1978 to acknowledge his birthday. Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 and passed away on December 25, 1977.

25. 100 years of Post Card

The stamp was issued on July 2, 1979 to mark 100 years of the post card.

All pics courtesy: indiapost.gov.in

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