Rare Old Map of Northern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal by Tallis & Rapkin, 1851: Delhi, Calcutta, Himalayas, Ganges

The "Map of Northern India" by John Tallis, engraved by J. Rapkin in 1851, is a stunning artifact from the golden age of cartography. This map, created for R. Montgomery Martin's Illustrated Atlas, offers a detailed political and physical representation of Northern India during the British Raj. The mapmaker, John Tallis, is celebrated as one of the last great decorative mapmakers, known for his exquisite artistic touch and meticulous detail. His maps are prized for their beauty and historical significance, making this piece a treasure for any collector or history enthusiast.

This map vividly illustrates the geopolitical landscape of Northern India in the mid-19th century. British-administered territories, including present-day Bangladesh and areas around Delhi, are highlighted in pink, while regions controlled by Hindu leaders are shown in yellow. The map also delineates other important states in green, with areas outside the region, such as Tibet and Burma, left uncolored and minimally detailed. The borders with Tibet are loosely defined, reflecting the fluid political boundaries of the time. Notably, Sikkim is not attributed to any nation, indicating its ambiguous status during this period.

The map is adorned with intricate vignettes that provide a glimpse into life during the Company Raj. These include the British Residency in Hyderabad, the ruins of Old Delhi, and the coat of arms of the British East India Company. These illustrations juxtapose colonial and traditional power, offering a rich visual narrative of the era. The inclusion of a tiger hunt scene adds an element of adventure and exoticism, further enhancing the map's appeal.

Geographically, the map covers a vast area encompassing present-day northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Major rivers such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra are prominently featured, reflecting their importance in the region's geography and culture. The Himalayan mountain range is also depicted, emphasizing the natural barriers and the majestic landscape of the area. The map's detailed representation of rivers, cities, and geopolitical boundaries provides valuable insights into the region's historical and physical context.

The map includes numerous cities and towns, such as Delhi, Calcutta, Lucknow, Agra, and Kathmandu, each with its own historical and cultural significance. These settlements are meticulously labeled, offering a snapshot of the urban landscape during the British Raj. The map's decorative border and artistic engravings make it not only a valuable historical document but also a beautiful piece of art. Collectors and enthusiasts will appreciate the map's ability to transport them back in time, providing a window into the complex and fascinating history of Northern India.

Cities and towns on this map

• India:
• Delhi
• Calcutta (Kolkata)
• Lucknow
• Agra
• Kanpur (Cawnpore)
• Varanasi (Benares)
• Allahabad
• Patna
• Gaya
• Meerut
• Jhansi
• Gwalior
• Jaipur
• Ajmer
• Bikaner
• Jodhpur
• Udaipur
• Bareilly
• Aligarh
• Mathura
• Fatehpur
• Saharanpur
• Gorakhpur
• Murshidabad
• Burdwan
• Dacca (Dhaka)
• Chittagong

• Sylhet

• Nepal:

• Kathmandu

• Bangladesh:

• Dhaka
• Chittagong

• Sylhet

• Bhutan:

• Thimphu

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Illustrations:
• The British Residency in Hyderabad
• Ruins of Old Delhi
• Coat of arms of the British East India Company

• Tiger hunt scene

• Bodies of water:

• Major rivers such as the Ganges and Brahmaputra

• Borders:

• British-administered territories (pink)
• Hindu leader-controlled areas (yellow)
• Other important states (green)

• Loosely defined borders with Tibet

• Mountains:

• Himalayan mountain range

• Other notable features:

• Vignettes of indigenous scenes and people
• Decorative border around the map

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Map of Northern India
• Mapmaker/Publisher: John Tallis & Company, engraved by J. Rapkin
• Tallis was one of the last great decorative mapmakers, known for the artistic quality of his maps.
• When the map was made: 1851
• Topics and themes:
• Political boundaries and control during the British Raj.
• Physical geography including rivers and mountain ranges.
• Cultural and historical vignettes showcasing colonial and traditional power.
• Countries and regions shown:
• Present-day northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
• Areas around Delhi, Calcutta, and Fort William.
• Design/style:
• Decorative map with full-color illustrations and vignettes.
• Artistic borders and detailed engravings.
• Historical significance:
• Provides insight into the geopolitical landscape of Northern India during the mid-19th century.
• Reflects British colonial influence and administrative divisions during the Company Raj.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.