the forgotten engineer of the indus

in the mid-19th century, india was undergoing significant changes under british colonial rule. while the british east india company focused on exploiting resources, a few visionaries saw the potential for progress and modernization. among them was rai bahadur jagannath shunkershet, a self-taught engineer, businessman, and social reformer from mumbai.

in 1853, the idea of building a railway line in india was met with widespread skepticism. many believed it was an impossible task due to the country's diverse terrain, lack of infrastructure, and the sheer scale of the project. however, shunkershet saw the railway as a means to unite the country, boost trade, and improve the lives of ordinary people.

shunkershet partnered with sir jamsetjee jeejeebhoy and other prominent figures to form the great indian peninsula railway company. despite facing resistance from conservative factions and logistical challenges, he tirelessly advocated for the project, raising funds and rallying public support. his technical expertise and innovative ideas were instrumental in overcoming engineering obstacles, such as constructing bridges and laying tracks across difficult terrain.

on april 16, 1853, the first train in india ran from mumbai to thane, covering a distance of 34 kilometers. it was a historic moment that marked the beginning of india's railway network, which would go on to become one of the largest in the world. shunkershet's contributions were largely overshadowed by british officials, but his legacy lives on in the transformative impact of the railways on india's economy and society.