Question

With reference to the rise of 'National Consciousness' in India, explain development of modern means of transport and communication.

Answer 1

Up to the middle of the 19th century, the means of transport in India were backward. The British rulers soon realised that a cheap and easy system of transport was a necessity if British manufacturers were to flow into India on a large scale and her raw materials secured for British industries. They introduced steamships on the rivers and set about improving the roads. Work on the Grand Trunk Road from Calcutta to Delhi was begun in 1839 and completed in the 1850s. The first railway line running from Bombay to Thane was opened to traffic in 1853. The British, in their planning, construction and management, the economic and political development of India and her people were not kept in the forefront. On the contrary, the primary consideration was to serve the economic, political, and military interests of British imperialism in India.

The British also established an efficient and modern postal system and introduced the telegraph. The first telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra was opened in 1853. Lord Dalhousie introduced postage stamps. Previously cash payment had to be made when a letter was posted. He also cut down postal rates and charged a uniform rate of half an anna for a letter all over the land.