Britain’s involvement in the postal Services of India began in the eighteenth century. Initially the service was administered by the East India Company who established post offices in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta (now Kolkata) between 1764 and 1766.
East India Company and the British Post Office in India:-
Warren Hastings (Governor General of British India from 1773-1784) opened the posts to the public in March 1774. Prior to this the main purpose of the postal system had been to serve the commercial interests of the East India Company. Serving economic and political needs of the ruling authority remained a driving force in the development of the postal service.
Post Office Act (1837) reserved the government the exclusive right to convey letters in the territories of the East India Company.
In 1850 a report was commissioned into the working of the Post Office in India. This report introduced uniform postage rates dependent on weight alone (previously charges had been calculated on weight and distance). It recommended that a Manual of Instructions be supplied to postmasters to encourage uniformity of practice. The recommendations of this report led to the introduction of Act XVII in 1854. However the reforms had a mixed success with some areas persisting in old practices.
From the late eighteenth century political power began to slip away from the East India Company. The Company was finally abolished in 1858 and India became a Crown colony ruled directly by Parliament.
Stamps:-
The first postal stamp in India was introduced on 1 July 1852 in the Scinde district. In 1854 the introduction of uniform postage rates led to the development of the first postage stamps valid for use throughout India. As with the introduction of uniform postage in Britain this led to a rapid increase in use of the postal system. The volume of mail doubled between 1854 and 1866, and again between 1866 and 1871.
The first pictorial stamps were issued in 1931. There was a victory issue in 1946, followed shortly by a first Dominion issue. The three stamps in the Dominion issue depicted the Ashoka Pillar, the new flag of India, and an aeroplane.
Mail Communications with England:-
In addition to the managing the postal services of British India, the Post Office was involved in the transmission of correspondence between England and India.
In the 1820s Thomas Waghorn began investigations into improving mail routes between England and India. This led to the establishment of the overland route between Alexandria and Suez. Mails had previously taken three months to reach England, but Waghorn’s letters accomplished the same journey in just 35 days. Letters conveyed by Waghorn carried their own cachet ‘Care of Mr Waghorn’. After ten years of Waghorn’s efforts the British Government and the East India Company were convinced of the viability of this route and took it over.
The India Mail Service carried diplomatic mail between the two countries. This service involved specially appointed Post Office staff of higher grades accompanying the mail from London to Marseilles where responsibility would be transferred to the P&O purser of the ship bound for India. These staff was referred to as India Mail Officers.
Telegraph
Already in 1849 the East India Company had decided to construct a telegraph system along the railway lines. The telegraph became an urgent necessity on account of the Afghan war and the impending war with Burma. The first line, between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour, opened in 1851 and was used to send shipping news from the coasts to Calcutta. The major lines were completed before 1855. This remarkable speed of construction resulted from both strategic needs and Lord Dalhousie’s personal interest in the plan. The telegraph was a private enterprise in England and the United States and a state enterprise in continental Europe. In India it turned out to be a state enterprise for military reasons, despite Dalhousie’s general aversion to state monopolies.
Development in Telegraph system took place in the mid nineteenth century. Telegraph Communication was essential for effective and safe railway signalling. In 1851 telegraphs had been extended over 4,250 miles of India. This linked forty-six receiving stations. They were from Calcutta to Agra and the northwest. It connected Bombay, Madras and Ootacamund. There were around 17,500 miles of telegraph lines by 1865. By the end of the century it reached 52,900 miles. India’s 100,000 lines carried 17 million telegraphic messages a year by the early twentieth century.
The telegraph rose directly from political imperatives. Telegraph system was basically a response to the need for a rapid and reliable system of information. These telegraph lines demonstrated their importance by carrying their authority’s early intimations of the up-country revolt in May 1857. In India it turned out to be a state enterprise for military reasons, despite Dalhousie’s general aversion to state monopolies. By 1857 the telegraph had proved itself a critical military tool. Not surprisingly, it symbolized evil for the mutineers. With vengeance, they destroyed telegraph establishments wherever they could (and never used it to their advantage). With this lesson behind itself, the Crown rule saw massive expansion of the telegraph system within the country and between India and Europe. From then onward, the commercial uses of the telegraphs began to overwhelm strategic needs, leading to extremely rapid Growth in the use of the system.
This system was also adopted by Indian and European businessmen. By the early twentieth century the government officials and nationalist politicians was unable to function without telegrams. The telegraph system incorporated India into administrative and commercial Network once submarine cables were completed between India and Britain in 1870.
There was also a personal interest involved in the rapid construction of the telegraph system in India in the 1850s. O’Shaughnessy had built a 21 mile long experimental line near Kolkata. This was protected from the effects of tropical heat and humidity by using thicker cables. He showed how electrical signals could be sent over long distances in India. The telegraph system was basically an imported technology. Local expertise and the political patronage that this imported technology had received speeded its adoption and adaptation to the local conditions.
Impact of Modern Communication and Transport
Negative Impact
The colonial exploitation of India got accelerated and India was quickly turned into an exporter of raw materials to feed the British industries and as a market for their finished goods. In a way, they had hampered the growth of indigenous industries in India.
Investment of British capital in this sector, amounted to a sizable drain of wealth in the form of interest payments
The efficient network of railways and telegraphs had helped the British to easily suppress many internal rebellions, including the Revolt of 1857, and strengthen the imperial control.
Positive Impact
The railway network had increased the contact among people at an unprecedented level.
Posts and telegraph network were useful for spreading patriotic ideas.
The growth of Indian nationalism was attributed to the advent of a modern network of communications and transport.
Indian agriculture witnessed a structural transformation with an increase in the cultivation of Cash Crops such as Cotton, jute, tea etc.
It also gave rise to a new class – the working class or the proletariat which in later years played a significant role in freedom struggle.
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The development of posts and telegraph has had a profound impact on human history. From the ancient times of pigeon post and smoke signals to the modern era of email and Social Media, the ability to communicate quickly and easily has changed the way we live, work, and interact with each other.
In ancient times, the only way to communicate over long distances was through messengers or couriers. These messengers would often travel on foot or horseback, and could take days or even weeks to deliver a message. This made it difficult to keep in touch with people who lived far away, and could lead to delays in important news and information.
The development of the postal service in the Middle Ages helped to improve communication by making it possible to send mail more quickly and reliably. Post roads were established, and post offices were set up in major cities. This made it possible for people to send letters and packages to each other, even if they lived far apart.
The Pony Express was a mail service that operated in the United States from 1860 to 1861. It was established to provide a faster way to deliver mail across the country than the existing stagecoach system. The Pony Express used a network of riders and horses to deliver mail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. The riders would change horses every 10-15 miles, and could cover up to 200 miles per day. The Pony Express was a major technological advancement, and helped to speed up communication across the United States.
The first transatlantic telegraph cable was laid in 1858. This cable connected the United States and Europe, and allowed for the first time for messages to be sent between the two continents in real time. The telegraph cable was a major technological breakthrough, and had a profound impact on international communication.
The development of the telegraph in the 19th century revolutionized communication. Before the telegraph, it could take days or even weeks for a message to travel from one place to another. With the telegraph, messages could be sent almost instantaneously. This made it possible for people to stay in touch with each other even if they lived far apart, and had a major impact on business, government, and Society.
The development of the telephone in the late 19th century further revolutionized communication. The telephone allowed people to talk to each other over long distances, without having to write letters or send telegrams. This made it possible for people to communicate more easily and quickly, and had a major impact on the way people lived and worked.
The development of the postal service in the 20th century continued to improve communication. The post office began to offer a variety of new services, such as parcel delivery and express mail. This made it possible for people to send packages and letters more quickly and easily than ever before.
The development of the fax machine in the 20th century made it possible to send documents over long distances electronically. This was a major improvement over the traditional method of sending documents by mail, which could take days or even weeks. The fax machine made it possible for people to send documents quickly and easily, and had a major impact on business and government.
The development of the email in the late 20th century revolutionized communication once again. Email allowed people to send messages to each other electronically, without having to use the postal service or a fax machine. This made it possible for people to communicate more quickly and easily than ever before, and had a major impact on the way people lived and worked.
The development of the Internet in the late 20th century had a profound impact on communication. The internet allowed people to access information and communicate with each other from anywhere in the world. This made it possible for people to stay in touch with friends and family, and to learn about new things. The internet has had a major impact on the way people live, work, and learn.
The development of social media in the 21st century has had a major impact on communication. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow people to share information and communicate with each other quickly and easily. Social media has had a major impact on the way people stay in touch with friends and family, and on the way people consume news and information.
The development of mobile technology in the 21st century has made it possible for people to stay connected with each other even when they are not at home or at work. Mobile phones, tablets, and laptops allow people to access the internet, send and receive emails, and use social media from anywhere in the world. Mobile technology has had a major impact on the way people live, work, and communicate.
The development of E-Commerce in the 21st century has made it possible for people to buy and sell goods and services online. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay allow people to shop for anything they need, without having to leave their homes.
What is the history of the postal service?
The postal service is a system for delivering mail. It is one of the oldest forms of communication, and it has played a vital role in the development of human society. The first postal services were established in ancient Egypt and Babylonia, and they were used to deliver messages and documents. The postal service became more widespread in the Middle Ages, and it was used to deliver letters, parcels, and newspapers. The postal service continued to grow in the 19th century, and it became a major part of the transportation system. The postal service is still in use today, and it is an essential part of the global communication network.
What is the history of the telegraph?
The telegraph is a device that was used to send messages over long distances. It was invented in the early 19th century, and it revolutionized communication. The telegraph allowed people to send messages quickly and easily, and it played a major role in the development of the modern world. The telegraph was eventually replaced by the telephone and the internet, but it remains an important part of history.
What are the benefits of the postal service?
The postal service has many benefits. It is a reliable way to send and receive mail, and it is a relatively inexpensive way to do so. The postal service also plays an important role in the economy. It employs millions of people, and it helps to keep businesses running smoothly. The postal service is also a vital part of the government. It delivers tax forms, Social Security checks, and other important documents.
What are the challenges of the postal service?
The postal service faces many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the decline in mail volume. People are increasingly using email and other electronic forms of communication, and this has led to a decrease in the amount of mail that is sent through the postal service. Another challenge is the rise of competition from private companies. Private companies are now offering many of the same services that the postal service offers, and they are often able to do so at a lower cost. The postal service is also facing financial challenges. The cost of providing postal service has increased, but the amount of revenue that the postal service generates has decreased. This has led to a financial deficit, and the postal service is facing the possibility of bankruptcy.
What is the future of the postal service?
The future of the postal service is uncertain. The postal service is facing many challenges, and it is unclear how it will be able to overcome them. The postal service may need to make changes to its operations in order to remain competitive. It may also need to find new ways to generate revenue. The future of the postal service is important, as it plays a vital role in the economy and the government.
Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Development Of Posts And Telegraph:
What is the name of the first postal service in the world? (A) The Pony Express (B) The Royal Mail (C) The United States Postal Service (D) The Indian Postal Service
Who invented the telegraph? (A) Samuel F.B. Morse (B) Alexander Graham Bell (C) Thomas Edison (D) Nikola Tesla
What is the name of the first telegraph company in the United States? (A) The Western Union Telegraph Company (B) The American Telegraph Company (C) The Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company (D) The United States Telegraph Company
What is the name of the first transcontinental telegraph line in the United States? (A) The Overland Telegraph (B) The Pacific Telegraph (C) The Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph (D) The Western Union Telegraph
What is the name of the first transatlantic telegraph cable? (A) The Cyrus Field Cable (B) The The First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable (C) The The Second Transatlantic Telegraph Cable (D) The The Third Transatlantic Telegraph Cable
What is the name of the first wireless telegraph? (A) The Marconi Wireless Telegraph (B) The De Forest Wireless Telegraph (C) The Tesla Wireless Telegraph (D) The Edison Wireless Telegraph
What is the name of the first radio station in the United States? (A) KDKA (B) WBZ (C) WABC (D) WNBC
What is the name of the first television station in the United States? (A) WNBT (B) WCBS (C) WABC (D) WNBC
What is the name of the first internet service provider in the United States? (A) America Online (B) CompuServe (C) Prodigy (D) The WELL
What is the name of the first social media platform? (A) MySpace (B) Facebook (C) Twitter (D) LinkedIn