Tonk State - War Purposes Fund Label

In last 1 week, my theory was put on test where I have always claimed the worst disease one can get is fever and cold :-) And I always make it to point that I don't take medications. For some reason, I am totally against medication until it becomes question of life and death! Everyone have their so called theories and this is mine. But, I didn't realise that the one I got last week was really a bad one and caused infection in eyes and throat. I followed my theory for 3 days only to be scolded by parents and finally acceded to medicines. Naturally, my theory spoiled whole of my week because of discomfort I was having in eyes, throat and body. I came to realization that fever and cold was indeed worst disease but more than that I should still continue with my theory in a bit refined fashion i.e. if you see things getting worse then immediately consult doctor and take medicines before get scolded :D

Moving on to today's topic, it is about a War Purposes Fund label issued by princely state of Tonk during WW2 period. Princely state of Tonk was formerly part of Southeast Rajputana States Agency which is now part of modern state of Rajasthan in India. This state, situated partly in Rajputana and partly in Central Indian, consisted of six non-contiguous districts.

The state was granted 17 gun salute. It accessed to India on 7th April 1949. Even though, I couldn't find much information on Tonk state contribution on WWI and WWII on internet but based on war fund label items issued by Tonk state one can easily guess that it contributed a lot to British Empire in WWII since not many states had issued such labels except for Princely state of Hyderabad and Dewas Jr & Sr.

Shown above is 2 of such labels issued by Tonk State. It was of denomination of 1 anna and had text written in English and Urdu in red color:

T O N K
WAR PURPOSES FUND

It show a tower on the left (I have yet to determine which historical building it is currently) and war planes on upper right side. In fact, similar design was issued for Hyderabad War Purposes Fund Label so I assume the designer and possibly printer may be same. The difference in Hyderabad label was that it used Charminar on left side and many language illustrations on right side. I really wonder why other princely states didn't follow suite or perhaps followed, but so far I haven't seen any such examples. It would have made a great theme to collect the various designs of such label issued by different princely states where each was showing its historical place/symbol.

Anyway, Tonk state is also supposed to have issued Cash Coupons on same design pattern during WWII. I am providing a sample of such Cash Coupons (I have yet to get my hands on it).

If anyone have any information on Tonk State contribution during WWII or any cash coupons issued then please contact me. I will be more than happy to buy Tonk State Cash Coupons.

Datia State - WWII Red Cross Stamp

It's long time since I have shared some stamps so I decided to cover stamps issued by another princely state today. These are not usual war fund or war contribution stamps rather a red cross stamps!

Datia or Duttia was a princely state in formerly Central India (Bundelkhand) agency. It lay in the extreme north-west of Bundelkhand, near Gwalior, and was surrounded on all sides by other princely states of Central India, except on the east where it bordered upon the United Provinces.

It was second highest in the rank of all the Bundela states after Orchha, with a 17-gun salute, and its Maharajas bore the hereditary title of Second of the Princes of Bundelkhand.

During WWII, Datia was ruled by Hon. Lt. Col. HH Maharaja Lokendra Sir Govind Singh Ju Dev Bahadur. He was born in 1886, G.C.I.E. [cr.1932], K.C.S.I. [cr.1918] and ruled 1907-1951. The Maharaja was Vice President of the St John Ambulance Association and Patron of the Red Cross Society.

Perhaps, the closeness of Maharaja to Red Cross and St John Ambulance association suggests why Datia issued Red Cross stamps.

Shown above is what is called Type 26 of Datia stamp, listed in K&M (Koeppel - Raymond D. Manners "The Court Fee and Revenue Stamps of the Princely States of India" catalogue) as #261. The stamps were issued sometime between 1937-45. Exact date of issue is unknown.

Most of these were hand printed on wove paper. The denomination was of 1 anna with Datia State printed in oval shape and Maharaja's photo in centre. It is also known as Type 25.

The Red Cross issue was type 25 redrawn and 10-1/2 perforated. It was printed in booklets with the word "RED CROSS" added either above or below the design in serif, sans-serif, or upper and lower case letters. Broken and misaligned letters are also known to be in existence.

There are various varieties in existence:
1 anna, brown, (shades)
(a) Imperf.
(b) "RED CRCSS" error below design.
(c) "RE CROSS" error above design.
(d) brown-violet.

I have two varieties as shown above in my collection. I am naturally looking for (a), (b) and (c) to add to my collection :-) If any of my readers have such stamp in spare and willing to sell then let me know.

The Maharaja of Datia finally acceded Datia unto the dominion of India on 1st January 1950; it later merged with the union of India. Datia, together with the rest of the Bundelkhand agency, became part of the new state of Vindhya Pradesh in 1950. In 1956, Vindhya Pradesh state was merged with certain other areas to form the state of Madhya Pradesh within the Union of India.

Mysore State War Fund Label/Stamp

Today's items is about War Fund stamps/labels issued by Mysore State during WWI. Well, the name of Mysore brings image of the Palace and Brindavan Gardens in memory. Most of the people who visits India will be familiar with Mysore. It is one of the most friendly and popular city among tourists all over the world.

In fact, because of its proximity to Bangalore, we ensure that our colleagues who visit us from our office in US and China do make a trip to Mysore and surrounding places before returning. You can say we run an "Incredible India!" campaign free of cost for the benefit of Government of India. They shall list us in their website at least as one of partners in promoting tourism :-)

Anyway, let's get back to actual item. In short, the princely state of Mysore was a 21 gun salute state and one of the largest under British India. It was founded in 1399 and finally acceded to India in 1947. You can read more about the Mysore at Wikipedia. There are tons of article available on Mysore on Internet.

Kingdom of Mysore
Princely States of India

I will concentrate more on the war efforts part of Mysore state in this post. During WWI, state of Mysore was ruled by His Highness the Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV. The Maharaja offered to His Majesty's Government the military and other resources of his state for the Imperial purposes. He offered the Imperial Services Lancers which under the command of Urs Bahadur, left Bangalore on October 13, 1914 and took part in three engagements with the enemy in the Suez Canal zone. The state contributed 1355 combatants to the Imperial Service Troops and supplied over 6500 recruits to Regular Indian Army.

The Mysore Lancers played a leading role in pursuing Turkish forces after their unsuccessful attack on the Suez Canal in February 1915. They were responsible for the defense of the breach in the British line at Gaza in September 1917. The Lancers distinguished themselves in the capture of Gaza and were acclaimed far and wide for their daring charges against the enemy across the Jordan in July 1918. In the final defeat of the Turkish army in September 1918 the Mysore Lancers were once again conspicuous notably in the capture of Haifa, Homs, Alleppo and Maritan.

After the first world war the Mysore Lancers were again recognized to form part of the Indian State Forces with which they remained till the integration of the country after Independence and the amalgamation of the State Forces with the Indian Army.

The Maharaja also supplied ambulance carts and trained horses. Besides he contributed 50 Lakhs of rupees towards the cost of the Indian Expeditionary Forces in Europe, 10 Lakhs as free gifts, 14 Lakhs to Relief Fund, 65 Lakhs to War Loans, 21 Lakhs in British and 19.5 Lakhs as Indian Treasury Bills.

Mysore was second only to Hyderabad state in terms of contribution towards War purpose accounting all sort of war relief, loan and other funds. Naturally for the Maharaja's great effort he was awarded GCSI (Knight Grand Commander) by the British Empire. The award was created in 1861 and was the senior order of chivalry associated with the Empire of India.

Shown above is a special cover issued by Bangalore G.P.O. on 15th October 2008 on the occasion of Philatelic Exhibition on Post Office in Bangalore. The special cover carries pictorial presentation of picture postcard issued by British India showing His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore riding a horse and it mentions the reason for issuing such postcard as benefit of M.I.S.L. War Fund (Mysore Imperial Services Lancers War Fund).

The special cover also carries a special postmark of "War Fund Mysore State" with Mysore Palace shown. The design of postmark was borrowed from actual War Fund stamp/label issued during WWI by Mysore State as shown below.

Well, the general people of Mysore were never behind the Maharaja. They contributed nearly 45 Lakhs of rupees to different War funds and the war loans. Some 19,000 army blankets were supplied by the state, along with the 1,50,000 feet of rose wood to the Gun carriage factory at Jabbalpore (now Jabalpur) and 30,000 teak metre gauge sleepers for railway construction in Mesopotamia. The pecuinary assistance rendered by His Highness, his state and his people amounted to over 2 Crore of rupees.

Shown above is 2 different kinds of War Fund stamps/labels issued during WWI by Mysore State. Both of stamps/labels are of denomination of 1/2 anna each but in different color carmine red and violet. The stamp/label show the Mysore Palace in centre. Well, I have no catalogue to quote here how many such varieties or different denominations exist. In fact, getting a Mysore state War Fund stamps/labels are now very very difficult.

To conclude the War saga of Mysore state, let me post some of other information I could gather from Internet after WWI ended. At the end of WWI, a peace celebration was held in the city for 4 days from December 13, 1919, on which Rs. 10,000 was spent. The programmes included feeding and distribution of clothers to the poor, religious services in all places of worship, organising Bhajans and Harikathas in select locatlities, march past by the troops, music, distribution of sweets to school children and organising of sports events for them, along with exhibitions and public meetings. Public buildings were illuminated and crackers were burst (obviously!!!).

Even though, WWI ended in 1918-19 and WWII ended in 1945-46, Mysore Palace continues to be illuminated every night. In fact, watching the Palace illuminated at night has become one of major tourist attraction of state.

And talking about bursting crackers, well Indians are never enough of it. We look for excuse to burst crackers whether it is a festival, a marriage or a cricket match!

Banganapally State - Madras War Fund Seal

It's long time since I showed some war fund stamps. Today's item is not an ordinary war fund stamp but a rare item nowadays. I have to admit the fact that I was so fascinated with this item when I saw first time on eBay for sale that I decided to buy it. And I won eventually, of course spending a huge amount.

It is one of the costliest item I have purchased ever on ebay :-) But I still think I got a good deal given rarity of this item. It is a true gem. I know how I pursued behind dealers to get even one stamp of this nature only to be asked is there really such stamp in existence? To prove all those dealers wrong, I bought a complete booklet of this stamp :D

Banganapalli or Banganapally or Banganapalle became a princely state of British India in the early 1800s. The British governor of the Madras Presidency twice took over the administration of the state for financial mismanagement, the first time from 1832 to 1848, and the second time for a few months in 1905. On the eve of bankruptcy more than 50% of the revenue was being expended for the maintenance of the Nawab and the family!

The princely state of Banganapally, 275 square miles in size, with a population of 44,631 (1941 census), the majority being Hindus was the only Muslim soverign state down south in British India, ruled by the Nawab of the Shia sect. Urdu was the court language until 1939, when it was replaced by English, Telugu being used at the village level.

In 1948, the ruler of Banganapally acceded to newly-independent India, and Banganapally was incorporated into Kurnool district of the then Madras Presidency. In 1953, the northern districts of Madras state, including Kurnool district, became the new state of Andhra Pradesh.

Shown above is front cover of complete booklet of 64 Banganapally State revenue stamps with Madras War Fund Seals. The stamps were issued between 1939 - 42, size of 27 x 33 mm with perforation of 12 on wove paper in demonitaion of 3 pies. The color of stamp is Green with Madras War Fund Seal printed in black sans-serif caps in upper half of oval portrait. As usual, the reason of issuing this stamp was to raise fund during World War II for fighting troops.

Strangely, this stamp is not listed in K&M (Koeppel - Raymond D. Manners "The Court Fee and Revenue Stamps of the Princely States of India" catalogue) though the same stamp with overprint in dark blue in rectangular box in sans-serif caps with "ONE ANNA" is listed as Type 11. That's the reason above stamp is called Type 10 by some philatelists.

It's no wonder that used example of this stamp is extremely rare given the fact that mint stamp itself is difficult to get.

Last but the least, Banganapally is famous in current southern India for its famous Mangoes named after it "Banganapally Mangoes"!!

Jhalawar War Tax or Weeding Revenue Stamps?

Today, we cover revenue stamps of another Indian princely states, Jhalawar.

This blog is going to be debatable because of the evidence I am going to produce to suggest that the revenue stamps presented here are related to "War Tax". Though, the catalogue book of "The Court Fee and Revenue Stamps of the Princely States of India" by Adolph Koeppel and Raymond D. Manners suggests otherwise.

Jhalawar, formerly south eastern Rajputana States Agency, is now a city in state of Rajasthan.

Shown below is example of Type 20 of size 80 x 35 mm, issued in 1940 - 45. These revenue stamps were printed in booklet pane of six on vertical laid grey Batonne paper.


These issues are known with carmine or black "W" overprinted in serif caps. The "W" is known large or small and is routinely found inverted. The value, at bottom of value circle, is a linear numeral followed by the word "anna" or "rupees", abbreviated. There are various shades known to be in existence. Leftmost above is of 8 annas, while rightmost is in denomination of 1 rupee, both on green color stamp and imperforated. Leftmost below is of 4 annas of same type.


Rightmost above is of Type 10 of size 80 x 38 mm, issued in 1940 - 49. There are three different printings. The first two are crude local prints, while the third is by rotogravure on surfaced paper. These were also issued in booklet panes of six. The above shown example is of variety (A) where printing was done on vertical laid paper, containing the linear numeral before the Hindi value spelled out in letters in the value box. The 4 a., blue in this printing is known with annas abbreviated.

As per K&M, on the second printing, an overprint in violet handstamp in English: "Weeding Already Due" is known on all values. This suggests that "W" was possibly used for "Weeding Already Due" :-) Well! I don't deny that but I have some evidence to present which suggest other meanings as well. Let's wait for that while we continue on more of these types.


Shown above and two of below pictures are of Type 36, size 26 x 31 mm, issued in 1940 - 45. These were printed on wove paper by L. V. Indap, Bombay in booklet pane of six. There are two variety of printing known in existence: the blurred and poorly inked local printing and a sharper photo-lithograph. The "W" overprint is found in black, blue or red serif caps of 3 mm height. These stamps exists in both perforated and imperforated type.


Again, "Weeding Already Due" is found on the chocolate and red colors in violet machine-stamp overprint.


Now, here is a sample of Type 36 used on document/receipt. Below image is of reverse side of the document where these revenue stamps were affixed.


The document/receipt shows some calculation done to indicate some sort of tax paid. Finally, here is the much awaited evidence which suggests usage of these stamps for war tax.


This is front portion of receipt. If you pay attention to the black arrow shown in above image, there is mention of war tax in Hindi along with tax calculation for cotton crop. This tax receipt is dated 27th January 1944 if I am not mistaken.

The receipt shows that Jhalawar revenue stamps with "W" overprint were possibly used for paying war tax as well. There is no denying of fact that "W" stands for "Weeding Already Due" as reported by K&M. But, there is another possibility that "W" is for "War Tax" or for both "War Tax" and "Weeding Already Due"?

With this, I leave the floor open for discussion among experts of philatelic community :-) Comments and opinions are as always welcome.

War Purposes Stamp - Chhatarpur

Well! It's long time again. In fact, the blog has become weekly affair. So, no more long time statements from next blog onwards. Allow me one last time today :-)

For last couple of blogs, I was trying to display variety of items like stamps, Cinderella, labels, postcard, leaflets and other postal stationery. The aim was to start series on each of such items. I guess, I have sort of achieved that.

So, today we continue on our war stamp series. Today's item is focused on another princely state of India: Chhatarpur, who had issued some war purposes revenue stamps to help British in war.

Chhatarpur is now a district in Madhya Pradesh state of Modern India. Before independence, Chhatarpur was 11 gun salute princely state, also known as central India (Bundelkhand) agency.

Well! Chhatarpur is definitely a spot on every tourist's map because of its historical background as well as closeness to world famous Khajuraho Temples. Oh ya ! I don't want to get into Khajuraho Temples. This is not the right forum to write about those magnificent artifacts ;)

Let's keep our focus on Chhatarpur. So, during world war II, the government of Chhatarpur who was under British patronage, issued series of war purposes stamps.


In fact, these were existing 1 Anna value of Type 5 & 6 court fee stamps (as they are called) which were overprinted with "War Purposes Stamp". There are several different overprints, each made by machine or hand stamp in red or black color. The above stamp for example is called of variety (I) where overprints were made in red color in serif caps letter of size 51 x 3.5 mm. The stamp itself is of green color.


Above stamp is of variety (II) which is sub-type of variety (I) but measuring 67 mm long also in blue color with red overprint.



This one is of variety (III) which was as sub-types (I) and (II), but measuring 47 mm long on blue color stamp with black overprint. While below one is of variety (IV) in sans-serif italic caps letter measuring 60 x 3 mm on blue stamp with red overprint.



And last one that I have is of same variety (IV) in sans-serif italic caps letter measuring 60 x 3 mm but with error: "PUPPOSES".



It is again in blue color but with red overprints. Of course all the stamps carried serial numbers which was originally part of Type 5 & 6 court fee stamps.

Last one is slightly rare because of error in prints. Also as usual, all the stamps were punched which was very common treatment with these revenue stamps in India :( I just hope people that time would have devised some better way to treat stamps. Anyway, there exists other variety also like (V) which is missing in my collection :-)

Hope, some day it will appear out of blue and increase value of my collection ;)

War Contribution Stamps - Dewas JB (Junior) [BBCF]

Today's item is about war contribution revenue stamps issued by one of Indian princely states: Dewas Junior. Dewas Junior, formerly central India agency (Malwa region) is now part of Madhya Pradesh state.

Dewas Junior state had established links with British in 1818 and since then they were supporting British in every cause. During 1940-45, Dewas Junior also shown as Dewas J.B. on stamps, issued series of "War Contribution" stamps. Following is one of such example:


I obtained this set from one of Indian dealer. The above stamps were called "Type 40". Exact date of issue is not known. These stamps are called of variety (C) where "Dewas State JB" was written at left in English while values in Hindi at right in red color. There are many varieties/shades known to be existing. Approx size of such stamps is 55x33 mm with perforation 10. They were issued on wove paper.

The above set which I have is affixed on a register page, used for a state guesthouse expenses. The receipt date states August 1943 with lots of entries [names] on it with their expenses. Some of entries bear thumb impression as well.