<P> The first adhesive postage stamps in Asia were issued in the Indian district of Scinde in July 1852 by Bartle Frere, chief commissioner of the region . Frere was an admirer of Rowland Hill, the English postal reformer who had introduced the Penny Post . The Scinde stamps became known as "Scinde Dawks"; "Dawk" is the Anglicised spelling of the Hindustani word Dak or ("post"). These stamps, with a value of ​ ⁄ - anna, were in use until June 1866 . The first all - India stamps were issued on 1 October 1854 . </P> <P> The volume of mail moved by the postal system increased significantly, doubling between 1854 and 1866 and doubling again by 1871 . The Post Office Act XIV introduced reforms by 1 May 1866 to correct some of the more obvious postal - system deficiencies and abuses . Postal - service efficiencies were also introduced . In 1863, lower rates were set for "steamer" mail to Europe at (six annas, eight pies for a ​ ⁄ - ounce letter). Lower rates were also introduced for inland mail . New regulations removed special postal privileges enjoyed by officials of the East India Company . Stamps for official use were prepared and carefully accounted for, to combat abuses by officials . In 1854 Spain had printed special stamps for official communications, but in 1866 India was the first country to adopt the expedient of overprinting "Service" on postage stamps and "Service Postage" on revenue stamps . This innovation was later widely adopted by other countries . Shortages developed, so stamps also had to be improvised . Some "Service Postage" overprinted rarities resulted from abrupt changes in postal regulations . New designs for the four - anna and six - anna - eight - pie stamps were issued in 1866 . Nevertheless, there was a shortage of stamps to meet the new rates . Provisional six - anna stamps were improvised by cutting the top and bottom from a current foreign - bill revenue stamp and overprinting "Postage". India was the first country in the Commonwealth to issue airmail stamps . </P> <P> India attained independence on 15 August 1947 . Thereafter, the Indian Posts and Telegraph Department embarked on a broad - based policy for the issuance of stamps . The first new stamp was issued by independent India on 21 November 1947 . It depicts the Indian flag with the patriots' slogan, Jai Hind ("long live India"), at the top right - hand corner . The stamp was valued at three and one - half annas . A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi was issued 15 August 1948 on the first anniversary of independence . One year later a definitive series appeared, depicting India's broad cultural heritage (primarily Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh and Jain temples, sculptures, monuments and fortresses). A subsequent issue commemorated the beginning of the Republic of India on 26 January 1950 . Definitives included a technology - and - development theme in 1955, a series depicting a map of India in 1957 (denominated in naya paisa--decimal currency) and a 1965 series with a wide variety of images . The old inscription "India Postage" was replaced in 1962 with "भारत INDIA", although three stamps (issued from December 1962 to January 1963) carried the earlier inscription . </P> <P> India has printed stamps and postal stationery for other countries, mostly neighbours . Countries which have had stamps printed in India include Burma (before independence), Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Portugal and Ethiopia . The country has issued definitive and commemorative stamps . Six definitive series on India's heritage and progress in a number of fields have been issued . The seventh series, with a theme of science and technology, began in 1986 . Between independence and 1983, 770 stamps were issued . </P>

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