King George V Inauguration of New Delhi

The foundation stone of New Delhi was laid down during the Darbar of King George who decided that Delhi was better suited to be the capital of British India compared to Calcutta. Famous architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker designed the new city that was inaugurated by Lord Irwin on 13th February 1931.

To commemorate the inauguration of the new Capital, the Indian Postal Service came up with the first set of pictorial commemorative stamps. The stamps showcased the famous landmarks of Delhi – Purana Qila (quarter anna), War Memoria – India Gate (half anna), Council House – Parliament (one anna), Viceroy’s House – Rashtrapati Bhawan (two annas), Government of India Secretariat (three annas) and a portrait of King George V with the Dominion Columns in the foreground and the Secretariat in the background.

The stamps were designed and engraved by Mr. H W Barr at the Security Printing Press, Nashik. The printing was done with the offset lithography technique.