On May 22, 1970, India Post issued a 20 paise stamp to honor Sher Shah Suri, the brilliant 16th-century strategist and ruler who founded the Sur Empire. Though his reign lasted only five years, his administrative and economic reforms were so robust that they provided the blueprint for subsequent Mughal and British governance in India.
The stamp recognizes his legacy as a master builder and administrator. He is most famously credited with rebuilding the Grand Trunk Road, an ancient artery connecting Kabul to Chittagong, ensuring the safety of travelers by establishing sarais (rest houses) at regular intervals. Perhaps his most enduring contribution was the introduction of the silver coin known as the Rupiya, which serves as the direct ancestor of the modern Rupee used today across several nations.
Sher Shah Suri’s governance was characterized by a sophisticated land revenue system and a highly organized postal service using horse-mounted couriers, which revolutionized communication and trade. This commemorative issue pays tribute to a visionary leader whose infrastructure projects and fiscal policies laid the foundational stones for the modern Indian state’s administrative machinery.
On May 20, 1970, India Post issued a 20 paise stamp to commemorate the Inauguration of the New Headquarters of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Bern, Switzerland. This issue celebrated the completion of a modern architectural landmark for the UPU, which has served as the heartbeat of global postal coordination since its establishment by the Treaty of Bern in 1874.
The stamp honors the UPU’s pivotal role as a specialized agency of the United Nations, responsible for ensuring the "single postal territory" concept. This principle allows mail to move across international borders under standardized rules and rates, effectively making global communication a universal right. By featuring the new headquarters, the stamp recognized the transition of the postal world into a more modern, integrated era of technological and logistical cooperation.
For philatelists, this release is a significant part of "Postal History" themes, as it pays tribute to the very organization that makes international philately possible. It remains a symbol of global unity and the enduring importance of written communication in bridging the gap between diverse nations and cultures.
Issued on April 22, 1970, this commemorative stamp honors the birth centenary of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the revolutionary leader who dedicated his life to the working class. The design celebrates his enduring legacy as a central figure in global political history and his role in organizing workers against the Czarist regime. Printed by the Security Printing Press in Nashik, this 20 nP denomination stamp marks a significant anniversary for the influential head of state.
Swami Shraddhanand, also known as Mahatma Munshi Ram, emerged as a stalwart figure in India’s struggle for independence and social reform during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in 1856 in Talwan (Jullundur) into a respected Khatri family, Swami Shraddhanand initially pursued a career in law but was drawn to the call of […]
Nalanda College, located in Biharsharif, Bihar, holds the distinction of being the oldest college affiliated with Magadh University. Its origins trace back to the establishment of the Bihar English High School a century ago, with the first batch of students appearing for examinations in 1871 under the Calcutta University. The transformation of the school into […]
Munshi Newal Kishore, often hailed as the Caxton of India, was a visionary figure whose pioneering efforts in publishing and various other fields left an indelible mark on Indian society. Born on January 3, 1836, into an orthodox Brahmin family in Aligarh, he possessed an uncompromisingly universal outlook from a young age. At the tender […]
C. N. Annadurai, affectionately known as “ANNA” among millions of Tamilians, was born on September 15, 1909, in a lower middle-class family in Kancheepyram. Educated at Pachaiappa’s High School and later Pachiappa’s College in Madras, he demonstrated remarkable skills in oratory in both Tamil and English, as well as a talent for journalism from a […]
12th Plenary Assembly of CCIR (the International Radio Consultative Committee) convened in New Delhi on January 21, 1970, to address technical and operational issues pertaining to radio communication and to formulate recommendations on these matters. These assemblies typically occur approximately every three years. Established in 1927, the CCIR operates as one of the permanent organs […]
Thakkar Bapa, born on November 29, 1869, into a middle-class family in Bhanagar, Saurashtra, was originally named Amrit Lal by his father, Vithal Das Thakur. His upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of benevolence and service to humanity, which would shape his life’s work. After obtaining his Licenciate in Civil Engineering from Poona in […]
Sadhu Vaswani, born on November 25, 1879, in Hyderabad (Sind), was an extraordinary individual who left an indelible mark on Indian society through his profound teachings and selfless service. After excelling academically and serving as a professor at various prestigious institutions, Vaswani felt a deep calling to dedicate his life to the service of God […]
