ASIA`S FIRST MAIL COACH IN KANDY, CEYLON 1832 FEBRUARY 1

 

ASIA`S FIRST MAIL COACH IN KANDY,

CEYLON 1832 FEBRUARY 1

1832 – ஆசியாவின் முதலாவது அஞ்சல் வண்டி சேவை (mail-coach) இலங்கையில் கண்டியில் ஆரம்பமாகியது. FEBRUARY 1

Browsing through a collection of postage stamps from South Asian countries, I found two from Ceylon worth Rs.10 and Rs. 30 with the picture of a ‘mail runner’ on them. The illustrations showed a man carrying a heavy sack of mails on his head, with the acronym G.P.O (General Post Office) inscribed on it. His left hand supported the sack while he held a spear in his right hand. Below the image on the Rs. 2 stamp was written- “Mail Runner- 1815” which had been issued in 1990 to commemorate the 175 th. anniversary of the postal service of Sri Lanka.

The messenger system of the royals was the more organised one. The Daakpaal– or the postmaster was responsible for maintaining the line of communication.Mail delivery was a risky proposition because of the presence of bandits, robbers and wild animals on the way.

Bhutanese postal runner

The runners were an important part of the socio-cultural and economic system as they not only delivered messages, but also acted as secret agents during the time of war. They were used by traders and merchants to carry out business transactions in far flung areas.1832 – ஆசியாவின் முதலாவது அஞ்சல் வண்டி சேவை (mail-coach) இலங்கையில் கண்டியில் ஆரம்பமாகியது.