About the Collection
Jai Hind,
Like most collectors, my interest in stamps began at a very young age and continues to-date. At the age of 35, at some point in 2005, I began collecting Jai Hind as an extension of my Independent India collection. It began with the Jai Hind postmark and from thereon, I turned to Jai Hind stamps, first day covers and usages. As my collection expanded and interest deepened, an interesting aspect that I turned to was the little-known Independence cachet issued in Japan for military mail of Indian forces stationed as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force.
It is notable that the Jai Hind postmark is the first expression of Indian Independence and Jai Hind stamps are the first ‘currency’ carrying issues of the Government of Independent India. Banknotes carrying symbols of our Independence were issued in 1949 and the first such coins were issued in 1950.
Today, the collection of Independent India’s first postmark, first stamps and their related philatelic material has become increasingly popular and I have come to term it as Jai Hind Philately. As we celebrate 75 years of Indian Independence, it is the fastest growing section of Indian philately. Also, research in Jai Hind Philately has widened the subject and, in this website, I too have shared my research on different facets of Jai Hind Philately.
The website is primarily formed out of important items from my 17-year-old collection of the postmark, stamps and their usage.
My personal collection of Jai Hind postmarks from different post offices is the largest in the world.
The website also features some covers from fellow Jai Hind philatelists who share my passion for the subject. I thank them for their generosity. My desire and hope are that as more Jai Hind philatelist come to the fore and this website will lay the foundation of a Jai Hind Philately movement.
This website is a resource for not just stamp collectors but for every patriotic Indian who wants to see or learn about Independent India’s first postmark and stamps.
Thank you for visiting the website. And greetings and salutations on 75 years of our Independence.
