Development of Railways in India and it's impact
The first train in India operated between the Red Hills to Chintadripet in Madras. It was called Red Hills railways. It was built by Arthur Cotton to transport granite stone for road construction. Lord Dalhousie prepare the overall development plan in his railway minute of 1853. In the same year first passenger train service between Boribandar in Mumbai to Thane. On 1st August 1849, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway was in cooperated with a guarantee system of providing free land and guarantee of 5% rate of return to the private British companies building railways in India. These companies were to built and operate the railways under 99 year lease with the government having them option to buy them earlier.
Positive Impact of the Railways
It connected people from unknown areas and they could communicate with one other irrespective of caste and race which help in development of common consciousness among the Indians. It help in the mobilization of Indian masses in general and leadership in particular during the nationalistic struggle. The railways were used by the nationalist leader to connect the masses from different parts of India. The railways plays an important role in popularity the vernacular press. As a result the ideas of Indian leaders and their criticisms of the British policies could be read by the common mass. The railways also played a role in uniting the Indian economy. It significantly reduce the cost and time of transporting goods across the country which promoted the businesses like steel, coal mining and cement. Railway made long distance travel easier and accessible which increase the mobility and facilitated large scale migration of the people for employment, religious pilgrims and social gatherings contributing towards a more interconnected and mobile society. Railways were instrumental in the growth of cities. The new railway station became the center for urban development leading to emergent of new town and expansion of existing cities. It is in the context of positive outcome of railway in India that the British journalist adverb or commented "Railways may do for India what dynasty never done, they may make India a nation".
Negative Impact of the Railways
The very of the British rule was colonial and therefore the introduction of the railways promoted economic exploitation of India to fulfill the interest of Britishers. Railways played a role in promoting a large scale drain of wealth from India to England. The railways was used as a means to consolidate the British imperialism and colonialism upon India, enabling the rapid troop movement. It allowed the British a quick response for the uprising and also facilitated the centralization of governance. Railways ruined Indian traditional handicrafts industry which became uncompetitive compare to British goods whom reached in the market increased due to railways.