Who was responsible for establishing the Postal System in the Islamic era?

Explanation

Hazrat Amir Muawiya (R.A), the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, introduced the Barīd (postal system) as an organized state institution to facilitate swift communication across the vast Islamic empire. This system used relay stations with horses and camels to carry official messages, intelligence reports, and administrative orders between the capital and distant provinces. It became a hallmark of Umayyad administrative efficiency and was later refined by subsequent caliphs like Abdul Malik bin Marwan.

Good to know

The Barīd system was primarily used for official state correspondence and intelligence gathering, not for private mail. Relay stations were established at regular intervals along major routes, with fresh mounts and couriers available at each stop. The system was so effective that it later inspired similar postal networks in the Abbasid and Ottoman empires, and it remained a vital part of Islamic governance for centuries.

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