Anchal post was the early postal service started in the kingdom of Travancore and Cochin before Independence of India. It was started in Travancore in 1729 by Anizham thirunal Marthandavarma and later in Cochin in 1770s. Later it was merged with the India Posts & Telegraph on 1 April 1951 after Independence of India.
Etymology
The name Anchal derives from the Greek word
Angelos meaning messenger. (Greek. Angelos) an angel, a messenger who runs on foot, the bearer of despatches. It is believed that name Anchal was given to the early post by General John Munro, the then Resident Diwan of Travancore.
Anchal symbol
The symbol of Anchal post is
Shankha.
Anchal post boxes
These
are made of cast iron, are about 100 cm tall and hexagonal in shape. The letter box features the State emblem, the
Shankha. A pair of smaller
Shankha are seen on either side of the mail slot. The words Travancore Anchal, Anchal letter box, letters taken are embossed and at the centre of the box is a
Shankha emblem. Also it shows what time the letter is cleared out from the box. These letter boxes, each weighing about 715 kilograms, could take about 3000 letters and small packets. The manufacturer's name, Massey & Co, Madras is embossed on them.
Anchal runner
The early post man of Travancore & Cochin was called an Anchal pillai. The Anchal pillai runs with the postal bag carried on his head and with a two-foot staff on his hand on which bells are attached. His uniform was Khaki shorts, Khaki shirt and a Khaki hat with red lining on it. When the Anchal pillai comes running everybody, upon hearing the bell ring,made way for him. Legally the mail man had a priority .
Important events
The first Anchal
post office was opened in 1852 in Alappuzha at the time of Uthram thirunal Marthandavarma. A
telegraph was introduced in Travancore in 1863. A postal savings scheme started in 1912 at the time of the Diwan Raghava Iyer. The
money order service was started in 1901 and an insurance scheme commenced in 1921
== Gallery ==
![Government Rest House]]]] head post office]]](http://www.upcscavenger.com/wiki/Travancore Anchal.jpg/){kind=link}