British Raj gained prominence in 1757, ruled India for next 200 years and was paramount in urbanizing the primitive culture.

The British rule established uniformity across all sections of Indian society by abolishing taxes like Jizzia. Hindus regained their religious freedom. Education and judicial systems gained momentum. Excellent road and rail network was established in the country, and for first time people from Lahore could travel to Calcutta or down South easily.

Overview                                                                                                                                              

The British Raj emerged from the end of the Sepoy Mutiny against the British East India Company in 1757. The British colonial rule stretched for a period of 200 years and during this time education, religion, technology and culture advanced.  

The British set up a robust educational system with establishment of colleges and universities, and a judicial system, practised even today in Modern India. Additionally, they established a framework of administration via the Indian civil service and the Indian police service. Today, these are the backbone of Indian democracy.

The colonial rule in India also paved way for communication with the creation of the postal services. Railways, the biggest blessing they gave to India despite their rule. Indian rail system is the largest in the world. Even Indian defence system drastically improved with the introduction of the fighting arms .They bequeathed to India a top-notch battle hardened army.

The British and foreign scholars began the study of the Indian scriptures, consequently a concrete effort to save Indian heritage was made. For example, decaying Khujaraho temples were restored. Even many evil practices like Sati and caste system was abolished.

The British rule introduced knowledge and it was during this period, India as a nation took shape.

Railways

In 1844, the Governor-General of India Lord Hardinge allowed private entrepreneurs to set up a rail system in India. Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) and East Indian Railway (EIR) companies were created in 1853-54 to construct and operate two tentative lines near Bombay and Calcutta.

The first train in India was operational Roorkee, 1851, for localised hauling of canal construction material. Later on 16 April 1853, the first passenger train service was inaugurated between Bori Bunder in Bombay and Thane covering a distance of 34 kilometres (21 mi).

Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India, 1854 devised a plan to connect the principal regions of India via a network of trunk lines. Encouraged by the government guarantees, rapid expansion of the rail system in India took place.

The dawn of the 20th century brought to India a multitude of rail services with diverse ownership and management, operating on broad, metre and narrow gauge networks. During the 1^stWorld War, Indian Railways were used to transport troops and food grains to the port city of Bombay and Karachi en route to UK, Mesopotamia and East Africa.

By the end of the 1^st World War, railways had suffered immensely, both GIPR and EIR were acquired by the state and were nationalised. However, the advent of the 2^nd World War crippled the railways, as stocks were diverted to the Middle East and the railway workshops were converted into munitions workshops.

Post independence, 1947, forty-two separate railway systems, including thirty-two lines possessed by the former Indian princely states, were merged into a single unit as the Indian Railways. Today, it is the fourth longest railway network in the world.

Welcome aboard and enjoy your travel to India.