The Azad Hind stamps were printed during World War II in Germany. During his stay in Germany, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had Azad Hind stamps designed by Axter – Heudtlass and printed at the government printing press. Two series were printed –a semi-postal issue for the Free India Government and a regular issue for the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Free India Government stamps were printed and never issued, only limitedly available in either perforated or imperforated series. This is a rare set of 4 trial proofs of such stamps.Southeast Asia, in particular Singapore-Malaya and Burma were major centres of recruitment, training and fundraising for the Indian National Army; the large demographic of Indian origin were recruited for such activities. Letters were written by Netaji and his band of officers to members of the Indian community in these regions, asking for support in the form of volunteers for the army or monetary support.
