Three Wise Monkeys and Mahatma Gandhi – Limited Stamp Edition for the 150th Birth Anniversary
On October 2, 2019, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, India Post issued a special commemorative miniature sheet, which quickly became a sought-after item among collectors worldwide.
The sheet consists of six unique stamps, each with a face value of 25 rupees, designed in a rare octagonal shape.
Among them, one stamp stands out in particular – featuring the Three Wise Monkeys, a timeless symbol of Gandhi’s philosophy.
Limited Edition Miniature Sheet of Six Stamps
The miniature sheet was designed to present the key stages of Gandhi’s life in a single set – from his childhood to his spiritual legacy.
It was printed by the Security Printing Press in Hyderabad, in collaboration with India Post, the India Government Mint in Mumbai, and the Ministry of Culture of India.
Date of issue: October 2, 2019
Denomination: 25 rupees (2500 paise) each
Shape: Octagonal
Printing method: Offset
Type of issue: Special limited edition
Print run: No official data available (estimated around 800,000 stamps and 200,000 miniature sheets)
Description of the Six Stamps
Stamp 1 – Gandhi’s Childhood
Depicts Mahatma Gandhi as a young boy in traditional attire of that period.
In the background, we see his family home in Porbandar, where Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869.
Stamp 2 – Youth and Education
Shows young Gandhi during his law studies in London between 1888 and 1891.
The stamp also features the Inner Temple emblem, where Gandhi studied law.
Stamp 3 – Gandhi with Kasturba
Depicts Mahatma Gandhi with his wife Kasturba Gandhi.
This image reflects their family life and a partnership that lasted over 60 years.
Stamp 4 – Gandhi and the Charkha
Depicts Mahatma Gandhi as the leader of the independence movement, with his famous spinning wheel (charkha) in the background.
The charkha symbolizes self-sufficiency, simplicity, and independence – one of the core pillars of Gandhi’s philosophy.
Stamp 5 – Gandhi on a Journey
Depicts an older Mahatma Gandhi stepping out of a third-class train carriage.
Traveling in the lowest class was Gandhi’s conscious choice, symbolizing equality and solidarity with the poor.
Stamp 6 – Three Wise Monkeys and Spiritual Legacy
The sixth stamp is the most symbolic of the entire series.
At its center is a figurine of the Three Wise Monkeys, representing the philosophy:
“see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
In the background, there is a collage of portraits of world leaders inspired by Gandhi:
Nelson Mandela (South Africa)
Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
Martin Luther King Jr. (USA)
Albert Einstein (Germany/USA)
The stamp also features a famous quote by Albert Einstein in its original wording:
“Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Origin of “Gandhi’s Monkeys”
Although today in India they are commonly referred to as “Gandhi’s Monkeys”, the Sabarmati Ashram had no connection to them for a long time.
It was only in 1933, after the ashram was closed, that Gandhi received a ceramic figurine of the Three Wise Monkeys as a gift from Japanese visitors.
Research by Japanese historian Michio Iida confirms that the donors were Buddhist monks who brought the figurine to India as a symbol of moral values.
From that moment on, the Three Wise Monkeys became Gandhi’s personal talisman and accompanied him almost until the end of his life.
Commemorative Album – Coin, Miniature Sheet, and Booklet
The stamps are part of a special collector’s album:
“Mahatma Gandhi through India Postage Stamps, Coin and Booklet”,
issued jointly by:
India Post
India Government Mint, Mumbai
SPMCIL (Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited)
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
The album includes:
a miniature sheet of six stamps
a commemorative silver coin
an informative booklet about Gandhi’s life and philosophy
Information & Contact Block
📬 Do you have these stamps or know where to find them?
We are preparing the next part of this article and are looking for information from collectors and philately enthusiasts:
Does anyone know the exact print run of the entire miniature sheet?
Where, apart from online auctions, can you buy original stamps, the album, or the FDC version?
Do any of you own this miniature sheet or other special collector’s editions?
And the most intriguing question: why does Albert Einstein (Germany/USA) appear on the sixth stamp? The presence of the other leaders – Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Martin Luther King Jr. (USA) – is understandable, but Einstein’s role raises questions.
If you have your own interpretations or know historical sources, share them with us – we would be happy to include them in the next part of this article.
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