From 'Mappa' to 'Manchitra': Exploring the maps of Calcutta

Another map, ‘Plan of Calcutta’ was published in 1792 by Wm. Baillie from the survey conducted between 1784 and 1785 and ‘reduced by permission of the Commissioner of Police from the original one executed for them by Lieut. Colonel Mark Wood’. ​ The map shows the list of the administrative buildings of Kolkata, churches, bazaars, and streets known and named by Europeans. ​ The cartographer also helpfully annotates the map to inform us that, ‘Those parts of the town which are inhabited by the Europeans (except Chowringhy) are dotted to distinguish them from those inhabited by the natives’.

One such map was made by Aaron Upjohn based on a survey conducted as part of his commercial ventures between 1792 and 1793, in which he states, ‘To the British Inhabitants of Bengal, This Map of Calcutta and its Environs is Respectfully Inscribed by Their Most Obedient Humble Servant A. Upjohn’.​

Another map, ‘Plan of Calcutta’ was published in 1792 by Wm. Baillie from the survey conducted between 1784 and 1785 and ‘reduced by permission of the Commissioner of Police from the original one executed for them by Lieut. Colonel Mark Wood’. ​ The map shows the list of the administrative buildings of Kolkata, churches, bazaars, and streets known and named by Europeans. ​ The cartographer also helpfully annotates the map to inform us that, ‘Those parts of the town which are inhabited by the Europeans (except Chowringhy) are dotted to distinguish them from those inhabited by the natives’.

Although a major part of the canvas is dominated by other elements, the existence of Fort William and the mushrooming development of the city stands on the horizon, spanning from the left of the canvas. ​

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

Here too, the foreground is busy with several active elements, but Fort William looms large on the left corner used almost as a spatial anchor​.

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

In this detail from the 1842 map by the S. D. U. K. we see a more detailed and intricate visualisation of Fort William​

Although a major part of the canvas is dominated by other elements, the existence of Fort William and the mushrooming development of the city stands on the horizon, spanning from the left of the canvas. ​

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

Here too, the foreground is busy with several active elements, but Fort William looms large on the left corner used almost as a spatial anchor​.

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

In this detail from the 1842 map by the S. D. U. K. we see a more detailed and intricate visualisation of Fort William​

Although a major part of the canvas is dominated by other elements, the existence of Fort William and the mushrooming development of the city stands on the horizon, spanning from the left of the canvas. ​

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

Here too, the foreground is busy with several active elements, but Fort William looms large on the left corner used almost as a spatial anchor​.

Image courtesy: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata

One such map was made by Aaron Upjohn based on a survey conducted as part of his commercial ventures between 1792 and 1793, in which he states, ‘To the British Inhabitants of Bengal, This Map of Calcutta and its Environs is Respectfully Inscribed by Their Most Obedient Humble Servant A. Upjohn’.​

Another map, ‘Plan of Calcutta’ was published in 1792 by Wm. Baillie from the survey conducted between 1784 and 1785 and ‘reduced by permission of the Commissioner of Police from the original one executed for them by Lieut. Colonel Mark Wood’. ​ The map shows the list of the administrative buildings of Kolkata, churches, bazaars, and streets known and named by Europeans. ​ The cartographer also helpfully annotates the map to inform us that, ‘Those parts of the town which are inhabited by the Europeans (except Chowringhy) are dotted to distinguish them from those inhabited by the natives’.

One such map was made by Aaron Upjohn based on a survey conducted as part of his commercial ventures between 1792 and 1793, in which he states, ‘To the British Inhabitants of Bengal, This Map of Calcutta and its Environs is Respectfully Inscribed by Their Most Obedient Humble Servant A. Upjohn’.​

Another map, ‘Plan of Calcutta’ was published in 1792 by Wm. Baillie from the survey conducted between 1784 and 1785 and ‘reduced by permission of the Commissioner of Police from the original one executed for them by Lieut. Colonel Mark Wood’. ​ The map shows the list of the administrative buildings of Kolkata, churches, bazaars, and streets known and named by Europeans. ​ The cartographer also helpfully annotates the map to inform us that, ‘Those parts of the town which are inhabited by the Europeans (except Chowringhy) are dotted to distinguish them from those inhabited by the natives’.