Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. (10M, 150 words)

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2023

UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Exam Question Paper – 2023

Introduction

The Introduction of Railways facilitated by the industrial revolution has had large Socio-Economic effects in different countries of the world. 

Body

The socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world:  

Social Impacts: 

1. UK:  

• led to The formation of suburbs as white-collar workers moved out of inner cities thus increasing mobility and accessibility. 
• The formation of capitalist and Labor class also led to income inequality in society. 

2. Russia:  

• Trans-Siberian railway led to the residential development of the far-east of Russia( Vladivostok) due to the supply of grains from the western steppes(St. Petersburg).  

3. Canada: 

• Led to the social and political integration of British Colombia with the rest of Canada. 

4. India:  

• Led to the social integration of large parts of the subcontinent .e.g.. instrumental in mass-mobilization during the freedom struggle. 
• The Kakori train robbery is still remembered as a watershed moment in the Indian freedom struggle. 

5. Africa:  

• Social integration of tribes through inter-tribe trade and exchange of ideas. 
• Syphoning of raw materials to the ports via railroad leading to exploitation of local tribes in the process. 

6. Australia:  

• Trans-Australian railway connected the western and eastern colonies via railroad between Sydney and Perth leading to political stability. 
• But also displacement of aboriginals due to colonial expansion.  

Economic Impacts: 

1. UK: 

• Increased urbanization and industrialization: by large rural to urban migration and facilitation of transport on a large scale. 

2. Russia:  

• Opened up east-coast trade with countries through the pacific via Vladivostok port 

3. Canada:  

• Canadian-pacific railway facilitated the connectivity of Quebec Montreal industrial region with that of softwood forest region and wheat region of prairies. 
• The railways became the economic artery of Canada due to linking the industrial region with the lake region of north-America. 

4. India:  

• led to the exploitation of local merchants due to monopoly of British merchants via export of bulk raw material and import of finished goods in large quantities. 

5. Africa:  

• Trade of local produce after independence and liberalization led to employment opportunities. 
• Tourism between Capetown and Dar-es-salaam provided livelihood to local Maasai, hadza tribes.  

Conclusion    

Therefore, the socio-economic effects are varying for different countries. Nevertheless, the introduction of railways facilitated trade and economic growth, social integration, agricultural development and employment opportunities. 

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