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Question

Before the advent of railways, which system served as India's primary mode of transport, utilizing rivers, canals, backwaters, and streams for the movement of goods and people?

This question was previously asked in
UPTET 2026 Paper 2 Social Studies Question Paper (3-Jul-2026) (Shift 1)
The correct answer is

Inland waterways

Before railways were introduced in India in the mid-19th century, inland waterways formed the backbone of internal transport.

Rivers, canals, backwaters, and streams allowed the movement of goods and people across long distances at relatively low cost, especially in regions like Bengal, the Gangetic plains, and Kerala's backwaters.

Maritime trade routes were used mainly for overseas commerce, while road networks like the Grand Trunk Road served overland travel, but neither matched the extensive use of rivers and canals for domestic goods movement.

Therefore, the correct answer is inland waterways.

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Important Questions from Modern Indian History

  1. Which of the following sea ports declined after the emergence of East India Company?

  2. Detention of political prisoners without trial for two years was a feature of:

  3. The place where Dandi Salt March happened lies in the present-day state of:

  4. Arrange the following events in chronological order and select correct option from those given below.

    1. Death of Chandrashekhar Azad

    2. Kakori Conspiracy

    3. Formation of Indian National Army by Mohan Singh

    4. The Champaran Satyagraha

  5. Who gave "Mahatma" to Mahatma Gandhi?

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