Stamp essays: King Edward VIII, Emperor of India

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Essays are unadopted stamp designs, officially produced by the relevant authorities.

Images copyright Stanley Gibbons auctions.

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See also: Edward VIII - Archer essays.

That article has some very interesting designs for India. I did not know that camels were used in India.

[Pabitra]

I did not know that camels were used in India.

Camel is a very important animal, in state of Rajasthan in India.

India has a separate institute for research on Camel.

See

https://nrccamel.icar.gov.in

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I imagine the camels must have been imported to India, originally.

[Saikat]

There are two types of camels in India. In the desert state of Rajasthan and Gujarat, the camels are one humped (Arabian) and pretty native as they are adapted to the hot desert climate. However in the northern state of Laddakh, it is a cold desert where two humped Bactrian camels are found. It is said that they came to India with the army of Alexander.
Once i got a chance to ride a camel of the second type, not a very happy memory!
Thanks,
Saikat

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Thank you, Saikat. Yes, I would be very nervous to ride on a camel!

[Pabitra]

Camel ride is a major tourist attraction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRnVMblNYW0

As a domesticated animal, camel is almost as useful as a horse is in cavalry regiment

See

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R_EeZKPKnso

[Figleaf]

Camels with one hump are better known as dromedaries. Both are highly predictable animals, moving slowly and eating greens only. Their main defence is running away, but at close quarters, they'll bite to defend themselves if given a chance. If you ride a camel and the driver whips it viciously, you risk a galloping ride towards the sunset, but the saddles are comfortable and stable, the camel won't throw you off and forgot why it is running quite quickly.

I saw camels all over India, usually used as a beast of burden, occasionally as an easy way for the driver to get home again.

Peter