Scinde Dawk

Did you know that India was the first country in Asia (and the 10th in the world) to issue prepaid postage stamps? After the British conquered Sindh (now in Pakistan), they needed an efficient communication system for governance. In 1852, they revitalised the postal system of Sindh, and introduced a standard prepaid stamp, called Scinde Dawk (meaning Sindh Post). It was a seal embossed on red wax, costing ½ anna, or 1/32 Rupee. Less than 100 brittle specimens exist now, and each is worth lakhs of Rupees.