World Post Day: Amazing facts about India Post

| Read time: 4 minute(s)
Much before the email, there were letters. Yes, hand-written letters sent in an envelope to different cities to the loved ones. The postal department plays one of the most important duties in any country, but unfortunately doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Do you ever wonder how your packages get delivered without getting lost or damaged? Now wonder about millions of letters being delivered to the right addresses years after years by the post offices. As we honour the postal services on October 10, let’s read about some interesting facts about Indian post. India Post, operated by the Central Government in India, was founded way back in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of India at that time. In its 165th year, this system continues to serve the people of India in an efficient manner. The postal network of India is segregated into 23 postal circles, with a Chief Postmaster General at the helm of each circle. There also exists a base circle, headed by a Director General, which provides postal services to the Armed Forces of India. Asia’s first adhesive postage stamp called “Scinde Dawk”, was launched at Sindh Province on 1 July 1852. The Pin (Postal Index Number) code, without which any postal address in India is incomplete, was introduced on 15 August 1972. World’s first official airmail flight took place in India on 18 February 1911, covering a distance of 18 km from Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Naini. The first postal stamp, released by the India Post after Independence, contained the picture of the Indian tricolour flag. Mahatma Gandhi was the first personality to appear on a stamp, post Independence. EMS Speed Post services, which are largely used by people for quick delivery of goods, started in 1986. Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,500 feet above sea level, houses the highest post office in the world. Over the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, lies India’s only floating post office. Simply called the “Floating Post Office”, it is actually a houseboat which serves both as a post office and a philately (collection of stamps) museum.

Much before the email, there were letters. Yes, hand-written letters sent in an envelope to different cities to the loved ones. The postal department plays one of the most important duties in any country, but unfortunately doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Do you ever wonder how your packages get delivered without getting lost or damaged? Now wonder about millions of letters being delivered to the right addresses years after years by the post offices. As we honour the postal services on October 10, let’s read about some interesting facts about Indian post.

  • India Post, operated by the Central Government in India, was founded way back in 1854 by Lord Dalhousie, the Governor General of India at that time. In its 165th year, this system continues to serve the people of India in an efficient manner.
  • The postal network of India is segregated into 23 postal circles, with a Chief Postmaster General at the helm of each circle. There also exists a base circle, headed by a Director General, which provides postal services to the Armed Forces of India.
  • Asia’s first adhesive postage stamp called “Scinde Dawk”, was launched at Sindh Province on 1 July 1852.
  • The Pin (Postal Index Number) code, without which any postal address in India is incomplete, was introduced on 15 August 1972.
  • World’s first official airmail flight took place in India on 18 February 1911, covering a distance of 18 km from Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Naini.
  • The first postal stamp, released by the India Post after Independence, contained the picture of the Indian tricolour flag. Mahatma Gandhi was the first personality to appear on a stamp, post Independence.
  • EMS Speed Post services, which are largely used by people for quick delivery of goods, started in 1986.
  • Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 15,500 feet above sea level, houses the highest post office in the world.
  • Over the waters of Dal Lake in Srinagar, lies India’s only floating post office. Simply called the “Floating Post Office”, it is actually a houseboat which serves both as a post office and a philately (collection of stamps) museum.

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