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India’s Overseas Military postal history reflects the service of Indian forces abroad during both the colonial and post-independence eras. Under British rule, Indian troops served across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while after 1947 India continued overseas deployments through peacekeeping missions and international military cooperation.
Postal material associated with these forces includes field post office cancellations, military overprints, commemorative issues, and army postal markings. These items are valued for their strong historical significance and their connection to overseas military operations across different periods.
The issues used the Indian rupee-based currency system, transitioning from annas and pies to the decimalized rupee after 1957.
1962 - India UN Force Congo - Map of India
First issued: 15 Jan 19621, 2, 5, 8, 13, 50 Indian Naya PaisaIndian UN Force in Congo SeriesSecurity Printing Press, NashikBlue-green 1 np: SG: IN U1; Light Brown 2 np: SG: IN U2; Bright Green 5 np: SG: IN U3; Light Blue Green 8 np: SG: IN U4; Bright Carmine Red 13 np: SG: IN U5; Orange 50 np: SG: IN U6Colnect Link1962 - India UN Force Congo - Map of India
This overprinted series was issued for use by the Indian military contingent serving with the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) during the Congo Crisis of the early 1960s. Indian troops formed one of the largest and most significant components of the UN force, participating in peacekeeping, humanitarian operations, and military actions against Katangan secessionist forces led by European Mercenaries.An interesting aspect of the series is its historical context. The Congo operation was among the earliest large-scale armed UN peacekeeping missions, and Indian troops became heavily involved in actual offensive combat operations, particularly during the Katanga crisis of 1961–63. These stamps therefore represent not just routine military mail, but India’s emergence as a major contributor to international peacekeeping in the post-colonial world. The underlying stamp shows the map of the Republic of India with decorative side panels and the word “India” vertically at right.
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