George Clark, the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Government, first had the idea for a railroad in India after visiting Bhandup in 1843. The idea was then commissioned by the British government with the help of the British East India Company and construction on the first passenger railway line connecting Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane, a distance of about 34 km, ensued. Construction was difficult to navigate as workers found obstacles between rocky hills and valleys, however with the financial backing of eager UK investors, the railways were finished in a matter of a few years. The railroad was officially debuted in April of 1853 when a group of about 400 guests boarded a train from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane, a distance of 34 km. The launch was overwhelmingly successful and soon many railroad lines began making their appearance across the Indian Subcontinent. Haimabati Sen speaks often, even if only in passing, of these railroads as she made her travels in the text.

Sources:

Ministry of Railways (Railway Board). Accessed February 28, 2021. https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/view_section.jsp?lang=0&i...

“A History of Indian Railways - National Rail Museum.” Google. Google. Accessed February 28, 2021. https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/a-history-of-indian-railways-n...

Railways in British India: an Introduction to their history and effects. Accessed February 28, 2021. http://www.victorianweb.org/technology/railways/india/introduction.html.