KASHMIR AND JAMMU – ANANTNAG BARAMULA LADAKH UDHAMPUR DISTRICTS SEASONS 1911-14 – PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF COLONEL C H D RYDER SURVEYOR GENERAL OF INDIA 1922
Ryder, Colonel C. H. D
£400.00
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Product Description
KASHMIR AND JAMMU – ANANTNAG BARAMULA LADAKH UDHAMPUR DISTRICTS SEASONS 1911-14 – PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF COLONEL C H D RYDER SURVEYOR GENERAL OF INDIA 1922
Surveyor General: Colonel C H D Ryder
Publisher: The Survey Of India, Calcutta
Price: £400
Publication Date: 1922
Edition: Not stated. Possibly the first edition
Format: Heliozincograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 40.2cm x 55.8cm
Scale: 1 inch to 2 miles: 1:126720
Condition:
Original fold lines into 16 sections with minor age toning and marks. Backed on linen. Reverse is blank with very minor age toning and marks and a short description in pencil. In original and unrestored condition. Exceptionally scarce.
Location: Map Drawer C: FS: Folder 1220
Description:
A detailed map, numbered 43 N/SW. Cart tracks and camel-tracks are also shown along with mule-paths and footpaths. The key is useful, showing camping grounds, forts, watch-towers, mines and deserted villages. This is a mountainous region, with many significant peaks such as Kolahoi shown, along with glaciers and snow beds and numerous valleys including the elusive Kaobal Gali. Kolahoi had been first climbed in 1912 by a team led by Dr Ernest Neve. There are few large settlements but Khana Gund, Pahigam and Sotur are marked in the south and Sonamarg in the central region. The JISC Library hub finds no copies British institutional libraries.
The 1911 Survey of Anantnag, Baramula, Ladakh, and Udhampur Districts: A Short Description
The 1911-1914 Survey of Anantnag, Baramula, Ladakh, and Udhampur, carried out by the Survey of India, was a critical endeavour aimed at documenting the topography, geography, and socio-economic conditions of these key regions within the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This survey was part of the British colonial administration’s larger efforts to consolidate control over its territories, enhance military strategy, and improve administrative efficiency. Below is a brief description of the survey, focusing on each region.
1. Anantnag (Islamabad):
- Geographical and Topographical Focus: The survey highlighted the fertile lands and significant natural springs of Anantnag, such as Verinag, the source of the Jhelum River. The district, located in the southeastern Kashmir Valley, was extensively mapped, noting its agricultural plains, water bodies, and surrounding hills.
- Economic and Agricultural Survey: As one of the most agriculturally productive regions of Kashmir, the survey detailed the cultivation of crops such as rice, wheat, saffron, and fruits. The importance of the irrigation systems that sustained agriculture in this region was a key focus.
- Cultural and Religious Aspects: The survey also noted the region’s cultural and religious diversity, documenting the presence of Sufi shrines, mosques, and Hindu temples, illustrating the coexistence of different faiths in the region.
2. Baramula (Baramulla):
- Strategic and Geographical Importance: Situated on the banks of the Jhelum River, Baramula served as a vital gateway between Kashmir and Punjab. The 1911-1914 survey detailed the district’s topography, including the Jhelum Valley, roads, bridges, and trade routes essential for both military and commercial purposes.
- Economic Significance: Baramula was an important hub for trade, with goods such as pashmina wool, dry fruits, and saffron passing through the region. The survey focused on the district’s role in facilitating commerce between Kashmir and the rest of British India.
- Religious and Cultural Documentation: The survey recorded significant religious landmarks, such as the Khanqah of Syed Janbaz Wali, which played an essential role in the spiritual life of the local population, predominantly Muslim.
3. Ladakh:
- Geographical Challenges and Strategic Importance: The survey of Ladakh concentrated on its high-altitude desert terrain, including the mapping of the Himalayan ranges and the Karakoram. The focus was on the region’s mountain passes, rivers like the Indus, and glaciers, all critical for understanding the strategic value of the area.
- Geopolitical Significance: Ladakh’s location near Tibet and China made it geopolitically important. The survey mapped the region’s trade routes, which connected Leh with Srinagar and beyond. British interests in the region were tied to securing these routes and monitoring the political situation along the northern frontier.
- Cultural and Religious Insights: Ladakh’s distinctive Tibetan-Buddhist culture was a key aspect of the survey, documenting important monasteries like Hemis, Thiksey, and Lamayuru, and detailing the unique Ladakhi lifestyle shaped by the region’s harsh environment.
4. Udhampur:
- Military and Strategic Focus: Udhampur was surveyed primarily for its military significance as a garrison town for the British and Dogra forces. The survey detailed the town’s infrastructure, including roads, barracks, and supply routes vital for the movement of troops between the Jammu plains and Kashmir.
- Geographical Documentation: Udhampur’s hilly terrain, part of the Shivalik Range, was mapped for its forests, rivers such as the Tawi, and surrounding landscapes. The survey provided valuable information for the British military and civil administration in managing the area.
- Economic and Cultural Aspects: Although not as agriculturally rich as Anantnag, Udhampur had a rural economy based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The survey also recorded the presence of Hindu temples and religious practices in the region, reflecting its largely Hindu population.
Purpose and Methodology:
- Military and Strategic Use: The survey was primarily driven by British military interests, as the regions of Ladakh and Baramula were crucial for securing India’s northern frontiers. The detailed mapping of mountain passes, trade routes, and natural barriers was critical for British defence planning, especially in the context of the geopolitical rivalry with Russia and the volatile situation in Tibet.
- Economic and Administrative Planning: The survey helped British and Dogra authorities understand the economic potential of these regions, especially in terms of agriculture, trade, and infrastructure development. By documenting the geography, resources, and infrastructure, the survey aided in better governance and resource management.
- Surveying Techniques: The Survey of India employed geodetic and triangulation techniques to map these regions with precision, ensuring accurate topographical information for future military and administrative use.
Conclusion:
The 1911-1914 Survey of Anantnag, Baramula, Ladakh, and Udhampur was a pivotal project that contributed to British India’s understanding of these strategically important regions within Jammu and Kashmir. Each area presented unique challenges, from Anantnag’s agricultural richness to Ladakh’s rugged terrain and Udhampur’s military significance. The survey played a vital role in shaping British administrative and military strategies in northern India during the early 20th century.
Sonamarg: A Brief Description
Between 1911 and 1914, Sonamarg was already recognised as one of the key natural landmarks in Jammu and Kashmir. Known for its striking beauty and strategically significant location, Sonamarg’s status during this period aligned with the broader interest of the British in the Kashmir region for both geopolitical and recreational reasons. While tourism was still in its infancy, Sonamarg was beginning to draw attention for its natural splendour, and its location near the Zojila Pass gave it a key strategic role.
Here is a description of Sonamarg during 1911-1914:
1. Geopolitical and Strategic Importance:
- Sonamarg‘s location at approximately 2,740 meters (9,000 feet) above sea level, on the route to the Zojila Pass, made it an important stopping point for travellers and military expeditions heading towards Ladakh and Central Asia.
- The Zojila Pass, located a few kilometres east of Sonamarg, was a vital route connecting the Kashmir Valley to Leh and beyond, including routes that reached Tibet and China. During this period, the British Empire was heavily interested in mapping and securing these routes, particularly in the context of the Great Game, the geopolitical rivalry between the British Empire and Russia over influence in Central Asia.
- The 1911-1914 Survey of India, conducted under figures such as Colonel S.G. Burrard and others, likely included Sonamarg and its surrounding areas due to its strategic value. Mapping the passes, rivers, and terrain around Sonamarg would have been important for military logistics and control over northern Kashmir.
2. Early Tourism and British Interest:
- By 1911, Kashmir was already gaining a reputation among British officials and tourists as a scenic retreat, although Sonamarg was not as widely frequented as Srinagar or Gulmarg. However, Sonamarg’s natural beauty and proximity to the Thajiwas Glacier made it a desirable location for adventurous British officials and explorers.
- The British were beginning to promote Sonamarg as a summer retreat, especially for those seeking peace and adventure. Its meadows, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, were ideal for camping, hiking, and fishing, pastimes that the British elite in India increasingly enjoyed.
3. Geographical and Natural Features:
- Sonamarg is a valley of lush alpine meadows and dense forests, framed by the towering Himalayas. During 1911-1914, this natural beauty would have been much as it is today, with wildflowers blooming during the summer months, making it a stunning “meadow of gold,” which is the meaning of its name.
- The Sind River flows through the valley, providing a natural water source and supporting both the local agricultural economy and early tourism activities such as fishing.
- The Thajiwas Glacier, located a short distance from Sonamarg, was one of the most significant natural features of the region. Visitors to Sonamarg in the early 20th century could explore this glacier, which remains snow-covered throughout the year.
4. Military Movements and Trade Routes:
- During 1911-1914, Sonamarg’s location on the route to Ladakh and the Zojila Pass made it a strategic point for British military and trade expeditions. Though it was a relatively small settlement, it served as a resting place for those traveling between Srinagar and Leh.
- Military expeditions and surveying parties frequently passed through Sonamarg during this time, mapping the terrain and assessing routes to secure British interests in the region.
- Trade caravans would also stop in Sonamarg, as it lay on the ancient Silk Route. Traders traveling from Central Asia to India and vice versa used this route, especially for goods like wool, pashmina, and dried fruits.
5. Development and Infrastructure:
- During this period, Sonamarg had not yet developed the tourist infrastructure that it would gain in later years. British colonial officers and Dogra rulers who visited would often camp in the open meadows or stay in basic accommodations.
- The roads leading to Sonamarg were relatively primitive, particularly the route via Tangmarg and onward to Ganderbal. The rugged terrain and seasonal weather conditions made travel difficult, especially during the winter months when heavy snowfall blocked access to the Zojila Pass and cut off Ladakh from the Kashmir Valley.
- Though still a largely undeveloped area, the British likely improved some infrastructure, such as the roads and bridges leading to Sonamarg, particularly for military purposes.
6. Cultural and Local Population:
- Sonamarg was inhabited by the Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes, who were nomadic pastoralists. These communities moved with their herds between the high-altitude pastures during the summer and the lower plains during the winter.
- The local population would have been involved in agriculture, animal husbandry, and some trade activities, as Sonamarg was a convenient stop for travellers. The presence of these communities added a layer of cultural richness to the region.
7. Impact of the Great Game:
- Sonamarg’s position near the northern frontier meant it played a minor role in the broader geopolitical contest known as the Great Game. The British Empire was concerned about Russian influence in Central Asia and Tibet, and controlling the routes through Kashmir, including those that passed through Zojila and Sonamarg, was seen as critical.
- As a result, Sonamarg and its surrounding areas were frequently visited by surveyors and military officers, who were assessing the terrain for its strategic importance.
Conclusion:
During the period from 1911 to 1914, Sonamarg was a region of growing importance, both for its strategic value as a route to Ladakh and for its emerging role as a scenic destination within British India. While tourism was still in its early stages, the British elite were beginning to appreciate the area for its natural beauty, including the meadows, glaciers, and surrounding peaks. The military and geopolitical significance of Sonamarg, particularly in the context of the Great Game, made it an area of interest for the British Survey of India and military forces, ensuring its place in the early history of modern Kashmir.
Colonel Charles Ryder: A Short Biography
Colonel Charles Henry Dudley Ryder (1868–1945) was a distinguished British Army officer and an eminent surveyor in British India. He is best known for his work as an officer in the Royal Engineers and for his involvement in several important surveying and mapping expeditions, particularly in the Himalayan region and Tibet. Ryder played a significant role in the expansion and development of the Survey of India, contributing to a deeper understanding of some of the most challenging and remote parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Key Achievements and Career Highlights:
- Military and Surveying Career:
- Colonel Ryder joined the Royal Engineers, where his expertise in surveying and cartography led to his long association with the Survey of India. His work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries helped map some of the most unexplored regions of India and its frontiers.
- Ryder’s career was marked by his dedication to topographical work, particularly in the difficult terrain of the Himalayas. His role as a surveyor made significant contributions to British military and colonial efforts to chart the northern frontier of India.
- Exploration and Survey of Tibet (1904):
- One of Colonel Ryder’s most notable accomplishments was his participation in the British expedition to Tibet in 1904, led by Sir Francis Younghusband. This expedition, which had both diplomatic and military objectives, was significant for the British Empire’s efforts to establish influence over Tibet and secure the northern borders of British India.
- During the expedition, Ryder was responsible for mapping and surveying the Tibetan plateau and its key routes, providing crucial geographic data on a region that was largely unexplored by Western powers at the time. His surveys were instrumental in improving the understanding of the topography of Tibet, including passes, rivers, and mountain ranges.
- His work resulted in the production of some of the earliest accurate maps of Tibet, which were of immense strategic value to the British government.
- Contributions to the Survey of India:
- As a senior officer of the Survey of India, Ryder played a key role in geodetic surveys and the mapping of frontier regions. His contributions to the expansion of knowledge about India’s northern and western borders, particularly in regions like Ladakh, Sikkim, and Tibet, were significant.
- Ryder’s work in these regions helped solidify the British Empire’s understanding of the geography, which was crucial not only for administrative control but also for military planning.
- Recognition and Legacy:
- For his contributions to the survey and exploration of Tibet and other frontier regions, Ryder earned recognition both within the British Army and among geographical societies. He was respected for his meticulous surveying and cartographic work, which enhanced Britain’s strategic position in Asia.
- His detailed maps and geographical records were used by both the military and civilian administrations of British India, and his work in Tibet remains one of the most notable efforts in the history of Himalayan exploration.
- Post-Tibet Career:
- After his involvement in the Tibet expedition, Ryder continued to serve in the British Army and the Survey of India. His experience and leadership in difficult terrains remained valuable assets for the British administration.
- Ryder eventually rose to the rank of Colonel, and his surveying and mapping work had a lasting impact on the cartographic knowledge of British India’s frontiers, particularly in the Himalayas and Tibet.
Conclusion:
Colonel C. H. D. Ryder was a pivotal figure in the history of British exploration and surveying in Asia, particularly during the early 20th century. His work with the Survey of India, especially during the 1904 British expedition to Tibet, established him as one of the foremost military surveyors of his time. Ryder’s contributions significantly enhanced the British Empire’s geographic knowledge of Tibet and the Himalayan region, securing his legacy as a key player in the exploration and mapping of some of the world’s most challenging terrains.
Heliozincography: A Short Description
Heliozincography is a printing process that was developed in the 19th century to reproduce maps, plans, and other illustrations with great detail. The term is derived from heliography (a photographic process using sunlight) and zincography (a method of printing using zinc plates).
Key Features of Heliozincography:
- Combination of Photography and Printing:
- Heliozincography involved transferring photographic images onto zinc plates, which could then be used to reproduce maps or drawings. The process started with a photograph of the original map or illustration, which was then used to prepare a printing plate.
- Zinc Plates:
- The process utilized zinc plates as the medium for printing, replacing traditional stone or copper plates that had been used earlier in lithography and engraving. Zinc offered a cheaper and faster alternative for producing detailed prints.
- Application in Cartography:
- Heliozincography was widely used for map reproduction, especially by government survey departments, including the Survey of India and the Ordnance Survey in Britain. It allowed the mass production of accurate and detailed maps.
- For example, the Survey of India under Colonel Sidney Gerald Burrard would have used heliozincography or similar methods to reproduce maps from surveys like the 1911 Baramulla and Anantnag survey.
- Advantages:
- Cost-effectiveness: Zinc plates were cheaper to produce than copper or stone plates.
- Speed: It allowed for quicker production of multiple copies, which was especially useful for distributing maps and technical drawings.
- Precision: The photographic component of the process ensured a high degree of accuracy in reproducing details.
- Process:
- The original image (such as a map or drawing) was photographed, and the photographic image was chemically transferred onto the surface of the zinc plate.
- The plate was then treated with chemicals so that only the lines or details to be printed remained on the surface, while the rest was etched away.
- Ink would adhere to the raised parts of the plate, and the image would be transferred onto paper through a printing press.
Historical Use:
- Survey of India: The heliozincograph was widely used by the Survey of India for producing accurate and reproducible maps of regions such as Kashmir. Given the difficulty in producing detailed maps of mountainous terrain, the precision of this process was essential for both administrative and military purposes.
- Ordnance Survey: In the UK, heliozincography was used by the Ordnance Survey to reproduce topographical maps with the necessary detail for military and civilian use.
Conclusion:
Heliozincography played a crucial role in the mass production of accurate, detailed maps and technical drawings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It combined the emerging technology of photography with traditional zinc plate printing, providing a fast, cost-effective method for disseminating important geographical and technical information, particularly in fields like cartography.
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