Gulf Rupees, issued by Reserve Bank of India

Prior to the 1960's, countries such as UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman utilized the Indian Rupee as their designated currency. Before the oil boom of the 1960s, despite being economically modest, centered around trading dates, camels, fishing and pearl diving. It was more feasible for the Gulf States to use the Indian Rupee, which was minted in India by the British East India Company and later by the Government of British India. 

Even following India's independence in 1947, the Indian Rupee continued as their official currency. The ''Gulf Rupee'' notes were introduced through a legislative bill that was approved by both houses of Indian Parliament in May 1959. The Gulf Rupee was the official currency of countries around the Persian Gulf between 1959 and 1966 (1970 Oman).

                        

Persian Gulf Issue, One Rupee, A K Roy, 1959

These notes were known as the ''External Rupee'' or the ''Gulf Rupee'' and were designated for use solely in the Persian Gulf region, not as legal tender in India. One of the reasons for creating these Gulf Rupees was the large scale of gold smuggling into India, mainly from the Gulf countries due to the substantial price difference and proximity to India. A report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1959, revealed gold worth 92.4 million USD had been illicitly brought into India. 

The exchange process in the Gulf States was successfully concluded. As the Gulf States were transitioning from the Indian Rupee to their own currencies, six weeks from May 1959 to June 1959 were allocated to swap all old Indian Rupees in circulation in the Gulf with the new currency notes. It was estimated that when the special notes were introduced, there were around 300 to 500 million Rupees in circulation in the Gulf.

The Gulf Rupee notes shared a similar design to the Indian notes but had a few distinctions. They came in different colours, were only redeemable in Bombay, and had a unique serial number prefix ''Z'' over the number.

                         

                         

Persian Gulf Issue, One Rupee, bank Note, signed by A K Roy, 1959, Z Prefix.

                          

                           

Persian Gulf Note, 10 Rupees, bank Note signed by H.V.R. Iyengar. Z Prefix.

                          

                          

Persian Gulf Note, 5 Rupees bank Note, signed by H.V.R. Iyengar. Z Prefix.

                         

                          

Persian Gulf Note, 100 Rupees, bank Note signed by H.V.R. Iyengar. Z Prefix.

During the introduction of Gulf Rupee notes, the RBI observed that a significant amount of Indian Rupees were taken by Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia annually, which were returned to the RBI for conversion into pound sterling. To prevent any illegal return of Rupees through Saudi Arabian banks, the RBI introduced two special ''Haj Notes'' in denominations of 10 and 100 Rupees. These notes, not legal tenders in India, could be exchanged in Bombay for Indian Rupees or pounds Sterlings. The 10 Ruppe note was blue in colour and the 100 Rupee note was red. The word ''HAJ'' appeared on these notes and the serial number that was prefixed with the letters ''HA''.

                         

                          

HAJ Pilgrim Issue Note ''Specimen'', signed by H.V.R Iyengar, Imaged by Heritage Auctions, HA.com. HAJ written on the left of Reserve Bank of India.

                          

HAJ Pilgrim Issue 100 Rupee Note, signed by H.V.R Iyengar, HAJ written on the left of Reserve Bank of India. Serial no HA.

In 1966, the Indian Rupee was devalued by nearly 57 percent. This led to replacing Indian rupees with Saudi Riyals or Bahraini Dinars in most states by the end of 1966. The Gulf Rupees and Haj notes were eventually withdrawn from circulation.

Today, these notes are highly sought after by collectors in both India and Gulf States. 

    

Dasavatara (Ten Incarnations) of Lord Vishnu and Coins

In Bhagwat Gita Shri Krishna declares that God himself incarnates to eradicate the evil, to put an end to the chaos that prevailed in a peaceful society. Incarnations or the Avtaras is a core concept of Hinduism and are are associated with Lord Vishnu. According to the ''Bhagwat Purana'', Vishnu had innumerable Avtaras in unlimited universes, though there are ten major incarnations, known collectively as Dasavataras. This concept is not treated as mere mythological or religious stories but is deep rooted in Indian society. The stories of Dasavataras open up a vast world of Indian belief systems, culture and philosophy as well as answers the metaphysical question of ''How it all began'' and ''How is it going to end". 

The depiction of Dasavataras on many ancient Indian coins, is further evidence of this acceptance since ancient times and keeps the philosophy alive.                        

Kingdom of Mysore, 1799-1868 AD, Narasimha (Avatara of Vishnu), gold, Fanam.

                        

Dashavatara Temple is an early 6th century temple located at Deogarh, Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh, now in ruins built in Gupta period. After extensive study by the Archaeological Survey of India, starting in 1899, it is now accepted that the ten avatars of Vishnu were carved on the temple, but all reliefs are not present. Evidence of reliefs showing Krishna, Narasimha, Vamana, Buddha, Rama and others are still present. 

 

Matsya. In Sanskrit, Matsya means a fish. During the early phase of Satya Yuga, a fish appeared in front of king Manu and warned him about a Pralay (flood) that could destroy the universe. The section 1.8.1 of the Shatapatha Brahmana (Yajur Veda) is the earliest extant text to mention Matsya and the flood myth in Hinduism. The tale also appears in sec.186 of Book 3 (the Vana Parva) of the epic Mahabharata. The fish instructed Manu to build a boat that would contain the Seven Sages (Sapt Rishis), seeds of all plants, one animal of each species. The prediction was true. After seven days huge floods came, and the boat sailed. The fish appeared again and propelled the boat and saved those on it. This was the first Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

                        

Fish faced Natsya in Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura, consecrated in 1258 AD, located 38 km east of Mysuru city. 

                         

Saurashtra Janapada, 400-300 BC, weight 0.91 gm, Dia 19 mm, Fish on Obverse,                    

                         

Pandyas of Madurau, copper coin of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya (1251-1238 AD), Ganesh Tamil Nadu, weight 4.4 gm, Obverse: Stylized standard man, Tamil letter Su to right, Reverse: Pair of fish, Tamil legend Ellantalaiyanan around.                           

Chola kings, Rajaraja I, 985-1014 AD, Fanam, weight 0.50 gm, Dia 10 mm, Tanjore mint, Obverse: Seated tiger with two fishes, Reverse: Tamil legend. 

The Matsyavatar of Vishnu is narrated as ''Flood being the end of the world'', myth which is common across most cultures. It can be compared to the Genisis narrative of Abrahamic tradition, commonly known as Noah's Ark.

Kurma. The Sanskrit word Kurma means Tortoise and Turtle. The second Avatara. This is mentioned in the Bhagvata Purana and Yajur Veda. In this form Vishnu took the form of a giant tortoise to support the mountain Mandara during the churning the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to retrieve the nectar immortality (amrita). 

                            

Saurastra Janapada, Die struck, copper, weight 5.1 gm, Dia 18mm, 75-50 BC, Obverse: human figure of lord shiva holding trident in left hand, Reverse: Gujarat double tortoise.

The Kurma Avatar holds a very deep and significant philosophy behind it. The Avatar symbolizes the importance of stability and support in achieving great tasks. The tortoise with its sturdy shell, represents the idea of a strong foundation.  

                              

Varaha. The third incarnation was the Varaha or the boar. The word Varaha is found in the Rig Veda and the epic Ramayana.   Lord Vishnu took the incarnation and rescued the Mother Earth which had submerged in the ocean and brought the earth out by lifting it on two tusks from the ocean after killing the demon, Hiranyaksha. Varaha Avatara represents the transformation of materialistic desires into spiritual desires. It signifies a positive turning point that comes in the life of everyone which helps to outgrow materialism and yearn for spiritual awakening.   

                           

The Varaha panel in Cave 5, Udayagiri Caves, is one of the most studied reliefs from the Gupta Empire 400 AD, reign of Chandragupta.
                       

 

Mihara Bhoja I, Gujara Pratiharas, 836-885 AD, Drachm, Silver, weight 4 gm, Dia 21 mm, Obverse: Varaha to right, various Vaishnavite symbols including trident to left and wheel under the foot, Reverse: Symbols and legend translating to " srimad adi/varaha",

 

Narasimha. In his fourth incarnation Vishnu appeared as Narasimha. The Asura king Hiranykashipu obtained a boon of invincibility from lord Brahma that he would die neither indoors nor outdoors, neither on earth nor on heaven, neither during day nor night, neither by fire nor by water or any weapon. He soon turned into a tyrant. When he became a nuisance, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha, half lion and half human. The lion represents courage and power, while the man represents intelligence and compassion. He arrived at dusk, in the courtyard and tore the Asurya apart with his nails, which were not termed as a weapon. In South Indian art, sculptures and paintings, Narasimha is one of the most chosen themes.

                           

Narasimha Statue, fourth century AD, Andhra Pradesh.

                                             

Mysore Krishna Raja Wodeyar, (AH 1214-1225, AD 1799-1810) gold fanam, weight 0.39 gm, Dia 5.8 mm, Obverse: Narasimha seated, Reverse: Kanarese legend Kanthirava Narsa Raja.

  

Vamana. Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Brahmin to subdue King Bali. The story goes like this, King Bali was a mighty demon who had assumed control of heaven, earth and the netherworlds that threatened the position of Indra as the king of Gods. Vishnu appeared in front of Bali when he was performing a sacrifice. Vamana went to Bali and asked him three steps of land, to which Bali laughed and said that he should have asked for many luxurious things in Dakshina. Vamana showed his true identity and grew so large, that one foot size could cover the earth and the other the whole heaven and his step claimed the netherworlds. Since there was nowhere else to step on, Bali offered his head. Vamana spared Bali's life and granted him the netherworlds. Lord Vishnu regained the heaven for Indra. Hidden behind this Avatara is the message conveying humility and unlike other forms, Vishnu overcame this problem with intelligence, not violence or weapons. 

                            

Madurai Nayaks, Venkatapathiraya II (1586-1614 AD), copper Kasu, weight 3.5 gm, Obverse: Standing Vishnu, Reverse: Telugu legend in two lines," Vem ka ta pa."

Parshuram. Lord Vishnu took birth to restore peace disturbed by injustice and tyranny of the kings. The birth name of Parshuram was Bhargava Rama. He had received an axe (Parsu) from Lord Shiva after undertaking terrible reparation. Hence, he came to be known as Parshuram. He killed Arjuna Kartavirya, the king of Haihaya kingdom and his entire clan. After the killings he travelled to the south to seek penance for his deeds and reached the western ghats. At that time land ended there and ocean began. Parshuram called upon Varuna (God of ocean) to recede. Varuna agreed to recede as far west as Parshuram's arrow would go. The arrow was shot from today's Sahyadris (Chiplun) and landed in Bannali, modern day Goa. This land comprises regions of Konkan, coastal Karnataka and Kerala, and the inhabitants owe their lineage to Parshuram. 

                        

Commemorative Stamp, Parshuram, 2023.                       

                            

Venad Cheras, 1118-1180 AD, Copper Kasu, Battle Axe type, Grantha ''Ra'' above.  

                      

Vijayanagar Empire, half Pagoda, Hari Hara II, 1377-1404 AD, gold, weight 1.7 gm, Dia 9 mm, Obverse: Shiva and Parvati seated facing, Shiva holding Parasu(axe), Reverse: Devangari legend, sri pra/ ta pa ha ri/ ha ra, lettering Sri Pratapa Harihara.

Rama. The seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu was a personification of righteousness and human values that appeared in Treta Yuga. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. He is one of the major deities of India and has been honoured on numerous coins. The whole journey of Rama's life is a lesson for mankind.                            

Siya Ram Coin, Akbar, 1604-1605 AD, Obverse: Ram carrying his bow and arrow with Sita, Reverse: Amardad Ilahi 50, meaning the 50th year of reign of Akbar.

Krishna. The eight Avatara of Lord Vishnu appeared in Dvapara Yuga as Krishna. The preacher of the world's biggest doctrine Bhagwat Gita and the Sarathi (charioteer) of the greatest archer of his age, Krishna is one of the most popular and attractive gods of the sub-continent. Many of his forms are depicted on coins.

                          

Agathocles 180 BC, Obverse: Balarama-Samkarshana with Greek legend, Reverse: Vasudeva-Krishna or Lord Krishna with Shankha and Sudarshan Chakra, Brahmi legend.

 

Buddha. The ninth Avatar appeared in Kaliyuga, the most notorious phase of the existence of the universe. When the world had lost real understanding of the scriptures and was stooped in ignorance, Buddha an enlightened man restated the importance of self-realization and self-effort in realizing oneself. The adoption of Buddha as one of the Avatars was a catalyzing factor in assimilation during the Gupta period, between 330 and 550 BC. By the 8th century AD, the Buddha was declared an Avatar of Vishnu in several Puranas.   Some Vaishnavas do not accept Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu and gave Balarama as the eight and Krishna as the ninth Avatars.

                           

Kushan, Kanishka, 127-152 AD, Dinar, gold, weight 7.9 gm, Obverse: Kanishka standing facing left, holding standard in left hand, sacrificing over altar to left, Reverse: Buddha standing facing, wearing samghati, right hand raised and tamgha to right.

 

Kalki. The tenth Avatara of Visnu is yet to appear. Kalki appears in Mahabharata, over verses 3.188.85-3.189.6. Kalki incarnation is found in Maha Puranas such as Vishnu Puran, Matsya Puran and Bhagvat Puran. The redemption which we as yet await, will be that of Kalki, who will come as a Silver Stallion, all evils will perish at the coming of this Kalki. He is said to appear at the end of Kal Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence. He ends the darkest period. Kali is not portrayed on coins, but an India Post in 2008, issued a special stamp depicting a blue skinned man sitting on a white horse and slaying evil around him.

                          

Kalki, on a white horse, portrayed on an India Poat Stamp, 2008.

         

Newspapers in India honoured with Stamps.

Early morning, a cup of tea and the newspaper, was once a peaceful morning scene in many households. The silent voice, providing a solace in the noisy world of media today, with a strong print order of over 60 million. For more than 150 years, they have remained the conscious ''mouthpiece'' of Indian society. The first newspaper of India was published on 29th January 1780 by James Augustus Hicky under the British Raj and its name was ''The Bengal Gazette''. It was also called ''Calcutta General Advertiser'', and people remember it as ''Hicky's Gazette''. This paper was printed once a week on Saturday. Printed in English-language, it was the first newspaper in Asia. 

By the late 19th century, the newspaper had become a strong medium to express a nationalist thought process.

Let us see the Newspapers published in India in English and native languages that have been honoured by creating them on stamps. These have been broadly classified as the Newspapers published in the Pre-Independence era and the post-Independence era.

The Times of India, also known as TOI, is an Indian, English language newspaper and is the largest selling English language daily in the world. Its first edition was published on 3 November 1838. It is owned and published by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd, which is owned by the Sahu Jain family.                       

                          

                                           

Two postage stamps were released; the first, a Rs 1.50 stamp, was issued in 1988, and the second was released in 2013 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of its initial publication.

The first Indian newspaper in the native language is the Assam newspaper cum magazine Orunodoi. The advent of British in Assam ushered in, among things, the first printing press. It was published by the Christian Missionaries. The tagline of the newsmagazine was ''The Orunodoi, monthly paper, devoted to religion, science and general intelligence''. 

                        

To commemorate the 150th year, India Post issued a Rs 3 stamp in 1999 which depicts the front page of the newspaper.

Following the Assam newspaper, by late 19th century, political leaders and social reformers were taking active participation in journalism. One such was ''Amrita Bazar Patrika'', established in 1868. Perhaps it is one of the reasons among many others, for the government to pass the ''Vernacular Press Act'' in 1876.

                          

On the Centenary of the publishing of the newspaper, India Post issued a 15 paise commemorative stamp.

Meanwhile, in Kottayam, in Kerala, the first edition of the Malayala Manorama Newspaper was published on 22 March 1890. Kandathil Varghese Mappillai brought out the first edition. This newspaper would stay away from religion. Though the first edition was a weekly, the newspaper became bi-weekly in 1901, thrice a week in 1918, before becoming a daily newspaper in 1928.

                         

A special commemorative stamp of Re 1 was issued to commemorate the 100 years of the newspaper which features the building of Malayala Manorma Company Limited.

With the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885the newspapers like Young India, Harijan, Kesari, Maratha etc. started being printed in various vernacular languages. One was an Odia daily newspaper, The Samaj. Published in Cuttack, Odisha, the newspaper started in 1919. Gopabandhu Das, a prominent freedom fighter and social worker started it as a weekly from Satyabadi in Puri district of Odisha. 

                         

The paper celebrated its centenary in 2019, with a commemorative stamp worth Rs 5. The stamp depicts the front page of the newspaper in the background with an effigy of its founder, Gopalbandhu Das.

The year when the freedom struggle of India reached its crescendo and found expression in the ''Quit India Movement'', Dainik Jagaran was launched. This was one of the last newspapers published during the pre-independence era, it was in Hindi language. It was launched with a vision of the revolutionary freedom fighter, Late Shri Puran Chandra Gupta, reflecting the free voice of the people. 

                            

In the year 2012, the newspaper completed its 70th year which was celebrated by India Post with a Rs 5 stamp.

After 1947, when India became an independent state, the first newspaper published after three months was Navjivan Daily. This was published by The Associated Journals Ltd on 01 November 1947.This was started with an intention to promote the principals of Mahatma Gandhi's freedom movement. The main objective of the newspaper was to speed up the creation of democratic, liberal and modern India. 

                           

In 1999, India Post issued a Rs 3 stamp with a portrait of Indulal Kanhaiyalal Yagnik. A boy and a girl are seen raising the Indian flag with the newspaper in the background. 

The last but not the least among the newspapers is the Rajasthan Patrika. It is one of the oldest Hindi newspapers of Rajasthan. It was started by Sh Kapoor Chandra Kulish in 1956. 

                         

This newspaper is honoured with a special stamp worth Rs 5, which depicts the newspaper in the background with the portrait of the founder in the foreground.

Even though the world has favoured the electronic media the newspaper is silently fulfilling its duty towards society.