What was the role of the introduction of the railway in 1853 C.E. in the process of urbanisation?
The railway was introduced in 1853 C.E. It changed the fortunes of towns. The centre of economic activities was shifted away from traditional towns because these towns were situated along old routes and rivers. Each railway station became a centre of the collection of raw material and distribution point for imported goods. For example, Mirzapur, on the banks of Ganga, was the centre of the collection of cotton and cotton goods from the Deccan. This town declined when a railway link was made to Bombay. Railway workshops and colonies were established with the expansion of the railway network. As a result, railway towns like Waltair, Jamalpur and Bareilly were developed.
