Lord Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) Commemoration

Admiral of the Fleet Earl Mountbatten of Burma, born Louis Mountbatten on June 25, 1900, at Frogmore House, Windsor, England, hailed from an aristocratic family with close ties to European royal households. After completing his education at Osborn and Dartmouth Colleges, he joined the Royal Navy, where he distinguished himself during the First World War, seeing action in the Battle of Jutland and developing a device for radio communication that became standard in the Royal Navy.

During the Second World War, Mountbatten’s career soared from commanding a destroyer flotilla to becoming the Supreme Allied Commander, South-East Asia. His leadership, seamanship, and daring exploits, such as commanding the destroyer HMS Kelly, earned him considerable acclaim. He held rank in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force simultaneously, a unique honor.

In 1943, Mountbatten was appointed Supreme Commander in South East Asia, overseeing significant military operations. Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, he accepted the formal surrender of Japanese southern armies in Singapore. His pivotal role in the war effort led to his appointment as the last Viceroy and first Governor General of India in 1947 by Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

Mountbatten’s tenure in India was marked by the monumental task of overseeing the country’s transition to independence, achieved in less than five months instead of the allotted 14. Despite challenges such as mass migration, lawlessness, and bloodshed, he made a lasting impact by befriending Jawaharlal Nehru and appearing alongside Mahatma Gandhi at prayer meetings in New Delhi.

After leaving India, Mountbatten returned to the Royal Navy, rising to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. He served as First Sea Lord and eventually retired in 1965 as Chief of the Defence Staff. Despite his princely birth, Mountbatten held liberal and democratic beliefs and advocated for social and political change. His enduring interest in India led him to establish the Jawaharlal Nehru Fund to support Indian students studying in Britain.

Earl Mountbatten’s extraordinary personality and contributions to India will always be remembered, earning him a place of honor among the country’s friends and well-wishers. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is honored to issue a commemorative stamp in his honor.