Postman During British India Era, 1902 Stereo Photo
A 1902 stereo photo of a postman delivering mail to a British officer during the British India era. Not sure of the exact location in this interesting photo, but probably northern India. The British are to be credited for setting up a superb postal system in India. That crisscrossed the whole country after the railway network spread far and wide after the mid 19th century. Even before that postal system was in place with the help of dak runner, horse, and bullock carts.
Read more A tribute to the forgotten Mail/Dak Runners of India.
But the British undoubtedly took it to a higher and efficient level. After all, it was they who issued the world’s first postage stamp the penny black in England. Postal services of the three major cities under their presidency Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras remarkably developed their postal service. Massive GPO buildings were constructed in these three cities with Indo-Saracenic or Gothic styles.
To see the Madras GPO go to General Post Office Building In Chennai – Old Photo 1890.
These charming heritage buildings are still in use even today. And are constant reminders of the extensive and once complex colonial-era postal system. The East India Company had established post offices in India from 1764 onwards. Mainly to serve their commercial interest, but gradually opened up to the public as well. Scinde district or Scinde Dawk (Sindh district) was the first place in this country to use the postage stamp in 1852.
Did you know- the dak runner or postal runner would run with a mail bundle tied to an end of a stick slung over his shoulder and a bell on the other hand. The bell was as a warning, just like a car’s horn for people to give way.
From the collection- Colaba And Earliest Motor Car Mumbai – Old Photo 1900., The Durbar Of The Maharajah Of Travancore – Old Print 1859., Drawing Hiding The Taj Mahal WW2
