An exhibit on the Study of Cochin Anchal Postmarks & Cancellations by Mr. Joseph Stephen won a Large Silver at AMRITPEX’2023, National Philatelic Exhibition.
The postal service of Cochin from the early days was known as the ‘Anchal Service’. The word Anchal was known and spelt ‘UNJELL’, this is also spelt as ‘ANJAL’ which derives from the Greek word ‘Angelos’ meaning messenger. An angel, a messenger who runs on foot, the bearer of despatches. It is believed that the name Anchal was given to the early post by General John Munro, the then Resident and Diwan of Travancore and Cochin States between 1810-1819.
Cochin state had a postal or Anchal department of its own. It was created in the year 1791 with official mail transmitted only for Government communications. It was later made available to the public. Subsequently, Anchal Masters were authorized to accept private covers and transport them for free, and ‘Tappal carriers’ were engaged for carrying correspondence and parcels to both of Government and private sectors. The department had quite a number of Anchal carriers located in various parts of the state, carrying Anchal from one centre to another and vice versa.