Scenic rail trips -- Kangra Valley Railroad

Alan D · Nov 24th, 2003, 16:22

The metre gauge railway from Junagadh to Delwada in Gujarat is an interesting journey but you have to be up early. Train number 352 Fast Passenger (leaves Junagadh about 6.00am) slowly makes its way through cutivated countryside before climbing into the wooded hills of Gir Forest National Park. It stops at small well cared for stations along the way, including Sasan Gir where the park headquarters is located. Then on again through the jungle before dropping down onto the intensely cultivated coastal plains north of Una.
Groups of langurs generally hang around the railway stations waiting for handouts from the passengers. You can buy cups of chai or fresh fruit at most of the small stations en route.

On the latter part of this journey you may notice very dark skinned villagers with African features (Sidis) boarding the train. They are the descendents of slaves and still live in separate villages and have their own distinctive dress.

If you have the time it's an ideal and relaxed way to travel from Junagadh to Diu stopping for a day or two at the national park on the way.

More about the Sidis of Gujarat.

http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/special.html

pooch · Nov 25th, 2003, 02:17

The Sidis are found in Karnataka too but I never knew there was a slave culture in India besides the ones in Bhopal brought by travelling Saudis. So who brought the Sidis to India as slaves ?. I did come across some web sites in the past of the African connection with Dravidians but all the idealogy seemed far fetched and concoted to suit someone's false propoganda.

pooch · Nov 25th, 2003, 02:23

Oh Alan!! don't bother replying, the first line of the article answers my queries, truly informative!!

Samsara · Nov 25th, 2003, 14:57

I recently read this online article about Karachi in Pakistan (the title grabbed my attention, "Karachi The Most Dangerous City In Asia" or something like that) - there are some descendants of slaves that were brought from Africa living there too. They act as "witch doctors" which is very interesting. Pakistanis, including women, use them for "magic" help (like the function of the Tantrik siddhis in East India in the villages, I suppose).

Alan D · Nov 25th, 2003, 15:19

Quote:

Originally posted by pooch
So who brought the Sidis to India as slaves?

pooch
From what I've read most of the slaves were brought from Africa by Arabian and European slave traders and sold off to various Indian rulers. The Sultan of Bengal, Rukn-al-Din (1459-1474) is said to have had 8000 African slaves and in more recent times the 6th Nizam of Hyderabad recruited Africans to form his 300 strong troup of African Cavalry Guards.

But, things are more complicated than that. Africans also arrived of their own free will as seafarers, traders, and artisans and settled along the coastal fringes of Western India. The Portuguese connection between their Indian and East African colonies probably also contributed.

As I travelled along the coast of Gujarat last year I noticed quite a few people with distinct African features.

BTW I think we're going off the rails here

Does anyone else have an a scenic train journey ro recommend?

SHIMLA · Nov 25th, 2003, 15:58

I did the train journey from Palampur to Pathankot, but that was way back in March,1994. Needless to say, the journey was superb and scenic. But, I would put the Kalka-Shimla journey on par with this one, especially by the Rail Car.

steven_ber · Dec 31st, 2003, 10:23

A photo of the Shimoga - Talguppa railbus taken by Raghu (IRFCA)

No wonder I missed it, I was looking for a train.

beach · Dec 31st, 2003, 10:46

Interesting photo Steven.

Has anyone traveled by the train from Senkottai to Kollam ??

The crossing of mountain range is scenic. Many of the coaches are left at downhill to enable easy climb. It’s too steep. At the reservation itself passengers who are crossing the mountain range are allocated the first few coaches. You wont know the fact that train has been cut short at the downhill station. I’ve been told that earlier this used to be a steam engine before the present diesel ones. One additional engine was used behind the train to ‘push’ the train to climb smoothly. This engine then returns to the downhill point waiting for the next climber. A porter with steam power!!

Colin · Dec 31st, 2003, 11:15

Steven, where is Shimoga/Talguppa? Looks like yet another train I cannot afford to miss!

steven_ber · Dec 31st, 2003, 11:37

Shimoga - Talguppa is in north-west Karnataka, on the route from Bangalore/Mysore to Goa.

Bangalore - Shimoga Town - Talguppa (Jog Falls)

Harry · Dec 31st, 2003, 22:31

I recently bought a second hand book called “The imperial way”. It covers a rail journey from Peshawar to Chittagong.

There is a small amount of text by Paul Theroux, and some of the finest railway photography that I have seen, by Steve McCurry.

If you get a chance to see a copy, it’s well worth the effort.

Colin · Jan 1st, 2004, 01:20

Thank you Steven, yet another scribble in the margin for my 1992 LP, p886, Jog Falls...

SHIMLA · Jan 3rd, 2004, 09:42

The Rail Car still operates on the Kalka-Shimla line, as a holiday special.

It leaves Kalka at 11=35 and reaches Shimla at 15=40; in the return direction the timings are 11=30 and 16=25.

The period of its operation is:
From May 1 to July 15
From Sept. 15 to October 30
From Dec. 15 to Jan. 15

Fare : INR 277/-

SHIMLA · Jan 3rd, 2004, 10:05

A photo of the Rail Car.....

steven_ber · Jan 4th, 2004, 12:36

THE TIMES OF INDIA report on the Shimoga - Talguppa railbus.

Heritage train turns bone of contention.

Nov 24th, 2003, 16:22	#16
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,867	Junagadh to Delwada in Gujarat The metre gauge railway from Junagadh to Delwada in Gujarat is an interesting journey but you have to be up early. Train number 352 Fast Passenger (leaves Junagadh about 6.00am) slowly makes its way through cutivated countryside before climbing into the wooded hills of Gir Forest National Park. It stops at small well cared for stations along the way, including Sasan Gir where the park headquarters is located. Then on again through the jungle before dropping down onto the intensely cultivated coastal plains north of Una. Groups of langurs generally hang around the railway stations waiting for handouts from the passengers. You can buy cups of chai or fresh fruit at most of the small stations en route. On the latter part of this journey you may notice very dark skinned villagers with African features (Sidis) boarding the train. They are the descendents of slaves and still live in separate villages and have their own distinctive dress. If you have the time it's an ideal and relaxed way to travel from Junagadh to Diu stopping for a day or two at the national park on the way. More about the Sidis of Gujarat. http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/special.html

Nov 25th, 2003, 15:58	#21
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,127	I did the train journey from Palampur to Pathankot, but that was way back in March,1994. Needless to say, the journey was superb and scenic. But, I would put the Kalka-Shimla journey on par with this one, especially by the Rail Car. __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Dec 31st, 2003, 10:23	#22
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,143	A photo of the Shimoga - Talguppa railbus taken by Raghu (IRFCA) No wonder I missed it, I was looking for a train. Attached Thumbnails __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Dec 31st, 2003, 10:46	#23
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,233	Interesting photo Steven. Has anyone traveled by the train from Senkottai to Kollam ?? The crossing of mountain range is scenic. Many of the coaches are left at downhill to enable easy climb. It’s too steep. At the reservation itself passengers who are crossing the mountain range are allocated the first few coaches. You wont know the fact that train has been cut short at the downhill station. I’ve been told that earlier this used to be a steam engine before the present diesel ones. One additional engine was used behind the train to ‘push’ the train to climb smoothly. This engine then returns to the downhill point waiting for the next climber. A porter with steam power!! __________________ Hampi info

Dec 31st, 2003, 11:37	#25
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,143	Shimoga - Talguppa is in north-west Karnataka, on the route from Bangalore/Mysore to Goa. Bangalore - Shimoga Town - Talguppa (Jog Falls) Attached Thumbnails

Nov 25th, 2003, 02:17	#17
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	The Sidis are found in Karnataka too but I never knew there was a slave culture in India besides the ones in Bhopal brought by travelling Saudis. So who brought the Sidis to India as slaves ?. I did come across some web sites in the past of the African connection with Dravidians but all the idealogy seemed far fetched and concoted to suit someone's false propoganda.

Nov 25th, 2003, 02:23	#18
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	Oh Alan!! don't bother replying, the first line of the article answers my queries, truly informative!!

Nov 25th, 2003, 14:57	#19
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 509	I recently read this online article about Karachi in Pakistan (the title grabbed my attention, "Karachi The Most Dangerous City In Asia" or something like that) - there are some descendants of slaves that were brought from Africa living there too. They act as "witch doctors" which is very interesting. Pakistanis, including women, use them for "magic" help (like the function of the Tantrik siddhis in East India in the villages, I suppose).

Dec 31st, 2003, 11:15	#24
Colin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand Posts: 208	Steven, where is Shimoga/Talguppa? Looks like yet another train I cannot afford to miss!

Dec 31st, 2003, 22:31	#26
Harry Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 13	I recently bought a second hand book called “The imperial way”. It covers a rail journey from Peshawar to Chittagong. There is a small amount of text by Paul Theroux, and some of the finest railway photography that I have seen, by Steve McCurry. If you get a chance to see a copy, it’s well worth the effort.

Jan 1st, 2004, 01:20	#27
Colin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand Posts: 208	Thank you Steven, yet another scribble in the margin for my 1992 LP, p886, Jog Falls...

Jan 3rd, 2004, 09:42	#28
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,127	Rail Car The Rail Car still operates on the Kalka-Shimla line, as a holiday special. It leaves Kalka at 11=35 and reaches Shimla at 15=40; in the return direction the timings are 11=30 and 16=25. The period of its operation is: From May 1 to July 15 From Sept. 15 to October 30 From Dec. 15 to Jan. 15 Fare : INR 277/-

Jan 3rd, 2004, 10:05	#29
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,127	The Rail Car A photo of the Rail Car..... Attached Thumbnails

Jan 4th, 2004, 12:36	#30
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,143	THE TIMES OF INDIA report on the Shimoga - Talguppa railbus. Heritage train turns bone of contention.

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