Banaras /Benares princely state fiscal court fee /revenue stamp

BENARES 13 GUN SALUTE STATE

Benares or Banaras State was a princely state in what is today India during the British Raj. On 15 October 1948 Benares' last ruler signed the accession to the Indian Union.

The state was founded by the local zamindar Bhumihar Raja Balwant Singh, who assumed the title of "Raja of Benares" in 18th century, taking advantage of the Mughal Empire's disintegration. His descendants ruled the area around Benares as feudatories of Nawab of Awadh and East India Company. In 1910, Benares became a full-fledged state of British India. The state was merged in India after India's independence in 1947, but even today the Kashi Naresh (the nominal ruler) is deeply revered by the people of Varanasi. He is a religious leader and the people of Varanasi consider him an incarnation of Shiva. He is also the chief cultural patron and an essential part of all religious celebrations. The ruling family claims descent from the God Shiva and benefits greatly from pilgrimages to Benares.

Benares state is formerly Gwalior Residency, now in Uttar Pradesh State , area of state was 2,266 Sq. Km. and the population of the state was 3,91,163 in 1930, Privy purse of state at the time of accession on 15 Oct.1948 was Rs.2,80,000.

COURT FEE STAMP :-

Type-5 - used in 1921-35 AD , Size 56.5 x31 mm., Perf .14 . Wove paper .

One Rupee, Yellow green , Ref. # 55

Provisional Stamp :-

Five Rupees , Yellowish Green (Ref. # 56) over typed with Four Annas in Black in English capitals with serif above the old value . Old value is not struck with any bar etc.

Type-8 - used in 1935-40 AD , Size 56.5 x31 mm., Perf .14 . Wove paper

One Anna, Brown Red , Ref. # 81

Two Annas, Brown Red , Ref. # 82

Four Annas, Brown Red , Ref. # 83

Eight Annas, Brown Violet , Ref. # 84

One Rupee, Yellow Green , Ref. # 85

Type-10 - used in 1940-48 , Size 75x33 mm., Perf .14 . Wove paper

One Anna , Violet Brown , Ref. # 101

Two Annas , Violet Brown , Ref. # 102

Four Annas , Violet Brown , Ref. # 104

Eight Annas , Violet , Ref. # 106

One Rupee , Reddish Violet , Ref. # 109

Post Independence :- During 1952-54 a black round stamp was added on the portrait and Over stamped with Kasi Rajya and the value in Hindi in Black in words and numerals.