Railways and The Raj: How the Age of Steam Transformed India

By Christian Wolmar

The epic story of the British construction of the railways in India, as told by Britain's bestselling transport historian.

'Christian Wolmar is Britain's foremost railway historian.' The Times
'Our leading writer on the railways' Guardian
'Christian Wolmar is in love with railways... He is their wisest, most detailed historian' Observer

India joined the railway age late: the first line was not completed until 1853 but, by 1929, 41,000 miles of track served the country. However, the creation of this vast network was not intended to modernize India for the sake of its people but rather was a means for the colonial power to govern the huge country under its control, serving its British economic and military interests.

Despite the dubious intentions behind the construction of the network, the Indian people quickly took to the railways, as the trains allowed them to travel easily for the first time. The Indian Railways network remains one of the largest in the world, serving over 25 million passengers each day.

In this expertly told history, Christian Wolmar reveals the full story of India's railways, from its very beginnings to the present day, and examines the chequered role they have played in Indian history and the creation of today's modern state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atlantic Books
• Release date: Nov 2, 2017
• ISBN: 9781782397663

Christian Wolmar

Christian Wolmar is a writer and broadcaster. He is the author of The Subterranean Railway (Atlantic Books). He writes regularly for the Independent and Evening Standard, and frequently appears on TV and radio on current affairs and news programmes. Fire and Steam: A New History of the Railways in Britain was published by Atlantic Books in 2007.

Reviews for Railways and The Raj

[Salil Lavgankar · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful representation of the history of the Indian Railways. The writing is crisp and easy-to-read and keeps the reader interested through the book. Recommended for anyone who desires to understand the inception and evolution of Indian Railways through the Raj.

[dilip1kumar-572329 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A workmanly account of the birth and growth of the railway network in British India, with a precis of its development post-Independence. A short list of basic references is appended. Useful as an introduction to the subject, although it is somewhat matter-of-fact. The author is careful about the sensitivities of the ultra-nationalistic critics, for whom the railways are a symbol of western imperialism, wanton deprivation of the local economy, a drain on foreign exchange reserves through the guaranteed returns to British investors, racial discrimination in choosing personnel for the senior levels, and so on. The author gives kudos to the Indians for having taken over and maintained the system against great odds even after the hasty exit of the British at the time of independence.