2017-05-16 Tue

"Cambaet is a great kingdom. There is a great deal trade. Merchants come here with many ships and cargoes..." – Marco Polo

This Court fee stamp was issued by the Princely state of Cambay from 1933- 1944 AD.

Cambay or Kambat, which is located at the head of the Gulf of Gujarat, was founded as a state in 1730 by the second last Nawab of Mughal Empire, Mirza Ja'fa Mu'min Khan I. He was the last of the Mughal governors of Gujarat at the time of decline of the Mughal rule in India.

Mumin Khan I, establishes the state of Cambay by defeating Nizam Khan (Brother-in-law). But during that time British forces were strengthening their hold over India. British took Cambay in 1780 AD and later on it was restored to the Marathas in 1783 AD. Later on, it became a British Protectorate in 1817 AD.

This revenue stamp was issued by the Princely state of Cambay printed by the local post. It navigated within the state border to collect fee or tax for the maintenance of the state.

Some Interesting facts:
• The state of Cambay was taken by the British army lead by General Goddard Richards.
• It cedes to British by the Peshwa after the ‘Treaty of Bassein' in 1803.
• The old Hindu name of Kambat was ‘Kambavati'- City of Pillar.
• It was the only state in the Kaira Agency of the Gujarat division of Bombay Presidency.
• The state was provided with the railway in 1901.

To learn more about Princely state click here.