Indian Armed Forces Through Philately

Indian soldiers have always been on the forefront in all the major battles fought by British Government in Indian since 1757, when the first time Indian were recruited by a foreign administrator in India. They were also known as native soldiers. These soldiers were on a regular basis deployed in various campaigns and wars fought by the British Government from India to further their hold over trade and land acquisitions in foreign countries. Indian were recruited as foot soldiers in the Infantry regiments, that were named after the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras presidencies. The first India field Postoffice was in operation in 1856. Since then the field post office has been an integral part of all the wars in which Indian troops have taken part. In October 1953, India Forces were a part of the International Peace keeping Force in the Korean peninsula. To keep the Indian Forces in touch in touch with the homeland, the Department of Posts & Telegraph in India for the first time overprinted a set of twelve postage stamps "Bharatiya Sangraksha Katak Korea" was overprinted in Hindi, This was later followed by more stamps being overprinted for Indian Forces on deputation to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia in 1954 and 1957. the map series definitives was overprinted UN Forces (India) Congo for use in Congo in 1963.