Stamps From East Pakistan (Present-day Bangladesh)

The Office of the Postmaster General began operating from Lahore from 15th August 1947 onwards. With the newly formed government busy with the establishment of the country, British Indian stamps continued to be used without any overprints. However, the year 1972 brought a new phase, with the loss of East Pakistan in 1971. Even then, the post office incorporated three languages on the stamps that year. In fact, some postcards came with a pre-printed 5 paisa stamp (also evident in the contributor's postcard; stamp on the right).

This particular postcard was written from District Comilla, which was annexed by the Mughals in 1733 CE (and was known as Tippera back then). The responsibility of its administration passed on to the British East India Company in 1765, and it was clearly seen to be a district of Bengal by 1790. It was as late as 1960 that the district was officially renamed Comilla. Comilla included Brahmanbaria and Chandpur as its sub-divisions, both of which later progressed on to become districts of their own in 1984.

This postcard was written in Bangla by the contributor's maternal grandfather's father to his son (or, the contributor's grandfather). Written on 12th October, 1970, it reached the recipient on 26th October that year, and contained blessings for him and his family on account of the auspicious Durga Puja.

DETAILS OF THE POSTCARD

From

Hemchandra Bhattacharjee

District: Comilla

Subdivision: Brahmanbaria

Village: Chunta

East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh)

To

Heramba Chandra Bhattacharjee

District: 24 Paraganas (present South 24 Parganas, Kolkata 84)

West Bengal

The postcard is 50 years old.

Contributed By :

Sarbani Chakraborti