Bengal Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp
Rajemahal HG 1
- Colour & date
- Black1776–1837
- Rarity
- Rare
- Note
- Intaglio white on black Kishore Chandak: This handstamp: A intaglio oval "POST / RAJEMAHAL / PAID" was used during 1776-1833. Even though it was used for a long period, its usage was very limited, hence Giles described it as a rare mark. RAJEMAHAL is on the banks of Ganges. Mansingh, Akbar's Rajpoot General, selected RAJEMAHAL as capital of BENGAL because of its central position with respect to BENGAL and BIHAR, and because it commanded the Ganges and the pass of Teliagarhi. The most important thing of this handstamp is that its a BILINGUAL one, the fact never been recorded by any one so far. This might be due to smudged and unclear handstamps. Hence the URDU wordings in the handstamps were taken as the design rather the wordings. This quite a clear handstamp shows MAHAL [Je 1 on left side and RAJI & Jon right side of POST in the first line in URDU script and LA/ Jland VASU I all on left and right side of PAID on bottom line i.e. VASUL i.e. PAID. URDU is a Vernacular Indian language which is read from right to left and accordingly the setting is done.
- Catalogue
- 1989 Catalogue · p. 177
- Figure
- 1
- Submitted by
- D. Hammond Giles
Census
Census records
7 covers recorded7 pre-1854 covers bearing the Rajemahal HG 1 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.
About this mark
The Rajemahal HG 1 handstamp
Rajemahal is in the San tal Parganas District, Bengal on the right bank of the Ganges, situated 25°3' N and 87°50' E. After his return from the conquest of Orissa, Man Singh, Akbar's Rajput general, selected Rajemahal as the capital of Bengal, because of its central position with respect to Bengal and Bihar, and because it commanded the Ganges and the pass of. T eliagarhi.
Rajemahal HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Rajemahal — the present-day Rajmahal — in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1776 to 1837. Known strikes are in black. It is listed in 1989 Catalogue, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 1".
7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Rare" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for rajemahal pre stamp covers, rajemahal postal history or "Rajemahal HG1" material can compare HG 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Rajemahal marks.
Intaglio white on black Kishore Chandak: This handstamp: A intaglio oval "POST / RAJEMAHAL / PAID" was used during 1776-1833. Even though it was used for a long period, its usage was very limited, hence Giles described it as a rare mark. RAJEMAHAL is on the banks of Ganges. Mansingh, Akbar's Rajpoot General, selected RAJEMAHAL as capital of BENGAL because of its central position with respect to BENGAL and BIHAR, and because it commanded the Ganges and the pass of Teliagarhi. The most important thing of this handstamp is that its a BILINGUAL one, the fact never been recorded by any one so far. This might be due to smudged and unclear handstamps. Hence the URDU wordings in the handstamps were taken as the design rather the wordings. This quite a clear handstamp shows MAHAL [Je 1 on left side and RAJI & Jon right side of POST in the first line in URDU script and LA/ Jland VASU I all on left and right side of PAID on bottom line i.e. VASUL i.e. PAID. URDU is a Vernacular Indian language which is read from right to left and accordingly the setting is done.
Frequently asked
- What is the Rajemahal HG 1 handstamp?
- Rajemahal HG 1 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Rajemahal (modern Rajmahal) in the Bengal Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1776 to 1837. The "HG 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in black.
- How rare is Rajemahal HG 1?
- Rajemahal HG 1 is graded "Rare" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
- What does a Rajemahal pre stamp cover with HG 1 look like?
- A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Rajemahal is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 1. 7 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
- How do I identify or submit a Rajemahal HG 1 cover?
- Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1776–1837). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.
Same office
Other recorded marks at Rajemahal
2 marks2 other pre-1854 postal markings of Rajemahal are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.
Suggest a correction
Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.
Also searched as: Rajemahal HG 1, Rajemahal HG1, Rajemahal Giles 1, Rajmahal postal history, Rajemahal handstamp, Rajemahal pre stamp cover.
How to cite
“Rajemahal HG 1 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bengal/rajemahal/hg-1 (accessed 11 August 2026).
Updated: 11 Aug 2026