The first stamp of independent India shows the new Indian Flag. It was meant for foreign correspondence.

Indian postal systems for efficient military and governmental communications had developed long before the arrival of Europeans. Although the Indian Post Office was established in 1837, Asia's first adhesive stamp, the Scinde Dawk, was introduced in 1852 by Sir Bartle Frere, the British East India Company's administrator of the province of Sind. After the Independence of India in 1947, the Indian postal service continues to function on a countrywide basis and provides many valuable, low cost services to the public of India.



The second stamp depicts the Asokan lions capital, the national emblem of India, and is for domestic use.


The De La Rue design for the Recess Printed issues: an 1856 color imprimatur, 2 annas "bottle green"


Stamp of 4 annas printed in year 1854


One rupee stamp of Edward VII printed in 1902


The 1931 series celebrated the inauguration of New Delhi as the seat of government. The one rupee stamp shows the Secretariat and Dominion Columns.


The Rs 10 stamp showing Mahatma Gandhi, released August 15, 1948


Satrunjaya, Jain temple complex near Palitana, August 15, 1949. Indian stamps reflect the country's old and rich cultural heritage.