From time immemorial, lighthouses have been proudly playing their part as 'Lamp Posts of the Ocean'. The Pharos of Alexandria built in 3rd Century B.C., which was one of the earliest lighthouses, was admired as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. India has had a glorious maritime heritage and relics of lighthouse towers are also found near erstwhile ports in medieval  India.

The main  function of a lighthouse is to guide ships while sailing in the high seas and also when approaching the coastline. Lighthouses also mark danger such as submerged rocks, shoals and wrecks and thus play an important role in ensuring safety of life as well as navigation.

Amongst the few major Lighthouses in India built in the 19th Century and which are still in use today, the lighthouse at Minicoy Island (Lat. 08° 16' N; Long. 73° 01.6' E) in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, which was established in 1885, stands as the foremost. By virtue of its strategic location in the Arabian Sea, this lighthouse renders vital navigational guidance to all ships plying in the international sea lanes from Aden to Colombo and Suez to Singapore and the Far East. The circular masonry tower, which is 47 metres high, is provided with a powerful revolving lens apparatus capable of giving an effective beam intensity of 100,000 candelas with a visibility range of 26 nautical miles. A powerful medium frequency Radio-beacon with an effective range of 400 km. has also been installed recently, at this lighthouse in order to provide increased navigational guidance to mariners, Minicoy Island Lighthouse which has been acclaimed for and wide as an important navigational landmark amidst the high seas has completed on hundred years of service to the mariners on 2.2.1985.

The Department of Lighthouses and Lightships, Ministry of Shipping and Transport; Government of India, is responsible for the provision and maintenance of navigational aids all along the 6700 Km. coastline of the country and there are 147 Lighthouses, 14 Radio­ beacons, 12 Decca Navigator  Chain Stations, 13 Fog Signals, 6 Racons, 12 Light buoys and 1 Light vessel at present.

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is happy to issue a commemorative stamp on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Minicoy Island Lighthouse.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India