The Indian Railway that has become a mode of transport for Indians has a very rich history. Be it local trains or long express trains, India’s rail network is among the largest and busiest in the world.
But do you know who initiated the Indian Railways and when the first train operated in India? The history of Indian Railways is the representation of innovation, planning, and changing a nation.
In this article by Newssow, let’s travel back in time and see how railways started in India.
The Vision: Who Initiated the Indian Railways?
The British East India Company gets the credit of initiating railway in India. The British wanted to transport goods, soldiers, and resources more quickly across the large subcontinent. Little did they know that they were taking a step towards creating one of the largest railway networks in the world.
During the 1840s, the possibility of railways in India was seriously considered. It was Lord Dalhousie, who was the then Governor-General of India, that firmly advocated railway construction. His vision initiated huge railway projects throughout the nation.
Answering the Big Question
So, who founded the Indian Railways? The British East India Company started it, and Lord Dalhousie was instrumental in planning it.
The Big Day: When Was the First Train in India?
The first passenger train in India traveled on April 16, 1853, from Mumbai (then Bombay) to Thane, a distance of 34 kilometers.
This historic trip began from Boree Bunder station (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and was driven by three steam locomotives—Sultan, Sindh, and Sahib. The train consisted of 14 carriages and transported 400 people, and thus a new era of Indian transport began.
When did the first train operate in India?
April 16, 1853. This day is commemorated as the birth anniversary of Indian Railways.
Why Railways Were Introduced in India
While the British initiated the railways for their own commercial and military interest, it had unforeseen advantages for India:
- Increased movement of goods and people
- Improved connectivity between areas
- Increased trade and economy
- New employment opportunities for Indians
Railways turned into a force of unity, linking villages to cities, and individuals to opportunities. The same track developed to cater to the British later turned out to be a lifeline for free India.
Fun Facts About Indian Railways
Indian Railways is the largest railway system in the world, ranking fourth.
- It runs more than 13,000 trains every day, traversing over 67,000 km of track.
- It’s a top employer of the world, having more than 1.2 million staff.
- The longest train journey is Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari (Vivek Express) and it runs over 4,200 km.
- The first metro underground began in Kolkata in 1984.
- These facts reveal how Indian Railways has progressed since 1853!
Conclusion: A Journey That Changed India Forever
From the inaugural steam engine train in 1853 to the high-speed Vande Bharat Express today, Indian Railways has traversed a tremendous journey. It began as a British endeavor but turned out to be an emblem of integration and development for the nation.
Newssow salutes the history of Indian Railways and its influential role in creating new India. The next time you step into a train, recall—you’re traveling on history!
Stay tuned to Newssow for more such wonderful tales about India’s past, present, and future.