World Philatelic Exhibition, New Delhi January 1989 (2nd Issue) 17.10.1987

A series of special stamps and a nice miniature sheet were brought out to herald India-89, Delhi in January 1989. The first set of two stamps in this series depicted to Logo and the venue of the Exhibition. This second set of four stamps depicts four historical monuments of Delhi, the city where INDIA-89 will be held.

(60P) The Iron Pillar, in the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the Qutub Minar complex, is a silent tribute to the metallurgical skill of the ancient Indians. What makes it exceptional is that it shows no signs of rust despite constant exposure to the atmosphere for nearly fifteen hundred years. It has an inscription of Gupta script and is built in memory of Chandragupta II, probably in the first half of the 5th century.

(Rs1.50) India Gate was at the heart of Sir Edwin Lutyens vision of New Delhi, along with the Viceregal Palace which is now the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by the Duke of Connaught on 10-2-1921. It wa originally dedicated to the 70,000 soldiers who died during World War I. Today a flame burns constantly at its base as a tribute to the unknown soldiers.

(Rs5.00) The Diwan-I-Khas, or Hall of Private audience, in the Red Fort belongs to the days the magnificient Mughals. It was constructed during the reign of Shah Jahan who moved into the Red Fort in 1648 with his court. A delicately constructed pavilion of white marble with pillars of the same material, it is richly ornamented with 'Pietra Dura', inlay work in semi-precious stones. It represents the opulent architecture of the times.

(Rs6.50) Purana Qila, or the Old Fort stands on the site of the legendary Indraprastha where Humayun had rebuilt the Dinapanah. Sher Shah in his turn strengthened the citadel, calling it Shergarh during his reign (1540-1545 A.D.). It is difficult to say how much of the construction can be attributed to Humayun's or to Sher Shah's periods, but Sher Shah's reconstruction has retained for us a splendid symbol of Delhi's continuity and resilience.