British-built railways in India helped the British to make money and maintain order; but, as a by-product, they served to unite the country, making it ripe for independence.

In this quote, Michael Portillo reflects on the unintended consequences of the British-built railways in India. While these railways were primarily constructed to serve British economic interests—helping the British to make money and maintain order—Portillo suggests that they also played a pivotal role in uniting India. The railways connected vast and diverse regions of the country, which, over time, helped foster a sense of national unity that contributed to India’s readiness for independence.

The origin of this insight comes from Portillo’s understanding of the complex dynamics of British colonialism in India. While the railways were originally built to serve the needs of the British Empire, enabling the easier movement of goods and military forces, they inadvertently linked the various regions of India. This infrastructure allowed people from different areas to travel, communicate, and interact more freely, thus contributing to the growth of a national identity among Indians.

Portillo’s quote points to the irony that while the railways were tools of colonial control, they also made it easier for Indians to organize, share ideas, and mobilize for independence. The physical connection provided by the railways, alongside the spread of ideas about freedom and self-determination, eventually made India "ripe" for independence. The railways, in this sense, became an important by-product of colonialism that helped the Indian independence movement gain momentum.

By acknowledging this paradox, Portillo highlights the complexity of colonialism and its long-term impact. While the British Empire sought to maintain dominance through infrastructure like railways, these same systems helped create the conditions for a unified India, which would go on to demand and ultimately achieve independence.