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The evolution of the Mankind is rooted in its understanding of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. In this endeavour, history has been recorded in many guises and disguises. India has sung its famous Love History through aeons, sending messages by clouds, in Kalidas creation Meghdootam. Sandeshvahaks (Messengers) formed an important part of the administration in bringing / carrying of the messages besides spying. It is an attempt here to put in all the available information in Indian Postal History Postal System used by various Indian Kings, the British set up, Role in Indian Independence, Post Independent India era and progressing to the Technology Phase and further, IT Modernization Project 2012 with the induction of the online processes.

INDIAN POSTAL HISTORY - MILESTONES




1296

  • Horse and foot postal system during the rule of Allauddin Khilji.




    • 1341

  • Ibn Batuta describes El Wolak (Horse carriers) and El Davah, (foot runners) during the Tughluks.




    • 1541

  • Sher Shah introduces horse dak on the 2000-mile stretch of road between Bengal and Sind


    • 1672

  • Mysore Anche is established by Maharaja Chikka   Devaraya Wodeyar




    • 1766-1774

  • 1766 - Robert Clive sets up a regular postal system
  • 1774- Warren Hastings organises the Post Office  




    • 1774-1794

  • 31 March, 1774 Calcutta GPO opened
  • 1 June, 1786, Madras GPO opened
  • 1794, Bombay GPO opened




    • 1850

  • Post Office Commission Appointed




    • 1854

  • Post Office Act XVII introduced




    • 1860

  • Postal Manual Published




    • 1873

  • Embossed envelopes are put on sale




    • 1876

  • India joins the Universal Postal Union




    • 1879-1880

  • Postcards introduced
  • Railway mail Service /Money order launched




    • 1882

  • Post Office Savings Bank Opens




    • 1884

  • Post life Insurance Launched




    • 1886

  • Sale of one-anna revenue stamp starts




    • 1898

  • 1 July, Post Office Act VI introduced
  • 25 December, Imperial Penny Postage introduced




    • 1935

  • Indian Postal Order introduced




    • 1947

  • Three Independence Postage Stamps issued




    • 1954

  • Post Office centenary celebrated




    • 1959

  • P&T Department adopts the motto "aharnisham sevamahe"




    • 1986

  • 1 August, Speed Post introduced




    • 1994

  • Express Parcel / VSAT money order service introduced




    • 2003

  • Meghdoot Software introduced




    • 2006

  • 25 June, ePayment services introduced




    • 2008

  • Modernisation of Post Office-Project Arrow introduced




    • 2012

  • IT Modernisation project-2012 introduced




    • 250 BCE
    Maurya Period

    1504
    Mughal Period

    1727
    British Era

    1774
    Kolkata GPO

    1786
    Madras GPO

    1794
    Bombay GPO

    1852
    First Postage Stamp

    1854
    Mail Runner

    1854
    Modes Of Transportation In Postal System

    1856
    Army Postal Service