<P> A complete new set of stamps was issued in 1882 for the Empire of India that had been proclaimed five years earlier, in 1877 . The designs consisted of the usual Victoria profile, in a variety of frames, inscribed "INDIA POSTAGE". The watermark also changed to a star shape . These stamps were heavily used and are still quite common today . </P> <P> Three stamps, featuring a detail from Heinrich von Angeli's 1885 portrait of Queen Victoria, in 2, 3 and 5 rupee denominations, were introduced in 1895 . Other existing designs were reprinted in new colours in 1900 . </P> <P> British India had hundreds of Princely States, some 652 in all, but most of them did not issue postage stamps . The stamp - issuing States were of two kinds: the Convention States and the Feudatory States . The postage stamps and postal histories of these States provide great challenges and many rewards to the patient philatelist . Many rarities are to be found here . Although handbooks are available, much remains to be discovered . </P> <P> The Convention States are those which had postal conventions (or agreements) with the Post Office of India to provide postal services within their territories . The adhesive stamps and postal stationery of British India were overprinted for use within each Convention State . The first Convention State was Patiala, in 1884, followed by others in 1885 . The stamps of the Convention States all became invalid on 1 January 1951 when they were replaced with stamps of the Republic of India valid from 1 January 1950 . </P>

Who was first living indian to feature on indian postage stamp