The story of the Indian Railways

The story of the Indian Railways is, to a great extent the story of the development of India as a nation. It is widely accepted that the development of railways in the country initiated by the British for the benefit of administration, had a positive impact on the country. For the first time, people belonging to completely different communities, who were previously separated by huge distances, started to come together, and the theory of a nation began to be understood by the masses. The railways continued to play a pivotal role during the long independence movement, carrying important political leaders and activists throughout the country. It can be said that the first train that traveled from Bombay to Thane in 1853, signaled a new beginning in India’s history. Ever since, the railways have been serving as the life line of India, transporting countless passengers and thousands of tonnes of freight across the country.