Who was Called as Father of Indian Railways?
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: November 9th, 2023
Lord Dalhousie is called as Father of Indian Railways. The Indian Railways have a long history and are an integral part of our country. The first train to ever run in India was goods train from Red Hills to the Chintadripet bridge in Madras in the year 1837. The aim of introducing the railways in India by the British was to earn maximum profit. As a result, the Indian railways led to the development of Britain instead of India.
Father of Indian Railways
Lord Dalhousie is referred to as the father of Indian Railways. Lord Dalhousie is responsible for enacting many laws and bringing multiple reforms in India. He convinced the British government in India to introduce railways through his famous Railway minute of 1853.
- He envisioned a network of railways linking the major cities with the ports and catering to both the country’s strategic demands and the growth of the commercial sector. In 1853, the first railway line between Thane and Bombay was constructed. The distance it traveled was 26 miles.
- Instead of being funded by the Indian Government, private English companies built the railway lines under a “Government Guarantee” method. The railways have played a significant role in uniting India in addition to promoting trade and commerce and reducing travel times.
Summary:
Who was Called as Father of Indian Railways?
The Father of Indian Railways was Lord Dalhousie. He was the Governor-General of India between the period of 1848 to 1856. He convinced the British to introduce a Railway network in India and is thus called the father of Indian Railways. It was his vision that led to a network of railways linking all the major Indian cities and ports to meet the strategic demands of the country.
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