Communication Revolution in an Enthusiastic Society: The Revamp of Postal Organisation and its Role in Nineteenth Century Bengal

Abstract

In the eighteenth century, the communication networks in Bengal were archaic. The province of Bengal was a combination of its thousands of self-sufficient villages. Ordinary people could communicate only with those in their immediate vicinity. Postal communication was not intended for the general public. In the latter half of the nineteenth century, roadways were renovated and railways were introduced. The postal system of the country was thoroughly reformed, and its services were converted into cheaper, more efficient ones and made available to all. Under a hundred years of British rule, the ordinary people of Bengal became more enthusiastic about reading, writing, and communicating with others in distant places. To exchange information, emotions, ideas, and expectations with others, they sent letters in their millions through post offices. They also used the postal service to get printed books and newspapers. This tremendous change in the mental world and behavioural patterns of the Bengalis to expose them and know others by availing of the services of the post office can be called a communication revolution.