India’s First Train Travel, Bombay To Thana In 1853, Rare Photo
This is a rare photo of the first train travel in India, which ran from Bombay to Thana in 1853. The back of the photo is rubber-stamped “Government of India”. The image shows the railway train over the Thana Bridge. The train’s inaugural ceremony was in April 1853, with 14 coaches carrying around 400 elite guests, including the Governor of Bombay.
India’s inaugural train left Bori Bunder Railway Station at 3.30 pm. A vast multitude of people had come to witness this rare occasion. Amidst the loud applause and shouts of the multitude there was the 21 gun salute. The train carrying the elite guests reached Thana at about 4-45 pm where refreshments were served.
The thunderous sounding locomotive in action gave the native population a cultural shock on the way. The smoke belching monster gave rise to strange ideas and stranger rumours to their minds. They were confident that the monster would soon spread its ill effects on society. Bori Bunder Station, where this first railway travel began, was replaced with India’s grandest railway station The Victoria Terminus. The station is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Did you know – in November 1852, the railway company’s directors with some other guests travelled in the first train from Bombay to Thana covering the distance of 21 miles (34 km).
Past posts – Lake & House On A Serene Moonlit Night, 1944 Painting., The Once Charming Electric Trams of Madras – 3 Photos 1900., 16th Century Malabar Coast Sailing Ships – 2 Old Postcards., Bombay War Charity WW1 In British India – Old Print 1917.
