Our Stamps Tell India's Story: 21 Old Beauties

India has issued over 3,000 postage stamps since Independence -- stamps that are reminders of who we are & our rich inheritance. They honour our identity, culture, leaders, legends, land, animals, plants, monuments, historical events, institutions, scientific achievements. Indian philately mirrors our nation's journey. The first stamp issued on November 21, 1947, featuring the national flag, was for 3½ annas. Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Mahatma Gandhi

Incidentally, there were pre-Independence stamps too. Some were issued by the British government in India and others by princely states. The first stamp celebrating India's tallest leader was fittingly issued on August 15, 1948, in the year he was assassinated. It was for Rs 10. Read on for a peek at a few at our interesting early post-Independence stamps... Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

The First Flight Of Air India International

Issued : June 8 , 1948 Value : 12 annas Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Rejoicing Crowds

Issued : January 26 1950 Value : 2 annas Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Asian Games

Issued : March 4, 1951 Value : 12 annas Pic: Kind courtesy Indian Post/Wikimedia Commons

Ghalib

Issued : October 1, 1952 Value : 4½ annas Postal Stamp Serial No 0341 was issued to honour Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib. Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Centenary Of Indian Railways

Issued : April 16, 1953 Value : 2 annas Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Telegraph Centenary

Issued : November 1, 1953 for the centenary which was from 1851 to 1951 Value : 2 annas Pic: Kind courtesy Muddy Rhino/Wikimedia Commons

Cycle, Train, Ship And Plane

Issued : October 1, 1954 Value : 4 annas Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Education, Children's Day

Issued : November 14, 1957 Value : 15 naya paise Pic: Post of India/Wikimedia Commons

Centenary Of Bombay University

Issued : December 31, 1957 Value : 10 naya paise Pic: Kind courtesy Muddy Rhino/Wikimedia Commons

Yaksha in Kalidasa's Meghaduta

Issued : June 22, 1960 Value : 15 naya paise Pic: Kind courtesy Post of India/Wikimedia Commons

Rhino

Issued : October 1, 1962 Value : 15 naya paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

19th International Congress of Ophthalmology

Issued : December 3, 1962 Value : 15 naya paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

Dr Waldemar Mordecai Wolff Haffkine

Issued : March 16, 1964 Value : 15 naya paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

St Thomas

Issued : December 2, 1964 Value : 15 paise Pic: Kind courtesy 99v/Wikimedia Commons

Death Centenary Of Abraham Lincoln

Issued : A pril 15, 1965 Value : 15 paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

4th Indian General Election

Issued : January 13, 1967 Value: 15 paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

INS Nilgiri

Issued : December 15, 1968 Value : 20 paise Pic: Kind courtesy Muddy Rhino/Wikimedia Commons

50th Anniversary Of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Amritsar

Issued : April 13, 1969 Value : 20 p Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

50th Anniversary of Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi

Issued : October 29, 1970 Value : 20 paise Pic: Kind courtesy India Post/Wikimedia Commons

'We can't do away with the Mughals' Indian History Could Have Changed If... CLICK HERE