First Narrow Gauge Railway In India, Old Print 1863

This is an old 1863 print of the First Narrow Gauge Railway In India. It is a page from the Illustrated London News (newspaper) of May 23, 1863. Also in this collection is a commemorative First Day Cover from 1987. That shows a picture of this bullock driven narrow-gauge railway. Commissioned by Gaekwar the Maharaja of Baroda. Gaekwars were the dynastic rulers of Baroda. Better known as the Gaekwad Royalty today.

The Maharaja commissioned this tramway or minor Railway for the people of his princely state. Pulled by bullocks it became India’s first narrow-gauge railway in India. The Dabhoi-Miyagam line was designed and constructed by A. W. Forde (2’6″ width). Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad formally opened this Dabhoi to Miyagam line in 1862. It started as a light tramway pulled by bullocks. And became a huge success with the people. Later this bullock-driven tram would be replaced by a steam locomotive. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know- the princely state of Baroda was one of the wealthiest in the British India era. The Maharaja was the sixth richest man in the world in 1908. Time magazine had even reported about Maharaja Gaekwad’s wealth at that time.

From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph of c1894., Horse-Drawn Tram In Mumbai – Old Photo 1900., Old Book 1995- Madras Its Past & Its Present., View of Shoolay Bangalore, Old Postcard 1910