Union Minister for
Parliamentary Affairs, Communications and Information Technology,
Shri Pramod Mahajan will release a commemorative postage stamp
on Nagpur Tercentenary (1702-2002) at Nagpur on November 11, 2002.
Issued by the Department of Posts, the stamp is in the denomination
of Rs.5/-
Nagpur was started
in 1702 by Bakht Buland Shah by integrating 12 nondescript hamlets
of Rajapur-Barsa. It is an important commercial and industrial
centre and ranks among the 15 largest cities of India. The Indian
city had developed an identity of its own at the time of Indus
Valley Civilization itself, viz., as early as circa 2500 B.C.
Inspired by the civilised life of Delhi, Bhakt Buland, the Gond
King of Deogarh started to build his new capital at Nagpur. His
successor Chand Sultan continued the work of town building on
an expanded scale. The Bhonsalas who took over as rulers in 1742
left their mark on Nagpur in terms of promotion of agriculture
and industry and patronage to literary, cultural and religious
activities.
In the post-Independence
era, Nagpur was included in Maharashtra after re-organisation
of States, with the status of the second capital of the State.
The industrial base of Nagpur is today a diversified one, covering
ferromanganese products, other metal goods, cotton processing
and ginning and paint industries. The city boasts of a cosmopolitan
populace and with its rich blend of tradition and modernity, is
truly a representative urban centre of India.
The design of the
stamp, while depicting two landmarks of Nagpur, namely, the Vidhan
Bhavan and the Samadhi of Raghuji Bhonsle, also elaborates on
the theme of "The Orange City of India" by which epithet it is
widely known.
The First Day Cover
along with information sheet will be available on sale at all
Philatelic Bureaux/Counters and at selected Post Offices.
