1943-46, H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma, Maharaja of Cochin Anchal India overprinted On C G S 9 PIES MN H

H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma, Maharaja of Cochin Anchal 

1943-46, H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma, Maharaja of Cochin Anchal India  overprinted On  C G S 9 PIES  MN H

Text: Cochin Anchal 9 PIES On / CGS
Condition: Ø =MNH

Title:   H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma

Face value:     9

Stamp Currency:       PIES 

Country/area:                     India - Cochin Anchal

Year:   1943

Set:     1943 King

Stamp number in set:           1

Basic colour:           Ultramarine

Exact colour:          

Usage:            Service

Type:   Stamp

Theme:           Kings

Stamp subject:           H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma

Michel number:         IN-CO 89

Yvert number:          

Scott number:                        

Stanley Gibbons number:   

Printing office:            

Perforation:    13

Watermark:    

Paper:            

Printing:        offset printing by The Associated Printers

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The currency used on stamps was Rupia, Anna Paisa & Pies

This represented the currency arrangements during the transition period upto the establishment of the Indian Republic. The Monetary System remained unchanged at One Rupee consisting of 192 pies.

1 Rupee = 16 Annas

1 Anna = 4 Pice

1 Pice = 3 Pies

H. H. Sir Sri Ravi Varma, Maharaja of Cochin, 1943-46

Ravi Varma was the younger brother of the previous ruler, who was in turn the younger brother of the ruler before him. Like the previous ruler, his reign was short only three years. From 1944 to 1948 three values (9p, 1a3p, 1a9p) were offset printed by The Associated Printers. In this set, the Maharaja is shown with head turned slightly toward the right side of the stamp design. From 1946 to 1948, eight values (2p, 3p, 4p, 6p, 9p, 1a, 2a, 3a) were printed where the Maharaja's head is turned slightly toward the left side of the design. The first set of three is fairly common. The second set of eight in used condition is within the reach of many collectors, but expect to pay a bit more for the scarce 4p grey-green [Sc 83A/SG 103] and the 1a orange [SC 86/SG 106]. This set in mint condition is rare and valuable.

In 1949, five surcharges were overprinted on the stamps of Ravi Varma 6p (on 1a3p) and 1a (on 1a9p) with head facing right, and 3p (on 9p), 6p (on 1a3p), and 1a (on 1a9p) with head facing left. The basic set is reasonably priced, but some valuable sub-varieties are catalogued. Later in the same year, a different type of surcharge was introduced 6p (on 1a) and 9p (on 1a) with head facing left. These are scarce in mint state and even more scarce in used condition.

The three values of the first type (head facing right) were overprinted for official use, and the basic varieties are all common in both used and unused condition. The 1a9p value is also commonly found surcharged 1a. Nine values of the second type (head facing left) are overprinted for official use the 2p and 1a were not overprinted, and additional 1a3p, 1a9p, and 2a values are only found with overprints. The 1a9p value, as with the other type, is found surcharged 1a, though it is less common. All of Ravi Varma's official issues are within a reasonable price range, making them a nice series for the beginning to intermediate collector.     

Indian princely states

Before the Partition of India in 1947, hundreds of Princely States, also called Native States, existed in India which were not part of British India. These were the parts of the Indian subcontinent which had not been conquered or annexed by the British or even have any interference from British India.

Things moved quickly after the partition of British India in 1947. By the end of 1949, all of the states except Sikkim had chosen to accede to one of the newly independent states of India or Pakistan or else had been annexed.

In principle, the princely states had internal autonomy, while by treaty the British had suzerainty and were responsible for their external affairs. In practice, while the states were indeed ruled by potentates with a variety of titles, such as Raja, Maharaja, Nawab, Khan or Nizam, the British had considerable influence.

By the time of the departure of the colonial power in 1947, only four of the largest of the states still had their own British Resident, a diplomatic title for advisors present in the states' capitals, while most of the others were grouped together into Agencies, such as the Central India Agency, the Deccan States Agency, and the Rajputana Agency.

From 1920, the states were represented in the Chamber of Princes, which held its meetings in New Delhi.

The most important states were ranked among the salute states.

By the Indian Independence Act 1947, the British gave up their suzerainty of the states and left each of them free to choose whether to join one of the newly independent countries of India and Pakistan. For a short time, some of the rulers explored the possibility of a federation of the states separate from either, but this came to nothing. Most of the states then decided to accede to India or to Pakistan, while others which held out for the possibility of independence were later annexed by India, such as Junagadh (1947–1948), Hyderabad on 18 September 1948, Bilaspur on 12 October 1948, and Bhopal on 1 May 1949.Dewan of Travancore chose to remain an independent country.

In Jammu and Kashmir, a state with a Muslim majority but a Hindu ruler, the Maharaja hoped to remain independent but acceded to India on 27 October 1947 at the outset of the invasion of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan - leading to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.

On 31 March 1948, Kalat acceded to Pakistan, although the brother of the Khan led a rebellion against this decision.

The last remaining independent state, Sikkim, was incorporated into India on 16 May 1975, following a referendum in which people of Sikkim overwhelmingly voted for this.