This story tells us of an amazing journey by an Englishman Mr. Phileas Fogg. He is a ruthless perfectionist who cares more about the bet than the native places, he sees on his travels. He will do anything, even lie and cheat, to get what he wants.
Mr. Phileas Fogg along with his French attendant Passepartout, attempts to go round the world in eighty days by taking a bet for $ 20,000. They travel through some parts of India. That was the time, when the railways were being built in the country. The train started at the scheduled time from Bombay. There were a number of passengers like officers, government officials and merchants in the train. Sir Francis Cromarty, one of Mr. Fogg’s friends, occupied a seat opposite to them. The train passed the bridges, the Island of Salcette, mountains, jungles, forests and the fertile territory of Khandesh.
Passepartout couldn’t believe that he was actually crossing India in a railway train. Tigers and snakes fled at the noise of the train. Elephants stood gazing at the train with sad eyes. At half-past twelve, the train stopped at Burhampoor. The travellers had a hasty breakfast.
The train entered the valleys of Sutpour Mountains at three in the morning.
The train stopped at 8 o’clock some fifteen miles beyond Rothal. Phileas Fogg and others were annoyed. They were wondering why there was a halt of the train in the midst of the forest. When they enquired, the conductor informed them that the railroad lines ends at Kholby, 50 miles short of Allahabad. The line begins again from there in Allahabad. Sir Francis got angry because they sold the tickets from Bombay to Calcutta, without confirming about the railroad lines.
The passengers had to provide means of transportation for themselves from Kholby to Allahabad. So, Mr. Fogg, his attendant and Sir. Francis planned to reach Allahabad in time by some means of transport, as a steamer was ready to leave Calcutta for Hongkong on the 25th. They had two days left to reach Calcutta.
After searching the village from end to end, Mr. Fogg and Sir. Francis came back without finding any means of transport. But Passepartout suggested that they can travel on an Indian elephant. As it could travel rapidly for a long time, Mr. Fogg determined to hire it. Even though Mr. Fogg offered excessive amount to hire the elephant, the elephant’s owner refused to hire it. So Mr. Fogg finally purchased the elephant for two thousand pounds. A young man offered his services as a guide to them.
While Mr. Fogg and Sir Francis took the howdahs on either side, Passepartout got on to the saddle-cloth between them. The driver sat on the elephant’s neck and at 9 o’clock set out from the village to Allahabad.
