How did the introduction of railways in India affect the village economies?

Increased commercialization of Indian agriculture

The introduction of railways in India in 1850 was considered a significant contribution by the British. While it enabled long-distance travel and the breaking of geographical and cultural barriers, it also led to the commercialization of Indian agriculture, negatively affecting the self-sufficiency of village economies. Although India's export volume expanded, the benefits rarely reached the Indian people, leading to significant economic losses for the country.