Bombay To Thana, The First Train That Ran In India, 1853 Print
An 1853 print of The First Train that ran in India, from Bombay to Thana. This page is from The Illustrated London News (newspaper) of 4th June 1853. The newspaper gave a firsthand report of the first train travel in India, from Bori Bunder Station to Thane on April 16, 1853.
Excerpts from the report- “The inauguration on the 16th of April was altogether a most interesting scene. By half-past three o’clock, the majority of the company had taken their seats on the train…The state carriage was occupied by Sir William and Lady Yardley, Sir Charles…At half-past three o’clock, a Royal salute was fired from the Ramparts of Fort George.
Immediately after the well-filled train, consisting of fourteen first, second, and third-class carriages. Containing in all, it was said, above five hundred persons, started for the terminus at Bori Bunder. Tens of thousands of persons surrounded the spot; and, as the moving mass swept along the way.
Still, there were tens of thousands looking on…Finally when the train passed the more densely populated parts, still the surrounding fields were studded with spectators…The train stopped at Sion, going out to allow the engines to be watered. At no time was the speed above thirty-five miles an hour, and generally, it was much under that.
On the train approaching Tannah, the crowds lined the sides thickly for more than a mile and were kept in order by the Ghat police. The time taken to reach Tannah (twenty-four miles), including the stoppage at Sion, was fifty-five minutes. The return trip occupied only forty. Arrived at Tannah, the party found, under an immense tent, at once a cool retreat and a splendid Tiffin. Major Swanson, the senior Director present, took the chair; supported by the Hon. Sir William Yardley...And a distinguished company, comprising the elite of Bombay…”
Read more about- 34 km journey that changed history.
Did you know- Contrary to popular belief, the first train to run in India was a goods train from Red Hills to Chintadripet (Madras Presidency) in 1837. Sir Arthur Cotton was credited with this railway project, it was mainly used for transporting granite.
From the collection- Photo Calcutta Horse-Drawn Tram 1880., Photo British India Polo Player., Vintage Postcard Bangalore The City Market., Antique Print Carvings Of Victoria Terminus Mumbai.
