Impact of railways in india during british period ias
Answers
This huge railway network altered India’s transport system. As a result, transport costs were greatly reduced thereby permitting new opportunities for profit.
Regional specialisation began to occur and trade (both domestic and foreign) flourished. India became a nation with its local centres linked by rail to each other arid to the world.
Railways made possible the establishment of a well-knit market. Railways, by establishing these links, had an impact throughout the economy. Karl Marx observed that the railway system in India would become “truly the forerunner of modern industry”.
“It was believed that railways would assist the economic development of India and help the import and distribution of manufactures and the collection and export of raw materials and agricultural produce. The official view was that the “the benefits covered by railways were at all-time great.”
POSITIVE IMPACT:-
- Railways facilitated expansion of thr domestic market. Accordingly, exports and imports of the country showed a significant rise
- Railways enabled people to break the barriers of distance and undertake journeys to far off places. This promoted cultural affinity among the countrymen.
NEGATIVE IMPACT:-
- Railways contributed to colonial exploitation of the Indian economy. Because, primary goods could then be easily transported from the fields and farms to the ports for the purpose of exports to the British economy.
- Finished goods coming as imports to the Indian economy could be easily transported to the interiors of the country for purpose of sale.