| Postal Stamp Image |
: |
 |
| Stamp Issue Date |
: |
03/08/1984 |
| Postage Stamp Dinomination |
: |
1.50 |
| Postal Stamp Serial Number |
: |
1133 |
| Postal Stamp Name |
: |
SIMHAGAD |
| Stamp Information |
: |
THE FORTS OF INDIA
Built by titans and lit by the glory of fire, blood and love- the grandest sights in India. The Forts of India, stand as befitting 'monuments' to the pride, courage and chivalry of the rulers and people of India who relentlessly strove against invading armies to preserve their freedom and to keep alive their fait and their culture.
SIMHAGAD
Formerly known as Kondhana, the earliest mention of this Fort is to be found in Isamis Futuh-us-Salatin, when the Fort was taken over by Mohammad-bin-Tughluq from the Kolis. The Fort was again captured by Malik Ahmed Nizam, the founder of Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmadnagar in 1483 AD. The Fort was given in Jagir to Shivaji's father Sahaji Bhosle by the Nizamshah of Ahmadnagar. The Fort had to be handed over to the Bijapur Sultan, from whom Shivaji captured the Fort by force, and it remained in his possession for a long time with the exception of a short period. In the beginning of 1670 AD Shivaji's Infantry General Tanaji Malusare captured the Fort from the Mughals, but lost his life in the action. From this incident springs the story that Shivaji renamed the Fort as Simhagad after Tanaji. From Shivaji the Fort further changed hands, to Aurangzeb, to Marathas, to Mughals, to the Peshwas and finally to the British.
Shaped like an axe with a short handle, the Fort occupies on area of about two-square miles. The top is very rugged and surrounded by strong fortification on all sides, and is flanked by 33 towers or bastions. Only those parts of the hill which are naturally protected by steep precipices are left without walls and it is the western part of these natural fortifications that Tanaji Malusare is said to have scaled in his invasion of the Fort,
The Fort is situated about 15 miles to the south west of Pune, 4322 feet above the sea level and 2300 feet about Pune plains.
The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a set of four stamps on the Forts of India. |
| Philatelic Stamp Description |
: |
Description of Designs
The 50, 100, 150 and 200 P. stamp depict the Forts of Gwalior, Velore, Simhagad and Jodhpur respectively. The stamp have been designed by the India Security Press, Nasik. The First Day Cover has been designed by Alka Sharma and the cancellation by Nenu Bagga. |
| Stamp Currency |
: |
R |
| Stamp Type |
: |
COMMEMORATIVE |
| Stamp Language |
: |
English |
| Stamp Overall Size |
: |
3.91 x 2.9 |
| Postal Stamp Print Size |
: |
3.55 X 2.5 cms. |
| Number of Stamps Per Sheet |
: |
35 |
| Stamp Perforations |
: |
13 x 13 |
| Postal Stamp Shape |
: |
Vertical |
| Postage Stamp Paper |
: |
Unwatermarked Gummed coated stamp paper |
| Indian Stamp Process |
: |
Photogravure |
| Number of stamps printed |
: |
15,00,000 |
| Stamp Printed At |
: |
India Security Press |
| Indian Stamp's Color |
: |
Multicolour |
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