What is the Dharwar HG 2 handstamp?

Dharwar HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dharwar (modern Dharwad) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1841. The "HG 2" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Dharwar HG 2?

Dharwar HG 2 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.

What does a Dharwar pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dharwar 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 2. 2 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 Dharwar HG 2 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1841). 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.

Dharwar HG 2 — pre-1854 Indian handstamp, 1841, Red

Bombay Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Dharwar HG 2

Handstamp All India common handstamp

Colour & date: Red1841
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 2000 Supplement · p. 7
Figure: 2
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 1A All Dharwar HG 3 →

Census

Census records

2 covers recorded

2 pre-1854 covers bearing the Dharwar HG 2 handstamp are recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-1441

1841

1851 DHARWAR FREE Giles 2 (Giles records usage ONLY in 1841, this is 10 years later) on cover with BOMBAY FREE Giles 23

COV-404

25 October 1841

India, Dharwar, 1841, "DHARWAR/FREE" Oval Handstamp (Giles 2). Bold and clear strike in red with manuscript "25 October 1841" date added on back of folded cover (missing inner panel) to India House in London, England, sender's directive "per Steamer, via Falmouth" , red "INDIA" in oval handstamp, London (Dec. 1) arrival backstamp, manuscript "1/-" rate marking, cover with stained vertical file fold, Very Fine strike

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About this mark

The Dharwar HG 2 handstamp

Dharwar, headquarters of the same named District, situated 15°27' N and 75°1' E, in Bombay Presidency. 1778 D harwar was taken from the Marathas by Haidar Ali, and in 1791 it was retaken by the British force auxiliary to the Marathas. On the fina l overthrow of the Peshwa, it fell into British hands, along with other possessions of that potentate.

Dharwar HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Dharwar — the present-day Dharwad — in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1841. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 2000 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2".

2 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 "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for dharwar pre stamp covers, dharwar postal history or "Dharwar HG2" material can compare HG 2 across every office or browse the rest of the Dharwar marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Dharwar HG 2 handstamp?: Dharwar HG 2 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Dharwar (modern Dharwad) in the Bombay Presidency, British India, recorded in use around 1841. The "HG 2" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Dharwar HG 2?: Dharwar HG 2 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. 2 surviving covers bearing this mark are recorded in the census, each with images and provenance.
What does a Dharwar pre stamp cover with HG 2 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Dharwar 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 2. 2 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 Dharwar HG 2 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1841). 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 Dharwar

5 marks

5 other pre-1854 postal markings of Dharwar are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Dharwar marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

Spotted a wrong date, colour or rarity? Propose a change — every suggestion is reviewed before it is applied.

Also searched as: Dharwar HG 2, Dharwar HG2, Dharwar Giles 2, Dharwad postal history, Dharwar handstamp, Dharwar pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Dharwar HG 2 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/bombay/dharwar/hg-2 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026