A commemorative postage stamp on Zorawar Singh Kahluria, a general of Sikh Empire, conqueror of Ladakh, “Napoleon of India” (part of Personality Series : Historical) :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 31, 2000

Issued for : The discipline of history has seen a paradigm-shift in modern times, the emphasis now being on the study of socio-economic processes rather than events and personalities. Yet, in the course of the centuries that have passed one does come across personalities of extraordinary charisma, personalities whose deeds and achievements left deep imprints on the minds of their contemporaries and continued to fascinate subsequent generations. A set of commemorative stamps on four such historical personalities of India is being issued by the Department of Posts.

Design : This set of four stamps focuses attention, on India’s great historical heritage, on the lives of Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan (1162-1192 AD), Raja Bhamashah (1542-1598 AD approx), General Zorawar Singh (1786-1841 AD) and Rajarshi Bhagyachandra (1740-1798 AD).

Credits :
Stamp : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd. – Based on the concept design by Alka Sharma.
FDC : Kamleshwar Singh

Type : First Day Cover

Colour : Five Colour

Denomination : 300 Paise

Overall size : 2.91 x 3.9 Cms.

Printing Size :  2.91 x 3.9 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 0.4 million each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer :  Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

Name : Zorawar Singh Kahluria

Born on 1786 at Bilaspur, Kahlur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Died on 1841 at Tibet

About : 

• General Zorawar Singh (1786-1841 A.D.) was a Dogra warrior who joined the army of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Kashmir as a Sepoy and rose on account of his soldierly qualities and military acumen to become the Governor of Kishtwar and earned the title ‘Wazir’. Ladakh was annexed for the first time in history by Zorawar Singh in 1834. After Ladakh he campaigned in Baltistan among the three states of Skardu, Gilgit and Hunza. The techniques of mountain warfare employed by him are considered text book examples of military science even today. In 1841, he set out on an ambitious expedition into Tibet, over-running Rudak and Gor. But after advancing upto Tang, events did not go the brave General’s way. Fighting the numerically stronger Tibetan troops in extremely inclement weather conditions, General Zorawar Singh laid down his life in the battlefield. For his military skills, inspiring leadership and administrative acumen, General Zorawar Singh has been named ‘Little Nepolean of India’ by some historians.
• Text : Based on the materials furnished by the sponsors.

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