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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 - Milestone

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

History of Indian Postal System →

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The history of India Postal Service can be divided into various eras, each with its own unique developments and milestones.

  1. 1856

    Army Postal Service

  2. 1854

    Modes Of Transportation In Postal System

  3. 1854

    Mail Runner

  4. 1852

    First Postage Stamp

  5. 1794

    Bombay GPO

  6. 1786

    Madras GPO

  7. 1744

    Kolkata GPO

  8. 1727

    British Era

  9. 1504

    Mughal Period

  10. 250 BCE

    Maurya Period
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