Journey of Communication Technology - Classical to Medieval Era – Expanding Empires, Expanding Communication

Journey of Communication Technology - Classical to Medieval Era – Expanding Empires, Expanding Communication

This period (roughly 500 BCE to 1500 CE) saw organized, scalable, and often state-sponsored communication systems across empires and regions. Written language, courier systems, and physical infrastructure enabled long-distance messaging.

✉️ 2.1 Handwritten Letters & Scrolls

Used by: Roman Empire, Mauryan Empire, Chinese dynasties

Mediums: Papyrus, birch bark, parchment, silk

Carried by: Foot messengers, horses, and camels (e.g., Persian Angarium postal system)

Use Cases: Military orders, royal decrees, trade, and tax instructions

🐎 2.2 Royal Messenger Systems

Persian Empire: The Angarium system (6th century BCE) used relay stations and horse messengers.

Mauryan Empire (India): Emperor Ashoka used edicts on stone pillars and rocks (3rd century BCE) and employed trained messengers.

Mongol Empire: The Yam system was a fast relay postal system with fresh horses and supply stations over long distances.

🏰 2.3 Town Criers & Heralds

How it worked: An official loudly announced news in town squares.

Used in: Medieval Europe, ancient Indian towns

Purpose: Convey royal proclamations, market timings, and laws to the illiterate population

📜 2.4 Printing Revolution (1440 CE)

Inventor: Johannes Gutenberg (Germany)

Breakthrough: Movable type printing press – allowed mass production of books, newspapers, flyers

First Book Printed: The Gutenberg Bible

Impact: Democratized knowledge; revolutionized education and communication across Europe

📡 2.5 Semaphore Systems (Late 1700s)

(Emerging at the end of this era but foundational to later technologies)

Invented in France by Claude Chappe

What it was: A network of towers with mechanical arms used to transmit coded messages visually

Speed: 200–300 km per day

Precursor to: Telegraph systems of the 1800s

🌏 India’s Contributions

System/Method	Period	Purpose/Use
Ashokan Edicts	3rd BCE	Spread of Dhamma, laws
Bharatiya Postal Runners	Classical – Medieval India	Carrying written scrolls
Temple Inscriptions	5th–12th CE	Records of donations, laws
Horses & Camels for Message Relay	Medieval Rajasthan & Delhi Sultanate	Military & royal communication