Indian First War of Independence 1857
A commemorative postage stamp on the Martyrs of the First War of Indian Independence (Sipahi Vidroh), 1857 Revolution :
Issued by India
Issued on May 9, 1988
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a stamp as a tribute to the memory of those who laid down their lives over 130 years ago.
Description of Designs : The stamp depicts M.F. Husain’s painting on Rani Lakshmi Bai, who was transformed from a queen leading a life of luxury to a warrior leading her armies into battle against injustice. The first day cover is a visual of the uprising of the Indian Sepoys, and the cancellation shows a sword held in a woman’s hand, depicting the idea that the First War of Independence reached even the homes and hearths of Indians. The first day cover is designed by Shri Sankha Samantha and cancellation by Smt. Nenu Gupta.
Type : Stamp, Mint condition
Colour : Multi colour
Denomination : 60 Paise
Overall size : 5.8 x 3.91 cms.
Printing size : 5.435 x 3.55 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported unwatermarked P.G. Matt coated stamp paper
Number Printed : 15,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 40 x 2
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printed : India Security Press
About :
- 10th May, 1857. This date is written in golden letters in the history of Modern India. On this day, at Meerut, began the movement which culminated on 15th August, 1947. “Long years ago we had a tryst with destiny”, Jawaharlal Nehru said, perhaps referring to this day when a determined group of freedom fighters raised a battle-cry against the might of the British Empire.
- For long, British historians tried to dismiss this momentous event as a mere uprising of some disgruntled soldiers, a mutiny which was curbed quickly. Curbed it was and mercilessly, but it was the first abundant expression of India’s desire for a free nation.
- On this day we also remember those nameless soldiers, fighters, warriors, farmers and women who united under leaders like Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tantia Tope, Nana Saheb, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Mangal Pandey to wage war against a mighty foreign empire. These warriors came from all parts of the country and belonged to various religions, castes and sects. In this coming together against oppression and injustice, they forgot barriers of religion, caste and distance and fought as one. Before their eyes unfolded a vision of freedom. Success was not certain but this did not deter them.
