The Survey of India was founded in 1767 and is 200 years old this year. It has thus the unique distinction of being one of the oldest scientific organisations in the country. It is indeed rare for any organisation to count so much antiquity—rich in tradition and replete with adventure. In the fields of Geography, Geodesy and Cartography, the Survey of India has made several original and valuable contributions. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world was discovered and measured by the Survey of India and bears the name of one of its eminent Surveyor Generals, Sir George Everest.
It is well known that before the formulation or execution of any important project, the Survey of India is the first department to be consulted by the project planners. The work of the Survey of India has also special significance in matters concerning the country’s defence. It has to organise surveys and work well ahead to provide maps at the right time and of the correct places where campaigns might be fought in war. One of the greatest achievements of the Survey of India is the execution of the Great Trigonometrical Survey, providing the country with a framework of precise geodetic control points which has proved of immense value.
Other unique operations introduced in the Survey of India are Positional Astronomy, Gravimetry, Geomagnetism, Tidal Predictions, etc. India is also known as the home of the theory of Isostasy towards which the officers of the Survey of India have made outstanding contributions.
The Survey Department has one of the largest map printing organisations in the world. The well-known Vandyke process in printing was invented and first introduced by an officer of the Survey of India. Apart from these notable achievements, the officers of the Survey of India have added lustre and fame in the field of exploration of unknown regions. The names of Nain Singh and Kishen Singh are a few which are reminiscent of the great spirit of adventure, indomitable courage and dedication to duty which permeates the annals of this Department and which it can always remember with pride.
The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is indeed happy to pay its tribute to the Survey of India by bringing out a special commemorative stamp on the 1st of May on the occasion of its bicentenary and also avail of the opportunity to recall with gratitude the fact that the first postage stamps issued in India in 1854 were printed by the Survey of India.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India