India

Time Traveler | Cool Facts! | Technology

Time Traveler
  A reference to a postal system in India came as early as the 14th century by a traveler named Ibn Battutah, making a description of "an organized system of mounted couriers and marathon runners". The mighty Mughul emperor Akbah brought the efficiency of this postal system to an all-time high in the 16th century with a vast network of 2,000 postal roads. Yet two centuries of political instability destroyed the entire courier system. The system was then to be revived in 1774.

In 1837 the Imperial Post postal service started out from the seat of government in Calcutta and linked several provinces. Within the provinces themselves, there was a free mailing service. Soon the systems merged with a common management. A uniform postage rate was introduced for India.

International connections began in 1867 with a weekly steamer service between Mumbai and England. The post office also began expanding its range of services with insurance service, money orders and bank drafts.

Cool Facts!
  The life of an Indian postman is often difficult. He is usually equipped with a rusty bicycle with only a fragile binder clip at the back of his bike to attach letters. It is hence not uncommon to see a trail of letters being left behind as the regular Indian postman cycles to his destination.

Technology
  The Indian "bullock train", the equivalent of the mail coach, was soon replaced by Indian railways. Despite the presence of air transport, rail transport still retained a sizeable volume of mail especially with the introduction of faster, bigger trains.

Motor vehicles however are the largest carrier of mail in terms of volume. In addition, India also makes use of rustic means of transport for mail delivery - the foot runner, horse, mule, camel, bullock cart, and bicycle still help distribute mail to many of India's villages.