2016-11-30 Wed

“In heaven, Lord Ganesha will establish the predominance of gods, on earth that of people, in the nether world that of serpents and anti-gods”
- A Hymn from Sri Bhagavat-Tathva

This Ganapati stamp was issued by the princely state of Datia (Duttia) in between 1839 to 1920 AD.

The princely state of Datia (Duttia) formed a part of Bundelkhand region in 1626 AD. This lineage of Bundela Rajput clan descended from the Orchha rulers. India in colonial period had many feudatory states; Duttia was one amongst them which had its own postal service.

This stamp was printed locally using primitive method generally typographic, which makes it a rare and a valuable and interesting specimen for the collection. This stamp portrays the image of a seated Ganapati in the centre with inscription “Duttia State Postage” in roman script and “two Anna” in Devanagari on the bottom with a circular hand-stamp seal in the background.

This stamp is considered by some specialists to be the first stamp of Duttia, possibly issued during 1839. A total of 29 series of stamps were issued until 1920. And these stamps are often referred ugly due to the printing method and design.

From 1921 AD Indian stamps were used in the postal service of Datia state. Later on, after the independence, Datia with other Bundelkhand agency became the part of Vindhya Pradesh in 1950 and joined the Madhya Pradesh within the Indian union in 1956.