In this era of the steam engine, motor car, electric locomotive and aero plane, it may be hard even to think how difficult it was to travel two hundred years ago. In India, bullock carts bumped and carriages often sank as the axles got buried in mud, trying to negotiate a narrow side-track. In winter, the country roads were almost impassable. People who drove in carriages often lost their way in the dark in the absence of proper roads. Travelling in stage-coaches was uncomfortable and slow.
When better coaches were built, attempts were made to improve roads. Turnpike gates were established at various
points on the prominent roads, and a toll was collected from coaches and carts. The income from the toll was spent on repairing roads. As travelling by stage-coaches grew popular, men began to think of improved ways and means of making and maintaining roads. A very clever
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