Ashokan Lion Capital

The postal system in India boasts an ancient lineage, akin to the venerable temples that dot its landscape. It emerged from the fundamental need for communication, enabling the emperor to maintain contact with distant provincial officers and stay apprised of unfolding events. Ibn Battuta, journeying through India during the reign of Mohamed Bin Tughlak in the fourteenth century, provides a vivid depiction of this system. He describes two types of couriers, horse and foot, known as “El Wolam” in Hindustan.

The horse-courier, typically a part of the sultan’s cavalry, was stationed every four miles, while foot-couriers, stationed every mile at points termed “El Davah,” covered the intervening distances. With each courier equipped with a whip adorned with bells, the system facilitated swift message relay. As one courier departed a city with dispatches in hand and whip shaking, another would promptly emerge to continue the journey, ensuring expedited communication. This efficient network allowed the Sultan to receive dispatches promptly, despite the vast distances involved.

The Indian postal service opened its doors to the public in 1837, with postage charges collected in cash. The standard rate was set at Two Annas for every hundred miles, with copper tokens of equivalent value minted for payment convenience. The introduction of postage stamps in 1852, beginning with three varieties, marked a significant advancement in the postal infrastructure.

In a momentous leap forward, the first official Air Mail flight took place on February 18, 1911. French aviator M. Pequet piloted the flight, carrying 6,500 letters and postcards from the U.P. Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition Grounds in Allahabad to Naini Junction. To commemorate this historic event, a souvenir postmark was provided by the postmaster General U.P., with the seal ceremoniously destroyed following the flight. This pioneering venture heralded a new era of air transportation within India’s postal network, promising enhanced speed and efficiency in mail delivery services.