The Feudatory State of Barwani

Barwani was a princely state in the Malwa Regency of Central India. A predominantly Bhil state, it was ruled by a branch of Sisodia Rajputs.

The state of Barwani is one of the oldest in India. It was founded in around 800 AD, by a descendant of Bappa Rawal of Mewar. Its location is at the crossroads of Malwa, Gujarat and Deccan kept it in the thick of geopolitical conflicts and as a result, the state was never really independent. The rulers of Barwani remained subsidiaries of the dominant powers of the region and saw the influence of Chaulukyas, Parmaras, Sultanates, Mughals, and finally the British Empire.

Barwani saw more than 50 Ranas, some of whom even had to accept Islam to retain their thrones. IN 1650, the state’s capital was moved from Avasgarh to Barwani, a more tenable position. Rana Mohad Singh II signed a treaty with the British in 1794 and the state saw times of relative peace thereon.

The Ranas of Barwani acceded to the Union of India in 1948, and it became a part of Madhya Pradesh. Barwani is now a district and has a population of over a million. The titular Rana is the 58th in the line.

Stamps of Barwani

Maharana Ranjit Singhji II Bahadur (1894-1930) issued the first postal stamps of Barwani, as late as 1921. However, unlike many other Indian states, the Postal system of Barwani maintained its separate existence till its merger with India in 1948. 

In total, Barwani issued 4 designs of stamps, all royal heads, two each for Ranjit Singh and his son Devi Sahib Singh. Different frames were chosen for the rulers and Ranjit Singh’s stamps continued to be issued during the rule of Devi Sahib Singh. All stamps were local issues.

The stamps were printed using typography, on a type set in blocks of 4 in booklets containing 32 stamps of one value. Barwani was the first entity to issue stamp booklets. They were issued without gum, on wove paper, perforated 7 on two or three sides and imperforate on laid paper. The quality of paper, colour and ink varied and so did the perforation, seemingly performed with sewing machines.