Indore/Holkar princely state fiscal court fee/revenue/postage stamp

INDORE / HOLKAR STATE 19 GUN SALUTE STATE

The Holkars take their family name from the village Hal or Hol on the Nira river, 40 kms from Poona. Malhar Rao Holkar (1728-66) was the founder of the Holkar dynasty of Indore. A soldier of high caliber and a trusted officer of Peshwa Baji Rao, he was posted in Malwa to realise 'Chouth' and 'Sardeshmukhi'. He became the ruler of Indore by 1739, His daughter-in-law Ahilya Bai (1767-95) a women of profound wisdom and extreme piety, possessed great administrative ability. Her administration is considered as that of a Model ruler. She was ably assisted by Tukoji Rao Holkar I(1795-97) the commander of her army.

The Holkars claim descent from the royal family of Maharana's from Mewar. The sun in their emblem asserts their Suryavanshi lineage.

Malhar Rao Holkar (1694-1766), a Maratha chief serving Peshwa Baji Rao, established the dynasty's rule over Indore. In the 1720s, he led Maratha armies in Malwa region, and in 1733 was granted 9 parghanas in the vicinity of Indore by the Peshwa. The township of Indore had already existed as an independent principality established by Nandlal Mandloi of Kampel, Nandlal Mandloi was won by the Maratha force and allowed them to camp across the Khan (Kanh) River. In 1734, Malhar Rao established a camp later called Malharganj. In 1747, he started the construction of his royal palace, the Rajwada. By the time of his death, he ruled much of Malwa, and was acknowledged as one of the five virtually independent rulers of the Maratha Confederacy.

He was succeeded by Ahilyabai Holkar (reign. 1767–1795), his daughter-in-law. She was born in the Chaundi village in Maharashtra. She moved the capital to Maheshwar, south of Indore on the Narmada River. Rani Ahilyabai was a prolific builder and patron of Hindu temples in Maheshwar and Indore. She also built temples at sacred sites outside her kingdom, from Dwarka in Gujarat east to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi on the Ganges.

The adopted son of Malhar Rao Haolkar, Tukoji Rao Holkar (r. 1795-1797) briefly succeeded Rani Ahilyabai upon her death. Tukoji Rao had been a commander under Ahilyabai for her entire rule.

Indore State, also known as Holkar State, was a Maratha princely state in India during the British Raj. Its rulers belonged to the Holkar dynasty and the state was under the Central India Agency. Indore was a 19 Gun Salute (21 locally) princely state (a rare high rank).Indore princely state was located in the present-day Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The capital of the state was the city of Indore. The state had an area of 24,605 Sq.Km and a population of 1,325,089 inhabitants in 1931; other important towns besides Indore . Privy purse of state at the time of accession on 1 June 1949 was Rs.5,00,000 .

Court fee Stamps :--

Type- 1 – 1886 AD, Size 28 x 36 mm. , Perf. 14 ½ , Wove paper

One Anna, Violet Red , Ref. # 11

Eight Anna, Dull Blue , Ref. # 14

Type- 2 – 1886 AD, Size 28 x 36 mm. , Perf. 15 , Wove paper

One Anna, Brownish Red , Ref. # 21

Type- 8 – 1886 AD, Size 28 x 36 mm. , Perf. 15 , Wove paper

One Anna, Pale Brown , Ref. # 81

One Anna, Violet Brown , Ref. # 81a

One Anna, Reddish Brown , Ref. # 81b

Two Annas, Vermilion , Ref. # 82

Four Annas, Turquoise Blue , Ref. # 83a

Eight Annas, Carmine Red , Ref. # 84

Type- 10 – 1924-30 AD, Size 88 x 52 mm. , Perf. 14 , Wove paper

One Anna, Chocolate Brown , Ref. # 101

Two Annas, Reddish Brown , Ref. # 102

Type- 12 - Used in 1920-40 , Size 91x53 mm., Perf . 11 , Wove paper.

One Anna, Chocolate , Ref. # 121

One Anna, Reddish Brown, Ref. # 121a

Six Annas, Brownish Red, Ref. # 124

Ten Annas, Olive Green , Ref. # 126

INDORE MUNICIPALITY

Type- 12 A - used in 1940 , Size 87x 52mm., Perf . 11 , Wove paper.

One Anna , Violet, Ref. # 141

Type- 14 - Used in 1930-34 , Size 89x52mm., Perf . 13 ½ , 14 , 14 ½ , Wove paper.

One Anna , Violet Brown, Ref. # 151

Two Annas , Orangish Brown, Ref. # 152

Four Annas , Turquoise Blue, Ref. # 154

Six Annas , Pinkish Red, Ref. # 155

Eight Annas , Red, Ref. # 156 (Block of 4)

Eight Annas , Red, Ref. # 156

Ten Annas , Olive Green, Ref. # 157

DOCUMENTARY STAMP :-

Type- 20 - used in 1905 , Size 28x 36mm., Perf . 14 ½ , Wove paper.