Cartographic Tales: India Through Maps Unveiled at Ojas Art Gallery

The exhibition 'Cartographic Tales: India Through Maps' at Ojas Art Gallery showcases around 80 maps detailing Indian territories from the late 16th century to 1947. Highlighting the works of European cartographers, it offers insights into India's historical geography and features rare, hand-drawn maps with intricate details and elaborate cartouches.

The ongoing exhibition 'Cartographic Tales: India Through Maps' at Ojas Art Gallery offers a deep dive into India's historical geography through nearly 80 maps. Drawing from the works of European cartographers from the late 16th century to 1947, the exhibition illustrates India's evolving topography and borders during this period.

Cartography, which peaked between the 17th and 19th centuries, provided a detailed depiction of the subcontinent's geographical intricacies using longitudes and latitudes. Maps commissioned by western powers like England, France, Italy, and the USA during this era are notable features of the exhibit.

'India's geography has been shaped over centuries, and these maps narrate stories that transcend beyond their intricate demarcations,' remarked Anubhav Nath, the curatorial director at Ojas Art. The exhibition includes a hand-colored 1728 map of the Mughal Empire and a 1700 map of South Indian and South Asian island territories, showcasing vital trade routes and city spellings of the time. The exhibit also highlights cartouches, which offer creative insights into the cartographers' perspectives and methodologies.

(With inputs from agencies.)