Posted on: 2 April 2017

Sikh Railway Train - 1870
Lahore

A Railway Train in two sections. The upper has four coaches with men and women passengers, Sikh and British. The lower has two coaches and an engine. The train is symbolic of the new Punjab. Railways reached the Punjab in the early 1860's and the Sikhs had been confronted by a new machine, as powerful as the British government which had subdued them. At first, all trains were controlled by British drivers but in this woodcut Sikhs are incorporated as the stationmaster, guard, booking clerk and signalman.

Text and image credit:
Copyright: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London


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In 1862, Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda, inaugurated 8 miles (13 km) of a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) railway line from Dabhoi to Miyagam. Oxen were used to haul the train, although in 1863, Nielson & Co. built a locomotive to be operated on the line from Dabhoi to Miyagram, as the 6.5 km/m rails were not suited for the regular use of an engine.

Erica Mukherjee

Illusion given by the British Raj that the Rail was a blessing given by the British. As per Will Durand, it costed India 19000 £ per mile where as the construction of the same mile would cost 3000£ in USA. Anyhow, we got the railways.