What is the Kotah HG 2A handstamp?

Kotah HG 2A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kotah (modern Kota) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1851. The "HG 2A" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in magenta.

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

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kotah 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 2A. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Kotah HG 2A cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851). 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 Handstamp

Kotah HG 2A

Colour & date: Magenta1851
Catalogue: 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave) · p. 13
Figure: 2A
Submitted by: Chandak & Bhargave

← HG 2 All Kotah HG 3 →

Census

Census records

0 covers recorded

No pre stamp cover bearing the Kotah HG 2A handstamp has been recorded yet. If you hold one, submit it below.

No covers bearing this mark have been recorded yet. If you hold one, your submission — once reviewed — will appear here.

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About this mark

The Kotah HG 2A handstamp

Kotah, capital of the State in Rajputana, situated on the right bank of the Chambal river, 25°11' N and 75°51' E, about 120 miles south-east of Ajmer.

Kotah HG 2A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Kotah — the present-day Kota — in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1851. Known strikes are in magenta. It is listed in 2016 Supplement (Chandak & Bhargave), where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 2A".

No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Collectors searching for kotah pre stamp covers, kotah postal history or "Kotah HG2A" material can compare HG 2A across every office or browse the rest of the Kotah marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Kotah HG 2A handstamp?: Kotah HG 2A is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Kotah (modern Kota) in the North Western Provinces, British India, recorded in use around 1851. The "HG 2A" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in magenta.
What does a Kotah pre stamp cover with HG 2A look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Kotah 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 2A. No surviving cover bearing this mark has been recorded in the census yet — if you hold one, it may be the first recorded example. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Kotah HG 2A cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1851). 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 Kotah

3 marks

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

View all Kotah 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: Kotah HG 2A, Kotah HG2A, Kotah Giles 2A, Kota postal history, Kotah handstamp, Kotah pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Kotah HG 2A — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/n-w-provinces/kotah/hg-2a (accessed 14 August 2026).

Updated: 14 Aug 2026