All About Pakistan’s Horse-Pulled Ghoda Train Constructed By Ganga Ram, the Father Of Modern Lahore

In the 19th century, while Westerners developed modern modes of transportation that spread throughout the world, people in the Indian subcontinent, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, relied more on traditional modes of transportation like carts drawn by animals. These were not only more affordable, but they also facilitated long-distance travel.

The Ghoda Train, a horse-drawn tram service in Faisalabad, which was formerly part of India but is now in Pakistan, was one such unusual form of transportation. People used to commute there on the Ghoda Train, which was fairly well-liked in the neighborhood.

These Ghoda trains, which were common in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, reportedly began operation in 1903. Engineer and social worker Ganga Ram constructed the trains in his hometown. The hamlet had railroad lines installed at the time, and this tram, driven by horses, used to travel on them. This horse train ran between Buchiana and Gangapur, two stops.

Due to the creation of the Ghoda Train in his hamlet, Ganga Ram rose to fame. He was born in 1851 in Punjab province, which is now a part of modern-day Pakistan, and was an engineer, architect, and philanthropist. He is also credited with founding modern Lahore. He played a significant influence in the development of Lahore and constructed numerous well-known structures and locations in the city. He retired in 1903 and was given the title of Rai Bahadur the following year.

As a result of several efforts, Ganga Ram received 500 acres of land in his village in Faisalabad from the government. He first made the area productive and began farming there. He realized that he required a suitable transport method for the big tractors as soon as he began farming. He thereupon constructed a horse-drawn train to link his settlement with the about 3-kilometer-distance Buchiana railway station. Up until 1980, the Ghoda Train was well-liked and functional. Later, though, it was neglected, and it began to deteriorate. The horse train was redesigned by the government in 2010. But after a few years, the train was once again shut down because of a lack of funding and declining government interest.