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A stamp to cement bonds between Ayodhya & South Korea

LUCKNOW: The ancient bond between India and South Korea is set to assume the shape of a commemorative stamp. The two governments have agreed to bring out a stamp on Queen Heo Hwang-ok of Korea, aka Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya .


The philately division of the department of post, India, has sought information from the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) on the princess of Ayodhya.

The ICHR has asked the state cultural department to help.

According to official documents, “There is a widespread belief in South Korea and Central UP that in 48 AD, Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya travelled for three months by sea to marry King Suro, who founded the Karak dynasty in 42 AD. The capital of his kingdom was Gimhae City and millions of residents in South Korea trace their origin to the Karak clan.”

The memorial of the princess, known as Queen Heo-Hwang-Ok or Queen Hu, in Ayodhya is a pilgrimage for South Koreans who consider themselves to be descendants of the royal couple.

While there is enough anecdotal evidence on Queen Heo’s story, the department of post is looking for “authentic information, preferably from government sources, so that the Indian connection may be appropriately depicted on the stamp.”

Officials in state culture department say they will decode the evidences such as the 11th century Korean chronicle Samyuk Yusa.

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