Maps vs Reality: Illustrated Indian History — Genesis to 1500 CE

Maps have been a part of the human story from genesis. Maps were one of the first abstractions of human intelligence. Knowledge of geography was essential to survival.

Knowing one's location is a privilege enjoyed by humanity only recently. For most of history, humans never saw a map of the entire world in their lifetime.

The oldest known visual map is the Babylonian Map of the World from the 6th century BC. In Indian history, our geographical knowledge is well documented — but visual maps are almost non-existent. How was location and navigation transmitted in ancient or medieval India?

Understanding Maps

In 1933, Harry Beck — a technical draughtsman — created one of the most iconic maps of modern times. He revolutionised subway travel by drawing inspiration from electrical schematics, replacing electrical lines with colour-coded train lines. Why was it a success? It was useful. The key criterion of a map's success is its usability.

Is that manipulation or simplification? Therein lies the greatest asset of a map and its greatest flaw. Maps are human interpretations — they are as good as the humans who create them.

Navigation: Is it a map only if it is written?

In 1976, a Polynesian raft sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti — over 2000km — using only traditional navigation methods: the night sky and ocean currents. Like Indians, their navigation methods were transmitted predominantly orally. The only catch is oral maps need an unbroken lineage to survive.

Cartographic evidence is strikingly missing in Indian History. The lack of maps does not signify a lack of geographical knowledge. Kautilya's Arthashastra gives detailed accounts of trade routes. Ancient Kingdoms had highways, rest stops and toll stations.

500 Years Ago: A Global Disruption

In 1492, Columbus returned from his voyage. Portugal and Spain went to the Pope for a clear demarcation of the unknown world — leading to the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. This was the first instance of European nations using maps to decide the fate of foreign countries.

There is no ideal map — it is as real as our perception of imaginary lines on paper. Do perceptions matter? Yes.