Introduction of Postal System in Murshidabad
Postal System was introduced at the time of Warren Hestings in the year 1772 at Murshidabad. At that time Berhampore Post Office was also functioning. In 1830, the Postmaster General decided that the Post Office of Murshidabad should be transferred from Murshidabad to Berhampore. As Berhampore was the then District Headquarter, the Collector Mr. H. T. Travers directed the Deputy Postmaster of Murshidabad to send all the furniture, records to the Deputy Postmaster Berhampore. The Deputy Postmaster of Murshidabad Mr. W. Purvis despatched all the records with furniture to Berhampore in 1830 and since then Berhampore became the District Headquarter of Murshidabad Postal Division.
Berhampore Post Office Building is one of the oldest building in India as the HO was functioning in the existing building since 1827 while Kolkata GPO, Mumbai GPO and Chennai GPO were opened for the public from the existing departmental buildings in 1868, 1910 and 1885 respectively.
Historical Importance of Murshidabad District
Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan kept the name of his Capital as Murshidabad. The name of the District was therefore kept as Murshidabad under his name. The Head Quarter Town of this district is Berhampore (WB), which is situated on the bank of the river "Bhagirathi".
This District is an important historical place in India and witness of many remarkable incidents. Here, the first sign of British Empire was shown. The East India Company led by Robert Clive defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Doulla in the battle of Plassey in 1757. Cossimbazar was the great Port in the Eighteenth Century.
There are so many places of great importance in Murshidabad. Some of them are mentioned below:
| 1. Hazar Duary Palace | This was established in 1837. Now, this has been converted into a Museum which is under the establishment of Central Govt. There are one thousand doors in Hazarduari. |
| 2. Nimak Haram Deuri | Here, Nawab Siraj-ud-Doulla was killed. |
| 3. Katra Masjid | This was a great educational center. Nawab Murshid Kuli Khan was buried here. |
| 4. Kathgola Bagan | There is one famous temple of Pareshnath in the rest house of a Jain Businessman. |
| 5. Jahankosa | This is a famous Cannon made by one Bengali black smith. |
| 6. Khosbagh | This is situated on the other side of river Bhagirathi and Hazarduari. Here lie Nawab Alibardi, Nawab Siraj-ud-Doulla, his wife Lutfannessa and her daughter. |
| 7. Cossimbazar | In the burial ground of Cossimbazar, there is the tomb of the First Wife of Warren Hestings and his Daughter. |
| 8. Kunjaghata | There is a palace of Maharaja Nanda Kumar and many historical deeds. |
| 9. Kiriteswari | There is a PITHASTHAN (Sacred Place) named Kiriteswari, 16 km away from Berhampore. |
| 10. Karnasubarna | Mass of ruins of Jains and Buddha temple has been discovered at Karnasubarna, 12 km away from Berhampore. |
Postal Set up of Murshidabad Division
Head Post Offices (HSG - I) | = 3 |
Departmental Sub Post Offices | = 77 |
Extra Departmental Branch Offices | = 496 |
Number of Postal Sub Divisions | = 6 |
HO wise Office Details
| Berhampore HO | Kandi HO | Raghunathganj HO |
|---|---|---|
Departmental Sub Offices = 35 | Departmental Sub Offices = 16 | Departmental Sub Offices = 26 |
Extra Departmental Branch Offices = 208 | Extra Departmental Branch Offices = 124 |
Extra Departmental Branch Offices = 164 |
Total = 243 | Total = 140 |
Total = 190 |
Category wise Office Details
| Category of Post Offices | In Urban Area | In Rural Area | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Single Handed Office | = 14 |
= 16 |
= 30 |
Double Handed Office | = 5 |
= 18 |
= 23 |
Triple Handed Office | = 2 |
= 7 |
= 9 |
LSG Office | = 1 |
= 3 |
= 4 |
Postmaster Grade - I Office | = 5 |
= 5 |
= 10 |
HSG - II Office | = 0 |
= 1 |
= 1 |
Postmaster Grade - II Office | = 1 |
= 0 |
= 1 |
HSG - I Office | = 3 |
= 0 |
= 3 |
Staff Strength of Three HOs
| Category of Staff | Berhampore HO | Kandi HO | Raghunathganj HO |
|---|---|---|---|
Number of PA | = 38 |
= 20 |
= 26 |
Number of Supervisor | = 7 |
= 4 |
= 5 |
Number of Postman | = 23 + 2 (LR) |
= 5 |
= 5 |
Number of MTS | = 14 |
= 3 |
= 2 |
Staff Strength of Divisional Office
18 + 1 (Including Accountant)
Category wise Staff Strength of the Division
| Category of Staff | Sanctioned Strength |
|---|---|
Superintendent of Post Offices | = 1 |
Assistant Superintendent Posts | = 3 |
Postmaster Grade - III | = 0 |
HSG - I | = 3 |
Inspector Posts | = 6 |
Postmaster Grade - II | = 1 |
HSG - II | = 3 |
Postmaster Grade - I | = 10 |
Public Relation Inspector (Postal) | = 1 |
LSG | = 11 |
Postal Assistant | = 262 |
Accountant | = 4 |
Reserve Postal Assistant | = 26 |
Supervisor (SBCO) | = 3 |
Postal Assistant (SBCO) | = 13 |
Steno to Superintendent of Post Offices | = 1 |
Staff Car Driver | = 1 |
Head Postman | = 4 |
Overseer (Cash) | = 6 |
Overseer (Mails) | = 12 |
Postman | = 136 |
Stamp Vendor | = 2 |
Caretaker | = 1 |
LR Postman | = 16 |
MTS | = 89 |
LR MTS | = 6 |
Building & Quarter Details of the Division
Total Number of Departmental Building | = 12 |
Total Number of Rented Building | = 62 |
Total Number of Rent Free Building | = 6 |
Existing Departmental Staff Quarters (Type wise)
Type - I | = 9 |
Type - II | = 23 |
Type - III | = 11 |
Staff Quarters (Type wise) Provided by other Authorities
Type - I | = 11 |
Type - II | = 10 |
Type - III | = 2 |
Statistics of Non Delivery Post Offices
| Category of Post Office | Urban | Rural | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Head Post Office | 0 |
0 |
0 |
Sub Post Office | 19 |
3 |
22 |
Branch Post Office | 7 |
5 |
12 |
Grand Total | 26 |
8 |
34 |
Statistics of Delivery Post Offices
| Category of Post Office | Urban | Rural | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Head Post Office | 3 |
0 |
3 |
Sub Post Office | 10 |
44 |
54 |
Branch Post Office | 5 |
479 |
484 |
Grand Total | 18 |
523 |
541 |
Details of Administrative Officers
| Designation of Officers | No. of Posts | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
Superintendent of Post Offices | 1 |
Head of Murshidabad Division. Headquarter at Berhampore |
Assistant Superintendent Posts (Division) | 1 |
|
Assistant Superintendent Posts (HQ) | 1 |
|
Assistant Superintendent Posts, Central Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Murshidabad Central Sub Division. Headquarter at Berhampore |
Inspector Posts, Murshidabad North Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Murshidabad North Sub Division. Headquarter at Berhampore |
Inspector Posts, Murshidabad South Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Murshidabad South Sub Division. Headquarter at Berhampore |
Inspector Posts, Jangipur Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Jangipur Sub Division. Headquarter at Raghunathganj |
Inspector Posts, Kandi Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Kandi Sub Division. Headquarter at Kandi |
Inspector Posts, Azimganj Sub Division | 1 |
Head of Azimganj Sub Division. Headquarter at Azimganj |
Inspector Posts (Complaint & Public Grivances) | 1 |