What is the Benares MN 1 marking?

Benares MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of Benares (modern Varanasi) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1808. The "MN 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

How rare is Benares MN 1?

Benares MN 1 has 1 example recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Benares pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Benares is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by manuscript rate marks like MN 1. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Benares MN 1 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1808). 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.

North Western Provinces · Pre-1854 Manuscript

Benares MN 1

Manuscript

Type: Manuscript
Date Span: 1808
Rarity: 1 example recorded
Figure: MN1
Submitted by: Kishore Chandak

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Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Benares MN 1 manuscript marking is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-775

27 July 1808

1808 : No handstruck stamps were in use in BENARES Post Office until 1810, although a Post Office was set up there in January, 1774. In lieu of a handstruck stamp, the clerk at the Post Office wrote the despatch details as shown on this cover of 1808, namely "BENARES PT.PAID 8AS / 27 JULY1808". BENARES is situated on the left bank of Ganges. It was ruled by the Nawab of Oudh until 1776, when he ceded it to the British. Lot of serious disorders have been witnessed in the uprising in 1857.On arrival in the CALCUTTA G.P.O., the orange "G.P.O. / AUG 8 / 1808" receipt mark was stamped on the letter, this being the earliest recorded example of this mark, used during 1808.

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About this mark

The Benares MN 1 marking

Benares, with its cantonment, is situated 25°18' N, and 83°1' E, on the left bank of the Ganges River in the United Provinces. It was ruled by the Nawab of Oudh until 1776, when he ceded it to the British. Scene of serious disorders in the uprising in 1857.

Benares MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of the post office at Benares — the present-day Varanasi — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1808. Its "MN 1" designation is the figure number assigned in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "1 example recorded" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for benares pre stamp covers, benares postal history or "Benares MN1" material can compare MN 1 across every office or browse the rest of the Benares marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Benares MN 1 marking?: Benares MN 1 is a pre-1854 manuscript postal marking of Benares (modern Varanasi) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1808. The "MN 1" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India.
How rare is Benares MN 1?: Benares MN 1 has 1 example recorded in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Benares pre stamp cover with MN 1 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Benares is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by manuscript rate marks like MN 1. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, 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 Benares MN 1 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1808). 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 Benares

18 marks

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

View all Benares 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: Benares MN 1, Benares MN1, Benares Giles MN 1, Varanasi postal history, Benares handstamp, Benares pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Benares MN 1 — manuscript,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/benares/mn-1 (accessed 12 August 2026).

Updated: 12 Aug 2026