The introduction of locomotives in india struck fear and awe among the native population. In the 1857 mutiny, british soldiers noted that the rebels did not go near the steam locomotive, fearing it to be the devil, and threw stones at it from far away.Whenever rail expanded to new territory, hysteria spread among the locals. No one was sure what it was. A devil, a machine, a magical animal or some wizard that would capture their land. People hid from it, saw glimpses of it and floated stories about it. Some brave people ventured out to view and touch it. Rumours circulated that the british were sacrificing the lives of indians to power these giants. In Bombay, people called it 'lokhandi rakshas' meaning 'iron demon' and claimed upper castes would defile themselves if they entered one of them
Indians have told me modern India has a really good railway system, good connectivity. EU-like basically.
