Original antique map with early hand colouring.
Centre fold as published.
Dates from c.1645
"Sinus Gangeticus Vulgo Golfo De Bengala" is the Latin title of a historical 17th-century sea chart, published by Johannes Jansson.This map is part of the first true sea atlas, published as the fifth volume of Jansson's Atlas Novus.
It depicts the Bay of Bengal and contiguous parts of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand, in a unique westward orientation, extending from the eastern coastlines of India and Sri Lanka to the northern reaches of Sumatra and the contiguous coastline of Thailand.
Rhumb lines, which are lines crossing all meridians of longitude at the same angle, feature prominently in the map. Alongside the rhumb lines, the map is also adorned with intricate drawings of five sailing ships. Additionally, two ornate compass roses enhance the map's navigational utility.
The late 17th century was a period of significant political and commercial change in the Bay of Bengal region. The area, particularly India, was a major hub for trade, with numerous European powers such as the Dutch, British, and French establishing their presence and trading posts. The map also captures the period of historical transition from the late Mughal period in India to the early years of European colonial rule. It reflects a period when local empires like the Ayutthaya in Thailand and the Sultanate of Aceh in northern Sumatra were experiencing pressure from encroaching European powers.
Jan Jansson (1588-1664) was a renowned geographer and publisher of the seventeenth century, when the Dutch dominated map publishing in Europe. Jansson's first maps date from 1616.
