Map of “British India, Southern Part”, 1816

Hand-coloured map of “British India, Southern Part” from 1816 by the cartographer John Thomson, engraved or printed by Neele, Samuel John, 1758-1824. It comes with a certificate of authenticity from Michael Ludgrove, art curator and former Christie's specialist. This fascinating map depicts southern India covering Bombay in the north to the northern part of Sri Lanka. The map is colour coded (as detailed in the key in the lower left-hand corner) according to the figures that dominated each region. British controlled areas are red, the territory of Nabob of Oude is orange, the Berar Rajah (province of Hyderabad) is green, the Nizam is yellow, the Mysore Rajah is green, the Marathas are blue, Travancore is purple, and the regions controlled by the King of Candy are brown. 
John Thomson (1777-1840) was a Scottish cartographer from Edinburgh, celebrated for his New General Atlas, published by himself in Edinburgh, from 1814 to 1821. Thomson is generally thought of as one of the leading publishers in the Edinburgh school of cartography, which flourished from 1800 to 1830. Thomson and his contemporaries redefined European cartography by abandoning typical 18th century decorative elements such as elaborate title cartouches and fantastic beasts, in favour of detail and accuracy. Thomson maps are becoming increasingly rare to find as they are highly admired for their impressive size, vivid hand colouration, and superb detail.