Hindostan British India, 1863 Map
An 1863 map of British India or Hindostan by Johnson & Ward. Alvin J. Johnson started his business in 1860 based in the USA. This map came out only 3 years after he opened his business. The British Empire’s dominions: India, Burma, Malaysia, and so on are depicted in this map of India.
However, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to set foot on India by the maritime route. They were led by Vasco Da Gama who arrived at the port of Calicut, on the Malabar coast in 1498. Gradually expanding their settlements to Cananore, Goa, Surat, Bombay, and so on, on the west coast. And on the east coast- Madras, Tuticorin, Nagapattinam, Hooghly, and so on. The British arrived at Surat in the early 1600s, intrigued by the Portuguese’s success in trade.
Increasingly British trade expanded to other parts of India, all managed by the East India Company. It would gradually get a firm foothold on trade and even political power, by influencing Indian rulers either by threats or bribes or both. After brutally crushing the Indian uprising of 1857, the East India Company was terminated by the Queen. India would then come under the direct rule of the British crown from 1858 onwards. The inset shows Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta (Calcutta was the capital until 1911). See the image of the Government House, Calcutta on the top left.
Read more about- The Atlases of A.J. Johnson.
Did you know- the Empire had a huge impact on societies, industries, cultures, and the way of life of people around the world.
From the collection- Page From Rare 1713 Latin Book on Calicut., 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#17)., Nazi Germany’s Map of Bombay With Eagle & Swastika 1940s., Shimla British India’s Summer Capital – Old Photo 1890
