Creating the Urban Corridors: The Role of Colonial Railways in India

Abstract

This article argues that the pattern of urbanization in India has kept pace with the growth of railways during the British period. The colonial railways transformed India’s circulatory regime, which resulted in the emergence of social space. Towns and cities in the hinterlands of the port cities under the railways network became more urbanised. Railways, as a biggest British capitalist manoeuvre, helped in the process of industrialization and growth of trade and commerce. Some towns and cities grew up as major railway stations, terminals or junctions, divisional and zonal headquarters during the British period. The growth of railways is demonstrated in relation to the expansion in transportation of goods, passengers and employment opportunities generated. The article discerns the pattern of railway transportation and infrastructural development, which will help us to comprehend as one of the forces underlying the pattern of urbanisation in India during the British rule.