India 1907 Edward VII “Too Late” Postcard Rajshahi To Calcutta

India 1907 King Edward VII Postcard from Rajshahi to Calcutta. Postmarked 12 October 1907, Rajshahi. 1/4 Annas. India Post Card. Reply. Royal Crest featuring Lion and Unicorn. Non embossed. No stamps affixed. Marked 'TOO LATE'. Used. Slight bent visible.

During the reign of Edward VII in India, spanning from 1901 to 1910, the British Empire continued its firm grip on the Indian subcontinent. Edward VII, known for his affable demeanor and diplomatic skills, played a ceremonial role in India, fostering goodwill among the Indian princes and elites. His reign witnessed the height of the British Raj's power, marked by both advancements and discontent. While infrastructure projects such as railways and telegraph lines expanded, contributing to economic growth, the period also saw the intensification of Indian nationalist sentiments, culminating in the birth of the Indian National Congress. Despite efforts to maintain stability, tensions simmered beneath the surface, foreshadowing the eventual push for independence that would shape India's destiny in the years to come.

Postcards found their way into India during the British colonial era, gaining popularity as a convenient mode of communication. The usage of postcards in India traces back to 1879 when the British postal system introduced them as a cost-effective means of sending messages across vast distances within the country. Initially, postcards were primarily used for official correspondence, but their accessibility and affordability soon made them a common choice for personal communication among Indians of various social strata. With their simple yet effective format, postcards became a cherished medium for exchanging greetings, sharing news, and expressing sentiments among friends, families, and acquaintances throughout the diverse regions of India.