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POSTAL HISTORY OF 3RD CENTURY TILL 1774 (PRE HANDSTRUCK STAMP PERIOD)
For a philatelist, a nation’s early postal history is more significant than its political past. These days, every speciality collection has one or two volumes that display this crucial portion of the collection, which includes early covers, pre-stamped hand-struck stamps, postal notes, and more. This type of information is extremely abundant in India, surpassing the resources of most other nations and offering a vast array of study opportunities for a dedicated student of early Indian postal history.
A messenger service is recorded by the Atharva-Veda. In Chanakya’s Arthashastra (c. 3 century BC), information and income data collection systems for the provinces are discussed. In order to stay in touch with his growing kingdom as a result of conquests, Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia, built the world’s first mail system in 536 B.C. ‘Post buildings’ and stables were constructed at regular intervals for the convenience of his couriers, who ran postal routes.