Dubai Postal History- Philately

Dubai Postal History

Dubai Emirates was early last century a desert area, fighting for survival with the little resource available. Its modern civilization go back to the early years of the last century when it succeed to attract shipping lines of British Indian Shipping line in 1903.It took advantage of the high increase of custom duty on the ships in Linga port (Main port at the entrance of Gulf) by the representative of Iranian government. Since then Dubai Port became the leader not only in the area but also in all Middle East as it succeed to transfer the trading lines by providing all the requirement and infrastructure to them.

In 1904 specification on 26^th July a small group of merchants from Karachi Chamber of Commerce gave an application to Postal administration in India for opening a Post Office in Dubai similar to branch post offices in Gawadar,Muscat and Bahrain to serve the trading community in the area.The application got support from Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hashar ruler of Dubai. The first Post Office was opened on 19^th August 1909 during the Rule of Highness Sheik Butti Bin Sohail Al Maktoum.

The postal history of Dubai started in 1909, when the Indian Postal Administration opened the first branch Office. The first post office was located in the office of shipping company M/S. Meco Botami Persia Corporation, an agent of India British Shipping line (Later Garry Mackenzie). The officer was an Indian National and he was receiving a salary of 20 Rupees per month until 1933.

When the post Office was opened, Kind Edward VII stamps of India issue was placed on sale. Rates applied were internal Indian rates as the office was considered as a branch of Indian Postal Administration.The lower rate for postage applied was 1/2 Anna per Tola ( Tola is an Indian weight unit equal to 11.6 gm) the stamps were of 1/2 Anna or 1 Anna. It is very rare to see rates higher than that in early days. Currency used at that time was in Indian Rupee. One Rupee divided into 16 Annas and each Anna divided into 12 Paisas.

After the separation of India on August 15^th 1947, the Branch Post office was taken over by Pakistan Postal administration. India stamps continued to be used during Pakistan postal administration until 15^th October 1947, when stamps of India over printed "PAKISTAN" were placed on sale at Dubai and continued in use until March 31^st ,1948. Indian postal administration cancels continued in use during the Pakistan administration.

The Dubai post office was transferred to the British Postal Agency administration on April 1^st 1948, and British surcharge in Annas and Rupees were placed on sale in Dubai. The British Postal Administration may be divided in to two periods. From April 1^st ,1948 to January 6^th 1961, Dubai used British stamps (Rupees & Anna or New Paisa) and from January 7^th 1961 to June 13^th ,1963, Dubai used the Trucial States stamps. During the first period twelve issues of Great Britain stamps and eight Aerogramme were used, and during the second period one set of stamps and one Aerogramme only were used.

Local government of Dubai took over control of the postal service on June 14^th, 1963, on which day the first definitive was issued followed by different issues of various subjects. On the same day second post office was opened in Deira, followed by Rigga, International airport and Satwa post offices at later stage. On August 1^st ,1972, the postal service of the United Arab Emirates was united under a Federal Decree and the General Post Administration was established under the Ministry of Communications.

On 1^st April as per Federal Decree No.14 of 1985, the General Postal Authority was established. It was followed a balanced and conservative stamp issuing policy, which has gained respect in the Philatelic World and has resulted in great demand for the stamps of United Arab Emirates by the collectors both at home and abroad. To adapt to the rapid changes of consumer needs and technological developments worldwide, Emirates Postal Corporation "Emirates Post" was established on 15^th September, 2001.

Postal Services Dubai can be divided into following periods:

1) Indian Administration: From first Postal Agency to 15/8/1947.

2) Pakistan Administration: From 16/8/47 to 31/3/1948.

3) British Administration:

a) English value only stamps in Anna and Rupees

From 1/4/1948 to 31/3/1957.

b) English value only stamps with new Indian Currency

From 1/4/57 to 6/1/1961

c) Trucial States from 7/1/1961 to 13/6/63.

4) Local Administration: From 14/6/1963 till the formation of U.A.E.

5) U.A.E. Administration: From the formation of U.A.E till today and this can be divided into following three periods.

a) Ministry of Transport: From formation of U.A.E. till 31/3/1985.