The first stamps of Hyderabad were issued beginning 1869 and featured a Arabic script design with three different values 1/2, 1 and 2 Annas. They were replaced in 1880 with new design which was inscribed “POST STAMP” and the value was shown in four languages: Hindi, Telugu, Urdu and English around the center of the stamp. This design was used for Hyderabad definitives (including a surcharge), when a new design was introduced which featured the seal of the Nizam (the hereditory ruler of Hyderabad) in the center. The first few years contained the word “POSTAGE” inscribed across the top of the stamp in an arc. In 1915-16, an additional set was issued with the inscription “POST & RECEIPT”.
In 1931, Hyderabad released a set of pictorials, which featured various important places within Hyderabad, including Char Minar, the reservoir for the City of Hyderabad, and the entrance to Ajanta Caves. Additional commeratives were issued including the Nazim Silver Jubilee issues on 13 Feb, 1937, an issue in 1946 celebrating the Allied victory in WW2, and issues depicting various buildings in the state.
Beginning in 1873, the majority of Hyderabad’s stamps were overprinted for official use, up until (and a little after) the annexation of Hydrabad into the newly formed Dominion of India.
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