Indian Telegraph Centenary 1.9.1957

The first telegraph line was opened in October 1851 in India between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour, a distance of 30 miles (48 kms.). But official inauguration of this line took place on 1st November 1851. By 1854, Calcutta was linked with Agra, Bombay and Madras by telegraph network.

Tall iron rods supported by bamboo posts, linked by copper wires, dotted the country side. That telegraph line was eyed with suspicion, as an emblem of Imperial rule.

Till 1912, telegraph was administered by independent department. From 1st April 1914, the telegraph was amalgamated with postal department. From 1st January 1985, the telegraph was separated from postal department. Then in 2000, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) took over the telegraph service.

By 1985, the use of telegram was at its peak, but from 1990, the decline started due to the introduction of internet and mobile phones. Today BSNL is posting loss of 9 million rupees per year. Therefore, BSNL decided to discontinue the telegraph service from 15th July 2013. Thus 162 years old telegram is going to rest in peace for ever. Long Live Telegrams in the hearts of Indian.

1851-1951,  

Miniature Sheet of Indian Telegraph Centenary 1951. Issued by Idian Posts & Telegraphs Departmet, turned out to be the first minisheet of sorts issued by the postal department in India. I was lucky to get it at the exhibition grounds itself. The FDCs were given to me by a friend in Lucknow.