But sea travel was hazardous ​ — especially during the monsoon season, when rivers were also unnavigable — ​ and road and rail routes went way inland to circumvent many natural obstacles.
Merereisid olid aga ohtlikud, iseäranis mussoonperioodil, kui ka jõgedel ei saanud liigelda, ning teede ja raudteede marsruut kulges kaugele sisemaale, et paljudest looduslikest takistustest mööda minna.