2017-01-03 Tue

This is a court fees stamp issued by the princely state of Banswara in Rajputana agency.

These kinds of stamps are issued by the princely state for the payment or prepayment of the fees or taxes imposed by the government.These stamps prove that taxes have been paid and act as a legal document. The first prepaid stamp was introduced in the 17th century in Netherlands and later William and Mary of England’s reign in 1653.

This violet coloured stamp depicts an illustrative border with ‘Banswara State’ at the top of the arc and the portrait of the Maharawal in the middle which divides Court and fees and below in Devanagari ‘ Banswara court fees’ is depicted with denomination five rupees in the left corner. This stamp was used in between 1925-1945 AD.

The Banswara state was established in 1538 when Durgapur was divided between the two sons of Maharawal. The royal lineage of Banswara throne is ruled by the Sisodia Rajputs who claimed to be descendent of the Maharana of Mewar and Udaipur.

In the 18th century due the constant attack from Maratha’s in Deccan they signed the alliance with East India Company. In 1949 Banswara state joined the Indian union and today it’s a part of Rajasthan state.