The Feudatory State Kishangarh

Kishangarh was a princely state in the Rajputana Agency, currently the Indian state of Rajasthan. The state issued its first postal stamps in 1889 during the reign of Maharaja Sadul Singh who ruled between 1879 and 1900.

Early History

Kishangarh was founded in 1609 by Maharaja Kishan Singh, a Rajput prince of the Rathore clan and a descendant of the royal family of Jodhpur (Marwar). The principality’s name, “Kishangarh,” was derived from its founder’s name. Kishan Singh established the capital around a fort on the shores of a lake, giving the region strategic importance.

Maharaja Sawant Singh (1748-1757)

The kingdom’s most celebrated ruler, Maharaja Sawant Singh, reigned in the mid-18th century and was a noted patron of the arts and poetry. Sawant Singh, also known by his pen name “Nagari Das,” was a poet and deeply spiritual devotee of Lord Krishna. He commissioned several works celebrating the divine love of Krishna and Radha, drawing parallels between his romantic ideals and those in the Krishna-Radha legends.

The Kishangarh school of painting blossomed under Sawant Singh’s patronage, producing some of the most iconic works of Rajasthani art. The school is known for its unique style, which emphasises delicate features, elongated forms, and a sense of ethereal beauty. Among the most famous paintings of this school is the portrait of Bani Thani, a court singer and consort of Sawant Singh. Often likened to the “Mona Lisa of India,” Bani Thani’s portrait epitomizes the Kishangarh style, with her distinctively long almond-shaped eyes and serene expression. These paintings often depicted romantic and religious themes, particularly the love stories of Krishna and Radha.

The British Raj

During the 19th century, Kishangarh, like other Rajput states, faced increasing pressure from the expanding British East India Company. By 1818, Kishangarh signed a subsidiary alliance with the British, coming under their “paramountcy” and relinquishing control over foreign affairs and military autonomy in exchange for protection. Though it maintained its internal sovereignty, the princely state became part of the British Raj’s indirect rule.

Despite the decline in political independence, the British era was relatively stable for Kishangarh, allowing it to preserve its cultural legacy. The rulers focused on local administration, maintaining internal peace, and patronizing art, literature, and religious traditions.

Independent India 

With India’s independence in 1947, Maharaja Sumer Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Kishangarh, agreed to join India, and in 1949, Kishangarh was formally integrated into the Indian state of Rajasthan.

Stamps of Kishangarh

The initial designs of Kishangarh stamps were limited to the coat of arms in various layouts and colours. The first stamp was smaller than the later prints till 1904. The stamps carried ‘REVENUE & POSTAGE’ at the top and the denomination and ‘KISHENGARH’ at the bottom. 

Kishangarh experimented with portraits during this period, albeit with mixed results. There were two designs of the Royal Portrait of Maharaja Sardul Singh in oval frames that were enclosed within a rectangular frame. While the first design was crude and could hardly be described as a portrait, the second one was a little better. 

From the time of Maharaja Madan Singh, Kishangarh’s stamps were printed in London, with better results. At this point, the state’s name changed from Kishengarh to Kishangarh.