View of the Bosphorus and Castles - 5 rupee

This stamp highlights the strategic and geographic grandeur of the Ottoman Empire through a panoramic view of the Bosphorus, featuring the historic fortifications that guarded the passage between East and West. The illustration carries a message of territorial control and natural beauty, reflecting the pride of a transcontinental power. In the context of 1917–1923 Iraq, the bold "IRAQ IN BRITISH OCCUPATION" overprint, surcharged to the high value of 5 Rupees, marks the definitive end of Turkish sovereignty over the Mesopotamian provinces. This program documents the physical appropriation of Ottoman assets by British forces, where symbols of Bosphorus defense were converted into a high-denomination currency for the new administration, reflecting the economic and political reorganization of the region.