Which one of the following cities on the banks of Ganges declined in i

Which one of the following cities on the banks of Ganges declined in importance when the railway link to Bombay started operating?

Benaras
Kanpur
Mirzapur
Patna
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
The correct answer is C) Mirzapur.
– Mirzapur, located on the Ganges, was historically a significant trading hub, serving as a major river port and an inland trade centre, particularly connecting to Central India.
– With the development of railways linking key inland areas directly to the port of Bombay (now Mumbai), trade routes shifted. The reliance on riverine transport via cities like Mirzapur diminished, leading to a relative decline in its commercial importance compared to its peak period.
– Cities like Benaras (Varanasi), Kanpur, and Patna also have historical importance, but Mirzapur’s specific role as a riverine entrepôt whose significance was directly challenged by the rise of rail links to Bombay is a well-documented aspect of colonial economic history in India.
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