Author:

Biswajit Kar
PhD Research Scholar
Department of History
University of North Bengal
Darjeeling,West Bengal,India

Email: bkar@suryasencollege.org.in

Abstract:: Abstract:Folk culture refers to a culture that includes customs, beliefs, way of life and traditional practices
of a particular group of people. This article focuses on the role of the department of Posts in the reflection
of Indian Folk Culture. The Postal system of India has a long history of development. According to
Atharvaveda ‘doots’and‘pigeons’ were used as the medium to send communicate messages in Ancient
India. Until to 1854 Postal communication was done without any Postal stamps. Lord Dalhousie’s effort
opened up a new Vista in the postal system in India. Act XVII of 1854 marks the commencement of the
organization of the Indian post office upon its present footing. Postage stamps were first introduced in
1854.Stamps are of two types- Definitive and Commemorative. Stamps are not only used for letters and
parcels but also for preserving the Indian heritage and culture. The department of Posts has issued Postal
Stamps, First Day Cover, Special Cover, Postal Brochure or Miniature sheet for the commemoration of
historical events and Folk culture. Commemorative stamps are issued, as the name suggests,
commemorating important events, prominent personalities in various fields, folk culture, aspects of nature,
beautiful or rare flora and fauna, environmental issues, agricultural activities, national/international
issues, games etc. Indian Folk dance, song, rituals, rhymes, the traditional musical instruments etc. are
placed in the postal stamps. Therefore the paper highlights such aspects of Post office specifically the role
of Stamp.

Key Words::Folk culture, Lord Dalhousie,Postal system, Postage Stamps, Postal Brochure etc