Why were railways introduced in India by the British, and how did they impact Indian society?

The British introduced railways in India in 1853 primarily to transport raw materials like cotton and tea to ports for export to Britain. They also wanted to move British goods across India, exploit resources, and enable quicker troop movement. As the railway network expanded, trade grew, major markets developed, and new settlements emerged near stations. Railways eventually became the lifeline for moving people and goods across India.