Impact of Railways on Indians

Question:
Explain the impact of railways on the lives of Indian people in the nineteenth century.
[7] Nov 2020

Answer:
The railways enabled the Indians to move from one place to another easily and cheaply. India
was a large country, and it previously had no transport system. With the help of railways, the
Indians now could visit relatives, places and even perform pilgrimages. Thus, the railways were
able to facilitate the transport/movement of local Indians across the country.

Secondly, the Indians were previously angered by the arrival and expansion of the British. They
resented the Westernization Policy of the British. However, this development made many
Indians happy as India’s infrastructure was all devastated before the introduction of railways.
Due to this, many Indians started favoring and supporting the British as the railways were
beneficial for them.

Railways also impacted negatively. As they were introduced for the first time, the railways were
unstable, and accidents were frequent. This resulted in the loss of lives and economic losses as
they carried people and goods. Moreover, the Indians saw the railways as a development only
supporting the British by providing convenience for Raw Material and British troops. Thus, the
Indians were reluctant to use them, and it increased the resentment against the British.