In which year was the first railway line operated in India?

The correct answer is 1853.

Key Points

• The first railway line in India was operationalized on 16 April 1853, connecting Mumbai (formerly Bombay) to Thane.
• The distance covered by this inaugural railway line was 34 kilometers.
• This historic journey was completed by a train consisting of 14 carriages and hauled by three locomotives named Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh.
• The railway project was initiated by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company with financial backing from the British government.
• The introduction of railways marked a significant milestone in India’s transportation and industrial development during the British colonial period.

Additional Information

• Locomotive Names:
  • The first train was powered by three locomotives named Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh, highlighting the importance of rail technology during the era.
• Railway Expansion:
  • Post-1853, railway lines expanded rapidly across India, becoming a key mode of transportation and economic integration.
  • By 1900, India had an extensive railway network, which was critical to British administration and trade.
• Impact on Society:
  • The railways facilitated faster movement of goods and people, revolutionizing trade and commerce.
  • It also played a role in unifying disparate regions of colonial India.
• Railway Administration:
  • The railway network was administered by the British government and private companies during the colonial period.
  • It later became a state-owned entity post-Independence, under Indian Railways.