Chanakya ji, with your permission I would like to bring out a few points on the subject matter. The points are of only common knowledge and general knowledge as:

1) We were never enslaved for 700 years and it was some 200 years plus( some historian friend, could you please give us the exact figures and enhance our knowledge? thanks)

2) The Race track distances are always measured along the inner rails and there is no question of measuring it along the outer rails and this is simple common knowledge.

3) You see those days rodometers were not in use for measuring the varying distances of actual and effective race track because of the varying widths of the false rails and this came to be used only after 1990 or so.

4)Those days the only measuring mode was an iron chain of 100 feet length and a team of 2/3 people will go on doing a chain survey to measure the distance. This method was quite accurate, but, if you forget one chain to count or travel left or right while travelling over distances of 1000 mtrs or more, there could be some difference/ mistake. Also please note that British were not
doing this chain survey, our people were used for these works and the mistake wont be deliberate.

5)The difference of timings now was due to the use of rodometers to measure the exact distances where as in those days the effect of false rails was not catered for and the distances were always varying due to the different width of false rails.

6) Timings are improving no doubt and the reasons can be:

a) Improvement in the breeds of our runners and methods of training along with advanced high standard feed and vitamins etc.
b) Improvement in the composition of tracks.
c) Accurate and better measuring instruments etc etc.

Friends if you have any questions I shall try to clarify. Regards

@Chanakyaji

Did you mean Mysore race course 20 to 50 mts shorter?
If it's longer how come timings are out of this world at Mysore?
Pl clarify.