British Raj railroads helped India trade and grow: MIT study
An MIT study has said the economic impact of building infrastructure and railroads by India's colonial rulers fostered commerce and raised agricultural income by 16%. Before 1870, India barely had railroads and freight could be pulled 20 miles a day whereas by 1930, 40,000 miles of railroads boosted shipping to about 400 miles a day, noted MIT economist David Donaldson.