Steam power had been there for sometime now; however, it was just now being applied in India to move heavy goods and people across long distances. Steam technology completely changed imperialism and networks around the entire globe. There are two different types of steam power in Colonial India – on water and on land.
The EIC had been using large steamboats to help maneuver the larger ships into the Indian harbors. They were then used to link the British outposts into the northern parts of India. Because of the location of the Ganges River and since it ran from west to east through India, it served as a ‘highway’ for steamboats to deliver troops, people, mail, etc. to much of the northern areas. (See image