A Book Review By Gaurav Kanthwal, The Tribune; July 2, 2019
What is the Hindi word for a train? Loh-path-gamini (one that runs on an iron road). Don’t ridicule someone who does not know the Hindi equivalent of this British invention, for, we are living in the times of metro, mono-rails and bullet trains. Ever since the first official passenger railway line in India was thrown open (April 16, 1853) between Bori Bunder and Thane, distances have been shrinking but the history of Indian Railways has been expanding.
Historian Rajendra Aklekar, in his new book, A Short History of Indian Railways, says the history of the railways began much earlier, in the 1830s. In a chronological compilation of the anecdotes and sketches of Indian Railways, he takes us through its journey of more than 189 years.