Postal Services in Sikkim: A Transformative Journey of Communication and Connectivity

Abstract

Post office can be considered as the mother of all-modern medium of communication. It played a significant role in the development of any nation. Its role particularly in the then Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim is noteworthy, where the communication networks were traditional in nature. While tracing the historical background of postal development in Sikkim, the British played a significant role in its establishment despite the true intention behind this was purely military. However, later it became the important means of communication that helped the social, political, and economic development of the then kingdom. With such significance attached to it the historical backgrounds of postal development have not been thoroughly researched which has created a glaring lacuna in understanding of history of Communication in the region. Therefore, the present paper intends to study the historical background of the postal developments in Sikkim highlighting different military expeditions, its impact and contributions on the opening of the postal networks.  This research is carried out through appropriate historical methodology based on the analysis of both primary and the secondary sources.