INDIA
Stamps Portray Creative Cultures
by
Daniel Keren
Dominating the populous sub-continent of southern, central Asia is the Republic of India. Independent since 1947, the world's largest democracy is home to more than 600 million people who speak over 1500 different languages within the confines of the approximate 1,200,000 square mile territory. the journey from a feudal past to the technological opportunities of the twentieth century, has been a major challenge to the leaders of India; and the obstacles of success have served as the focus for the many of the stamps that have been released by the India Post Office.
The two predominant ethnic groups makeup the bulk of the Indian population are the Dravidian and Aryan races. Surviving in the more remote areas of the republic are about 20 million aboriginals from such tribes as the Todas, Bondos, Gonds, Nagas and Kanis. While hosting considerable minority communities of Moslems, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsis; the overwhelming majority of Indians observe the doctrines of the Hindu Religion in their worship.

Colonial History

The most significant event in the modern history of India occurred when the British finally consented to granting their largest colony its independence following the second world war. The story of the European Colonial tradition in India dates to just before the turn of the 16th century when the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed in Calcutta. By 1510 the Portuguese claimed their first colony at Goa. In the following years other European powers, most notably Britain, France and Holland were attracted to the rich trade markets that India offered. Gradually, by the late 18th century, the British had forced out other European contenders and proceeded to consolidate its control on the vast subcontinent. Within the next one hundred years it would complete its power drive that would culminate in the symbolic crowning of Queen Victoria as the Empress of India.

Independence

At about this time, the nationalistic drive of the growing Indian intelligencia erupted. Educated at newly established European-style universities, these individuals became envious to the democratic liberties that they observed to be permitted to the citizens of England. In the beginning of this century, the movement towards ultimate Independence was let by Mahatma Gandhi, the universally respected advocated of non violent civil disobedience and the more pragmatic Jawaharlal Nehru . Realizing that the yearning of the Indian masses for true freedom could no longer be put off, the British Government of Prime Minister Clement Atlee agreed to a program that would partition the giant colony into separate Hindu (India) and Moslem (Pakistan) dominions. In 1971 the eastern part of Pakistan would separate form the west and establish the Bengali Republic of Bangladesh.

The stamps of independent India reflect on both the past cultural glories of a dynamic nation and the current aspirations of a people desperately battling the grinding influences of an increasing population problem, lack of adequate employment opportunities, a debilitating caste system and the depressing effects of a timeless impoverishment.

Royal Leader

In 1974 two interesting stamps were released to honor individual Indians who played an important role in the governing o this most strategic land. Featured on Scott #606 is the 25 paise issue that commemorated the 300th anniversary of the royal coronation of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1627-80) as the enlightened ruler of the Maratha community
  

Sc # 606
Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Kamala
A later release, Scott #613, focused on the 75th anniversary of the birth of Kamala Nehru (1889-1936). Not only was this woman an ardent champion of India's freedom, but she was the loyal wife of Jawaharlal Nehru who would, after her death, succeed to govern as the first prime minister of an independent India. In addition, her daughter, Indira Gandhi would later rise to power after the death of her father and assume the position of prime minister. This is a major accomplishment in a land where the rights and options of women have been so limited. 

Sc# 613
Kamala Nehru 
Silver Jubilee
In 1973, India celebrated the 25th anniversary of her modern independence. A number of stamps were issued to highlight the achievements of the Silver Jubilee year. Based on famous photograph taken by an American journalist; the India Post Office released Scott #589 a 20 paise stamp that caught Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru in a light mood during the days preceding the end of British Colonialism. The ascetic and pacific Gandhi would be gunned down in 1948 by a  fanatic Hindu
 
 

Sc# 589
Gandhi and Nehru
assassin who objected o his compromising attitude with regards to the Moslem minority within India. Nehru would continue to steer India through a neutralist policy and gain respect of the world leaders as one of the leading architects of the Third World non-aligned movement. Hundreds of millions of his countrymen would mourn his passing away in 1964 at the age of 75.

Population

The vast population of India has always been a major concern to the nation's leaders. The awesome responsibility of trying to ensure that enough food exists to feed the people has always occupied a significant share of the government's attention.
  

Sc# 538
Census Centenary


Through various programs, the citizens are being encouraged to try and limit the sizes of their families. A major obstacle is that this runs against the grain of traditional cultural beliefs. In 1971 to mark the centenary of the first national census count, India released Scott# 538 which graphically depicted a cross -section of the multi-ethnic population. the figures and date compiled from this significant census will play an important part in the planning of the government for years to come.

Stressing Nationhood

Dozens of stamps have been issued by the India Post Office to commemorate individuals who have made noted contributions to the national culture through such mediums as poetry, philosophy, theology, science, engineering and public service. 

Sc# 560
Vemana
These issues play a valuable role in instilling national pride among the hundreds of millions of Indians. Symbolic of these stamps  is the 1972 value, Scott #560, which honored the much respected 18th century poet-Vemana.

Dance & Military Traditions

The interesting cultural activities of India have always attracted enormous foreign interest. Pictured on a 1975 stamp, (Scott #694) is a young woman performing the traditional Kathak dance. 

Sc# 694
Traditional Kathak Dance

Sc# 593
President's Bodyguard
The military tradition of this large nation is both long and proud. Dedicated to serving the interests of the people, Indian troops have developed a colorful history. One of he many units to have distinguished themselves was the President's Body Guard that was honoured by a 1973 stamp (Scott #593) on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.

Philatelic Challenge

Obviously one can only hope to just scratch the surface of the topic, when attempting to discuss the general philatelic program of a nation as vast and complex as India. The stamps definitely portray valid aspects of an emerging superpower that is struggling to assess its role in today's complex world. The postal issues reflect themes that are basically relevant to the culture, history and aspirations of the Indian people. Many stamp collectors will eventually find their curiosities drawn to this challenging philatelic area. The possibility of carving out unique collections of merit exist in abundance to those who can combine the necessary attributes of diligence and creative imagination.

Credits, Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
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