Nagpur, the small settlement started in 1702 by Bakht Buland Shah by integrating twelve nondescript hamlets of Rajapur-Barsa, is today a sprawling urban centre with a population of 2.2 million. It is an important commercial and industrial centre and ranks among the 15 largest cities of lndia. The Department of Posts joins the tercentenary celebrations of Nagpur with the issue of a commemorative stamp.

The Indian city had developed an identity of its own at the time of the Indus Valley Civilization itself, viz. as early as circa 2500 B.C. Subsequently, in the texts belonging to the period of advent of the Aryans, the city has been exalted as nagara, the location of civilised life. Indian cities responded with considerable resilience to survive many a phase of political flux in the middle ages. Later, in the Mughal and post-Mughal periods, cities came to perform the additional role of asserting and maintaining the power and legitimacy of regimes. It was for this reason that many rulers felt the need to found new cities around them.

The civilised life of the city of Delhi had inspired Bhakt Buland, the Gond King of Deogarh to start building his new capital at Nagpur. His successor Chand Sultan continued the work of town building on an expanded scale. The Bhonsalas who took over as rulers in 1742left their mark on Nagpur in terms of promotion of agriculture and industry and patronage to literary, cultural and religious activities. Development of the city took a different turn after it fell into the hands of the British in the mid-nineteenth century. The disruptive impact of colonial rule was felt most on the organic evolution of the city and its socio-economic profile. The city was reduced to a centre for bulking of agricultural and forest produce and pumping in of imported merchandise into the hinterlands. Nagpur was made the capital of Central Province & Berar, for geo-strategic reasons. No doubt the pitch for king of the city into the world-wide network of colonial economy through the new road and rail links helped it to overcome the intrinsic limitations of autonomous growth, but this came about at a huge cost, namely the fragmentation of its social, cultural and architectural environment.

It the post-independence era, Nagpur was included in Maharashtra after re-organisation of states, with the status of the second capital of the state. In the last fifty years, it has been one of the fastest growing cities of India. The rapid increase of population has brought with it the attendant strains on infrastructure and ecology. These problem s are being addressed through the concerted efforts of various government agencies and some concerned citizens.

The industrial base of Nagpur is today a diversified one, covering ferromanganese products, other metal goods, cotton processing and ginning and paint industries. The city is located in the country 's geographical centre and has excellent connectivity through road, rail and air. Nagpur has done well in managing its environment and is one among the greenest cities of India. The city boasts of a cosmopolitan populace and with its rich blend of tradition and modernity, is truly a representative urban centre of lndia.

The design of the stamp, while depicting two landmark s of Nagpur, namely, the Vidhan Bhavan and the Samadhi of Raghuji Bhonsle, also elaborates on the theme of "The Orange City of India" by which epithet it is widely known. The stamps are brought out in the form of a sheetlet, which also carries a portrait (an artist 's impression) of Bakht Buland. A collage of images relating to the city features on the First Day
Cover.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India