A History of Agriculture in India v2.c57.s3: Postal System
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c57.s3
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Postal System
v2.c57.s3.1
Shahabu-d-Din Abu-l ‘Abbas Ahmad, a native of Damascus (d. 1348 A.D.) in his *Masaliku-l Absar fi Mamaliku-l Amsar* (Travels of the Eyes into the Kingdoms of Different Countries) thus describes this system of communication. ‘For communicating the events which happen in distant provinces, there are established, between the capital and the chief cities of the different countries, posts, placed at certain distances from each other, which are like the post-relays in Egypt and Syria; but they are less wide apart, because the distance between them is not more than four bow-shots, or even less. At each of these posts ten swift runners are stationed, whose duty it is to convey letters to the next station without the least delay. As soon as one of these men receives a letter, he runs off as rapidly as possible, and delivers it to the next runner, who starts immediately with similar speed, while the former returns quietly to his own post. Thus a letter from a very distant place is conveyed in a very short time with greater alacrity than if it had been transmitted by post, or by camel express. At each of these post-stations there are mosques, where prayers are said, and where travellers can find shelter, reservoirs full of good water, and markets where all things necessary for the food of man and beast can be purchased, so that there is very little necessity for carrying water, or food, or tents.’²
v2.c57.s3.2
² Shahabu-d-Din Abu-l ‘Abbas Ahmad. *Masaliku-l Absar fi Mamaliku-l Amsar*, in Elliot and Dowson, *The History of India*..., Vol III, p. 581
v2.c57.s3.3
Ibn Battuta, who saw this system of post during the reign of Muhammed-bin-Tughlak, states, ‘The *barid* or post in India is of two kinds. The horse-post is called *ulak*, and is carried on by means of horses belonging to the Sultan stationed at every four miles. The foot-post is thus arranged. Each mile is divided into three equal parts, called *dawah*, which signifies one-third of a mile. Among the Indians the mile is called *kos*. At each third of mile there is a village well populated; outside of which are three tents, in which are men ready to depart. These men gird up their loins, and take in their hands a whip about two cubits long, tipped with brass bells. When the runner leaves the village, he holds the letter in one hand, and in the other the whip with the bells. He runs with all his strength, and when the men in the tents hear the sound of the bells they prepare to receive him. When he arrives, one of them takes the letter and sets off with all speed. He keeps on cracking his whip until he reaches the next dawah. Thus, these couriers proceed until the letter reaches its destination.
v2.c57.s3.4
This kind of post is quicker than the horse-post; and the fruits of Khurasan, which are much sought after in India, are often conveyed by this means. It may be mentioned that this sysem of post was used by the Sultan's government only for official communication, and it was not available to common people.