How a Pune photographer preserves India’s military history through rare stamps

During the 1980s and 1990s, India Post regularly issued commemorative stamps honouring the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Starting his pursuit in 2011, Boyat travelled to philatelic exhibitions across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bengaluru, and Delhi to track down these historical artefacts.

Today, his collection spans the earliest stamps issued for the three military branches, along with rare First Day Covers and vintage postcards once used by the military to communicate and mark major operational milestones.

“With rapid digitisation, the use of stamps and postcards has dropped sharply as people shift to digital apps,” Boyat noted. “That makes preserving these physical records even more critical.”

National recognition

Boyat’s dedication has earned him spots in both the India Book of Records and the Limca Book of Records.

His passion for stamps also bridges the past with the present through India Post’s personalised stamp scheme (‘My Stamp’), which allows citizens to feature their own photographs on valid postal stamps, a modern echo of the tradition he works to preserve.

“This is my way of serving the nation and expressing patriotism through my hobby,” Boyat said. “In an era dominated by digital noise, these tiny prints once brought the story of our armed forces into everyday homes and schools.”

Kalyani Lad is an intern with The Indian Express.