Henry Heras (1888-1955) Commemoration
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | December 14, 1981 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | 35 p |
| Quantity | 2,000,000 |
| Perforation | comb 14½ x 14 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Rose lilac |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 893 Stamp Number IN 947 Yvert et Tellier IN 694 Stanley Gibbons IN 1030 |
| Themes | Archaeologists | Commemoration | Famous people | Historians | Men |
Henry Heras, born in Barcelona, Spain in 1888, embarked on a remarkable journey of scholarly exploration in India. Joining the Society of Jesus in 1904 and later ordained as a priest, he arrived in India in 1922, beginning his tenure at St. Xavier’s College, Bombay. Heras’s profound curiosity about Indian history and culture spurred him to establish the Indian Historical Institute in 1926, which eventually evolved into the prestigious Heras Institute of Indian History and Culture.
Initially focusing on Mughal history and Jesuit sources, Heras soon turned his attention to the enigmatic discoveries at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. His relentless pursuit of deciphering the Indus Valley script led to groundbreaking insights culminating in his seminal work, “Studies in Proto-Indo-Mediterranean Culture” in 1955. Heras proposed the groundbreaking idea that the language of the Indus Valley civilization was linked to ancient civilizations of Sumer, Egypt, and the Mediterranean.
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, Heras played a pivotal role in nurturing historical research in India. He co-founded the Bombay Historical Society and actively participated in various historical associations, including the Indian Historical Records Commission and the Indian History Congress. Embracing his adopted homeland fully, Heras became an Indian citizen upon the country’s establishment as a republic.
Heras’s legacy extended beyond academia. He championed Indian Christian art, fostering a synthesis of Christian themes with Indian symbols and artistic styles. His support for young artists and exhibitions in major cities like Bombay, Rome, Madrid, and Lisbon earned him the title of the “Father of Indian Christian Art.”
Henry Heras passed away in Bombay in 1955, leaving behind a rich legacy of scholarship, cultural appreciation, and artistic patronage. The Indian Post & Telegraphs Department pays tribute to his contributions by issuing a commemorative stamp in his honor, recognizing his profound impact on Indian historiography and cultural discourse.