Map Of Northern India By Edward Stanford – Copy Of Alan Sillitoe

Price: £375
Publisher: Edward Stanford
Publication Date: c.1901
Edition: 1st edition
Format: Original engraving
Condition: Very good plus, unframed
Scale: 1:5448960
Sheet Size: 76.4cm x 50.4cm when opened

Condition:

A fine colour-engraved folding map of  Northern India. Backed on linen with 21 folds. Slight age toning and foxing. Minor marks but generally very bright and clean. Folding cloth cover very bright. Overall in very good indeed, bright, clean condition.

Edward Stanford’s Northern India Map: A Brief Account

Edward Stanford’s Northern India Map is one of the many high-quality cartographic products produced by the renowned British mapmaker and publisher Edward Stanford Ltd. during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The map of Northern India was created during a period when British imperial interests in the Indian subcontinent were at their peak, reflecting the geopolitical importance of the region to the British Empire.

Historical Context

By the late 19th century, Northern India was a critical region under British control as part of the British Raj, which was established after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the dissolution of the East India Company’s rule. Northern India included important provinces such as Punjab, Bengal, United Provinces (modern Uttar Pradesh), and Bihar, along with major cities like Delhi, Calcutta (now Kolkata), Lucknow, Lahore, and Agra.

The region was strategically and economically important to the British Empire for several reasons:

• Agriculture: Northern India was a major producer of cash crops such as cotton, jute, tea, and indigo.
• Trade and Transportation: The extensive river systems, particularly the Ganges and Yamuna, along with the expanding railway network, facilitated British trade and military logistics.
• Military and Political Control: Northern India was home to many key military bases and administrative centres, including Delhi, the seat of Mughal power before the British took control.

Features of the Map

Edward Stanford’s maps were known for their precision, detail, and use in both educational and practical applications. The Northern India map has several key features:

1. Geographical Features:
   • Mountain Ranges: The Himalayas would be prominently depicted along the northern border of India, separating the Indian subcontinent from Tibet and China. Other significant ranges like the Aravalli Range in Rajasthan would also be marked.
   • Rivers: Major rivers such as the Ganges, Yamuna, and Indus would be clearly marked, as these were critical for both transportation and agriculture.
   • Deserts and Plateaus: The Thar Desert in Rajasthan and the Deccan Plateau (in central India but often shown on maps of Northern India) would be included to highlight the varied geography.
2. Colonial and Political Boundaries:
   • The map shows the boundaries of British-controlled territories, princely states, and neighbouring regions like Tibet and Nepal. During the period, Northern India was a mix of directly governed British provinces and semi-autonomous princely states under British suzerainty.
   • Boundaries would reflect the political divisions imposed by the British, with provinces such as Bengal, Punjab, and the United Provinces clearly delineated.
3. Cities and Major Settlements:
   • Key cities like Delhi, Calcutta (Kolkata), Lahore, Lucknow, Agra, and Benares (Varanasi) are prominently marked. These cities were important administrative, military, and cultural centres.
   • Colonial-era infrastructure such as railways, roads, and telegraph lines are shown, as the British had invested heavily in these to improve communication and control across the vast territory.
4. Trade and Resource Areas:
   • Stanford’s map includes information on regions rich in natural resources or important for trade such as the jute-producing areas of Bengal and the tea plantations in Assam.
   • Ports along the coast, such as Calcutta, would be shown as they were critical hubs for British trade in and out of India.

Purpose and Audience

Edward Stanford’s map of Northern India would have been used by a variety of audiences, including:

1. Colonial Administrators and Military Officers: The British administration in India would have used maps like this to manage the vast and diverse territory effectively. Military officers needed accurate maps for strategic planning and control, especially during times of unrest or conflict.
2. Merchants and Businessmen: British merchants and companies doing business in India, particularly in the areas of trade, agriculture, and resource extraction, relied on detailed maps to navigate the complex landscape of Northern India and its economic opportunities.
3. Travellers and Explorers: Though travel for leisure in India was not as common as in later years, maps would still be useful for travellers, missionaries, and scholars interested in the region’s geography, culture, and history.
4. Educational Institutions: Maps produced by Edward Stanford were often used in British schools and universities to teach students about the vast extent of the British Empire and its territories. A map of Northern India would have been a critical tool for understanding British colonial power and the geography of the region.

Significance

Stanford’s Northern India Map would have reflected the British Empire’s imperial ambitions and its intricate control over one of the most important regions in its colonial domain. The map not only served practical purposes but also symbolised British authority and knowledge over the vast subcontinent. Its accuracy, detail, and cartographic quality were representative of the high standards of British cartography at the time.

Legacy

Maps like this are now valuable historical documents, offering insights into how the British viewed and governed their empire. These maps are studied today for their geographical detail and for what they reveal about the political and economic priorities of the time. Collectors and historians value Stanford’s maps for their craftsmanship and as artefacts from the period of British colonialism in India.

Overall, Stanford’s Northern India Map is of use to those interested in the administration, exploration, or economic exploitation of British India during the height of the British Empire in the 19th century.

Alan Sillitoe in India: A Brief Account

Alan Sillitoe did indeed spend some time in India during his life, though it is a lesser-known aspect of his biography. His time in India was relatively brief but had some influence on his broader worldview, as he was deeply interested in the complexities of postcolonial societies and global inequalities. Sillitoe’s connection to India largely stemmed from his travels and his interest in exploring themes of colonialism and its aftermath.

Sillitoe’s Travels to India

Alan Sillitoe visited India in the early 1960s, not long after gaining fame for his working-class novels like Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner. By this time, India had recently gained independence from British rule (in 1947), and the social, political, and cultural transformations underway were of great interest to writers and intellectuals globally.

During his time in India, Sillitoe was reportedly struck by the stark contrasts between poverty and wealth, and the complexities of life in a postcolonial society. Although his most famous works focus on British working-class life, his travels to India may have deepened his understanding of issues related to inequality, exploitation, and the struggles of ordinary people—topics that were central to his writing.

Influence on His Work

While India did not directly feature in Sillitoe’s most famous novels, his experience in India can be seen as part of a broader engagement with global social and political issues. Sillitoe was critical of imperialism, colonialism, and the exploitation of the working class, themes that resonate in much of his writing. His understanding of postcolonial realities, influenced by his travels to places like India, likely contributed to his evolving perspective on these issues.

In his later career, Sillitoe wrote more travel essays and engaged with international issues in a more overt way, though his most celebrated works remain rooted in the British experience. However, his travels and experiences in countries like India expanded his perspective and deepened his empathy for people living under various forms of social and economic oppression.

Conclusion

Though Alan Sillitoe’s time in India was brief, it contributed to his wider understanding of global struggles and the legacy of colonialism. While India does not prominently feature in his best-known novels, his experience there is part of the broader backdrop of his interest in inequality and the human condition in various parts of the world. Sillitoe’s critical eye toward colonialism and its impact on societies like India reflects his deep concern with issues of power, class, and exploitation that are evident throughout his body of work.

Edward Stanford: A Brief Description

Edward Stanford was a prominent British mapmaker, publisher, and founder of the renowned cartographic firm Edward Stanford Ltd.. He played a crucial role in the history of cartography in the 19th century, producing maps and atlases of high quality and accuracy that were used by explorers, governments, and the general public. His contributions to cartography and the firm he founded helped shape the way geographical knowledge was disseminated during the Victorian era and beyond.

Early Life and Career

Edward Stanford was born on 27 May 1827, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. His early career in the world of cartography began in 1848 when he joined the London-based map and book publishing firm of Trelawney Saunders. Stanford quickly rose through the ranks and, in 1853, took over the business from Saunders, renaming it Edward Stanford Ltd.. This marked the beginning of his long-standing influence in the field of cartography.

The Growth of Edward Stanford Ltd.

Under Edward Stanford’s leadership, the business expanded rapidly and became the leading cartographic firm in Britain by the mid-19th century. Located at 6 Charing Cross in London, Stanford’s shop became a central hub for the production and sale of maps, atlases, and globes.

The company specialised in a wide variety of cartographic products:

• Maps of the British Empire: As the British Empire expanded, there was a growing demand for maps that could aid both in administration and exploration. Stanford produced detailed maps of British colonies and territories around the world, helping travellers, military officers, and government officials navigate and govern these distant lands.
• Exploration Maps: During the Victorian era, exploration of uncharted territories was a significant undertaking, and Stanford played a key role in providing maps to explorers. Famous explorers like Sir Henry Morton Stanley and David Livingstone used Stanford’s maps during their expeditions in Africa, which helped enhance the company’s reputation for accuracy and reliability.
• Commercial Maps and Atlases: Stanford’s shop catered not only to government officials and explorers but also to the general public. The firm published detailed maps of London, the British Isles, Europe, and other regions of the world. Many of these maps were known for their clarity and precision and became popular among travellers, students, and academics. The London Atlas of Universal Geography, first published in 1862, was one of Stanford’s most famous works, known for its comprehensive coverage and beautifully crafted maps.

Contributions to Education and Cartography

Stanford’s influence extended beyond map publishing. His maps were used extensively in schools and universities, helping to educate generations of students in geography. His firm was instrumental in producing educational materials such as atlases, wall maps, and globes, which became standard tools in British classrooms.

In addition to his publishing achievements, Stanford supported the development of cartographic techniques. His firm embraced advances in printing and lithography, enabling the mass production of maps while maintaining high levels of detail and accuracy. The Stanford maps became known for their clear presentation and innovative use of colour to distinguish political boundaries, physical features, and other important details.

Involvement in National and International Projects

Stanford’s maps were not limited to educational or commercial use; they were also utilised by the British government. His firm was contracted to produce maps for official purposes, including for the military, the Post Office, and other government departments. Stanford’s firm was instrumental in creating the first comprehensive mapping of the British railway system, and their maps were used in the planning of various infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

Internationally, Edward Stanford Ltd. produced maps of key geopolitical importance, including for diplomatic conferences and negotiations. As Britain expanded its influence globally, Stanford’s maps were often used by officials and diplomats to navigate international relations and conflicts.

Edward Stanford’s Legacy

Edward Stanford’s personal involvement in the cartographic world lasted until his retirement in 1882. He passed the business on to his son, Edward Stanford Jr., who continued the family legacy of producing high-quality maps. The firm remained at the forefront of cartographic innovation well into the 20th century.

The Stanford name became synonymous with cartographic excellence, and the firm produced maps that covered a vast array of topics, from colonial territories to urban development. The Stanford’s General Map of the World, published in multiple editions, was a particularly influential work, reflecting the latest geographical knowledge and discoveries of the time.

Stanford’s Shop: A Cartographic Landmark

The Edward Stanford Ltd. shop in London, located at various times in different parts of the city, was itself a landmark for cartographers, explorers, and travellers. By the late 19th century, Stanford’s shop had become the go-to place for anyone needing maps or geographical information. Its location in Charing Cross placed it at the heart of London’s intellectual and commercial centre.

Visitors to Stanford’s would find not only a comprehensive selection of maps and atlases but also globes, books, and other geographical materials. The shop became a symbol of British cartography, serving the needs of the imperial administrators, explorers heading off on expeditions, and ordinary people looking to learn more about the world.

Death and Continuing Influence

Edward Stanford died on 3 November 1904, but his contributions to the world of cartography left an enduring legacy. The firm he founded continued to operate as a leading cartographic publisher well into the 20th century, adapting to the changing needs of geography and travel. Today, Edward Stanford Ltd. still exists, having transformed into Stanfords, the iconic map and travel bookshop, which continues to be one of the most famous map shops in the world.

Conclusion

Edward Stanford was a pivotal figure in the history of cartography, whose work and vision transformed the map-making industry in Britain. His firm provided indispensable resources for explorers, government officials, and the general public, shaping the way people understood and navigated the world. Through his innovative maps, atlases, and educational materials, Stanford’s contributions to geography and cartography remain highly respected and his name continues to be synonymous with high-quality, reliable maps even today.

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