2-913-630 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Ganges Canal, at Roorkee [in India], 1854. 'This stupendous work is hailed by the people of India as one of the grandest improvements yet effected by European civilisation and enterprise...Mr. Colvin...undid the fastenings and depressed the lever of the nearest gate. The broad majestic flood rushed through the opening...ere long the broad channels were full of delighted swimmers...The great leading motive...by which the British Government was led to sanction the Ganges Canal...was to secure to its people between the rivers Ganges and Jumna an immunity from the pains and losses that famine brings with it...The canal is to be navigable throughout...The products of Europe and other foreign countries...will find their way by a continuous water carriage to the shops and markets of the towns along the whole valley of the Ganges, from the sea shore to the base of the Himalayas'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.