[Reader-list] Early beginnings : Making a case for Railway Construction in Mid-19th century India

[vandana swami]

EARLY BEGINNINGS : MAKING A CASE FOR RAILWAY
CONSTRUCTION IN MID 19TH CENTURY INDIA

In July 1844, a committee of railway promoters
expressed to the imperial government in Bombay their
interest in setting up a railway between Bombay and
the Thull and Bhore Ghat. Well prepared to prove the
general worth of the proposed railway, the value of
traffic it would carry and the expected returns it
would provide, these promoters urged the government to
set up a committee of its own to look into the merits
of their proposal, as they were firmly convinced that
their proposed railway would be a source of profit to
its merchants and traders at either end of it. As in
Europe, it was claimed that “no undertaking of this
nature can be beneficial to the parties immediately
connected with it, without promoting in a still higher
degree the general prosperity of the country and
improving the conditions of its native inhabitants”
(PWD, Railways, Vol 1, General Department).
Thus presenting the ‘known’ political, economic and
social advantages of the railway, these promoters
urged the government to enquire into and support their
proposal for railway construction as it had earlier
supported steam navigation and the building of roads.
Predictably, the government responded favourably and
regarded this undertaking with ‘the most lively
interest’ and assured full support of the government,
should it be found that the scheme was based on a
solid and reliable body of information. 
A committee of civil and military officers was soon
appointed to look into and report on the matter. This
committee embarked on active consultations with the
collectors of Thana, Khandesh, Poona, Ahemednagar,
Nasik and Bombay to compare their findings with those
claimed by the committee. Several discrepancies
emerged through their investigations, particularly
with respect to technical, and topographical details
and financial estimates, and accordingly, a detailed
and lengthy report was submitted to the governor’s
office. Citizens of Bomaby also echoed the enthusiasm
for railway construction and formed the Inland Railway
Association in 1845 to look into the possibilities of
railway construction. Meanwhile, a Provisional
Committee of the GIP Railway brought out a prospectus,
wherein the objectives of the company were clearly
stated, 
	“The extent of India and the value, variety and
abundance of its products render that country a most
fit scene for Railway enterprise. Whenever its
inhabitants are found prro in the midst of its
exuberant fertility, the fact is distinctly to be
traced to its imperfect means of internal
communication and whenever even common roads have been
made, the traffic has increased manifold in the course
of a few years……the proposed lines, having for their
object to connect the interior of the peninsula with
Bombay in one direction and with the best port on the
Eastern coast on the other, while may lay the
foundation for a connection between the three seats of
the British government, will for the most part
traverse rich and fertile towns of Poona, Nasik,
Aurangabad, Sholapur, Nagpoor, Oomrawatty and
Hyderabad, affording increased facilities for the
export of cotton, sugar, silk, opium, gum, dyewoods,
spices and for the import of salt, manufactured and
other goods”.   
The government provided full cooperation to carry out
the required surveys for assessment of the railway to
be constructed. GIP Railway engineers were given all
the assistance and information as they traveled
throught the Deccan provinces. A detailed description
was sought of the various kinds of public conveyances
plying in the area – both by land and water. The
movement of all palanquins, buggies, bullock carts,
labor carts, boats etc now took place under the
watchful eyes of the colonial administration. Not only
that, there were also detailed descriptions available
of the number of people moving in and out of the
vicinity of Bombay.  
In another set of letters written by the Chairman of
the GIP Railway, R C Crawford to the office of the
Governor, it was again reiterated that the railways
would greatly benefit the fertile districts of Western
India which are currently suffering because of being
unsupplied with roads, and lacking any canal or river
communication. This would, the letter did not fail to
point out, also be to the benefit of the government
and the native community, as revenues would also
increase. The benefits of a railway, both in times of
peace and war, particularly the latter, were also
spelt out, as 
“the expanse of territory over which the Hon’ble
company now extends, there will of course not
infrequently be cause for military interference, and
the means of expeditiously conveying troops and stores
to the point where they may happen to be required is
therefore of the greatest possible consequence” (GIP
Railway Letter to Government, September 1846, p.4).
Thus, from the very beginning, the railway was seen as
an instrument for commerce that would help the British
capitalists and merchants harness the rich terrain of
India for profit. The military aspect – the need to
control the territory and the natives also figure
prominently in early discussions about setting up the
railway.   





		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/