The Feudatory State of Dungarpur

Dungarpur was a Princely state in the Rajputana Agency in northwestern India, presently a part of the Indian state of Rajasthan. A relatively small state, Dungarpur remained a vassal first to the Mughals, the Marathas, and finally to the British Raj.

Dungarpur was established in 1197 CE by a senior branch of the Sisodiya Rajputs of Mewar. The then-ruler of the kingdom seized Bhil territories after a series of conflicts and political intrigues and established the kingdom to the south of Udaipur.

Dungarpur, however, was never free of conflicts and always had to rely on the help from one dominant power or another. After the defeat at the hands of Babur at Khanwa, the state was partitioned between Dungarpur and Banswara, further reducing its territories. The state signed a treaty with the East India Company in 1818 and became a feudatory state to the British. The ruler of Dungarpur merged with the Dominion of India in 1948.

Stamps of Dungarpur

Dungarpur’s first recorded postage stamps were issued in 1933 during the reign of Maharawal Lakshman Singhji (1918-89). The state continued to issue stamps till 1947 when it was taken over by India Post. Five designs were issued in 1933, each containing a coat of arms depicting two Bhil tribals resting on the shield in the centre. The inscription read DUNGARPUR STATE at the top and the denomination at the bottom. 

The later stamps of Dungarpur carried the portrait of Maharawal Lakshman Singhji at the center, DUNGARPUR STATE on the top and the denomination at the bottom. The stamps were lithographed, gummed and perforated 11. 

Even though Dungarpur issued stamps relatively late, these were not known to philatelists for 20 years. Our knowledge of the postal history of the state is still sketchy and newer designs have been found and catalogued by Stanley Gibbons and Scott. Mint varieties are extremely rare.