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2 The novel plan for the introduction of a rail

system, transformed the whole history of India.
This innovative plan was first proposed in 1832;
however no auxiliary actions were taken for over
a decade. In the year 1844, private entrepreneurs
were allowed to launch a rail system by Lord
Hardinge, who was the Governor-General of
India. By the year 1845, two companies were
formed and the East India Company was
requested to support them in the matter.
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2 The credit from the UK investors led to the hasty
construction of a rail system over the next few
years. On 22nd Dec' 1851, the first train came on
the track to carry the construction material at
Roorkee in India. With a passage of one and a
half years, the first passenger train service was
introduced between Bori Bunder, Bombay and
Thana on the providential date 16th Apr' 1853.
This rail track covered a distance of 34 kms (21
miles). Ever since its origin, the rail service in
India never turned back.
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2 The British Government approached private
investors and persuaded them to join the race
with a system that would promise an annual
return of 5% during the early years of operation.
Once finished, the company would be transferred
under the Government ownership, yet the
operational control will be enjoyed by the original
company. In 1880, the rail network acquired a
route mileage of about 14,500 km (9,000 miles),
mostly working through Bombay, Madras and
Calcutta (three major port cities).
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2 By 1895, India had started manufacturing its own
locomotives. In no time, different kingdoms
assembled their independent rail systems and the
network extended to the regions including
Assam, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. In 1901, a
Railway Board was formed though the
administrative power was reserved for the
Viceroy, Lord Curzon. The Railway Board worked
under the guidance of the Deptt of Commerce
and Industry. It was comprised of three members
- a Chairman, a Railway Manager and an Agent
respectively.
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2 Aor the very first time in its history, the Railways
instigated to draw a neat profit. In 1907, most of
the rail companies were came under the
government control. Subsequently, the first
electric locomotive emerged in the next year.
During the Airst World War, the railways were
exclusively used by the British. In view of the War,
the condition of railways became miserable. In
1920, the Government captured the
administration of the Railways and the linkage
between the funding of the Railways and other
governmental revenues was detached.
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2 With the Second World War, the railways got
incapacitated since the trains were diverted to the
Middle East. On the occasion of India's Independence
in 1947, the maximum share of the railways went
under the terrain of Pakistan. On the whole, 42
independent railway systems with thirty-two lines were
merged in a single unit and were acknowledged as
Indian Railways. The existing rail networks were
forfeited for zones in 1951 and 6 zones were formed in
1952. With 1985, the diesel and electric locomotives
took the place of steam locomotives. In 1995, the
whole railway reservation system was rationalized with
computerization.
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2 Rail ways was presented as a mode of transport for the
indians.
2 thousands of devotees came to rely upon railways to
perform ÷
  (pilgrimages to distant shrines and
venerated sites) and to attend   (festivals). Before
the existence of the railroads, it was difficult for most
of them to participate in these religious practices
because of the expense and limitation of pre-existing
forms of transportation.
2 The poor indians were employed as labours for the
construction of railways.
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2 The poor Indians were exploited by the private
entrepreneurs from Britain.
2 Many Indian domestic industries were
destroyed by the introduction of railways.
2 The railways served as a medium to establish
the British empire in India.
2 Whenever there was any revolts Britishers
could now suppress it easily.