Original antique map engraved by John Cary in 1806 and published in his New Universal Atlas in 1808. It has original hand colouring.
"A New Map of Hindoostan, from the Latest Authorities" is a highly detailed historical map by John Cary and it is known for its accuracy and clarity, marking a shift away from decorative 18th-century maps to a more scientific, accurate representation of the Indian subcontinent.
The map covers the entire subcontinent, from Kabul and Kashmir in the north to Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) in the south. It extends westward into Persia and eastward as far as Burma.
Cary based this work largely on the earlier surveys of James Rennell, the "Father of Indian Geography," while incorporating the latest contemporary data.
A prominent inset in the lower right quadrant specifically details the Isle of Ceylon.
It features Cary’s signature "clean" engraving style with original hand-coloured outlines to distinguish political boundaries.
The map identifies noteworthy villages, major cities (like Calcutta, Madras, and Delhi), river systems (Ganges, Indus), trade routes, and religious sites.
Cary's work was considered the authoritative standard of the early 19th century. His maps were published in his monumental New Universal Atlas (1808), which was reissued multiple times through 1844. This 1806 map is of historical importance as it provides a detailed and accurate account of the region during a critical period of British colonial expansion.
John Cary (1755–1835), was a prominent British cartographer and engraver. He published a wide range of highly accurate copper-engraved maps that became industry standards for their clean, un-ornamented style. These 1804 editions were largely prepared for his comprehensive New Universal Atlas, which was eventually issued in full in 1808.
Cary served his apprenticeship as an engraver in London, before setting up his own business in the Strand in 1783. He soon gained a reputation for his maps and globes. He published 'The New and Correct English Atlas' in 1787, which soon became a standard reference work in England.
In 1794 Cary was commissioned by the Postmaster General to survey England's roads. This resulted in Cary's 'New Itinerary', published in 1798, containing maps of all the major roads in England and Wales. He also produced Ordnance Survey maps prior to 1805.
Cary's New Universal Atlas, is a landmark of early 19th-century map making. It represented a shift from the decorative, artistic maps of the 18th century toward a more modern, scientific approach prioritising clarity, accuracy, and meticulous detail.
The 1808 edition featured 56 hand-coloured, engraved maps covering all major states and kingdoms worldwide, including highly detailed maps of England and Wales.
Cary replaced the "quaintness and charm" of older maps with a scientific rationality, using the latest surveying techniques to establish a standard that later influenced the Ordnance Survey.
The atlas was so popular it was reissued at least seven times over the next 30 years.
