Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Kolkata General Post Office Traces Its History to 1774
Kolkata’s General Post Office has a history that began in 1774.
Warren Hastings established it on March 31 of that year.
It helped mark the development of an organised postal system in India.
The first office was at Fort William.
Later, the post office moved between different sites.
Its current domed building opened to the public in 1868.
The building is a heritage site.
Today, it remains a well-known landmark in Kolkata.
The Calcutta General Post Office was established on March 31, 1774.
Warren Hastings established the office as a milestone in India’s organised postal system.
The original office was located at Fort William.
The post office moved between sites over the following decades.
Its present domed heritage building opened to the public in 1868 and remains a Kolkata landmark.
- Who
- Warren Hastings established the Calcutta General Post Office.
- What
- The post office was established as part of the development of India’s organised postal system.
- When
- It was established on March 31, 1774; its present building opened in 1868.
- Where
- Kolkata, India; its original location was Fort William.
- Why
- It was a milestone in the development of India’s organised postal system.
- Established
- March 31, 1774
- Founder
- Warren Hastings
- Original location
- Fort William
- Present building opened
- 1868
- Architectural feature
- Domed heritage building
- Current significance
- Recognisable landmark in Kolkata