Convention States of British Ruled India

 The British Empire established a two-tiered system in India:

• British India: Directly governed territories under the British Raj.
• Princely States: These were self-ruled by local monarchs but under British influence through a system called "paramountcy." Convention states were a specific category within these princely states. 

Having Princely/ Feudatory or Convention States, allowed the British to have:

• Indirect Rule: Maintaining direct control over the entire vast Indian subcontinent was a massive undertaking. Convention states allowed for a degree of local autonomy, reducing the administrative burden on the British.

• Alliances & Buffer Zones: Treaties with these states secured alliances, sometimes creating buffer zones between British India and other regional powers.

• Control & Resources: The conventions typically involved the princely states agreeing to:

  • Maintain British control over foreign policy and defense.
  • Allow British residents or advisors in their courts.
  • Integrate their postal systems with the British system (hence the term "convention states").

Six Indian states entered into postal conventions with British India, utilizing overprinted Indian stamps.

1. Chamba: Located in the Himalayas (currently part of Himachal Pradesh), Chamba was under the control of the British Government of Punjab. Chamba became independent of Kashmir in 1846. In 1886, its postal service merged with that of India, and overprinted Indian stamps were introduced. These overprinted issues remained valid until January 1, 1951.
2. Faridkot: Formerly a principality in the Punjab region of India, Faridkot issued its own stamps and maintained an independent postal system until January 1, 1887. After signing a postal convention, Faridkot's postal system merged with that of India, and overprinted Indian stamps were used until March 31, 1901.
3. Gwalior: Located in north-central India, Gwalior united its postal system with that of India through a postal convention. Overprinted Indian stamps were in use from 1885 to 1950, after which regular Indian issues replaced them.
4. Jhind: A former feudatory state in northern Punjab, Jhind issued its own stamps until 1885. After a postal convention, Jhind's postal system merged with India's, and from July 1885 to April 1, 1950, various overprinted Indian stamps were used. Regular Indian issues replaced these overprinted stamps on April 1, 1950, although they remained valid until January 1, 1951.
5. Nabha: A convention state of British India, Nabha's stamps were used concurrently with those of India after April 1, 1950. However, they were eventually replaced by Indian stamps on January 1, 1951.
6. Patiala: Another former convention state of British India, Patiala's stamps were also used concurrently with Indian stamps after April 1, 1950. They were replaced by Indian stamps on January 1, 1951.