Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Pune photographer preserves India's military history through rare stamps
A photographer in the city of Pune, India, collects stamps.
His name is Sandeep Boyat.
He started this hobby 15 years ago.
His stamps are all about the Indian armed forces, which means the soldiers and military of India.
He keeps his collection in his studio, where he also works as a photographer.
His grandfather fought for India's freedom in a group called the Azad Hind Fauj.
His father was also in the Indian Army.
His family thought he would join the army too.
Instead, he chose to honor soldiers in a different way by saving their history in stamps.
His collection is now one of the biggest private stamp collections about India's military.
Sandeep Boyat, a Pune photographer, has spent 15 years building a private collection of stamps dedicated to the Indian armed forces.
His archive of stamps and philatelic materials is described as one of the nation's most meticulous private collections on the subject.
Boyat's grandfather was a freedom fighter who served in the Azad Hind Fauj, while his father served in the Indian Army.
Although his family expected him to join the military, Boyat chose to serve by preserving military history through his collection.
The collection is kept in his studio, nestled between camera lenses and exhibition prints.
- Who
- Sandeep Boyat, a Pune-based photographer and stamp collector.
- What
- Built one of India's most meticulous private collections of stamps and philatelic materials dedicated to the Indian armed forces.
- When
- Over the last 15 years.
- Where
- Pune, India, where the archive is kept in his studio.
- Why
- To preserve India's military history and serve his country in a different way, inspired by his grandfather who served in the Azad Hind Fauj and his father who served in the Indian Army.
- Subject
- Sandeep Boyat
- Profession
- Photographer
- Collection
- Stamps and philatelic materials on the Indian armed forces
- Time spent building collection
- 15 years
- Location
- Pune, India (his studio)
- Grandfather
- Freedom fighter in the Azad Hind Fauj
- Father
- Served in the Indian Army