Sirmaur

The Hill State of Nahan

Sirmaur State was a princely state founded in 1616, located in the region that now forms the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The state was also popularly known as Nahan, after its principal town and capital.

Sirmaur was ruled by Rajput chiefs who bore the title of Raja. The state was established by Soba Rawal, who assumed the name Raja Sobans Prakash upon ascending the throne. In 1621, Raja Karam Prakash founded a new capital at Nahan and renamed the state Sirmaur, marking a significant phase in its political consolidation.

Nestled in the Shivalik hills, Sirmaur maintained its distinct identity under British paramountcy while preserving its traditional administrative structure and royal lineage.

Philatelic Significance

Sirmaur occupies a special place in India’s philatelic history. The stamps of Sirmaur are often regarded as among the most attractive issues of the Indian feudatory states. Issued from 1879 onwards, these stamps were generally denominated in pies and annas.

Characterized by elegant designs and distinctive inscriptions, Sirmaur stamps reflected both artistic finesse and administrative necessity. Today, they are highly valued by collectors for their beauty, rarity, and historical importance within the broader narrative of princely state postal systems.

Commemorative Stamp

To honour the historical and philatelic legacy of Sirmaur State, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp. The stamp celebrates the state’s contribution to India’s rich heritage, particularly its role in governance, cultural development, and the evolution of postal services during the princely era.