Correct Option
The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Infrastructure development in British India, comprising railways, ports, water transport, posts, and telegraphs, was primarily driven by the colonial objective of serving British strategic and economic interests rather than providing basic amenities to the Indian population. However, certain infrastructural developments inadvertently served public utility.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The introduction of the expensive electric telegraph system was primarily intended to maintain law and order and ensure administrative control for the colonial government. It was not designed primarily to serve the public interest.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The postal services, despite being inadequate for the vast dimensions of the country, served a useful public purpose by facilitating communication and connectivity for the general population.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The railways, introduced in 1850, enabled people to undertake long-distance travel, which helped break geographical and cultural barriers. This mobility played a crucial role in fostering a sense of national unity and integrating different regions of the country.
Key Takeaway
The infrastructure developed by the British, such as railways and posts, unintentionally fostered national integration and economic cohesion, even though their primary motive was colonial administration and resource exploitation.