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An overview of the general situation.
Source "The Handbook of India" June 1956
Issued by the Tourist Division
Ministry of transport
Govt of India
New Delhi
Portions that may interest SCF lifted.
INDIAN CURRENCY
The Indian unit of currency is the rupee. Rupee notes are available in denomination of Rs. 10000 ,5000/-, 1000/-,
100/-, 10/-, 5/-, 2/-, and Re.1/-. The coins in circulation are of the value of 1 pice, half anna, 1 anna, 2 annas, 4
annas and 8 annas. The following table gives the value of Indian currency in terms of British and American
currencies : —
1 pice =1 farthing no us equiv
4 pice or 1 anna =1 penny ...
16 annas or one rupee = 1/6d us21c
13 rupees 6 annas=1 pound sterling ...
4 rupees 12 annas (approx.) =1 us dollar
This table is based on an average rate of exchange of 1/6d to the rupee and is subject to fluctuation.
POSTAL INFORMATION
Normal working hours:
Week days ... 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday ... 10 a.m. to I p.m.
Sunday . . . No work is transacted, but at certain
important places letters are accepted on payment of late fee.
Certain post offices in important cities remain open irom 8 a.m. to 9-30 p.m. on all days of the week, including
Sundays.
Mails are delivered throughout India on week days and Saturdays, and in the big cities there are several deliveries
every day. There is no delivery of mails on Sundays, but express delivery articles are delivered at. certain places by
the telegraph offices.
Where facilities for air travel exist, letters, letter-cards, post-cards, insured letters and money orders are carried by
air in the inland post without any surcharge. A small air mail fee at the rate of J anna per tola (J ounce
approximately) on packets and newspapers, and 10 annas per 20 tolas on parcels is charged for transmitting these
articles by air.
The postage rate for inland letters is 2 annas for the first tola, I anna for every additional tola and i^ annas for the
inland letter-card corresponding to the air letter for foreign countries. Air mail rates per ^ ounce for letters to
foreign countries are Rs. i/8/- for the U.S.A., Canada and other countries in North, South and Central America, and
14 annas for countries in Europe.
An air letter service to all foreign countries is also operated, the rates being 8 annas for most countries in Asia and
Europe, 10 annas for Australia, New Zealand and African countries and 12 annas for the U.S.A., Canada and other
countries in North, South and Central America.
Telegrams are accepted at the principal telegraph offices and post offices on all days of the week at all hours. For
ordinary inland telegrams, the rates are 12 annas for the first 8 words and I anna for each additional word. The rates
for express telegrams are twice those for ordinary telegrams.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Inland
Telephone exchanges exist in all the principal cities in India, and are inter-connected by trunk lines. Trunk call
facilities are also provided in many smaller towns where Public Call offices have been opened. Information
regarding rates for the various stations can be obtained from the nearest Exchange or Public Call offices.
Detailed rules regarding the telephone service are given in the Posts and Telegraphs Guide, which is sold at all post
offices in India.
Overseas
There is a direct radio telephone service between India and the following countries: —
1. Egypt
2. Indonesia
3. Iran
4. Japan
5. Uganda
6. United Kingdom
Thirty-five other countries can be contacted by radio telephone via the United Kingdom. It also connects India with
the following ships at sea :
1. Acquitania
2. America
3. Caronia
4. Constitution
5. Independence
6. Mauretania
7. Neur
8. Oslofjord
9. Queen Elizabeth
10. Queen Mary
11. United States
CLOTHING
In some parts of northern India the temperature during winter ranges between 40° and 50°F. in the evening.
Woollen suits can be worn in that part of the country in the day-time throughout most of the cold weather. If a trip
is planned in winter to any of the hill stations, an overcoat will also be necessary. For the rest of India light suits
and tropicals are suggested. Suits and dresses are made in all the big cities in India. Imported suiting and shirting
and other materials are plentiful and the tailoring is of a high standard. A warm suit can be got ready in a couple of
weeks' time at a cost ranging from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 400/-. A cotton suit costs between Rs. ioo/- and Rs. 150/-. Thus
the tourist can supplement his wardrobe in India without difficulty and at reasonable prices.
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the standard of large hotels. They are convenient only for short stays. No khansamas (cooks) are generally attached
to rest houses and the travellers have to make their own cooking arrangements. Special reservations for foreign
tourists are made in the dak bungalows and rest houses.
TRAVEL FACILITIES
(a) Conveyance
Taxis and luxurious de-luxe cars are available both for local transport and sight-seeing in almost all the principal
cities. The extensive network of good metalled roads makes it possible to travel through the country by car and visit
many places of interest. Generally, taxis run on a mileage basis and have fixed rates. Cars with experienced
chauffeurs can be hired both for long-distance and short-distance trips through hotels or travel agents. Fares range
between As, -/8/- to Re. I (gd. to is. 6d. or 10.5 cents to 21 cents) per mile for small and big taxis. State-owned
motor buses also operate in many cities and between many towns. For large parties, de-luxe motor coaches can also
be hired at some places.
(b) Airlines
India has a wide network of air services which cover all parts of the country. The Indian Airlines Corporation
operates a large number of scheduled air services within and outside the country, covering a route mileage of about
22,500 miles. It uses Skymasters, Vikings, Dakotas and Herons. Besides the non-stop day flights, the Night Airmail
Services provide a speedy and convenient means of transport between Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras, the
four principal ports of entry. Many tourist centres are accessible by air and an increasing number are being so
linked every year.
The air fare is approximately As. -/3/6 (3^d. or 4f cents) per mile and the normal free allowance of baggage per
person is 44 Ibs. Bona fide international passengers holding "First Class" tickets are, however, allowed a free
baggage allowance of 30 kilos or 66 Ibs., provided they change to the internal service within 30 days of arrival at
the point of transhipment. Concessional return fares to Kashmir and other places are allowed for varying periods.
There are lounges and restaurants at all the main airports and free meals and snacks are given during the flights.
Free transport is also provided between the aerodrome and the city office of the IAC.
Cancellation of Reservations
If the traveller has to cancel or defer his reservation he should inform the booking office concerned at the earliest
possible moment and return his ticket. The amount refundable will depend on the period of notice prescribed for
the purpose.
Prohibited Articles
Inflammable or explosive material should not be carried in an aircraft and travellers are, therefore, advised against
carrying any of the prohibited articles (a full list of which is displayed in all the I AC offices) like cigarette lighter
fluid, non-safety matches, etc., either with them or in their baggage.
Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and suitably packed ammunition meant for private use are accepted for carriage either as personal luggage
or freight provided they are declared and surrendered to the custody of the Commander of the aircraft before
embarkation and the rules and provisions of the Indian Arms Act are complied with.
Photography and Carriage of Photography Apparatus
Photography at Government aerodromes and from aircraft is prohibited, except with the permission in writing of
the Director-General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi.
Cameras and other apparatus for recording photographic impressions can be carried in aircraft only when kept in
the custody of the person in charge of the aircraft, or if permission from the authority named in the preceding
paragraph has been obtained.
(c) Railways
The principal means of land travel in India, the Indian railway system, covering a length of about 35,000 route
miles,
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