Previous Year Question
Which of the following is considered one of the most important schemes introduced by the British?
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Among the given options, Railways is the correct answer. The development of the railway network was one of the major infrastructure projects undertaken during British colonial rule in India.
According to the official historical record of Indian Railways, India's first passenger railway line was opened on 16 April 1853 between Bori Bunder in Bombay and Thane, covering about 34 kilometres.
However, its colonial purpose must also be understood correctly. The current NCERT account of colonial India explains that while the railways helped integrate India's internal market, they were designed primarily to transport raw materials from the interior to ports for export and distribute British manufactured goods throughout India.
Official Indian Railways historical material similarly records economic and strategic motives behind railway expansion, including access to raw materials, markets for British goods, and military and administrative requirements.