India 2017 - Headgears of India

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 10 February 2017
Denomination: 10.00 Indian Rupees
Stheetlets Printed: 0.3 Million
Stamps Design: Ms. Gullistan
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
Text: Based on the material available on website

Headgears or Turbans are mostly worn in India to signify social and community values.  In few of the communities it is considered as sign of valour and to secure its pride and honour is seen as an act of bravey.  Department of Posts is bringing 16 stamps on Headgears of different parts of the country to celebrate the invaluable role played by the turbans, caps and hats in the society as it is looked upon as an object of identity and worn with great honour and pride.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Haryanvi Turban
Haryanvi Turban is called as Khindka in Haryanvi language and is part of traditional dress in Haryana. Khindka is a cloth of any color tied in specific style. This is mostly seen in Haryanvi cultural dance and other imprtant ceremonies.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Hornbill Warrior Cap
Hornbill is a very rare bird. The number of hornbill feathers used on the Head Gears is like medals of achievements. The Naga has to achieve success to claim the number of feathers used on his headgear.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Gujarati Turban
In Gujarat, the turban is called Phento, which is basically a large and loosely rolled turban. The men in rural parts of State usually wear the traditional thickly folded turban on their head along with cotton dress called Chorno. Bright Colors are generally chosen for the Phento which gives it as attractive look.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Bison Horn Maria Tribal Cap
Bison Horn Maria is one of the ancient tribal groups of Central India.  This tribal community of Chhattisgarh derives their name from their unique custom of wearing a distinctive headdress which resembles the horns of Bison. They generally wear this headdress for dance during the marriage or other ceremonies.  The headdress is nowadays made of cattle horns because of scarcity of Bison horns. This basically has a frame of bamboo and  is decorated with feathers of peacock or chicken and hanging cowry shell strings.  The Bison Horn headgear is generally passed on from one generation to another.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Rajasthani Turban
Rajasthan is known for exhibiting wide diversity.  One gets to see different styles of turbans from one city to another.  In Rajasthan, the turban is known as Pagdi or Safa.  There are certain parts in Rajasthan, where the size of turban is evocative to the position and status of the person in society.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Himachali Topi
The typical Kullu Cap in shades of grey or brown and flat on the top, is a striking headgear. A band of colourful woven fabric brightens the front and topi ( Hindi name for a Cap) looks rather neat set at a rakish angle.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Angami Tribal Cap
Angami Naga men wear a giant structure made of bamboo strips and cords of white cotton, topped with hornbill feathers.  In the olden days warriors had to prove their valour to wear the headgear.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Japi Cap
The Jaapi or Japi is a traditional conical hat from Assam.  It is composed of closely knit cane staff bundled together with clusters or “japs” of the leaves of “tokou” - a palm tree.  The Japi mainly used as not only a decoration for the head, but as ceremonial or cultural attire, plain Jaapi were used by ordinary Indians for protection from the sun as well.  Ornate jaapi wer e worn as a status symbol by Assamese royalty and nobility.  It is worn in a style of Bihu dance, used as a protection against the elements, offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative item around the house, especially near the front door as a welcome sign.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Puneri Turban
The origin of the Puneri pagadi, which is considered as a symbol of pride and honour in the city of Pune dates back to the 17th century when the 'Kostis' made the pagadis at people's homes on their fortnightly visits.  Though it is a symbol of honour, the use of the pagadi has changed over the years and now it is also used on important social event.  To preserve the identity of the pagadi, there were demands from the locals to grant it a Geographical Indication (GI) status.  Their demand was fulfilled and the Puneri became an intellectual property on 04 September 2009.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Naga Hat
Chang Naga warriors wear plaited cane work helmets ornamented with Hornbill tail feathers, goat or bear hair and two wild boar tusks.  The chin strap is decorated with the ten claws of a tiger’s two front paws that can only be worn by a successful head-hunter that the Nagas used to be.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Mysore Peta
The Mysore turban is called the “Peta” and it named with reference to a Wodeyar King of Mysore who wore the Peta. In the districts of Kodagu and Mysore, turban is considered to be the source of Pride. Presenting the Mysore Peta is a symbol of honoring and respecting the recipient. This indicates the significance people have attached to the turban.  In the district of Kodagu, men wear their ethnic dress with a turban on the celebration of special occasions.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Sikh Turban (Dastar)
In the Sikh religion, the turban is known as dastar, and carries a lot of reverence and significance. Dastar is an important part of unique Sikh identity.  It is worn to cover the long, uncut hair that is one of the five outward symbols of the Khalsa Sikh faith.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Kashmiri (Karakul) Cap
The Kashmiri cap is also called "karakul cap".  It can be seen in two shape - the collapsible boat shape and hard elliptical shape.  A turban is more of a symbol of honour in Kashmir.   In most religious shrines of Kashmir, the priests wear turbans.  The Karakul cap is now only worn by the Kashmiris at important occasions.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Mithila Turban
The Paag is a headgear hailing from Mithila region of Bihar worn by Maithil people.  The Paag carries a lot of respect and is worn by the people of Mithila with pride.  The Paag dates back to pre-historic times when it was made of plant leaves.  It exists today in a modified form.  Paags are of different shades, colors and shapes.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Tepi (Brokpa or Drokpa Tribe) Cap
A Brokpa tribal is identified by a colorful headgear called Tepi that has silver base embellished with fresh and dried colorful berry flowers from the mountains and various colorful props.  In the high altitudes of Ladakh, beyond the usual tourist spots like the Pangong Lake, majestic hills or the monasteries, there survives a tribe believed to be one of the oldest tribes known as Brokpa or Drokpa.
The Tepi is also an instrument that wards evil eye.  The women wear heavy metal, gold and silver jewellery along with full length sheep  skin capes and sheep wool pheran.  Old metal coins are part of the accessory.  The men mostly wear maroon gowns with cummerbunds.

10.00 Indian Rupee - Gonda - Ladakhi Cap
Gonda is one of the traditional accessories of the costume of Ladakh, wear by women.  The Gonda is like a top hat but with the front brim cut away over the forehead. The gonda is usually covered with silk and brocade or velvet and is embroidered in silver or gold thread. Older men also the gonda, but theirs is relatively simple.

Department of Posts is pleased to release Commemorative Postage Stamps on Headgears of India.