ABSTRACT
The real or imaginary political considerations which postponed the adoption of the overland route for troop movements in 1857 never rose again, and afterward the route was completely established for communications of all kinds. The re-routing of the mails and subsequent improvements in land and water transportation made possible considerably better postal communication and passenger transportation within the next generation. The brightest spot in the dark situation was the existence of some 4500 miles of recently-completed Indian telegraphs, with which to maintain communication and cooperation among the forces in India. English economic interests and the English population in India were increasing more rapidly than means of communication were developing. Moreover, not only in India but throughout the East British interests were served, as to mails, entirely by the Peninsular and Oriental Company, which, having no real competitors along this line, enjoyed a virtual monopoly of the overseas communications.
