Eastern Bengal Railway

The Eastern Bengal Railway (EBR) was formed in 1858 for "the construction and working of a line from Calcutta to Dacca, with a branch to Jessore. Capital 1,000,000l. This amount has been sanctioned for the line from Clacutta to the Ganges at Kooshtee, near Pubnah, about 80 miles, all that is authorised to be proceeded with at present. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent on 1,000,000l." 1

Characteristics

The first track was laid along the east bank of the Ganga to Kushthia and then across the river to Dhaka. The line to Kushthia was opened in 1862, ending in Calcutta at Sealdah. The EBR became a State railway when it was purchased by the Government of India on 30 June 1884.

Records

The following are held in the India Office Records at the British Library.

• L/AG/46/10/35 : Contracts of appointment (1862-1869).

The above is partially indexed in

• Z/L/AG/46 : Index to UK Appointments to Indian Railways (1849-1925)

The following is not included in the index Z/L/AG/46.

• L/AG/46/10/35 : Lists of staff, 1879-1881.

Notes

1 "Money Market and City Intelligence", The Times, Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.