India – Commemorative Stamps of 1961

The year 1961 was a significant one in India’s post-independence history, marked by major political, military, and cultural developments. Most notably, India launched Operation Vijay in December to liberate Goa, Daman, and Diu from over 450 years of Portuguese colonial rule, successfully integrating them into the Indian Union. Domestically, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru continued to push forward with his vision of planned economic development through the Third Five-Year Plan, emphasising agriculture and industrial growth. In the cultural sphere, India celebrated the Centenary of the Archaeological Survey of India, recognising a century of heritage preservation. On the international stage, India was an active participant in the Non-Aligned Movement, navigating the Cold War era with a policy of neutrality and peaceful coexistence.

Thyagaraja (1767–1847) was a legendary composer and one of the greatest figures in Carnatic music, the classical music tradition of South India. Born in Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, he was a devout devotee of Lord Rama, and his compositions reflect deep spiritual devotion, lyrical beauty, and rich musical complexity. He composed over 600 kritis (devotional songs), most of them in Telugu, characterised by their emotional depth and melodic elegance. Thyagaraja was part of the revered “Trinity of Carnatic Music” alongside Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri. Despite being offered positions in royal courts, he chose a life of devotion and simplicity, devoting himself solely to music as a form of spiritual expression.

The first airmail flight in India took place on February 18, 1911, marking a significant milestone in both Indian and global aviation history. Organised as part of an exhibition in Allahabad, the flight carried approximately 6,500 letters and postcards over a distance of around 13 kilometres to Naini, across the Yamuna River. The mail was flown by French pilot Henri Pequet in a Humber biplane, making it the world’s first official airmail flight. Though short, the flight demonstrated the potential of air transport for postal services and attracted widespread public attention. This historic event paved the way for the future of civil aviation and airmail services in India and beyond.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680) was a visionary warrior-king and the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India, renowned for his military genius, administrative acumen, and commitment to Swarajya (self-rule). Born in the hill-fort of Shivneri, he rose to prominence by challenging the dominance of the Mughal Empire and the Adil Shahi Sultanate through strategic warfare, guerrilla tactics, and the establishment of a disciplined army and navy. A progressive ruler, Shivaji promoted religious tolerance, respected women, and encouraged merit-based governance. He was crowned as Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad Fort, symbolising the assertion of indigenous rule. Revered as a hero of Indian resistance, Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy continues to inspire patriotism and pride across India.

The Centenary of Scientific Forestry in India was commemorated in 1961, marking 100 years since the formal introduction of scientific forest management in the country in 1861. This began with the establishment of the Imperial Forest Department and the appointment of Dietrich Brandis, a German forester, as the first Inspector General of Forests. Scientific forestry aimed to regulate and manage forest resources systematically for sustainable use, primarily to serve British economic interests, such as railway timber and shipbuilding. The centenary celebration in 1961 highlighted the evolution of forestry practices in India, the development of forest education, and the growing emphasis on conservation and ecological balance. It also served as a reminder of the need to align forestry with national priorities like rural development, environmental protection, and biodiversity preservation in independent India.

In 1961, India commemorated the centenary of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)—founded in 1861 by Sir Alexander Cunningham—by issuing two special stamps on 14 December. One depicted an ancient Yaksha statue from the Pitalkhora Caves (15 naye paise), and the other featured a Harappan steatite seal from Kalibangan (90 naye paise), symbolizing ASI’s remarkable achievements in uncovering India’s ancient cultural heritage. These stamps, printed by Nashik Security Press, honoured 100 years of archaeological exploration and monument preservation – from Buddhist sculpture to Indus Valley artefacts—cementing ASI’s legacy in cultural conservation.