Antique Map of Hindustan by Bellin (1752)

Description: Antique map titled 'Carte de l'Indoustan (..)'. Old map of the northern section of the Indian subcontinent and includes present-day Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Tibet, in addition to northern India. It features regions, towns and cities, rivers, topographical detail, and a few geographical notes, and is adorned with two cartouches, containing the title and distance scales, respectively. Published for Prevost d'Exiles influential travel book, 'L'Histoire Generale des Voyages'.

Artists and Engravers: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772) was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at age 18, he was appointed hydrographer (chief cartographer) to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Depot des cartes et plans de la Marine (the French Hydrographic Office) and was named Official Hydrographer of the French King.