Question

Why was the railway networks spread by the British in India from 1850's onwards? Why was there a need for forest timber for spread of railways?

Answer 1

(a) Railways were essential to facilitate trade and the ' movement of troops. T o establish a railway network, wood was needed for fuel and sleepers to hold the railway tracks together. By 1946, the length of the railway track reached to over 7,65,000 km. .

(b) As railway tracks increased, the number of trees whichwere out also increased astronomically in the Madras Presidency alone, 35,000 trees were cut annually to make sleepers.

(c) The government gave out contracts to individuals and they began cutting trees indiscriminately. Forests around railway tracks started disappearing.

Answer 2

The railway networks spread by Britishes in India from 1860 because the railways are essential for colonial trade and for the movement of imperial troops .
The trees were cut to make sleepers that were put into railway tracks . As the railway tracks spread through India , a larger number of trees were felled.