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The sprawling Indian Railways network was built on the back of countless invisible workers. Their stories of struggle and resistance deserve to be heard. The thunder of trains across India echoes with untold stories of sweat and sacrifice. Behind the gleaming tracks lies a forgotten history of railway workers who built the network, often at the cost of their lives. Their tales of resistance and courage laid the foundations of an iconic national institution.
Let’s get into this blog as we uncover some forgotten histories of railway labor.
The Early Years
Do you know that over 15,000 workers died building railways in just the first decade? It is shocking to know that the death rate was higher among soldiers fighting wars.
Reasons included accidents, epidemics, and dangerous working conditions. However, the laborers had no insurance, medical aid, or job security.
This exploitation led to early unrest. In 1859, construction workers rioted in Howrah over wages and living conditions. British troops opened fire, killing over 30.
Growing Discontent
Over the decades, railway workers formed unions to demand fair treatment. But the British responded with repression.
In 1922, a protest rally at Chauri Chaura turned violent after police fired. The British charged 172 railway workers with criminal conspiracy and sentenced them to life imprisonment – a huge injustice.
You will be amazed to know that during the famous 1928 Girni Kamgar Union strike, over 36,000 workers protested across India for over 6 months.
Workers’ Resistance
During the Quit India movement, railway unions played a key role. You will be shocked to know that over 80,000 railwaymen were jailed for sabotage and protests from 1942-44.
Goods trains across India came to a standstill, severely weakening the British hold. Strike leaders like N.G. Ranga faced repression but refused to yield. The rail networks became sites of political resistance.
Freedom at a Cost
When India gained freedom in 1947, railway workers had made immense sacrifices. Over 200 people had lost their lives in protests and jail terms.
But their stories remain largely forgotten. Only a handful are commemorated in railway memorials across India. It is time to honor the invaluable contributions of the everyday railway worker.
So the next time you wait at a station or travel by train, spare a thought for the forgotten heroes who built the tracks we use today. The whistle of every train is a tribute to their unflinching courage.
Source:
‘The History of Indian Railways’ by R.R. Bhandari
The Long March – The Story of the UP Railwaymen’ by Jitendra Srivastava
‘Indian Labour Movement’ by S.R. Mehrotra
‘Railway Workshops of Britain, 1823-1986’ by Edgar J. Larkin, Rex S. Lampard
‘Labour Movement in India: Documents: 1891-1917’ edited by S.R. Bakshi
‘Work, Protest and Identity in Twentieth-Century India’ by Chandrika Kaul
