HISTORICAL RECORDS OF
THE SURVEY OF INDIA
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
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POLITICAL MAP OF INDIA
Late 18th Century.
Ceded to E.I.C. by
Nawab of Bengal
i 24-Parganas
2 Burdwan, Midnapore,
<ยฃ Chittagong
3 Bengal, Bihar & part Emperor of Deth
ofOrissa
t Madras JagJr _
5 Northern Circars
S Benares
7 Island of Salsette
S Guntur Circar
g Malabar, Dindigul,
Salem, Baramahal
10 Carnatio
Nawab nf Gamatic
WazTrofOudh
Peisbwa
Tipu of Mysore
20- 8-65
30- 8-65
12-11.-66
21- i-75
22- 5-76
18- 3-8S
17- 3-9i
Nawab of Carnaiic. Cession
jf Coimbatore, Kanara,
Wynaad
12 Tanjore
(3 Bellary, Anantapur,
Kurnool, Guddapah
H Sural
Of fferenuoa noi , ui au-
ministration Aug. 1790.
Complete Cession 31- 7-01
Mysore 19- 7-9S
Raja ofTanjore 25-10-%
Ceded by Mysoreto Nizam,
1792 & 1799, & by Nizam
to E.I.C. 12-10-01
Captured 1759, Full adminis-
tration of District 15- 5-0t
COUNTRY POWERS
Marathas, Green: Nizam, Blue: Oudh, Mysore & others, Yellow,
FOREIGN POWERS
Danish: Serampore (A ). Tranquebar.
Dutch : Chinsura r A j, NegapaOm 4 tfagora. , , .
French: Chandernagore i A >, Kankai <Bl, Mafte fยฃ9
Pondicheny.
Portuguese: Daman. Diu.Goa. ,.j
Fu6tifhedas#'tActdinxrslyJ.7infsRai7id! AI-u//i t ij<?&.
From map facing p. 235 of Rennell's Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan, 1788, with the
addition of tints and a table of References.
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Published 1945
PRINTED IN INDIA
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HISTORICAL RECORDS OF
THE SURVEY OF INDIA
Volume I
18th CENTURY
Collected and compiled by
Colonel R. H. PHILLIMORE, C.I.E., D.S.O.,
( late Royal Engineers and Survey of India)
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF
THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF INDIA
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE GEODETIC BRANCH,
SURVEY OF INDIA, DEHRA DUN (U.P.), INDIA
1945
Price : Rs. 30 or 12. Js, 3d.
( Copyright reserved )
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L'avancement de la Geographie m'etant plus oher que
la carte de l'Inde, je souhaite qu'elle ne soit que la prepara-
tion a une autre plus exacte et plus complete, qui . . ne lui
laisse d'autre merite que d'avoir donne lieu a une meilleure
BOTJRGIGNON D'ANVILLE. 1752'.
At that day we were compelled to receive information
from others respecting the interior of the country, but in
your time you explored for yourselves. I have only the merit
of furnishing a dim light by which others groped their way.
RENKELL. 1808.
โ
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FOREWORD
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As.
From about 1860 onwards there are published reports describing the work of
the Surrey of India, and there are full accounts of the work of the Great Trigono-
metrical Survey from its start. We have, however, only the scantiest accounts
of the inception and early development of surveys in India, and of the work of
those great men who, from the simple beginnings of the 18th century, built up
the Survey of India on sure lines, and established its reputation as a survey
โ department second to none.
On his retirement from Government service in 1934, Colonel Phillimore
undertook the monumental task of compiling a history of surveys in India from
the earliest days. . Interrupted by the war, during which he came back to duty
with the department, it has been possible so far to publish only this first
volume of his work, covering the 18th century, though much of the material
for subsequent volumes has been collected. The research work has been immense ;
the records have come from a multitude of places; many have been rescued from
oblivion ; they have been studied, sorted, and compiled into an admirable history
that is at once instructive and entertaining. We are indeed fortunate in having
a historian who seeks to record not only accurate facts, but also the human
interests and adventures of the early surveyors. It is fitting too that this
historical volume should not only record the work actually carried out by a great
survey department, but also form a record of the policy of the Court of Directors
and their servants in India, and of their successors, towards maps and surveys.
From the detailed accounts of the work carried out, the instruments and pro-
fessional methods used, and the details of organization, financial control, and terms
โขof service, we are able to observe the steady growth and consolidation of the
department, and the gradual application of improved methods and instruments to
meet the requirements of good government. It is instructive to observe the
multifarious and increasing demands made on successive Surveyors General as the
complexity of the administration increased.
His enthusiasm and long association of over forty years with the Survey of
India make Colonel Phillimore peculiarly well qualified to undertake this labour of
love. "We and posterity will owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we sincerely hope
that his ambition to carry this important history forward to 1883 may be achieved.
Dehua Dun :
June 1945.
E. 0. Wheeler,
Surveyor General of India.
Plate
Addenda & Corrigenda
10
17
31
โ :,7
40
-,:,
67
f , COl Tโ n 5 ; ^' rigllt ' Iine 2 ; / or ****ยซ read Sclata.
1 hue 19, /or Pekin read Peking.
2 line 10 from bottom ; for Willliam read William
after footnote 2, add , which obviously distorts
Monserrate's arithmetic,
footnote 5, after 1668-72, insert: arrd. India
13-7-69, v. B31. Ilarl. MSS. 4254.
26 line 23, after Verelst insert | 22 n.4 ].
30 line 7 for thet read that.
line 16 from bottom, after compass insert [ 39 ].
Ime 14 from bottom, after Mountains insert [ pi. 13 1
line 18, after Poonah insert [ 154 ].
line 17 from bottom, after River insert [ 21 n 12 1
Ime 30 before 2S6 insert 215.
footnote 5, for show read shows,
line 1, after so insert [ 297 ].
line 17 from bottom, after Nagpnr insert T 24 n 8 7
last line, for at read all. '
42 footnotes 10 and 11, after BM. insert Addl MSS
45 Section Heading, after Binual insert ,1779-87
47 Section Heading, after Isuhm insert , 1788-96
51 Ime 22, move reference number 6 (o follow inch
lane 21. '
Ime 15 from bottom, for Rohilkhand read Rohilla
alter footnote 1 add Maps, Cawnpore to Barilwar
by land, MRIO. 25 ( 71 ), 30 ( 20, 21, 55 )
fLvtil 71, 80); retam b y river, MRIO. 163
( 27 ), 166 ( 24 et serf ), 168 ( 2, 10-3, 15-8 I
footnote 4, John Marshall italics.
Renumber references to footnotes, lines 26, 27, 28.
Cabral should read 7, referring to note 8, b. 1 59!)'
etc., which should be renumbered 7, date Kill
being changed to 1624.
Azo should read 8, referring to note 7, Hazo, etc.
which should be renumbered 8 oral fello/e ,'A vn>-
note 7.
Delete % following October 21st.
line 16 from bottom, for Ladak read Ladakh
hne 10 from bottom, for Pekin read Pekin"
- . line 10 and footnote 3, for Pekin read Pekfni..
73 line 7, after K anar insert [ pi. 6 ].
footnote 4, for Daniel read Daniell.
footnote 6, John Marshall italics.
line 19, /or Daniel reati Daniell.
line 30 for tirere read tfere.
footnote 1,/or ib. read De FiUppi.
note 3, Hobson-Jobson italics.
line 12 from bottom, delete but otherwise all was
conjecture, and substitute and Rennell shows a
route eastward through "Mimnyppur" and
"Tammoo"[pl. 14].
line 24, after survey insert [ 101 ].
.- bottom lino, after Ariuv insert [ 279 1
99 note 2, delete Memoir 1793 ( 25 ).
103 line 16, for Governement read Government
110 footnote 11, fie/ore 58 M/14 insert 2 m. N. of Cudda-
lore.
112 line 24, after Ceylon insert [ 117 ].
113 line 19, after Cochin insert [ 7 ].
116 line 6, for Sindha read Sindhia.
117 line 19, after school insert [ 286 ].
120 line 13, for Herr read Carsten.
footnote 2, 1672-S1 italics ; after I 157 ) insert
London 1698.
123 line 10, for Scindhia read Sindhia.
footnote 8, after IS P/4 insert v. pi. 16, C delli.
124 line 13, for Minicoi read Minicoy.
125 line 18 from bottom, after Mysore insert r pi. 11
126 footnotes 10, 15, for ih. read Bo S& Pol
128 footnote 1, far ib. read Bo S & Pol
149 lines 10, 17, 20 from bottom, for Pekin read
Peking.
159 line 19, after occurred insert [ 186-7 1.
ige 160
., 164
70
76
so
92
173
177
180
190
194
1SS
211
2IJ
218
221
223
225
236
240
249
263
260
271
279
291
393
298
300
302
u
last line, after Anopshere insert [ 161 ].
hue 5, for astromimer read astronomer.
Ime 12, after General Roy, insert re/erence to new
footnote to read, b. 1726 ; Pr. Engr. 23-12-55 โข
Lieut., 53rd loot, 4-1-56 ; Ens. Eft. Rnars'
14-5-57 โ d. London, 1-7-90. g
footnote H, delete present note and substitute
Marsden, Topping, and possibly Mather, were
the only sailors amongst the Madras surveyors
lines 16, 17,/orDoIlandreadDollond. '
footnote 3, before Acting insert Mad. Engrs Ens
17-^1-70 ; after Mysore insert killed in action'
Pondicherry, 1793.
line 14, after Pocket delete comma.
line 2, omit from Europe, but and substitute at all
I pis. 2, 5, 161 ], or
footnote 2, after (57) insert ; Map, MRIO 150 (46)
Ime 4 imm bottom, after usual insert f 159 1
line 16, for yon read you.
line 7 from bottom, for e.xcuted read executed.
Ime 7, for Moritogomeries read Montgomerie
Ime 19, after Gunter's chain insert reference to new
footnote to read of 22 yards, named after Edmund
1620 'ยฐ"ยฐ d " Sljd '" Bn e knd from about
note 7, 200 note 6, and p. 201 notes 1, 3, South
ilensington roman type.
note 4, Midnapore italics.
line 11, after Ibn Haukal insert reference to new-
footnote to read- -v. Ousely.
footnote 2, for ib. read Herbert,
line 5 from bottom, after expenee insert I 38 1
line 22, for 225 read 255.
line 9, for Blaev read Blaeu.
line 6 from bottom, after [ 25-6 ] deleie The and
substitute In the later edition the.
line 3 from bottom, for pamphlet rend work
footnote It I delete Ben. Civ. ; for Consideration of
Indian Affairs read Considerations on Indian
Arfairs, London, 1772.
line 22, for Coas Beyhar rend Coos Beyhar
Ime 28 and footnote 4, for Hemmanneau real
Hemmonneau.
line 3 from bottom, for expenee read expense
note 6, Markham italics.
note 1, for ib. read C D to M.
note 1, after Sir delete stop.
hne 27, for Geogrpher read Geographer,
hne 5 torn bottom, for at this time read in 1799
footnote 1, Supply. Desps. italics.
line 15 : for the Surveyor General read Call
line 7 from bottom, after Stuart insert f 95 1
footnote T after ( 199 ) insert ; he was granted a
further 400 'pagodas a month tile year before
bis death [ 392 ].
lines 5 and 9 from bottom, for Webb read Webbe.
Ime 4, for Webb read Webbe.
line 1,/or Turn read Turn.
line 9 from bottom, after survey insert 1 160-1 1 -
delete last 5 hues of page from In his journal. '.
to Badnnauth, etc.
line 24, between this and wrote insert I
line 12 from bottom, for Mustan on lopes read
Mustan in hopes,
line 13, for carry of large read carry off large
line 14, for attached read attacked,
line 28, after city insert [ 299 ].
line 8 from bottom, after God delete stop, and for
Set read set. '
line 7 from bottom, for conveniently read con-
veniently.
Hne 7, shift reference 3 to end of line 8, follomng-
dismissed.
CONTINUED ON P. 30S.
PREFACE
When. I was at Dehra Dun early in 1933, I received a letter from Sir Edward
Tandy asking for certain particulars about Sir George Everest, and more especially
what he was doing in 1833, one hundred years before, a matter of topical interest
in view of the projected attempts to conquer Mount Everest by the climbers of the
Ruttledge expedition and the airmen of the Houston flight.
This led to my first introduction to the old correspondence records of the Great
Trigonometrical Survey, which comprise more than 700 volumes extending from
about 1790 to 1883, and I found them of absorbing interest. They were in excellent
preservation, and, though consisting mainly of the correspondence of the Trigom>
metrical Survey, include much- of the Surveyor General's correspondence, parti-
cularly for those periods when the great geodesists, Everest, Waugh, and Walker,,
combined the offices of Surveyor General and Superintendent of Trigonometrical
Surveys, viz., 1830-63 and 1876-83.
Enquiry at the Surveyor General's office at Calcutta produced similar records
for the rest of the department for intervening periods, but these were in sorry
state. Some volumes were missing, and all had suffered grievously from the cruel
Calcutta climate ; most of them were sadly worm-eaten, and many showed signs
of having been rescued from fire. Considering, however, the vicissitudes of the
office during the first half of the 19th century, it is marvellous that so much survived.
All honour to the hand-made paper of those early days, and the excellent writing
ink. The records for the ; period 1863-75, when Sir Henry Thuillier was Surveyor
General, are not bound up, but stored in tin boxes, each letter folded and docketed.
These Calcutta records have now been brought up to Dehra Dun s rebound, and
assembled with those of the Trigonometrical Survey.
I was tremendously struck, not only with the intense interest of this old corres-
pondence, but also with the futility of letting it continue to lie in its present
inaccessible form. It had lain thus, the greater part of it, for over 100 years, and
if nothing were done it would continue to he another hundred years, if indeed it
did not perish. -
' ' I saw how interesting these details of our past work would have been to me
during the active years of my service ; the accounts accessible in annual reports
and record volumes are mainly professional, and give no continuous narrative.
Sir Clement Markham's Memoir of the Indian Surveys is indeed a classic summary
of the work from the earliest years, but is not sufficiently intimate or detailed to
'grip the imagination.
To write up a history of the Survey of India from these volumes of correspondence
seemed to be the best way of preserving them to posterity, arid I was fortunate in
finding that the Surveyor General, then Sir Harold Couchman, welcomed my offer
to undertake the task after my retirement. This departmental correspondence
would not however meet the whole task, for it did not cover the early years of
survey, and there were many later gaps ; there was practically nothing about
revenue surveys.
After a few months spent at Dehra' combing through the Geodetic Branch
library, I went to Calcutta where I found a wealth of material, and most generous
assistance, both at the Imperial Record Office and the Imperial Library ; but the
Government of India records also have been sadly depleted by accidents and
.fires, and hold but scanty information about the interesting period of RenneU's
surveys. L
During the cold weather of 1935-6 I spent six weeks at the Record Office of the
government of Bombay. There was practically nothing about Bombay surveys
either at Dehra Dun or Calcutta, but the Bombay records not only gave detailed
accounts of the earliest surveys from about 1785, but also described the interesting
Plate
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revenue surveys from 1830 onwards. Whilst at Bombay I was riven the โri ;i
of consu tug the library of the Bombay branch of the Koyri E s'iet ^
am deeply mdebted to the honorary secretary, Mr. Tilley f 0I .ยฃยฃ JfaS'Xi
I have met nowhere else in India. J ' s to books that
From Bombay I went to Madras -where I found a mass of infoโข, V โ x,
wonderful record office at Egmore, where the reoorfs areTn el^ f '^ " ^
*nd readily accessible, and the ejection of valuable nM J "* Pf ser โข tiou
kept. I have specially to thank Dr tXa aid M^ staff JTe m ยฐ S * "^
and valuable assistance. I also received the E ti tJ 1V โข ry ยฐยฐ urteous
Library, and at the library o ? the Mad ยฃ ^tetrv W t t^ Connemara
most interesting find was a cony of ThoZS โข ^* ? y " โ M the former m y
Mat of the Waf on tie C^ofGhl^Zell^- fnl'lTT ?,?' Map * *<
โ SenneWs Me mm r of a Ma P o/sinZZ^L el 'โข wLTthXietvT 1
graciously presented to the Survey library at Dehra Dun โข tj m ยฐ St
the E Tcofd Ofn^oT^B ' "f r ? * ^ "T ""^ at Cal โข tta . ^% at
mmmmmm
fieldbook through Central India 1792 7 Thil i ยซ P ยฐ rtl ยฐ n ยฐ f ^""y's
Mdbook of an g ent lr ely dSnl P erยฃef an^cre^ sTveyoโข ^0?^
Sh tteTatl o r bT 6rS d WaS S deU f htfUl wate -ยฐl-rVinting and /Z
wMoTclff" 67 S adW ff ment askin ยซ &r subsCTibere *โ a "Set of %ws^
a" 8 t e o 7 fi C n d reSPOnded *"* th ยฐ 8e ยฐ f tl6 Mdb0 * โข &rtb - ยซM^
siastical records of births, marriages, deaths, and wills for "!S tEJZ. โ
there were the Home Miscellaneouf Series, the "rLS., the MackeSfe MSS ''
Court Minutes, and many other records which do not exist in TnS mZ '
pnceless rare books in the library, and the 4 ยปdt-^ ofth 1Z
Boom. Perhaps the most interesting of all these was the folio of Rennell's mans
sent home in 1774, containing his account of his methods of survey and "he constac
tion of his maps with a little index showing the area surveyed wTol
7Se^^^
โโ ^* he f Bnt j shM >f eum tlie library gave access to books and periodicals that
could be found nowhere else; the Crown Library possessed several folos of old
maps and surveys that had been sent home from India in the very early davs of
many of which no copies had been kept in India. It was a great joy to howThesI
off one morning ; to Colonel Ryder, Herbert Crosthwait, and Sir Hardd Coulhnlan
The Manuscript Room gave more original maps and surveys, besides survevcW
journals and private correspondence, mostly amongst the Hastings Papers Many
of these must have found their way home as private property ; some may have
come from the collections of Orme, Dalrymple, or Rennell. "
I have also to thank the Royal Society and the Royal Astronomical Society for
permission to consult books and manuscripts in their libraries.
My notes on the work of the early Jesuit missionaries have been gathered from
many publications, in search for which I have received the greatest assistance from
Father J. Macfarland, S.J., of St. Mary's College, Kurseong.
I wish particularly to acknowledge the kindness and the enthusiasm with which
all officials at the various record offices and libraries have done everything in their
power to assist my researches. I am greatly indebted to the cheerful and willing
labour of the messengers at the various record offices, perhaps more especially
those at the India Office, who kept me supplied with a stream of heavy volumes,
often brought from subterranean vaults, to which they had to be restored in perfect
order after I had done with them.
As regards the form which these Records are to take ; the Surveyor General has
agreed that they should form a distinct series of volumes entitled, The Historical
Records of the Survey of India.
There is no reason why such a series should not gradually be brought up to the
present day ; I have myself aimed at the year 1883 as the limit of my own endeavour,
and it is impossible to say now how many volumes this will entail. The war has
now sadly interrupted not only my own work, but also the printing of this first
volume, and I doubt whether I shall myself complete the narrative beyond 1862.
From about 1860 regular annual reports were published ; but these are of a dry subs-
tance, and there is room for a readable human history as well.
For the period before 1860 Markham's Memoir is the only history of the depart-
ment as a whole. For the Trigonometrical Survey there are the fascinating works
of George Everest, An account of the Measurement of an Arc of the Meridian.. .1830 ;
and An account of the Measurement of two Sections of the Meridional Arc of India..'.
1847 ; and also the Parliamentary Report ore Operations of the Great Trigonometrical
Survey by Sir Andrew Waugh, published in 1851 ; but these are out of print and
difficult of access. There is also the series of ponderous tomes of the Record Volumes
of the O.T.S. of India, which contain brief historical summaries of each trigono-
metrical series ; Sir Sidney Burrard tells me that it was General Walker who insisted
on having these summaries inserted. The production of a history of the Depart-
ment up to 1860, embodying the substance of the correspondence volumes to which
Markham never had access, appears therefore to be a matter of urgent importance,
especially when it is considered that manuscript records have a limited life.
The early story covers much more than the mere construction of rough surveys
and maps that were doomed to be superceded. It tells of the constant demand of
administrators for information about their own territories, and those beyond their
boundaries, and at the same time their fear of spending too much money. It tells
of the enthusiasm of a few for the improvement of geography and for the unravelling
of the mysteries of the unknown, and also of the farsightedness of those who strove
to put this survey business on to a sound footing under a professional chief with an
adequate staff. Then there were the true men of science who followed the progress
of instruments and methods in Europe, and brought about such achievements as
an observatory for the control of astronomical observations, a school where sur-
veyors should be taught their business, and eventually a master survey on sound-
geodetic principles, to which the work of all surveyors should be tied. This early
history is worth telling in full, for the first efforts of the pioneers and their explor-
ation of an unknown country can be even more interesting that the regular
methodical survey of later years.
This first volume covers the 18th century, the age of romance and adventure
in India, and I hope that I have succeeded in giving some sense of that romance
and adventure which coloured the work of our 18th century surveyors and soldiers.
The second volume will cover a short but very important period, 1800 to 1815,
during which Colin Mackenzie brought regular organization and system to the
surveys of the Madras Presidency, and William Lambton laid the foundation of the.
trigonometrical survey and its great meridional arc.
Plate
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A iarge part of this volume is Uยป' i. , .
wamng given to me that the 41 * XaT J ^^^ notes, in S p ite of a
the other hand, the work cannot hโ y f- โขยฐ re lm P or tant than the man n
every man wh makes ^'^^^^ -font the n^ndTis rfot
g^^tยฐ^2t^ t ( ^^ f ยซ- *-* ^ authoritv for the
the Photoditho Office for the effi P^*โข ( nw Lt, Colone CAK wf ^
though, and then- f^Ztt^l^X^ "*ยซ* ยป* ^โขS^
Guuuarg, Kashmir.
October 1939,
( Delhi, 1944 )'.
P- H. Phillimoke.
Piate 3
by Gerard Meroat,
<w, 1612.
Reduced from pi n tโ
'ยป **>ยซ p. 3tt rt mua^Mh
โ Amsterdam, 1612.
Notable featirSof rt P S ,' ine fP L ยซ>. n. 1
Th ยซ river (?"โโ fl th ! s ear 'j geography are-
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Contents
References of MS. Records
References to Publications
Other Abbreviations
Chapter I
General Narrative
To the Departure of Rennell in 1777
Maratha & Mysore Wars, 1778 to 1784
Six Years of Peace, 1784-90
Extension of British Interests, 1790 to 1800
Pages
XVI
xvii
Chapter II
Bengal Surveys to 1777
Jesuit Missionaries, 1579 to 1771
The 24-Parganas, 17S7-64
Coasts & Islands
The Great Rivers
Midnapore & Burdwan, 1761-6
Renneil & Richards, 1765-6
Bihar, 1766-8
Route Surveys
Rennell as Surveyor General, 1767-77
Chapter III
Bengal Surveys, 1777 to 1794
Thomas Call as Surveyor General, 1777-86
Goddard's March to Bombay, 1778-9
Pearse's Marches along the East Coast, 1781-5
Political Missions, 1781-90
Wood & Kyd, 1786-94
Wilford in Benares, 1788-94
Coasts of the Bay of Bengal, 1779-87
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 1788-96
The Hooghly River
Calcutta
Chapter IV
Bengal Surveys, 1793 to 1800
Beyond the North-West Frontier
Chittagong Frontier, 1794
Chunar to Rajahmundry, 1795
Ganges-Hooghly River Passage, 1777-96
Ganges River above Cossimbftzar, 1796-1800
bpecral Surveys in Calcutta, 1795-6
Uuttagong Coast, 1799-1800
10
12
13
17
21
22
24
27
31
37
38
40
12
13
43
45
47
50
51
53
64
65
65
Plat
Chapter V
-BEYOND THE BaERIEES
Himalaya Mountains :
Jesuit Missionaries
Lama Survey of Tibet, 1712-17
Sources of the Ganges & Go<ra
-Bogle & Turner, 1774-84
Nepal
Tie Snowy Range
Assam :
The Brahmaputra
Welsh's Expedition, 1792-4
The Eastern Frontier
fag
Chaptee VI
Madeas Sueveys to 1788
Early Surveys to 1765
Barnard's Survey of the'jagir, 1767-74
Military Surveys in the South, 1765-75
JMorthern Circars, 1767-76
Fort St. George & Madras
Pnngle & the Guides, 1777-88
Kelly and other Surveyors, 1778-Ss' '
Chapter VII
Madras Surveys, 1786 to 1800
Coromandel Coast, 1786-93
Kistna-Godavari Irrigation Surveys',' 1775
J- anJt Repairs
The Corps of Guides
Colin Mackenzie
Third Mysore War, 1790
District Surveys
Nizam's Dominions
Fourth Mysore War, 1799
Chaptee VIII
Bombay Sueveys
City Surveys
Maratha Wars, 1774-S2
Marine Surveys
Charles Reynolds, 1783-9
Emmitt with the Marathas, 1790-5
Malabar, 1790-1800
Reynolds & his Map, 1792-1800
Revenue Sueveys
Methods of the' Country
Glossary
Bengal
Chaptee IX
67
70
71
73
75
76
82
83
91
93
95
97
101
105
107
109
111
112
113
115
118
120
121
123
125
128
130
132
133
135
135
Chapter IX โ f concld. )
Bevenue Surveysโ ( concld. )
The Jagw, 1767-91
Northern Circars, 1774-88
Salem & Baramahal, 1792-9
Assistant Revenue Surveyors, 1795-1800
Bombay
Pages
141
148
144
145
147
Chapter X
Astronomical Control, Bengal
Observations before 1760
RennelTs Maps of Bengal, 1760-77 . .
Transits of Venus, 1761-69
Smith, Pearse, and others, 1776-90
Reuben Burrow, 1783-9. .
Burrow's Measures of the Degree, 1790-1
Burrow's Last Season, 1791-2
Colebrooke & his Surveyors, 1794-1800
148
151
153
154
155
164
166
!67
Chapter XI
Astronomical Control, Madras & Bombay
Madras Observations before 1786
Topping & the Observatory, 1786-1800
Military Surveys, 1788-1800
Bombay Observations
Breadth of the Peninsula
Fundamental Longitudes, Madras & Calcutta
169
170
174
176
178
ISO
Chapter XII
Professional Methods op Survey
Rennell in Bengal, 1764-77
Route Traverses
Madras Jagw, 1767-74 ..
Michael Topping, 1788-94
Baramahal & other Madras Surveys, 1792-9
Madras Surveying School, 1796-1800
Journals and Fieldbooks
J 82
184
189
190
193
194
195
Chapter XIII
โ Survey Instruments
Chains
Perambulators
Sextants & Quadrants
Circumferentors
Theodolites ..
Chronometers
Supply of Instruments
Astrolabes . .
Instrument Makers
198
198
199
200
201
201
202
203
206
201)
1772-4
Chapter XIV
Maps op India
Ancient Geography
Early Maps to 1750 . . ' '
D'AnviUe's Map of 1752
Jefferys & Orme . . ;
RenneU's Map of Hindoostan, 1882-93
Thomas Call's Atlas, 1782-9
Reynolds's Map, 1793-1807
Colebrooke & Others
Postscript
Chaptee XV
Maps op Bengal
Maps before Rennell
RenneU's Early Maps, 1764-72
RenneU's Provincial & General Map,
Bengal Atlas, 1779-83
Distance Tables
District Maps \ ]
Upper Provinces, 1797-1800
Punjab & Afghanistan, 1786-1804
Map Drawing & Draughtsmen
Chapter XVI
Maps of Madras & Bombay
Early Maps of the Carnatic, to 1780
KeUy's Atlas of 1782
Madras Maps, 1780-180O
Draughtsmen
Maps of the Nizam's Dominions
Maps of Bombay
Chapter XVII
Map Construction & Pbeseevation
Scales
Projections ,"."
Orthography
Maps for Court of Directors
Co-operation between Presidencies
Custody & Distribution .' .
Chaptee XVIII
1HE SUBVEYOE GENERALS
Surveyor Generals of Bengal
Bengal Regulations
โ Surveyor General's OfHce at Calcutta
Proposals for.Surveyor General, Madras
Surveyor General, Bombay
Surveyors
Recruitment - -
Conditions of Service
Civil & Military Surveyors
Surveyors "Out of the Servi&
Chapter XIX
207
208
210
211
212
215
217
219
220
221
222
224
227
230
231
232
232
234
238
240
243
244
245
245
247
24S
248
250
253
250
26,0
261
262
263
265
266
266
267
2(iS
. _.C h a p t b k X I Xโ ( Gondii.
Surveyors โ (Goncld. )
Rermell's Surveyors "..
Other Bengal Surveyors ...
Madras Surveyors
Bombay Surveyors
Chapter XX
Pay & Allowances
Surveyor Generals of Bengals
Bengal Surveyors
Madras Surveyors
Bombay Surveyor
Chapter XXI
Civil Establishment
European Assistants
Surveying School, Madras
Assistant Revenue Surveyors, Madras
Indian Explorers
Reynolds & his Surveyors
Lascars & Followers
Chapter XXII
Inhabitants & Officials
Bengal in Rennell's Time
India at Large
Military Escorts
Posts & Communications
Addenda & Corrigenda . .
Further Abbreviations .....
Biographical Notes ' . .
Index.
;; โ PLATES
Political Map of India . . >'....
India to Arabia
India Orientalis
Arab Map of Sind
On the Bhutan Border
The Ganges and the Gogra " . .. .-โ...
Ladakh to Lhasa . . โ
The Indus to the Granges ;
The South Peninsula
After Father Monserrate โข โ โข
L 'Empire du Grand Mogol .โ .', .. *
Presqu 'Isle de 1 Tnde
Bengal from D 'Anville
Bengal & the Brahmaputra '/โ ;.
Kelly's Title-page ,.. ,--.'! ::
Terza Parte dell 'Asia .'. ''
Alexander Dalrymple
Robert Orme
James Rennell
Charles Reynolds
Index to Surveys, 18th Century - .'.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
10.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
269
. . 270
.. 271
273
..274
..275
278
..281
..283
283
285
..286
. . 287
289
..291
296
300
303
..vi, 305
. . 306
โ ::', 308
Front Cover
. facing Title Page
page x
J ,, xx
23
, ,, 55
67
72
86
..' 148
207
, plate - 11
page 221
plate : 13
page 238
304
331
332:
377
378
Back Cover
References to MS. Records & other Abbreviations
RFC.
BM.
BMAddlJ,
BMinC.
BMC.
BGO.
BPC.
B Pol C.
BRC.
BPrC.
BSC.
BSCC.
BS&I.
E S & Pol.
B S & M.
B S & Sep.
B Ter C.
BtoCD.
B Rev Bd.
B Ter Rev.
Ben.
BoF&P.
BoMC.
Bo ME.
Bo PC.
Bo Poi C.
BoRC.
BoS&Pol.
BoSur.
Bo to CD.
Bom.
C-in-C.
CCor.
CD.
C D to B.
C D to Bo.
C D to M.
CE.
CM.
Cat.
ef.
Ch&C.
Com of Rev.
DDn.
<*eg.
Desp.
E.
EIC.
Emb Lists .
et seq.
Exbt.
Fdbk.
GEO Lib. .
GinC.
G G in C. .
GO.
Govt.
H C. Report.
HIS.
. . Bengal Foreign Consultations
โ . British Museum
JS. British Museum Additional Manuscripts
- . Minutes of the Bengal Council
. . Bengal Military Consultations
โ โ Bengal General Order
โ โ Bengal Public Consultations
โ โ Bengal Political Consultations
. - Bengal Revenue Consultations
โ - Proceedings of Council, Bengal
โ โ Bengal Secret Consultations
. Bengal Select Committee Consultations
โ โ Bengal Secret & Foreign Consultations
. Bengal Secret & Political Consultations
โ Bengal Secret & Military Consultations
. Bengal Secret and Separate Correspon-
dence
โ Bengal Territorial Consultations
โ Bengal Letter to Court of Directors
. Bengal Board of Revenue
โ Bengal Territorial Revenue Proceedings
โ Bengal
. Bombay Foreign & Political
โ Bombay Military Consultations
โ Bombay Military Establishments
โ Bombay Public Consultations
. Bombay Political Consultations
. Bombay Revenue Consultations
. Bombay Secret & Political Consultations
โ Bombay Survey Correspondence
- Bombay Letter to Court of Directors
โ Bombay
โ Commander-in-Chief
Committee of Correspondence, I O.
Court of Directors
Court Despatch to Bengal
Court Despatch to Bombay
Court Despatch to Madras
Chief Engineer
Court Minutes, I 0.
Catalogue
Compare
Chief & Council
Committee of Revenue
Survey of India Records at Dehra Dun
Degree
Despatch
East
East India Company
Embarkation Lists, I O.
and following
Exhibit
Fieldbook
Library of Geodetic Branch Office, Survey
of India, Dehra Dun
Governor in Council
Governor General in Council
General Order
Government
House of Commons Reports ; Committees
1831-32. Vol. IX (PRO.)
Home Miscellaneous Series, I O.
I O Copies .
I O Lib.
I Misc.
I Maps
IRDLib. .
ib.
Imp Lib.
[inf]
Kelly's Atlas.
MAG.
MGC.
M M C.
MPC.
MRC.
M R I O. .
MRO.
MRevBd. .
MSC.
MSCC.
M S & M. . .
MSM&P. .
MS & Pol. ..
M Sel. C
M to C D.
MaekMSS. ..
Mad.
MadCivEsts.
Mad Eccl. . .
Mar Rec.
Mil Bd.
Misc.
Mise L R. . .
Min.
N.
n.
OrmeMSS. ..
PCR.
PRO.
p.
passim
Pers Rec.
Q M G.
tqv]
R S Lib.
Rev.
S.
SG.
SGO.
Sec.
Sel. . . Select
Sep. . . Separate
f v -. โข โข sub verbo ( under the head )
L ** c ] โข โ thus, as printed
[sup} . . above
V M - - โข Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta
v - โ โ see
W. . . West
Bound Copies of I 0. Records with Im-
penal Records, Sew Delhi
India Office Library
India Office Miscellanies
India Office Map Room
Imperial Record Department Librarv
New Delhi
The same ; as above
Imperial Library, Calcutta
below
Manuscript Atlas in two volumes at S G O
Library, Calcutta
. Military Accountant General
โ Madras General Consultations
. Madras Military Consultations
โ Madras Public Consultations
- Madras Revenue Consultations
. Map Record & Issue Office, Calcutta
โ Madras Record Office, Egmore
โ Madras Board of Revenue Proceedings
โ Madras Secret Consultations
โ Madras Secret Committee Consultations
โ Madras Secret & Military Consultations
. Madras Secret Military & Political Con
sultations
โ Madras Secret & Political Consultations
โ Madras Select Committee Consultations
. Madras Letter to Court of Directors
Mackenzie Manus-ripts, I 0.
Madras
Madras Civil Establishments, I O.
Madras Ecclesiastical Records, I O.
Marine Records, I O.
Military Board
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Letters Received, I O.
Minute of Correspondence or Angle '
North
Footnote
Orme Manuscripts, I O.
Provincial Council of Revenue, Bengal
Public Record Office, London
Page
here and there
Personal Records, I 0.
Quartermaster General
which/whom, see
Royal Society Library
Revenue
South
Surveyor General
Surveyor General's Office
Reference, to maps of the Survey of India fT 2 L/12[ Key, pi 21 ] mSer ' ,0 " S ! ' " J '
FURTHER ABBREVIATIONS : p. 306.
References to Publications
The Imperial Gazetteer of India contains excellent historical accounts of the various pro-
vinces districts, and cities of India, scattered through its different volumes, with a general
historical summary in volume II.
Addiscombe
Aitchison
Antiquite
Geographique
As A 8.
As J.
AsR.
Aspinall
Ball
Beatson
Beloved
Marian
Ben Atlas
Ben P &
Ben Sd.
Biakiston
Blechynden
Blochman
Blunt
Bo Geo Soc.
Bowring
Bradshaw
Broadway
Travellers
Broome
Brueker
Buchanan
Buckle
Bunbury
Busteed
Addiscombe. Its Heroes ami Men of note.
Vibart. 1894.
A Collection of Treaties. ..C. V. Aitchison.
1909. G.
Antiquite Geographiqua da I 'hide et plus- Cadell
ieurs autres contries de la Haut Asie.
Bourgignon d'Anville. 1775. Calcutta tfc N.
Major-General Sir Thomas Munro... Cambridge
Arbuthnot. 2 vols. London. 1381.
Asiatic Annual Register ( periodical ).
Asiatic Journal [ periodical ).
Asiatic Researches ( periodical ). I Campos
Lord Gomwallis in Bengal. Aspinall. 1931. j
Travels in India. Jean-Baptiste Taver- | Caraccioli
nier. ed. by Ball. 2 vols. 18S9.
The Origin & Conduct of the War with
Tippoo SuUaun. Alexander Beatson. Cardew
1800.
Beloved Marian. K.L. Murray. London. Carey
1938.
A Map of Bengal cb Dakar in VIII parts... \
James Renaell. 1779. : Carmichael
A Bengal Atlas. ..2xuL edn. of above. |
J. Rennell. 1781. 3rd edn. 1783. j Carrol's Code
Reprinted S G 0. Calcutta. 1914. I
Bengal Past & Present ( periodical ). | Ceatury Series
Selections from the Records of the Govern- I
meat of Bengal ( occasional ). [ Glan Campbell
Description Uistorlque et Geographique de Clements
I'Inde. Jean Bernoulli. Berlin 1786-9. Markham
3 vols. German edn. 1786. 3 vols.
Missionaries da Carnatic de la Compagnie Close
de Jesus. L. Besse. S.J. Trichinopoly.
1918. ! Colebrooke
Les Aventuriers Frane-ais aux Indes,
{ 1775-1820 ). Maurice Besson. Paris, j Colin Mackenzie
1932.
Construction db Principles of Mathematical !
Instruments. Bion. 1723. Translated j Gommenlarius
from the French by Stone.
Twelve Years of Military Adventure in
three quarters of the Globe. John
Blaekiston. 1829. 2 vols. Companion-
Calcutta Past & Present. Kathleen Atlas
Blechynden. London. 1905.
Ain-i-Akbari, by Abul-Fazl. Translated Cotton
by H. Blochman. vol.1. 1871.
Christian To nib f <is Monuments in the U.P. Cox & Stuart
Blunt. 1911.
Transact''' oris of the Bombay Geographical Crawford
Society ( periodical ).
Haidar Ah and Tipu Sultan. L.B. ! Crawford's //ยซ'
Bowring. 1893.
Life of Thomas Munro. i Crawford
Voyages and Travels of Manddsloe. Henry |
Dodwell. The Broadway Travellers. : Gyc. Ind.
(1930? ). DIB.
Rise and Progress of the Bengal Army.
Broome. 1850. D N B.
Catholic Encyclopedia. New York. 1911. Dalby
Paper by Joseph Brueker. S J., of Paris.
A Journey from Madras through- the Coun-
tries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar. Dalrymple
Francis Buchanan. 1807. 3 vols.
Memoirs of the Services of the Bengal
Artillery. E. Buckle. 1852. ; D'Anville
History of Ancient Geography. Sir E. j
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Echoes from Old Calcutta. Busteed. 1908. I
Proceedings of the Controlling Council of
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Calcutta Gazette. { periodical ).
History of the Bombay Army. Patrick
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Calcutta Old and New. Evan Cotton. 1907.
An Account of the War in India between
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of Choromandel...from 1 750 to 1 7oO r
li. O. Cambridge. London. 1761.
History of the Portuguese, in. India. J.J. A.
Campos. Calcutta. 1919.
Life of Robert Lord Olive, Baron Flassey.
Charles Caraccioli. London, undated
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Services of the Bengal Native Army,.
Cardew. Calcutta. 1903.
The Good old days of Honorable John
Company, 1600-18b~8. W. H. Carey.
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Manual of the District of Vizugaputam.
I). F. Carmichael. Madras. 1869.
Abstract of General Orders & Regulations
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The Century Science Scrips. Major James-
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Records of Clan Campbell in H.I. E.G. 1925.
Narrative of the Mission of George Bogle of
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The Early Years of the Ordnance Survey.
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Life of Mountsiiiart El-phinstone. Cole-
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Dominion* of t'h.e late Tippoo tiuitan. Colin
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1854.
Father Anthony Mouse rrato's M.orajolica;-
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A Companion Alius to those published, by
Major James Rennell. ... Illustrated by
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List of Inscriptions on Tombs in Madras.
Cotton. 1905.
District Manual, North Arcot. Cox, re-
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List of Officers of the I.M.S. D. G. Craw-
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Journal of an Emboss t/ to the Court of Ava y
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Dictionary of National Biography.
A Short Account of... Burrow's measure-
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Nautical Reports. Alexander Dalrymple,
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pci.aireissยซ/)t.ens Geographiq-ues stir la Carte
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Davis
De Filippj
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Diet. Suis,
Dirom
Dist. R.
โขale
Douglas
Du Halde
Edwardes
Elliot
Ency. Brit.
Eur. Mag.
Everest
F. C. Hirst
ED Set.
Pay
Firminger
Forde
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Forster
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Francis
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Ghosh
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Diaicmnaire Generate de Biographic et
dHistmre. Dojobry et Bachelet
IcTsulsse' M "ยฐ"1 ue " b ' : Vaphiaue de
A Narrative of the Campaign iโ Xniia
unthTippoo Sultan, mi Dirom. 1793
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i vols. , Midnapore 4 vols. ; DinafpZ-
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The Nabobs of Madras. H. Dodwell
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Broadway Travellers. " """" >
Bombay & Westemlmlia. Douglas 1891
T'T,", M ' l mpin de CM "ยซ- father
tilt; Pa , m - 1735 - * Wig. i
Lnglish edn. mol. maps, 3 vols 1738
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J he Rise of Bombay. Edwardes. 1902
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H. H. Elliot & Dowson. 1867-77
Encyclopcedi,, llrdannica. 1 lth edn 1915-'
lยซh edn. 1929. ' '
European Magazine ( periodical 1
A Series of Letters addressed to U R B the
Dak, of Sussex. George Everest. 1839.
Old Revenue Surveys of Bengal, Btlua;
Onssa, and Assam. F. C. Hirst P fl l
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< iS"7 itt Fra,Mi ' i & Keary -
"%&&&.*& ยฐ ! S *ยป"^*ยป-
Col. Wm. Fullarton. 1788
a m'ST ยฐJ Bmb ยซu Ci "S ยซ** Muni.
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i'V'leT':' '''""โข"โข M ''i'"-Ceneral
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^^'^โ ^ ยซ-ยซยป'
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Jarrett Ain-i-Akbari. Abul Fazal. vols. 2,
translated by H. S. Jarrett. 1891-94.
Jefferys Explanation of the Map of the Seat of War
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Plate 4
ARAB MAP OF SIND
11th Century
ยปb F Sbโข P i a K?โn 2 ?Wยฐ L J ยฐ f "' ffiS 'ยฐ"-' 0/ M ยป 'ยป * ยฐยปยป & *~ Elli0t *
. London. 1867.
A reproduction, with the addition of the
English translation of the Persian script,
from a map contained in the Ashkal-ul-Bildd
of Ibn Haukal [208].
The real name of Ibn Haukal was Mu-
hammad Abu-I-Qasim, a native of Baghdad,
who left Baghdad on his travels in 943, a.d.
The following extracts illustrate his des-
cription of Sind, and are typical of the infor-
mation on which D'Anville constructed his
map of 1752.
tj The Mihran is the chief river of those parts.
Dowson.
sea in the neighbourhood of Multan. It then flows
by Basmad, Alruz, and Mansura, and falls into the
sea, to the east of Debal.... It inundates the iand
during the summer rains, and on its subsidence
thcseed is sown, as in Egypt.
From Mansura to Debal is six days journey;
from Mansura to Multan, twelve ; from Mansura to
Turan, about fifteen: from Kasdar, the chief city
of Turan, to Multan, twenty. ...
He who travels from Mansura to Budha must
go along the banks of the Mibran, as far as the
eity of Sadustan.
Ibn Haukal's work gives the geography
of all countries of Islam, and his description
CHAPTER I
GENERAL NARRATIVE
To the Departure of Rormell m 1777โMardtha & Mysore Wars, 1778 to 1784 โ Six
Years of Peace, 1784-90 โ Extension of British Interests, 1790 to 1800.
Up to the 18th century there was little real knowledge of the geography of
India; the many maps that had been published in Venice, Holland, France, and
England, were based on tradition and on tales of mariners and travellers ; in
the absence of more sure foundation they borrowed the one from the other, acquiring
variation and detail as fancy directed. ;
Here and there were maps which showed some knowledge ot portions of the coast
and its neighbourhood, and it was chiefly from mariners that information of a
more reliable nature began to creep in, till in 1723 the French geographer Delisle
published maps of the southern coasts which gave a very fair picture of the general
outline. These were improved upon by Apres de Mannevillette, the French
navigator, who made his first voyage to Poudicherry in 1719.
The earliest contribution to the geography of the mainland came from French
Jesuit missionaries, one of whom. Father Bouchet, sent home to Pans in 1719 a
rough map of southern India, with a few observed latitudes and longitudes, and
several detailed sketches, from which the great geographer Bourgignon d'Auville
published his first map of South India in 1737.
D'Anville had already in 1733 completed his map of Tibet, which showed part
of the Himalayan range and the upper courses of its great rivers as conceived by
the Lamas who had been sent out from Pelriii [ pi. 7 ].
In 1752 he published, at the request of the French East India Company, his
Carte de I'liule, which was a great advance on anything previously accomplished.
He accompanied it with a full account of all the works he had consulted, going-
back even as far as the Arab and Greek historians and geographers. He accepted
nothing without some direct evidence, and his most valuable material included
astronomical observations by various Jesuit missionaries and detailed routes of
European travellers.
At this time there was so much more knowledge of the Oarnatic than ot the
rest of Tndia, that D'Anville was able to publish a special map of the South
Peninsula on a larger scale, and the struggle between the French and the English,
which had started with the arrival of Dupleix as Governor of Pondicherry m 1*4,9,
and continued with little intermission till the fall of Pondicherry m 1761, gave
both sides the opportunity to gain a better knowledge of the country.
The first opportunity for any regular survey came, however, in Bengal, where
as a result of the victory at Plassey, the English Company obtained the grant_ot
the 24-Parganas and a close alliance with the Nawab of Bengali and then 111 1760
they obtained from the Nawab the further grant of the provinces of Ohittagong,
Burdwan, and Midnapore, practically the whole of Lower Bengal.
Knowledge of the geography of Bengal was at this period practically confined
to the banks of the Ganges and Hooghly rivers, as depicted on the extract of
D'Anville's Carte de VIncle given on plate 13.
Surveys of the new possessions were ordered by the local Council, and encour-
aged from London. The first thought was to ascertain the extent of cultivated
lands and the value of their revenues; then there was the safety and regularity of
communication, both by sea and through the rivers; and then the defence of the
passes of the western frontiers.
General Narrative
Plaisted wag put on to survey the coasts of Chittagong and the Sundarbans,
and Hugh Cameron to survey "the New Lands" of the 24-Parganas. On Cameron's
death in 1764, James Eennell was appointed surveyor in his place, but deputed to
survey the Ganges Kiver and search for a waterway for up-country traffic from
Calcutta that should be navigable throughout the year.
Early in 1765 De G-loss was appointed to survey the Burdwan district, and
then, as the defence of the western passes became an urgent matter, one surveyor
after another was appointed, either by the Council at Port William, or by the
commander of the forces on the frontier.
In 1765 Clive returned to Bengal for his second term of office, and, having been
specially asked by Robert Orme, the historian, to make him " a vast map of
Bengal ", commissioned Eeimell to carry out this task.
Eennell set about his worl: with so much enthusiasm and ability, showing- a
positive genius for putting maps together, that Clive and his Council made him
Surveyor G-eneral from the beginning of 1767, and placed all available surveyors
under his orders. Some of these were engineer officers, and a few were infantry
officers, who had a taste for the work ; amongst the latter was the Frenchman Claud
Martin, who became famous in after years as the founder of the " La Martiniere '"'
schools.
The necessity for a proper marine survey of the coasts and islands was not over-
looked, and Eitchie was appointed marine surveyor after Plaisted's death, and made
a complete survey of the coasts from the south of Chittagong, round and through
the Sundarbans, and down the east coast as far as Madras, besides a general survey
of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
By 1773 Eennell and his surveyors had completed the survey of the Company's
possessions in Bengal and Bihar which by now extended to the frontiers of Oudh
and Allahabad on the west, and to the southern jungles of Chota Nagpur and the
forests of Orissa on the south. To the north-east Eennell had himself surveyed the
Brahmaputra Eiver as far as the Assam frontier near Groalpara in 1765, and the
survey now extended to the foot of the Garo and Khasia Hills and embraced the
whole of Sylhet and Chittagong.
Early in 1774 he submitted to Government a complete set of provincial maps
on the scale of 5 miles to an inch, together with general maps on smaller scales,
and shortly afterwards G-overnment called in all surveyors, including some who had
been at work in Oudh under Poller. Eennell stayed on at Dacca, improving his
maps with such extra material as he could collect, and at the end of 1776 obtained
permission to send out surveyors to fill up small gaps near Cooch Behar, the Santal
country, and Palamau, and to extend surveys through Allahabad and Oudh.
He now considered that his task was complete ; he had been seriously wounded
during an encounter with fahir marauders in 1766, and his health had suffered
greatly during his arduous years in the vile climate of Eastern Bengal ; as soon as
he was assured of a pension he resigned the service, and left India early in April
1777. He continued to serve the cause of India and geography till his death.
There were occasional surveys undertaken beyond Eennell's control, the most
notable of which was the survey of Colonel Upton's route to Poona in 1775, which
w ? as entrusted to the Eev. Willliam Smith, a gentleman of whom little else is known.
With astronomical observations taken almost every night, his survey across the
unknown heart of India was hailed by Eennell and other geographers as a most
valuable contribution to geography.
Thanks to the strong start given to him by Clive, and also to his own clear
view of what could be done with the available men, instruments, and time, Eennell
succeeded in giving Bengal and Bihar, inside the comparatively short period of
12 years, a continuous and uniform set of maps. The survey was far from complete
or accurate in detail, but showed the general geography of the whole country and
the more important features with sufficient accuracy for the needs of the time.
Departure oe Uennell 3
Wothin- lite this was attempted elsewhere in India, although more than one
surveyor would hare been ready to undertake the task. In Bengal alone was the
nolitical situation favourable.
TTnder the Madras Presidency considerable information had been collected ot
Trichinopolv, Tinnivelly, and Madura, by the survey of military routes under the
direction of" the Chief Engineer, John Call, and a general map of the South Penin-
sula had been compiled by Henry Montresor, but the only lands belonging to the
Company were the Jagir, granted in 1763, and the Circars to the north of the
TTistna Kiver, which were occupied in 1768.
The Jaqir was a thickly populated and rich tract about 100 miles by oO ui
extent and Barnard's survey, begun in 1767, was a model of what a survey should
be It was carried out on a scale of 2 inches to a mile on strict scientific principles,
and, besides shewing all topographical features, gave a wealth of information for
revenue purposes : the maps were not completed till 17/4. i
The survey of the Circars was a different matter ; the country was extensive, and
the greater part of it was covered with jungle and most unhealthy. In the first
veare after it had been taken over, a start was made at the two extremes, lo the
north in Gailjain, Cotsford, the civil officer in charge, produced an 'elegant map
in addition to his other multifarious duties. To the south, in Masulipatam, Stevens
of the Engineers did his best to meet the urgent wish of the local council for
a more accurate knowledge of the country; but here again surrey could only be
undertaken when time was stolen from other duties.
In 1773 a serious effort was made to complete the survey, and the Chiet
Engineer appointed Stevens to survey the southern area, and Pittman and Johnston
alsS of the Engineers, to survey from the north. But the work was never brought
to completion ; military duties to the south called away first Stevens, and then his
relief, Dugood ; the climate killed Pittman within two years and Johnston s health
suffered so much that he had to be recalled at the end of 1776.
Between 1770 and 1775 several attempts were made to persuade the JNawao or
the Carnatic to allow a general survey to be carried out over the whole ot his
dominions. The Wawab and the English had now been firm allies for many years ;
it was pointed out to him that an accurate survey of his dominions would greatly
facilitate the operations of the English armies in his service, but he was uncompro-
mising in his objections, the chief of which was his fear that it would cause a
diminution of his Dignity and Honour in the eyes of the Neighbouring Powers
and Foreigners ". So the matter was dropped, and the soldiers continued to grope
their way about the country as best they could, with such help as they get from the
surveys of their former marches, which continued to be extended by a few ardent
surveyors like Robert Kelly. ,
There is little as yet to tell of Bombay; the Company possessed no lands
beyond the island of Bombay except the factories at Surat and along the Malabar
coast, until at the end of 1772 they captured the town and pwga.no. ot Broach and
in 1774 occupied the island of Salsette. As early as 1756 officers of the Artillery
Company had made detailed surveys of the town and fortifications, both at Bombay
and Surat, and, during the campaign of 1775 against the Marathas, survey was
made of the marches of the army into Gujarat and a start made on the survey ot
Broach pargana.
Mabatha & Mtsoke Waes, 1778 to 1784
After Eennell left India the need for surveys in Bengal seemed satisfied, and
Thomas Call, the new Surveyor General, settled down to the compilation of an
atlas that should embrace the whole of India. .
In Madras Kelly pursued his self-imposed task of covering the south peninsula
with an atlas of degree sheets compiled from measured routes, but his proposal tor
a regular survey department was turned down.
4,
General Narrative
Another Madras soldier, Join Pringle, took up the' surrey of routes with <n-eat
enthusiam and on his initiative a military Corps of Guides was established whose
thM ear* men C ยฐ nteb,lted largely t0 the 8urTe J" s oi tlle Pi'SBidenoy for the next
And now Bombay comes well into the picture. In 1778 war broke out once
more against the Marathas and the Governor Genera], much against the wishes of
โข ยฐZl \f 1 a S rยฐ" 6 ' f01 ' Ce ยฐ f ?f ,gaI tr ยฐยฐP 8 t0 march "SW ^o*s India to
? W '. i P 6 ^ ^ 7 t r ei 'T en ;. , iftel ' many de,a y s tMs folce reaoh ยซl Snrat under
General Goddard at the end of February 1779, and in the three years war that
followed, Goddard's army overran the country below the Ghats north of Bombay
and occupied the greater part of Gujarat, ''
* rt" 16 n^f ยฐi the ,*ยฃ"* fTOm EaIpi t0 Surat had bee " most carefully surveyed by
Arthur Caldwell and Duncan Stewart, and was a most valuable tie 1 ne for the
geography of the continent. Stewart continued as surveyor to the force till he
hi 17 S f "othe, oT ' aldeiachm -tโข-M theNarbada on its march homewrt
m 1784. Otter officers, principally Charles Turner and Reynolds did good work
m clearing up the geography of these regions, besides completing the survey of
Broach yargana. " s โ >
Peace was concluded with the Marathas in 1782, and a Bombay force was sent
to the west coast to co-operate against Haidar Ali; Eeynolds accompanied this
with the surprising post of Surveyor Genera] to the army, which he justified bv
SSTZteJ the oompleteIy mWo C0UDtry tetween u โข ยซ*
And now to return to Madras, where Haidar Ali of Mysore had threatened the
very existence of the settlement by invading the Carnatic in force in July 1780 and
completely annihilating Colonel Baillie's column and driving Hector Munro's small
army back on Madras. Reinforcements were hastily sent from Bengal, the most
important of which was General Sir Eyre Coote to take command in person A
of ColonePearse, of the Bengal Artillery, and early in 1783, after the death of both
Coote and Haidar Ah, the English armies had definitely won the day Another
^Z^ZT^f **"" ^ "** * *"** 'ยฐ ^ ^ ^ โข ยซ*
During this war several notable additions were made to the geography of India
lhe most important was the surveyed line run between Madras and Bengal on the
return of Pearse's force in 1784. Pearse himself was an enthusiastic astronomer
and it was under his personal direction that, on this march, a young infantry officer'
Robert Colebrooke, ran a continuous perambulator traverse, and took a regular
series of astronomical observations for latitude and longitude
Another valuable line was surveyed by Robert Kelly and other surveyors with
Colonel Pullarton's army, which marched in 17S3 from rTegapatam on the east
coast through Madura to Palghat, and there connected with a survey brought up
from the Malabar coast the previous year by Colonel Humberstone's detachment
Ihroughout the war John Pringle did yeoman service as Captain of the Guides,
and his route surveys were of the greatest service to General Coote
Yet another important link was the connection of Nagpur by the surveys of
James iwart, who accompanied the mission sent by the Governor General to the
ivaja of Berar, to secure his friendship during the struggle against Haidar Ali
Kennell s first Map of Bmdomtan, reached India in 1 783, too late to be of use
whilst the wars against the Marathas and Mysore were in progress; indeed this
first map would have provided little information of value, for it was not until
Rennell had embodied all the geographical results of these wars into a new mar,
on a larger scale that it became a standard authority. F
In compiling his great map Rennell followed D'Anville's method of a close
analysis of all the early historical and geographical evidence available, and he had
a wealth of additional material collected by the surveys of the last 25 years In
Maratha & Mysore Wars 5
his later editions he was able to include the work of the Jesuit geographer, Father
Tieffenthaler, who had been making measurements and observations from Bombay
to the foot of the Himalaya Mountains for nearly SO years.
The scattered geographical material now available was not easy to compile ;
serious discrepancies were inevitable when using long- lines winding- through hills
and jungles, with distances but roughly measured, or merely estimated ; latitude
observations gave valuable checks when available, but observations for longitude
were often more uncertain than the measured routes.
The skill with which Rennell put this material together, and the account which
he gave of it, won him far greater renown than did his survey of Bengal.
Six Years of Peace, 1784-90
The continuous wars of the last few years had greatly impoverished the East
India Company, and a period of rigid economy was the natural consequence. In
Bengal drastic reductions were made in all establishments and salaries, and early
in 1785 surveyors were called in, not, however, before an elaborate survey of
Calcutta had been completed by several Engineer officers under Mark Wood.
The attention of the Directors to the cause of geography had, however, been
particularly stimulated by recent events, and to assist their geographers, Dalrymple
and Rennell, the Court called on each of the Presidencies to send home copies of
all surveys that could be collected; they also asked for an accurate chart of the
Coromandel coast, which Ritchie had not been able to complete. The work of the
Surveyor General's office at Calcutta was thus concentrated on the copying of maps,
whilst Thomas Call made special efforts to complete his Atlas of India.
Finding great discrepancies in the geographical positions adopted for many
important places, Call suggested that a special astronomical survey should be
carried out by Reuben Burrow, an eminent mathematician who had come out to
Calcutta in 1783, and Burrow spent two seasons, 1787-9, travelling- from one end
of the Presidency to another, fixing a number of places by astronomical observation.
These positions were accepted as authoritative for the next thirty or forty years,
though here and there they were found to be disputable.
Burrow spent another two seasons in attempts to measure the length of a
degree, both of latitude and longitude, a work that had been suggested by General
Roy, the great English geodesist, but he died in 1792 before he could bring his
work to a satisfactory conclusion.
At this period there was a call for better harbour accommodation for the
Company's shipping, such being practically non-existent along- the east coast of
India. In 1787 Alexander Kyd was sent to survey the island and harbour of
Penang, or Prince of Wales Island, which had been ceded to the Company the
previous year.
In the following year Archibald Blair, of the Bombay Marine, was deputed to
survey the Andaman Islands, with the particular object of finding a good harbour,
and in 1789 Kyd and Colebrooke accompanied Commodore Corirwallis, of the Royal
rTavy, on a further reconnaissance round the Andaman and ISicobar Islands, making-
special surveys of all the likely harbours, including that of Nancowry.
Blair completed his survey and remained at the Andamans till the end of 1792,
when he was relieved by Kyd, who was occupied with the defences of the settlement
until 1796, when it was decided to rely solely on the harbour at Penang.
For some time the Madras Government were unable to find a suitable officer for
the survey of the Coromandel coast, which the Directors considered particularly
urgent, owing to the number of ships which had been lost along its open shores,
which were moreover obstructed in places by dangerous shoals.
In 1787 they found a marine officer of experience and ability, named Michael
Topping, who, breaking away from the eternal method of perambulator traverse,
General Narrative
ran a 300-mile Hag of triangles along the coast from Madras to Pali Strait He
poTt of :L Jt r ted to suryej and report m the raine ยฐ f c ยฐโขยป- *ยปr ยซ?ยฃ*ยฃ
co.esponding obs^vations made at one or n^ZTZZTo^Jtlt
obtamed tie use of a private observatory at Madras for this purpose nd also the
ervices of John Golcmghain as his astronomical assistant. He then obtained
Sh:ยป^o f ^^ 10nOfaPe โข aUent <*"""*ยปยป <** - complete
Further progress was made in fillino- โr, the "mUffa,โข .โโ i โ e j.,
southern peninsula by the efforts of the offices oUh^VS^ id^r
Pnngle s death, the work ยซ carried on with zeal by Beatson and Allan
On the occupation of Guntur Circar by the company's troops in 1 88 a survey
Mac^f "* F " โข ^ * a ^ W-er "fflcer named "SZ
Turning once more to Bonibav we find that n,.], ;โ i-o- x> n
npon to accompany a pohtical ^^3; t^Kla^ oT tht
unknown plateau of Malwa, to seek out the Maratha chief, llahadii Sindhia The
m.ssion s arted from Surat and passing through Ujjain and Gwalior, found SincMa
near Muttra; after a visit to Delhi the party continued its march to Caw not
where boats were taken down the river to Calcutta Cawnpoie,
This gave Eeynolds a wonderful line to survey, and he was delighted to find
that rt completely changed the face of the country Is depicted on BemielTs fcs
Map of ffโขtoโ. It is interesting to note the natural triumph of every surveyor
htdhfs o^ortu, dtโขf ^ aCtUal """"* tHe ยซ* ยฐ f "ยปยป -*ยฃ woike7who nX
The mission returned to Bombay by sea, and Eeynolds was then sent un to the
Deccan wrth the Resident to the Peshwa's court at Poona. At th sp cial reoues
During the next three years he travelled backwards and forwards across the
Srrโ :^e:tn m l d 8 8 se 8The rr, 1 ? diffe ; e,it route betwe โข p ยปยฐโข ^ ^
mESLZ tc, M a ! e fed fl 'ยฐ m m ^ ur t0 Hyderabad, then through
Masulrpatarn to Madras, returning again through Hyderabad.
^-^^^^^^^^^%^ยฑ^
directed to abandon further field work and to "remain at Surat worfcmg up hi maps
and oth7Li s 6 TudXt h had fi beeD " ยฐf by ยฐ ffl ยฐ erS ยฐ f the BonXy Marh e
', T sa โข- Huddart had fixed a series of bngitudes alonยฐ- the coast south
wards from Bombay by means of chronometers, and between 1787 and 1ยป
McCluer surveyed the coast from Kathiawar to Cape Comonn Wh he had [to
leave a considerable stretch uncharted because of fl/hostility of T^uf o"
Extension oe British Interests, 1790 to 1800
In 1790 war broke out once mor-p norn-nof T;โข-, ยซโ;i i โข
campaign along the southern f ^l^Kd MalLS wer^
survey many miles of new routes. t0
To hasten a conclusion, the Governor General, Lord Cornwallis decided fn + i
command in the field himself, and left Calcutta in December mn wf ! ,
the Surveyor General, Kyd, to his personal staff, and tne ^assistants' infheT
General's office also took the field. To Colebrooke was Ll^tel^Z^
Extension or Bbitish Interests 7
up a survey of the routes of the Grand Army, and by the time the treaty was signed
before Seringapatam in March 1792, he had made a very fair skeleton map of
Mysore, whilst another map was produced at home by Rennell from the surveys of"
Beatson and Allan.
Eminitt, of the Bombay Infantry, was attached as surveyor to the Maratha army
which marched down by Dharwar to co-operate in Mysore. His work ran through
country that had never been surveyed before, and included a continuous line from
Poona to Seringapatam, a survey of the Tungabhadra River to its junction with
the Kistna, and a line from that point westwards through Dharwar, down to the
coast at Goa.
Reynolds accompanied the Bombay army to Malabar, and with Johnson of the
Engineers took lines of survey from that coast into Mysore.
At the close of the campaign Kyd sent out surveyors on various tasks. He
himself carried a line from Seringapatam over the Ghats through Coorg, down to
the west coast and through Cannanore to Anjengo. Anburey and Blunt, of the
Engineers, surveyed a line to Hyderabad, and during the following cold season
continued it through Berar and Saugor to Kalpi, whilst at the same time Reynolds
took another line from Hyderabad to Agra.
Under the treaty of 1792 Tipu had to cede to the Company the province of
Malabar, and the districts of Dindigul and Salem, besides other territories to the
Marathas and the Nizam.
Malabar was allotted to the Bombay Presidency, and arrangements were at once
made for its survey which was started by Emmitt and Johnson. The difficulties of
the. country were prodigious, and the work dragged on for several years, other
officers employed being Moncrieff and Williams of the newly raised Bombay corps
of Pioneers.
The civil charge of Salem Districts was entrusted to Captain Alexander Read,
who engaged John Mather to survey the district which included the Baramahal, a
hilly tract to the north. Though not based on regular triangulation, this was the
first district survey based upon a system of theodolite bearings and intersections as
opposed to the usual of perambulator traverses. It took nearly five years to comp-
lete, and established Mather's reputation as a skilled surveyor.
At the close of the Mysore campaign, the so-called Subsidiary Force returned
to Hyderabad, and Mackenzie was appointed to it as Engineer and Surveyor, with
particular instructions to devote himself to the geography of the Deccan, a task
into which he threw his whole heart and energies. Although he was called away
more than once to other military duties, he returned each time to his post at
Hyderabad, until in 1798 he marched down with the Nizam's army to take part in
the final campaign against Tipu.
Early in 179o Topping was deputed to Masulipatam to undertake a survey of
the Kistna and Godavari rivers, and report on the possibility of an irrigation
project. He ran lines of levels and laid down permanent bench-marks, and reported
that the idea seemed to be practicable, but that further investigation was desirable.
He died in January 1796, whilst still on this duty, and though Caldwell and
Beatson were in turn in charge of the work for short periods, the project was
dropped, and not revived till nearly fifty years later.
In 1790 the Company had taken over the administration of the districts of the
Carnatic, and to assist in their development, Topping proposed an establishment of
Assistant Revenue Surveyors to work under the district officers. At his suggestion
a school was fomided for their professional training, and placed under charge of
Goldingham at the observatory. After Topping's death G-oldingham succeeded to
his duties as Astronomer and Marine Surveyor, and was also allotted the duties of
Inspector of Revenue Surveys. The first duty of the revenue surveyors was the
preparation of a topographical map of the district, to which they added such
information about cultivation and the possibilities of irrigation as would be helpful
to the district officer.
General Narrative
The detailed measurement of individual fields was a matter for which the native
staff remained responsible, and the first effort to bring order and system to these
measurements, so that they should form a fair basis for the settlement of revenue
was made by Eead in the Salem District. The district officers in Bengal had never
succeeded in obtaining satisfactory or trustworthy results from such measurements,
and in 1793 Lord Cornwallis authorised the introduction in that Presidency of the
system of Permanent Settlement, which it was hoped would, amongst other advan-
tages, obviate any interference of Government with details of revenue collection.
The Bengal Presidency was now rapidly extending its contacts with its neigh-
bours.
In 1793 Kirkpatrick led a mission into Nepal, marching up the Bapti valley;
he had to return almost at once, but brought back an interesting sketch map of
his route.
In the autumn of 1792 the Baja of Assam appealed to the Governor General
for assistance against his rebellious subjects, who had driven him from his capital,
and were besieging him at Gauhati. A small force was sent up under Captain
Welsh, who relieved Gauhati, won a remarkable victory over the rebels, and restored
the Raja to his capital. At the special desire of Lord Cornwallis, Thomas Wood
was sent up with Welsh to make sueh surveys as he could of this country, about
which nothing whatever was known. By the time that the expedition was with-
drawn in 1794, Wood had carried the survey of the Brahmaputra from the point
near Goalpara where Eennell had left it in 1 765 as far as the Dikho River below
Sibsagar.
The following year Wood was attached to the embassy conducted by Captain
Symes to the court of Ava, and made an excellent survey of the Irrawaddy Eiver.
Beyond a visit to Pegu the mission saw little else of the country, but Buchanan,
who accompanied it as medical officer, collected a vast amount of interesting infor-
mation about the various peoples and tribes and the general geography of Burma,
a country of which, as in the case of Assam, nothing whatever had been known
before.
Towards the end of 1798 Wood was posted to the army stationed in Oudh, and
during the next four years carried his lines of survey hither and thither through
Oudh and Bohilkhand ; up to Hardwar, and down the Ganges as far as Oawnpore.
Colebrooke had always been an enthusiastic surveyor, and after becoming Sur-
veyor General in 1794 made several excursions himself, the most important of
which was during the season 1796-97, when he surveyed the Cossimbazar River,
and continued up the Ganges as far as Colgong. James Hoare surveyed the
Jumna from Allahabad to Delhi, and Mouat, at the close of the Bobilla war of
1794, surveyed the boundary of the jagir granted to "Ahmed Ally Khan", which
is now known as Bampur State.
Perhaps the most interesting survey of this period was the line taken by James
Blunt from Chunar southwards through the very heart of India, across the head
waters of the Son and the Mahanadi, down the Wainganga, Wardha, and Godavari,
to the east coast, through a country which had never been explored before ; meeting-
several adventures with Khonds and other inhospitable people.
Reynold's last excursion in the field was during season 1793-94 when, after a
special visit to Calcutta, he obtained authority to make a survey of Sindhia's
territory at the head of the Jumna-Ganges doab, and extending beyond Delhi.
For the rest of his service he devoted himself to the compilation of his" great map
of Hindustan, with particular attention to those parts which lay outside the
Company's territories. He made his headquarters at Surat, and sent out native
surveyors trained by himself, who explored Sind, Rajput-ana, the Punjab, and other
little-known parts, for which his map was for many years the only authority.
At the end of 1798 preparations were started for the last deal with Tipu of
Mysore, and the Governor General once again moved down to Madras to take
personal control, though this time Lord Mornington did not take the field. His
most trusted adviser for the organization of the campaign was Alexander Beatson,
r
Extension or British Interests 9
whose knowledge of the military geography and the conditions of warfare in the
south was acknowledged as unrivalled. Beatson was given the honorary post of
Surveyor General to the Grand Army, and both he and Allan played prominent
parts in the brief campaign which ended with the capture of Seringapatam and the
death of Tipu. Mackenzie held the responsible post of Engineer in charge of the
batteries on the northern bank of the Cauvery, whilst an elderly subaltern of H.M.'s
83rd Regiment, William Lambton, was Brigade Major to Sir David Baird, and took
the lead in the final storming of the ramparts.
Mysore was now shorn of the outlying districts which had been acquired by
Haidar Ali, and a commission was appointed to settle details. Mackenzie attended
and provided them with the best maps he could put together, though he found the
materials available for the remoter districts and boundaries both scanty and
conflicting. It was decided that a survey of Mysore and the newly ceded territories
should be put in hand at once, and orders appointing Mackenzie to this task were
issued by the Governor General in September 1799, before he returned to Calcutta.
Whilst Mackenzie was engaged in collecting his materials, officers, and equip-
ment, lambton continued as Brigade Major with the Grand Army during its
preliminary clean-up round the north-western districts of Mysore.
The 18th century had yet over a year to run, but we will leave the story at this
point, with Mackenzie making preparations for the first great topographical survey,
and Lambton yet to propound his scheme for a trigonometrical survey, to extend
right through the peninsula, continuous and indisputable.
CHAPTER II
BENGAL SURYEYS TO 1777
Jesuit Missionaries, 1579 to 1771 โ The 24-Parganas, 1757-64 โ i
Islands โ The Great Rivers โ Midnapore & Burdwdn, 1761-6 โ Rennell & RicJuxrds
1765-6 โ Bihar, 1766-8 โ Route Surveys โ Rennell as Surveyor General, 1767-77.
THERE are many records of the care with which the Mughal Emperors had their
main roads measured, and sometimes marked, in coss. Father Monserrate des-
cribes the measurement of Akbar's 1 march to Kabul in 1581 ;
Furthermore, he orders the road to he measured, to find the distance marched each day.
The measurers, using ten-foot rods, follow the king, measuring from the palace. By this one
operation he learns both the extent of his dominions, and the distances from place to place,
in case he has to send embassies or orders, or meet some emergency. A distance of 200
times the ten-foot rod, called a coroo in Persian, or cos in the Indian language, equal to two
miles, is the measure for calculating distances 2 [247].
Rennell records the distance, stage by stage, of the " Great Road from Moor-
shedabad to Delhy, measured by order of the King " but gives no date or name 3 . In
his map of 1804 [234] Wilford used distances from Delhi to Kabul and Lahore to
Multan, measured by order of Shah Jehan 4 .
In another place Rennell acknowledges the receipt of
the registers of the actual measured distances, as taken by the orders of the Emperors
Acbar, Shahjehan, and others, on the great roads from the city of Lahore, Cabul, Ghizni,
Candahar, and Moultan ; and back to Lahore again ; as well as those between Cashmere and
the cities of Lahore and Attock, respectively ; and between Cabul, Balk, and Bamiam ; besides
many others; ...(require an allowance for the inflexions [184-5] hut superior to vague
report or judgement}.
These were without "direction of compass", and '''latitude but seldom given". 5
In compiling their maps of India, both D'Anville and Rennell made use of every
record they could find of the distance of one place from another, and give special
weight to any distance that had been actually measured rather than estimated.
Apart from the official measurements above referred to, no traveller would
have been given opportunity to make actual measurements, and geographers had
to do their best with estimates of distance recorded by travellers and historians,
and the early Arab and Persian geographers [-pi. 4]. One of these travellers
was the French diamond merchant Tavernier who made several journeys through
India between 1640 and 1667, keeping a record of the distances marched stage
by stage, and describing the rivers and mountains he crossed ; his more important
routes were,
Surat - Ahmedabad - laipur - Agra. Surat - Aurangabad - Hyderabad - Masulipatam.
Surat - Asirgarh - Gwalior - Agra. Goa - Hyderabad.
Agra- Delhi -Lahore - Kabul - Persia. Hyderabad - Kurnool - Madras.
Agra - Allahabad - Rohtas -Dacca.
Much valuable information came from the Jesuit missionaries, who had stations
in many parts of India from the 1 6th century onwards 7 , and included many men of
scientific habit, who recorded details of their journeys, sometimes taking astronom-
ical observations for latitude and longitude [149-50] and compiling sketches and
Emperor of Delhi 1556 till his death in 1605. "Fiwt the Latin of CommenSctrras (580), 8-2-15S1.
3 La Touche (106). 4 Emperor of Delhi 1627-58. 5 Collected at Delhi hy Kirkpatriek, Memoir, 1793
(83) [asI. ''Ball. 7 The Society of Jesus gained its first hold in India in 1542; Maclagan ( xx).
10
Jesuit Missionaries 11
maps. Both D'Anville and Bennett refer constantly 1 to " Lettres Edifiantes et Owrieu-
ses", which was the authorized publication of selected letters from Jesuit missionaries
in all parts of the world 3 .
One of the earliest of the Jesuit surveyors was Father Monserrate, a member of
the first Jesuit mission to the court of Akbar in 1579, which travelled "by sea from
Goa to Daman 3 , marching; thence to Surat, and on to Fatehpur Sikri 4 . In 1-581
he accompanied the Emperor on his march to Kabul, and left a long list of geo-
graphical positions, and a most interesting- little map of India [ pi. 10 ] . So far as
is known the first use of his work was made by Thomas Call, who in 17S4 reported
that he had embodied into his atlas of India [ 2 1 5โ6 ] ,
.an actual survey of Padri Monserrat from Delhi to Cabul. ... A cursory survey taken by him
โ with a compass and corrected by observations of Latitudes from Goah to Delhi 5 .
Mention is made elsewhere of the work of Father Bouchet in the south penin-
sula [238], and of others who travelled through the mountains to Tibet [ 67-70 ] .
Of more immediate interest to Bengal was the work of Father Boudier, who was
stationed at Chandernagore from 1719 till his death in 1757, and made many astro-
nomical observations that were of the utmost value [ 150]. During a notable
visit to Jaipur and back in 1733-4, he not only fixed the latitude and longitude of
many important places, but kept up a survey of his route between Agra and Allah-
abad which gave "the description of places on this road ...with the computed
distance of each from the course of the Grenme 3 and the Granges' ", which D'Anville
was glad to make use of.
Father Tieffenthaler was one of the most enthusiastic geographers of all. When
he came out to Ooa in 1743 he was already a skilled astronomer, and from that
year till his death in 1785 he devoted himself to the cause of geography, keeping a
record of all his journeys from place to place, and a register of all the astronomical
positions he observed [ 150-1 ].
His more important travels included a land journey from Daman to Surat, and
through Udaipur to Agra during 1744. With headquarters at Narwar 3 from 1747
to 1765, he travelled to Bombay through Burhanpur and Nasik 9 in 1750, visited Goa,
and then returned up the west coast to Broach and Cambay, and reaching Ajmere 10
turned east through Jaipur to return to Narwar in April 1751.
In 1765 he travelled from Narwar through Chhatarpur 11 in Bundelkhand to
Allahabad and Benares, still keeping up his surveys and observations. At Benares he
resolved to study the middle and the lower course of the Ganges, instead of completing the
I remainder of his journey by land. His object was not to register the latitudes of the towns
along the banks ... for these had already been measured by Father Boudier ... aud others.
What he wanted was to obtain an accurate idea of the manifold windings of the river and the
exact number of its affluents. The former were mapped by means of a compass 13 ; as to the
latter, he not only noted their names, but carefully sketched their junctions with the main
stream.
After a short stay in Calcutta he
returned to Upper India, studying carefully ... all details what might have escaped him on
his downward journey. ... Instead of returning to the West, he started from Allahabad in ...
January 1766, reaching Oudh ... on 3rd February. ... From thence he set out to explore the
whole province of Oudh till the year 1771 13 .
By 1775 he was able to send home to Europe the results of his surveys. To
Copenhagen he sent his book on the geography of India, a form of gazetteer; whilst
to Anquetil-Duperron in Paris [ 72 ] he sent his maps;
The first of these maps measured 15 feet in length, and represented the entire course of
the Ganges. The second and third maps outlined the river Gogra in two sections, of which
the first, measuring 1 1 feet, pictured the upper course of the river, whilst the latter, 6i by
6 feet, represented its lower course, ... . [There were also] 21 detached drawings of the
confluents of various tributary rivers of the Ghogra and Ganges 14 .
1 H.erbert & Memoir, 1783 [passim^. 2 34 vols, issued in Paris between 1702 & 1741. Edn, 1780-3
in 26 vols, by Querboeuf, vols. X to XV referring to India, Maclagan (15). 3 46D/15. *54 E/12.
BPC. 29-11-84. 6 Jumna E. 7 Herbert (25). s 54 a/14. HI E/13. 10 45 J/ll. ยป 54 P/9. ,3 See
also Bernoulli, II (292). ,3 Noti (400-1). "Full description, Bernoulli, II (266-8).
12
Bengal Surveys
Anquetil combined, at his own expense, the three principal ones, and produced a ee โโโ\
โขf e r PreSentlng the entire ยฐยฐ UrSeS 0t the Ganges and the Gh ยฐSra, on a considerably reduced
It was above all, Tieffentaller's map of the Ghogra basin which was most appreciated bv
the geographers of Europe. They came to taow about it for the first time and were aston
ished, says Anquetil, at the sudden appearance on the map of India of a large river too coss
long, having 29 affluents 3 . ยฐ J a
Tieffenthaler had employed "an Indian expert to study the upper course of the
Ghogra river and its affluents and he filled in the detail of the upper course of the
Ganges through the mountains from information collected, but made no attempt
himself to travel into the hills [ 73 ]. F
In a letter mitten to Aiiquetil-Duperron in 1759 he expresses the delight he
took m this geographical work, which may indeed be taken as typical of the srjirit
m which the missionaries and other pioneers devoted themselves to the cause โข
Next to the salvation of souls ... nothing has afforded me greater pleasure than the'study
of the geographical position of places, the variation of winds, the nature of the soil and the
character and manners of the regions through which I am travelling .. . thereby to acouire a
greater knowledge of the Creator and fix my mind on things heavenly*
It does not appear- that any of Tieffenthaler's surreys or astronomical observa-
tions reached either D Anville or Bennell, or were otherwise made use of, before the
publications of Duperron and Bernoulli, 1784-7 [ ?2 ] which Eennell received in
time for the 1788 edition of his Map of HmdoostanK Thomas Call however had
already received copies from Tieffenthaler in India, and in 1784 reports that he had
embodied into his Atlas of India
Routes taken between Goah and Agra by Padri Tieffenthaller -
A Survey of the country N.W. of Delhi by Padries Windell and Tieffenthaller"
Father Wendel was closely associated with Tieffenthaler and they had for several
years been the last representatives of the Society of Jesus in India; for in 1759 the
King of Portugal had banished all Jesuits from Portuguese colonies, and in 1773
the Pope abolished the order altogether; it was not resuscitated till about 1813=
The 24-Pab&anas, 1757-64
We turn now to surveys by officers of "the Honourable John Company" whose
first acquisition of territory in Bengal, beyond the narrow lands of Calcutta was
the 24-Parganas, ceded by the Nawab of Bengal? after the battle of Plassey"
There was no delay in proposing a survey, for the Council at Port William
Surshidabtl 8 ' 1 ' 8 * 1St 1?57 that ยฐ liTe had Writte " fl 'ยฐ m fte K " aWab ' s ca P ital at
Creat ,! ro rT V a r"^ V1 " ageS ' dlStnCtS ' reVenUeS ' etc " - of the Territory from the
Great Lake" Eastward of Calcutta, as far as Culpee" South; but as it may be impossible to
determine a proper boundary merely from the report of these people, they recommend it as
a concern worthy of our most dil.gent and serious attention, whether the best method would
not be to send boats on the Great Lake with directions to trace its source, examine its depth,
etc. That other boats might be sent into Culpee River, and if the design is executed by
experienced men, an exact and useful survey may be made which will enable us to settle
beneficial boundaries 13 .
The Council referred to the fleet for a surveyor, but Admiral Watsonโข replied,
1 Map pub. at end of Bernoulli, II. 2 Moti ( 410-1 ). D' Anvi.1p'ยซ man n f i^^; โ -i โ , .
?Bยป ,ยป'--tT',' ( J l) ' / Bp C. 29-11-81. โขEnglish Jesuits first came to Calcu taYu S
Bt>JI. 30-i-ai, Mir Jafar confirmed secret treaty made before Plasiev cedinยป 'Ml 11 , |.โ i , โ
South of Calcutta, as far ., ;ยซ-โ ; formal trea/y ceding the whole tlp^L^M^ ^ aS
flf! ' , ' 'Tit [ / 35 ] - J From 5 to 10 m - E ' of ยซโ William. >' Kulpi, 79 B/4 '"bSCC l ยซ St'
Ives Tm). โข ยป mm! ยซ"l=dtlยซ' neat at recapture of Calcutta, d. lU-57, near Calcutta.'
The 24-Papganas
13
I have received your letter of this day's date, acquainting me with the necessity you are
under of having an exact survey and regular Plan of the Lands granted to the Company by
the Nabob, and requesting I would assist you from the Squadron with such men as are pro-
perly qualified for such an undertaking. It appears to me to be a work requiring so much
care and exactness that I know of none in the Squadron capable of it, and if there were, I
am very certain such a performance would require much more time than I shall continue
here. But if upon an enquiry you find anyone who will answer your purpose, and is willing
to remain in India, I will give orders for his being discharged 1 .
A civil servant, William Frankland, was appointed to the task, and in December
1758, the Council reported 8 that he had made a five months survey tour, and col-
lected much valuable information of a revenue nature, but said nothing of any map
[136]. Capable surveyors were however found before long, and within a year an
engineer officer of the artillery company [266], Eobert Barker, made a traverse
survey from the Salt Lakes, down the Matla Eiver, and then westwards through the
creeks to Eangafulla 3 on the Hooghly 4 .
In 1761 the Council appointed Hugh Cameron, to be "Surveyor of the New
Lands 5 ", an appointment which he held till his death in March 1764. Cameron's
survey of 1761-2 is a very fine skeleton map of the 24-Parganas, mainly of the
exterior boundaries, on scale H inches to a mile 8 . It shows the left bank of the
Hooghly from north of Barrackpore to south of Kulpi, the country eastwards from
Barrackpore to Baslrhat 7 , then southwards down the rivers and creeks, and west to
join the Hooghly about 25 miles south of Kulpi. Along the Jamuna Eiver is
written โ on the right bank " A fine country belonging to the Company " โ and on
the left bank " The Nawab's Country ". One of the channels into the Salt Lakes
bears the note " This way Honey & Wax are brought to Calcutta ", and to the south
in the Sundarbans, is another note "Here those who come to gather Wax & Honey
in their season, sacrifice to Juggernauth ". Old Tort William is shown, with the
outline of the new fort and the village name Govindpur alongside.
Eennell makes several references to Cameron's survey 8 , and in January 1767
directs Eichards to connect with it on the Ichamati Eiver near Bangaon 9 .
In 1762 the Council resolve that
Mr. Cameron being returned from his Survey of the Boundaries of Company's New Lands, ...
may be able to give us some account of the soil, Produce etc., of the same, which may prove
a Guide to the Company in some measure in sending proper orders for the Management of
their Lands 10 .
Cameron's interesting report says,
My survey led me along the East side of the River Hughly, the Company's limit west-
ward, and from the banks eastward I could discover all along fine extensive fields of ripening
Corn. That was in the latter end of October and beginning of November the country
everywhere abounds with cattle. As to the southernmost parts of the Company's Lands,
from Rangaf ullah down to Sagar 11 , and up again, ... the banks are bordered with impenetrable
Jungull ... How far these Jungulls extend inwards I cannot say ... I have never seen the In-
land parts 13.
His subsequent surveys were of a revenue nature, and are referred to in a later
chapter [ 136 ]. A full topographical survey of the southern -parganas was made
later by Claud Martin [ 51 ] .
Coasts & Islands
โ โข 'he Tery early years merchants trading in India were but little interested in
the interior of the country 18 . Their factories were situated either on the sea coast
or, as m Bengal, up the estuaries of the great rivers. Their first concern was in
-K-โlโข 1E 52 ; ' 13 โข 5 ' 7 & Long (245). * B to CD. 31-12-58 ( 101-11 ). โข Ringafala, 19 B/4; Sm.beloir
rw'โ ,?T BM - AML MSS - U1m < 2 >' ' 'B to CD. 12-11-61 (80). 'Plan of the Company's
Lands and UU S MS10.il (6). "19 B/14. โ L a Touehs (88, &c. ). '19 A/16. 'ยฐBPC. 5-4-62.
tranga, S.gar, T9 C/2. "BPC. 8-4-62; his expenses from Oct. to Match were Es. 2,592-15 -6.
Tavernier [ io] was a notable eiception.
H
Bengal Surveys
their communications with the open sea and Europe, so it is natural that amongst
the earliest surveys of Bengal should be those of the coasts and river approaches"
There are charts of the coasts of Pegu and Arakan dated 1680 [ 221 ] whilst
later and more accurate charts are from surveys by the French navigator Api-es de
Hannevillette 1 , who published his maritime atlas, Neptune Orientate, in 1745 [1]
From time to time ships" of the East India Company were lost along the Coro-
mandel coast 8 and off the Ganges delta [45]. Eennell points out that though
the difference of longitude between the towns of Balasore and Chittigong is 4ยฐ 53' โข the
charts, so late as the year 1752, represented the difference of longitude between these'two
places to be only 3ยฐ 48'; that is 1ยฐ 5' less than the truth ... which doubtless occasioned the
loss of many ships, who trusted to the information* [ 152 ].
The passage by open sea from Calcutta to the factories at Dacca and Chittagong
being particularly hazardous at many seasons of the year, a safer passage was sought
through the Sundarbans.
The first regular surveys of these coasts were made by Bartholemew Plaisted who
had come to India as a sea captain. In 1761, immediately after the cession of the
provinces of Bengal [21 n 7], the Council wrote to the Directors that,
being... advised that Mr. Plaisted's assistance would be very useful in compleatinยป the Sur-
veys of the River and Coasts near Chittagong, we have employed him on that service
esteeming it very essential... 5
and the same month the Chittagong Council sent in his maps, saying,
Accompanying this your Honour. ..will receive Capts....and Plaisted report to us of the
Coast oi Chittigong from this place to the Latitude of 21ยฐ 10', with a draft of the same .
Mr. Plaisted will return to Luckypore" & from thence take a survey of y River
Sea Coast, the Isld. of Sundiva?, & all shores, shoals, & soundings that lay betwixt
Luckypore and Chittigong, a draft of which we think will be exceedingly necessary. As soon
as he has completed this, he will [proceed] again through the Sundry-Bunds, & finish his
survey of y Rivers their, & their outlets which may also prove of very great advantage
& enable him to lay before your Honor, & on his arrival in Calcutta, a Complete Draft
ยฐ!~. r H^urs, Rivers, Shores, Shoals, Soundings etc. that lay betwixt Calcutta
& Chittagong 8 .
Again,
Accompanying this we forward to you Mr. Plaisted's Book of Drafts containing his surveys
of Rivers etc. between Calcutta & this place, as far as... yett done together with his remarks'.
These are acknowledged ;
Mr. Plaisted's Draughts with his observations are a very useful performance.aud meet with
our approbation. As we find him so well qualified for this material business, we direct him
to continue his survey of the parts adjacent to Chittagong, & the different Branches of the
Ganges for the present; and, when the season will permit, of the Coast between the Islands
of Sundeep and Sangre", towards the sea, by which means the Chart" will be completed".
The Fort William Council wrote home again in November,
Finding Mr. Plaisted's services very useful at Chittagong in Surveying the Creeks Rivers
Islands, &c, on that Coast, we venture to detain him still, notwithstanding your appointment
of him to Bombay, judging his present employ to be of great Importance.! 8
and in December Chittagong reported
Mr. Plaisted had again been to the Southward, and finished his survey as far as Cruz Colly 1 *.
...He will proceed on his Surveys. ..as soon as he can be furnished with proper vessels for
that purpose... 15
and the necessary vessels were sent from Calcutta.
In addition to a fresh survey of the Chittagong coast, "executed on a larger
plan, and more correct than his former ", Plaisted submitted detailed instructions
for navigation, and an account of his methods of survev, mostly observations of the
Sun's declination with several quadrants 16 .
'His chart of East Coast of Hindustan extends from 13ยฐ N to :
2 Known as East indzamen.
23'N; BM. Addl. MSS. 15319 (7).
V7<n I 37) .kS",?', C w ยซ- E >- M fr f ,'ยฐ, m ""P Point t0 Point Oalimere [ ,01 ]. 'Memoir
,793(37). B to CD. 16-1-61(167). "Lakshmipur, 79 J/13. 'Sandwip, 79 N/7. p " '
โขV fS'l') oMM^ef \it^-f-^l^^^'^ old^'for' the' town^S^;
lb. (211) of 17-3-61. "Sagar 79 C/6. "Sumy of the Coast of Chittagan, cf the River ยซj> to Dacca.
From d in C. to Islamabad, 30-6-61. "B to CD. 12-11-61 (132). ยซ Ktrarusknl
โข'BPC. 28-12-61. "BPC. 26-1-62.
Imt.Lib.McfP.3i3.
79 0/15, on the Arakan bordi
Coasts & Islands 15-
When publishing these navigation instructions with later surveys in after years,
Dalrymple points out that Plaisted's survey was by no means complete, and that โ
there are many dangers in the Offing, and perhaps also near the Coast, not described with
sufficient precision for the security of Navigation 1 .
The Council sent Plaisted to "Cat Colly" to survey the damage clone by an
earthquake, and on May 1st 1762 he reported,
The earthquake that happened on the 2nd of April . . . has made such devastation, that
nothing but a view of' the place would give credit to the several reports made thereof. . . . The
Black figures express the former & the Red the present soundings. The Prikt line among
the trees shows where the former borders of the creek were, while the trees shew how far
they now stand in the Water ; I sailed through the middle of them & sometimes found four
fathom 3 .
The Directors were anxious to keep these surveys of their harbours secret;
Mr. Plaisted in his second survey to the Southward of Chittagong, discovered a Harbour
for Shipping of which he sent a plan . . . We would have the survey made as correct as possible,
and direct you to send all the information you can. ..and here We must caution you, to keep
this knowledge of the Chittagong River as confined as you can, that Foreign Nations may not
be acquainted with it 3 [000].
Early in 1765 Plaisted was surveying the Meghna River [23 1, and in 1766 he
made a survey "over to Balasore", and also of Channel Creek, employing two Euro-
pean assistants [ 283 ], and two or three sloops 4 .
After his death in 1767 the survey of the Sundarbans was carried on by John
Ritchie, and in 1769 the Council reported,
The Surveys to the Eastward are completed so far as regards the Outer Sands and
mouths of the several Inlets, and the interior Surveys are now making; a very accurate Plan
of this useful work hath been delivered in to us by Mr. Ritchie who was employed ia this
important Business. His Assiduity in this Duty and the accuracy with which this Plan
appears to have been executed hath recommended him highly to our notice... 5
and the following year,
We have the pleasure to send you ...a Chart of the Eastern parts of India according to
the latest Surveys; and as it requires much time & pains to make out these charts, we re-
quest you will get some copies engraved and send them out to us. Those you favoured us
with last year are very inaccurate 6 .
and again,
We forwarded to you ... a plan of the Mouth of the Calcutta River or Western Branch of
the Ganges, as likewise a Chart of the Bay of Bengal from Point Palmyras to the Coast of
Arracan'''.
Dalrymple gives the following description of his earliest chart of the Bay of
Bengal, in one plate north of parallel 19ยฐ, engraved and published in 1772 8 ;
It must appear very extraordinary, when it is considered how long the Europeans have
had an intercourse with Bengal, that there is not hitherto a particular chart of the Bay of
Bengal published in any language.
The Honourable Thomas Howe. ..in the year 1763. ..went to the Coast of Orixa; in his
passage from thence to Bengal he had an opportunity of correcting the Charts of this Coast
in the Neptune Oriental ; and having reduced to a general scale all the particular Charts in his
possession of the Coasts &c. of the Bay of Bengal he connected them together in the best
manner he could.
Soon after my return to England in 1765, Mr. Howe gave me a copy of his Chart: and en-
couraged me to revise and improve it from what materials I had collected; accordingly I set
about this work and reduced the Coast of Orixa to a scale of 3 inches to iยฐ...
Plaisted's Survey of the Coast of Chittagong, served, both in Mr. Howe's Chart and mine,
for the description of that Coast; but I added, from other authorities, some Banks remote
from the Land.
The Coast of Ava, from Negrais to Cheduba, I laid down from various materials, but I
found so great a disagreement in the Latitudes, . . . that I desisted from my intention of having
the Chart engraven 9 .
'Kate dated 1-3-85, Eitcliie (iii). 3 BPC. 17-5-62. S CD to B. 24-12-85 (49). -ยปBPC. 12-1-67.
a BtoCD. 25-9-69 (19). *B to CD. 85-1-70 (94). 7 B to CD. 12-2-71, (83). s Imp. Lib. M$ P. (350).
"Dalrymple, Memoir of a chart of the Bay of Bengal โ 31-3-72 ( 1, 2 ) .
1(5
Bengal Surveys"
In 1770 Ritchie was sent
in the Snow Diligent to make a cursory Survey of the Coasts and Islands around the Bay of
Bengal: ... The Orders. ..were "not to lose time, by entering into any River, Bay, or Inlet,
but to keep our Track of Soundings as unbroken as possible; and determine the great outline
of the Land, and position of the Islands, the present Trip being only meant as introductory
to a General and accurate Survey of the whole 1 ."
The following extracts are taken from his journal ;
November 1770. 30th. Weighed anchor from Calcutta.
December 2nd. Culpee. ...
7th. Saw the Coast of Aracan. . . .
8th. Commenced Survey Southward from St. Martin's Island. ...
14th. Saw Cheduba 2 [160]. ...
20th. At 10 min.past 7 a.m. died Mr. James Wright, our second mate; it seems he was ill before
we left Calcutta, but concealed it, until we were at Sea, for fear of preventing his voyage. ...
2ist...the whole Coast of Aracan presents a most dreary and inhospitable Prospect from the
Sea. ...
Jan. 4th. 1771. Chief Mate landed on Preparis 3 . The only visible Inhabitants being Rats,
Squirrel and Monkies, and to the last mentioned Gentry we were obliged for pointing out the
13th. Narcondam 4 . ...
1 6th. In a good harbour formed by the cluster of Islands and the Andaman. ...
20th. [Meet Andaman Islanders; long account of incident; entice a few of them on board,
where they stayed content and inquisitive for a few hours, and left with presents of cloth
and iron 5 [48]].
Although we were about the Island till the end of January, not a boat or man was seen
by us afterwards. ...
[Note by Dalrymple] I have the copy of an old Portuguese Chart of the Andaman Islands...
in which this very Strait (Diligent Strait) is laid down. nยฐ 59'N.
[Note by Ritchie] The Plan of Great Andaman Island, as laid down in the Sea Charts, will
do as well for any other Island as for It ; for it has no sort of resemblance to it, either in form
or extent. . . .
Jan. 30th 1771. We are now about to leave the Great Andaman Island, of which hitherto
nothing was known, and what we have been able to do will mend the matter but little.
31st.. ..along the West side of Little Andaman. At 10 a.m. we saw three Men upon the beach,
in a little Bay... but upon our approaching within about 1/2 a mile of the shoar, they fled
into the woods. ...
Feb. 9th. Carnicobar e ....the appearance of this beautiful Island, and goodnatured freedom
of its inhabitants was extremely pleasing. ...
March 3rd. Entered Noncovery Harbour 7 . Found some Danish Missionaries... spent 15 days
there... Had an opportunity of copying the rough Plans of our Survey so far, and of surveying
and examining this most excellent Harbour. ...
[Note by Dalrymple] I was at this Harbour in 1762, and communicated a copy of Lindsay's
Plan to Governor Pigot. ...
March 24th. Light Airs and Calms throughout; we begin to suspect, that the surveying busi-
ness is at an end for the season on this Side of the Bay, and the Monsoon about to shift. . . .
31st. We have been drove by the Current to the Westward of all the Acheen Islands [47 n.2]
without seeing them by reason of the haze and Fogs. Make for the Choromandel Coast. ...
April 17th. At 9 a.m. saw the Hills of Sadrass and Mount Saint Thome, and shortly after
saw the Ships in Madras Road.
The Journal now ends;
We had only to carry a Line of Soundings along a well known shoar, from Fort St. George
up to the Road of Balasore, in which track very little new was likely to occur. Indeed the
only alteration that happened was in the Shoals of Armagoan [104 n. 2], the False Point of
Dim, and the Point and Bank of Godavery, or Gardaware, all which my Plans will shew
sufficiently distinct 8 .
It is apparently of this survey along the east coast that Eennell writes, that
Ritchie
1 Ritchie (v,8). 3 18?45'N, 93ยฐ 40' E. 3 14ยฐ 52' N, 93ยฐ 40' E. 4 13ยฐ25'N, 94ยฐ 15' E. 5 Kitchie
(47-52) cf. encounters by Blair & Colebrooke [ 48-9 ]. 6 9"10'K, 92ยฐ 45' E. 7 Naneowry [48-9]-
3 Ritchie (5-94),
Coasts & Islands 17
in 1770 and 1771 ...took a series of bearings and distances, which he corrected by the lati-
tudes, along the whole coast between Point Palmyras and Madras...
He surveyed from Balasore to Palmyras Point by a series of triangles formed by three
surveying vessels, and corrected for latitude 1 .
A complete series of Ritchie's surveys, as completed by 1771, was examined and
compiled by Bennell, and sent home as A set of General and Particular Maps of the
Say of Bengal 2 [224] ; and in an introductory note to Ritchie's Journal, Dalrymple
writes, on March 1st 1785,
All the pieces, in my possession, of the Coasts of Chittagong, Arracan, and Ava, are now
engraven ; ... every one contained something omitted in the others 5 .
Ritchie writes of his survey in 1777,
All that is yet known concerning the Andaman, is only what was collected from a cursory
survey of the Eastern part of them in the year 1771. The Western part is almost Totally
unknown, both as to form and extent, and the Harbours, all except one, are as yet unexam-
ined. ... We have not taken possession of these Islands, and consequently there can be nO'
claim of Sovereignty in our favour, in case of national disputes with our Natural Enemies.
I will just mention farther that the Coast of Arracan remains unexplored, any farther
than by a single line of Soundings which I carried along it, at some distance from the land. ... 4
He suggested that Government should fit out an expedition to make good these
deficiencies, but the matter was deferred [45-6].
The Great Rivers
For many years after the acquisition of Lower Bengal the waterways provided
the most important lines of communication, especially for the purposes of internal
commerce, and the Granges River was the great highway to and from the Company's
stations up country 5 .
The direct line from Calcutta to the Ganges lay up the Oossimbazar 6 River past
iVlurshidabad 7 , and its survey was the first task allotted to De Gloss on his appoint-
ment in February 1765 [22]; three months later he submitted his maps, writing,
I have the pleasure to think that these drafts will be found on examination to be as
correct as was possible for any to be, having measured the whole as exact as the Nature of the
Ground would admit of 8 .
During the dry season boats could not, however, get through the shallows at
the head of the Oossimbazar, but had to go down the Hooghly from Calcutta,
through Channel Creek and the Sundarbans, to reach the Ganges in the direction
of Dacca. It was to save this long detour that in April 1764 James Rennell had
been sent to carry out
the Survey of ye great River to the Eastward of Jelenghee 9 ...to find out the shortest & safest
Channel leading from the great River to Channel Creek. . .
For this purpose you will coast along the South side of the great River & examine every
Creek or Nulla which runs out of it to the Southw d -, tracing them as far as you find them
Navigable for Boats of Three Hundred Maunds 10 Burthen & informing yourself ...whether
they are. ..Navigable all the Year 11 .
On May 7th Rennell left Fort William by boat, with a party of 39, including
an "assistant surveyor" and "3 other Europeans" [283]. The very first nio-ht
at one in y e morning I was awakened by an alarm of y* Budgarow's sinking, & indeed she was
on the point of it, being 2/3 full of water. By this accident I had most of my Stationary
spoiled, & likewise a great part of my Clothes. Stayed at Calcutta this Day, & repaired the
Leak.
40 ivnfT^t< 1>793 i 10 )- . 3I ยฐ- Ma P s - AC - 13 i L ist, Markham (4). s Ritchie (iii). 4 IO. Copies
4U-1 1 1 j (.41-3 ) a-1-77. =John Marshall, a Company's .servant. 1W8-72, describes the river journey to
7* % rff 3r?Sn at Patna * & ilt Singaya 011 the Gandak. John Marshall (30 et seq.) 6 or Ehagirathi.
iS U ยป. UPC. 29-4-65. 9 Jalangi, 78 D/12, 1U 2S maunds to the ton. "Prom Henry Van'sittart
governor b-D-b4 ; La Touche (<)}. Henry Yansittai't, Governor 1760-4; lost at sea on return voyage to
India, 1(70. irom here onwards Bennett's journal, 1764-7 (La Touche) is freely quoted.
lb
Bengal Stjevbys
Taking- various useful observations of the breadth and depth of the river, the
variation of his compass, and so forth, Rennell reached Jalangi on the 19th and
then had to arrange for boats;
Before I left Calcutta the Governor informed me that a convenient Budgarow with as
many Willocks l as I should want, would be in waiting for me at Jelenghee...but on my arri-
val ... I found neither Budgarow nor Willocks. . . . The Budgarow I came in was very unfit for
me to do my business in during y e approaching wet Season, both on account of its smallness,
& leakiness. ... I set about getting some better Willocks for the Surveying People, but had
little success... I could procure only 2; ...besides these I kept 3 of the Calcutta Willocks, &
sent the other two to Calcutta 3 .
On the 21st he writes,
This afternoon began the Survey of the Southern Bank of the Ganges about a mile above
Jelenghee River . . . 3
and his journal continues,
The 22nd... this afternoon we had a Specimen of the weather that we might expect in y c
great River at this Season; for in y e evening in crossing y e River... a violent Squall from the
SE drove all the boats ashoar on y e Jelenghee Sand, where they continued beating all Night;
2 men were blown overboard during y e Squall but fortunately swam ashoar 4 .
Prom now he journeyed down the river making a continuous survey of the south
bank, and exploring every opening towards the south, making "exact surveys" of
every channel that appeared to be navigable.
The 6th, 7th, 8th, employed in reducing the Original Surveys to smaller Scales and copying
the Journal to send to the Governor. During this time we had much rain. Employed some
Carpenters to stop y e Budgarow's Leaks, & repair the rudder
The 10th in y e Morning dispatched a Hircar 5 with y e Maps & Journal 6 .
On June 24th he left the Ganges at a point about 25 miles below Pabna 7 to
explore a big' creek 8 running in a south-easterly direction and connecting with one
he calls the "Burrasaat"; he notes in one place that "the Banks being mostly
covered with Jungle we have very troublesome Work to survey them", and on July
20th he writes,
It will now appear by our Observations that the Burrasaat is the West most of the navi-
gable Creeks which run out of the Ganges to the Eastward of Jelenghee & is therefore likely
to afford the shortest Passage to Calcutta; but being at present destitute of Cash to pay y e
People, or proper Boats to survey Sunderbound 9 with; besides it being now nearly the height
of the wett Season, we are very apt to be deceived in y e depths of Water. ... I have therefore
judged it proper to go to Dacca to get a supply of Cash & larger Boats 10 .
They reached Dacca on August the 4th, and after six weeks silence the journal
re-opens,
The 19th of September 1764, being pretty well recovered from my Indisposition, I set out
from Dacca in the forenoon in order to proceed with the Survey of the great River.
By the 25th he reached "Saatpour" 11 , at the head of the creek where he had left
the Ganges three months before ;
There had been so much of the Bank carried away by the Freshes, that we hardly knew
the place again; & could not have found the Mark out, had it not been for a remarkable Tree
which I formerly took y e bearings of. ...
15th October Received a letter from the Governor by 2 Hircars, & answered it imme-
diately, inclosing a Sketch of the River from Saatpour to this Place. In Mr. VanSittart's
letter he approves my Intentions of surveying the River on both sides, having before omitted
to explain whether it was to be so surveyed. ...
The 25th at the time of finishing the Survey ... I found myself very ill of a Cold, which
was followed by a Feaver; & being in the neighbourhood of Dacca, I thought it proper to go
there for Assistance. ...
My Disorder increasing I remained at Dacca till y e 2nd November when being tolerably
recovered I set out from thence to proceed with the Survey. . . .
1 Budgarow, a houseboat; Willock, a smaller boat. -La Touehe (9-13). 5 Onne MSS. Vol. 1;
copy of Journal in RenneH's handwriting-; differs slightly from La Touehe. 4 La Touehe (13).
^Harkara, a messenger. e ib. (16). 7 78H/8. s Now the Garai K. 9 Sundarbtms. the forest-covered
delta of the Ganges. 10 ib. (22). "79 B/5.
The Great Rivees 19
Whilst at Dacca I wrote to Mr. VanSittart informing him of my illness, & of the late
Progress of the Survey inclosing a Sketch of it. At the same time I requested his Opinion of
the utility of surveying the Baramputry or Megna from its conflux with the Ganges to Dacca.
He was pleased to express his approbation of it. 1
In Kennell's time the junction of the Ganges with the Meghna'- lay well below
Lakshrmpm-, 8 and nearly 80 miles south of Dacca, and Eemiell now continued his
journey southwards down the Ganges through typical Sundarbans country ;
We have no other Obstacles to carrying on our Business properly than the extensive
Thickets with which the Countrey abounds, & the constant dread of Tygers, whose Vicinity to
us their Tracks, which we are constantly trampling over, do fully demonstrate.
We now proceeded along the Western Shoar of the Megna NBE'i & NNE, a confused cluster
of uninhabited Islands forming the East side of the Passage. Between some of these Islands
I could discover no Land at all, it appearing like an Open Sea.
The 20th in the Morning... had a view of Luckypour, the Factory being distinctly seen 13
or 14 miles. Before noon we reached it.
The 22nd in the Morning we set out from Luckypour, on our return to the Survey. [This
visit being by way of reconnaissance.] ...
The 30th received a new Budgarow from Calcutta. It has been 3r days on its Passage
Being a new one it will be rather safer than the one I had before, as that was old & ready "to
drop to pieces, bnt this one seems to be very crank & dangerous. ...
The 14th [December] ... at Noon came to the Point opposite Luckypour from whence we
crossed over in the afternoon. The Megna seems to be about five miles over.
The 16th began to make an exact Survey of the Nulla, Fort & Village of Luckypour.
The 20th having finished the plan, took y Latitude of the Place by Hadley's Quadrant but
the Horizon was not good enough to place any dependance on the Observation [152, 222].' ...
From this time to yยฐ 23rd employed in finishing y" Original Maps, copying others,' & making
a small Map of the Ganges which was immediately dispatched to the Governor. Began like-
wise a compleat Sett of Maps of the Ganges on a scale of 2 miles to an inch* [223].
The 2nd [January 1765] in the Morning set out for Luckypour in our way to Dacca, where
I must proceed in order to get a supply of Money. Nothing remarkable happenned in our
[Marginal note]. The 6th in y Morning one of the Sepoys was taken off by a Tyger from
y e Northwest part of Daokytya Island, he having stept ashore out of a Pulwar'.
Having got his money Bennell now returned to survey both bants of the
Meghna, and lastly the " Beuvygonga, or Eiver 011 which Dacca is situated", and
dosing work at Dacca on March 3rd completed his maps before starting his survey
of the Brahmaputra.
The 28th March sent the Governor a general Map of the Megna on a scale of 2 Miles to an
Inch, & the 4 th April sent y remaining 8 Maps of the Ganges; there has now been sent a com-
pleat sett of Maps of the Ganges, both general and particular.
The 5th April received Orders from the Governor to survey the Megna or Baramputrey
from its conflux with the Issamutey to Gaulpara? or as high as it can be done without
offending the Natives. ...
The 6th [May] received intelligence of Lord Clive's arrival at Calcutta 8 [22].
Thursday May 9th set out from Dacca in order to survey the Baramputrey, & proceeded
by way of the Issamutey Hiver. ...
The Western Bank of this River harbours a great number of Snakes, amongst which there
are some of an enormous Size'-. June 3rd came into the great Baramputrey.
ยซ a! 1 Day [JU ' y I4 * h] We were obli ยซ ed t0 leive off surveying, by reason of the Rivers
suoaenly overflowing the Banks, & rendering it impossible either to measure Station Lines
or to note the exact bed of the River. ...
to Chiโข "li 14 ^ h t0 T I9th ยฐ J July ' em P lo y ed in tracin g J* Baramputrey from Baganbarryl"
ins. itT a ยซT 'โ โข The dlstm ce by Estimation is near 70 Miles, & as I was assisted in ascertain-
g it ooth by the bearings of the Mountains & the Latitude of Chilmary, there can arise no
very considerable Error
about?!, ?'?-* * high Morlntains โ โ โ that are said to be the Eastern Boundary of Bengali begin
Latitude of 25ยฐ ro'N and run in a curve line to the Northwestward. ... I have not
Sylhet %9 U T/1 % <%?ยฐ!', , " Vh ยฐ Brah nripiitra tikes this name after being joined by the Meghna from
on Assam fror. ie ,'?8 W X ^i *1 "^ u '^ W - ? "?f ^ "l (36 ยป- "^Pโข.
"Chilmiri, 78G/10 ih. (41-3). 'of. Bonbon Burrow [ 158]. "now Mymensingh, 78 L/5.
20
Bengal Surveys
yet had an Opportunity of taking their exact Altitude, but judge they are near a mile * hยปw
m perpendicular Height 1 .
In the accompanying General Map, only one of the Mountains is placed in its true Situa
tion, ... the others by reason of the very frequent thick weather were not seen from the South
end of the Base, & therefore their Situation must be left undetermined till y" dry Season
Frcm the 19th to yยซ 25th July staid at Chilmary, during which time we were employed in
taking y. Latitude, getting Information from y Country People, & constructing a Sett of
General Maps 3 . 6
Keniiell now broke off survey and spent the rest of the rains at Dacca where
he received dive's orders for the complete survey of Beno-al [ 22 1
_ As his Lordship was pleased to leave it to my Discretion where to begin mv Surveys I
S*XS itยฐ Pr ยฐ Ceed Witt thS S " rVey ยฐ f the RiV6r B ~^ * the Countries
Sunday 13th [October 1765] set out from Dacca. The Rainy Season not broke up but
expected to break at the new Moon which was to happen ye next day. Being to go by wav of
Naranda Creek I judged that no ill Consequences could happen to the Boats by the Monsoon
breaking, whilst they continued in so narrow a Creek ; the Weather also appeared to be settled!
The Courses of the River are various, being from SW. to East; however the whole dis-
tance is chiefly mendonial, & therefore easy to be corrected by the Latitudes [is-l By this
Base I was unabled to fix the Situations of several of the Sosong Mountains* which in clear
Weather will serve as Marks 80 miles off. ...
Being entirely ignorant of the Situation of Rnngpoup, & the adjacent Countries; the
knowledge of which would enable me to regulate my Route after the Survey of the Baram-
putrey was finished, I judged it proper to trace the Roads to that Place. ..That roth of
November entered the Teesta Creek" & proceeded np it towards Olyapour' which lies in the
Kungpour Koad ...
at thisยฐSeaยฐon aP ยฐ Ur โข Pr ยฐ Ceeded t0WErds Run KPยฐ ur h Y L โข4 there being no Water Passage
likโl her + e r 3 ^' P* 16 T r ? remarkin S abcrat Kungpour, it being only a principal Gunge, &
tase^ta the Town ' "" * "' ****** & Bamb ยฐยฐ S ' there be ' ng *** one ^rick
We arrived at Rungpour the 14th. ..From the 16th to the r 9 th employed in tracing the
Roads from Rungpour to Gurvgongยซ. ... In our Route we crossed the.. Teesta Creeks besides
several Jeels which render the Roads impassable 6 months of the Year?.
They rejoined the Brahmaputra on November 21st and continued up towards
Goalpara, passing the mouth of the Manas 8 ;
th/ 8 ^m ^ a f? d5 r Sh ยฐ Xt a PaS3age t0 the BOTtm M ยฐโขteins . . . there is no doubt but
that any Number of Firr Trees may be brought down by it, if a right understanding subsisted
between our People & the Assamers; as I have myself seen a large Firr Tree which floated
down the River, after being washed down the Mountains by the Land Floods [ 2 -T>
&- โnl h nVth Sam rn , "^ b , ginS , f , r ยฐ m thB B ยฐ naaSh Eiver ยฐยฐ the North side the Barampntrey
& one of their Chokeys is placed directly opposite Gwalpara; but on the South side the Ben-.aU
Provinces continue for upwards of 21 miles. ยฐ
Ele*an T ! * dSa t h T d T' it V e I er f; lkindSOf ^ animab ' 3S T ^ erS - Rhinoceros, Bnffalos,
Ulephants, &c, the tracks of which may be seen everywhere.
to tfT th t e 2nd , *? Y ยฐ 6th December ^Ployed in tracing the Baramputrey from Gwalpara
to the Frontier of Assam on the Southern side. The distance by ye River is โ >-, miles We
were not permitted to land on the Northern or Assam side, all the way, there" being several
Chokeys placed; however we found means to lay down about 10 miles beyond the Bengali
Frontiers, & m returning we coasted the Assam side near enough to inform ourselves of "all
the particulars which we wanted 10 [78-9J. โข
Between. April 1764 and December 1765 Eemiell had thus completed a detailed
surrey of the Ganges from Jalangi to the sea, and of the Brahmaputra from the sea
to more than 20 miles above Goalpara, besides many important side streams.
'G5ro Hills, 78 K; highest point 4652 ft. s LaTouehe. (44-8). 3 Ka,nยฐT>iir IsaK ยปT p n.
day the mam Tista R, Sowed down the Atrai K, changing towards CkihSri in 1787 โขTJliโข Atcfn
โขKnrip-โข, 78 G 9. -ib(51-5 . ยป7S J/11, 15. 'U a letter home. 30-8-66, he : write. :"Thc rtw โf
mountains which separates Bengali from Thibet is covered with Firs and Pire Trees so t hit ,1 \ g ff
years we shall be able to mast all our Ships with Pines". H.M.S. 765 '"L Touche (57 j)
The Giieat Rivebs
21
Much of the work of himself and Ms assistants during- the next five years covered
the survey of the major waterways; in particular, Ritchie surveyed the Madhumati 1
from the sea to the Ganges, whilst the Ganges was surveyed below Baimaha] hy
Eennell himself; from Bajmahal to Monghyr by Richards; from Monghyr to Patna
by De Gloss, and from Patna to Kanauj - by Huyens.
Eennell's detailed river surveys of 1764-5 areVtffl preserved, both in his Bmaal
AilaA and in the Companion Atlas' [226-30], whilst early MS. copies are numerous
Eennell's surveys of the Bengal rivers will always be of interest for the study
of changes of detail along their courses; many references to these are made by
Colebrooke thirty years later [64-5], and in 1828 Mr. May, then "Supervisor of the
Madia Elvers asked for Eennell's surveys of the Ganges, below the head of the
Jalangi, m order to study such changes 5 .
Major changes are less frequent, as is pointed out in an interesting comparison,
made by the Surrey oflice at Dehra Dim in 1934, between Eennell's surveys and in
the modern maps of the 1/2M Southern Asia Series;
Using the chief towns as ruling points [the maps] were found to fit very well with verv
little adjustment. ... The only material changes are in the three large rivers the Kosi Tista
and Brahmaputra. '
The Kosi has shifted considerable to the west, the Tista to the east, and the Brahmaputra
now has its mam branch down a previous minor branch on the west, but the old easterly
branch still functions as a minor branch 6 . y
MlDNAPOEE & BuEDWAN, 1761-6
As may be seen from D'Anville's map of 1752 [pi. 18] little was known of the
geography of Bengal m 1760 when the Company obtained possession of "the pro-
vinces of Clnttagong, Burdwan, and Midnapore" [ i ] \
The earliest English maps are rough sketches of parts of Midnapore and Burdwan
which appear to have been made between 1760 and 1765. Orme records a man
entitled Knox's Eoads in the Midnapur Province"', whilst Eennell makes use of a
map of that area "the author's name unknown'". There are still preserved in
Calcutta two old maps of Midnapore on the half-inch scale 1 ", which may contain
cursory surveys by Dennis Morrison of "part of the Balasore province" and of
roads m parts of Midnapore and Burdwan", which Eennell used in the map he o-ave
lord Chve in January 1767 [24]; they probably also include the surveys made by
James JSTieol under the orders of Eanfurly Knox, who
was always assiduous in making himself maste'r of this useful knowledge; with this view when
he commanded in the province of Midnapore, from the end of the year 1761 to July 176=;
he employed Mr. Nicol, an active officer under his command, to survey the province Mr NM
went as far as Balasore; ...he surveyed the mouth of the Piply River 1 2
Another map of this period is entitled "A Map of Part of the Kingdom of
fโข<J*l, drawn from surveys made in the year 1762 and 1763"". This map covers
the whole country from Balasore northwards to the Ganges, and from the rlooohly
and Cossimbazar rivers westwards to the hills, and is a skeleton map compiled from
SemmTl โข fv^ 6 fin roads and rivers. This is possibly Poller's map from which
Ken. ell m 1765 took "the Hooghly and Jelenghee Bivers together with that part
vie b? pT T 1Ch ' eS *ยฐ the westwaris "" [^2] . How much of this was sur-
veyed by Poker himself, we cannot tell.
assist' f el โข7 l1 ^ & ' " Dein g m "<* i" โขnt of another person Well qualified to
assist m making, the different Surveys of the Country", the Council appointed
Capt. W. S SneiSll 7- f,> I ' /ST' , MBI0 ' See also **"* ยฐยป * siv ยซ s ยฐf B'ngal. 19-2-1857
treaty with Mi Sim โข V ^ ^ Mm ยปtaW[ (31-2). "GBO. 42. C.4., 1934 (19). *By
184 A 135 (89 931 โข'S succession as Nawb of Bengal. BSCC. 27-9-60 & 6-11-60. ยปO r me MSS.
XI (3006). ' 1! sioaraยป,SS,ยฐ\ maP t I1T ' ยฐโข'>>โข A >>โข- '"-&ยป*โข M>. ยป # P. 352, 379. "OrmeMSS.
(ยซยป: Cataceielifeir ^ife&S jยฃ^ยฃ ^ W {^ * ^ ^ * *โขยป
โ 22
Bengal Surveys
'"Mr. Lewis Du Gloss. ..an additional surveyor*' 1 . After surveying the Cossimbazar
River [17], he was ordered "to survey the Midnapore & Burdwan Provinces &
Pargannas, as also the course of the Mohanaddee River"-.
De Grloss made "exact surveys" in various parts of Burdwan and Midnapore, 3
"but most of his time was spent on surveys of the rivers and embankments, and on
schemes for controlling the floods, and this matter was found so important that
Plaisted was called up from Chittagong to assist him, at the request of Mr. Verelst*,
During 1/65 the Directors wrote out, twice, pressing for maps;
You are to transmit to us as soon as possible, exact Plans of all the Lands granted to the
Company, as well those in the Environs of Calcutta, as in the Provinces of Burdwan, Chittagong,
Midnapore or elsewhere, accompanying the same with such Remarks and Explanations as may
be necessary to give us a full and satisfactory Information of all our Possessions, their value,
and the Importance they are to the Company 5 [250].
and again,
Much remains yet to be done before we can be convinced that we receive the full value
of the Revenues of the Province [Midnapore], therefore we direct you to be very full in your
information . . . and you must send us a Plan of the Bengal Frontier towards Orixa, with your
opinion for the best means of preventing Invasion on that side 6 ...
but soon after this reached India, De Grloss was called away to survey the frontiers
of Bihar, and other officers took up the work in Midnapore [28].
Rennell & Richards, 1765-6
In May 1765 Clive had come out to Bengal for his second term of office [19],
and Rennell writes,
The 10th October whilst at Dacca I received Lord Give's Orders to set about forming a
general Map of Bengali with all Expedition; & as it appeared to be a very tedious Work
should all the Distances be exactly ascertained, his Lordship gave Directions that they should
be taken in a cursory Manner only, correcting them by Latitudes or any other eligible Means.
This order at once raised Rennell from a mere surveyor of rivers to be the geo-
grapher of a vast unsurveyed country, and it is interesting to trace the origin of Lord
Clive's wish.
Robert Orme, the historian, had settled in London, and was finding difficulty in
abstracting from the India House material for his second volume. In a letter to
Clive, dated November 21st 1764, he speak of these difficulties, and continues,
You, my Lord, have treated me differently; and pray continue to do so. Make me a vast
map of Bengal, in which not only the outlines of the provinces, but also the different sub-
divisions of Burdwan, Beerboom etc., may be justly marked.... Take astronomical observa-
tions of longitude, if you have anybody capable of doing it. I send you a skeleton of the
Bengal map I intend for my second volume... 8
to which Clive replied, Calcutta, September 29th, 1765:
I am preparing plans in abundance for you. You shall have very exact charts of Bengal,
Bahar, and Orissa, and of the Mogul Empire as far as Delhi at least. A map of the Ganges
likewise, and all the other rivers of consequence 9 .
At Clive's wish Rennell was given an assistant [269] ana " records that as he was
returning from the Assam frontier,
On December 1 ith Ensign Richards with a Detachment. . .joined me, and on the 12th we set
out by Land to survey the countries between the Bonaa sh River and Rangamatty 10 [ 32 ] .
'BPC. 19-2-65. 2 The Mahanadi E. flows thro' Cuttack, 150 m. south of Midnapore, far beyond
De Gloss's area. 3 Orme MSS. XI ( 3006 ). โ 'Henry Verelst, Writer c 1750 ; Chief at Chittagong 1761-5 โ
in charge Burdwan it Midnapore 1765-6; Governor 1767-9; d. 1785; SIB; BSCC. 28-10-66 &CD to B
15-2-65. 6 CDtoB. 24-12-65 (54). ~>Ls, Tonche (51). "Malcolm TT (523). "Malcolm, III (133)!
10 ManasR.78J/ll, 15; Bangaraati, near Dhubri, 78F/16. [pis. 13,14].
Plate 5
REJWBIX & BlCHAKDS
. We entered the Boutan Countrey...* crossed about 7 miles of it. ... I had some thoughts
of proceeding... but finding theNati ves very averse to it, ... I judged it prudent to desist with-
out farther orders, as being foreign to the Service now in execution.
We arrived at Guragongl the 30th, & the next day being the last of the month I dis-
charged all the boats except the Budgarow & Pulwars, having now no farther Occasion for
them 3 .
'. . They now surveyed a line across the north of Rangpur district, and Bennell
writes,
. I went so far to the westward as the Purranyahs & Mornng* Countries, and have now
finished the North Limit .of Bengal from Assam to Morung, which is near 3 degrees of
Longitude. The borders of Bengal are from 26ยฐ to 26ยฐ 30'. . . . Assam lies to the NE and some
independent Provinces & Boutan a to the N.
The Bontan Mountains begin in 27ยฐ & are so high that they may be plainly discovered 120
miles [76]. A great number of Rivers have their source from thence; some falling into the
Burrumputry, others into the Ganges 6 .
They left Rangpur on January 22nd, marched northwest and crossed the main
Tista some 30 miles south of Jalpaiguri', where Bennell notes
We perceived pieces of different kinds of Trees lying on the Sands in the River- these
the Countrey People informed me are brought down from the Boutan Mountains by the
Freshes: amongst many other kinds of fine Timber I perceived the stump of a Pirr Tree of
which I brought away several pieces 8 [20].
They came to the Mahananda Eiver at "Sanashygotta" 3 finding the latitude to
be 26 33 , and after surveying the boundary towards Murang worked down the
Purnea side of the Mahananda to "Maha-Baage-Gunge" 1 ". From here they re
turned eastward, and recrossing the Tista at "IVabobgunge ", u surveyed the boundary
between Rangpur and Oooch Behar.
On February 20th, 1766, near the southmost point of the borders of Cooch Behar
they fell in with a small force of sepoys engaged with a band of sanydsi Fakirs -v
Bennell placed himself and his men at the disposal of the commander, and in the
fighting that followed his Armenian surveyor was killed, and he himself most shock-
ingly wounded; he was with difficulty conveyed to Dacca and was fortunate to tret
through alive [292]. &
I stayed at Dacca till the beginning of June for the recovery of my Health & then set out
to survey the Countrey between Luckypour &the Fenny, in order to join on Mi- Verelst's
March to Cospour to the General Map of Bengali. [82]. Ensign Richards was sent in the
beginning of May to finish the survey of the Curesa River & the Rangamatty Countrey'"
Rennell worked through Comila and WoSkhali to Chittagong, returning- to Dacca
at the end of July;
As Mr. Plaisted is said to have surveyed all the Coasts & Islands betwixt Luckypour &
Islamabad, I forebore setting about surveying them, as well to prevent double Trouble & loss
ot time, as that the Season of the Year was improper for it [ 1 4].
None of the Hills exceed the height of 240 yards, & of these Sittacoon" is the highest
situated about halfway between the Fenny & Chittagongii.
After completing the survey that had been interrupted by the encounter with
. ae scmytms, Richards surveyed the main Tista through DinajpurW towards the
iges, and joined Bennell in Dacca for the rains.
The 4 th November [1766] set out from Dacca to survey the Northern Branches of the
anges The Dullaserry โ ' was surveyed in 1765 from its conflux with the Megna to the Beurv-
gon a & we now proposed to go on with the Survey of that & its principal Branches first
ยซ,v โ? pT โขf lo ^ on ^ S ยปโขy al * ^tt-.rte. we came mto ths great River' to
w a ^rโ f , ' โข" nver has a โขry serpentine Course, the distance through being up-
wards of 53 miles, whereas the Horizontal distance is not 28.
,โ 'Kurigrim, 78 61/9.
'The name Bhutan wr - -โ
JIM). -
7 78B/10.
near the present s7waar%."ยฐJn. 78
โ 'โ -โ - :: " " โข Mar Sitatnnd, 1155 ft., 79 H/10.
"ChandranSth,
-La. Touche (59-61). 'Purnea Dist. 72 N, 0. < Mu.-ang Dist Semil 72 U
.orally applied to Tibet till after Bogie's mission [74, 223]" >0rme IfSS 54
Touchy (6S_). j'Sanyasikita. 78 B/6. "now Kishanganj, 72 N/16. "7SB/11.
' J The area of the catastrophe. La Touche (74^5)!
E. 19 1/6. 'ยปPibaa,78H/8.
"ib. (76-7).
6 7S C/10. "Dhalesivari E. 79 I.
24 Bengal Surveys
They then spent some weeks surveying the rivers and swamps on the Pabna-
Raishahi borders through which the old Tista found its way to the Ganges;
Between Boutan & Raage Gunge it is named the Teesta, from thence to Bandgotta the
Attri; between that & Cullum the Gole Nuddy; and afterwards the several names of Bagan-
uddv, Ballaser, & Currumjar.
Mr Richards had surveyed the River from Raage Gunge' to Cullum as before-mentioned,
but for want of an instrument for taking the Latitudes the latter part of the Survey was not
sufficiently exact; for this reason we proceeded up the River & took the Latitudes as far as
was necessary. We finished the Survey as far as Cullum the <jth December ... The last Obser-
vation was . . . near Conchon, the Latitude of which was 24ยฐ 53' N. "'.
They also surveyed the eastern limits of โ __โ
the Radshy Province in order to make Lord dive's Map as compleat as possible before his-
leaving Bengali. ... 1tb :
All our leisure Time since we left Dacca has been employed in compiling a general Map-
for Lord Clive After all the Observations that we could make before his Lordship's setting
out the Map would remain very imperfect without we were supplied with Copies of several
Maps from Calcutta, & it being too late to wait for these, I determined to go to Calcutta as
soon as the survey of the above-mentioned River should be compleated.
We had not Time to survey the Currumjar River as I intended, by reason of the sudden
departure of Lord Clive. We left Sajatpour" and proceeded for Calcutta the 2 oth December.
. . .The 30th in the evening arrived at Calcutta. We had been employed on the Map the whole
?aS From the 30th of December to the 6th Feby. inclusive stayed at Calcutta. The greatest
part of the Time, we were employed in compiling and copying Maps for Lord Clive .
Olive's health had broken down, and he left Calcutta, a sick man, on January
29th 1767 6 .
Bihar, 1766-8
In 1763 war broke out between the English and Mir Kasim, Nawab of Bengal ;
the Nawab retreated to the west of Patna, and obtaining the support of the Wazir
of Oudh and Shah Alam, the exiled Emperor of Delhi ยซ, made stand on the
Karamnasa Eiver', till the English won a decisive victory at Buxar on October Idra
1764
On Olive's return to Bengal the following year, he promptly went up-country
and came to a settlement with the Emperor and Wazir, and obtained for the
Company the dewani of "Bengal, Bahar & Orissaยป", besides the Northern Circars
and the Madras jrigtr. ,
The Company had now a long frontier from Balasore on the south, through
Chota Nag-pur and Bamgarh, to the Karamnasa Eiver on the west, through com-
pletely unknown country and unknown peoples ; with the Marathas always pressing
towards the rich country of Bengal. The Council became anxious about the
protection of their western frontiers, and in September 1766 wrote to the C. in C.
Colonel Richard Smith 9 ;
In consequence of a resolution taken sometime since, of making a thorough survey of the
Roads in the province of Bahar". we have despatched Captain De Gloss to you for that
S^H^Smr Soil liifi:,nl"dllL a letter from Patrick Ro S s, CK Madras, to
William Stevens, tellino- him the news, possibly distorted! "The Europe Ships are arrived and bring
Z ,hโขcoount of a new Parliament, and that the Americans continue refractory Lord Clive they say
Tas piU an end to Ms existence by thrusting a paper scraper mo his throat. The Duke of Atliol has
droYn d "nilf in the Tay, and Lady Effingham has burnt herself others say her Eate p^eededfrom
accident Whichever it be, God preserve us from such an end Mack MhS LXV111. iS-t>-7ยป.
โ sSSSdedAtamgirinneO; returned to Delhi 1771 ; eyes put out by Boh.Ha Chief 1,88; d. 1806.
7oS " the accursed river " by Hindus; joins Ganges from SW. ,64 0/14, 10 m W. of Buxa, > Midna-
nore had been part of Bengal from 1706; Orissa had been granted to the E,]ยป of Nagpuv m 1751 under
poie nan ueeii p โ 1803-6. Wills (-27 n). of. Memoir, 1793 (oxui) & Imp. Sax. Hun. I. (301).
'eXd-toSobotmboโข" IlSi(74-ยซ): ..CoveredthepresentdistrictsofPatnaiGaya.
Bihar 25
purpose; and as we understand that Captain Claud Martin 1 , is well versed in the Business of
Surveying, you may employ him likewise upon the same undertaking, which we wish to see
concluded with all possible despatch & accuracy.
It is certainly of great importance to our security that we obtain a perfect knowledge of
the Inlets to Bengal. For this reason Captain Huygens has our orders to examine the several
passes into the province from the Hills of Tilliagurry 2 , quite down to Midnapore ; to assist in
โ which we desire you will immediately dispatch Ensign Carter from Monghyr 3 [26].
De Gloss has left a journal*, which gives such a vivid and interesting account
of his survey that the following extracts seem worthy of print. He took four
European assistants with him [283].
z 3_^_66. Received orders from Lord Clive to proceed to Patna, and follow the instruc-
tions of Colonel Richard Smith โ Left Calcutta that evening. . . .
27-10-66. Joined Capt. Huggins of the Engineer Corps and Surveyor ... a few coss from
Ratrjmall 5 . ...
2-11-66. Parted company with Capt. Huggins who was proceeding to Gongerpersaut to
begin is survey [sic] . . .
10โ 11-66. Reach Monghere 6 . ...
18-11-66. Reach Patna. Budgeroe & Boats remaining Patna, report to Colonel Smith
on 19th. . . .
23-11-66. Received one company of sepoys, 6 Cavalry, 20 Burgundasses, and 3 Harcarras
from Government for the use of the Survey, with following instructions from Col. Smith.
Headquarters at Meer Aboyls. 25-11-66. ... to proceed on Survey of Part of the Bahar
Province ... to commence surveying at Doudnagore 7 taking your route to Gautolly upon the
Zoane 8 , and from thence to Rottasgur ... , continue your survey along the Banks up the
Zoane, until you come to the Range of Hills that lays to the SW. ...or as high up the Zoane,
as you can proceed with safety. When this is accomplished you will survey along the range
of Hills Eastward until you come to ...Bahar 9 , examine well if there are any passes thro' the
Hills, until you come opposite to Mongheer. ...
The principal object of your present Survey is to obtain information of every Pass or
Entrance into Bahar Province from the Westward & to acquire some knowledge of the differ-
ent Roads, Rivers, and Principal Towns with their Bearings & Distances. You are to keep a
daily journal. ... On your arrival at Mongheer you will receive further orders.
25-11-66. Left Patna.
28th. Arrived at Doudnagar, near R. Zoane.
29th. Began the Survey. ...
15โ12-66. Found it impossible to continue the Survey any further by the Impracticable
Junggles etc. [no road or pathway]. ...
19th. Employed surveying the mountainous Hill of Rottasgur 10 , together with the Fort .
20th. In the course of Survey found the country much embarassed with junggles and
immense Quantity of Tygers with great plenty of Deer, Peacock, and other game.
. 21st. Surveying along the Zoane altho" attended with the utmost Trouble, difficulty, and
fatigue, being obliged to cut passes thro' the junggles for our Proceeding forward & observa-
tions, yet could not proceed above one coss and a half each day. ...
25th. Halted at Berealpour on account of the Jungles, the bildars employed clearing
them away to make a pathway. Met with several armed people in the Thicketts where they
reside, having Bows & Arrows and Cutlashes, but on our appearing in view nia.de off, as also
the village people, forsaking their Habitations, which much distressed we for want of supply
of Provisions. . . .
26th. [The party is fired at during this day & night] ... Saw the Track of Rynosserus is
ieett.
_ 27th. ...Came to the village of Pushduree with immense fatigue & trouble owing to the
Junggles; found several bullocks etc., that had been devoured by the Tygers where are also
great numbers of Bears, one of which, with here cubs attacked a Lascar who narrowly escaped
*alhng a prey by mounting a tree & on his calling for assistance, which was immediately given,
the Bears took another Road in the Thicketts. ...
sn^โข & 2^ m v WaS ^ this time Solved in the "Batta Mutiny" and does not appear to haue joined in this
alEe call H IT? " pa . 3S ilt N - end of Eljmahal Hills, 72 0/12; "At about a league on this side near
^ - J? -. J- eria -galli 3 the road is shut up by a gate or barrier, which they only open occasionally,
Erfnv JK ยฃ y sol , (liCTS - The restof the raad is s ยฐ narrow that you cannot travel but just by the
<fZl.wSJ vTn Father Boudier, 1734; Herbert (28); see also Hodges (24). ; 'BSCC. 23-9-66.
riSnMvteoi*' sยซ ote ^ ^akness of his English. "Rajmahal, 72/16. "Monghyr, 72 K/7.
uaudnagar, 72 C/8. s Son It. pining Ganges, 7a C/14. 9 Bihar, 72 G/12. 10 Eohtas, 61! P/14.
Bengal Surveys
J the Hills.]
1-1-67. [Leaves the Son & surveys along the "Cole" R 1 .]
2nd. [Surveys -with less difficulty than along the Son].
3rd. ...Surveying on the sand of the River Cole where myself and horse was much
embarassed on the Quicksands, the horse with difficulty saved 3 .
8th. [Returned to Rotasgur, and now carries his survey eastwards 1
27th. [Cross road leading to Pallamow 3 .]
12-2-67. [Reaches Gayah; described.] ...
26-3-67. Enters the Ramgur 4 Country. ...
3-4-67. [Takes an observation for variation of Compass.] ...
8th. Employed surveying & on the Drafts. Received advice per Harcarar that Lieut.
Carter, & Mr. Cameron 5 , & Russell were on Survey with 3 companies of Seapoys.
9th. Received a letter from Mr. Carter. ...
17th. Came to Soubah Bahar. ... Most of my people fell sick with fevers & Fleux, thro*
the immense Heat of the Wether & many deprived of sight by the Hot Winde. Was obliged
to Halt & employ a Doctor to attend & give them Medicines, as also my assistants equally
indisposed, but during which time surveyed & employed on the Drafts. ...
[From May 12th to 27th, left most of his men and baggage in Bahar, and surveyed round
the parganah; returned to the soubah "rinding my assistants & people violent ill with
fever".]
[During June & July continued Survey, with interruptions from the Rains.]
July nth came to Mongheer.
12th. [Went to wait on the CO. of the Garrison], ...letters waiting for some months
from Governor Verelst & Colonel Smith directing me to proceed to Benares et Allahabad.
Camped at M. and made fair copies of maps for the Governor. ...
August 20th. Employed constantly on the Drafts & reducing it to a small scale, agree-
able to the Governor's direction, as by Letters received from Captain Reynells 6 for so doing.
Be Gloss now received orders for a survey of the Grandak River, the Council
having
appointed one of the Company's servants ... to examine the River Gandak and report oa
Fir Trees from Butea 7 country, and being of opinion that it would be of great use to the
Public if we could be supplied, with Fir Tree Timbers by means of the River Gunduc which'
empties itself into the Ganges opposite Patna, ... direct the Gentlemen^ at Patna to ... apply
to the Commanding Officer for a Surveyor to survey not only the River but likewise the
Nullah that runs close to the Fort of Battea 9 , also to give directions for some of the largest
Trees to be sent down to Calcutta [20].
De Grloss had to wait several days because all available boats had been requisi-
tioned for Colonel Peach's brigade which had been ordered on service to the
Circars [91 ], and embarked for Calcutta on October 13th, on which date De G-loss
departed from Mongheer, crossed the Ganges, surveyed the Rocks, River & Islands Opposite
the Fort. ...
October 16th. Hired boats which had been sunk in order to avoid being pressed for
transport of the Brigade. ...
r8th. Continue survey along north Bank of Ganges River noting the Limits of the
Pargannas. ...
26th. Departed from the village Piprah 10 & and met with equal Difficulty on account of
the high Reed Junggles.
Saw the Track of Tygers, Wild Buffaloes, and the Rynosseroces ; two of the latter of which
as Informed was caught last season in the said place by a Trap particulatly Invented for that
Purpose. ...
November 5th. Met the Ganduk River emptying itself in the Ganges with extreme
rapidity, the sands of which shifting and in constant motion forming whirlpools so rolling and
essuing forth in that manner when least expected . . .
November 8th. Hodgepoor 11 . Waited on Mr. Rumboldt, who insisted on my handing in
my seapoys who were required for collection of Revenues. ...
10th. Allowed 20 seapoys belonging to the Calcutta Garrison, and returned those from
Mongheer. ...
^oelR. joins the Son 63 P/14. " A common experience on these rivers. 3 Palamau, 73 A/1.
4 Eamgarh TS E/10, 30 m. south of Haziiribagh. s Probably John Cameron, Engrs. 6 Rennell had be-
come S G. from 1-1-67, and De Gloss was under his professional orders. 'Bhutan T2Tn %~\ 3 the
Provincial Council. ยฐ Bettiah, 72 B/5. l0 72 K/8. "Hajipur, 72 G/2.
Bihar 27
15th. Surveyed and came to Patna. ...
27th. Return to Hodgepoor, still surveying.
December 9th. [Surveys the Ganduc] ...
* ^ 16th. Small scale drafts Mongheer to Patna to Governor Verelst.
-''i7t.it. Surveying. ...
25th. Halt for Christmas.
~ .' 26th, [Continues surveying the Ganduc]
; โ 30th. [Surveying towards Bettiah. 3 J
January ist 1768. Halted for the New Year Day. Was suddenly indisposed by a fever &
Pleurasy in my side. ... J w
8th to 12th. Bettiah. ...
23rd. [Is warned to expect opposition from a local Raja ]
2 6th. [Meets an armed body of 200 men which disperses on 'his approach 1
j 30th. Letterfrom Governor Verelst ordering me to decline the further Course of Survey
A Immediately... to Proceed downwards for Bankapoor* Cantonments, agreable to which
did so comply. ... ยฐ
. February 14th. [On journey down the Ganduc]. Heavy rain & sudden squalls of wind
by which lost one Boat on the Quick Sands, wherein was Boxes of Instruments Booklet '
other Necessaries etc great part of which could not obtain as the Boat entirely Bilged*
sunk et Buryed in the shoals & Budgrowse and other Boats in equal Danger, so that could
not proceed but obliged to lay at a Sand Bank. 5
โ Governor ^Zlt^ H ยฐ dgep ยฐยฐ r at Whlch P lace fouad Ensi ยซ n Shards, Surveyor. Wrote to
18th. Came to Patna. .
Gov^Ve'relsf ' SUbmitted draftS 0l tte GmdUC River ' With abstr - t ยฐ* Jโ 1 'ยป
. De Gloss was now placed on other duty, and not again employed on survey. In
the 17 months smce he had left Calcutta, he had travelled up" the river to Patna
and then been continuously on survey through hot weather and rains alike; he
had completed a survey of the Son beyond Eohtas, along the southern limits of
wvevnfth ^tt , r^' ^ adetail6d Slme ? ยป'ยป'ยซ-; then a
survey of the north bank of the Ganges from Monghyr to Patna, noting paraana,
boundanes ; then a survey of the Gandak River as far as Bettiah.
Route Sukveys
Although most of the surveys of these times were in the nature of route surveys
of 1 thriXs p T tio b ul r I - T ;f ieates those whose immediate ^^ โข *>* -^
survey S โข t ? J ^ ^T' * P ยฐ Htical missi ยฐ n ' rathei ' tha " the ยซยปยซPยป*
survey ot a particular area or boundary F
ยปurI e v S fro t m W r h tie J re " ch w Chi < *>ยป Law de Lauriston, who retreated up.
17โข andwld ^ 1 ' 1 afte i r *? Eng:lish ยฐ a P tured Chandernagore in March
W lZo T v r ยฐ mP ^, t0 ? la0eWith aSma " t0d y of French a ยป d Mian
he sm'rende Zff: ^ T', I. BlIu >/e Ta and Bโขdelkhand; after various adventures.
Be smiendeied to the English, and was deported to Prance. He kept up surveys of
M I?: r dยฐef ' an ? B ' aTC US ma P t0 D ' AnTilIe who M ยซ <"gยปโขd [ L ] ; 7
โ C0^lt e n7 I wZ7TTT m " dim l 0iPSdetmU ^ Sd,mS le โข rd โข* Delhi, me
lanTenne S T. n , ' ^ Carte dreSrf par lui " me โข. d'apres ce qu'avoit donne
parTourTes T โr r U f, aV<Mt aJ ยฐ Ut6 en d6SSin r ยฐ Uge Par ^tinction, des routes qu'il avoTt
d-eteTonnues I e ^" es , Sii r 7ยฐ*ยฐ'-t des positions asse z considerables pour meriter
recueilli, Z โ , T1 ^ piques morceaux vers la frontiere du Tibet, & qu'il avoit
*^L e s z k^."' " carte de ces *ยป*- s *p~ zยฃ
purges' 1 fetfe ^til-Dupem*, who travelled in India for literary
Iwn tte eat co-t f ^ 1? f \' 1 T Bi LaW f ยฐ r a short time > a ยป d th ยป travelled
โ he east coast from Bengal to Masulipatam; and later from Goa to Poona
Add], MSS B 2M14. =BanM Pยฐ' c ' M ยป' Pยปtaยป. ยป2 a/2. MยปH g โif e - Geography ( iv ). See also map, Bit
58
Bengal Surveys
and Aurangabad 1 . He kept measurements and observations along many of his
routes, but Eennell writes of that from Goa,
I lament exceedingly that he had not a compass with him, ... for in a quarter where
geography is so bare of materials ... that gentleman had a fair opportunity of distinguishing
himself in this way, as he may be said to literally to have trod a new path 3 [127].
Duperron has left an amusing- account of the military route surveys of his day j.
J'ai voyage dans l'interieur de 1'Inde. seul, en troupe, en corps d'armee. L'Onicier, le
Commandant, passe la journee dans son Palanquin, ou il dort le plus souvent. A la dinee,
il demande ... a son Dobachi^ ...combieu on a fait de Cosses, par quels endroits on a passe.
Celui-ci interroge les Beras (les porteurs) ou repond de mi-mem e, parce qu'il faut repondre;
& le nombre des cosses, le nom des lieux est couche sur l'ltineraire, sur la Carte.
Ce que je viens de raconter, je l'ai vu de mes yeux 4 [185].
Of the Company's soldiers, Eennell mentions surveys through Cuttack and
Orissa by Polier and Campbell 5 , and we have already noticed the surveys by
Morrison and Nicol in Midnapore [21]. When Knox was withdrawn from
Midnapore in 1763 to join the main army on its march to Patna, Nicol was charged
with the survey of "Budjapore province' 5 " which he carried out "with a diligence
and exactness peculiar to that trusty officer", and was then despatched to survey
"the roads in the Beerboona Province" as far as ... Calcutta". This survey was-
interrupted by the campaign which ended with the Battle of Buxar, and Nicol had
to return to military duty 8 .
To return to Midnapore, โ in 1767 the Collector 1 ' had a body of sepoys at his
disposal and John Ferguson commanded a column of these along the western
borders, which were then entirely unexplored. He writes from Ghatsila 10 ,
A journal of my proceedings I have up to this day, but my compass went wrong the 2nd
day's march to this Fort, I having it in my hand to observe our course, when the enemy set
on us, and my needle, from the firing I think it must be, flew off its axis. This will in-.
future make me very imperfect in the course, & the want of a set of mathematical instru-
ments renders me incapable of making charts 11 .
The Collector reports,
I have in my possession a copy of Lt. Ferguson's journal of his western expedition, but
it is not complete enough for a map to be formed from it. I shall keep it in my hands for
the present in order to make some necessary additions to it... ia .
and the Governor replies,
I could wish to have Lt. Ferguson's Journal completed as soon as possible that we may
get a chart of his Expedition to the West laid down 115 .
By this time Eennell had been posted as Surveyor General r and several of his.
surveyors, Adams, Carter, and Portsmouth, were drafted in to make a systematic
survey of the province and we hear nothing more of Ferguson's amateur efforts.
The army was now fully engaged beyond the western frontiers, and under spur
from England, surveys were pushed on in every direction.
It is hard to over-emphasize the influence exerted by Orme on the surveys of
India at this period [22]; amongst his papers is an autograph "Essay on the Art
of War", undated, but probably sometime about 1765, written possibly for Clive
or Richard Smith or some other soldier friend, and pointing out the military
value of maps;
We have in general very few good charts in India. No Wonder. Our Generals have
not paid that attention to the subject which it requires. ... If those in the Administration
were sensible of the advantages resulting from it, they would never scruple the expence.
But then great caution should be observed that none but capable men should be employed
and whose integrity is equal to their capacity. To such, great encouragement should be given.
I would have a Plan of your whole Frontier, with the Engineer's observations from
League to League. And where you have any Defiles, they should be accurately described,
'Orme JISS. 134 (43-1). "-Mmioir, 1793 (253). ^Interpreter. ^Bernoulli, II (466-7).-
s Eennell is tantalising in that he hardly ever gives a date. Memoir, 1783 (68). G or Shahfibiul Dist. 72 C.
Bm. Atlas iii. 7 BTrbhiim, 73 M. 3 Caraccioli (346). ยฐ In this correspondence called Collector and
Resident indiscriminately; the regular office of Collector was not generally introduced till 5 years* later-
3ft 73J/6. u Midnapore Dist. R. 4-4-67. 12 ib. 3-8-67. Vi Midnapore Dist. B. 3-9-67.
Route Sueveys 29 1
surveys having first been made with -the most minute exactness. ... Route Surveys. ... From
a Compleat Engineer you may go much further. He is not to confine himself to the roads
only, but the situation of the country โ
A General Officer should always be furnished with some such a chart, for it is impossible
for a Council Board to form a system of operations upon the Intelligence they have re-
ceived. ...
Embrace therefore every opportunity ... to send officers into a Country, where you may
soon have occasion to march an Army. But such officers should be the most intelligent in
the Service 1 .
In 1767 Orme acknowledged receiving from Richard Smith [24],
A map of Patna to Delhi, which you say is imperfect. ... Another of the Country about-
Agra & Delhi, of which you have a Better opinion.
I had received before the map from Patna to Delhi, but never till now the other, which
differs so very much from all preceeding informations concerning that part of Indostan, both,
m the quality of materials, their dispositions, and the names of places, that I readily concur
in thinking it much more to be depended on then any of the former charts, because in these
matters few people take pains of changing the old notions of Geography to substitute new
inventions without foundation. They would be deterred by the dread of being discovered
and exposed. ...
In your map of the country about Agra, I see for the first time the situation of the
Countries of the Jauts and Rohillas. Get as accurate information as you can concerning the
Boundaries of these countries, and the description of the peoples
I likewise see in the map Pitans 2 between the Jumna and the Ganges; I can account
for them. 3
Among the surveys sent home to Orme 4 are military routes surveyed by Samuel
Showers between 1766 and 1769, which include,
A Plan of part of Bahar Province, surveyed in November 1766, scale 3 inches to a mile
including Sassaram and Rotas โ ',
which is a road traverse along the Son River, with a loop road round Rohtas hill,
and a wide area of hills shown in a distinctive conventional style which is almost
exactly reproduced in Bolt's map of 1772 [223].
There are other surveys made by Showers in 1767; the G-ogra Kiver from Fyzabad
to the Ganges, July to September ; the rivers Karamnasa [2411. 7], "Gmntah or
Goompty 6 ", various roads from Benares, and the road from Allahabad to Fyzabad ;
in a journal of 1768 he writes,
We met with nothing near the Goompty, but immense fields of thick grass, which
together with the shortness of the reaches, greatly conduces to render this work more
tedious: the true distance of today's survey is 5 miles and 4 furlongs, the ground I have
measured exceeds 14 miles โ This day's survey has been one continuous jungle, which by
the prints of their feet, is the dens of Tygers; & other wild beasts 7 .
In 1768 Showers was sent on a mission by Colonel Smith to the Maratha chief
at Nagpur, travelling through "Rywary 8 ...Sahagu Ghat...Gurrah-Mundela 9 "
[296] ; he wrote from Tilwara Ghat 10 on the Narbada,
I am credibly informed the source of this river is 50 coss East of this place, where is-
likewise the source of the River Soan and another small river called Tutte . . . near Umar-
cuntuck 11 [60].
His map of the road from Allahabad to the Narbada 12 is beautifully drawn,
with hills shown conventionally in elevation, and with branch roads to various
important places.
Rjennell acknowledges the use of Showers' work [22611.7], and makes the-
following references to his and other surveys in Bundelkhand;
Rewa, in the Bundelcund country is the most westerly point on the road leading from.
Allahabad to. Nagpour and the Deccan that is determined by survey and latitude. From
TW-โข. -j?"โข 6 ^ SS " 303 < 109 >' "PatWs, from Afghanistan. a OrmeMSS. 222 (157). *bv Brace,
tS,,โข^ ^. d <*hers. s Sasaram, 72 D/l; BM. Addl. MSS. 15739 (17|). 6 Thc Gumti flows "through
ยป*โข! T^'^"" t} "' & a*ges below Benares. 'Orme MSS. 8 (3). 8 Eewah, 63 H/6. 3 Mandla Fort.
, ยฐrยฃ ,^v fe' 55 M/1S- -ยปโ decide (74-5). u Amarkantak, 64 F/10; letter dated 2^68, Orme MSS.
BM. AddL MSS. 15739 (15): unfortunately quite mmvitable for reproduction.
4.(97^1087.
m
Bengal Surveys
thence to Telwarrah Gaut on the Nerbudda is laid down in a more cursory manner: but I
believe tolerably exact for the purposes of a general map 1 . ... ..
Chatterpour... was formerly visited, and its position determined by mensuration from
Rewah, by Captain Carter 3 . ...
The country between Mirzapour and the heads of the Soane and Nerbuddah, was explored
by the late Major Bruce; ...during his expedition he verified a fact which has long been
doubted, though strenuously insisted upon by the natives, viz., thet the Soane and Ner-
buddah Bivers had their common source from a pond, or lake, on the southern confines of
the Allahabad province . . . 3 .
Wilford records that Bruce made his surveys "about the year 1771"'.
An interesting- route survey from Cuttack to Sambalpur was made in 1766 by
Thomas Motte, "free merchant", who was sent by Clive to sound the Marathas as
to their willingness to cede Orissa in return for an annual tribute [ 24 n. 8 ] , and
also to open a trade hi diamonds with the Baja of Sambalpur; one share to Motte,
two shares to Clive. [pi. 13].
He left Calcutta on March 13th 1766, travelling by Midnapore, Balasore, and
Cuttack. At Balasore he heard tales of "volcanos", but found them to be jungle
fires. He left Cuttack on May 6th, and on the 22nd reached Bund s ; here his -
tent was struck by lightning and caught fire; thirty of his followers were involved
in the tire and sixteen of them died. On his arrival at Sambalpur on May 31st
he found a local revolution going on, in which over 300 were massacred. " Both
his European companions died of fever, but Motte himself stayed till October,
suffered much from fever, but was never able to come to business, and never even
saw a diamond.
On October 1st the Baja paid him a farewell visit, and begged everything he
saw; it was with great difficulty Motte could save his compass, and he was glad to
get away the next day. He had adventures with wolves on his return journey, but
reached Cuttack safely on October 19th, and Balasore on 28th. Further negotiations
regarding Orissa were abandoned owing to Olive's ill-health and return to Europe
[24].
Motte writes that "Mallock, sent by Mr. Henry Tansittart", presumably on a
similar errand two or three years before, "durst only stay 24 hours" 6 . Mallqck's
companion, Alleyne, had noted the bearing and distances from Cuttack to Sambal-
pur 7 , and Motte also made a survey which was apparently embodied in Bolts' map
[ 223 ], and was also used by Bennell who notes that,
Mr. Motte's route along the Mahanuddy was described from computed distances and
bearings by a compass. He also took the latitude of Sumbulpoore in a rough manner 8 .
A rough sketch of the Mahanadi is preserved at Calcutta, which bears a note
to the west of Sambalpur "Diamond Mines among these Mountains"; it may be
Alleyne^ for the names given do not correspond with those of Motte's account 9 .
In 1774 Jacob Camac, commanding in Chota Nagpur, sent "Golam Mohamed,
a Sepoy officer, to explore the roads and countries of the Deccan", and "to gain
intelligence about the Mahratta powers"; and Bennell took "the roads from
Burwah to Buttunpoor, and from thence to Gurry Mundlah, Nagpour, Aurang-
abad, and Burhanpour" 10 all from his itinerary 11 . Bennell further states that he
was indebted to Camac for "the course of the Bain Goiiga 13 ... quite a new acquisi-
tion to Geography" 13 .
A notable contribution to geography was the survey made by the Bev. William
Smith, appointed in July 1775 to accompany Colonel Upton's political mission to
Poona [ 2 ] ;
Col. Upton's Ambassy to Poona affording a favourable opportunity to survey the Penin-
sula of India, and likewise to ascertain the true Distance of the places thro' which he will
'JTonoir, 1783 (68-9), Hb. 1793 (206). ยซit>. (235). Us. B. (399-400). 'on the Mahanadi 73
D/5. 'Motte s vivid narrative is in ,4s AH. I. 1799; Misc. Tracts. (50-85); also Wills (22-43) ^Orme
MSS 67 (138). B Memoir, 1793, (241) ; References to Motte's bearings are made by the surveyor with
Elliot's mission [39], MKIO. M. 272. 'Imp. Lit. W If P 336. "Barwenagar, 73 A/4- Ratammr
โ 64 J/4; Mmdti Port, 64 B/6; Burhinnur, 55 C/3. "Jfemoir, 1783 (vi, 66ยป, 69)- Ben UUt I x )'
"Wainganga R. 55 & 64. n Memair, 1793, (246). '
Route Surveys 31
pass, Col. Monson 1 proposes that the Reverend Mr. William Smith be appointed to attend
Col. Upton for this purpose, conceiving that the public may obtain many advantages from
this survey which probably would not be able to be taken at any other time 3 .
The mission started from Kalpi 3 , on the Jumna, on October 24th 1775 and
reached Poona on December 27th. During January and February Smith carried
his survey down to Bombay and back. Kennell describes his achievement thus:
Mr. Smith set out from Calpy with Col. Upton ... and fell into the great road from Delhi
to the Deccan at the city of Narwah 4 ; ... from Narwah, he proceeded to Strong 5 , a city of
Malwa [56 n. 16] ... , and from thence to Burhanpour, the capital of Candeish. ... In his way...
he crossed the famous river Nerbuddah, formerly the reputed boundary of the Deccan. ...
From Burhanpour, he went to Poonah, ... crossing the heads of the Goda very and Beemah,
rivers in his way; and from Poonah to Bombay.
โ During all this route, he took observations of latitude and longitude, as often as oppor-
, tuhity offered; which was not unfrequently; and with these he constructed a map, which is
no less valuable on the score of its general accuracy and extensive information, than curious
by the novelty of its subject. "We had then, for the first time, a geographical line on which
we could depend, drawn across the continent of India, through the principal points between
Agra and Poonah".
In 1777 the Council reported that Mr. Smith
was prevented by ill health from completing a map of the country ; ... he is now on his passage
to Europe, but has promised to finish it as soon as possible, and take the first opportunity
of sending it to us. In the meantime We have put his Journals into the hands of the Chief
Engineer 7 , to form a map from them 8 .
The journal gives a full and detailed narrative of. his survey and astronomical
observations, with complete fieldbooks and perambulator traverse 9 [ 185].
Rennell as Surveyor General 1767-77
โข Before leaving- India, Olive showed his appreciation of Rennell's surveys by-
appointing- him Surveyor General, a post-thus created in India for the first time,
and notified thus to .the Directors : ,...*"' '
So much depends upon accurate surveys, both in military operations and in coming at a
true knowledge of the value of your possessions, that we have employed everybody on this
service who could be spared and were capable of it. But as the work must ever be imperfect
while it is in separate and unconnected plans, we have appointed Captain Rennell, a young
man of distinguished merit in this branch, Surveyor General, and directed him to form one
general chart from those already made, and such as are now in hand as they can be collected
in. This, though attended with great labour, does not prevent him from prosecuting his
Own surveys, the fatigue of which, with the desperate wounds he has lately received in one
of them [23], have already left him but a shattered constitution. I0
Rennell writes in his journal,
Theistof Jan. 1767 I was appointed Surveyor Genl., and the Govr. (Mr. Verelst) ap-
pointed the several Surveyors . . . under me,
Capt. Lewis Du Gloss. Lieut. Carter.
Capt. John Adams. Ensign Wm. Richards.
The three first had each a particular part of the Countrey allotted him to survey, &
myself (with Mr. Richards as an Assistant) had another part.
โ Mine was to be ; first, the Roads from Calcutta to Hadgigunge 1[ ; next the Cosee* 2 River
from its conflux with ye Ganges to the Northern Frontier of Bengali.
Leaving Calcutta on February 6th, he surveyed through typical Bengal country,
crossing one creek after another and " The 22nd surveyed 7| miles thro' a dismal
Jungly Countrey infested with Tygers ". He completed the 133 mile to "Hadgi
Gunge " by February 2 6th ;
^pi^r^nV/ Su .P reme Council from 1774; d. Calcutta, 25-9-76. 3 BS & F. 24-7-75, 3 54 U/16.
ft+iimr^i s-^ r0n J' 54 H/12 - Memoir, 1783 (62). 'Post of S.G. was vacant from April to
โขrl fe >ยฃ?ยฃS? J l A B ~ GI> - M-ll-fT (37). 9 BM. Addl. MSS. 29213 j map reproduced, Macpherson;
ยซEos?E ยฃ ti P y n - I0 - Trad 389 ' 'ยฐ B t0 CD - 3 ยฐ- 3 - 67 - " 5m - ^ of ^aridpur 79 E/14'
!
Bengal Surveys
I staid at Hadgigunge till the 2nd March waiting for Mr. Richards. During this time
I was employed in constructing & coping a large Map of Bengali for the Governor.
The 2nd of March finding that Mr. Richards had but just left Culna, I set off for Dacca to
get a supply of Men & Boats for the next Survey 1 .
Meanwhile Richards surveyed the route from Calcutta through Bangaon and
Muhammadpur -, and reached Dacca March 7th.
They set out again on the 11th, working southwards into Backergunge, but
Rennell had to break off and return to Dacca with fever, leaving Richards to carry
on 3 . Here his fascinating- journal closes, and we get but occasional glimpses of his
work from his letters. He made Dacca his headquarters, sending out professional
instructions to the various surveyors, and spending all the favourable months of the
year out on survey himself. He himself surveyed the whole area north of the
Ganges from Purnea on the west to Sylhet on the east. In September 1767 he
wrote home,
I am now going to traverse the countries that lie on the East and Southeast of the
Baramputrey, and you may not expect to hear from me again till near this time twelve
month, as the length of the Expedition will take up near that time. I shall have a strong
Detachment, and may probably go near the western limits of the Chinese Empire. No Coun-
trey in the world perhaps is less known to Europeans than the Countries lying between
China and Indostan, and indeed how should it be otherwise, as the Company have made very
few discoveries till within twenty years past 4 .
He did not at once proceed eastwards as here suggested, but in November
writes,
I am now in the midst of my journey to Thibet. Being got into a more northern Climate
and in "the neighbourhood of the Mountains I breathe a cool and healthy Air 5 .
He writes from Rangamati [pi. 14],
I have made one short trip to the Northward, but was obliged to return again with some
precipitation as the Boutese had drawn an army together to oppose my Progress. I very
nearly fell into an ambuscade which they had laid for me, but escaped with the loss of one
man dangerously wounded. I was obliged to retreat a considerable way thro' an Enemy's
Countrey perpetually harassed by their detachments, and crossed a deep river in my way.
I hardly ever experienced more fatigue at one time, however my health has not suffered in
the least.
I am now in the midst of the Forests of Rangamatty which are chiefly inhabited by wild
Buffaloes, Elephants, Rhinoceros, and Tygers ; the tracks of most of these terrible Animals
I see every day. I never saw a just description of the Rhinoceros in any Books that I have
โ read. It is about the size of the Elephant, and rather an overmatch for it. It feeds on
Herbs, and frequently makes excursions to the Plains 6 .
He spent all his time when not out on survey in compiling the surveys that
were sent in to him. In December 1768 he was able to write,
The business in my Department goes on briskly, and next year we may expect that the
Geography of these Kingdoms will be as well known a s that of most Countrey s in Europe โ
A great progress is made in the surveying of the Western Countries, so that we have now
measured a line of near 14 degrees of Longitude?.
Of the surveyors first posted under his orders, we have already noticed De Gloss
at work in Bihar, and his withdrawal in 1768 [ 22 ] ; Adams surveyed roads in
Midnapore, and certain rivers in western Purnea, and died during 1767 ; Carter
worked in Midnapore, Jungleterry [34 n. 9] and Chota Nag-pur, and appears to have
continued on survey till at least 1772 ; Richards continued till the survey was
closed down.
Other surveyors were brought in as they could be obtained, military officers
possessed of some knowledge or aptitude. Each officer received the Surveyor
General's instructions as to the area he was to survey, the principal towns to be
included, and the routes by road or river he was to traverse, generally in the form
of a network ; occasional latitudes were observed.
1 I*Touohe (86-93).
16-11-67. 6 HMS. 765, 20-1-
a 79A/16;79 E/ll. 3 ib. (94), 23-3-67. 4 HMS. 765, 25-9-67.
8. Hb. 30-12-68.
E-ENNELL AS SURVEYOR GENERAL
,-โ In 1768 report was made to the Directors that,
A number of Gentlemen are employed on a Survey of the Provinces ; the Boundaries are
almost finished and they are now taking the Sections of the several Countries. In Septem-
ber next I hope to have the pleasure of sending you a complete and particular Plan of all
your possessions in this part of India. In tracing and examining such an immense Tract of
Country, the greatest Part of which affords not the least conveniency to an European, the
Expense must necessarily be great ; but the Benefit of such an Undertaking will be an ample
Compensation for the Charges that are attendant upon it 1 .
In 1770 Rennell wrote,
All the work in the Field will be done by the end of 'ji, but then it will take several
Months to inspect and compile all the Materials 3 ;
and again,
Besides the Surveys of Bengali and Bahar ( the Company's Territories } carried on under
my direction, the officers of the Army [29] have surveyed the inland Countries belonging to
Sujah Dcwlah 3 and several independent Princes ...situated on both sides of the Ganges, So-
that the whole extent corrected by our Geographers is upwards of 14 degrees of Longitude
and 9 of Latitude 4 ,
and again the following year,
I have entirely done my business in the field, and all that remains to be done to complete
the General Survey of Bengali, Bahar, our part of Orixa [ 2 4 n. 8 ], and the Provinces of Allaha-
bad & Awd will be completed within these 4 months. The sea coast & rivers also have had
a regular survey, and a surveyor [ 1 6-7 ] in a sloop has been all round the Bay of Bengali and
described the sea coasts & islands. It will now be my business to compile all these surveys,
& for that purpose I am now setting down seriously for at least 13 months 5 ,
again, in 1772,
The Provinces of Bengali and Bahar were formerly divided into about 28 grand Divisions
answering to our Counties, tho' few of them were so small as Devonshire, and these grand
Divisions were again divided into Pergannas. ... The Boundaries even of these inferior Divi-
sions are chiefly ascertained, with every Town of note in the Provinces, together with all tho
Roads and Rivers 6 .
In 1774 Eennell completed his series of Provincial Maps, which he submitted
with smaller scale General Maps, and an account of their construction, and a small
index showing the areas covered by each surveyor 7 ;
Rennell
De Gloss
Richards
Huygens
Carter, Portsmouth, Call
Martin
Russell
Ritchie
From Purnea to Sylhet
Part of Burdwan
Chittagong, and Bihar north of the Granges
Rajmahal Hills
Midnapore to borders of Chota Nagpur
Districts E. of the Hooghly; Cooch Eehar
Shahabad
Coastal areas Balasore to Chittagong
After giving an account of the survey, signed January 17th 1774, he remarks,
It is hoped that the tedious delay in the execution of this work will be pardoned, when
it is known that the materials from which it is compiled, consist of 500 original surveys ; and
as these were the work of 10 different gentlemen, it is natural to suppose that from so great
a diversity of Instruments and Measures, the lines of Bearing and Distance must frequently
disagree; and indeed the Truth is, that the Comparing and Correcting of them employed a
large portion of the time.
,. I will not pretend to say that every particular part of these Maps is perfectly accurate;
but I can vouch for their being generally so, and that no capital errors appeared during the
examination and Construction. In order that every Surveyor may be answerable for his
own work, I have added his name to it in the Maps ; and at the end of this page have parti-
cularized the Tracts surveyed by each [224].
I hope that it will not be expected that every small Purgannah...shonId have its limits
oeimed m these Maps.... A certain gentleman of Rank has remarked this unavoidable
defect m a Map drawn for his use.
of Oudh ,r0m ^-Z?r 1 7n' G ยฐlT r T' t0 *?' 28 " 3 - 68 ( 42} " aHMS " 765 ' 30-10-70. ' Wazlr, or Nawiib,
Bengal Stjeveys
First then, the lines traced during a general Survey, tho' at a convenient distance from
each other for the purpose intended, do sometimes fall without the Boundaries of small
Districts; by which they escape notice, ., . '
2ndly, The Peasantry, from whom the Knowledge of Boundaries, etc., is chiefly derived
frequently use different names from those in the Government Books, ... in short in some Parts
they adhere to the ancient Division of Lands, and in other to the modern.
Lastly, the difficulty. ..of securing Intelligence of any kind; as has often happened in
places where the Natives either through fear desert their habitations, or through obstinacy
refuse their assistance.
The maps give occasional information of interest such as,
The space within these Hills [RajmahaH] has never been explored by any" European
& is seldom visited by the inhabitants of the circumjacent plains.
and of the Garo Hills 2 ,
Mountainous country independent of Bengal ; Mountains from 900 to 1,000 yards neroendi-
cular height [ 20].
The surveyors made no effort to penetrate into heavy jungle or difficult hills โ 'โ
across the jungle area to the east of Cooch Behar is a note ' " Tract of Country un-
explored ... subject to a Bootan Eajah" ; along the foot of the mountains to the
north of Bihar the country is marked woods, and little detail is shown ; on the
north boundary of Chittagong District is a note "The course of the Fenny within
the Hills is not known."
In submitting these maps [ 224 ] Eennell reports that
the Surveys of Midnapour, Jellasore 3 , Bissunpour*. Purneah & Boglipour s are not quite
finished, but will be completed during the present fair season...
and Government then directโ in Genera] Orders โ " that all surveys except those
particularly specified should cease on the 30th of June 1774ยซ".
These surveys had not been carried on without incidents and excitements,
although, considering that the Company's officers were only just starting to take
over administration in some areas, and that in others the people had not yet accepted
the English rule, it is surprising to find how smoothly the work proceeded [296].
The regular surveyors could not work without large escorts, which they obtained
from the battalions maintained at the disposal of the civil officers [300].
In 1773 Warren Hastings established a close alliance with the Wazir of Oudh,
whose western frontiers were threatened by the Marathas, who had conquered Delhi
the year before ; the Wazir agreed to pay a subsidy for the protection of his terri-
tories by the Company's troops, and was allowed to take over the provinces of
Allahabad and Eohilkhand '. Several officers were sent up on survey, amono-st
whom were Marsack, Martin, and Eitchie ; Polier, who had been lent to" the Wazir
as an Engineer, was placed in charge, and Eennell reports that,-
_ On the 5th April 1773 Major Polier was put in orders to superintend the Surveys taken
m that Province. In consequence of that order I have neither issued orders to, nor received
Returns from, any Surveyor in that Province. ... I furnished him with sketches of the country
to enable turn to point out what remained to be done, and also gave him my opinion at large
on the routes to he chosen, and the method of surveying them; I even pointed out each
particular route, and I perceive that in general he has followed my advice 8 .
At the end of June 1774, this survey was closed down with all others.
Later in the year, Capt. Browne, " commanding the Light Infantry " and in
political charge of Jungleterry ยป, detailed one of his officers, Andrew Pringle, to
carry out surveys of the area ;
The present situation of the Corps at this place presenting a favourable opportunity for
Performing a part of the Surveys ordered by the Hon. the Governor, you will please to pro-
ceed on the following ones mentioned in the Surveyor General's Instructions 10 .
_ The routes to be surveyed covered the country lying between the Bajmahal
Hills, Dumka, and Madhupur"; the country was in a disturbed state, and Pringle
L 72P. 2 78K. 3 Jaleswar, 73 0/1. 4 Bishnupur, 73 M/8. 5 Bhaยฃalpur. 72 K/12 s BS0 24-2-75
'1st EoMlla War, 1774. ยซBSC. 24-2-75. 'On the border between Benjal & Bihir, roughly octet
pondrngwiththepresentSantilParganas. 10 BEO. 7-4-75 (9) dated Chakii, 72 L/6, 18-10-74 '
in 72 Jj & x\
" falling
Bunnell as Surveyor General 35
โ was unable to complete the whole area before he had to close work. Whilst on
surrey at Deoghar, his zeal led him to interfere with the native adminstration, and
he was severely reprimanded by the Council [295].
In January 1776 Beimel] was able to submit the remainder of his maps [ 325],
and Government forwarded to the Directors,
A compleat sett ot Maps of the Company's Provinces and of the Dominions of the Nabob
... , formed and drawn by Major Rennell, your Surveyor General, which will of themselves,
without any commendation on our part, sufficiently manifest his Merit and Abilities in that
line ; however we cannot avoid this Occasion (in which we acquaint you that the surveys of
the Country have been entirely compleated) to repeat how highly deserving we think Major
Rennell of your Favour & Bounty 1 .
Bennell was not however yet satisfied that everything possible had been com-
pleted, and he addressed Government on September 12th,
After the most careful and deliberate examination of the General Maps formed from the
' Surveys and other materials in my office, ... I find that some more Surveys are required to com-
plete the General Geography of these Provinces, as well as those of Oude Ellahabad Agrah
and Delhi. ' *
How far a continuation of the Surveys, when attended with considerable expense in the
execution, may be an object of administration, f am not capable of Judging; but as a Sur-
veyor, f think it my duty to point out the defects of the Maps 3 .
He submitted an estimate of the work required and the expenseโ i surveyors,
average &\ months each, Rs 14,000.
1st. In Ranigur and Palamow 3 , no surveyor has ever yet been employed. The idea that
we have of the interior parts of these Districts, is from some sketches and remarks made
by Capt. Camac, Lieut Fennell, ... [225]. The principal parts of ChutadSIagpour, Toree, and
Kocndah*, were regularly surveyed by Lt. Fennell, who died whilst on the Survey. He had
instructions to survey Palamow and Ramgur also. ... This survey will take up 5 or 6 months.
2nd. In Jungleterry and Rajmahal there is three months employment for a Surveyor.
Ensign Pringle ... chiefly attended the motions of the battalion of Light Infantry ; and till
very lately was not able to undertake any survey at a distance from the main body,' for want
of a sufficient Escort. As the tranquillity of these Districts appears to be restored, the
ensuing fair season seems a very proper opportunity for completing the survey.
3rd. fn Ccoch-Beyhar and Buttis Hazary 5 there is employment for a surveyor during
2 months. When the Northern Frontier was surveyed by Mr. Rennell, neither of the above
Provinces belonged to Bengal. They were reduced in 1773; and a Surveyor 6 was sent
thither ; but he fell ill before he had half compleated his task.
โ 4th. In Midnapour, Injellee', &c. there remained about 2 months work to be done, when
Lieut. Call fell ill there in 1774 [294-5].
Surveys are wanted in Oude, Ellahabad, Agrah, and Delhi,
There remains great room for Improvement in the Map of these soubahs. The present
Map can properly be considered only as the Skeleton of one, since many of the Boundaries of
Countries, publick roads, & Courses of Rivers, are wanting. But as the general distances
and relative positions of the Capital Towns are ascertained, it will be no difficult task to fill
up the intermediate spaces. ...
_ I would propose that one party should be confined to the Districts of Cheet SingS (that
is, Benares, Gazypour, Jawnpour and Chunar 9 ), and its neighbourhood ; and that the other
snould make the Tour of Agrah, Delhi, and the western Parts of Oude & Ellahabad These
Surveys conducted on an economical Plan, would hardly cost more than r 5,000 Rupees.
lt is intended that only a few of the roads shall be actuallv measured ; and those only for
me purpose of joining on some former surveys to the late ones. ... All the remaining Roads
cnrโข-* ยฐ e . traEed b y cursor y Bearings and estimated Distances; and are afterwards to be
Mm Ti?' m -,, 0meCaSesbyobservati ยฐ IlscfLatitude ' andinotllers b 7 kn ยฐโข points in the
will =โขr Pr ยฐ Te an ex P editiou s method ; and as the general Distances are already found
win answer every purpose required.
On this the Board agreed
adnrmiXS ioTtt^ntrltea to Can?' 'Vrโข (l % , โ' E,Lm S rh ' "if WO; captured by Goddardยซ72;
of Jalpaiguri. C r tt - ? m โ 'โ , Pa an ""\ 1 ? A ' J - 'Tori, 73 A/10 ; Kunda, 72 D/12. 'Dirt.
Singh, Blja ot Benโข- r.El' , El V l \ยฐ-lโขg nght bank of HoogMy. 73 0/13 to 12 N/16. ยปChet
63KU6. Shares, rebelled against Company's control, 1781. โ Jannpur, 63 J/9 ; Chunar,
30
Bengal Surveys
to permit him to execute these Surveys in the manner and to the extent proposed by him
confiding m his judgment that the expense will not exceed the estimate. ... the Board leave
the choice and appointment of surveyors to him 1 .
- in Bamgarh, Charles Ranken,
The surveyors employed appear to have been ;
of whom Bennell reports in January 1777,
In consequence of Lieutenant Ranken's having represented the impracticability of carrying
on the survey of Ramgur, Nagpour, and Palamau during the present troubles, I directed him
to discharge his People, and wait a more favourable opportunity 3 [38].
โ in Allahabad and Oudh, John Jloulton, who was still working there two years
later; โ towards Delhi and Agra, Bobert Dawes; andโ in Cooch Behar, Andrew
Prmgle, to whom Bennell sent the following instructions on December 25th 1776-
You are hereby directed to survey the unexplored parts of Coos Beyhar and Butti's
Hazary; you will therefore proceed by way of Dinagepour^ towards that station and com-
mence your survey at Consamahgunge* on the River Teestah', taking a cursory survey of
the Road from thence to the Cantonments at Sahebgunge" in Coos Beyhar. ...
It is not intended that you should enter the thick part of the forest, but only to ascer-
tain the extent of the cleared Lands; ... you will please to note the respective situations of
Jerpigory" and Paharpour; ... you are to inform yourself of every particular relating to the
countries that lie on the north and west of your station, and particularly of the passes
through the great mountains.
Further routes which will serve to join on Capt. Martin's surveys in Coos Beyhar to mine
in Rungpore; ...you must ascertain the Boundary of Coos Beyhar towards Bootan....The
distances in the routes marked Mens, are to be measured, the rest to be estimated onlyยซ!
Pringle completed this work by the following April and returned to his unit.
Bennell had now accomplished his great task to his own satisfaction, and had
received permission to return to England on a pension. He was crippled by wounds
and constant ill health, and had endured the enervating climate of Eastern Bengal
without respite for thirteen years.
On March 31st 1777 he writes his last official note to the Governor General in
Council;
As you have not been pleased to appoint a successor to me to in the Office of Surveyor
General, and a part of the surveys resolved to be carried into execution... being still
unfinished, I have thought it my duty to lay before you the following. . .account of the cons-
truction and state of the Maps of Bengal, Oude, etc. with Instructions for the use of the
Surveyors whom you may hereafter be pleased to appoint, to supply the deficiencies. ... AU
instruments remaining on charge have been sent in to the Chief Engineer 9 ,
A few days later he laid down his office and departed for home.
In 1850, seventy-three years after Bennell had left India, Waugh reported that
only half the area covered by Bennell's surveys had been superseded by later
surveys.
'BPC 28-10-76(14) >BPC. 20-1-77 (5). 'Dinijpur, 78 0/9. 'KMnsama, 78 C/9. 'The
p!e d a Sn r ?li!?7 n ;B ] PC. i'ln' 15 - ' JalPaigUri ' W m ยฐ- 'BPC 28-4-77 (19). 'Letter from
CHAPTER III
BENGAL SUBVEYS 1777 to 179
I
Thomas Call as Surveyor General, 1777-86 โ Goddard's March to Bombay, 1778-9
Tearse's Marches along the East Coast, 1781-5 โ Political Missions, 1781-90 Wood
& Kyd, 1786-94 โ Wilford in Benares, 1788-94 โ Coasts of the Bay of Bengal, 1779-
87 โ Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 1788-96 โ The Hooghly River โ Calcutta.
IT was not until six months after Eennell had left India that Thomas Call was
appointed to succeed him, "for the purpose of receiving and compiling the
Maps and Reports of the Surveyors now on duty".
Eennell had completed the survey of practically the whole of the territories now-
controlled from Fort William, but very little was known of the countries beyond.
However, the general unsettled state of India in these days and the vigorous policy
pursued by Warren Hastings gave many opportunities for the extension of geogra-
phical knowledge, and though Call had few regular surveys to control and organise
there was a constant demand for surveyors to accompany political missions and
military expeditions.
. Government was not always ready to take such opportunities, for in February
1777, when the Commander-in-Chief asked that Mark Wood, Field Engineer, might
survey the Ganges " from Mindeeghat to Hurdawar i " and return along the foot of
the hills to the north of Boliilkhand, the Council replied,
Having already given directions for executing all the Surveys which were recommended
to us by the Surveyor General as requisite for completing the General Geography of this
sountry, we think it unnecessary to undertake the Survey of the River, ... especially as that
tract lies at such a distance from the Company's possessions 3 .
In December 1777 Balph Broome was sent up to survey the hills of "Jungle
Tarar" " at the request of Captain Browne, Collector as well as "Commanding the
Light Infantry 4 ". Four years later a surveyor was sent up at the request of
Augustus Cleveland, Collector of "Bogleypoor 5 ", to assist William Baillie on his
survey between Colgong 6 and Bajmahal.
Between 1778 and 1783 Andrew Pringle was employed on the survey of the
Subharnarekha Eiver?, and parts of Bohtas and Shahabad 8 .
_ In 1779 John Moulton writes to the Surveyor General from Lucknow describ-
ing his surveys in Bohilkhand and Oudh ;
I have been very particular in shewing the country through which I surveyed in the
state it was, that is, whether close or open, jungly or cultivated, or otherwise ; also the
more minute remarks, expressing all tanks, whether pucka or dug, nor have I omitted a
single pucka well.
The boundaries of the different Pargannahs are also marked with an accuracy that may
Be depended upon, as I had very intelligent people in my service for the business. ...
. He discusses the crops & produce of the country, the names of towns k rivers
and compares them with " the general map of the country " ;
The very constant wet weather has rendered the air so damp as has prevented my finish-
ing my plan with the expedition I could wish ; add to that the bad quality of the paper on
wmchl lay them down (though the best I could procure) has been another unfavourable
cu-cnmstance to my proceedings ; though I have the satisfaction of knowing that what I do
will โข <- ^ the mcest inspection hereafter; and which I am also inclined to flatter myself
win meet with your approbation. ... The survey is laid down 2 miles to an inch'.
27-l-7s Min ยซ d TU? a i U *J} 3 J t Hi ยซ d Y"< 63 K/l. ! BPC. 28-4^77. 'JuagWwry C34B.0J <BEC.
37
88
Bengal Surveys
In the same year William Hyde, acting Field Engineer with the force at
Cawnpore,was deputed to survey " all the Chants and places along the Jumna,
from Miisanasrar 1 to Kalpi and thence to Etawah 2 ;
The importance of having a thorough knowledge of all the Gauts and Fords upon
this rive? by wLh these Provinces have generally been entered whenever they have been
InvacledbytheMahrattasistooebvious; ... no regular Survey has ever yet been taken of them.
Government approved that he should extend his survey to Allahabad under
the particular instructions of the Surveyor General'". Hyde made other surveys
along the same stretch of the Jumna, and through the neighbouring country, during
the cold weather of 1786-7 4 . ^
Rennell records that George Perry of the Engineers was sent by Mr. Hastings
the^plrts of Berar* ... as well as the adjacent parts Bordering on the Circais. which have
remained an absolute Blank in the most modern of our maps 6 . ,-.โ.. โ ,
It is not likely that Perry was able to do much to fill this blank, for he was recalled
" ^retrtrilte^^^entheta^^ of Beta, Golconda Orissa and
the Circars!a void space of near 300 miles in length and 25ยฐ m Breadth; nor is it likely ever
to be filled up, unless a very great change takes place in the state of European politics in India?.
Charles Ranken had resumed his survey of Ramgarh [36], covering the south-
ern half of the present Hazaribagh District', till m 1781 he was diverted to the
lay-out and construction of a military road from Calcutta, across the Eamgarh
Tilateau, to Sherghati 9 and Chunar 10 . ยป
P As mrt of his regular duty as an engineer, Thomas Brown was employed for
about two years from 1784 on a large scale survey of Benares City and its environs ;
and between 1782 and 1785 Mark Wood and other Engineer officers were employed
under the Chief Engineer on a similar survey of Calcutta [ 52 ]; _
During his time as Surveyor General, Call specially devoted himself to the pre-
paration of an Atlas of India, and employed Indian munshis and harmras on filing
in the many gaps [286], but in the economy campaign which followed the close ot
Se Mysore War, Government ordered these and all other surveys to be closed
down, and "that none be employed on this duty in future but by the specral order
of the Board" 1!! [ 5, 277 ] โ
The Directors were in due course informed that, โโยป,ยซ.โ
The Surveyor General's office has been confirmed under some restrictive rules, which are
calculated to keep Government informed of the Progress of the Works carrying on in it, and
to call their Attention to those occasional Services which might otherwise be unnecessarily
pronged, and entail an expence beyond the Period for which its existence was required^.
Godbabd's Maech to Bombat, 1778-9
Two historic events gave special opportunities for adding to geographical know-
ledge : Goddard's" march to Bombay, and Pearse's marches along the East Coast,
The first occurred in 1778, when a Bengal detachment was sent to assist the
Bombay Government against the Marathas. The force set out from Kalpi on June-
3rd 1778, and advanced slowly through Bundelkhand until October 8th, when
Goddard assumed command on the death of Colonel Leslie. Goddard was a vigorous
commander and achieved undying renown during the campaigns of the next four
years. He brought his force to Hoshangabad, on the Narbada, by December 1st,
.54N<16 = 54N/l ! abeairfifull J <Lโขmap,BM.K.115/36. ยปBPC 6-9-7S 1(11,12). 'Jamais
t Fdbte MEIO. M 206- 7 : 'PL 1 show exteat ofW the territory theMar.tha Bap o N.gpur.
at sea off Lard's End, 7-7-83 ; MMC. ; V NB. ; BIB. ; Hodson.
Goddard's Makch to Bombay
39
-and was held up there for six weeks waiting for orders and cash 1 . Setting out
again on January 16th, they reached Burhanpur by the end of the month, and
Surat by February 25th 1779 [4, 121]".
Arthur Caldwell, of the Engineers, kept a survey of the route as far as Burhanpur,
580 miles, which he protracted in 25 sheets on the one-inch scale s , a survey which
was held up as a pattern to surveyors thirty years later as " an excellent example of
minuteness and perspicuity 4 ", and was of particular value because "it touches on
the route of Mr. Smith [30-1 ] " at certain points 5 .
"When discussing the policy of sending this detachment Warren Hastings had
noted that it would pass through
the district of Bhopal, which is under the government of a Pathan chief. ... I am not
^naster of the exact geography of this country, that is neither mentioned in our maps, nor
inown at this distance but to persons who have occasionally passed through it B ,
whilst Philip Francis who had strongly opposed the expedition, commented,
Col. Goddard's Army is now near Eleven Degrees West of Calcutta. We have no other
way of tracing his progress, or ascertaining his Distance from us, but by observing, as accu-
rately as we can, the Latitude and Longitude of his Position on a General Map of India?.
The survey of the last stage of Goddard's march from Burhanpur to Surat was
โขcarried out by Duncan Stewart [121-2].
"Whilst the detachment started from Kalpi, a political mission was sent from
Cuttack to Nagpur under Mr. Elliot B , to negotiate a treaty with the Kaja of Berar,
that should include a safe passage for Goddard's force.
The mission left Cuttack on August 11th, and in addition to Elliot, private
secretary to Warren Hastings, comprised M 1 . Robert Farquhar, Captain William
Campbell [ qv. ], and Lieutenant James Anderson 9 .
A journal of the whole route from Cuttack to Hoshaugabad is still preserved at
'โ Calcutta 10 , and was apparently kept by Campbell ; the records are entered with preci-
sion, and give frequent compass bearings, direction of flow of streams, bearings to
'hills, and careful notes as to the nature and the features of the country ; the time
of passing each recorded detail is entered, and the distances calculated at rates
varying from S to 41 miles an hour. In the earlier marches constant comparison
is made with the bearings given in Motto's journals of 1766 [30].
The protraction of this survey, made some years later, is preserved in another
book, apparently in the handwriting of Eobert Colebrooke, who quotes word-for-
word extracts from the original journal, and adds occasional remarks such as,
, These two stages nave been laid down at 3 miles per hour, but as the Author of the journal
appears to have travelled in his Palankeen, it is possible that the distance (where the road
was good ) may have been a little underrated 11 .
;, The mission was overwhelmed with disaster in the heart of the jungle, losing
both Elliot and larquhar 13 from "jungle fever", whilst Campbell was sick for
many days of the same complaint 13 . The party reached STagpur on November 1 5th,
Jbut with Elliot's death the whole political purpose of the mission had collapsed.
The journal was iept up with but few intervals, which correspond with the periods
โขof Campbell's sickness, and closes on December 21st at Hoshangabad, where
<3oddard's force was halted.
' โ Two journals of the route from jSTagpur to Cuttack are preserved, both made in
2 l j SrBk ' Januar y 28th to February 27th 11 , iept by a Mr. Thomas [ 296]
Wio had travelled to Nagpur from Benares, is quoted by Eennell ; the second, March
^SUr to April 24th ยซ was kept by Mr. White of Chapman's embassy [42].
โข flute found Elliotts tomb "on the bank of the Laut STuddee" "in pretty good
ยป. IW^k'IXr 01 EUpe8 t l " rd - tr ยฐ m ^-fS" 1 '' Jiin - 12th ' ' J <"โข* ยฐf the March... v ub. bv W. Faden.
StaSf i iSro "ยปยป mSI, Sr JK 10 - "MS)* 10. Maps IAC. 16. Folk., with diary of
*4Mยป7 7B8r ?"??? ,o t 1 ;, '^ 82 (138) Sยซยฑrille to Sยซ,\ =ยปโโ.โ>. 1793 ( 201 ,. ยซBSC.
'^M-UtdMhlJli n/. ? I " J !iยฃ r K 5 ,n Jโขยฐโข d โขยฐ*. Ben. ยซ,.; bro, of Sir Gilbert Elliot.
S)T^EnT?โข tTS?%, 1 ?. I8 J?- Mm " ir - 1Wi (239,240) and Clemenfa Markham (e:
5ยซL โ " n^Strj M. 89-M6; Besdt. with Siadhia 1785. BIB. """" -
'"jbao.ii.
MEIO. M. 272. "MKIO. M. 320
16-10-78; ยปBSC. 28-9-
I (18-27).
229 (11-18), and BM. Addl. MSS. 13588 (110)
4.0
Bengal Surveys
"repair & obtained the Rajah's promise to keep it so 1 ". Thomas refers to the tragic
fate of the mission which he says
consisted of five gentlemen 3 , the only Englishmen who ever went this road before me, and
one only reached General Goddard's army alive. ... The journal of this Gentleman, but whose
name I have not learned, lately came into my possession, and. I esteem it a truly valuable
Geographical document.
During Goddard's campaigns on the west coast from 1779 to 1782, a force under
Jacob Camac kept the Marathas engaged from the east, and William Cameron, sur-
veyor to this force, "surveyed the roads and country between Etayah and Strong 3 ", and
mapped "the G-ohud and Narwah provinces 4 between the Chumbul and Sinde rivers 5 ".
At the conclusion of peace with the Marathas the Bengal detachment marched
back from Surat to Bengal, and reached Cawnpore in April 1784, reduced to about
half its original strength 6 . The reason for these difficult marches in preference to
sending to troops round by sea, was the inveterate objection of the sepoys to sea
travel ; the great opportunity for the acquisition of geographical knowledge was
one of the compensations.
Peaese's Maeches along the East Coast, 1781-5
In 1780 Haidar Ali of Mysore invaded the Carnatic in great force ; Hector
Munro assembled his few troops to protect Madras, and summoned Colonel Baillie's
detachment from Nellore ; within nine miles of Munro, Baillie was intercepted by
the Mysore army and hardly a man of his force escaped death or capture 7 .
Warren Hastings on hearing of this disaster, at once organised a relief expedi-
tion from Bengal. Sir Eyre Coote was sent by sea with the few European troops
that could be spared, but the sepoys had to be marched. Six battalions and 16
pieces of artillery were assembled under Colonel Pearse, and marched from Midna-
pore on January 21st 1781 [4].
The force was troubled from the beginning by frequent desertions, and the
state of discipline amongst the English officers was very low.
When the detachment first started ... Pearse met with much opposition from the Batta-
lion commanders, because he insisted on counting the files himself on parade, thus appearing
to impugn the honour of the officers who had submitted parade states.
There was great difficulty in obtaining food supplies, and even cash ; there were
political difficulties with local chiefs and with the Maratha rulers. Passing through
Orissa, at that time under the Maratha Raja of Nagpur, Pearse writes,
I am passing through a country as little known as if it were in the midst of China. We
always understood that the whole country was a wilderness from Jellasore 8 to Balasore. My
march lay to the end of that wood through plains so extensive that I saw the sun rise from a
fair horizon, and I found the country in the highest state of cultivation.
Without any previous knowledge of the road, the force had great difficulties as
regards camping ;
We were to march at four the next morning, and I was fatigued as well a.s the troops, by
having been on the road from five in the morning till past eleven, and the rear guard passed
my tent at four. Yet the march ... was only six miles. ... Today we marched at four, and I
intended to reach Surong 9 , being told we had only six Coss to go, which as I understood it,
was but twelve miles. At 8 o'clock the advanced guard reached the place of our present
encampment ; here expecting to learn that Surong was just at hand, I learnt that it was four
Coss distant, and that we had travelled somewhat less than two Coss; by the actual measure-
ment we travelled eight miles and a half, therefore according to the country mode of esti-
mating, we had four more such Coss to travel ( as we had marched two ), that is 16 miles ; it
would have killed at the cattle to have attempted it 10 .
J The tomb, erected by Warren Hastings, was still kept in repair in 1870. Grant (464). 2 Only
4 members; see account of mission by Wills (47-83). 3 Etawah, 54 N/1 ; Sironj, 54 H/12. 4 Gohad,
54J;Narwar, 54 G. & K. ; Sind R. 54 G. to N. ^Memoir, 1793 (205,233); Maps, BM. Addl. MSS.
13907 ( d, f ). 6 Journals by unnamed surveyor, LIRIO. BL 206-7. 7 at Perambakkam, 57 0/16 ; 10-9-80 ;
Bowring (89-93). a Jaleswar, 73 0/1. a Soro, 73 0/11. l0 Ben, P Sf P. Ill (76) to Warren Hastings,
17-2-S1.
Peakse's Marches along the East Coast 41
They reached "Juggernaut" (Puri) on March 7th. On the march through
Ganiam the detachment was attacked by cholera and lost a large number of men
and officers and on April 5th Pearse mote,
That I may carry 3,500 men to Coote is the utmost of my wish, and I think he will have-
eason to wonder there are no more, when he considers the great distance, without a single
day's fighting to divert their minds from a country that seems made up of the shreds and
fraLnents of a world in Dame Nature's shop, producing nothing but sand and craggy rocks,
brackish water, and pestiferous winds. If you ever want to send au army to Madras again
by land, it must be done through Nagpore and the Nizam's country [59]. ...
The surgeon who came to us from Ganjam was taken ill the morning before last and was-
dead before 9 p.m. of this disorder [cholera] ; if we lose another we shall be undone 1 .
There were two European surgeons with the force and the hospitals were full
the whole time ; tents were issued for the first time at Vizianagram 3 about April
11th. They reached Ellore 3 on May 20th, and halted there ten days, by which
time they numbered 3,000 fighting men ; they reached Nellore on July 2Sth, and
St. Thomas's Mount on August 3rd.
A survey was kept of the route from Midnapore to Ganjam by Patrick Douglas,
who notes that,
Distance of each day's march is laid down in miles and furlongs, measured by perambu-
lator. At the end of every day's march, a certain allowance is made to rectify it, according
to the ground marched over. ... [Results] may not be exactly true, but the army was
marching in the night, and this an enemy's country 4 .
Douglas could not continue his survey the whole way because of constant
trouble with his perambulators [199].
On arrival at Madras the force was broken up and distributed amongst the
various brigades, and the staff appointments, including that of Surveyor, were
abolished ; but the battalions bore a distinguished part in all the fighting that
followed in the next two years.
Hostilities were concluded towards the end of 1783, when the Detachment was
re-assembled and encamped near Madras until the end of April 1784 whilst the
details of peace were settled. On November 15th Pearse appointed Bobert
Colebrooke to be Surveyor which post he held throughout the return march to
The detachment left Madras on April 22nd, and reached Ellore June 1st.
Pearse had suggested marching through the hills via Sambalpur and Eaipur, in
preference to following the low lands during the rains. Government did not
approve, but directed that he should canton his men at some place along the road*.
They reached Vizagapatam on June 29th, and moved into cantonments near
Chicacole 6 in the middle of July, remaining there till October 31st. They then
resumed the march, arriving at Gaurhati on the Hooghly, January 15th 1785.
The services of the detachment were recognised by a special General Order
published on January 22nd, announcing rewards in the form of swords of honour,
standards, medals, and gratuities, and two day's later Warren Hastings himself
honoured the camp with an inspection, one of the last public ceremonies he attend-
ed before leaving India 7 .
Throughout the return march Colebrooke had kept up a very careful perambu-
lator traverse 8 . Pearse, an experienced astronomer himself, trained him in the art
of taking observations for latitudes and longitudes, and they both observed at most
of the principal places they passed through [155, 185].
In submitting the survey to Government Pearse writes,
I held it to be as much a part of my duty to conduct a regular plan of my route, ( I have
knowledge of the modes), as to make a true return of the number of men. ... I hope the
accuracy of the survey will entitle it to your approbation. ... From what I have thus shewn,
I will venture to say, that this survey excels all I ever heard of in accuracy, if not extent.
'Ben. PS; P. HI (93) to Warren Hastings. '65 N/12. "65 H/3. 'Fcibk. BM. Addl. MBS.
29215(23). 'B.S. * F. 8-6-84 'MHflB. 'Ben. P Sf P. VI (294). 'Journal & Mbk. MEIO. M.
145; Map in several sheets MEIO. 149 (21,33-35) ; see also Dalrymple's Plan 0/ the Chtlko, Lab, with
Colebrooke' s route " Ganjam to Jaggernanth ", Oriental Repertory, II.
42
Bengal Surveys
Should theCBoard be pleased to order it to be published by their printer 1 , it might serve
to shew to others how surveys ought to be made and how they actually can be made, with
little trouble, by the surveyor of any detachment that may march into remote parts. ... The
surveyor's journal is large, and that would shew any future detachment every difficulty it
would have to encounter, in a march of above IT24 miles; I might have saved much time and
fatigue, if I had had such information when I went towards Madras ; what I did get was really
very deficient s .
and again,
The survey was ... finished with astronomical observations, which prove its value to
be far superior to anything of the kind I have heard of. If Mr. Smith's, made on the same
foundation, is superior, it is the only one [31].
This line was hailed by Eennell and other geographers as a most important con-
tributation to the correct geography of the east coast, and it remained the
undisputed authority for more than a generation 3 .
Political Missions, 1781-90
To establish friendly relations with the Maratha Raja of Berar during the war
with Haidar Ali, Warren Hastings sent a mission under Charles Chapman* to
Nagpur in November 1781. James Swart, whose skill with the sextant came from
several years service with the Bombay Marine, was attached to the mission as
surveyor, and ran a trayerse from Cliatra, through Lohardaga, Eatanpur, and
Khairagarh to Nagpur 5 , besides surveying various routes whilst stationed there, the
Surveyor General reporting that,
he not only sent me his Route laid down from observation and measurement, but during
his stay at Burra Nagpour he was very attentive in making astronomical observations and
procuring me several routes from Cossids 6 .
In 1784 he closed his traverse by returning to Benares by a route through
Mandla? and Eennell observes that, except in the intervals between his measured
lines, Bwart's routes entirely superseded those of " Golam Mohamed 8 ".
Another opportunity for surveys to Nagpur occurred when George Porster
was sent there as Resident in 1788, James Rind mating a survey of his route from
Kalpi ; Bind who also had served in Bombay marine, made other surveys between
1787 and 1790 9 , the Surveyor General reporting
on one of part of the Duab [55], tracing the boundaries of the Vizir's Dominions from the
Ganges to the Jumna, the other Mr. Forster's Routes to and from Nagpore ; accompanying
these Surveys there are Journals, ... and as Mr. Rind has also added several routes to places
in the neighbourhood of Nagpore, the whole is a valuable addition to the Geography of that
part of the Country 10 .
The survey of Forster's route from Cuttaek to Nagpur in 1790" was made
by James Davidson, commanding his escort; in fact, up to this time, much of the
knowledge of the interior of the Peninsula had been gained by officers attached to
various political missions. Political officers were often able also to obtain native
maps and surveys; when Bind was Assistant to the Resident at Delhi from 1785 to
1787 he was able to get material for a Map of the Country of the Seiks [233], and a
Plan of Scindia's Country, and shortly after, Eirkpatrick sent to Eennell a number
of measured routes which he had found at the Emperor's court at Delhi [ 10 n. 5].
I 1 Never separately published. . 'Ben. P$P. VI (295), 29-1-85. ' Memoir, 1793 ( 8-19 )โข Markham
( 55 ) reference most inadequate. 4 Ben. Civ. ; some time Private See to Warren Hasting and mlihV-,1
vharj'., of Ohota N,7i;rpav from 1780. '72 D/16, 73 A/11, 64 J/4 & 64 CIS; Journal. VI; [O V -><) & BUT
Addl. MSa 15588 (115-7); Maps MRIO. 29(26-35) & EM. Addl. MBS. 29214(89) ' ยปBPC 6-2-84
( 19 ); Oossids, Postal Runners. '64 B/6. "Memoir,- 1793 (237). 9 MRIO. 30 (1 31) 168 (30 31) etc
seWtal ieaaSng autograph. ">BPC. 11-9-89 ( 7 ). Journal, BM. 135S5 ( 89 ) "B Pol C 'โข>', " <n
Journal BM. 13588 ( 99 ei se? ) & u. Leciie. ' n K>1. 1,. 20-2-93.
Wood and Kyd 43
Wood and Ktd, 1786-94
During- "Mark Wood's short term as Surveyor General the most important
occurrence was the appointment in 1787 of Keuben Burrow to make astronomical
observations for latitude and longitude at various places from Chittagong on the
east to Hardwar on the west [5, 157-62]. Hitherto, surveys had been tied together
by such observations as had been taken -casually and independently by different
surveyors or amateurs, only a few of whom had any real training or experience.
In constructing his map of India Call had become convinced of the incorrectness
of many of these observations, and it was at his suggestion that Burrow was now
employed 1 . Burrow was a skilled observer, and his observations gave a number of
master control stations, for which his values were accepted with few changes for
next 30 or 40 years [163].
Burrow also made a survey of Cheduba Island [ 160 ], and, measured the length
of a degree, both in latitude and longitude, near Krishnagar [165-6]. He died in
1792 whilst out on survey.
It fell to Wood to supervise the completion of fair copies and reductions of
Call's Atlas of India and he felt convinced that a systematic collection of military
route surveys would contribute to fill the many blanks. At his suggestion the
following G-eneral Order was published ;
It is to be a standing regulation that all Officers Commanding Detachments of the Army,
or single Corps, on a march, do keep an account of their daily movements, remarking their
computed distances, the towns, villages, and rivers in their routes, the nature of the roads
and places of encampment, or any other observations which they may deem material, copies
of which are to be transmitted to the Quartermaster General, after the troops have arrived at
their destination 2 [196].
This was not particularly new in principle, but was the first published order
establishing the practice by regulation. It was not immediately productive, and
had to be re-published from time to time ; the standard of work sent in was seldom
very high, but in course of time several valuable surveyors gained their first
experience and training through the routine practice thus introduced.
Kyd, who succeeded Wood as Surveyor General in 1788, had but little oppor-
tunity to interest himself in local surveys, as he was continually employed on
service overseas. In 1789-90 he made a survey and reconnaissance of the harbours
of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands [48-50], and at the end of 1790 he accompanied
Lord Cornwallis 3 when he took personal command of the armies operating against
Tipu in Mysore ; except for Wilford in Benares, all his assistants accompanied him
to Mysore [11 2-3 ] .
A detachment of Bengal sepoys marched down the east coast just as Pearse's
detachment had ten years before, but under very much easier conditions. On their
way back their route was surveyed by the brigade major, Edmund Wells 4 .
At the close of the war two engineer officers, Anburey and Blunt, were deputed
to return by a new route through the heart of India, and surveyed a line north-
wards, through Hyderabad, Berar, and the Central Provinces, to Kalpi on the Jumna,
where they arrived in January 1 793 [116]. Anburey kept interesting notes on the
journey in his field book, which he embellished with charming water-colour
sketches 5 .
Early in 1793 Kyd was sent to the Andamans as Superintendent of the settle-
ment, and left Colebrooke in charge of the Surveyor General's department.
Wileord in Benares, 1788โ94
In 1788 Francis Wilford, who had since 1783 been working on Call's atlas, was
sent up-country to survey the province of Benares, under the orders of the
burrow's Journal; 10. Maps MS. 5. 2 GO. byGG in C. 29-9-88. 3 GtG. 1786-93. 'Journal
MKIO. M.19fi & 244. 'Part of Fdbk. GBO. Lib. A.a41. ; Maps. MRIO. 64 (4-17 ).
** Bengal Surveys
Eesident, who was engaged in the settlement of the revenues and general re or
gamzatiou 1 . He completed a survey of the districts north of the Ganges but his
survey of the boundary between Benares and Ouclli had to be abandoned in 1794
after delays which will be understood by all survey officers who have been employed
on similar duties ; he wrote to the Eesident in 1791
Whilst you were on the Coast the disputes on the Boundary ran so high and the beha-
viour of the Vakeel of His Excellency, who used to get drunk every day, grew so intolerable
that I was obliged to represent the whole to the Acting Resident. The Commander in Chief
being acquainted with these particulars ordered me back to Benares, there to remain till you
return". y
and the Eesident reported that,
Since he [Wilfordj has been at this station he has been uniformly employed... either in
the general Survey, or the arduous Task of the adjustment of the Boundary between the
Honble. Company sand the Nawaub Vizier's Dominions, which two services constituted the
object of his being sent into this part of the country. . . . Whilst he has made very considerable
progress m the former, the obstacles that so long interrupted the Progress of the latter or
the Frontier Demarkation, have at length been so far obviated that the progress which
Lieut. Wilford and His Excellency's Agent lately made on the Cawnpore side have been very
Later in the year, however, Wilford reported
November 27th I went to G-... there to resume the adjustment of the Boundary โ Himut
All was there with about 300 armed men, but he went away the same day ... without taking
the least notice of me. s
November 29th, he came, was very civil, and as usual made many protestations of his
sincerity .oward the speedy adjustment of the Boundary. He hinted several times that he
expected a monthly allowance from the Company.
December 3rd & 4 th I gave out that seeing it was impossible to go on with the Boundary
from the obstructions I met with, ... f was resolved to give it up & go away '
December 5 th, Himut Alfa Wakil came and said his master was ready to comply having
accordmgly summoned the Zimmdars of -in the Company's Territories, and of- in the
country of the Nabob Vizier, they appeared and agreed to have all disputes ... settled by
arbitration, which took place immediately and the boundary line between the aforesaid
villages was settled and traced that very day.
Work proceeded satisfactorily for several days ; with the following incident to
lighten proceedings,
As the subject of contention was of some consequence, and had been for a long time the
occasion of many quarrels and feuds, the Arbitrators, who doubted very much the sincerity"
of Himut Ah were in the greatest anxiety, and appe.-.red very unwilling to incur his dis-
pleasure by a decision not agreeable to Ms wishes; I really thought that a stop would have
been put to our progress, when a Snake springing from the ground between the Arbitrators
to their astonishment and terror, ran away towards the Boundary. The Arbitrators, and
the parties themselves, concluding this was a signal interposition of Providence, considered
themselves now obliged to abide by the decision of the Snake, and agreed that the Line the
snake had described in his flight would be for ever their mutual Boundary. However as the
Detetttod S ยฐ ne OVeI bUt 3/4 ยฐ f thC DiSputed Gr ยฐโข d before he disappeared, i/ 4 remains to
On the 3rd and 4 th inst., meeting with so many obstructions from Himut Ali, and finding
that my colleague the Nabob's Vakeel was a mere Cypher, being without power, without an
escort and totally deserted by the Court at Lucknow, I was really going to give np ... when
Himat Ah on reflexion thought proper to Comply; ... the Settlement goes on, and will con
Iโข 6 ZยปJ S vโข*,^ thiDkS Pr ยฐ Per ' f0r he iS ยฐ f a fickle disposition. But as soon as we
*โ โ ยซ r Boun dary round his District, it will be absolutely impossible to =0 on
until the Court at Lucknow are forced to adopt more Efficacious measures*.
At length the Eesident was forced to recommend that the work be abandoned
and the disputes left unsettled;
ยซ, Jbe Boundary disputes between this frontier district and the contiguous dominions of
the Nawaub Vizier ... mduced the Marquis Cornwallis ... to send Lieut. Wdford ... to make a
rlL tโ , inch. w iZ d Zu!]: ^mMtl S 2 Wap 4Z s af^S " the *-"โ โขยป ยฐ f B โ
Wilfojeud in Benares 45
survev of and assist in the adjustment of, a permanent line of Boundary; ... there are so
obstacles continually occurring to the progress of such a demarcation, that ... we have
found bv experience that it is better to suffer the occasional evils arising from disputed
limits than to incur the risk of the still greater, that arise out of the endeavonr finally to
decide on them 1 .
Coasts of the Bat of Bengal
The detailed survey of the coasts and islands had now become a matter of
extreme importance to the large fleet of sailing vessels maintained by the East
India Company [14]-
Early in 1779 Dalrymple seized the occasion of the loss of one of the Company's
ships, the Oolebroohe*, to submit a memorial to the Directors, asking for his ap-
pointment for the compilation of nautical charts for the East Indies 3 ;
Every year shews by the narrow escape of some ship or other, and sometimes by the loss
of ships where no danger was suspected, the importance, not to call it necessity, of such a set
of Charts ; the Journals at the India-House constitute a noble repository of na.ut.ical know-
ledge, but ... examining all the Journals, from the earliest time to the present ... is a Work of
infinite labour, and requires not only an unwearied patience, but a certain turn of mind and
a degree of experimental knowledge which few men possess 4 .
The Directors, accordingly, appointed him Hydrographer from April 1779, and
wrote out to India,
Having resolved to use all means in our power to improve the Charts for the security
of the Navigation to, from, and in, the East Indies, and being desirous that every person
under the Company's protection, conversant in Naval affairs, should co-operate with us in
this very useful undertaking; we therefore direct, that you forthwith notify our intentions
by pu brick advertisement. . . .
We shall order our supra-cargoes in China to send you annually from thence, a quantity
of transparent paper ...to deliver to such persons as may be inclined to furnish copies of
Charts and plans already in their possession ... 5 [236, 251-2]
whereupon the G-overnor G-eneral hi Council issued the following order;
Public notice is hereby given that the Surveyor General has been directed to receive
from the Commanders and Masters of all ships and vessels sailing under British Colours such
information as they have acquired during their residence in India, which can in any respect
tend towards the correction and improvement of the Charts commonly used 6 .
Dalrymple's enthusiasm brought him much material of this nature, and he was
enabled to publish many valuable charts and journals, though the old surveyor
Ritchie was most scornful of this method of collecting geographical information โข
My Journal of a cursory Survey of part of the Coast and Fslands of the Bay of Bengal ...
was never meant for publication ; it is the hasty remarks only, of a running survey ... [16]
Of late it has been the fashion to censure sailor's Journals in the periodical papers, with
the utmost rage of critical virulence, and if we might believe these literary Macaronies, it is
not the most accurate observer, but the best story-teller who is entitled to wear the garland
of public applause; ...it has been observed of late that spontaneous productions of this nature
are grown very thin ; and it is likely that but few seamen will take much trouble to get
themselves laught at for describing broken lands and indented shores in the pointed phrases
of their profession, when they know that this must be the case 7 .
One of Ritchie's later surveys was a detailed one of Palmyras Point, made "to
fix a proper spot for a light-house" 8 , and "he is pretty certain that no large river
falls in between Pt. Palmyras and the False point 9 ", a report which crushed all
further thought of the long cherished " GS-anga River " [ 209, 213; pi. 3 ] .
In October 1783 the Bengal Government wrote home,
A proposal was made to us by Capt. Thomas Forrest 10 to undertake a survey of the
Andaman Islands, soon after his return from his former expedition. As we had no present
'BPC. 13-6-94. Earned after Sir George Colebrooke, Director, EIO. 3 Memorial dated 28-1-79.
4 A Collection of Plans of Ports in the East Mies; Da&yraple, 3rd. ed. 17S7 (27). 'CO to B. 27-5-79
(51). 6 BMC. 23-5-81. 'BPC. 6-10-83 (26). s Not built till nearly 40 years later. 9 Memoir, 1793
( 36(5). "Captain of the Esther brig.
1,6
BexGAL SuRVBTS
employment for him at this place, we agreed to accept of his services in that hue and eiiEaee
a small vesssel which he had purchased for the purpose. He left the river in May wi
Daliymple writes.,
The intention of this voyage was a Survey of the Andaman Islands, but Captain Forrest
left Bengal on the 14th of June, a very improper time forsuch a destination. ... Capt Forrest
instead of the Andaman Islands, made the Preparies ; went to leeward, i.e. to the northward
of Narcondam ; and on nt July saw the Island Tores on the coast of Tenasserim
As Captain Forrest carried with him from England a Chronometer [202], it 'is much to
be regretted he had it not wrth him on this voyage, as it would have precisely established
Queda? P 6 ^ ยฐ f Bengal WhiCh iS Wantin & viz. from Negrito
_ men Wood became Surveyor General he obtained Government sanction to
issue tresli regulations tor the collection of information about the coasts โ
In consequence of the publication from Government for the improvement of the Naviga
tion and Geographical knowlege of India, not a single plan, chart, journal, or paper ofTny
sort has as yet been presented, nor do I believe the desired effect will ever be answered
unless every Commander of a ship sailing from this Port under British Colors is compelled:
under the penalty of a forfeiture to conform to orders. ... compelled
I have procured several charts of the Eastern Seas, and of the Dutch Islands which are
represented as being of some importance, and procured during the war, at considerable
CXJ}6HC6 ,
Our first record of Kyd's wort as a surveyor is contained in an interesting
report on the Aralorn coast submitted early in 1785-
An ill state of health having obliged me to go to Chittagong ; on my recovery in September
last I was sohcited by the Proprietor of Mascal Island โข to make a survey of the Harbour as
he had been made to believe that it was sufficiently deep to admit ships of War to re-fit and
refresh and to afford Protection for India-men, and as I was not then called upon by anv
public duty, I thought I could not employ my time better, than in an examination of a matter
of such national importance. ... I was, however, much mortified after a laborious survey to
tod that it had been taken up on very ill grounds. ... In the course of this survey accident
brought me acquainted with some of the inhabitants of the adjoining Frontier, known to us
by the name of Little Arracan, from whom I learnt that there were some very considerable
openings m the Coast to the Southward ; . . . I thought it worth while to attempt the exami-
nation. ... I accordingly set off from Mascal in a sloop accompanied by some boats the Rajah
sent to conduct and pilot me. J
Kyd examined the various inlets and estuaries as far south as "the great Arracan
River called the Man'", but he found the whole country up in arms against an
invasion by the people of Pegu, and was unable to proceed further south He
concludes '
with a great degree of certainty, that there is not any Harbour, on that side of the Bay
where a Fleet could refit, or where vessels of an considerable size could meet with shelter in
tempestuous weather, so fit as the port of Chittagong
As I believe the other side of the Bay has never been surveyed, and as far as I can learn
is very little known I have endeavoured during the course of this Business to lay down the
wo,nldm-r, '^ tn r th v, e ff i0n0fplaC<iS ' aS lately as time and circumstances
thf counโข ' PC mSy bS ยฐ f S ยฐ me ยฐ Se t0 the Geneml G ยซยซraphy of
Kyd was next called upon to survey of the island of Penang, which had been
acquired from the Raja of Kedah in 1786, through the agency of Captain Francis
Light, who became the first Superintendent 8 . j ,
The Governor General acquaints the Conned that his desire to have an accurate survey
of Prince of Wales s Island and its Harbours has induced him to order Captain Kyd an
officer of Engineers on whose report he can depend, to proceed on that duty".
_ Kyd obtained the services of Robert Coiebrooke as assistant, and Colebrooke's
interesting diaries are still preserved'". He writes,
(preface? %fn. VUf! Lยฃ "SE&S^S, *S*lยฃยฃif}&*- %ยฃ' ZSS
'Aspiu.il (191-2) & Swetanham (33). "BMC. 2S-3-S7. 'ยปDDn. 48 M.Ill
Coasts of the Bay oi ? Bengal 47
On the iยซ;th of April we embarked on board the Tryal Snow 1 , a vessel which was fitted
โ out by order of Government for a voyage to Pulo Penang, now called the Prince of Wales'
Island.
This place was lately ceded to the Company by the King of Quida. ... It was thought
necessary by the Governor and Council to send a proper person to survey and explore the
Island and to collect on the spot every information concerning its harbour, soil, and natural
productions.
Capt. Kyd of the Engineers was the gentleman pitched upon for this service, and I was
permitted to go with him as an assistant.
On May the 7th they sighted the Coco Islands and the North Andaman; on the
8th they viewed Narcondam, landing- there on the 11th, and on Kay 28th they
landed at Pulo Penang.
In about six weeks, the work of surveying the harbour, East side of the Island, the
opposite shore, etc. being compleated, Captain Kyd determined upon returning and visiting
-Quida and Acheen 3 on the way.
Reaching Kedah on July 12th, and Achin on the 20th, they returned to Calcutta
-on August 12th, 1787.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
At the end of 1788 Archibald Blair of the Bombay Marine was commissioned
to survey the Andaman Islands with the following- instructions.
The Honorable Company's snow Elizabeth having been victualled for six months, and
impressed for three, is placed under your orders, and being now in readiness to sail with
the Viper, ... you are directed to proceed to sail forthwith to the Southward... to a survey
โ of the Andaman Islands.
The material object of this survey is to ascertain in what parts of the Islands there are
good Harbours, and where it would be most for the Company's advantage to possess one. ...
It appears that the most advantageous situation for an Harbour must be near the South end,
and to the Eastward of the Island. ... It is therefore wished that you should make the first
examination on this quarter; the Board are further encouraged to give you such advice, from
a perusal of reports from Mr. Ritchie . . . [ 1 6-7 ] .
The primary view of this research being ... the acquisition of an Harbour where fleets in
time of a war can refit ... on leaving the Coast of Coromandel upon the approach of the stormy
Monsoon, or ...retire in the event of a disastrous conflict with the enemy, and obtain a central
position in the Bay, ... the following objects occur as necessary to he enquired into: ...
As rrrhmte a description as time and circumstances permit to be made of the adjacent
Heights, if any, and Ground, the General surface of the Ground ... cultivation ... climate .. .
timber ... limestone ... mineral productions ... vegetable productions ... animals, birds, or fish
not known in other parts... tin and gold ... intercourse with the people. ...
Grounds of contention are to be avoided, as far as possible, with the natives, whose
indisposition to every kind of intercourse (Mr. Ritchie's instance excepted) [16] has been
attended with acts of Hostility. . . . Perhaps after gentle treatment of the Natives while you
are at the Island, it may not be impracticable to induce two or three of thern to attend you
to Bengal, where a further intercourse with the English may lead to the further civilization
of the people. ...
It is h;irdly necessary to recommend to you to ascertain from Astronomical observations,
by such instruments as you possess, the position of the places which you visit.
Copies of Ritchie's Journal and Survey.. .will be delivered to you.
Sulphur โ . . .great importance ; . . . indispensable ingredient of gunpowder. . . . There is great
reason to suppose that it may be found in abundance on a small island seen by Capt. Kyd
on his return from Prince of Wales's Island and known... by the name of Barren Island; it
was then in. the state of Eruption, but circumstances not permitting Capt. Kyd to go on
shore, he can only conjecture what the production of the Volcano may be. ...
To proceed to Siddoo Harbour* and to examine it accurately on all points 4 .
1 A"suow"was a type of sailing shin ; in CG of 11-8-85 appears an adv., "To be sold at Public
Auction, August lfith, The good snow thyal, about 95 tons. A remakably ifood sailing vessel".
Achm, at NW. point of Sumatra. 3 At NW. extremity of Sumatra. 4 BS & Pol. 23-12-88.
'18 Bekgal Surveys
On return from his first season's work Blair reported, on May 29th 1789,
The Elizabeth and Viper are arrived in the River, ...the Commands of Government are
fulfilled relating to the Great Andaman and adjacent Islands to the best of my judgement.
I afterwards proceeded to Prince of Wales's Island to refit the Viper with a mainmast,
to procure assistance for the sick, and such provisions and stock as we were in want of. ... I
touched at Acheen and have made there several attempts to examine Siddoo Harbour, but
the season ... being too far advanced, ... I judged it improper to persevere.
I shall lose no time in preparing a Chart of the whole survey, with particular plans of the
harbours and full report on the subject K
Blair sailed from Calcutta again in September, and in November reported from
Mask Redoubt, Port Cornwallis 2 ,
The Ranger arrived here Sept. 28th, and the Viper Oct. 27th; ... the Ranger to Carnicobar
for a variety of useful plants, Coconuts, Yams, Potatos, and stock; the four latter articles
wiH be highly useful on the arrival of the Squadron, particularly so, should there be any scor-
butic Patients 3 .
In 1789 a small squadron of His Majesty's ships came out to the East Indies
under Commodore Cornwallis, brother to the Governor General, charged with the
survey of the islands and coasts of the Bay of Bengal, and reached Diamond
Harbour on September 18th 4 ; the squadron followed Blair to the Andamans in
December, taking Eyd and Colebrooke to survey and report on the harbours. We
are again indebted to Colebrooke for most interesting journals and descriptions of
the islands and their people 5 ;
December 23rd 1789, About 4 in the morning we made sail and entered the Harbour
called Port Cornwallis at about 8 o'clock. . . .
24th. Capt. D. and myself went up the Harbour in a boat to the distance of about
3 miles. We saw upon a rocky point about twenty or thirty of the Natives; they appeared
to be quite naked and bismeared with mud. ...
26th. Seeing one of the natives on shore, we stopped a few minutes to hold a con-
ference with him. He was a man of the middle size, tolerably well shaped. His wool was
rubbed with a kind of red earth, and the rest of his body smeared with mud. He wore round
his neck and left arm a kind of ornament which looked like a fringe of dried grass. He
appeared very cautious of approaching us, probably for fear of being siezed; however he
allowed Mr. Kyd to draw near him, and readily exchanged his Bow and Arrows for a knife
which was presented to him. He had under his arm a small basket into which he deposited
everything that was given to him. We gave him some handfuls of biscuit, and in rowing
away we saw him sat down on the rock and eat of it with great avidity.
27th. This morning the Ranger Snow sailed for Bengal. ... A native who had been on
board of this vessel about three weeks, and who appeared to be perfectly reconciled and
pleased with his new mode of living, was left on board of our ship. At the same time the
Commodere gave orders that if he wished to go on shore, and return to his countrymen,
an opportunity should be given him to desert. He was accordingly put into a Boat and sent
ashore. There happened to be at this time a few of the natives in sight, and we desired
him to go and join them; he seemed to be actuated by a sudden impulse of joy at seeing
them. He sprang out of the Boat, and flung down his Hat and ran towards them ; they did
not immediately recognize him for one of their countrymen, as he had been cloathed on
board... with a jacket and Trousers. He soon disencumbered himself from his cloaths and
returned to that state of nature which he had from his infancy been accustomed to. They
immediately seemed to congratulate him upon his safe escape, and they all together ran into
the woods. ...
30th. TheLat. of Port Cornwallis by Mr. Blair is nยฐ 38 30".
31st. Sailed from Port Cornwallis ; . . . we shaped our course about South for the Carnicobar
Island. ...
January 1st. 1790. About sunrise we saw the land of Carnicobar Island ahead; at II
o'clock we came to an anchor on the western side of the Island. ...
4th. About 1 p.m. anchored in Nancowry Harbour. There we saw the Danish flag
flying. That nation has long had a small settlement at this place. A Serjeant and two or
TuUEeport, dated 10-6-S9; BS. & Pol. 3-6-S9. -'Sow Port Blair [40] 87 A/14 J BPC
:l-2-90. Uspinall (201). 'Journal, DDn. 10.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 49 1
three soldiers 2 old guns badly mounted, a wooden house, and two or three black slaves,
composed the whole of their establishment 1 .
5th. Sailed up the Harbour in the Atalanta's Pinnace.
6th. The Commodore determined upon leaving the Atalanta with Capt. Kyd and myself
to survey Nancowrey Harbour. We moved in the evening. ...
8th. Capt. Kyd began the survey. In the evening we took a walk into the country. ...
March 19th. Sailed from Port Cornwallis. ...
20th. Anchored in the evening at the mouth of an inlet ... which had the appearance of
a good Harbour. . . .
22nd. By an indifferent observation at Noon our Lat. was n 3 57' 52". ...
23rd. This morning we made a survey of the Harbour by taking bearings and angles in
different directions and calculating distances by sound from the report of guns and muskets.
We rowed out in our small boat to a rocky point at the northern entrance of the Harbour,
where we stayed about an hour to make our observations and take views. We saw three
canoes with about twenty of the natives coming round a point to the northward probably
with an intention to attack us. This enduced us to abandon the rock, and when we got into
our boat we fired two muskets in the Air for a signal; ... this appeared to alarm the natives,
for they began rowing back immediately. The rock we were upon is remarkably steep, ...
we had soundings of 5 fathoms quite close to it. We saw while upon it great numbers of
sharks swimming about, they appeared to be very ravenous. ...
24th. This morning we left the harbour, which Captain Kyd called Port Meadows; ...
31st. We sailed up the coast. ..and anchored in the afternoon within half a mile of the
shore. Captain Kyd and Mr. M. took an airing in the Boat and saw a great number of the
natives. They shot about a dozen arrows at the Boat, but not one flew near enough to do any
mischief. A couple of musquets fired over their heads induced them to retreat into the wood.
April 1st. We stood to the northward along the coast. ...
4th. ...In the afternoon Capt. Kyd and Mr. W. went out in the Boat; they saw one of the
natives upon the beach, who called out and ms.de signs to them to come near but it was only
with an intention of leading them into a snare, for the boat had no sooner approached within
fifty paces of him, than Capt. Kyd perceived a number of men laying in ambush under the
mangroves; when they found themselves detected they rushed out and sent a shower of
arrows at the Boat, some of which flew over it, ...
5th. We got our water filled up from the Ranger and prepared to leave Andamans for
Bengal. ...
7th. ...About 4 miles to the northward of the Saddle Mountain 2 we found another
Inlet, which led into a Bay s branching in several directions. Mr. Blair with the Ranger and
Viper went into it to survey and examine it. We took leave of them and pursued our
course for Bengal. . . .
18th. In the afternoon we fell in with two pilot vessels and took a pilot on Board. We
crossed the Western Brace about 10 o'clock at night and anchored in the Kill. It blew very
fresh, and we had a heavy sea all night.
19th. Blowing very fresh from the southward, we crossed the Eastern Brace early in the
morning. It was almost low water, and we had an enormous sea with only i\ fathoms upon
it; however we got safely over it, and about 7 o'clock passed the Fairway Buoy. The flood
Tide and a strong southwest wind enabled us to get up the river very fast; at 4 o'clock in
the afternoon we anchored about 1 mile below the mouth of the Roopnarain River 4 .
April 20th 1790. Arrived at Calcutta in the afternoon.
Blair held charge of the settlement for three years at the first Port Cornwallis
near the south end of the South Andaman, but Commodore Cornwallis reporting
that a harbour in the Great Andaman was far more suitable for the fleet, the colony
was moved there in 1792; this new settlement was also called Port Cornwallis, the
earlier one being then called the "Old Harbour", and later "Port Blair*".
Early in 1793 Blair was relieved by Kyd 6 and returned to his duties with the
Bombay establishment after submitting his reports and maps 7 .
- . .'T he ,J >a ^ sh i Govemor at Tranquehar protested "against the action of Commodore Cornwallis
tv, Z\ 1 " U ":"" U ' L ' 1: " Uid ' โ Mltl โขtmg- ยป survey of the Harbour of Nancowry, which has been a
TWt 9^f e 4 S1 ยซยซ f ยฐV ht \ past 40 years "- BPolC - 6 " 8 - 9a Cf - Topping's account. Bio. Notes. Saddle
SfT % 86 M" uow p ยฐrt Cornwallis, SB 0/3. 'Rfipniirayan R. T9 B/4. =Low. ยซยฃPC.
โขrV7 : R9 P 0rt ' B ? C ' 31 - 3 - 93 > & TO Sd. XXIV; Maps, BM. K. 116 (31). With the maps at the
ยฃ = ยซ I 8 :;"l msite coloured panoramas of the coast, mostly by Wยป. Test, one of Blair's assts. ;
his senior asst. on the surrey was John Wales [124].
50
Bengal Surveys
The colony had already been adopted as a penal settlement, and now owing-
to the war with France, rt was put into a state of defence ; large reinforcement!
were sent, and more guns mounted to guard against possible attack. But in 1794
Port Cornwall* was reported to be unfavourable to the health of the settlers โข in
the following year o0 deaths occurred among the conyicts, and in December 1794
Government reported to the Directors,
. Ma Iยฐ r Kyi the Superintendent of the settlement, advised us on his return to it from
Prmce of Wales Island, that the settlers at the Audamans were more healthy in the St
season than they had been m the proceeding one, altho" the rains had been more heavy
123 inches between the 1st of May and the loth November, which exceeds double what'has
been observed m the Bengal at any period!.
. After a report from Eyd on the comparative advantages of the Andaman and
Prince of Wales Islands, orders were issued in February 1796 for the abandonment
of the former settlement, and the removal of the penal colony to Penano- Nothing
more was heard of Port Cornwallis till the Burma War of 1824, when the Bengal
and Madias forces made it their rendezvous on the way to Rangoon ยซ
_ The next expedition to the Andamans was made in 1858, after which the
original settlement Port Blair was re-established.
The Hooghly River
A pilot's survey of the Hooghly is said to have been made annually from 1748
with no great scientific accuracy', but in 1765 the Court of Directors wrote out
In the course of our Enquiry into the loss of the ship Winchelsea, there appeared great
reason to believe that so essential a measure ... as that of an annual survey of your River had
been shamefully neglected. ... We positively Insist upon your causing the most exact and
careful Surveys of the River to be made once or oftuer every year, agreable to our Orders of
the 2nd February 1737-8, and 3rd of March 1758 4 .
In 1769 the Master Attendant was making regular surveys and soundings with
an establishment of five assistant surveyors', one of whom was John Ritchie, who
found time from his more extensive survey to make several surveys on the Hooยฐ-hlv
even up till 1782. ยฐ 3
ยซ. *? 177 ยฐ Bโข3 a โขn Lacam brought forward his scheme for a new harbour at
the head of Channel Creek, and made several surveys in advocating important
improvements 111 the navigation of the river 6 .
Prom 1779 various Engineer officers were employed on surveys either of special
channels or the banks of the river. William Baillie near Hiili' in 1 77ยฐ s -Mark
Wood near Sankrail in 1780 and 1781', & again in co-operation with the Master
Attendant down the Eastern Channel of the River" in 1782. This latter work
was under the Chief Engineer, who represented that
As there will be a considerable difficulty in making a correct Chart of this passage, and
also that the Master Attendant and Pilot are not alone sufficient to give Captain Wood
the aid requisite for completing such an undertaking in the manner it ought to be executed
which would absolutely require the joint labour of two or three persons competent in the use'
of Land instruments. Therefore take the liberty to propose that two or three Gentlemen of
the corps of Engineers be ordered to assist 10 .
Wood applied for
boats, people for clearing jungle; Two azymuth, or two Knight's, compasses with stents โ
a yuadrant; sounding leads, loglines Flags etc. 11 ...
hut a month later Government report,
Mr. Ritchie being returned, we have ordered him to make a complete & accurate Survev
of the Eastern Channel of the River, instead of that which was to have been made by the
Engineers 1 -. 3
ยซ>โข B 'i'r CI) ' a " 1! f, ( ?' ' L0W ' 'I"ยซIMi, < CD to B. 15-2-65(17) 'BPC
V n, Lacam came to India, a m.dshipman, in 1760; employed as Dman. k asst. under CD Ft'
lVm.; settled on the Hooghly and devoted himself to development of his Sew Hartxnn HMS ' 396
59et.se,.). -Hijli. between Tamlut, 79 B 4, & Kedgeree, 73 0/13- Sintrul 7<1 II โ Y'lr 7 ' : .
>Map,MM0.165(26). ยปBPC. 14-10-82. "BPC. 3-12-82. "B to CD. 6-1-83
The Hooghly Kivee 51
In 1788 Archibald Blair, with James Caldwell of the Engineers as assistant,
made a survey of the New ^ Harbour and Channel Creek, and also of Diamond'
Harbour "that the comparative advantages ... might be clearly ascertained 1 ".
The survey of the river appears to have been then left to the Master Attendant
and the pilots. In 1798 the Surveyor General reported,
I have inspected a set of charts of the River Hooghly from Calcutta to the foot of the
Sands, executed by Mr. Wade, a Pilot. From the manner in which the Work has been
compiled, the Reaches of the River and the Sands having been laid down by the Eye and not
by actual Measurement, it cannot be so accurate as a Geographer would desire.... Lieutenant
Blunt in constructing a Draught of the River Hooghly for the Commander-in-Chief took the
Sand Heads and Shoals from Mr. Wade's Charts, considering them as the best authority 3 .
Wade was allowed 3,000 " sicca rupees " for these charts.
Other rivers occasionally called for a survey; in April and May 1782, Wilford
was sent out to survey two channels from the great river to Ballia Ghat, near Dacca,
which had been reported as navigable 3 ; and in 1787 Caldwell was sent to mate
an accurate survey of the Banka Nullah"; as well as to ascertain the annual expence of
keeping it navigable 3 .
Calcutta
The earliest plans of Calcutta were made by engineers for purposes of defence
and the lay-out of fortifications, and the following list details some of them ;
1742. Two plans of Calcutta and the Adjacent country, by Foresti and Ollifrees. ' Scales
20 and 40 fathoms, or toises, to an inch. [Foresti was an Italian engineer, John Aloffe was
Surveyor of Works 6 ].
1746-47. Sketches and Plans of Fort William and Calcutta by Plaisted, who %vas at that
time Surveyor of Works 7 .
1753. Plan of Fort William & Part of City of Calcutta, with a project for Fortifying
the Fort. Scale 100 feet to an inch. Surveyed A Drawn by William Wells, Lieut, of the
Artillery Company in Bengal.
[Shows streets and buildings with occupants s. Wells was at this time employed as en-
gmeer under Colonel Scott, who as Engineer General was then designing the new Fort William].
1757- Plan of the Territory of Calcutta, scale 10 inches to a mile, author not known'
extending some distance beyond the Mahratta Ditch. Shows the position of the tents and
tots of the Nabob's Army in 1756' [54]. Seton Kerr describe it as,
"A plan and view of Calcutta in the year 1756, when there were but seventy houses in
the town, when the site of a present fort was a jungle, and modern Chowringhee, with other
parts of the town, consisted of bamboo groves and paddy fields " 1(1 .
1757- Plan of Calcutta from Hooghly to the Lake; shows "The Moors' 1st Camp, February
5*h , "2nd Camp", and also the "English Camp"; "to illustrate Clive's attack, February sth
1757, and Col. Clive's march". [Orme describes it as done for Scrafton, one of the members
ot Council. The map is merely a coloured sketch in manuscript],
Calcutta appears in some detail in Cameron's Plan of the Company', Lands and
Lakes, scale li inches to a mile, 1761-2 [13], and also in Martin's Part of General
!7S7""d fjeoi^r* 1 Lands11 ' on the one - inc " scale, probably surveyed between
Martin's survey extends south from Calcutta to the Sundarbans, with a small
area to the west of the Hooghly from Ulubaria to the Damodar. It is a careful
topographical survey, showing village sites and names, salt-works, roads, creeks
protective embankments, pargana limits, tree symbols, and elevated land.
of Salt- a I," 1 "* 8 ยฐ f Sm ' Vey are notBS โ "Part not Inhabited Where a quantity
oait is made โ" Land not Inhabited call'd SOTMHtBUND, full of Woods Creeks
ยซ .ravers & where a great quantity of Salt is made ".
Wffla'l ft^^jU! 19 ' ,โT C - ^"J 1 ": ' BPC ' 8 -ยซ 3 m- 'At th. head of the
ยซMS. copy BM Tโ, S? 28 -;ยฐ- s '- โโ *BM. K. 115 (40, 41) -Orme MSS. 147 (35) 4 333 (15).
prmted P eopfefor me , , i ; t pl ' m iยฐ d ' n r Ff โ ? JoUtta ' abont 1S68 > โข' ยซ M - ยปยซโข 'ยปยป MS. found;
Kerr, IV Sac,? Hjrt ?," K "ZJJ ( ^"t ' ; YM ' OTbt ' 17iM i P*ยฐ<* โขS. โข ( 893 ). "'Seton
forrejec ton of date J* V/โข^^, 4 ^ Prinfecl "P?' IED ' "!>โ ; M3S., MEIO. 52 (5-8 1;
j ยปuun 01 dates suggested on MEIO. label ยป. Bio. Notes, ยปยซ. Martin.
;โขโ >
Bengal StTEVEl'S
When m 1 800 the Surveyor General prepared a map of the environs of Calcutta
he used the whole of this survey of Martin's without correction, extending it by
Cameron's skeleton survey and various route surveys.
There is at Calcutta a survey by Richard Parrott, of the Engineers of Bvda,
Budge and the Hooghly River on the scale of 400 feet to an inch, which 'must have
been made before Parrott's death in 1772 1 .
* i? 17 /ยฐ G ยฐ Yetnm ? nt pointed Commissioners of Police for the administration
ot the city-, laying- down amongst other things that it was
necessary for the Convenience and for the Preservation of the Health of the Inhabitants of
11 ?ยซ , , Sti ? nant W2ter Sh ยฐ Uld by PI ยฐP er Drains & C1 ยซโข^ be drained
from the said Settlement, and the Filth, Dirt, and Rubbish removed therefrom
and also that "a Eegistry of Lands, Houses and Estates" should be prepared and
suitable names suggested for all streets and lanes.
Edward Tiretta was appointed Surveyor to the Commissioners on a salary of
KS. 1,000 a month, and
tZJrr? tD SUn ,I the Sยฃdd Street s, Lanes, and Passages, and to report... whether any addi-
tioroftteRoTds WeiSareWant โ and - at the same time report the State and Condi-
He was also to be responsible for the disposal of refuse, and control of brick
kilns. His responsibilities were obviously heavy, and in August 1781 he writes
in the month of January last you were pleased to grant me assistants in order to make
a Survey of the Town and the Limits thereof, as also an establishment for an office In
consequence of this grant, part of the Town has been surveyed and delivered in to you,' and
in the Month of April yon were pleased to strike off the whole of that Establishment since
which time it has been totally out of my power to goon with the Survey without such
assistants it not being possible for any one man to perform such work by himself alone
Should you think proper to have the survey and the Levels of the Town proceeded
necessa yOU "'" P ' eaSed 'ยฐ ^^ "" S " Ch assist!mts ' and such P^ons as may be
and again three months later,
Levelling, especially in large towns where the sight by the vicinity of Buildines is
continually confined to very short distances, is not only a complicate but a very tedious
and Laborious work, the more in this Country, where, from the heat of the Climate those
who are employed on such duty can work but a few hours in each day; from this circumstance
it is impossible for me to ascertain with any probability the time it will take or expence
which will be accrued. i^m-v
Respecting the Survey it is my opinion that with assiduity and proper assistants this
wt hf T aCC " ra 4 tel y Periled iยฐ ^ course of two years, the probable expence attend-
ing which I compute to Rs. 24,000 *. ...
The Commissioners of Police asked Government to grant them financial assist-
ance our present funds being- very inadequate to so expensive an undertakino-"
but it was decided to call on the Chief Engineer to depute two Engineer officers" to
make the necessary surveys, and nothing further is heard of Tiretta's work No
survey had been delivered by January 1784 when the Commissioners wrote in
P, k, w g , T frec l u โข tl y ยฐhliged to Proceed in the dark in the Execution of many of the
Public Works for want of a General Level of the Town, and conceiving that to continue
without it may be attended with a Waste of Public Monev, and understanding that there is
Plan, Survey and Level, of the Town lodged in your Public Department, ... we beg the favour
to be allowed to copy it. ... s
Reference was thereupon wrongly made to the Surveyor General, who had to
re piy?
I have none other than that which is delivered in the printed maps of Major Rennell โข the
Chief Engineer has I believe a particular plan of the Town and Environs of Fort William
lately laid down at a large scale by Captain Robinson, Garstin, and other officers a couv of
which was never sent to my office 6 . ' -"
> MEIO 49 ( 15 1. 'BP0. 26-6-SO ( 726-99); Regulation, pub. IBPC. 1-2-S1 ' From Tiretta
toUie Commissioners of Police 21-8-S1; BPC. 4-9-S1. <BPC. 24-12-81. *BPC. 2-1 j)4 <BPC.
Calcutta 53
In May however, the Commissioners appear to have made touch with Mark
Wood and his officers, reporting "that they have asked Capt. M. Wood to prepare
plan, surrey, and levels of Calcutta. ... 1 "
Garstin writes of this survey in 1808,
Four Engineer officers were employed for near three years on a Survey of the Town ; it
was scarcely completed, when great alterations that had then taken place called for a new
one ' and I was employed for about six months in surveying one small division, and that the
least crowded with buildings. ... It is impossible to survey the streets of so populous a place
except for an Hour or two in the morning, before they are filled by the inhabitants 3 .
The survey was on the scale of 200 feet to an inch, and showed every house and
tank; the maps were completed by 1786 s .
The reproduction of copies of a large-scale city map is almost as arduous a task
as the survey, and no full scale copies of Wood's survey are now known. In 1791
Wood, now Chief Engineer, recommended that copies should "be engraved on a
reduced scale by William Baillie, a retired officer of Engineers;
A few years ago 1 made a Survey of the Town of Calcutta for the Commissioners of Police;
at which time it was intended to have named the different streets. ... By some accident, the
Naming of the Streets has never taken place, and as there is no copy of the Survey, in the
course of a very few years... it is more than probable that the Considerable Expence of this
Survey, as well as the Trouble attending it, would be entirely lost to the Public.
With a view of preventing this, I took it upon me to promise Mr. William Baillie... every
support and assistance towards executing an Engraved plan ... on ... a reduced scale ...*
As in the course of Five Years, Calcutta has undergone some considerable alterations, the
Plan would be more correct were your Honourable Board to admit of my employing an
Engineer Officer to insert in the Plan such alterations, which would not occupy a longer space
of time than two months. ...
The subscription is only Twenty Rupees each copy 5 .
Government approved and "to assist the police'' subscribed for 150 copies,.
which Baillie delivered in December 1792, writing,
I have endeavoured, tho' in vain, to get impressions thrown off equal to my wish, as the
Workmen of this Country are as yet very inexpert in Copperplate printing, especially in
Works such as the present, where the plates are much laboured, and the Work close and
crowded. ... G
Wood was very disappointed with the style in which the job was carried out,
Mr. Baillie has in no respect executed the Plan of Calcutta in the Manner which he ought
to nave done. ... Had Mr. Baillie only taken the trouble to have made a correct copy of the
Plan on a reduced scale, a business to which I know he was very equal, the Engraver would
have found no difficulty in executing the work, in place of which he has merely traced the
streets and Lanes, and even this small part of the Work, I fear, was not done by himself, and
filled in the intermediate space with black lines, which renders the Plan of no sort of value. . . .
Had he even represented the principal Houses and Tanks he would have been more excusable.
The Chowringhee and [European] Quarter has been executed in the manner that the whole of
the plan ought to have been 7 .
On receipt of this report the Board declined to pay the balance due on the 150
copies, having advanced one third of cost.
Baillie's own advertisements of the map are of interest :
Mr. Baillie's plan is now ready for delivery. He has waited many months in the expecta-
tion that the streets in the Native Part of the Town would have received new names, as those
in the European Quarter have latelv done. ... [The Plan is] 35 inches by 14 inches, accurately
reduced from the large one in possession of the Commissioners of Police, and points out all
streets, lane ghauts, etc. It shows all public buildings, but private buildings though on the
original map, scale 26^ inches to a mile, cannot be shown on the reduction, which is little
more than 6| inches to a mile.
Price 25 sicca rupees mounted on roller, or 20 if pasted on cloth at the Free School.
N.B. The ground and new buildings at Chowringhy, south of the Burial ground are taken
from an accurate survey made last year 8 .
J I0. Copies, 1784 (34-8). s DDn. 81 (47) of 25-11-1808. 3 B to CD. 18-8-91 (159). 4 800 feet
to an inch. "BPC. 30-3-91. 6 MS copy, with copies of the engraved map MRIO. 43 ( 4); BPC. 5-12-92.
'BPC. 28-12-92. *CG. 29-11-92.
'64
Bengal Surveys
and
-tS^- Se^t^-~ โ .ice <
preserved ; mijiKu-j purposes, of which the following are still
sยซ* 8 S:fto^r^r ! ' 6etoee ' 1 ^ ft ^ ^ โ *. *ยปยป%.
eA^vecTt^'X.n: ffl W ยฐยฐV** ^ n0t ha โข been
own surreys ; ' ยฐ e P 10babl J incorporated the police map with his
Budge Bโd ge , d t , e 8J โขP a ^spoโ the right fcank ^
-i!e drr^W^^T^ 800 โข"^^^ ยป ^ -le of 4 inches to a
them is inscribed 8 ยฐ' SU โข 7ed Januar y to "^ 1W2 and ] 783 One ?
information, is presented^. " Whlch was anally intended for military
Calcutta was o-rowino- fast n n j i5โ;ir ,
In October 1791^^^ ,fh ' fTadTe'en B V '^ T^ re ยซ>*โข.
Survey of Calcutta and its Bnv rons" whin T f ! ^ lnter ' "commenced a
scale of 8 miles to an inch ; th map vasS fct "PT^ and โข a PPed on the
ment took forty copies P f ยฐ' Slrf y ra P ees a copy and Govern-
1793 by A. Upjohn [and bearfa Toten Plln S th "t"T "' taken in the ^ '792 and
year w ; exhibiting likewis S e thTlnh'5โข โข ! โข Terntor J r of &lcutt a as marked out in the
^^^^aht^TTjltSof tt^,^*^ 'ยซ**โข<ยซ and taken
The GANGES and the GOGBA
Rennell, 1788.
โ ciy^t paring-.
Part of Rennell's Map of Biatoattm 1788. Seยปl e H inches to a degree
CHAPTER IV
BENGAL SURVEYS, 1793 to 1800
Beyond the North- West Frontier โ Chittagong Frontier, 1794 โ Ghmmr to Rajahmundry,
17 g 5 _ Ganges-Eooghly River Passage, 1777-96 โ Ganges River above Cossimbazar,
1796-1800 โ Special Surveys in Calcutta, 1795-6 โ Chittagong Coast, 1799-1800.
BY the time Colebrooke became Surveyor General in 1794 political anxiety had
definitely shifted to the country beyond the western frontiers. The Mughal
Emperor at Delhi was a prisoner in the hands of the Marathas, who were press-
ing on the frontiers of Oudh and of the Company's smaller neighbours on the west.
In 1798 Timur Shah of Kabul had marched down to Attack 1 but had died there
just as his army was preparing to cross the Indus. He was succeeded by his ambi-
tious son Zaman Shah, and to forestall possible danger to the Company's provinces
it appeared essential that strong support should be given to the Wazir of Oudh, and
that as much information as possible should be collected about the countries to the
Government therefore welcomed the offer of Charles Reynolds, surveyor to the
Bombay Government, to make a survey of the upper part of the Ganges-Jumna doab"-.
The object of his proposed researches... are the Provinces in the Duab, and he means
particularly to take a northerly direction, into parts which have hitherto been little explored.
For this purpose he has obtained the acquiescence of Mharajah Scindiah without any applica-
tion or Intimation from this Government. The obj ect of his proposed surveys are principally
in the Dominions of that Chieftain. ...
That he be allowed an assistant, and that the Commander-in-Chief be requested to give
permission to Ensign James Blunt to act upon this service 3 .
Blunt joined Reynolds at Allahabad in December 1798 and they ran their survey
through Meerut and Delhi, paying a visit to the Emperor [ 30 1-2 ], and continuing
as far west as Panipat* thence returning by Hardwar, and through Rohilkhand to
reach Lucknow in May 1794, when the party dispersed, and Reynolds had to return
to Bombay 5 [132].
Later in 1794 followed the disturbance in Rampur State, which led to the second
Rohilkhand War, and the Surveyor General replied to a request for a map,
I do myself the honour to transmit. . .for the use of the Commander-in-Chief, a sketch of
Rohilcund, in which the principal places are laid down from the astronomical observations of
the late Mr. Reuben Burrow. The rest is partly drawn from the Authority of Major Rennell.
... I regret much that we have not more particular survey of the Province and that the
country beyond the Hills bordering the Rampour District 6 is totally unknown.
It is much to be wished that an officer might be appointed to act in the capacity of a
surveyor during the campaign^.
The Commander-in-Chief appointed James Mouat, of the Engineers, to take 'an
accurate survey... of Rohilcund and in particular of the Jaghire of Ahmat Ally
Khan 8 ", specifying "as the first and leading objects",
To trace the Ram Gunga from hence 9 to the hills, carefully examining its fords, with their
depth of water at different seasons of the year.
To examine all the passes in the hills, from the Hurdwar to the south-east confines of
Rohdcund.
'43 Oil. '-Land between two rivers. Ws minโ BMC. 8-11-88. 4 ??ยซ15. /Bhmfs Fdbk.
MEIO. M. 5* i Boogh IV.t racti.'us. MP.IO. 30 (61-66). ยซBimpni, 53 P/l. ' DDn. 16 ( 54) of 16-10-94.
8 The infant Raja now established as Chief of the Rlunpur State. 9 Bareiliy, 53 P,7.
55
56
Bengal Surveys
particular to investigate by what ra i* โโ P rmcl P aI towns and forts in Rohilcund and in
stations, to Cossiporef and LZยฃยฃยฃ g %%XT* ^ ^ ยป d f ~
You will return by the wsy of Isliubb^ r T 5 Rampore on the left. ..
been aceurately examined^. Y Waulabad - * m <* route from thence to Bareillyhas not yet
Mouat took up this work from Decern W 90+1,
General sent him furthe, detailed 0^^3(0 the' ""? VT later tlle Sll โขyยซ
prmoipal object of gaining- "some Wl e l< e of tiff '" ^ BhonH foUoT ' with ' th ยซ
ยซeyer yet been exploded b/any European ? f S f" t P T -f Eohiku ยปd which has
-a suryey of the Ram Ganger! Bareil^ t o the Hills i- 3 " ^ M ยฐ Ua * Ud Sent ยป
h H r C;jscaยฐie ยฃ rnST 'J%?? A 2 ^uVei^ ^^ " ยซ**"- -
Satefriy^r ~ * ^ .fflSSf 3SSKS S^T^E
respectivelyB". ^ P eo P Ie de Puted on the part of the Warier and Rohillas
fr 7^ยซ^-audAnโ P sh a i r :CSurSr"'" g ^"^ ^ 'โd o, ali the country-
m from another S0UI ^' tt. WillSmH^?T ^?' h ยฐ Werer ' bee " com 4
Residency with Maharajah Scindia" hacfa be^t I "" Ass f *'"* Surgeon to the
wandered from place to place in camp fashln l-b oT" 7 ' ^ tho Marath ยป Court
observations and measured the routes 8 year ' he took agronomical
middle of April z 792 , till tte ruiddle of M^h rโข, ^l"' ; n^^T" 1 at ยฐ 0j โข fom *-
Muckandra... 25 th Kotah ... April 4 th rJZ^ ^ ยฃยฃ ยฐยฐ1^ March i 4 th i 793 ... 22n d
On his return to Agra Hunter met T? L ] f rtteh P 00r -Srcn...2i s t Agra",
up from Hyderabad [if 3] an d waTmnch^l ftยฐ ^ T 6 "^ brOU =" ht a โ7
that experienced surveyor; pWd to find ,lis ro " te ยซ appreciated by
igeine 13 will
of Capt. Reynolds, ...I Lg leaye to โfe tt^s^S "' br ^^ T tto ^
S^^tt 8 on Huntei " s โ outes โข; pnblic service - โ โ โ "
appear to beTaM doโข, "^Slom the mat^umhf "V?"' ^ aCCUraCy with ^ ">ey
which you haye made. " *"*" OTmber of Ac tual Astronomical Observations
The survey from Futtyghur to Agra is โ,ยซ, 1
be very much wanted. g"...M entirely new, and has always appeared to me to
Deckan [i l6] . The principal merit of it is Se nnmber n ยซ , a 7"* fa Ws wa >' to <*ยป
and the important route which completes tota ยฃ Zfnl A stโขomical Observations,
were before ignorant, except from report Bopaulยซ to Oogein, & of which we
Your return from Oogein by way of Boondee ยซ i, โf +h <
W^tract of which we hi nS infor^.^^ vT =^,^1
โขn ยซ part of the Central India i^jftfi ^ SW^I'^fiW 8 "" *" ^ ^wS
Beyond the North-West Frontier 57
geography of which will now be completed by your survey, and the assistance of the route
I shall take on my return 1 .
The following season Hunter sent in another survey, this time from Fatehgarh
to Lucknow, and
detected many errors in the position of places as laid down in Major Rennell's map, and...
inserted towns and places of some note, that have been entirely omitted. ... The extent of his
survey in Road distance is 330 miles. The places ascertained by Astronomical Observations
are seventy in number".
Government awarded him a sum of 2,500 rupees as compensation. In both
the following seasons, 1794-5 and 1795-6, Hunter made similar surveys, which
were much appreciated 3 . It should be noted that this class of survey was of a much
higher standard than that carried out by Rennell's surveyors, the astronomical control
was closer, and all the distances were measured by perambulator ; there was still
however no attempt made to complete the survey of a definite area in detail ; maps
were still mere skeletons.
In 1795 the Surveyor General obtained permission to send James Hoare to sur-
vey the Jumna River [ 1 8S ] ;
As no good survey has yet been made of the Jumna River [38], I would recommend his
being sent to explore it, from the confluence at Allahabad up to Delhi, or so far beyond it as
he might with safety proceed. That the object of his deputation should be, not only to ascer-
tain the course, depths, and windings of that River, but also to insert in his plan all the
Towns, Forts, and villages on its banks, marking also the places where Ferries are established,
and those where the river is, at any time, fordable. He might likewise be directed to
ascertain the Mahratta Boundary in that quarter more correctly than has yet been done 4 .
Hoare completed the survey up to Agra in his first season, and carried it on to
Delhi during 1796-7, spending some time in making good observations for latitude
at both these places ; his health however broke down, and he was not able to make
the necessary fair copies of his journals and fieldbooks which the Surveyor General
required [ 197] ; he was recalled in May 1797 and died the following year. In sub-
mitting fair copies of his charts to Government, the Surveyor General remarks that,
As these charts have been laid down from measurements by a perambulator, and bearings
taken with a compass throughout, ...there is reason to believe that although the more nice
operations with the theodolite and sextant had been almost entirely omitted; ...they will
nevertheless furnish data for inserting the course of the Jumna in the maps with a greater
degree of precision than has hitherto been done. . . . The third sheet from Agra to Delhi is the
more valuable, as that part of the river Jumna had not I believe ever been surveyed before 5 .
It falls to most surveyors that their labours should be criticised in after years
[6], and the following comment on Hoare's work was made only 12 years later;
I am led to think the obstacles to the navigation of the Jumna may be removed at a
very moderate expence. ... A correct survey of this river is much to be desired. That done
some years since by Captain Hoare being of little value, as it is replete with errors; no sort
of reliance is to be placed on it 15 .
Early in 1797 great alarm was caused by Zaman Shah's invasion of the Punjab,
and threat to advance on Delhi [55]; and Colebrooke, with a keen sense of his
duties as Surveyor General, wrote,
I take the liberty of suggesting that a survey of the upper part of the Dooab might be
found to be of the highest utility and importance, in case of that country becoming at any
future period the seat of war, and the late inroad of Zemaun Shaw into the Punjab would
appear to render such an event not altogether improbable''.
Accordingly in 1798 Thomas "Wood was sezit up to join Sir James Craig's army
in Oudh in the capacity of Surveyor, whilst the Governor General sent General Craig
instructions for the protection of Oudh against a possible attack by Zaman Shah,
who crossed the Indus, and arrived at Lahore with a large army s . The alarm
caused by this intelligence was all the greater because of the war that was then in
preparation against Tipu of Mysore. The strain was relaxed when it was learnt
^EIO. M. 574, 15-5-93. -'Letter from SG., DDn. 16 (44), 22-3-94. J Maps, MEIO. 30 (3) and
31 (43-17). ^DDn. 16 (80), 1-4-95. 5 DDr.. 14 (127). 28-9-99. 6 DDn. 81 (27). Garstin to QMG.
5-7-3808. -DDn. 16 (33). 11-5-97. 8 Martin, I (261 363, etc).-
58
Bengal Surveys
saull forests " is a fine level cultivated en, โt, t Y " * ^ CalIed m the ma P' " *ยซ* ยฐr
is laid down at mere random and โข steered bene v 7h "^ T^ ^ B ยฐยฐ rah ^P** 8
harcarrah reports ยซ snch information' ยฐ fc baS beei1 ma โข&ctured from
surveyed"' af tt r fiT^ in!? Tari ยฐ US r0utes ttat 'ยซ hM
the two irtl^efCS *r ^ ln t a K y ยฐ f ยฐ" mapS that J ha โข ยซ. -d
what we now have, afl took m b y e ro " ^ar "7" ' T ^ ^ mOTe P arti โข>- *ยปยป
right and left. ... There is much inZ โฆ f " ry t0 โข aad vilI ^ e X c ยฐuld see to the
as I am anthorized by the ResMent to sยป tfat the Nnh I T'? โข St WlUtogIy be afcded
to the survey being contmned, is o^TI^^iZTJ^ ^ ยป7 Morions
a rout^m S^Ba ait^ ^'Jโข - ^ected to survey
which place he is I โข^S^^^ B ^ f t 00t ยฐ f the hiU " to Hardwar, from
to survey the r 1V er to Ramgau/betow Z lib r a TheV^ ^ ^^ Ms ' and
Cawnpore has never been accurately survived I Tn'd'm ^ b ยฐ m Ramgaut do โข to
^โ th^an^^
^^i^^^ 1 n Srr-r tlmB, ? ing so completeIy **" -P ยป y my
frequently not until Sunset TwS nowUe thTrT f"? """ ? *" " the afte โข^ ยซ*
veyed during the flvemonths I hive beln absent m J Tf ^ ยฐ' What X haVe s -
jungles where I am certam no Human beT^ '" w ^ ยฐ f my track -were through
surprize to me how I did pass wZTany a^dentTo^ ' ?* ?* " " StU1 a matte oi
numberofTigersisreallyincredible iTomโข V Pe ยฐ PleWhOWereWith me - ยป ยซยป
proceeded to Lucknow. From then el went? bt ^ '""^ at tWs P lace [Cawnpore] and
the Western side of the Gog" h as ; ยฃ ยฃ Dur^S ยฐ* a 8 WeSt f erly directi <ยป'- โ โ โ Khairabrf, ...up
trate.on account of the Forests etc I r,Z hT* ' - fnrttar ^ which! could not pene
places not inserted in any o our Saps froTptf bTf Peeleebeat9 P^ing... many other
here my progress to tte Northward' ยซ ?Jยฃยฃt eat I went up to Nahnick Muttahl. and
struck off to the westward, and nosing Through S PP 7 "T^ F ยฐ reStS - J therefo ยซ
from which I went through the Forest to Kafah' ^T^'i'"'โข 1 * Afz ยฐ 01 Gtar "-
issues from the Mountains Ghattah, at which place the Ram Gungah
Chandieghaut on the Ganges (and imn ,S attempt and... succeeded, having reached
fourth day after reaching Nud^ba^ 7 ยฐ PP ยฐ Slte tQ wUch is the town oi Hurdwar) the
Seikf ^nl^ojL wnrSbif tTe wt'te^Bamk^Tr?. 1 Sh ยฐ aW ^ โข th from tta
passing over to Hurdwar I surveyed down tha^rt' J V determ ' led to m ake the triai, and
recrossed without the smallest IbfectioXavt 1 '^ ""^ ยฐ f - fi ' teea miIes ' at wM * '
the Ganges to Asophghur"; homm^Trl ^T^ - J came d ยฐโข the eastern bank of
... Thewholeof my Land Surrey cLpLes". ^T^"' * ^'^blo way inland,
bearing is taken with a Theaiomt^Zn^o{,7 "Pโข?' <* 8 ยฐยฐ "^ ยป which every
the most particular manner from Hardwa^ down โ tbi T' " ' W Sarreyed tbeGanges in
upwards of 400 miles. I have exanZSW^ fTJ rT T^ S bj iU "^mgs to...
ghaut, besides this there are particular plansTf varfous Forts" t T? HUrdWar and Ram "
Wtakes a considerable time; ...during my^โข f h^ ^at^^T^^
% "SI 3963 ! ^S H J t r a ?^1f S^ g ยฃโข โขยป; ยป (ยซ). -p- irยป.
Beyond the North-West Frontier 50
for Latitude โ 20 for . . . magnetic variation, and 19 for the Emersions or Immersions of Jupiter's
Satellites for Longitude ; . . . 1 think I am not much wrong in saying that very few Surveyors in
this Country ever did so much in the same time, and without any assistance whatever 1 .
Chittagong- Frontier, 1794
Other surveys of this period include surveys made by Thomas Robertson in
Chittagong, under instructions from the military officer commanding. In July 1794
he submitted
the survey of the Southern Frontier of this Province, ...but have to regret that from tile
advanced season of the year, as well as the impenetrable nature of this country, it being
chiefly Hills & Forests etc, ; I have not been able to render the survey so complete or so ex-
tensive as I could have wished, ...its having been out ot my power to trace the course of the
Naaf River 3 , but the Banks of this River are so covered with Forests as to be impenetrable
to a single person, and of course impracticable to carry a series of measured lines along them;
neither was it possible to proceed by water, as Boats were not to be procured 3 .
His survey lay from Maiskhal Island* to the mouth of the Naaf Eiver.
During season 1799-1800 William Parker of the Artillery ran a survey from
Eamuto Ukhia Ghaut 5 on the Naaf estuary.
Ohunar to Rajahmundry, 1795
Early in 1795 a survey of particular importance was made by James Blunt
from Chunar 6 to the East' coast; in recommending which, the Surveyor General
wrote,
As his route would lay through a tract of country never yet traversed by Europeans, our
Geographical knowledge would be considerably increased by such a survey. . . . There does not
occur in Major Rennell's map the names of more than three or four places in the whole track
he proposes to explore, being in length nearly 500 miles.
In a political point of view this survey might. ..be considered as an object of the highest
importance, as it would lead us to the knowledge of the native powers inhabiting those
hitherto unexplored regions.
It would furnish a route, and it might be hoped ultimately, a high military Road, leading
from the extreme point of our Dominions in Bengal to . . . our Territories on the coast, forming
a more direct channel of communication for succours, supplies, or intelligence than any we
yet know. ... The whole distance might be marched in fifty days provided no extraordinary
impediments occurred [4i] 7 -
Government granted their approval;
The necessary passes from the Ra]ah of Berar have now been obtained; ...as however the
Nagpoor Government might be jealous of his surveying any part of its dominions, you are
to direct him to be particularly circumspect during his route thro' Berar, that the object of
his commission be executed with a caution to prevent suspicion. ... The Commander in Chief
will be requested to order an Escort of a Jemadar and 30 sepoys to accompany Ensign Blunt
from Chunar, and the Military Paymaster General will he instructed to give orders for an
advance of three months allowances for himself and the Escort. 8
The Surveyor General's detailed instructions to Blunt read,
The most likely way of attaining that desirable end will be to set out from Chunarghur in
a southerly direction, and not to deviate materially from that course until you reach Cossim-
cotta 9 in the Northern Circars, or any other place of note in the Vizagapatarn District. But
as a variety of natural impediments might occur on the way, . . . you will . . . perhaps be obliged
to alter the direction of your march by a few points of the compass. ... The propriety of such,
a direct course will appear the more obvious as it is the object of Government to establish a
communication between the upper provinces and the Circars, and to find a road by which an
Army might upon any emergency march with ease and expedition [41].
^Wood to SGK 30-^1800; BMC. 14-12-1807. 2 84 D/6. a BPolC. 8-8-94. 4 79 0/14 5 84 0/3
& C/4. 6 63 K/16. ?DDa. 16 (50), 1-8-94. 8 BPolC. 28-11-94. H Kasimkota, 65 K/14.
a i
Bengal Surveys
February 1 5th B .iv ri re?lons for ^ considerable
ttan we had paid at'sS^," rath * "***ยป it, at 25 seers to the 6o
SSSSnrt the Rajali of c โ
b. ^vzAy b :^T:^ : , a โข g for โ 4 s 'bee?so ZuZ ot r ยฐ ameis **
ln ^ s^* ~ a ^ as aIso a " - - * messse
-s^fa^r s - h ^*-^=? โข* โ -o, r
in company wrtn anoT T" 1 Ws att <^ance in order a H '^j 1 ^ ยฐ f water, which
"PbedV c^ectal T,T : - tb ^ โขยป both rn s fโ' " "rf ^T' * Ms 'ยซยป",
Goands. J ^"""S' that ยซยซ* had been robbed and murd of MaWa * Wr C aโah
t- ^KasSS^srtta- -* ~ยป โ
>DDยป. 16(60), 4-12-m ,ยซ, T , gwltic โขtion in passing the frontier
Chattagarh, tract covering 64 I K S ,ยฐ2?'โ, ""^P", 64 J/1 ni โขยฐ d "PP^ ยซ"ยป modem
8 -L.M.iV. ยป6oN/8. "65 J/9. &m MIS. '**โ M W 10 L m l-
Chunar to Rajah mux dry 61
of their respective countries, for, having no pass. ..to produce to the Nizam's officers, it was
uncertain in what manner they might receive me.
Leaving the Wainganga River at Dewalmari 1 , a few miles below its junction
with the Wardha, Blunt proceeded south-eastwards towards the Indravati River, and
on April 30th was fired on by a party of Khonds ;
At this instant fortunately, I was joined by a naik and four sepoys of my escort, and im-
mediately formed them, priming and loading in a little space of open ground on our right. As
soon as the sepoys had loaded, I would fain have parleyed with the savages before firing, but
all my endeavours towards it were ineffectual; and as they continued to rush with impetuosity
towards us, with their matches lighted, and arrows fixed in their bows; they received the fire
of my party at the distance of about twenty yards; when four or five of them instantly
dropped. This gave them an immediate check, and they ran off, hallooing and shouting, into
the woods. ... I directed a party of a naick and four sepoys to drive them from the hill; this
they soon effected. ...
Came to the bank of the Inderowty river, where not being able to find a ford, we were
necessitated to encamp on its bank. ... 3
Finding the people of the country thus inhospitably inclined towards us, I conceived it
would be hazardous to send a messenger to Bhopaulpattun 3 ; for should he be detained or put
to death, we might wait in vain for an answer, until the numbers by which we should be sur-
rounded would effectually cut off our retreat. The Goands appeared to be in full expectation
of our attempting to pass the river ; which they would no doubt have resisted; so that the
only way to extricate ourselves from the present embarrassing situation, was to retreat as
fast as possible by the road we had come; ...the weather clearing up at daybreak, we moved
off in perfect silence.
Arrived back at Dewalmari, Blunt found a friendly Khond chief, and after
making him a present of his fowling piece, was given a letter to the Dewan in the
Nizam's territory; never having expected to be forced so far to the south he had not
been provided with any letters to the officials of the Nizam. He now followed down
the Wainganga to Sironcha' 1 at the junction with the Godavari, which he crossed
and coming into the Nizam's dominions, followed the right bank of the river to-
wards the south-east.
May 5th. Marching at this season in the heat of the day oppressed us exceedingly; but
the unsettled state of the country, and the probable risk of being attacked, rendered it un-
avoidable. Although the road was a beaten one, and tolerably clear of brushwood, yet the
forest on each side, being excessively thick, might if we had moved in the dark have enabled
an enemy to come upon us unawares ; whereas by travelling in the day and taking our ground
in a clear spot, we were always in a situation to defend ourselves with advantage.
The women and children who had accompanied the sepoys, and who, at the commencement
of our journey, had been accustomed to ride, were now, from the reduced state of the cattle,
compelled to walk. They appeared however to be fully impressed with the necessity of the
case; and although they would have suffered less by travelling in the cool of the night, yet
they must have created considerable confusion, in case of an attack at that time; exclusive
of which considerations, the daylight was essentially necessary to my geographical pur-
suits, ...
May 15th. Intercepted by officials of the Paloncha 5 Raja, with 25 armed horse-
men and about 300 infantry, who demanded a Pass from the Nizam.
May 16th. Marched 16 miles to Paloncha. The Rajah's people told tales of the
desperate state of the English in the Circars 6 and said that he proposed to send
Bl lint's party as prisoners to Hyderabad; Blunt said he knew many of the Nizam's
officials at Hyderabad 7 and would welcome sueh a step; "their astonishment was so
great that they immediately departed to make a report thereof to the Rajah."
During the night about 1,500 armed men surrounded the camp.
17th. This morning the Vakeel came to me with a request, that I would send my Toorky
horse, and three sheep which I had brought with me from Chunarghur, for the Rajah's inspec-
tion. This I readily compiled with; and at the same time demanded an interview with the
Rajah, and permission to depart. ... In about an hour the horse was returned, with a very
polite message from the Rajah, expressing how much he had been gratified by the sight of so
'56 M 15. -near Desli, (3o A/4. ;i Bhoprdpatnam, 65 B/5. "56 N/13. 5 56 C/10. '' A fairy tale.
'Blunt had spent the summer of 1792 at Hyderabad [43, 116].
62
Bengal Surveys
?self perfectly easy; for I staid be aS^ "Mediately desired I wo
The whole of the ensuing day was spent i Y ^ ยฐ n the ensu ">S day.
miles distant t hi 7 m ยฐ Ved forward - โขi a
compact t^ยฐI! d ~ * I- ยซ With cantion. f 0*1^^-^โข
found it rnn.i^โj _j- J โ F ._ ^ nTO
compact bodv- and โ iโ "- wilu cautu
th +^ """^ lueii issued, as we
fiv P , ^ โข e ^A's Pass, to which however ยซ.ยซ, โ "โข ~ M ยปยซPยซยป to stop us 7
ing up the ยซ^ oppos te tnth '^ TOS dete โขed not
myself with the ^โ ys . Someparties~ s tole',,,7 7^"โข Bagga 8 e ' and s oon after folio'
โข ^^u. a. wuuia not be
baggage, and soon after followed
f May 2Ist . We had marched TnTilesfrof D ยฐ, ""^P 4 to & e "
two days, had harassed us a good fe S? "" IaSt <โขamp m ent; and the heat for the 1 *
our troubles were nearlv โt Jn T 'โ emg now arriv ed within the cZT > aSt
where my geographical ยฃยฃ^ **ยป ยป ยซ-> Pearse, n-^1^^
Thfl h t ยฐ*S"i. ui an European counten-
windin s to ^Xdt &T *ยซโ โ *ยป eight degrees but th โ โ
our parti had s t ; "t^ With fmr ยซยปยซ attached 1 th "* ^^^ bad been
"iSS^^ir "--โ-- โ
rrโ โ " . , 'โข lt u " tnen unknown
^^ te ^^^^^*-ยฃยซ- ta *- a it im .
falls into the Godavery at Z'oonclS \T ^ "* C ยฐ UrSe ยฐ f *ยป Boungunโข 4 e^f ?"?
than it is given in an/former ยฃยฃ ' - tte C ยฐ" fl โ being more than xo^mit ^hlr ^p
wsssjtfcs?'* !Eraa " adH ยป. โ w
*65. โฆWaingamgaR.
^iroasha, 56 N/13,.
Chtjnar to Bajahmtjnbkt 63
Blunt's journey through this inhospitable country was not repeated by any
European official for over sixty years, and his route remained the only source of
geographical information of the western borders of the Central Provinces for an
even longer period 1 .
Ganhes-Hoooh.lt Eiver. Passage, 1777-96
Bunnell's surrey of 1764-5 had not brought to light any new route from
Calcutta to the Ganges ; during the dry season heavy boats still had to go all the way
round through the Sundarbans before they could get a clear run up the Great Eiver.
In 1777, possibly inspired by the success of Major Tolly 2 with his canal south of
Calcutta which had been opened that year [65 ], John McGowan put forward a
scheme
to keep open the channel from the Ganges into the Cossimbazar Eiver, and to keep the river
open to navigation down to its junction with the Hooghly at Nadia 3 ,
with the concession of being allowed to collect tolls. Permission was given with
certain restrictions, but two years later the Chief of Cossimbazar protested against
the collection of tolls before any attempt had been made to improve navigation.
On McGowan pointing out that he had spent nearly two years in making surveys
and levels, Government allowed him the salary of a surveyor, and withdrew his
permit to collect tolls. His contract was annulled shortly after.
It was possibly in 1788 that Wilford made a careful survey of the channels into
the Cossimbazar and Jalangi Eivers from the Ganges, with several lines of levels 1 .
His fieldbook contains a reasoned discussion of the feasibility of opening a cut to
allow navigation in the dry season. He concludes that this would not be successful
as the difference of levels would vary considerably at different seasons;
The Baugrutty^th the other Branchesof the Ganges labourunder all the disadvantages
common to all large Rivers, which is, that near their mouths they generally have hut little
descent. For the Land above their mouths for a considerable extent is but an incroachment
upon the sea, occasioned by a vast quantity of Sand and Earth brought down by the Current,
which being repelled by the Sea falls to the bottom, forms at first shoals and Banks, which
raising continually, at length appear out of the Water, forming a solid ground which is soon
covered with grass and trees.
Such is all the Country from the Rajemall Hills down to the Sea. The bottom of the Bay
of Bengal reaching formerly up to these hills. ...
He then quotes ancient Hindu records about the rivers of Lower Bengal.
At the end of 1794 James Hoare was deputed to survey the Hurdum and Jamuna
rivers 6 for a navigable connection to enter the Hooghly from the east below Nadia,
and in considering his report the Governor General observed,
The communication between Calcutta and the Upper Provinces during 7 months of the
year is only practicable by the Sunderbuns, a hardy and dangerous navigation. ... I do not
thmk Lt. Hoare's survey a sufficient ground for undertaking the object in view, but merely
as furnishing materials for a further investigation, which I recommend to be made by the
Surveyor General..."
and the Council
thought it proper to direct the Surveyor General to ascertain the existence or practicability
of a communication by water between the Houghly River and Ganges at all seasons of the
year, either by the channel of the Hurdum and Howleah, or that of the Jubuna, Issamutty
and Howleah, . . . taking into consideration the length of the navigation, the expence of making
It practicable, and the probability of its continuing so after having been once made 8 .
M *{; are ' 1 1?95, therefore, Colebrooke surveyed the Jamuna and found it unsuit-
able, but reported more favourably on the Hurdum, or Churni, submitting a survey
irom its source at Sibnibas 3 to its confluence with the Hooghly; he described certain
narrow parts connecting with the Ichamati ;
.mdnt^Trfi 1 ''',โข =Wi "iยปm Tolly. Ben .Inf. (OTB) [65 n. 5 i. S BPC. S-12-77 (15). <FJbk.
:'โ :; ' ยปยป<ยปHS.*9. WihOTd's levels were read to tenths of an inch; one of his lines was 7 miles
7WPP ot , aS n ? r ;?t l1 h K " speond lh "' b >' liferent route. * Uhrejirathi. ov Co ,โโ,;,โโ,. K, <7S 1) ii 79 .1
tiru 28-1-90 (2). s B t0 ca ^ 2g! . ^ โ a m eagt rf Krish , 9 A/n
64
-Bengal Surveys
I proceeded next to observe with ยซ,ยปโ
tie two rivers, commencing iroTn th f ^ mstam ente the difference of 1 , .
carried myjevelsm line a dire ยฐt a , nโ P L? e Where the Hnrdnm ceaSe to h. โข b ยฐ tween
there is so great To eriodic f "n tam Pโขยซ with them in dS2 c , Cap3Cit y of R^er
of much aS.^*" SWeUlng Cยป TO 'โข] and vel^rfJCt P1 * nM '' -*โข
/ears that ยฃ had taX^T^* 16 c0 ยซ- of the G an โ es in t , y .
earlier, with M โ' m , J ! g " Wlth that described r,v j> ,, e yano "s
the river ellโข S T n ?f,lo 0nS f ยฐ r * he -^tenaTe of\f 6 Tay T^ ^
The encroachments, wtr"r 1 e g a 6 s^r tm ^ be0f " lte '-t gat 'ยฐ n "^
say the Geography ? a " 2 ? g ViUa ยซ e or 4 ยฐโข. The T^ e \ S P ot r s inI ^. or had
ftom this canL^s^thefac X P ยฐ n "' tte C0Untl 7. -"1 S ImSSSSS "?** ahMst
are sometimes removed, C โข ntr5 ' is not only altered bvTh P er P<>tual fluctuation
Gauges River above Cossimbazak
(15
Here I am at length arrived after a pretty favourable passage considering the season of
the year. Though I most full intended to have at least attempted what you recommended
a sketch of the river from Colgong upwards, yet I am sorry to acquaint yon, it was com-
pletely out of my power. For many, many, years past the Ganges has not been known to
overflow its banks so much as it has done this season, and it was but seldom, even with
Rennell's map of the river, that I could make out where I was. I had not the smallest
idea of what the Ganges is during the rains, until now that I have seen it, and though I have
repeatedly gone up and come down at other seasons, believe me, I could not have known it
for the same river 1 .
Colebrooke's later journeys up the river as far as Cawnpore will be described in
another volume.
Special Surveys a Camutta, 1795-6
In 1795 the Surveyor General was called on to advise the Military Board about
a scheme for draining the laud "near the General Hospital and the back of
Chowrmghee", by means of a canal draining into Tolly's Nullah, and to make a
survey with levels for the purpose ; he writes,
Upon the whole, the proposed scheme appears to be practicable, and highly eligible as a
quantity of putnd and stagnant waters which lodge in the drains and ditches about Chow-
nnghy all the year round, might thereby be drained off, and the place would of course become
more healthy -.
and later,
As the business of my office at the present juncture occupies almost the whole of my
fa ? e ; ""I!, JPP rehens "' e -" th at it will not be in my power personally to pay that attention
which would be requisite to compleat it as soon as may be expected, but I have directed
Ensign Blunt, one of my assistants, to begin the survey under my superintendence ยป.
_ Blunt completed the survey at the end of 1796, on the scale of 200 feet to an
inch, with a table of levels carried out to govern the excavation of the drain" 4
The same year Government reviewed the lease which had been granted to Major
Nullah" " ld ยฐ W ยฃ ยฐ r C0llectiu ยป tolls on the traffio Passing through Tolly's
The Governor General in Council observes that previously to coming to any final deter-
mination with respect to the proposed surrender of the grant of Tolley's Nullah he thinks it
necessary to ascertain now, fully, the present state of the Nullah, and the probable expence
at making the necessary excavations for the purpose of facilitating the navigation of it
A S reed --- th at orders be issued... to the Surveyor General. ..to proceed immediately to
survey the Nullah, and to report the present state of it, ...and the annual expence of making
the necessary excavations in future for... rendering the Nullah at all times navigableS.
In June 1796 the Surveyor General submitted his report together with a survey
made with the assistance of Blunt', who was then directed to see that the canal
was cleaned out and excavated to the necessary depth.
Chittaoofg- Coast, 1799-1800
At the end of 1799 the Marine Board asked for a survey of the Chittagong
coast, and Government ruled that "the service properly appertains to the Surveyor
General's Department'. Upjohn [54]. who had now become an assistant in the
oflice, was appointed to the survey with Mr. Jeremiah McCarthy and the vessel Harrirt
at his disposal, and with the following instructions from the Surveyor General-
navigated Pr ^t a h T t 0b)e f "^ ? Sm "" Y th ยฐ CWtta Sยฐng Hโข as high as it is usually
gated, with its entrance, and such a portion of the coast as vessels are liable to fall in
Adffl.MSs'ssoWBiS T 8 ' T ;โขV 6 (! ">>Jยป.irae. ยปDDn. 16 (146), 1-10-96. 'It.p.BM.
home in 17M Wl t , m " ^ rante d a 12 years lease for collection of the tolls, he died on his voyage
taken over lot Gโโ "e" โข extended for a further period of 15 years to hi, ,viโ ( โ, : the Xnllah wE
<;,';
Bengal St
or as high as it is navigated, with its soundiโข, ยซ 1'k ? Chltta gong River to Islamabad
of the survey, m orde/to be rendered ToreSc^te aTd 3 ' ""T?* "* ^ **ยป P^
partly with a theodolite and chain, or MrLtaSor n d 17 ^ ShOUld be P-taied
as of the highest spot up the river to which your survev ,, " f"" ยฐ l entrance - as w <*
dete^ned by observatio n โt the snn and stirs aSr, V o e Lnoe eXtmd ' ^ ^ """^
Mascal, the end as far as relates to the na2a ton oTth T ^ &ab Mand *><โ "> ยฐ'
Yon will of conrse include in this part HW ( ' """l ยฐ f ? hitta Bยฐยปยซ โข" be answered.
Snndeepa., with the islands of Knttnbdia and Maseal, a Th ^ T* ^ ยฐ f tte island ยฐ*
all the shoals, rocks, and soundings, so as to con^t ; โ P art *ularly careful to include
benefit to navigation. The variation or the magnetic netl" ^ โข U ^ ยฐ f " al use and
within this track should be observed and wtth a vie' to ? ^ ' atitUdeS ยฐ f a f ew P oi ^
occasionally be conducted on shore. gIKlter aCcurac y yยฐ" operations may
A few extracts are here riven frorTr^ T IT ยฐ f ^-^r noticed*,
uary 3rd to April 16th 1800 M Pra1 ' which e **^ from Jan-
Monday, i 7 th. Busilv employed ,โiโข ยป ttagong to procure others. ...
necessary aHeratrons^ 356 " ' '^ ^ Md em P'^d carpenters etc. to make the
N.B. This day very ill in bed.
Wednesday, the 19th February. 4t X oast M th. V, * ,. โ *
another, weighed and proceeded down the river g fin,Shed ' an "aving hired
possible; in doing which the boat was swamped t0 aV ยฐ' d aS much of tte ^ as
-โขt^^^!^^ 5 ^^^^^^ " ttat *ยป " ยซ*
swell, the breakers near the ship having much iricTeald โขโขยฐW<โข* of there being a heavy
bad weather; that therefore I could not extect to 'ee' * a PP rehensi โข ยฐ* approaching
if I persisted in continuing my operations further south "ยฐ* ^^ fam *ยป ff ยซ"*'
masterly manner"' Residency and handed m his charts, executed in a
of a!CiSnยฐt WS death thC SU " ey0r ^ "**ยป ยซ* the re.uW appointment
^0^ s^r oftaTnarnrT ^^ ยฃ ? *J?* "* * *ยซ* * ~* -
but Government did not approve " q ยฐ lr6d by the Marine B ยฐ ard -
take into consideration such Pro P o L'ons " sh U b T"^ ^ 1 " C ยฐ UnCil โข" โขยป4
There was no Marine Survey Zโข'rt f ! v", T d *ยฐ Wm by that Board6 -
LADAKH to LHASA
from the Lamas' map of 1733
Plate 7
โ 7 one-eighth from map facing p. M of Markham
tie's Description de FErnp-ire de Chine
.amas' survey as adjusted by Father
above, which sections are three times
blowing- note by the translator;
rected and improved by the Missionaries
al observations, ... the Missionaries have
as Adjusted the Situation of the Country
China, whose Latitudes were observ'd
Lasa...is, according to P. P. Dorville
it the Map differs from their observations
h & West of Mount Kentais, where the
d down from Report of the Natives.
. pp. 38t, 886) from the account sent
many versions of the story [70] ;
Kegis because
rvation, and... the Distances were not
ation.
mathematical Academy. ... They were
L n !7^ fr T S '- nin S--}ยฐL as a, the Grand
's Narrative of the Mission โ/ a e โ ge
s^itm^ir: x%oโ?dยฐthSr re r sed in s u ^ by ยซ*โ *ยซ * 'ยซ*
a Map of aโ Tibet , mo^St^^^SS "ยป ยซ"โ *" *โข *ยป*.
of TTbetT Tartars 4 fromT fe ^ *"* " ^ ยซ"ยป ยซ" ยปยป *โข*ยป
empfoyed^raSn^Mfp of S T ta ยฐ S โข* *-*โ The two ^
escaped the Fate of theif Brethren But a sTe ^V^f^ **** narrowly
were obliged to content theโข, โข 7 โข ere humed b y this Accident, thev
round the'sourceoftte^r with 'su^ ^r^"" 3 ^^ to the Countriel
Pagoda could afford them and w" h what ?uยฐ Zโข ^ IaWaS " the ^^bouring
found at the Grand io W s at i^ 7 d "*""" ^ "" HiSt ยฐ riCal A ยซยปยซ^
i-J^ZtZz^zirj?^: 1 ^ Mountain *"*โขโ โ โ โ k ยซโ ยป*ยซ ยซ*
^o^^?^?S^^^^---=s
courI he for a Th u^erTartf * bT > "" ^ ^ ^ โข ld ^^
couid make J thf intorXon ^iT ^2ยฐ?!?โข^' *ยซ>.ยป' .*ยฃ
CHAPTER V
BEYOND THE BARRIERS
HIMiLAYA MOUNTAINS; Jesuit Missionaries โ Lama Survey of Tibet, 1712-7 โ
Sources of the Ganges & Gogra - Bogle & Tuner, 1774-84 -Nepal -The Snowy
Range โ ASSAM: The Brahmaputra โ Welsh's "Expedition, 1/92-4โ 1 he Eastern
Frontier โ BURMA.
IN describing the boundaries of " Tndostan " Orme writes,
Mount Caucasus forms its barrier to the north, separating it from the various nations
of Tartars, from the great and little Thibet. From mount Caucasus to Oiittigan, marshes
and rivers' divide it from the kingdoms of Tepral, Assam, and Aracan 2 .
In this chapter we tell of the early efforts to explore these barriers and the
countries that lay beyond.
Ptolemy [207] shows the Caucasus, Mons Imaus, and Emodi Montes, stretching
as a continuous barrier along parallel 38ยฐ, and the ideas of geographers of the 16th
and 17th centuries may be seen in plates 11 and 16.
Marshall writes in 1670 [17 n. 6],
The- Morula Neopoll and Botton Mils' are inTartary and the last of which are called
Nettee Cuttee which are Caucasus hills. All are out of the great Mogull's Dominions*.
The name Caucasus was given to the whole range because it was considered
properly a continuation of the great Caucasus, which stretches from the ancient Media and
the shores of the Caspian sea, round the north-east frontiers of Persia, to Candahar and
Cassimire, and thence, continuing its course more easterly, forms the great northern barrier
to the various provinces of the Mogol Empire, and ends, as we have reason to believe, m
Assam or China โ '. .
Wilford, writing at the end of the 18th century, applies the name to the present
Hindu Kusli , recording' that this . .
country- which very much resembles the valleys of Cashmir, and Nepal, is mentioned m the
Aveen Akbery [ 133 n 3 ] โ It must not however be confounded with the famous country
otCmh-gharl or Cmimr to the eastward of Sama r cani...The original country ol Chases
seems to have been the present country Cash-gar, to the north-east of Cabul . hence Ptolemy
with great propriety, asserts, that the mountains to the north-east of Cabul, are the real
Caucasus. ... The capital city of Cashmr is called CMtmuP, ...and is the place of residence
of a netty Mahometan prince ,J .
The mountains presented a formidable barrier to all knowledge, and it was not
until the 17th century that the first Jesuit missionaries made their adventurous jour-
neys, endeavouring to establish mission posts in these inhospitable regions, and
Beading bach accounts of their travels, and descriptions of the mountains, country,
and people. They did not mate their journeys for the sake of exploration or
geography, hut to carry the Gospel into the far lands 10 .
The French geographers of the Sanson family [209] were the first to map the
information sent home by the missionaries " but ", writes Martham,
Guillaume Delisle, was the first to publish a map of Tibet. ... His map of Central Asia
of 1706 [209] contains many details, published for the first time, which must have beer,
obtained from the Jesuit missionaries. ... Delisle obtained much information, but he had
no precise knowledge respecting relative positions, so that his map is very confused. Bor
instance, Tibet and Utsang 11 are inserted at a distance from each other, as if they were
different places l3 .
'Tippera or Tripura; 79 I.M. -Orme, 1(2). >Mm-ang, Nepil Bhutan 'John Marshall (163)
s Stewart (188). '3SIM-42DH '39'28'N; 76ยฐ E. 'CMtral, SSM/13. 'Paper entitled On Mmnt
Caucasus. As B. VI. 1792 (455-7 ). '"The earlier judgments on their reports did them scant justice ยป.
Stewart ( 18S ). ll Central, or Great. Tibet, l2 Cl'enients Marfcham ( cxxvm-rx ).
67
(is
Beyond the Barriers
The following Is a brief summary of the travel, โ# ยซ
the pnncrpal contributions they made tc TgeoZpt lotl* โข 1 ? d ?ยป ari ^ โข<J of
and observations l . (feo^iapny through then- journals, letters
We have already told of Father Monserrate ยปt +1,
the map of his travels [ pL 10 ] oert ain v "f l " ยฐ 0Urt of AH > a r [u] In
^es --yfaivrepreseUtionSteteoffe โข t ยฐ ^"l * ^ '>
upper Indus and Punjab rivers, and show Lake Mโข 'row' ^ ^ C ยฐ m ' SeS of the
He first saw the mountain, f,-โข n f ruanasarowar 3 .
Mount Imaus, whrch Tcalte ple ยฐ a Tl Cum ยฐ f ^^
โion that would account for the curious position assif , led to tfe ^ ^
^^r^Ttr*^^^^' wllicl1 was then
Peshawar, Jelalabad and Kabul to tSc nd โข Jro^T^f With tradin ยง' ยซยปยซW, by
Tarlcand through Turfia. to 8 ^โข^ยฐ^^^ed Hioto., thenfaS
cu 8I vely that Cathay w but another โanef Ch, m ^ ha โข e Pโข" 3 c โข"
t fi! ath by tlle IocaJ People, and h s dra.w tor Hls Property was looted
I" 1624 Antonio deAudrade' travelled f ,r . tori1 ยฐPโข and mutilated*,
over the Mana Pass, to ^C he sZt ยฃ*> ^ ^'^ Garf โข>>
to Tsaparang the followino ve a ,- It,, ? 3 > nd bact to Ao-ra. He retornJ
there till ijb, when KM^f^T f^ <=Wh, andlSy el
had to withdraw^. as OT eithrown by the Ladathis and he
of Lahul and Eulu returned to Agra e ai ty 1^6 J f' ยฐ" *ยฐ ^ โข d the " *T *V
BeZin mlโข 6 t0 ^ ^ * ยซยฐ *>ยซโ - begin with hi s startfrom
On the 23rd of September we tom-rWli hโ
^yf^^ e ,v t Uch^re^^^f^ r ^'l''^^to^ยปi S T I het. We went bv
October, and in the course of a few dยฃ aeTed^W of tn^ """ ยป ยซ*ยป ^ -
the Caucasus is a IonK ramre crms;.flโ , the Caucasus.
cros S1 ng one mountain you JยฃยฃT^Sgg**rยฃ>* โข* ">% fountains. Aft ei
higher than either of the two former cZ raS ttfjZi^* " โข tal1 deeded by a ttM
you reach the highest of all, namely Per PanSl^ ***" y โข S the **ยซ 7ยฐ* Smb. tยฅi
twelveryXtr^: gSS^^^ ?~ยซ ^ ยซ"' - ยซ~ We too k .
โ mpetuous torrents, which taยฃZ^ยฃ^ยฃ*?f* Ws - โขยป -credible difficuity
STth t T ks and bonMers ' โข snow ' dash down Wlth * tre โข
^H^^^^-S^ltaf^-ri; Tta en ยฐโข S *ยปยป** of snow
there for SI x months. ... cutely closes up the passes, obliged us to reโข?
We had left Kashmir on the 17th โf M
and entered Tibet. Much ^wSS^^ f*-โข =โขsea the mountain
,ave room for the 'ยฃยฃZ U 2ZZ SSSSfflffj 5 ^- ^t
the Latin of cCSS$โ "^S^Sโ"" b/w&orf "11ยฐ Vm' x^S * 0te ?-fe
to Goa, d. 19^3-1634 stGoa orl\ T essels 10-39). "b 15S0 ,t โข- ? 10 Ni 80 ' E -
Agra; d.12-8-1660, at Goa. "Weโข Is t-U^mV'
iยป. "Pn- Panjfd, 43 Ki hig Ct poVt l^'jf 14 ^ 1733 - ยป* ยป-ยซ-
Jesuit Missionaries
(i!)
deafening noise against the rocks as to appal the stoutest traveller. ... [reached Ladak June
25th]. ..We lelt Ladak on the 17th of August 1715 K ...
Finally, two years and four months after I left Goa, and one year and a half since our de-
parture from Deity, and ten whole months since leaving Kascimir, we arrived by the grace of
God, on the iSth day of March 1716, at the city of Lhasa'-.
The full MS. narrative of Desideri's journey was not discovered until 1S75, and
was published in Italian 29 years later. An English translation was published in
1932 3 , and once more we find that most valuable contributions to geography had
been lost to the 18th century. Among those pointed out by De Mlippi are the
following;
We find the first hint of the sacred mountain Kailas, of Lake Manasarowar, of the great
valley of the Tsang-po, ...news of Baltistan, and news also of Ladak.
Desideri . . . states unequivocally that Southern Tibet is traversed through its whole exten-
sion from east to west by a single great river, which he identifies in a manner which leaves
no room for doubt with the upper flow of the Brahmaputraโ a remarkable affirmation at that
date, when one thinks of the long controversy on that subject that was only settled at the
beginning of the present century 4 [78-80].
Desideri described the extent and boundaries of Tibet, and placed the latitude of
Lhasa at 29ยฐ 6', as compared with its true of 29ยฐ 39' 16"; he stayed in or near Lhasa
until "in 1721 he received instructions that the mission field of Tibet was to be
surrendered to the Capuchins, and he left on April 25th 1721", returning to India
by way of Nepal 5 .
Turning now to the east, we find that two of these devoted missionaries had
entered Tibet from Assam and Bhutan nearly 90 years before Desideri's great jour-
ney through Kashmir.
On August 2nd 1626 Stephen Caeella and John Cabral left Hooghly, and
travelling through Dacca reached Azo 7 [pi. 13], the capital of Lower Assam, on
September, 26th and Biar [Cooch Belmr] on October 21st 8 .
Leaving Biar on February 2nd 1627 they reached Paro in Bhutan on March 25th.
They were here received in a most friendly manner, and it was with some difficulty
that they were able to leave and continue their way into Tibet. Cabral reached
Shigatse 3 in January the following year, and after Cacella's arrival returned by him-
self through Nepal to Hooghly. Caeella remained behind and after a visit to Bhutan
died at Shigatse in 1630. Cabral made another journey to Shigatse and back to
Hooghly during 1631-2 10 . It will be noted that Caeella and Cabral were making
their visits to Shigatse at about the same time that Andrade and Azevedo were
travelling in the Sutlej valley and Ladak.
And now we come to our last two figures in this romantic epoch, Johann G-rueber u
and Albert d'Orville ll , both members of the band of Jesuit missionaries working in
China, of which we shall have more to say shortly [ 70 ] . Beceiving a summons to
Rome, and being unable to travel by sea because of war with Holland, Grueber was
ordered to find a route overland.
With d'Orville as companion, he set out from Pekin on April loth 1661, and
travelling through Siningf u Is they reached Lhasa on October 8th, the first Euro-
peans, with one doubtful exception, to visit that holy city. Crossing the Kampa
La they reached Katmandu in January, and passing 'through Motlhari and Patna
reached Agra in March 1662, where d'Orville died the following month. The only
account of this journey that was ever published was written up from their letters,
and gave the values of the latitudes observed [ 1 49 ] u .
After d'Orville's death Grueber continued his overland journey to Italy, travel-
ling through Makran, Persia, and Asia Minor. His full journal/which would have
been of thrilling interest to geographers, has never been found u .
,, -a ' Translati โข of letter from Llifisa, 10-4-16; Clements Markhaai (302). "De FiKppi (90). :l ib.
(lojetseo). 'ib. (36, 48). 5 ib. (108). ยซb. 1585, at Aviz, Portugal SJ. 1614; to In.liiieJ I ; .1. 6-3-30.
atbmgatse. 'Hajo, 78 N/7. s b. 1599, at Celorico, Portugal; SJ. 1615; to India ,1614. "77 0/15.
Wessels (lb2) "h. 1623 at T,inz onDarmbe; SJ. 1641 d. 16S0. > s b. August 1621, at Brussels; S.J.
1Mb: with l.onebev from Europe 1656 to Goao 1658 to JIacao; 1660 to Pckin; d. S-4-62 at A"-]
36 IN: 101 45 E. "Clements Marklmn, (295 -302), Wessels (166-203): of. HE. Journ
'โ 'Cien-etits Miii'khatp (ivii).
i-md. Sept. 1923. (355a.).
70
Beyond the Barriers
Further knowledge of Tibet was acquired from the Cannot,',, ,โ;-โ
reached Lhasa in 1719 by way of Necal and who I V ยฃ missionaries, who
Horace della Penna". He mates reference to he t Tr โข e โข tten ll P h 7
on Gastaldi's map of 1561 [pi ,61 and th ยฐ t?7f 5 ยฐ f ^T'' Whk * "PP"โข
from whose travels Gastaldi te 4 most of hti, fo w T't^l * Mai 'ยฐยฐ Polo >
Polo's contributions to geography were i deed ^ Sa " f ? r f e " traI Asia - Marco
memory with the assistanee%fVfew ^mt%^%ยฃ?Xg?
Lama Survey 01 Tibet. 1712-17
plo^^^lnS^a^^t 1 ^ ^ to he based on systematic ex-
home by the Jesuit Mission "S at PeS wlS r f maPS f^ "' Sent
aesc^^dttt fS^^S" **ยป *ยฅ* ยซยซ "1
his fellow missionaries made systematic nstrZ ' i r ยฐ Ugh sketeh es, he and
It is said that in 1701 alone they Served <*""*ยซ<ยปโข- oyer a wide area.
on the frontier of Thibet, .JS^t^H ^T^โข md brOT 8W them to Si-ning,
In the same year...and in i 7 " t C m de a โข D o'l ' e^ ^"^ *" ^^ te W
Regis continued his work for the reโข oi nZ7 ยป p w0 ' tlm g Md Manchuria,
companions to Mongolia, Formosa the new man โ s "f^ iโข^' ยฐ r Smdin ยซ Ws J- uit
srsss t exteiided to ^etT; ^;โข^ leted on January ist ws -
ss-t: Peki - โ - * ^^ttrsยซยฃยฃri-.ยฃ
MandaTt^^
ordered to draw maps of the count^ o the Great C"a ! I** S โ^ "*ยฐ were
the maps . . . were handed to the Tesnit Se4 Sth + a โ ' ^ ^ retUm to CMna in *7".
the existmg maps of the other Chinese^ymTes Ct 'ยฐ n *ยฐ *"" *ยป to th <= ยซ!โข *
-^r^^rr^r 81 ^^ n- * e - d โ a ยซ. ^h^ to
trained...at the academy founded by Inlthr^ " ยฐ"f? Mlected U *ยฐ L โขas who had been
to draw accurate maps of t^ltlyVZ^t^TT^ ^ '" Tlbet "*" "ders
far successful that they reached Lanka -Dhe Tthe ยซfl ff ^ *ยฃ? ex P edit โข was so
Lamas of a local monastery, that the Ganges had lยซ ^ '" They bamed from ยซยซ=
they were able to take lat tndes of thfl S n\a nn gm " ^ Lake ' However - b <=fore
the country. S ยฐ' the La ยฐ^-Dhe regum . . . the two Lamas had to flee from
On their return to Pekin in โ,- +w
missionaries. These distrusted thc'worlf tat had ~T **ยซยซ**. fc COmm ยปt *> ยซ*
Sisโ -=^
a companion volume to Father du HaWeV fo pr ? ducec ' ils atla ยซ of 42 maps, as
la Chine .... ClU HaWe s fcยซr-Tolume Description d e I'Empire de
โข- for MariTXtSvSf:: Eiy ( Sr^ 1 %**<&โ โ a ยฐโข^ Ifcita. flW, 4 809 340)
ยปโข 1ยซ* in Pa,, S! for sยป m eXX^??SSS;S LS,ยซ ; S^^ * ^ JS
Lama. Survey oh Tibet
71
A. portion of the Carte generate d% Tibet, ou Bout-tan.. . , dated April 1783, appears
on plate 7. Other "cartes particulieres du Tibet" appear in the atlas which was
published in Paris 1 , with the following
Avertissement- Toutes les Cartes ayant ete mises au meme point et sous une projection
generale, les originaux surent presentez a S.M.T.C. 3 par le P. du Halde tels qu'il les avoit recus
des missionaires et se conservent dans la Bibliotheque du Roi.
Avant que d'etre mises entre les mains des graveurs, elles ont passes par celles de M.
D'Anville.
E-ennell had no other authority for these regions, but records his distrust;
We have the history of the Lamas' map in Du Halde, which is not altogether favourable
to its character, especially in the parts towards the source of the Sanpoo & Ganges. A close
examination of its particulars turns out still more unfavourable to it. For instance the
place where the Ganges enters the plains of Hindoostan, is placed under the 28th degree of
latitude, though it is known by our late observations to be in about 30 3 [pi. 6].
He was blamed by his contemporaries for not having- taken a stronger line and
rejected the Lamas' map altogether, but his only alternative was to leave the area
blank as he did in his final map of 1792 [pi. 8].
SOTJECES OF THE GrANG-ES & &OGRA
From the earliest times there had been speculation about the source of the
Ganges, and it was natural that legends of mystery should be attached to the source of
a river whose waters were endowed with such special sanctity. D'Anville writes that,
According to Ptolemy, the ancients knew as little of it as of the origin of the Nile; ...We
mistook for the head of the Ganges, a place inclosed between the mountains which separate
India from Tibet, through which this river runs into India. According to... Terry, the Indians
are of opinion that the waters ...rise in the province of Siba. ... The Persian historian of
Timur 4 , conducting that conqueror as far as the entrance oi the Strait of Kupela 5 , ...says
that 15 miles above this strait, there is a stone cut in the shape of a cow, from whence the
Ganges springs 6 .
The curiosity of the Emperor Akbar was intrigued by the legend, and towards
the end of the 16th century he sent a special mission of exploration, which penetra-
ted to the neighbourhood of Gangotri ;
On s'avanca toujours du cote du Nord, & plus on approchoit de la source, plus le lit du
fleuve s'etrecissoit. On traversa des forets inhabitees, oil il fallut se faire des chemins nou-
veaux. Enfin on arriva a une haute montagne, qui sembloit taillee par l'art en forme d'une
ยฃgte de vache. De la coule une grande abondance d'eaux, qui semblerent aux Deputes etre
la premiere origine du Gange. On ne penetra pas plus avant. On revint apres avoir coum
de grands dangers, faire a l'Empereur le rapport du voyage. La Relation des Deputes fit in-
seree dans la Chronique'.
It was some years after this journey that Terry 8 wrote in 1655 describing
Hardware, where the famous river Ganges, passing through or amongst large rocks, makes
presently after a pretty full current; but both this and that other great river Indus have their
rise & original out of the mountain Caucasus, from whence they both first issue.
That principal rock, through which this river Ganges there makes a current, is indeed, or
(if not), according to the fancy of the superstitious Indians, like a Cow's Head, which of all
sensible creatures they love best 9 .
Father Desideri who passed close under Mount Kailas 10 on his march from Ladak
to Lhasa in 1715-16 [67-9] noted that this seemed to he the source of the Indus
and the water parting between east and west;
It seems that the above mentioned mountain Ngnari Giogar must be regarded as the
fountain head not only of the river Ganges, but also of the Indus. . . . Being the highest point
of this region, the water drains off on two sides. To the west it flows through Second Tibet
to Lesser Tibet until it reaches the Mountains of Csscimir, and finally, near Lesser Guzerat 11
1 Nouvelle Atlas de la Chine ... . et du Thibet... Paris, 1735; 1737. 10. Maps, II, AC. 35. English,
edn. London 1738. 2 vol. 2 Sa Majeste tres chretienne. B Me,moir, 1793 (300). 4 S chare seddin,
15th Century; Bernoulli, II (281). 6 The george above Rikikesh, 15 miles above Hardwar. "Herbert
(21 ) "Quoted from Manouchi, Bernoulli, II (282-3). s Chaplain to Sir Thomas Roe "lord ambassador
to the Great Mogul" ; Terry & William Poster. fl Terry (74). "Height 22,028 ft., 62 E/S. "Gnjrit,
Punjab, 43 L'2; distinguished from Gujarat, Bombay, 46 B ; actually, the Indus flows about 150 m. west
of Gujrat.
72 Beyond the Barriers
forms the navigable river Indus. On the eastern side, another large body of water flows into
lake Retoa and eventually forms the river Ganges 1 .
But Desideri's report did not reach D'Anville or Rennell who followed the Lamas'
map, as D'Anville writes,
We have learned that at the foot of the Kentaisse 2 mountains, the Ganges, formed by
several springs, crosses successively two great lakes, and takes its course to the Westward,
where meeting with a chain of mountains that obliges to turn to the Southward, and then
winds itself between the East and South, till wholly directed towards the latter it enters
India, which it cannot do but by opening itself a passage between the mountains. . . . This dis-
covery has added to the Ganges about 200 leagues 3 .
Wilford explains that,
It is one of the Southern peaks of Mount Canlaiseh, which, rising behind the subordinate
peak of Kyemlung, is considered by pilgrims as the source of the Ganges. There ended the
survey of the Lama mathematicians, and the countries to the South and South West were
added afterwards, from the report of natives 4 .
D'Anville made slight modifications which Eennell accepted and wrote,
In placing the heads of the Ganges and Sanpoo rivers, I have followed M. D'Anville's cor-
rection of the Lamas' map in Du Halde, . . . and have continued the course of the Ganges to the
place where it enters Hindoostan, from the same map. I have said before, that I consider
thus part of the Lamas' map as a very vague performance; but the want of better materials
obliges me to make use of it. I suspect that the Ganges does not take quite so wide a circuit
to the northwest, as is there described 5 [71].
Duperron on the other hand was emphatic in his scorn and justly remarks,
Sans peut-etre en avoir de meilleurs, M. Rennell ne peut plus employer des Materiaux
dont on connoit maintenant le defectueux 6 ...
whilst Hodgson, in 1821, overlooking perhaps the doubts that Eennell expressed,
wrote that
in some few instances he failed, particularly in his conjectures respecting the [upper?] part
of the course and the source of the Ganges 7 .
In 1786 the publication by Bernoulli of the maps and writings of Father
Tieffenthaler brought fresh information from a new and apparently trustworthy
source 8 . Anquetil-Duperron had compiled Tieffenthaler's maps into a general
map [12] which he published with notes of his own in 1784; learning thus of
Tieffenthaler's work, Bernoulli 9 , then a professor in Berlin, obtained his Descripiio
India! from Denmark, and published a translation, to which he added, in two further
volumes, an expanded edition of Duperron's treatise, and a translation of Bennell's
Memoir 10 [214].
He included Duperron's general map with large-scale insets shewing the sources
of the Ganges and Gogra as sketched by Tieffenthaler from native information.
These place the famous Cow's Mouth at Gangotri about 3 degrees west and 8}
degrees north from Hardwar (the correct distance being about 40' E. and 65' N.),
though Tieffenthaler observes that, "La vraie source du Gauge est inconnue, & elle
ne sera jamais decouverte, parce qu'au dela de la bouche de la Taehe les chemins
sont impractiquables "," a suggestion ridiculed by Duperron.
In a sketch of the lakes "Mansaroar" and "Lanka Dhe 1! ", three rivers are shewn
rising from the former ; against that flowing to the east Tieffenthaler notes,
On dit que le Brahmapoutren qui va a, Ascham et a Rangamati, sort de ce Lac [80, 209].
and against that flowing to the north-west
On dit que le Satkradj qui va a Belaspour et a Lodiane, sort de ce Lac; mais cette asser-
tion ne merite aucune croyance, car il est plus vraisemblable qu'il se jette dans l'Allaknanda
qui arrose Badrinath et Sirinagar, ou dans une autre Riviere.
The Gogra is shewn flowing from the "Lanka Dhe", with the notes,
Le Sardjou sort de ce Lac. On appelle ce fleuve Sardjou tandis que e'est reellement le
Gogra, a cause de Sardjou qui s'y jette a Pasca.
1 DePiIippi(83-4> 'Kailas. 'Herbert (21 ). Us B. Vm, 1805 (323-3). 'Memoir 1783 (991
โขBernoulli, II (491) 7 DDa . 196 (90); SG. to Govt. 1S-9-IS21. ยปMaclag a n notes that Tieffenthaler
aiivcr quoted hiยป authorities. Mean Bernoulli, b. 4-11-44, at Basle; a "rent a-trmoine, โ ,1 ",07 ,,
Berlin. "1785 Ecu,. "Bernoulli, II (279). "MSnM.roโข or Tso lUapham \ Laganโข or Si, 62
3 late 8
The INDUS to the GANGES
Rennell, 1792.
Part of RennelJ's Map of the Countries situated between Delhi and Kandahdr, 1792, i
faces p. 65 of his Memoir of a Map of Hindoostan, 1793. Scale 1 i inches to a degree.
Rennell has received a new value for the position of Sirinagur, Garh
and changed the course of the Ganges above Hardwar to conform [ 73 ] .
He has now abandoned the Lamas' version of the Upper Ganges, but
_ ?J-_ โ!' IX.- _ยฃ ii-_ Tโ J _i_\!_i_ -kT iโ L_:i _t_ cinn _.
Sources ot the Ganges & Gog-ha 73
C'est par le recit des Voyageurs qui vont a ce Lac, qu'on connoit la source de ce fleuve;
pour avoir quelque chose de plus certain, il faut d'autres recherches.
Just above its exit from the "Camaoun Hills" the G-og'ra is shown passing
through, the
reservoir du Sardjou ou Kanar, que Ton bien appeler sa seconde source ; ici il est nomme
Kanar; ailleurs Sardjou; ailleurs Gagra et Devha...
and nearlv 50 miles lower the river passes through the "Cataracte du Kanar 1 ".
Bernoulli's publication reached Rennell in time for Tieffenthaler's work to be
incorporated into his map of 1788 [pi. 6 ], and here again he was misled, wrongly
assuming that Tieffenthaler had visited G-angotri himself, though Duperron had
been emphatic that he had never done so, but had trusted to " des renseignmens
qui lui ont ete donne par les gens du pays 3 ". In his new Memoir Eeunell discusses
at length all the evidence now available regarding the source of the Ganges, conclud-
ing with this magnificent picture;
To sum up the whole information, collected from different accounts of the upper part of the
course of the Ganges, it appears that the two branches of it, which spring from the western
side of Mt. Kentaisse, take course westward, inclining considerably to the north, for a course
of about 300 miles; ...when, meeting the great chain... of Mount Himmaleh, which extends from
Cabul along the north of Hindoostan, . . . the rivers are compelled to turn to the south; in which:
course they unite their waters, and form what is properly termed the river Ganges. This
great body of water now forces a passage through the ridge of Mount Himmaleh ... and sapping
its very foundations, rushes through a cavern, and precipitates itself into a vast bason which
it has worn in the rock, at the hither foot of the mountains. ... From this second source.. .its
course becomes more easterly than before, through the rugged country of Sirinagur s ; until, at
Hardwar, it finally escapes from the mountainous tract, in which it has wandered for about
800 B. miles' 1 .
Five years later he dropped the Lamas' course altogether and corrected his map
immediately above Hardwar [pi. 8];
I find that I was misled by the map of the Ganges, made from the materials furnished by
the late M. Tieff entailer; having placed the town of Sriuagur ...on the north of Hurdwar;
whereas it appears by the observations of some English gentlemen, ...in 1789... to lie nearly
to the ENE. of Hardwar. The position of Srinagur is at present established, ...on the
authority of Capt. John Guthrie 5 who visited it in 1789, ...ascertained by a compass and
perambulator. Mr. Daniel... also visited Srinagur the same year, and he gives nearly the same
idea...
Some geographical information concerning the upper part of the course of the Ganges and
its principal branches, appears at the foot of a ... beautiful sketch ... drawn by Mr. Daniel; ...the
Alucknundra 6 river, which passes under Sirinagur is made perfectly distinct from the Bagh-
retty; ...Mr. Daniel's sketch shows it as a branch which separates Iromthe Baghretty 7 below
the cow's mouth, and rejoins it below Sirinagur 3 [pi. 6, 8].
The Lamas' version of the sources of the Granges was last reproduced in Arrow-
smith's Map of India published in 1804, and a full review of the misconceptions
that had so long prevailed was written by Henry Golebrooke [77 n. 3] in 1809, and
published in Asiatic Researches '\
Bogm & Turner, 1774-84
As early as 1768 the Directors had expressed a wish for intercourse and trade
with Tibet and the countries to the north 10 , and they repeated this desire in 1771 ;
It having been represented to us that the Company may be greatly benefited in the sale
of Broadcloth, Iron, Copper, Lead, and other European commodities by sending proper persons
to reside at Enngpore, and to explore the interior parts of Butan, Assam, and other countries
adjacent to Gaulparah; and as you well know our earnest wish to extend the vend of the
'Sotesonmapiit end of Bernoulli, II. -Bernoulli. II (282), 3 Srinag'ar, 53 J/16. 4 Memoir, 1788
(233). An interesting review of this whole subject appeared in Critical Re-searches in Philology ยง Geo-
graphy, vilasco-w-, 1824, which is reviewed in As J. XVII, May 1824 (512). 5 Account of Gtrthrie's visit
with Thomas Daniel, & his nephew William, the artists; Ben. P $ P. XLIX (9). ^Alakna.tula, S3K,
' Bhnglrathh 53 J. "Memoir. 1793 (3fiS). 9 AsE. XI, 1810 (429-455). 10 CDto B. 16-3-6S; HMS.
356 (185).
I
' Beyond the Bakriers
north of Cooch Behar=, and on receiving a letter from 1 Teshn T" 7 I*" 1 *โข'
on behalf of the Bhutanese, Warren Hasting tonwL I -P f a mtel ' oedln e
Bogle on a mission of goodwill to Tibeta 8 *"" ยฐPP Mtamt r *ยฐ ^nd George
ge^SXโข CMe% COnCei โข d "** ยซ> ยซ>ut two items refer to
aoeonnt of an interview with the Teshu Lama oT^y mh 775 Te Lยฃ ^
That I was exceedingly concerned thatGesnb still continued to rrnarine that T '
with a design of making an unfriendly account of this Wnrfom ttat iTL t lโข S l"" 16
surveying or war- that Mr WamilMr, ,โhโ u "' b ""Soonl , that i knew nothing about
country ยฃ Tibet, the Gosa^, when d^n dX Zl^โข Z f^ T" " * *ยป
me a map of Tibet from ladak "the ton i r of China' I JT"" " P ยฐ n ?"' ยฐ fimd *ยฐ give
distances. This was a solendid โ Jo * , 7 ? ' he names of P laces and their
lustre on my commission" " I reprLT' in"the 1m "t t ^T^ โข Ud ^ โข h
Lama for his kind offer, that the situation โf the c^untrv its't T^ f *"***ยซ the
of ^pSXt i2SSr&-32?^ ^3* ยซโข on,y information
river throngh Vn^ t r S h g s^ \?Zr c โขr e cUh ' ^' ^ ^ B ^ยป
"Desheripgay", the residence of the tII t ossec ' tue Tsang-po and, reaching
there five months n ยฐ f the Teshu Lama ' on November 12th 1774, stayed
Mr. Bogle divides the territories nf eht rfi t >- ยป0 ], records that,
hesimmedfately contiguous to Z t ^ r "t "^ * diSerent parts - ^ which
and the other, which Senas to a^'tb , T ^ W the n3me of Bo " ta " l=3ยป. 5 ];
natives Pu, he styles Thibet B n ยฐ rth โข rd as *ยซ ยซ ยซยป frontiers of Tartary, called by the
acWM^'L'tLc^Son 77V7 T^^ *ยฐ ^ tUs time *
Warren Hastings, ^ S^tet^h^ ^ tt ^^ " ^ ยฐ f
and Bobert Saunders as medical Ttte7dsnV f T Vn ?T Da โข as surre Jยป'-
Bhutan turning aside to risft Punata the eL'i al' b' B ยฐS' le ' s โข' te ยซโข^ยซ
cion on account of his prof essionTnTwt nTa Leftโข ^fuX^ V"^
pnbhshed an account of his mission in 1800 which ;"i i, , , ?', TlIrnei '
Davis made in Bhutan, as well as a Ip rf nrT route" wh tt! fetches which
the snowy peaks were quoted by Sir William Jont r'nfi AfrTTb * -^ ^
17W-84, there was no further o'fficia, intercou^it^ilt We^00~ *
'li-b^&^^I'-oJeS^^^X^J^r^^H^ s Stewa rt a 89 )
Bogle & Turner
75
Iii 1786 the Directors wrote out to ask for copies of a ''Plan of tlie Thibet
Mountains" and of a "View of Thibet or Bhutan"; apparently in response to this
request, the Surveyor General sent home in 1792 a "Planโ The High Mountains of
Thibet and- those between Nepcml and the low Countries " l ; this has not been found and
nothing is known of its authorship.
Nepal
We have noticed that various missionaries had travelled through Nepal during
the 16th and 17th centuries [69-70], and after they had penetrated to Lhasa, the
Capuchin mission established headquarters at Bettiah in 1745 K Rennell acknow-
ledges an itinerary, with distances, taken from Father Giorgi's 3 record of the
mission, but adds "we are almost entirely in the dark as to the particular direc-
tion. .. 4 '\ Tor his maps of 1774 he took
the course of the Gunduck River beyond Soupour", and all the places beyond the Bettiah
Hills, from a MS. Map made by the Jesuits in Nepaul .
There were two official missions sent to Nepal by the Government of Bengal
during the 18th century. The first was an expedition under Captain Kinloch made
in 1767, to assist the Raja of Nepal in his defence of Katmandu against the Raja
of Gorkha.
Kinloch marched a small force of 4 companies of sepoys from Patna through
Janakpur, but was held up by a thousand difficulties, and but for knowledge gained
of a small portion of the frontier, and the extension of the Company's influence,
nothing was accomplished. Kinloch sent maps to the Governor ;
I send you his present attack of Cuttmandro & Paton, by which the terrible situation of
Jay Percass [Raja of Nepal] may be easily seen, notwithstanding the Rudeness of the Work,
which indeed is neither Plan, Perspective, or Profile, and altogether out of proportion. It
is done by Mactah "Under, the man who did the Map which was sent to you 7 .
In recommending that Kinloch should be allowed to make a second advance, the
Chief at Patna wrote in February 1768,
The knowledge Capt. Kinloch has obtained of that part of the Country, which was before
so little known, will be a means of not subjecting him to so many difficulties as he before met
with... 6
and again,
I have delivered to the President some Plans Capt. Kinloch has sent me down, shewing
the Rout he intends to take 9 .
Robert Kyd made a sketch of Kinloch's route "to Seedly & Harriorpour ", beyond
the Nepal border 10 .
In 1792 the Gurkhas appealed to Calcutta for help in a war against Tibet;
military aid was refused, but a mission under William Kirkpatrick was sent to offer
mediation. Starting in February from Muniariup the Baghmati River, it reached
Katmandu after the trouble had been settled, and returned at once, travelling down
the Rapti, and reaching Sagauli 11 on the Gandak in April.
A survey of the route 1 * was kept by John Gerard, one of the officers of the escort,
and compiled into the map which was published with Kirkpatrick's account of the
mission.
The original of the accompanying map is the performance of Lieut. Gerard.. .who has
also the merit of having taken considerable pains in the course of our journey to ascertain
with exactness the relative position of places; a task which was rendered the more laborious
by the circumspection with which he was obliged to use the compass. As the use of the
perambulator was entirely out of the question; and as, owing perhaps to the nature of the
country, we did not find the pedometer answer, we had no other means of measuring the
distances but by the watch. No doubt this was a very inaccurate method, but we endeavour-
^PC. Feb. 1192. -O'Malley (156). :! b. 1711, near Rimini, Italy; an Angnstin Friar; Author
of Alphaheiirm TihitaHum-. -'Memoir, 1193 (303). "Probably Salempur, on the Nepal border. 63 N71...
i; IO. Maps. I.AC. 13. ; BSC. 21-1-61. 3 BSC. 10-2-68. 3 ib. 16-2-68. m For all these places v. pi. 14,
"72 B/9. "MRIO. S9 (20 & possibly 22-3).
I
76
Betond the Barriers
ed to correct it, in some degree, by comparing notes after each day's journey; and by
paying due regard, in our computations, to the varieties of the road with respect to ruggedness
or facility. Accordingly we have allowed, in different situations, from two to four miles per
hour though it was very rarely indeed after entering the Nepaul territories, that we proceeded
at the latter rate. ... It is much to be regretted that we were not able to fix the situation
of a few points, at least, of our route by observations of the latitude and longitude. ... We
were not absolutely without the means of accomplishing the former of these interesting
obiects, but as we did not sufficiently understand the management of the astronomical
quadrant, ...we were too ill satisfied ourselves with the results of our operations to think
them entitled to any confidence 1 .
The Snowy Range
Without going back to the days of Alexander the Great, we will now record the
โขcomments made by some of the early surveyors and other travellers on their first
sight of the snowy peaks of the Himalaya. We have already noticed the first
impressions of Father Monserrate in 1581 [68], and the awe which Father
Besideri felt when passing through the mountains into Kashmir and oyer to the
Indus valley [68-9], which contrast with the restraint of the surveyor (probably
Bruce) with the first Eohilla compaign of 1774, who indicated the foothills ^vith a
simple line of conventional hills, with a further conventional line marked "Moun-
tains covered with snow 3 ".
Marshall writes in 1670 [67],
About Morung [pi. 14b which is a great place, are very high hills which upon the 31 July
1671 I see, being at Singhee 3 about 8 Course 4 North from Patna. ... They ly directly North"
from hence and seeme a vaster distance of [sic] than any object my eyees ever beheld. I see
them before Sunrise about 2 minutes of an houre, when I could see the sun shine upon the
tops of them, which hills seemed about \ degree above the horizon. These people, when they
go thither, they go first to Neopoll and "some days journey beyond pass over vast valleys
before come to these hills. They go to Botton for Musk, that being the chiefest place where
the Musk-deer are. Travelling over the Neopoll hills requires 24 or 25 days time, which being
up most vast hills and down vast valleys, the way in a straight line may not be much, and
considering the crookedness of the way passing through vast woods etc., and going by Neopoll
to Botton, which is out of the way, lying about 1 point of the Compass East of it, and then
considering that they come to these hills 4 or 5 days before come to Botton. ... I reckon that
the reall distance of these hills from hence may bee in a straight line about 140 Course,
which at i\ mile per Course, make 315 English miles.
Several Arminians and Jesuits which have come from them parts, which come from China,
and have travelled the most Countries in the World, say that these Botton hills are the high-
est hills they ever see or heard of 6 .
Bennell saves his emotion for the view of the plains looking back from the hills
of the Buxa Duars,
The southernmost ridge of the Bootan mountains rises nearly a mile and a half perpendi-
cular above the plains of Bengal in a horizontal distance of only 15 miles, and the astonished
traveller looks back on the plains, as on an extensive ocean beneath him?.
He considered the mountains as outside his province, being beyond the frontiers
of Bengal, but plate 5 shows that he sketched them in where he could, and
intersected occasional prominent peaks ; for example, one to the north of Buxa Duar
bears the note, "This sharp mountain is seenfrom Chilmari, Pumeah, etc.", and he
notes generally that
the Situation of different Peaks in the chain of mountains covered with snow were ascertained
by good bases, many parts of it being distinctly seen at distance of 60 miles from the foot of
the first chain 8 .
He was definitely impressed by their height but attempted no estimate ;
They are among the highest of the mountains of the old hemisphere. I was not able to
determine their height; but it may in some measure be guessed, by the circumstance of their
'E;irkpatrick(5-7). ! HMS. Vol.221. ' Singhiya, 72 G/l.
"John Marshall (137-8, 162). 7Qj. Bm. VI, 1811 (303). ยซIO. I
coss. s " SE. by 5. & NHE." r>. 137.
I, I.AC. 13.
The Snows: Range 77
rising considerably above the horizon, when viewed from the plains of Bengal, at the distance
โขof 150 miles 1 [23],
and again.
I suppose them to be in point of elevation equal to any of the mountains of the old
hemisphere. Indeed the country of Thibet is altogether one of the highest in Asia; it being
a part of that high elevated tract which gives rise not only to the rivers of India and China,
hut to those also of Siberia and Tartary. . . . 3
This lack of inquisitive ness puzzled Henry Colebrooke s , who points out that,
Travellers through Bhutan into Tibet had enabled him to determine, with considerable
accuracy, the geographical position of some of the peaks, and establish the important fact that
the snowy range was removed by a vast tract of hill country from the plains *,
Sir William Jones, founder of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, was quick to
-appreciate the immense height of the peaks, which he saw about a year after his
arrival in India; he writes,
Just after sun-set, on the 5th of October 1784, I had a distinct view from Bhagilpoor 5 of
Chumalury peak, and the adjoining mountains of Tibet, which are very clearly seen from
Perneia^, and were perfectly recollected by a learned member of our society [Samuel Turner],
one of the latest travellers to that interesting country, who had obligingly communicated to
me a correct note of the bearings and courses observed in his journey from Rengpur 7 to
Tassisudden, and thence through Paradgong to Chumalury 8 . . . . From the most accurate calcu-
lations that I could make, the horizontal distance at which it was distinctly visible must be at
least 244 British miles. ...
By an observation of Mr. Davis [74] at Rengpur, and another at Tassissudden, the
difference of latitude between the place last mentioned and Bhagilpoor, is 163 geographical
or 188 and a fraction British miles ; now although the road from Buxadewar in Butan, the
latitude of which was found to be 26 53', consisted of rough mountains and deep valleys, yet
the way between Paradong and Chumalary, especially from... the frontier of Tibet, was very
level; and the accuracy of our travellers gives us reason to believe, that their computed miles
from Tassissudden were but little above the standard; so that having measured the northern
sides of the two triangles, formed by their courses WNW. and NNW., we could not be far
from the truth. . . ,
The mountains of Chumalury are the second or third ridge described in the Memoir'- 1 .
The Major justly considers the mountains of Himola, for so they are named by the natives
from a word signifying snow, as equal in elevation to any in the old hemisphere ; and an obser-
vation of Mr. Saunders [ 74 ] at Perneia, added to a remark of Mr. Smith 10 on the appearance
of Chumalury from Moreng, gives abundant reason to think, that we saw from Bhagilpoor,
the highest mountains in the world, without excepting the Andes 11 .
Henry Colebrooke became a great enthusiast on the subject of the height of the
snowy peaks;
His attention was first drawn to this question during his residence at Purnea ( 1789-93 ),
from which station there is a fine view of the majestic range 150 miles distant 1 -.
He was the first to attempt to decide the height of the range by observation,
and found that an estimated distance of 150 English miles, with elevation of 1ยฐ 1',
gave a height of 26,000 feet; he was transferred from Purnea before he could
conclude his observations.
Reuben Burrow, during his visit to Groalparain 1788 [159], measured a base and
fixed all the peaks of the Bhutan mountains that he could, taking panorama sketches,
and on his journey to Hardwar took observations to the _Kumaun Hills 18 [ 161 ],
There are at least two ranges of hills ( but I suspect many more ) ; it is the farthest and
highest range that is called the Almorah Hills; ... I could not get the name of the nearest
range of hills 14 .
When he got to Hardwar he took observations to all the peaks he could see
from the top of the hills near "Chandyghaut".
In 1796 Thomas Hardwicke, the botanist, visited Hardwar, and travelled up the
G-anges as far as Srinagar 15 [ pis. 6,8 ] , making a plot of his route and of the course
of the river; and leaving vivid descriptions of the country;
/noo . l Memoir, 1788 (256n). 2 ib. 1793 (302). 3 lst Cousin of Robert Colebrooke [ qv. ]. 'Colebrooke
i^'-%, AsE ^ XUt 181S <^ 5 -6)- 5 Bhagalpur. 72 K/16. 'Purnea, 72 0/9. 'Eaugpur, 78 G/5.
Vbari Dzong. ,8 E/2; ChumaJhari, 7* E.'o. 23,930 it, ^Memoir. ) 7*3. 1(l William iiruci- Pmitii, merchant
& mdigo factor, Purnea & Nathpur (.Na.utponr.pl. U) ; {-IMS. 379 (259-67) ; had sent a sketch of Kosi E.
tobG.DDDn. 131 (89), S-S- 18.1,1, "Tei^nmouth, II (46) ; see also Colebrooke (2BS et seq.). ^Cole-
brooke (268). "530; m B.C. "Journal, 10 Maps MS. 5. 15 MEI0. M. 320 (51).
78
Beyond the Bakmbrs
April 27th at Teyka-ka-Maanda. The toad continuing with an ascent for about half an
hour brought me to the summit of a ridge, from whence is seen the lofty chain of snowy
mountains in a very extended line from E. to W. From the distant and indistinct point of
view these mountains are seen in some parts of Rohilcund, no just idea, can be formed of the
sublimity of the scene here exhibited, and which every moment appeared with additional
"randeur and brilliancy as the rising sun gradually increased his altitude.
' One of the most conspicuous summits of this Chain is distinguished by the name of Hem ;
on the base of which. ..is the famous place of Hindoo worship called Buddm Nauth 1 . ... Its
bearing from where I made these notes was NNE.
April 28th. Chet Kote. ... I was brought to another view of the lofty snowy mountains,
which the" moment before were hid by the neighbouring hills, and from the increased eleva-
tion of this spot above the one I last saw them from, their magnitude and extent were seen
ir proportionate degree, but the grandeur of the scene was so infinitely increased, that des-
cription must fall as far short of doing justice, as would the pencil of the most eminent
artist. ... .
April 29th. Had a distinct view of the town and valley of Sireenagur, and the winding
course of the Aleekmmdra River 2 .
Hard-wide discusses the distance of the base of the snowy range beyond Srina-
o-ar, and quotes the descriptions given by Daniel in 17B9 [ 73 11. 6].
' We may close with a reference to Kirkpatrick's description of the ' terrific
appearance" of the snow-covered range as seen during his visit to Katmandoo,
and his estimate that one peak " cannot be supposed to be less elevated than the
Peak of Teneriffie 3 ".
Assam: the Brahmaputra
Nothing whatever was known of the geography of Assam before the days of
Bunnell and most maps shewed the Brahmaputra as a short river not oOO miles
lono- flowing from north to south [ pis. 3, 1 r, 1 6 ] . D'Anville shows it as high as
"Azzo" [6911. 7] just above Kangamati [pi. 13], and gives the following
description; ... . .
Un pen au dessous de Daka, le Gange est joint par une grosse riviere, que sort de la fron-
tirere du Tibet Le nom de Bramanpoutre qn'on lui trouve dans quelques cartes, est une
corruption de celui de Brahmaputren, qui dans le langue du pays signifie, ' tirant son origme
de Brahm. ' Cette riviere, en remontant conduit a Eangamate et a Azoo, qui sont la frontiere
del'etatdu Mogul*.
A prominent feature of the old maps was the great lake Chramay lying
between Assam and Upper Burma [ pis. 3, 1 1 , 16 & p. 48 ] of which Wilford writes,
The Brahma-cmda, '' from which issues the Brahma-putra, is the same which is called
Chiamay by De Barros [210 n. 6, 221], and other Portuguese writers. De Barros calls the
Brahmaputra the Caor river, and says that it comes from the lake Chiamay, and from thence
it goes to the town of Caor. ...
The Chiamay Lake was said to be 180 miles in circumference. . . . Four rivers are supposed
to spring from this lake, but except the Brahma-putra, the others must issue from it through
subterraneous channels. The Pauranics " delight in such mystical communications'.
Herman Moll wrote, before 1722 [ 209],
\cham The Lake of Chiamay lies in this Country, betwixt Latitude 25 and 27 , and is,
says Luyts 180 leagues in Compass. The river Cacpoumo runs from it into the Bay of
Bengal thro' several Kingdoms, and there are divers other Elvers which fall into it. T'was
bv sailing up this River that the Moguls first discover'd the Country. Tavermer [ qv. ] says
that several other Rivers flow from this Lake, which he places in the 29th or 30th degree.
' In 1765 Eennell took his survey of the Brahmaputra a short distance above
Goalpara, where he was stopped by the Assam frontier posts [20]. He was
greatly impressed by the size of the river, and astonished to find it flowing from
the east,
iTMrmWh K N/6 -Journal, MEIO. M.349, also A,K. YI. 1799 (309-81) & As AB. 1800. Misc.
f โf (% V ''iVrS 295 (10) ' D'Anville (62). > Bralmiajmnd, 92 A/6, located in 182r '
punt where Lohit โขยปaยฃ torn L hills. ' Hindu sacred writing, ยป A. S.XIY, 1822 (136-7).
at
The Brahmaputra
79
very different to the description given of it in the Maps. ... This River must needs have a
very long course before it enters the Bengali Provinces, since 400 miles from the sea it is
twice as big as the Thames K ...
and again,
The size of the Ganges has been very much magnified by those Historians who make any
mention of it ; and on the contrary the Buramputrey, of the largest rivers in the world, has
been scarce taken notice ot. The Buramputrey 60 miles from the sea is in some places
71 miles broad, and is navigable for Boats of 150 tons 740 miles above its mouth; its stream
is not very rapid, scarce exceeding the rate of 5 miles an Hour during all the above-mention-
ed space 2 .
His observations and enquiries convinced him that the Brahmaputra was identi-
cal with the Tsang-po, and he writes,
I have placed Kirganu, the capital of Assam, 160 miles E. by N. from Goalpara, according
to the reports of the Assamers. They also informed me, that the Burrampooter has a very
long course previous to its entering Assam ; and that it comes from the NW. through the
Thibet mountains 8 . ...
The Sanpoo... was supposed by M- D'Anville to the same with that which is called, in the
lower part of its course, the River of Ava : but we have now little doubt * of its being the
same with the Burrampooter. ... It was traced by me in 1765, to about 400 miles above the
conflux; that is, as high as the latitude of 26ยฐ, longitude 91 ; where the Bengal districts and,
and those of Assam begin; but I was not permitted to go any higher. ...
The Lamas' map of Tibet in Du Halde [70] describes the course of the Sanpoo to within
120 g. miles of the assumed situation of the capital of Assam; and still nearer to some parts
of the Burrampooter that are known, and have been described by the Assamers. These
facts together with those respecting the Ava river ... establish ( I think ) the strongest pre-
sumptive proof possible of the Sanpoo and Burrampooter being one and the same river, under
different names; and positive proof can never be obtained, but by actually tracing them; a
circumstance unlikely ever to happen to any Europeans, or their dependants *.
He summarised his conclusions in a paper first published in 1781 % from which
the following extract is taken;
Father Du Halde expresses his doubts concerning the course that the Sanpoo takes after
leaving Thibet, and only supposes generally that it falls into the gulf of Bengal. M. D'Anville,
his geographer, not without reason, supposed the Sanpoo and Ava river to be same, . . . for the
Burrampooter was represented to him as one of the inferior streams that contributed its
waters to the Ganges, and not as its equal or superior. ... Till the year 1765, the Burram-
pooter, as a capital river, was unknown in Europe.
On tracing this river in 1765, I was no less surprized at finding it rather larger than the
Ganges, than at its course previous to its entering Bengal. This I found to he from the east;
although all the former accounts represented it as from the north; and this unexpected
discovery soon led to enquiries, which furnished me with an account of its general course to
within 100 miles of the place where Du Halde left the Sanpoo.
I could no longer doubt, that the Burrampooter and Sanpoo were one and the same river :
and to this was added the possitive assurance of the Assamers, 'that their river came from
the north-west, through the Bootan mountains' 7 .
In 1880, discussing recent discoveries which seemed to confirm the identity of
the Tsang-po and Brahmaputra, J. D. Herbert 8 writes,
The paper . . . mil add another to the many proofs we have of the sagacity of the father of
our Indian Geography, Major Rennell, whose very guesses appear better founded than the
laboured erudition of other men 9 .
But long before Kennell's day Father Desideri [69] had, in Ms journal of
1715-6, recorded as a definite fact that,
There is one [ river ] which flowing from West to East traverses the centre of Third Thibet
and the province of Kong-to, . . . and then turning to the South -East enters the country of
Lhoba ( Bhutan ), whence it descends to Rongmati [ Rangamati ], a province of Mogol beyond
the Ganges into which this principal river of Thibet at last flows 10 ,
on which De Filippi notes,
This is a clear mention of the Tsang-po. . . . That Desideri, alone of the men of his time,
should have identified in no equivocal manner the Tsang-po with the Brahmaputra is a notable
โ ' 3 rtS? die * 58 '*โ * HMS - 765 ' 31-8-65. 3 Memoir, 1788 ( 219 }. 4 " we have not the least doubt "
-Memoir, 1/93 (298). 'Memoir, 1783 (90-1). * An account of the Ganges and Bur ram-poo tar Rivers.
FtixL. lrans.1,81: reproduced in Memoir, 1788-93. 'Memoir, 1788 (276-7) & La Touche (58 n). a Deputv
!1 Gieanmr/s isi Science, II (66.). in De Tolippi (127).
Surveyor General, 1829-31.
80
Beyond the Barriers
fact. Turner, too, at the end of the 18th century, knew that the two rivers were the same;
'the Berhampooter... penetrates the frontier mountains that divide Tibet from Assam. In
this latter region it receives a copious supply. ..before it rushes to the notice of Europeans
below Rangaraatti, on the borders of Bengal' 1 .
Tieffenthalev also had, before 1776, recorded information that the Brahmaputra
rose in the Manasarowar Lake, to emerge through Assam and Eangamati [72],
and in describing his maps Duperrou supports this conclusion, and quotes 3 , amongst
other evidence, Stewart's ' A account [74];
The city of Lahassa, which is the capital, is of no inconsiderable size ; . . . The waters of the
Great River, as it is emphatically called in their language, wash its walls.
Father Du Halde with great accuracy traces this river, which he never suspects to be the
Borampooter, from its origin in the Cassimirian Mountains ( probably from the same spring
which gives rise to the Ganges ) through the great valley of Thibet, till, turning suddenly to
the Southward, he loses it in the kingdom of Assam; but still, with great judgement and
probability of conjecture, supposes it reaches the Indian Sea somewhere in Pegu or Aracan.
The truth is, however, that it turns suddenly again in the middle of Assam, and traversing
that Country, enters Bengal towards Rangamatty under the above mentioned name, and
thence bending its course more suddenly, joins the Ganges, its sister and rival, with an equal,
if not more copious stream; forming at the conflux a body of running fresh water, hardly to
be paralleled in the known World, which disembogues itself into the Bay of Bengal 4 .
Dupperon concludes,
Mais c'est toujours une satisfaction reelle pour moi, de me trouver d'accord sur ce point
important de Geographie, l'identite du Tsanpou & du Brahmapoutren, reuni au Gange, &c,
avec trois Voyageurs instruits : MM. Bogle, Stewart & Rennell, lesquels, comme moi, ont
reside dans le Bengale 5 .
The earliest trading with Assam appears to have bean in the hands of one
Daniel Rausch [159], who was established at Goalpara from about 1768 till his
death in 1794 [82]. He never appears to have contributed any information of a
geographical character, though he probably knew more about the Assamese of that
time than anyone else 5 .
Welsh's 7 Expedition, 1792โ4
In 1792 the Governer General received an appeal from the Raja of Assam to
assist him against a wide-spread rebellion, which was being carried on with the
help of a large number of "barkandazes ", or hired soldiers, from Bengal. On
September 10th the Commissioner of Rangpur 8 gave a deplorable account of the
state of affairs in Assam ; Mr. Eausch had been robbed of Rs. 45,000 worth of goods
between Gauhati 9 and G-oalpara, and recruits were said to be daily passing up from
Bengal in large numbers to join the plundering bands 10 . In deputing Captain
Welsh to enter Assam, and ascertain the real situation, the Goveruer General
observed,
However extraordinary it may appear to people in Europe, we are under the necessity of
admitting that owing to the unremitting jealousy which the Chiefs of those countries have
hitherto shown of the English, we know little more of the interior parts of Nipal and Assam
than the interior parts of China, and I therefore think that no pains should be spared to avail
ourselves of so favourable an opportunity to obtain good surveys and to acquire every
information that may be possible 11 .
Thomas Wood was appointed surveyor to the expedition, and in December Welsh
reported from Gauhati,
Mr. Wood joined me on the 7th inst. I am employed in gaining every information I possibly
can of this country. I intend sending him down to Nugrabura Hill 13 to connect Rennell's
Mb. [3Qori. 17] quoting Turner (298), who thus aptly described the junction of the Bihan^ and
Luhit below SfWliya (83 M/9). '^Bernoulli, II (354, 365-9). 3 Jolm Stewart ; Writer, Madras, 1763; in
L776, Secretary to Govt., Ft. William; a great traveller; DNB. โ 'Stewart (194); reproduced In Annual
Register of 1778. Bernoulli, II (460-4). E Formerly an officer of the armies of Frederick the Great,
fiausch came to India in 1766, '&โ established a trade agency at Goalpara ; m. Miss Mayo at Eangpur. Oct.
17H2; murdered by Assamese, 1794 T82]. 7 Thoma,s Welsh. Ben. Cav. & Inf.; Cornet 12-9-69. ..Col.
i>9-5-' 1800; d. LI -4 1822. *riangpur I)ist. 7SG, to be distingiushed from the Assam capital [8i 11.7].
ยฐ78K/16. ' u, BPolC. 19-9-92. "Johnstone (10). "Near Goalpara, 78 J/13.
Welsh's Expedition 81
survey with this place; as soon as he returns I shall push him on towards Naogong 1 about
7 days journey further up the river 5 . .
On January 4th 1793 Welsh reported that Wood had reached Gauhati, haymg
completed the survey up from Nagrabara Hill, and in March, after the rebels had
been heavily defeated,
Mr. Wood left this on 4th inst. to survey the river to the Eastward as iar as Kolhabar
about 100 miles from here 3 .
Before moving up the river Wood had surveyed
a route from this place, thro" the country of Drungh* to .. . the Borders of Bootan, as likewise
along part of the present boundary of Assam. . .. 6
Such Remarks on the appearance of the country as occurred to me while passing thro' it,
as likewise the little information I could acquire as to the rivers that have their courses thro'
Drungh and the interior Division of the country 6 .
Of his survey up the river he writes,
I still have about one hundred and forty miles of the Burrampooter River to protract
and finish, as likewise the march of Captain Welsh's detachment, from where it left the Boats,
to proceed to Rungpore 1 the Capital, and thence to Ghurgong... 8
and again, whilst still held up in Gauhati during the rains,
I am sorry it has not been in my power to obtain any general information respecting the
geography of Assam or of the bordering countries, as might naturally have been effected from
a person sent up here for that purpose, and I regret the circumstance the more, as the natives
are by no means averse to make any communications in their power. ... This circumstance I
beg leave to notice for my own credit, lest I might have been supposed inattentive to the
purpose for which I was appointed 9 .
At the end of October 1793 a detachment was sent up the Brahmaputra to
Koliabar, and Wood writes to the Surveyor General,
At last I have got away from Gwahatty to my great satisfaction. I am going up with a
detachment. ... I propose taking up my survey at the village of Littoree, where I left off,
and hope to be able to send you down by & by, thirty or forty miles more of this wonderful
river. T shall in the course of a few days send down my survey of the south side of Gwahatty,
and indeed might have done it some weeks ago, had I not been in hopes that the country
would have been dry enough to admit of my adding the north side of the river, but after
attempting it 1 found it was impracticable. ... I had an observation of the second of Jupiter's
satellites... which agreed so closely with my former ones, that I think the longitude I gave
you for Gwahatty is very near the truth indeed. I have likewise made several observations
for the variation of the compass 10 .
In January 1794 Welsh left Gauhati in company with the Raja, with the
intention of restoring him to his capital at Bangpur, but while he was still at
Koliabar, his advanced force had a fierce engagement with a large body of the
"ItLoamaria" rebels, who were opposing the march to Jorhat 11 . Wood [qv] gives a
vivid account of this action, in which he took an active part; Eangpur was occupied
without further opposition on March 18th and he concludes his report,
I returned to the boats ... and have continued my survey up to the south of the Dhikam
River ls . I am now going up that river [Brahmaputra] with the fieet as near to Rungpore
as we will have water, but am disappointed in surveying it. The banks are perpendicular on
each side, and covered with an impenetrable jungle. So soon however as I get up to
Rungpore, I mean to survey down the road we first marched up, at the commencement of
which I left a mark, doubtful of being able to survey up the Dhikani at this season of the
year, and I am happy I did so, as I shall be able without any great trouble to lay down the
situation of the Capital 1S .
The expedition was now recalled;
A small force, ably commanded, had advanced many hundreds of miles into an unknown
country vanquishing enemies vastly superior in number, settling... the county as it
proceeded. ...
Sir John Shore 1 *... now ordered Welsh to return to British territory by July 1st at latest.
... On 25th May Welsh left Rungpoor on his downward voyage. The Rajah wrote many
>3SF6wgong, 83 E/ll 2 BPolC. 31-12-92 (20). 'BPolC. 22-3-93 (33). ' Darning Dist. 83. B.
s Map,HB,I0. 36(34). ยซBPolC 11-10-93 'Banvpur Palace, 2 m, S. of Sibsagar, 83 J/9, "Saigaon
Palace ; BPolC. 28-0-93 (41). 8 DDn. 8S (9), Sept. 1793. >ยฐDDn. 88. (13), Oct. 1793. 83 J/1
"Ditto E, joins Brahmaputra S3 J/5. "DDn. 88, April 1794. "Writer, 1762; Succeeded lord
Cornwallis as GGr. in 1794; cr. 1st Baron Teignmouth, 1798.
82
Beyond the Babsibbs
letters to Calcutta begging that the troops might remain. The troops arrived at r ,
on 3rd Reaving the country...a prey to Larchy. The RajlhTas Z ?ยฃยฃ ftยฃ
a^K*^!* 8m ' TCys down t0 Calratta wliere he ^* -ยปยป ' โ ยซ-
This was the first visit ever made by the British into Assam and no further
7eaโขlafe S ^ W " wU ยฐ h Started in 1824 > eactl y *irty
The Eastekn Froetiee
Sylhet had nothing to do with Assam till late in the nineteenth century it
S P , art f t h f 1ยปโข* ceded tยฐ ยปยซ Company in 1760, and was surveyed by
Eennell himself between 1768 and 1771, though another surveyor had visited the
proTince as early as 1763. J iwiusu me
ยซK ^ 17 f f , t 1 h ." Ea J a of Mfnipur, or "Meckley"=, sent an agent to the Company's
office at Cluttagong, asking for an alliance and protection against the BuLeL
toiZSt ir " " V' the ?. C1 t f /* Chittagong, sentproposals for such an riW
to Foit William, and was directed to send a body of six companies of Sepoys
to fix a post at Monevpoor & make themselves acquainted with the Strength and Deposition
iMeeXRajL , SltUatl ยฐ n0f theirC0Untry ' "ยซโ ยซยป*ยซยซยปยป further Friendship"
Tipp^and" t^ m ยฐ n fl ' 0m 0hittag ยฐ llg ' aC1 'ยฐ SS thS ^ rf -> ^
was unable to proceed further than the Country of Koohar on account of the violent rains
Dlar^ ยฐ Cant ยฐ th6re S ยฐ me tim<5 W6re ' UP ยฐ n * he Tr0uWeS breaki ยปยซ <>"*. Called to
A complete survey of the march up from Cliittagong is still preserved in
Calcutta, and was made use of by Eennell 7 [ 23 ]. The survey comprises eight
sections and appears good wort, but there is no record of the name of the surveyor
One section bears a note, J
โneTi'; r0a Th S meaSUred ^ a Perambulator in statute miles, and laid down on a scale of
one inch. The squares are parallels of Latitude & Longitude, each 2 Geographical miles on
a propor- tional scale to the others. 8 * e โข
Prom a confident reference to his Hadley's quadrant [ i e 1 1, this was undoubt
edl, ; the work of Bartliolemew Plaisted who had been employ^ on surveys fo the
Chittagong Comical since 1760 [ 14] ; and it was probably on the recall of the
expedition from Cachar that Plaisted surveyed the rivers and creeks of Sylhet to
June 16th m^R M n gh r near DaCCa ' *ยฐ WM ยฐ h KenneD refers in his 'ยซยซ4
June 16th 1765'. Eennell also incorporated into his maps "particulars of the road
nLrCettn?' C C ยฐ Sp ยฐ m ' ] " and A โข" as desoriM h J th/pdde. who accompa-
O11 the north frontier of Sylhet, the Eaja of Jaintia caused much trouble and
anxiety _ by raids mto the Company's lands, and in 1774 Eennell was consulted as to
the best way ^of putting an end to his hostilities. Though he had never actually
crossedfte border he had acquired a fair knowledge of the "Khasia & Jaintia
The Soormah, or Sylhet, River is the General Boundarv of the Sylhet Province on the
north. -. AchamofhighMountainsontheNorthsidemnsnearlyparallel to its Course which
is from east to west, at the distance of 10 to 16 Mile, from it, forming a narrow Tract' of flat
Country m extent 60 Miles long & from ro to 16 Broad. This Tract which is taoโข by tte
General name of Cossyah, or the Country of Freebooters or Plunderers, is subject to Several
petty Rajahs, among which the Geatyah Rajah is the principal. His Territories taclude
lยป^ 1 7ยฐ, h ^ St0 ยฐli 39,4l ; ) - ,0n ^'o" 1500 yds S=2mile a loan inch; MSIO. 171(22) 172 (37 ยฃ401
<BtoCD19 , \2 6?n^ S T e f if " Hi ' Hob ยป IlJobs <'' 1 ( 59 '). Confirmed ll4'ea t' B PC 11-10-62
/ ac\ ioat <-โ โ -, -. ' -^ , """-โข^i'^ \ J \j<ii,j.i<tni,i>ih Alias. ".imp. MO, M <X F
(46). ^Near Silchar, 83 D/13. "Memoir, 1783 (88) & 1793 (298). 13 78 07
The Eastern Frontier S3
the eastern part of the above Tract, together with the Hilly Country between that and
Assam. His whole Territory may be Reckoned 40 miles long and 30 broad; one hall oi
which is flat, arable Land, the remainder Mountainous. ...
The Western Cossyahs possess the Country between Gentyah & Laour. I understand
that they are subject to several distinct Rajahs... & that they are often quarrelling &
fighting among themselves. The only Town of note in these Parts is Pundua 1 which is the
mart where the Bengali, Assam, and Garrow Goods, are bought and sold. The Cossyahs'
Country in General and Especially the western part of it, is woody and almost impenetrable.
Their force is very contemtible, both from the sraallness oยฃ their Numbers, and the nature
of their weapons which last are Bows and Arrows & Short Lances, but when attacked in
their woods, they are reported to make use of a variety of stratagems to ensure their
pursuers.
On the strength of Eennell'a advice operations against the Jaintia raiders were
confined to the plains, and in due course met with success 2 .
In 1787 the Collector of Sylhet reported that,
The Cosseahs inhabit that tract of mountainous country from Laour, the N. W. extremity
of Sylhet, to the eastern boundaries of Cachar. The mountains, according to Bunnell's cal-
culation, are 1,200 yards high 3 , so perpendicular as to be inaccessible to a foreign enemy... 4
and again,
Considering the situation of Sylhet as a frontier inhabited by timid ryotts, and sur-
rounded by some encroaching neighbours, I cannot but think it advisable to recommend an
accurate survey that the Company's limits may be denned, especially toward the Jaintia
country 5 .
Of the G-aro Hills to the west, and of Tripura to the east, Eennell had no
knowledge; he writes in 1774,
That part of Rangamatti to east of Burrampooter . . . [was] never explored, but the moun-
tains that form the Boundary, and even most of the detached hills, were laid down by Bases.
The Eastern part of Tiperah is an entire forest, ... it is not with any c ertainty known how
far this forest extends Eastwards, and the first Territories we hear of beyond it are those
of Ava. I am of opinion that the uninhabited tract extends at least 150 miles from west
to east, and about 100 from north to south.
The Chingree river is taken from a sketch drawn by a Dutchman who navigated that
river during the time it was swollen by the annual rains. The Eastern Boundary of Tiperah
is from the reports of the Rajah's people, who made an excursion that way some years
before Tiperah was subjected to Bengali, During their journey they saw no habitations
except those of the Cookies, who are a kind of wild men and build their Huts on Trees for
the greater security against the wild Beasts 6 .
Burma
Till very late in the 18th century nothing was known of Burma except for
scraps of coast-line recorded by navigators 7 and rare observations for latitude; the
Irrawaddy was known as far as Ava, but otherwise all was conjecture.
D'Anville makes use of "a Dutch MS. map... for the river of Ava, ...one of its
large sheets is missing" 8 , probably the same map that according to Rennell,
described the river
as high up as the city of Ava itself, which it places in lat. 21 "48', and also says in a note 'by obns.',
and indeed the whole scale of the map seems to be formed from the difference of latitude.
The difference of longitude, as inferred from this Dutch map, places Ava in 97 , but
Capt. George Baker, of whose accuracy I entertain a high opinion, took hearings and
estimated the distance, the whole way from Negrais to Ava, and the result corrected by the
observation at Ava, 21 48', gives the longitude 97 45' y , and this longitude I have adopted 10 .
Baker was one of several captains 11 of the Company's ships whose observations
along the coasts are quoted by Rennell and Dalrymple. His map and " journal
^andu, 5 in. from Gauhati, "78 N/12. -Sylhet Dist. B. I (13) 13-2-74. ^Height of Shillonfc
Peak 6,441 ft. 4 ib. 11(205), 14-12-87. 5 ib. Ill 113 of 27-12-S8. 6 IO. Maps I. AC. 13. 'Ritchie
(app,); Instructions for the West Coast of Ava etc, Dalrymple, March 1785. "Herbert (70). 9 Ava,
12m. SW. of Mandalay, 21ยฐ 51' N.; 95ยฐ 59'E. M Memovr, 1793. (296). "Others were George Hayter,
Walter Alves & Thomas Forrest [46]; Baker commanded the Ouddalore in which Dalrymple sailed to
Borneo in 1759.
84 Beyond the Baeriees
of an Embassy to the Eing of the Buraghmahns ", made in 1755, were published
by Dalrymple, together with the Dutch map aboye described, and Baiter writes
< .ยฃ U l! 1V = Y ยฐl a Vi6W ยฐ f thC Ava Mver - The cMeยฃ river in tMs Em Pta, traverses it
from North to South, passing Ava and many other Cities; it is generally called by the natives
"the river by way of Excellence, as the Ganges in Bengal, Tsanpu in Thibet, and Kiang in
China; all of which are nothing more than appellations, which have abolished the common
use of their proper names. ...
This river discharges itself into the sea by a multitude of channels. ... The eastern
channel is conjunct with Pegu River, into which that of Ava falls, a little wav below
Dagoon *, a very noted Pagoda.
Some Modern Geographers have imagined that of Ava to be the River Yarou, or Tsanpu โ
the more ancient reckon it the Lukiang; a middle opinion, from the best information I have
been able to obtain, appears the most rational.
I am assured, that not very far above Ava there is a very large lake, from whence the
river proceeds.
This lake I am inclined to believe, is the receptacle of the many large rivers, which run
ifTi ? towards Ava; it is probably the CMamay lake of the old maps though
that lake is deemed imaginary, by the omission of it in the modern draughts; out of this lake
run not only the Ava River, but those of Siam and Cassay, and probably those of Arrakan
Cnatigan-, and some others on this side 3 .
This famous lake is a prominent feature of the maps which accompany Capt
Bakers journal, and indeed of all maps before DAnville* [78, 209].
In 1795 the Bengal Government deputed Captain Syme's to visit Ava on a
political nnssion, with Thomas Wood as his assistant and surveyor, and Francis
Buchanan as surgeon.
The embassy embarked at Calcutta on February 21st, and called at the Andaman
Islands on the way to Bangoon 5 . After a visit to Pegu by river, they returned to
Rangoon, and set out again by river on May 29th for Amarapura. Wood's survey
was perforce confined to the river and to astronomical observations for the man
which he entitled, F '
Draught of the River Irrawaddy, or Irabatty, from Rangoon to Ummerapoora the present
Capital of the Blrman Dominions, made between the months of May and December ivqs
Scale about 12 1 miles to an inch 6 ,
Buchanan spent all his time collecting information about the geography and
people of the country, and submitted his materials to Government with the following
notes ', &
My original intention was to have taken as a basis Mr. Wood's survey of the Rivers
Irrawady and Burampooter, Mr. Rennell's survey cf Bengal, Mr. D'Anville's Atlas de la Chine
and the Sea Charts, and with the Assistance of these to have formed a map of all the
countries east from Bengal and south from China.
My present seclusion from Books.. .has made me give up all thoughts of completing
my original intentions, r s '"
He suggests that his paper may be communicated to
Mr. Rennell or some other Geographer of Distinction. ... The General outline of the dis-
coveries is as follows. That MukleyH and Cussay are the same country and not subject to
the Burmas; J
(2) That to the east of Mukley are a people called by themselves Parloonยซ9
(3) That nearly where Mr. Rennell supposes Cussay to be situated, is inhabited by a nation
called Go.
(4) That what in Mr. Rennell's map of Hindoostan is supposed to be Upper Siam is a
country which has been long subject to the Burmas, and is called by them Myelapthan It
is in fact the country of M. Loubere's Grands Siams 10 .
(5) That the people of Java and Mergui are a distinct nation from both those of Siam and
Pegu, and at present subject to the Burmas.
(6) ...accounts of many rude tribes of whom Europeans have scarcely ever heard the
Karayn, Kiayn, Kakiayn, andLowa 11 .
.'Shwe Dagon pagoda, of Rangoon = Chittagong. 'Oriental Reperto.-y, II (iii) * The onl ,
lakes m this region are Indawgyi. m the Chin Hills, 93 0/8, and Logtak, m Mantonr 8= W '1 9 โข M
narrative, Symes 'Map MKIO. 171 (16); there is also a 1/4 inch "map 17 < 1?) S,ยฃh wis urobablv"
"Probably ยฃ
Burma 85
(7) ...the Loos, Jangomays, Lanyans, and other nations situated between Siam and China 1 .
New information. ..relative to Great Rivers;
(8) The Arakun river is not so considerable as has been supposed; but takes it rise from
Hills at no great distance to the North.
(9) That the river coming from Thibet and which is supposed by Mr. Rennell to be that of
Araken, is in fact the Keayanduayn^ or the Great Western branch of the Ava River.
( 10 ) That what he supposes to be the Western branch of the Ayrawade is in fact the Eastern
one, which passes by Ava... keeping west from the Province of Yunan.
( 1 1 } That the Luckiang, which Mr. Rennell supposes to be the great branch of the Ayrawade,
has no communication with that river, but on entering the Burma dominions assumes the
name of Tholuayn 3 ...and falls into the sea at Martaban.
(12) That the river of Pegue which Mr. Rennell supposes to come from China, is a river from
hills about ioo miles from the sea...
(13) That between the Pegue and Martaban rivers there is a lake* from which two rivers
proceed; the one runs north to old Ava, where it joins the Myeengnaga, a little river of Ava,
which comes from mountains on the frontier of China; the other river runs south from the
lake to the Sea, and is the Sitang river of Mr. Rennell, but it is by no means a branch of the
river of Pegue, as he supposes.
( 14) That the rivers of China, which Mr. Rennell supposes to be the heads of the Pegue river
are those of the rivers of Siam.
(15) That the rivers of Siam and Camboja communicate by a very considerable branch
called the Anan.
Buchanan's charts and papers" were passed to the Surveyor General and on to the
of Directors, and compiled by Dalrymple, whose map is thus acknowledged by Symes,
1 am obliged to the kindness of Mr. Dalrymple for the construction of the general map
prefixed to this work, which has been compiled from the materials collected by Dr. Buchanan.
...it is laid down on a contracted scale, being designed merely to point out the relativ e
situation of the Kingdom of Ava, with reference to other countries. . . . The materials requisite
to give an accurate topographic display of all parts of so extensive an empire, could not be
procured during the short period of our residence; but the ability and indifatigable industry
of Dr. Buchanan have effected much, to which the astronomical labours of Mr. Wood have
considerably added 6 -
Wood's map of the Irrawaddy was a careful piece of professional wort, and was
of the utmost value to the army in the Burmese war, 1824-6, when the experienced
surveyor Peter Grant writes,
Since an opinion generally prevails that Amarapoora is placed 10 minutes too far to the
eastward, ... the operations of the army provide no conclusive data on this head. ... Yandabu
...is said to be laid down erroneously in Wood's map. I shall add here that I entertain the
highest opinion of his general accuracy, and indeed looking to the obstructions thrown in his
way, the restraint imposed on him by circumstances his survey of the Irrawady does him the
highest credit. Errors in longitude were unavoidable 7 .
Again in the war of 1852-3, one hundred copies of Wood's map were specially
lithographed and eagerly sought for, whilst Grant's more deliberate survey was
apparently overlooked 8 .
1 cยฃ Gazetteer of Burma. " Chindwin K. 83 & L, 74 I&J. 3 Salween. 4 This might refer to the
Inle Lake, 93 D/14, 15. 'Original rough sketches, MRIO. 157 (11-38). fi Symes (is). 'DDn. 240,
1825. s DDn.55S (2-4) 24-1-1852.
CHAPTER VI
MADBAS SURVEYS TO 1788
Early Surveys to 17 65 โ Barnard' s Survey of the Jdgir, 1767-74 โ Military Surveys
m the South, 1765-75 โ Northern Dinars, 1767-76 โ Fori St. George & Madras โ
Pnngle & the Guides, 1777-88 โ Kelly and Oilier Surveyors, 1778-88.
ALTHOUGH the Company had established a factory at Masulipatarn so early as
1611 and that at Madraspatam in 1639, over fifty years before the founding
of Calcutta, it was not until 1763, that the Nawab of Arcot 1 ceded the district
of Chingleput, which henceforth became known as the J&gir.
From the earliest days the English had been regarded as the guests of the
Nawab, and during the long struggle with the French from 1745 to 1761, when
each side sought the favour of rival princes, it was the support of English arms
that enabled Muhammad Ali to establish his succession.
As Nawab of the Carnatic he was suzerain of practically 8 the whole country
"below the Ghauts", from the Kistna to Cape Comorin, and it was part of the
price of his friendship, that he expected, and got, the help of the Company's troops
in the maintenance of authority over refractory chiefs and subjects.
The war against the French closed with the English in complete supremacy
having warded off the siege of Madras of 1758-9 [ 98 ], and followed up with Eyre
Coote's decisive victory at Wandiwash in January 1760, and the capture of
Pondicherry a year later.
Geographical knowledge of the Carnatic was greatly advanced during this long
period of war, but not in time to help D'Anville with his map of 1753 [ 239 ].
_ He took his coast-line from the work of Apres de Mannevillette and other
sailors, but did not speak highly of the Portuguese maps of the west coast; he
quoted Fathers Vincent-Maria and Noel as authorities for the Malabar coast, and
took parts south of Calicut
from a particular map, for which we are indebted to some bare-footed Carmelites, sent to the
Christians of St. Thomas, under the pontificate of Alexander VII3.
He had already made use of the work sent home in 1719 by Father Bouchet for the
inland areas of Madura and the extreme south [238], and writes, in French of course
What we know of Maissur we owe to the Jesuits, whose missions have extended hitherto;
...the representation thereof... is drawn from a particular draught sent me by Father dri
Halde. In a letter from Father Calmette... the latitude of Shinna-Ballabaram* in this
inland part of the Carnate, is observed to be 13ยฐ 23'; ...it is of great consequence to be thus
fixed in some point at so great a distance from the coast 6 [170].
D'Anville found that the Carnatic was so much better known than other parts
of India, that he issued his separate map of the Coast of Coromandel on four times
the scale of his Carte de Flnde, and observes,
We might mention different parts of Europe, in which geography is less informed, than of
many places in Coromandel 6 .
The earliest record of survey by a servant of the Company is of " a measured
line " drawn from Devicottai 7 to Trichiuopoly " by way of Tanjore by Mr. John
Barker 8 ", at some time before 1751.
'Also called Nawab of the Carnatic; Muhammad Ali, from 1749 till death in 1795- resided in
Glepank" a mile S of It. St. George. 'G.mfur Circir remained the jag-โ of Basalat Jan'o- till ceded
to the Company m 1788 [n []. 'Herbert (46-9). 'Near Chik Ballapur, 57 G/ll ยปib (56 61)
. , i 6 ?' ' , ' r, " w <> te . pl- 9 ; A fort at month of Coleroon E. 58 M/15 now washed away ; captured by English
m 1748, & granted to Company by Bija, of Tanjore; Imp. Go.%. Mad. II (157). a Memoir, 1783 (23 )
86
The SOUTH PENINSULA
from Kelly, 1782.
Plate 9
Redrawn and reduced from Robert Kelly's Index Map to the Atlas submitted to the Governor
General and Supreme Council in 1782 [ 240-2].
The Political Divisions as shewn by Kelly are thus distinguished:
Maharattas ... ... Green Ryder Ally ... ... Blue
Ifieam fy Basla-JKng ... Yellow English ... ... Red
Travancore ... ... Buff
Though Kellv shows the whole Carnatic as English, full possession was not obtained
tfll 1801 [10711.6],
Names shown in brackets are taken from map published by R. Bowyer, Pall Mall, 1-2-94.
Early Surveys 87
From this time onward many surveys were made by military officers with the
armies in the south. There is an undated French route survey, from Palamcottah
through the " Royaume de Madura " to Trichinopoly, on the scale of about 3 miles
to an inch, in colours 1 . It may "belong to the same period as several beautifully
drawn plans, showing actions against the French round Trichinopoly during 1753
and 1754-, made by George Erbb, "Sergt. d'Artillerie an service de l'hon. Co.
des Indes Englaisses", then serving in the army of Major Stringer Lawrence 3 .
In 1755 William Jennings, also of the Artillery, made surveys round Madura of
the marches of Colonel Heron, who was sent " to collect the Revenues in Madura
& Tinnivelly" on behalf of the Nawab of Arcot 1 .
Orme gives many large-scale maps of this period in the third volume of his
history, mostly elaborate ones of forts or battlefields, and amongst MS. maps at
Calcutta is one by Robert Barker of the capture of Karilral 3 in April 1760, and one
of Pondicherry snowing positions of guns, redoubts, &c, at the time of the Fnglish
attack "in January [ 1761 ] in a great storm 6 "; both of which are reproduced by
Orme, with some changes 7 .
Many of the maps and surveys of this time are signed by John Call, mostly in
his capacity as Chief Engineer, as in the case of a
chart of the Madura and Tinnivelly Provinces and part of the adjacent countries, surveyed
by the Engineers employed on the expedition against Usoff Cawn in the year 1764, under the
direction of John Call, Chief Engineer. 5 miles to an inch 8 .
One of these engineers was probably Willam Stevens who was deputed the
following year to carry out a survey of the straits 9 between India and Ceylon, with
the following instructions;
The communication with our Garrison at Palemcotah & with the Troops in the Tinnivelly
Country being very tedious by Land, ...and it being of great Importance to have a more
easy and frequent communication by Sea between this Country and that of Malabar than
the usual Passage round Ceylon, ...we are desirous to obtain a certain knowledge whether
there is, or is not, a Passage for vessels of 300 tons burthen or more... thro' the bank of
sands which is commonly called Adam's Bridge. ...
We have therefore chosen you to go in search of this Channel; ...you are. ..to proceed
towards Ramisseram 10 continuing your soundings from the Station where Mr. Rennell, in the
Neptune Snowf47n.il (whose Chart you are furnished with) left off 11 . If you can get
through any Channel to the South of Adam's Bridge, you are to continue your soundings &
Navigation to Coilpatnam 1!i or Purnicale & note in going thither all Rocks & shoals. ....
You will be particularly careful not to give Offence to the People of Rnmisseram or any
of the blacks You meet, & You must also avoid giving any Jealousy or cause of Complaint
to the Dutch, and for this we recommed that you keep at a Distance from the Coast of
Ceylon 13 .
Stevens carried out his survey in February and March 1765 "without being
able to discover any passage for vessels of any considerable Burthen 1 -",
The Directors commended this enterprise;
We much approve of your sending Mr. Stevens. ..to survey the passage between Rainis-
seram and the Main. We would have you also avail yourselves of the influence you have
in the Country whilst Peace & Tranquility subsist, to obtain as perfect a knowledge of every
part as possible, and if it were practicable to have exact surveys made of the whole Province
of Arcot, it would be a good & useful work; and if such an undertaking should prove agreable
to the Nabob, he might probably be willing to bear the Charge; but as this is a delicate affair,
we would have you act with circumspection that the Nabob may have no justification for
taking offence 13 . [90-1].
Such a proposal had already been made ten years before, without any tangible
result, the Madras Council having written home in 1755,
l Jmp. Lib. M $ P. 3S0. 2 Grose, II (133-43). 3 BM. K. 115 (85, 1 & 2) & Addl. MSS. 15739
(12-14) ; engraved copy faces p. 15 of "Cambridge" ; also Orme, III ( Maps ref . to I, pp. 314, 346). 4 BM.
K. 115 (S4,S7) & Addl. MSS. 15739 (11); engraved copy faces p. S3 of "Cambridge"; Orme, I (3*0-93).
"58 N/13 ; Imp. Lib. M $ P. 368. 6 ib. 363. '' Orme, III, last two maps. 9 MRO. Map, 149. "Named
Palk Straits, after Robert Palk, Governor of Mitdras, 1763-7. 10 Barnes warara, 58 0/7. "Eemiell's chart.
1763-4, showing "Park's Streights, with soundings", Orme MSS. 333(1). 13 Kayalp:it.nam. 58 L/2. 1S MS
&M. 13-2-65. U M to CD. 14-10-65 (55); chart pub. by Dalrvmphi 20-7-81: IO. Maps II AC. 36 (25).
]S CD to M. 24-12-65 (11). F * * *
88 Madras Surveys
It might be of great Use hereafter cou'd we obtain an accurate Survey of the whole Arcot
Province; and, if possible, we propose to have it done 1 .
Barnard's Survey of the Jagir, 1767-74
In reply to the Directors' further order for the early survey of the lands ceded
in 1763 [86] the Council wrote,
"What you are pleased to recommend regarding Surveys to be made of the whole Province
shall be complied with as soon as proper people can be found for that purpose, and the
Engineer is prepairing a Draught of the Company's Jagueer, which shall be sent you as soon
as compleated 2 ...
and two months later,
Your Chief Engineer has sent Mr. Thos. Barnard, his assistant, to make an exact survey
of the Company's Territorial Possessions round Madras; it is a work which will require much
time and labour, but we have that confidence in Mr. Barnard's abilities that we doubt not
but his greatest Diligence & Attention will be exerted on this occasion 3 .
_This survey proved to be a long job, especially as Barnard, without any
assistants, was expected to combine with his topographical survey a detailed survey
and report for revenue purposes, and experienced many interruptions [141-2]. He
eventually finished the field work in 1773, and submitted his maps and reports in
November 1774, together with a copy of the instructions given him at the start,
with the following comments;
It will scarcely. ..be expected... that they could in any shape be executed through an
extent of Country no miles in length and 50 in Breadth, by any one person; even tho' he
had not the extremities of. an Eastern Climate to contend with... the task was much above the
powers of a single man to accomplish. . . .
The survey commenced in February 1767; in the course of that and the two succeeding
years, I was kept from it near a year superintending the repairs of Poonamalee 4 Fort; the
war not permitting me to continue it. In 1770 and 1771 another year was lost when I was
ordered to attend Mr. Dawson. ... In 1772 I had finished the Survey in part, but not the fair
drawings of them 5 [3].
The survey was laid down in 16 sheets on the scale of two inches to a mile,
and covered 2,436 square miles 6 . It was reduced later to the i-inch scale in
the Chief Engineer's office, and the reduction was sent home to the Directors and
engraved and published by Dalrymple in 177S 7 .
Military Surveys in the South, 1765-75
Surveys were continually required for a variety of military purposes. During
1765 and 1766 there was much trouble along the frontiers between the Carnatic
and Mysore 8 , and in July 1765, Government wrote to the officer commanding at
Trichinopoly;
Whilst the exact Boundaries of the Country belonging to the Nabob & the Mysorians
remains undetermined, We must always expect Disputes & Troubles in those Parts, & if we
are on all occasions obliged to send out such considerable detachments as that with Capt.
Bonjour, the revenues of the Country will not support the expence. We therefore desire
You will procure what information You can with regard to the exact limits and advise us
thereof 9 .
He replied;
I have people examining the Bounds of Carour 10 , Manapar, and Trichinopoly Countries,
&c, and when it is done I shall be able to transmit a Plan... of the Nabob's possessions
which will enable you to judge of the just rights between him and the Mysorians. In the
'M to CD. 10-3-55. -M to CD. 22-1^67(19). 3 MtoCD.21-3-67 (33). *66 C/4 5 KRC.
20-12-74. 6 Eeport by Mackenzie, 29-11-1810; MEIO. M. 60. 7 MBO. Map 10. also Oriental Repertory
and Orme MSS. 65 (137). s Haidar Ah had seized the Mysore throne in 1761, and was extending his
dominions in eTery direction; Imp. Gaz. Madras, I (18). 9 MS &M. 3-7-65. 1() Rarur, 58 J/l.
MniTAET Surveys in the South
89
meantime I. ..transmit you a. sketch of Swamy & Moodu Naique's Countries, but as I have not
yet been able to get the measure of them, therefore the scrawl cannot be perfect 1 .
Some months later Bonjour was directed "to take a surrey of the Passes leading
into the Carnatic down the Ghauts"; lie "risked all those under the Nabob of
Arcot, but not those in the hands of the Mysorians", and reported.
If I have committed a mistake in applying to you for fresh orders, I beg you will attribute
it to the different significations of the word survey.
In order to report the Situation of the different Passes leading into the Nabob's domi-
nions, ...I... present you a chart in which I have fixed their positions, and an account of each
in particular, mentioning their distance one from the other, as well as from Arcot and other
places of consideration. ...
Having used no Quadrant for the observation of the different Latitudes I have regulated
myself as near as my remarks could permit, by Mr. DanwilFs Geography 2 .
Bonjour's survey is thus described by Rennell,
A curious MS. ..entitled An Account of the Passes between the parallels of Udeghery z and
Sautgud, and from which I have received great assistance, has the distances in computed
miles from one pass to another, and often from some distant capital place also; but without
bearings 4 .
In 1767 the Directors write out again.
As an accurate knowledge of every part of the Country may be very useful, We recom-
mended to you last year, to encourage and promote the making of Surveys, with the Nabob's
concurrence, of the whole Province; this may be too great a work to be undertakenat once,...
therefore it would be well to encourage such of the young officers... as have any turn that
way, to make Surveys and draw Plans of the Forts & Districts, where at any time they may
happen to be quartered; these if taken with any accuracy, when collected together, may be
united into a General Draft; we shall send you. ..an Instrument, called a Pentagraph, by the
help of which the outlines of any Draft may be copied with great ease and dispatch, & with
sufficient accuracy.
to which the Council reply,
We have omitted no opportunities of encouragement to obtain Charts and Surveys of
the Countries through which our troops have marched, and we hope time and experience
will render them compleat, and correct the very erroneous Charts now existing, particularly
with regard to the Boundaries and Passes between Mysore Country and the Carnatic 5 .
None of the surveys of this period have been found, though Eennell writes,
A variety of MS. Maps of the country lying on the west of the Carnatic, and between it
and Seringapatam, have appeared; most of them, I believe, the offspring of the War of
1767-68 with Hyder Ally. ... 6
A map of the Barra-mahal.[ii3]. This map is in Mr. Dalrymple's collection, and has
much the appearence of general accuracy; the number of Forts placed on rocky eminences...
affording an easy means of determining the relative positions by triangles ">.
One of the officers who toot a large part in surveys of the Carnatic was Robert
Kelly, who in 1778 thus describes his early efforts;
In the course of above ten years service in this country I could not help observing a
variety of Distresses and Difficulties which Armies and Detachments have been led into,
either by the Ignorance or Villany of Harcarras [95], and the Vast Opportunities which were
lost by want of knowledge of the face of the Country even two Miles of our Camp or of the
Field of Battle. ... I therefore determined, in the year 1770, to put together the f ew Obser -
vations I had already made, and to continue Surveying every Road I should have occasion to
march in future. ...
By the time I had Collected a Number of Observations and thrown them into some form,
the Utility and importance of the Work struck me in so Forceable a light that I could not
resist the impulse I felt of making it a matter of Public Concern. I consequently wrote a
letter to Mr. Du Pre, then Governor 3 , . . . enclosing him a few rough Sketches of the Roads I had
surveyed, and requested to know whether I should continue the Work under the Auspices of
Government. ... He laid my papers before the Board and his answer of the 10th of May 1770
conveyed to me the appreciation they had met with 9 [240-1].
1 MS &M. 16-7-65. 2 A sad distortion of D'AnviUe's name ; MS M & P. 5-5-66. 3 Udava.?iri, 57 N/5.
* Memoir, 1793 (280-1). 5 MtoCD. 4-11-67(27). e Memoir, 17S8 (189) ; account of 1st Mysore War,
Bowring (49-58). 7 ib. (191). Uosias Du. Pre, Governor of Madras, 1770-3. 9 MMC. 22-12-78.
90
Madras Surveys
The Governor later told the Board
that when Capt. Kelly went to Trichinopoly he had desired him to take an exact Survey
of the Roads & Country in his Journey, and at the same time to consider how far it miยซht
be practicable with the assistance of any of the officers and Cadets in the service who are
capable of drawing, to have an exact and accurate Survey taken of the Carnatic
The Board being very sensible of the great advantage & utility of such an Undertaking
it is agreed that the President... apply to the Nabob to obtain his consent to the Survey
being taken, and that thereupon the proper Instruments &c. be procured 1 .
At the next meeting-
the President acquaints the Board that he hath applied to the Nabob for his consent to
the taking an exact Survey of the Carnatic, which lie had readily granted, and that in con-
sequence thereof, he had enquired of the Engineer regarding the Theodolites and other
Instruments required by Capt. Kelly and finds there are none in the Garrison
Resolved that enquiry be made by the Storekeeper, whether any can be procured out of
the Europe ships, and if so that they be purchased 2 [203].
No immediate action was taken on these resolutions, and Kelly records that
I accordingly got together some young gentlemen who understood surveying and drawn!"
bought Mathematical Instruments and stationery, hired draughtsmen ftc, and set seriously
about the business. 7
After I had laboured upwards of a year, without receiving either the appointment or
Assistance from Government which they had given me reason to expect, I grew weary and
impatient of the task I had imposed upon myself and once more remonstrated to Mr Dupre
how impossible it was for me to support the expence of so extensive a work, and prayed
that I might at least be permitted to send in my bills of unavoidable exper.ces as the work
I had undertaken was solely for the use of the Company.
To this I received a very polite answer, and many promises of service on some future
day, but that day never came; though to do that Gentleman's memory justice, I know it was
no fault of his that the work was not warmly patronised 3 [241].
In 1771 and 1772, during- operations to the southward which resulted in the
capture of Ramnad, Montresor, Pittman, and Dugood carried out surveys over a
large part of Madura, Marawar and Trichinopoly*.
In May 1773 the Commander in Chief ' put forward a scheme for raisino- a corps
of guides under a Quartermaster-General, whose
main object must be to procure or form as accurate a Chart as possible of all the orincipal
places m the Country, their situations & Bearings from each other, with the nature of the
Roads between, and their distance; this he should form on a large scale... with all informations
to form a compleat Military Chart 6 .
On this the Council reported home ;
_ General Smith delivered in a minute, to show in what manner his scheme could be carried
into execution without putting the Company to any additional expence. It was agreed to
establish a Company of Guides, & to commence the Survey as soon as the necessary Pre-
parations could be made. *
As General Smith recommended Captain Montresor as an officer well qualified for this
undertaking, he was accordingly appointed there to; but as to the appointment of a
Quartermaster-General? it was referred to your Honors. The Siege of Tanjore was soon after
undertaken and the death of Captain Montresor.. .obliged us for some time to lav aside all
thoughts of the Survey 8 .
A few months later the Council record that
the country being at present in Tranquility, ...it is resolved that the Survey be com-
menced with all possible Expedition, and that the necessary orders be issued for establishing
the Company of Guides at Vellore, from the several Sepoy Carnatick Battalions
Lieut. Geils being strongly recommended by General Smith _ resolved that Lieut
Geils be appointed to the Command of the Company of Guides, and to execute the* Survey 9 '
however at a later meeting,
* J rhe j PreS ! d f lt reP ยฐ rtS th3t ยฐ n ** A PP licatirai to ยซ* Nabob ; . . .he appeared much alarmed
at the idea of Surveying his Country, and requested the undertaking might be set aside
asserting that there was no necessity for a Survey, as the country was abundantly well
known. ... The Nabob enumerated many objections Such as that the Company of Guides
'MMC.4-6-(0. ! ib. 11-6-70. ':BPC. 27-5-82. 'MtoCD 15-10-72 (481- MMO m if. To ,
STlt โ r ยฐ MPi Smith ' ,MM& 10 - 3 -' 3 - ' QMG ' ยปW 4 - !ยซ"โข '"fflโข (38). ' iMiS:
Militahv Surveys ik the South 91.
marching through Ms Country would be productive of many Disputes with the inhabitants;
that the Villagers would complain of the Sepoys, & the Sepoys would complain of his People
for not supplying them with what they wanted; and he further added that the having his
Country surveyed would lessen him exceedingly in the Eyes of the Country Powers, as they
would immediately conceive that the next step would be to deprive him of his Country
altogether 1 .
Several efforts were made to break down the objections of the Nawab, even to
the point of offering to place Geils and the company of Guides under his control,
but thev were of no avail, and the scheme had to be abandonded 3 .
Northers CircAes, 1767-76
The Northern Circars from Guntfir to Ganjam had long been tributary to the
Nizam, and for many years there had been both French and English factories along-
the coast. .
In 1753 Bussy [115] the French commander at Hyderabad obtained from the
Nizam the grant of the revenues of four of the Circars to meet the pay of his troops,
and in 1 756 he proceeded to establish French authority to the northern limits of
Ganjam 3 . In July 1758 he was called down to the Coast 4 , and the same year, at
the invitation of local chiefs. Clive sent down a force of Bengal troops under Colonel
JForde, which defeated the French and re-established the English factories at
Masulipatam and elsewhere.
Eennell notes various surveys made during this campaign;
Between Rajaimmndry 5 and Vizagapatam, the particulars of the inland parts have been
taken chiefly from a large MS. map, in which Col. Ford's marches are described. Between
Vizagapatam and Coopilty is taken from another MS. map, seemingly not very accurate 6 . ...
Between Vizagapatam and Jagarnaut' Pagoda, an interval of 180 G. miles, the bearings
by compass, and distance by a Perambulator, were taken by Major Polier in 1759 (on his
return to Bengal with Col. Ford from the Masulipatam expedition) 8 .
In 1765 the Emperor of Delhi granted to the Company the dewani of all these
Circars in addition to the provinces of Bengal and the Madras Jagtr, and the
following year a treaty was signed with the Nizam for their occupation, with the
exception of Guntur [86 n.2].
The Directors were anxious to avoid further wars, and wrote out,
Respecting your negociations with Nizam... for the Northern Circars, ...Military Ex-
peditions are so expensive & ruinous and their consequences so indefinite, that we shall ba
better contented to enjoy what we already possess in Peace, than to risk the least part in
new Engagements. ... We do not mean to prescribe such bounds as shall prevent you taking
advantage of any circumstances which may tend to the Security or Enlargement of our
Possessions & Revenues, provided you do not suffer yourselves to be borne away with the
ideas of Conquest, which has indeed been too much the case latterly with our Servants in
Bengal'.
However by the time this letter reached Madras General Caillaud had already
advanced north of the Kistna into the Circars 1 ".
The ocupation was not effected peacefully ; in 1767 war broke out with Haidar All
of Mysore [89], and the Nizam supporting Haidar Ali, Bengal troops under Colonel
Peach were sent to the Circars [26], and marched up through Ellore as far as
Warangal" to threaten Hyderabad; in March 1768 the Council were able to report
the signing of a new treaty by which the Nizam confirmed the cession of the Circars 13 .
Peach's force was then employed "reducing and settling" Ganjam.
โ MSEC 23-5-11. s M to CD. 9-12-75. (22). J Camvic-hael (172-5) ;Mยปltby (102-10). *A term
Generally applied to the Coromandal Coast, Madras or Pondielierry in particular Kobson-Jobson. 65
G/16. 'Memoir. 1783(66-8). 'Pari, T4 E/18. ยปib. (21). 'CD to M. 24-12-65. "> M to OB, 1-4-66.
"56 09. I: M to CD. 1-3-68.
92
Madras Surveys
Various surveyors were employed during these campaigns ; Gardiner surveyed the
route to Warangal 1 , and Cridland the country round Ohicacole* with "a very
accurate survey of the Tickelly District 8 ".
Cotsford, sent up to Ganiam* at the end of 1766 "to act both as Engineer and
Kesident , had to return owing to the unsettled state of the country, but was able
to give the Chief Engineer a description of the country, with "a plan of Chicacole
Circar" and a sketch of the "Town of Gaujam 5 " [3 J.
In 1768 he was sent up again to establish a factory at Ganiam with the support
of Peach s brigade, and in October sent in a plan of the district and promised
to send a large and more exact Plan than I am now able, in which I will mark out the diff-
erent Purgannas & Zenlindaries 6 .
A year later he sent a small scale "Plan of the Itchapour' District" [93]. '
In 1767 the Council at Masulipatam proposed to order Stevens, their engineer
to make a survey of the whole frontier towards the Nizam's territories' and in'
1771 they write that,
Before we determine on building new Forts, it is absolutely necessary that we should
nave a more accurate knowledge of the Geography of the Country, a Survey of which should be
taken as soon as possible, in which should be ascertained the Limits of the Circars the Bearinss
& distances ot the several places, the most remarkable Passes, & the Roads leading to them ยป
and Government reply that the senior engineer,
Major Mitchell, will either reside at Masulipatam to carry on the works there, or proceed
to survey the several Forts in the Circars, or proceed to make a general survey of the Country
as may appear most advisable 10 .
It was Stevens, however, who was more often on survey; and in 1773 he was
selected for charge of the southern section of a survey of the Circars for which the
Chief Engineer 11 made the following proposals;
As the Circars are very extensive & as the Survey of them which is now resolved on is
a great and useful undertaking, I think as many people as can be properly spared should be
employed on that service. ... For which purpose I would have the Surveyors formed in two
drvrsions, under Captains Stevens & Pittman, with as many intelligent Assistants as can be
procured.
As Capt. Stevens has already surveyed a considerable part of the most Southerly Cir-
car u, I recommend that he, with at least one Assistant, should be directed to finish them
compleatmg the most Southerly parts first, and then to work Northwards; that Capt Pittman
in like manner should begin to the Northward, where Mr. Cotsford has left off, and work
towards the South, until he meets Capt. Stevens. Both these Gentleman should be directed
to intersect the same stations, that their Surveys may correspond when closed.
They should be directed to ascertain the Company's Boundaries with Precision- the
Courses of the Rivers, the direction oi the Roads, together with the Inlets from the Country
by which an Enemy can enter it. ... }
The Engineers are from time to time to forward their Surveys to the Chief of the
Settlement under which they may act, who will transmit them to the Board [196] is.
Detailed instructions to this effect were sent to Stevens and Pittman, and James
Johnston was sent as assistant with Pittman. Suitable letters were written to the
Chiefs at Masulipatam & Vizapatam, and the following to Cotsford at Ganiam
Vou will be pleased to inform Mr. Stratton [at Vizagapatam j how far has been Surveyed
to the Southward of Ganjam, that he may give the Necessary Direction to Capt. Pittman
District U ^ transmit to I" Drafts of the Surveys which may have been made ia your
Pittman was instructed to
begin in the Tickally country, and having compleated the same to go from thence to Tolmore
& Kimmedy ยซ, which are the Northernmost parts of the Chicacole Circar, on this side the
Itchapore District 16 .
_ At the end of the year Cotsford handed over charge at Ganiam, and submitted
his tmal maps, before proceeding on furlough :
"lb. 30-3-73. 'โขJ;dm l ,r,74B/2;Parhkimidi,7iB/l. ยปib. 19-7-73. J ' ยซMC. 2-a-73.
Northern Circars 93
Accompanying this letter You have a general Plan of the Itchapoor District, which view
serves to explain what I have written; a great Part of it is from an. Actual Survey, but the
state of the Country has hitherto prevented an exact Survey of the whole to be made, so
that I have not been able to shew the separate Purgunnahs & Zemindaries in it 1 [92].
This map was afterwards published by Dalrymple, scale %\ miles to an inch, and
described by Rennell as "Mr. Ootst'ord's elegant map-" [3].
Stevens had not been more than six weeks on the survey before he was with-
drawn to take a leading- part in the siege of Tanjore, and Dugood was sent up to
carry on, which he did with many interruptions till the end of 1775 ; much of his
time was spent on the survey of a canal taking olf from the Godavari ttiver [105].
Pittman died in January 1775, and Johnston carried on till his health broke
down at the end of the following year when he was transferred to other duties.
During the latter part of the survey assistance was given by Charles Mastone, of
the civil service, an officer who made other useful surveys later on [ 143 ] .
There is a very old undated map of the Ganjam District in the Madras Record
Office, scale about 1-1 miles to an inch, carried out in pictorial style, with trees,
buildings, and hills in elevation, and a marvellous headpiece ; it extends from Chica-
cole on the south to the hills on the north ; it is said to have been one of 20
.sections 3 . There is also a map entitled "Survey of part of Yizagapatam Circar,
including the districts of Chicacole, Bomally, and Teckally", scale Q\ miles to an
inch, with a note "copied from a tracing on china paper, deposited in the Revenue
Office, Madras, 1804 4 ". Both these maps are probably copied or reduced from the
.surveys of Pittman and Johnston 5 [252-3].
"Port St. George & Madras
The earliest known large-scale map of Madras is dated 1710 and inscribed,
Plan of the City of Madras; actually surveyed by order of the late Governor Thos. Pitt Esq.;
Engraven, Printed, and sold by Jn. Harris, Newgate St. ... Scale 140 yds. to an inchA
This was followed by a map of Madras and its villages, showing village bound-
aries and names of some streets and gardens, drawn in 1733. The survey was
made, and the map probably drawn, by Mr. John Hoxton to assist the repair of
defence works "'.
"We then find a map shewing Madras at the time of its capture by the French
in 1746 ; the names are shown in both French and English ; a very neat map, with
little pictures of French ships, inscribed,
A Plan of Madras & Fort St. George, taken by the French commanded by Monsieur Mahe
de la Bourdonnais s on Sept. 21st 1746. Published by John Rocque, cartographer to the late
and present Prince of Wales, 1751 . R. Benning, Sculp. . . . The corner of Buckingham Street
in the Strand 9 .
In the British Museum are,
Plan of Ft. Si. George, according to Colonel Scott [51], drawn by Robert Barker. ...
October 1753. Scale 300 feet to an inch, showing fortificd,tion.s proposed by Scott 10 .
Plan of Ft. St. George and the Bounds of Madraspatnam, Surveyed and drawn by FX.
Conradi, 1755. Plotted to a scale of 60 yards to the inch 11 .
Conradi's map was oviously the outcome of an order dated December 31st 1754,
that,
A survey of the Company's Present Bounds of Madrass and its Districts be made by
Messrs. Hume and Saussure... under the direction of Mr. Brohier 13 , ...
the Directors being advised that,
We have directed a new Survey to be made of your Antient and present Bounds, and
some of the Engineer's Assistants are now actually employed on that Business 13 .
Orme published two maps illustrating the siege by the French between Decem-
ber 12th 1758 and February 17th 1759 [86], one on the scale of 600 feet to an inch,
1 MMC. 15-1-74. 2 DDn. 246 (125); Memoir, 1*783 (68). 3 1VIK0. Map 424. 4 ib 427. 5 Seealso
MEIO. 137 (8, 25). 6 Love, I (4). <ib. II (253). 8 TIie French Admiral. "Imp. Lib. M $ P. 373.
"โขMap, BM.K. 115 (75). "Map, BM.K. 115 (76). u Bnยซ. in charge, 1751-3; to Ft. William, as C.E.,
1757; absconded 1.760. Sandes I (115). Love. If (-170). 13 M to 01). 10-3-55.
9t
Madras Surveys
and the larger one BOO yards to Si inches. Both are excellently drawn and show
much detail 1 .
In 1769 the Council
approve the Chief Engineer's plan for fortifying the Black Town, and with regard to the
manner of raising a sum lor defraying the expence, propose making an Assessment on
every House, Garden and spot of Ground within the walls, according to the value thereof
Resolved that Mr. Marsden & Machlin. . .be instructed to take a regular Survey of each street
to number each house, garden, and spot of Ground, specifying the Name of the Proprietor'
and the value thereof and to affix a board at the corner of every street, with the name of
such street wrote m English and Malabar 2 ,
and at the end of the year Marsden
lays a plan of the Survey before them, with valuation of property and numbers of each lot
and notes of encroachments . '
The "Book of the Surrey" gave the contents of the gardens for each owner in
square feet, with their values. Unfortunately a year later Marsden's plan could
not be found and Pittman had to be ordered to make a new survey* In Sep
tember 17/1 a civil servant, Eyles Irwin, was appointed to make a survey of all
the ground lying within the walls of Blacktown, as many grounds "have been
fraudulently obtained since the commencement of the Fortifications "โข he was at
the same time appointed "Superintendent of the Lands and Grounds belonging to
the Town of Madras, St, Thome, Chippauk and the Environs ", and was allowed "20
Pagodas per month for the charges of an horse and Palanqueen for this ser-,
vice " s L290].
In 1776 Irwin
lays before the Board a Survey of the whole of Black Town ; several setts of Books containing
details of properties and waste lands, areas in square feet, and values ยป,
however the Committee of Works reported that
M Irwin has made no report of the Grounds belonging to St. Thome... nor fixed Landmarks
between the Boundaries of Poonamalee & Madras. ... i-anamaras
and the appointment was abolished'. The following year
The many late encroachments on the Public Roads rendering' it necessary that -n Exact
u^rye h Chfeftg h Seer ยฃ S . them ' *** *โ ยป*""* **"** * ยซ*ยป " *ยซ "^
, , Z " 17 /?, H "= h Ma โขll, => Civil Servant, was appointed to be "Superin-
tendent of the Company's Grounds" with the same allowances as were given to
irwnv, and 111 1788 Tomano was appointed to succeed Maxwells This post was
still maintained 111 1791 under the designation of "Superintendent of the Company's
Lands and Eoads" and carried the allowances of a Surveyor.
In 1771 Montresor and Pittman proposed a large scale survey
Being desirous to render ourselves useful to the Honble Company by performing some
Service that may merit their attention, We take the liberty of proposing^ SurvTy of Fort
St George and its Environs of 10 miles in Circumference on a scale of 400 feet to an inch โข the
utility of such a work is too obvious to require a Detail of the many good Purposes it may assure.
shโโw 1 I " nder takmg that W1 โ require great Perseverance and Fat; I
ance tantedTf ^Pโข^ "* โข ***** ยฐ UrSelveS We sM1 have the โข<*โขY assist-
ance granted Us for carrying on so great a Work 11
The Council approved the scheme, but revoked their approval at a later meeting on
the grounds that it should have been made through the Chief Engineer
In 1776 Dugood was employed on a survey of "the Home Earns", 'or suburban
villages particularly describing the Level of the tanks and Water Courses 1! "
L '42-3J-
No further record of town surveys of Madras has been found until 1798 when
the Chief Engineer received the following orders; '
The Governor in Council has been pleasedto fix the' limits and boundaries of the town
of Madras m the following manner. ... 1 am therefore directed to desire that a map of the
102
Madras Subtexs
w^U prove of very essential advantage in correcting many errors which have been observed
n the charts ; of this coast. He has now the pleasnre to bring Mr. Topping's jouLl before
the Board, and his observations and remarks appear to Mm not only ingenious aXtatiS
but likewise of utility to Government, from the accuracy with which he seems to hโขe laid
down, the bearings and distances of the principal stations in the Circars. ... [ I7 Z 1
From the laudable anxiety expressed by the Court of Directors, ... Sr Archibald begs
Later in the year the following instructions were issued to Topping-
This Board have come to the resolution of having an accurate survey taken of the sea
Ztatn^the ^laTr^ S ยฐ^โข*^โขยซY ยปf the peninsula, witL^w not on.y to
ascertan the actual Mm of the Sea Coast, but... of obtaining a complete Survey of those
parts of the Peninsula of India which belong to the Company and to their allies
As soon as the season will permit, you will accordingly lose no time in proceeding upon
I!" 717; - Iโข T 11 ^ P arti โขMy attentive to ascertain the exact pos tTon "of any
remarkable town, Pagoda, Point of Land, or Hill; ... you will observe the depth o water and
direction, of the different rivers through which yon pass, where they empty themsllves into
the sea the depth of water on the bars, and...you will communicate ..any remark St the
poss bility of making the entrance more accessible to vessels of considerable burthen
or shoalTeawa'rd wXth ^"^ T"" 11 the beari " gS ยฐ f ^ r โข^able point of ' land
or shoal sea-ward, wrtb the soundings to a certain distance from the shore.. .by means of any
small vessel that you may be able to procure for this occasional purpose, Government S
^E^P^T* - relying " ^ r ยป"*โ t0 "Company to aflirtle
You will pay particular attention to lay down with the utmost accuracy possible the
ESSl fTwf" WatCT Up ยฐ n the Arme ยซ on Stad to the Northโข" of Pulicat
[104 n.a], for although this is not within the limits of the linc.for your survey yet it is
pretty certain that this shoal is very erroneously laid down, in COh^menceTwHrltrne of
the Company s ships have been in the most imminent danger of being lost [ !0 4 ]
lost rlT ? r TT ed ?^7 ey tbe r ยฐ Ck ยฐ r Sh0al Where the SockinghL Indiaman was
lost the shoal of Devicotah[86 n. 7 ]...will also require your attention!
Strafts of Man, ? h 'f ^T ยฐ ยฃ tbe B ยฐ arf *** tte ^^ shaU be carried * through the
poh of 2 PenilsH fTn "** " ^^^ " nd ^^ districts to the Southmost
โข f . \ A f Z ^ ^ -y OTa ยซ *ยซ the present to consider these instructions as
only extending from the Armegon shoal to the Southmost Termination of thTs cmst
opposite to the Island of Hameswaram- the survey of that Island, as far as the B amTns of
these pagodas will permit; from thence round the point of the Peninsula to Koilearre"
"ยป Z M lmary , T0pping J reported that he had " taten CT ery necesoary
% m TvJZ m T\ Wd T T d f ? 00ms Pยฐ^nt astronomical observations
at Mr. Petnes private observatory [i 7 ,]. No ship was forthcoming, so the survey
was earned out by land and was the first Indian survey of any extent to have been
based on triangulation [191].
Porto Novo'T' h T " aC0 ยฐr t ยฐ f tUs fixation and a base-line measured at
February 16 h 1792 ? " l^t"' "J^"? " More tte ยซยฐyal Society on
โขST -,โ [ 9I "โข 2] and m a letter t0 Government in 1791 he wrote
Totally unaided-except by lasears-I conducted a series of Triangles near three
colt" in^Mchl haTf i be f eS me f SUriDg a BaSe liM ยฐ f SlX mite -d a S halfrtnrโ: g h 1
country in which I had to elevate myself for each observation above the tops of the highest
thrโort g ยฐt gh ^ fa i iPle ยฐ ยฃ traVeUin ยซ SOme th0asaads ยฐ* **ยปโ to endure the rigors of
Zo^^Z-J^l^. menta ' ^ ยฐ l *** ยซ* โ
Having carried his triangulation from Madras to Adirampatnam" on the
northern shore of Palk Strait, and surveyed the coast line southwards from
Pondicherryio, Topping returned to Madras in December, expecting to return
tSSswsr* t0 Cape Comor ' m ' wHoh h โ he โขโข^ยป
โข s M,;r c vpiit;โ, ! Lxx'in (9 ;f mn 4v c 8 1 12I1 o 'i 68 ;f 7 nak ^ m Kiie > mpc - 3( i- 11 ^-
*โ ' Mi ยฐโข dto mยป โ r ye-ยป wโข PC ^o 2 iS\9-n,f a ';โ S i D itprt r o^tโข
COROMANDEL COAST 103
Goldingham made use of this survey in compiling a
map of Negapatam districts, and part of those dependent on Nagore 1 , laid down chiefly
from surveys by Mr. G. I. Hoissard in 1791. Corrected by Mr. Topping's survey of the coast.
July 25th 1797- Scale 6 miles to an inch 5 .
An application to the Governor General for the loan of a "Bombay Cruiser"
for Topping's use was not successful, and on his return he looked for a suitable
vessel at Madras;
Having. ..used every endeavour. ..to procure a small vessel for the marine part of.
my survey, ...my enquiries, till very lately, have been wholly unsuccessful but. ..two
days ago I very fortunately met with a small well-built cutter of about 30 tons burthen...
suited to the purpose. This vessel is quite new, having been launched about three months
ago at Pegu, where she was constructed of the very best teak timber. ..after an English
model 3 .
He asked permission to purchase it for 1200 pagodas 1 , and to spend
"the trifling" extra cost of providing copper sheathing to her bottom and a small
boat to attend her. As he further assured Governement that she would be
in every way suited to the purpose wanted, and particularly for exploring the passages
situated between the Coast of India and Ceylon,
her purchase was sanctioned. Topping indented on the Paymaster for two candies
of sheet copper for the use of the Mary, but,
after much fruitless trouble and vexation, not being able to procure the sort I wanted from
the Company's stores, I was compelled to purchase the necessary quantity from a Merchant
in the Black Town 5 .
In the meantime the Directors had written out welcoming Topping's appoint-
ment, and ordering that his first task should be to re-examine the coast for a safe
harbour ;
It would be of the utmost consequence to have a Port of Shelter for large ships within
our own territories on the Coast of Choromandel, and a doubt having been suggested, on
attention to Major Stevens's plan of Coringa, whether there be such a passage for a large ship
into the river Godavery; but the late dreadful calamity at Coringa 6 may have made essential
alterations since Major Stevens's survey was taken [101]; we therefore direct that
Mr. Topping be employed as soon as possible in making a survey of the mouth of the river
Godavery. ... Possibly planting the mud banks of the mouth of the Godavery with
Mangroves might tend to deepen the channel. It will be proper to survey also the road of
Coringa to ascertain what shelter it can afford. If. ..neither the river Godavery nor
Coringa can afford safe shelter for large ships we think the Bay of Pettapolly 7 ought to be
carefully examined 8 .
As Topping estimated that it would take eight months to finish his survey to
the south, the Council decided that he should first carry out the survey at the
mouth of the Godavari.
He commenced his survey of the Bay of Coringa in August 1789 and made a
thorough survey with soundings, besides taking systematic observations of the tides 9
[191-2], In liis report submitted in February 1790 he pointed out the inaccuracy
of former charts, apparently including that of Stevens, made in 1772 ;
This led the Hon. Court of Directors to expect that a passage for their shipping into the
Godavery might be found, ... a matter as will now appear of utter impossibility. ... I have
determined to submit the materials with which I have constructed my Chart to their
inspection, being of opinion that were the means by which all maps and Charts are made
exposed to the test of examinations, much fewer impositions would be attempted than are
at present practiced, with too frequent success, by persons who depend more on the opera-
tions of their own fancy than on their knowledge of things requisite for the construction of
geographical documents [184].
Though the passage of ships into the Godavery was quite impracticable, he
described the safe harbourage and convenience of the Road of Coringa at every
season of the year, and, alluding to a rumour that the object of the Directors was to
make Coringa the place of rendezvous for their Bengal shipping, in order to avoid the
dangerous, and too often fatal, navigation of the Ganges,
Negapatam & Nagore, Dutch Settlements annexed by EIC. in I7S1, 58 N/13. 2 M&0. Map 322.
3 MTC. 8-12-8S. 4 About ยฃ 500. s The northern quarter of Madras, MPC. 16-6-89. "Tidal wave, 1787 ;
Imp. Gaz. Mad. I (295). ?66 A/9 (see pi. 9). 8 CD to M. 20-8-88 (10). fl MEO. Map. 108.
104 Madras Surveys
added that "no place can be fitter for these purposes 1 ".
During 1790 and 1791 Topping was employed on arrangements for building
the observatory at Madras [ 1 72-3 ], and he wrote in December 1791,
Being at present occupied. ..in erecting an Astronomical Observatory' at this Presi-
dency, it will not be possible for me to proceed on any distant service; ... the late heavy
monsoon must have impeded not onfy that, but every other outdoor operation that I might
have been engaged in; ... as however the Rivers will probably subside in a few days, I think
I may venture to promise that the observatory shall be compleated within three months
from the setting in of the fair weather. ...
Although my present occupations will not admit of my immediately commencing my
service Southward, yet, if the Hon'ble Board approve of my entering upon an examination
and survey of the Pullicate and Armegon Shoals 2 during the present favorable season, and will
allow me the assistance of Mr. Goldingham, I can, as those dangers are not very distant from
Madras, arrange to conduct that service.
The investigation of these dangerous shoals make a part of my instructions; ... the
uncertainty of their true situation and extent has long been an evil very justly complained
of; and, if I am rightly informed, the Vestal Frigate, with the Right Hon'ble the Governor
General on board, had lately a narrow escape of being wrecked or one or the other of them 3 .
This was approved, and in the following October Topping reported.
The survey of the Pulicate shoals have been compleated some time but, ...before
Mr. Goldingham could accomplish his examination of the Armegon and other Banks to the
northward, ...he had the misfortune to lose the cutter's mast and, ...notwithstanding I
have searched everywhere for a spare to replace it, I have not yet succeeded in finding one.
In consequence of this disaster I have ordered the lascars to be discharged and the vessel
to be secured in Pulicate River, directing at the same time Mr. Goldingham to proceed with
his survey on shore to beyond the Armegon, in order that by a connected series of
observations, in addition to that formerly made by myself, we may at length obtain a true
figure of the whole peninsula 4 [ 178].
In December he reported that
the Survey of the sea coast northward by Mr. Goldingham is going on, and will extend to
Point Devy 5 including Pettypolly Bay very shortly.
In March 1793 he submitted
Mr. John Goldingham's survey of the sea coast from Madras to the Kistna, together with
a very particular investigation of the Pulicate Reef s =. ... As the work will speak for itself,
I shall only observe that the method adopted was recommended by myself, and that the*
execution of it discovers great zeal, application, and ingenuity in Mr. Goldingham?.
In acknowledging this survey and Topping's letter that accompanied it, the
Directors write,
We recommend that the Mary be fitted as a Schooner, and the survey of the Bay of
Pettipollee and the Soundings on the other parts of the Coast be completed by Mr.
Goldingham as soon as opportunity will allow. ...
Although correspondent observations at the observatory are very desirable, yet that
consideration cannot be admitted as a competent excuse for postponing the actual surveys.
Without deprecating the extreme precision with which Mr. Topping and his Assistant seem
so meritoriously to have executed the survey of the sea Line, and which we wish to have
continued, yet there are surveys of more general importance, but none which merit more
attention than that of the Godavary and Kistnah, as they affect the cultivation of the
countries adjacent s [105-7].
These surveys of the coast were compiled by Goldingham into a map 3 which
bears the following note [ 192 ];
The coast from Adiapatnam to Fort St. George (a distance of about 240 miles)... was
surveyed by means of a continued series of large triangles, formed with high signals. ... The
same method was adopted in the survey of the coast from the Western mouth of the Kistna
River to Masulipatam, a distance of about 47 miles. Both these surveys were executed
solely by. . .Mr. Michau Topping.
The coast from Fort St. George to the Western mouth of the Kistna (an extent of 250
miles) was surveyed by means of high signals ranged along the coast at intervals of 9 or 10
miles, the relative bearings and distances of these having been found by Astronomical
'To Dalrymple, 10-7-90, Mai. Sel. XIX. 1855 (2,22). ยป6 m. from shore, off present liehthouse
Monapajem, 60 Ci ! ; ft.p. c.'ii:. Mad. I. (365). "11PC. 27-12-91. "1IPC. 16-10-92. 'Divi Point 66 Eft-
False Divi Pout, 66 A/13. 6 MRO. Map 41, en^ra.viid by J. Walker; pub. 1-5-1821 '< \] pr [Q 1 n->
"CD to M. 23-4-94 (61-64). = MRIO. 137 (53) & MRO. Map 125. '
COROMAKDEL COAST 105
observations, and smaller curves ascertained by theodolite and perambulator. The Pulicate
Shoals were surveyed by the help of signals ranged on shore. Both these surveys were
executed by myself. ...
The coast from Masulipatam to Point Gardewar 1 (about 106 miles ) was surveyed by
Bearings and distances with the Theodolite and perambulator, by Lt. Caldwell of the
Engineers, when Assistant. ..in the Survey of the Kistna and Godavari Rivers [106].
The Bay of Coringa was laid down from an accurate survey by the late Marine Surveyor.
KlSTNA-G-ODAVAEI IRRIGATION SuBVEYS
The first recorded survey carried out for irrigation purposes 2 was one by
Dugood on the Godavari Itiver in 1775 [ 93 ] j
33 sheets of a sketch showing the Zully Brooke and its environs, from its leaving the
Godavary to its joining the Colere. Done to a scale of 8 inches to a mile; ... done large for
the purpose of distinguishing minutely the Dams &c.
The canals had been constructed by the local people
to make the Country about them produce Paddy; ... the purpose of tracing the canal was to
improve it by deepening, widening, &c, and improve the passage of water;
and with his survey Dugood estimated "the cost of taking away and re-making
the dams 3 ".
Dalrymple has published an account 4 of a survey of the Godavari by Walter
Lennon in 1786 with a view to the "improvement of cultivation";
Mr. Lennon in 1786 went in a boat up the Godavery & Shevery Rivers, about 180 miles
above Rajahmundry 5 , and reported on the various tributaries, and that he found no
cataracts.
In 1788 Lennon represented to the Governor,
That he had, in 1786, at his own expence, undertaken to make a Survey of the Godavery,
upon a scale of one inch to a mile, distinguishing the different districts upon its Bank; ...
that his intentions were to begin near Rajahmundry, and to go as far North and West as he
should be permitted; he surveyed in this manner about 9 miles of the river. ... What he
did was merely for trial of the practicability of the Work.
He now proposed to make an exact Survey of the River Godavery, on a scale of an inch to
a mile, and also of the Rivers Shevery & Sheelain...and offered to compleat the whole at his
own expence, the only assistance desired, a few lascars ; and the only Emolument expected,
was the privilege of sending down Teak Timbers, ... secure... from the exactions & plunder
of the Zemindars [144].
Dalrymple also reproduces a report from Dr. Roxburgh 6 , the botanist, dated
October 17th 1792, with
a sketch of the Colar 7 , with those parts of the little Rivers that supplied it with water,
taken from a manuscript Map, which he believed to be exact, but of this Map no copy J3
come to England, & Dr. Roxburgh has not an exact idea of the Channel from the Godavery,
which was surveyed very minutely by Capt. Dugood.
In 1792 the Directors wrote out,
We recommend that Mr. Topping. ..may be employed in Surveying the Circars, particular-
ly the Rajahmundry Circar. ... Such a Survey would at once shew, not only the position and
nature of the Lands at present in cultivation, and with what cultivated, but. ..what
Improvements might be made 3 .
One consideration of much moment is, the easy communication with the Sea or Water
carriage. ... The Inland Navigation of the Rajahmundry Circar is not known to us; it would
therefore be of the utmost consequence to Survey Branches of the Godavery River as well as
of the Kistna, ... One very great object is floating down Teak, which... might thus be brought
by Water to the Sea 9 .
The Council passed this letter to Topping and at the same time consulted
Beatson, the Governor noting that,
Godavari Point, 65 L/6. 3 But see 3rd & 4th Instructions to Barnard [142]. 3 Mack. MSS.
LSVIII, 27-4-75. ^Oriental Repertory, H; Watering the Circars, Dalrymple. 1 793, with map. 6 65 Gill).
"William Roxburgh, Asst. Surg. Mad. 28-5-76; succeeded to charge Botanical Gardens, Sibpur, 1793.
" Colair Lake, 65 H/2. 8 See proposals made by Lennon [144]. 9 CD to M. 16-5-92 (11-13).
lOfi
Mabkas Surveys
r, ^wvt *T ne ln ttlt qUarter ^ agaln nat "ally timed the public attention to the
practicability of securing water, in future, by means of the two rivers aTS.- ยฃT
waters to the purposes of cultivation, as a pint of the fiJ^^^T*โข^ *""
rleatson was strongly in favour of
ULSf*,* ]adi ?T l7 constracted : โขโขโข" forming an aqueduct, there would be uo nn
lZ7Jai B of f des ยซ nt r Wh ^ 0llghtn0t tQ 6XCeed fi " Hichesmamile,whe r eVt h e
7nl"be wo e rr famed " * ** M "* "^ ^ S ยฐ ^utly as to run no risVor
wlthTt 1 SKSLK IrT ^^ " j^ ยฃ T bf ^t^
Squint ^ Z- * - M^SM =M
He further recommended that levels should he taken alouo- the rivers and
Surveys of the Ground, for a mile or two on each side of these level!, to be made and all
original observations of the Surveys & Levellings to be arranged in a eta & dStinct
to ^ en ee e ssa 17 instructions were then passed to Topping, who first went down
from ieO "F T [95 "' 6] "^ ^ the irri g ati ยฐยป S 7 st โข taking ou
from the Cauvery and Coleroon rivers; he then left Madras in March 1793 for
Masuhpatam, taking James Caldwell with him as assistant, He made a survey of
the Kistna from Masuhpatam to Bezwada, J
S^^ f .^V tSn0rttembank; -^^ari River was executed in like
T,at n rโข C0Un i ยฐ f ? S leTelIin S operations is given in a report dated February 14th
i L 192-3 J, and a year later he wrote, apparently in a mood of depression
โข โ TJยฐ, part ' cular T lse a servlce in wh ich I have laboured these two seasons past and
indeed that on which I indulge Warm hopes of support and encouragement from tte Hortle
Company-Namely my exertions in tU Northern drears. In despite of illiberal opposition
and an almost total want of proper assistance. In despite of the rigors of a climate fpeAaps
the hottest and most unhealthy in the habitable world) I have conducted a series oileZl
near two hundred miles m length; and a minute survey of the Kistnah, with its several
branches, to near a hundred miles from the sea; and I purpose to do the same by the
Godavery and its adjacent territory, if life and health permit V
Much has been said, and much written, on this important subject. The Watering of the
C^^tw^U however appear from the delineations already laid before Government and
more fully from those which I shall shortly submit..., that nothing can be more w?ld and
extravagent than the idea of those who recommend undertakings of this kind to be WMv
com,nenced...without method, nay, without first ascertaining the practicability of the
scheme a work of great (but indispensable) labour; ...and, .. supposing the proposed work
has...been found practicable, a second survey and series of levels, more minute than those
previously accomplished, must also be undertaken, in order to mark out the ยซ-oโขrf
which the intended canals are to be carried, to determine their proper dimen ions thei fiT*
and slope &c, all of which will require ample assistance and a Band of wactical tn g
well instructed, and capable of enduring the climate 8. P surveyors,
His chart of the "Lower Division of the Kistna", and chart of levels was sent
home to the Directors later in the year, the Council noting that
This work completes the Kistna from its several entrances to 'beyond Amuktala โ
distance of near no miles from the sea, and furnishes determinations of the levels of ttยป
adjacent country to that furthest inland point. e
i Mr. Topping, from want of sufficient materials is still.. .[anxious] to susoend w
judgement upon the practicability of the ultimate object we have in view*
After Topping's death in January 1796 the Directors ordered that Beatsnn
should complete the survey, which was now widened in character so as to cover u
means by which the irrigation of the cultivated lands in the Circars could V,
improved. Beatson came out from home for this special purpose, and left Mad,.,!
in March 1798, taking with him Madias
a Map of the countries between the Kistna and Gaudavery rivers, with a survev โf ยซ.
rivers by the late Mr. Topping and Captain Caldwell, their lines of levels at every loth
'MEC. 4-12-92. "Note on map, MEIO. 137 (53V
*Mto CD. 2-10-85 (11?, 116).
e also MEIO. 161 (21, 22). 'MEC. 7-2-95
KlSTNA-GODAVARI IRRIGATION SuRVETS 107
station being marked thereon and also profiles of the levels taken . . . up the Kistna and across
the adjacent country to the Gaudavery 1 .
He travelled up to Ellore through
Calastry...Ongole...Chmtapilly 3 ; ... throughout this tract the objects I have constantly kept
in view, were to ascertain the various modes of watering and cultivation โ the nature and
situation of the best tanks โ the different methods of constructing.. .sluices, and to discover
every means of improvement that might be successfully introduced in the Circars.
At Chintapilly, I examined that narrow part of the Kistnah, about a mile above the fort,
where the waters are confined between two rocks, in a space of little more than 300 yards;
afterwards I proceeded to explore the face of the country on each side of the river, from
Chintapilly to Ibrampatam, which.. .appears to me totally ineligible, and I may add
impracticable, for canals or aqueducts, however favourable the levels might have been found.
On his march to Ellore Beatson had employed
several intelligent Bramins of the Corps of Guides, ... in different parts, to ascertain some
points connected with the investigation,
and they brought in surreys of the more important rivers flowing through the
Guntur and Ellore Circars. He goes on to say that,
During this investigation I have often had reason to regret that so small a portion of
these districts has as yet undergone an actual survey, and that there is no map of the interior
of the circars which could afford me any material assistance. To the late Mr. Topping's and
Captain Caldwell's accurate surveys of the Kistnah and Godavery I am indeed much
indebted, and to Captain Dugood's of the Wayairoo ; but excepting these the rest of the map
of the Masulipatam circar is extremely imperfect, being a Moochy map, constructed many
years ago in the Engineer's office at Masulipatam 3 .
Beat-son suggested that a similar survey should be carried out in GTuntur Circar
to that which he had made some years before in Palnad [no],
At the same time that this Survey is carrying on, I beg leave to recommend that a
similar Survey of the rivers in the Gun tur Circar (including 2 miles on each side of them,
representing principal watercourses from these rivers, villages, and Tanks} be made upon the
same scale; this survey with the Routes already surveyed by Captain Mackenzie and myself
will form an useful map of that Circar*.
He was not able to accomplish much, for war clouds were gathering, and
in July 1798, the very next month, he was called away to join the Governor
General's staff and act as adviser on the geography and local conditions of the
Mysore frontier [118]. Topping's scheme was not pursued further;
The first idea of the Godavery Anicut originated with Mr. Michael Topping, who reported
how desirable it would be to throw a dam across the Godavery, so as to raise the water, and
make it available for irrigation. The project was permitted to slumber for half a century
and was revived in 1844 5 [by the great engineer Arthur Cotton].
Tank Repairs
The Company having assumed the administration of several of the Carnatic dis-
tricts from the beginning of the war of 1790 6 , and suggestions being made by
district officers for the improvement of the revenues from cultivation, the Directors
wrote out in 1793,
The Letter from Mr. Andrews of the 16th August 1790, has stated in such forcible terms
the advantages which are likely to accrue from cutting a Channel for supplying the Devicotah
District with Water from the Coleroon, that we trust no time has been lost in making the
necessary previous examination and Survey, and in commencing the Work, if the Report shali
have been in favor of the project. ...
We observe by the Letter from the Board of Revenue, . . . that from the present ruinous
state of the Water Courses and Tanks, it is to be apprehended, that without the aid of
^PC. May 1798. s E31afcasti, 57 O/lO: Ongole, 66A./2; Chmtapaile, 65D/2. 3 MKC. 27-7-98.
4 Mack. MSS. LIX, 10-6-9S, "ACollnction of papers illustrative of the different W terworks in the Carnatic".
5 Moms (109). 6 In 1781 the Nawab of the Carnatic assigned to the Company the revenue of his dis-
tricts to provide for their defence; this was not confirmed by the Directors, but a treaty of 1786 provided
for such assignment in the event of another war, and this was put into force in 1790. v. M Pol. to CD.
1S-9-90 (162). At the close of the war administration 01 certain districts remained with the Company,
and complete transfer followed in 1801 [pi. l].
โ -^ !
108 Madras Scev-eys
Government, no effectual repair will be made by the Renters. ... We authorize you if the
state of your finances shall adnut of it, to disburse the Sum. ..necessary for giving Ttnorouยปn
eparr to the Water Courses and Tanks \ a measure which, ... if effected byskilM S
could not fad to mduce Proposals for an increased Rent... ultimately attended with a
proportionate increase of Revenue 3 .
The matter was referred to Topping whose recommendations were eminently
practical; he wrote to the Board of Revenue on January Sth 1794-
District r vl1 U donb;i t e < s reCOmmend * tho โข^ โขV^ of the reservoirs' in the Company's
nโขXt b f ^ necessary one. Before, however, so extensive a work can with
mXn/th rยฐ T "-,, ParbCUlar SUrV6y ยฐ f each reservoir ' nata ^ <* Artifical, shoulTbe
onthem. ^ Certamly ^ ยฐ bUged t0 pay d ยฐ uWe the m ยฐ ne ? bonafide expended
...[26 4 ] aeCtthiSSalnt0ryPUrPOSe ' arSgalarSUrVey ยฐ rGenaraL ' S ยฐ ffiCe Sh ยฐ Uld be institated
to act^nl^sโข ^""r * *"? Tยฃ *" ยฐ r tm ' Ve ****>ยปยซ>โข *ยป*!)*ยซ will be wanted,
to act under the Surveyor General and his Assistants; These should, in my opinion be formed
mto a regular body, and established in the fixed pay and service of the Company
Ihe Board of Revenue endorsed this proposal
โ J^ beg J eaTe t0 recommend that a Surveyor General's office be instituted at Madras
Mr To" 7 and th<! " nmber ยฐ f aSSiStaQtS ' b ยฐ th E "ยฐP-" *" d Native, pointed out oy
apoetr ttat tnT^T r^ fin 2? ยฐ f the Tanks &C m the ^^, <** " ยป โขuld
oufthedSriS , t K , reCtOTS '- intend t0 eXtend such improvements through-
out the districts under this presidency; we conceive an establishment of this nature to be of
the utmost importance, not only to effect the necessary survey of the state of the Tanks
the repairs they require, and where others may with advantage be constructed but
afterwards to Superintend the execution of the works 3. smictea, But
l7o!f f ei 'T entaOCe ?, te , dtIle r Se commendations so far as the establishment in
1794 of a Surveying- School [ 2 8 4 ], and the following- year resolved that
Bang convinced of the necessity of appointing a scientific person to superintend the
under "^^ an f. Wate / C ยฐ-- S : ยซ ยซ^ed that Mr. Topping be nominated to th at duty
under the designation of "Superintendent of Tank Repair & Watercourses"
^ As the execution of the orders which have been received...upon this important subject
will necessarily involve the Company in a very heavy expence, and as grea? r3E
consequently attached to the person employed in the work, resolved that Mr Sf ยฃ
apprntment<> PaS ** m ยฐ nth "" ^ ^^ DeDart โ * faยป the dateoTri
On Topping's death in 1796 Caldwell succeeded him in charge of the "Depart-
ment of Tank Repairs", the first regular department of Public Works to be
established m India.
Early in 1794 John Non-is was deputed "to survey the Devicotta District [8611 7 1
and report on the scheme put forward for its Irrigation". He reported that he con-
fl e To, * im 7 neC f S f P" f aD the โข tecou ^s, tanks, and communications with
the Coleroon River, but he does not appear to have done much towards such survey
for a year later Government told the Chief Engineer that '
further employment of Captain Norris at Devicotah is useless and unnecessary. He is
relatve'To theS ""l!"^ ^^ " "Nation as he may ha^proeied
relative to the Survey, upon which he was ordered so far back as January 1794 ยซ
In his place Caldwell was sent down in 1795 from Masuhpatam, "to examine
how far the waters of the Coleroon could he applied to water the lands of
Devycotah" and m pursuance of his report, the first two boys passing out from the
surveying school were sent down to survey the district. The following letter shows
that the survey was m the nature of a "Revenue Survey", but as time went on the
Department of Tank Repairs developed its own type of survey, and produced district,
maps for its special purposes which were of considerable topographical value-
In Captain Caldwell's last letter he wrote me that we must male a survey of all the
Paddy gronn d s which are cultivated, and which are not cultivated, and to find the contents
of them, and for that. Sir. we want ahnnt so โr f. n hโ m Kโโโ *โ- t, __ _, U "V contents
โ โ โโ"โข*- -'"โข"". โข wmen are not cultivated, and to find the contents
of them, and for that. Sir, we want about 50 or 60 bamboos for flags, ... and we do want also a
! CD to M. Rev. 25-6-
6 CD to M. 9-5-97(52).
* EC .'^r ns ss s B L X ^2tf- ] 9 5. >cZ?i^tr 3 ft 36) - smec - ยป"~
Tank Repairs 109
person out of the village to shew us the boundary of them, and also to shew us properly
which are cultivated, and which are not cultivated. ... We have orders to make a survey of
all the salt-water Rivers; for that, Sir, we must have a Boat, to be for our Survey; if Captain
Caldwell was here we would have them by his orders, but he, being so distant from us, it is
with much difficulty to receive one of his letters in a month, and therefore I have mentioned
it to you, Sir. We have not persons enough to cut the jungle as it is so thick between the
boundary of Devicottah and also at the Salt-water Rivers. . . . We are going on with the nullahs
from the Yarry [reservoir] ; at present we have rain here most days in the week; Allan desires
to be remembered to you. Sir; I hope all our friends are well 1 [195].
On this Goldingham wrote to the Board, of Revenue,
It is absolutely necessary for the person these lads are placed immediately under to be
on the spot, ready to give them the requisite assistance, and to support them through the
opposition they are likely to meet with from persons interested in keeping from Government
the information they are ordered to obtain, by which the real value of the country will be
ascertained, as well as to give them due encouragement to persevere in the prosecution of a
difficult and laborious duty.
Such troubles were of course the lot of all surveyors, though more particularly
of those engaged in revenue surveys.
The Cobpb of Guides
On Pringle's death in 1789 Beatsou succeeded to the command of the company
of Guides [97]. The establishment and composition of the company had been
frequently changed; Pringle had left a scheme for 400 men, 100 to be employed
north of the Kistna, 200 in the Carnatic, and 100 south of the Coleroon, but the
Directors considered these numbers too high ;
With reference,., to Captain Pringle's proposal for establishing a numerous body of guides
...and the Commander in Chief's opinions of 1773 and 1775 [90] we are led to form an opinion
in favour of the utility of some regular Establishment of this nature. ... We are inclined to
think that the labours of Colonel Kelly and Captain Pringle have rendered the Establishment
of Guides to so large an amount as 400 less necessary than formerly, and we desire to know
whether you are in possession of the maps which were presented to the Governor General
in Council by the former in 1782 [240]. If not, you must make application for them, and you
must inform us whether you really think it necessary to keep up so large an establishment
of Guides as Captain Pringle recommends 3 .
The Chief Engineer then recommended an establishment one quarter of that
suggested by Pringle, but Government only sanctioned 50 men, whom Allan was
authorized to raise in time for the war of 1790. During peace time many of the
guides had been employed as harcaralis under the Goyernor and the Commander-
in-Chief 3 .
Both Beatson and Allan were enthusiastic surveyors and it is recorded that.
During the interval of peace, until the commencement of the war with Tippoo in i7go.
Captain Beatson was indefatigable in surveying and exploring the whole face of the
Carnatic. ... His surveys extended from the River Godavery to Cape Coraorin; and by the
routes he had selected, especially by the ranges separating the Carnatic from Travancore and
Mysore, he had obtained a knowledge of every pass or defile, above 60 in number, which lead
through that range 4 .
He embodied this work, together with much that must haye been collected
"from information", into a map of which Rennell writes ;
Toom-buddra River, ... the remainder of its course, and its place of junction with the
Kistnah 5 , is from Capt. Beatson's map of the Coromandel &c, drawn and transmitted to the
Court of Directors of the East India Company in 1789, This valuable piece of geography...
contains material for correcting a considerable portion of the course of the Kistnah river. ...
1 From Thomas Turabull to Goldino-ham ; MKev. Bd. 13-9-98. 2 CD to M. 8-4-89 (25). 3 Maek.
MSS. LXIX, 30-1-90, *MMG. II (3*75). s 57 1/1.
110
Madras Surveys
Capt. Beatscm's survey of the Palnaud district [shows the]...Kistnah...to a point more
than go miles above Condapillyi. Thence to Sooropour, or Solapour, is from authorities
collected by Capt, Beatson. ...
Balhary 3 27 G. miles to south-west of Adoni, Beatson's map of 1789.
Within those [boundaries] of the Nizam, on the side of Cuddapah and Gooty. the places
are taken, chiefly, from Capt. Beatson's map; as are those also in the north Carnatic, Guntoor
and Palnaud 3 .
A map of Beatson's preserved at Calcutta is entitled Countries between the
Peunar and Oodavari Rivers, compiled for Sir Archibald Campbell (presumably
during 1788-9) [101 n.g]. It is on the scale of 6 miles to an inch and carries the
following' notes;
The district of Palnaud, the principal points in the Guntoor Circar, and the routes
expressed m double lines are from my own survey.โ The Masulipatam Circar is chiefly from
Major Stevens's map, and Nizampatam...from an original survey by Mr. Scott.โ The interior
parts, and the routes expressed by the single line, are from cursory surveys by Capt. Alexander
Read, and from itineraries kept by Hircarrahs sent to explore the roads' 1 .
Another map shows "the roads to Madras from Masulipatam drawn by Maior
Beatson from the report of Hircarrahs" 2 .
Beatson's Military survey of the district of Palnaud 1 ' is preserved at Madras, a
sketch made in 1787, apparently on a framework of measured roads. Beatson says
that he finished in " in about three months, during which time I visited every
village and every pass in the district'" [193].
His invaluable surveys and reconnaissances made when commanding the Guides
during the Mysore War of 1790-2 were sent home with the following note from
the Council;
We send the third volume of Capt. Beatson's Geographical Observations in Mysore & the
Baramahal s , with an examination of the Passes, ... to which we added some Military sketches
of Hill Forts & of Seringapatam. Captain Beatson will lose no time in arranging the earlier
materials into a frst & second volume to be transmitted to England 8 .
The Directors replied,
The performances of Capt. Beatson, whether of General Geography, or of sketches meant
to convey ideas of particular spots of ground for military purposes, ... appear to be executed
with great judgement and accuracy. ... The map of Coromandel transmitted by the same
dispatch is a monument of great industry, skill, and minute accuracy 10 .
Allan's surveys were hardly less valuable and include,
A Survey of the Sea Coast from Fort David U to Killay, and of the country in the
neighbourhood of Porto Novo and ChillumbrumJ 3 .โ Several Surveys of Roads.โ A military
survey of the Provinces South of the River Coleroonl-".โ Fieldbooks and maps of the Marches
of the Army under the command of General Medows, from May 1790 to January 1791. A
Field Book of the Marches of the Army under Command of Earl Cornwallis, from February sth
1791 to May 1792 u .
During 1790 General Medows had worked backwards and forwards along the
southern frontiers of Mysore in a yain attempt to bring- Tipu to decisive action,
and it was in an effort to bring the war to some conclusion that the Governor
General, Lord Cornwallis, assumed command of the army in February 1791, and
by invading Mysore with a greatly larger force, was able to force Tipu to surrender
before Seringapatam in March 1792 15 .
Allan gives the following account of his surveys,
Of the Military survey of the Provinces South of the Coleroon, it may be proper to
remark that I commenced it in May 1789, and in December following, on the prospect of a
war, it became incumbent on me to quit that service and proceed to... Trichfnopoly for the
purposes of raising a Corps of Guides and endeavouring to investigate... the nature of the
country and roads in such parts of Tippoo's Dominions, as were likely... to become the
theatre of the future operations of the Army.
โ Kondapalli, 65 D/10 [pi. 9]. ! Bellaiy, 57 A/i6. ' Peninsula (i, 10, 13) . *MH[0 VIS (191
MEIO. 180,14). 'W. of Gmrtur [pl. 9 ],HEO. Map 11(5. & MEIO. 147 (11). Revenues .northed to
the Company from 2-1-2-87, KiMna Manual (153). ; MRC. 27-7-9S. 'The Lilly trac- โ 'nth? IV ---?
Salem Dirt. 57 L. >M to CD. 31-7-92 (37). ">CD to M. 25-B-9:i (-1-4,45; ยซ5S NI-14 "Omdโข
rjaram, 58 M/ll: probably MEIO. 133 (12). "Fdbk. MRIO. M. 77. " JIMC. 1-3-93 " "A.-eountoi3rd
Mysore War, Bowriag (145-173)-
The Coups op Guides 111
Some parts of the Map are... sketched in from information, and distinguishes
accordingly. ... In the Field Book of the Marches of the Army under Maj. General Medows,
the distances of the Marches from September 14th to Octobsr 7th I received from the Officers
of Engineers' by whom they were measured. After the distribution of the troops in August
1790, ...General Medows approved my making a more minute survey of the country from
Caroor 3 to Coimbatoor than my official duties as Captain of Guides with the army had per-
mitted me to do on the March.
One of his maps, entitled "a Map of the Marches of the British Armies in the
Peninsula of India, during- the Campaigns of 1790, 1791, and 1792" was prepared
from a map published by Bennell in London early in 1792, to which Allan added
his own later surveys. The map showed all the new boundaries fixed by treaty, the
marches of the British and Mysore troops distinguished by different colours, every
encampment with its date of occupation, and all the Ports captured during the war 3 .
Rermeil's map was compiled from maps sent home by Lord Cornwallis ;
They consisted of 2 distinct maps, on very large and similar scales (9 inches to a
degree); the one containing the capaign of General Medows in 1790; the other that of Lord
Cornwallis in 1791. The 1st was compiled by Capt. Allan, who held the office of Capt. of
Guides to the Army during the campaign of 1790; the other by Capt. Beatson who held a
similar post during the succeeding campaign; and who had previously given very sufficient
proofs of his ability as a geographer, by his surveys and remarks made in the N. E. of the
Peninsula. Each of these maps possesses a very considerable share of merit, and collectively
they describe a chain of positions fixed by cursory measurement, and angles taken from the
distant hills 4 [253].
After the conclusion of peace Beatson was appointed Town Major at the
Presidency, whilst Allan was appointed to make "a complete military survey of the
Baramalial and Salem districts", which had been ceded by Tipu [113]. In submit-
ting the results of this survey, he writes,
I have the honor to lay before your Lordship in Council, several volumes of Geographical
observations, made in the countries ceded by Tippoo [287].
The course of that part of the Cavery which forms the Western Boundary is ascertained,
as also the nature of the several fords across that river, and the remainder of the Frontier
line from the Cavery to Amboor is determined s .
Early in 1798 Allan resigned command of the Guides, and was relieved by
Alexander Or, who commanded them through the fourth Mysore war, and was in
turn relieved by Thomas Sydenham, followed by James Colebrooke in October
1799; these officers upheld the tradition they inherited, and continued to add to
the knowledge of the new territories ceded to the Company on the fall of Tipu.
Colih Mackenzie
Though he has himself noted that he made his first surveys as early as 1784 s ,
probably when serving with his battalion in Coimbatore, the first survey made by
Colin Mackenzie of which we have any particulars is a " Survey of Nellore and
Seropilly with the roads between them. ..1787. ..scale 250 yards to an Inch'', which
the critical Montgomerie classed forty years later as "good" 7 . The following year
he made an extensive survey of the roads of Guntur.
Under the treaty with the Nizam of 1768 [91], the circar of Guntur 8 , granted
to the Company by the Emperor of Delhi, remained the jiiglr of the Nizam's
brother Basalat Jang for his life; Basalat died in 1781 but it was not until 1788
that the Company took possession, as Mackenzie writes,
Guntoor had been a subject of important Political discussion before my arrival in India,
but no trace of any attempt to survey it existed in 1788 when the Detachment under Lieut.
Colonel Ellington was sent to resume possession of it from the Nizam. At that time I was
employed to survey the roads marched by the Detachment, and the principal Forts 9 .
'Of whom one was Mackenzie [112]. ! Karnr, 58 J/1. "MMC. 1-3-93. 'Rermell (Advertise-
ment). s MEIO. 138/49, Sketch of the pastes between JfcjK [57 K/15] # Gamlhltti [53 E/ 2] (slowing
country between Arcot & Seringapatani) by Allan ; sd. Baramahal, 30-9-93 ; Ambar. 57 L/9. Letter of
19-1-1811; MMC. 8-2-1811. ?DDn. 248 (142). s The Circar was a nmch smaller area tb m the present
district [pi. o]. 8 MMC. 19-6-1817.
112
Maeeas Surveys
His detailed account of this Surrey, illustrated by a couple of maps, was
published by Dalrymple [i 86], He had commenced
without any fixed appointment, from an opinion of the utility of the work, and which was
approved by Government. . .on my presenting the work 1 .
A year later,
A complete survey of the District appearing desirable to Government, in December 1789
I was appointed to survey Guntoor, but after preparing for that undertaking I was ordered
to join the Army about to take the Field 3 .
He was warned for field service in March 1790 and, joining- General Medows's
army to the south, made survey of the routes of the army "in the Coimbatoor
Country", and also of the fort of "Palgautcherry 3 ".
During- the campaigns of 1791 and 1792 he served as assistant to the Chief
Engineer m Mysore, and on the conclusion of peace was posted as "Engineer and
Surveyor with the Ellore Detachment" attached to the Nizam's service I" u S 1
From 1792 to 1794 he surveyed
the newly Ceded Districts of the Nizam, Cnddapah, Canoul, the wild mountains of Yermulla
and Nalmulla 1 etc. bounding the Carnatic as far as the Kistna.,. 3
continuing his survey of the Penner Biver through Nellore to the sea [116] and
being- called away for a few months in June 1798 for the siege of Pondi cherry 6 . In
1794 he moved up to Hyderabad, submitting to the Kesident a plan, in four sheets
of the passes and roads on the frontier of the Carnatic, between the rivers "Pennar and
Kistna" reduced from his surveys".
His subsequent surveys north of the Kistna are described later [n 6-8]. On
his journey back from Ceylon
in 1796, f was employed. ..to take a cursory inspection and view of the Fortresses and
Military Posts in the tract between Ongole, Masulipatam and CondapillyS, including Guntoor.
... No detailed Provincial Map or survey of Guntoor, or of the adjacent Country existed at that
time, and I had recourse for the necessary information to my own former Itinerary Surveys
of the cross roads, and to Harcarrah routes and sketches supplied by the Collectors 9 .
Third Mysore War, 1790-92
We have already noticed the surveys of Beatson, Allan and the Guides, and we
now come to the work of the Bengal and Bombay surveyors during the third
Mysore War.
In November 1790 the Governor General sent the Surveyor General, Alexander
Eyd, in advance to Madras to collect information, especially regarding the
approaches into Mysore. On his own arrival at Madras, he appointed Kyd as one
of his ADC's, and during the rest of the war Kyd not only performed the duties of
Surveyor General in the field, but also acted as personal adviser on engineering
matters.
The chief surveying duty, apart from that carried out by the Guides, was
entrusted to Eobert Colebrooke who, leaving Madras at the end of January, carried
a continuous survey, through Vellore 10 where Lord Cornwallis took over command
of the Grand Army, up into Mysore. He ran a series of triangles from Madras to
Seringapatam 11 , correcting it by numerous observations for latitude; but, thouo-h he
took several observations for longitude, he did not take these into account,
trusting more to the perambulator measurements of the route 12 [175].
His journals contain water-colour sketches and panoramas [187], and his map
is very neatly drawn 18 . It is by no means a complete map of Mysore, for it only
shows the country along- the routes actually marched, crossing and re-crossing the
south and east parts of Mysore, with the farther hill ranges sketched where visible.
>DDn. 154 (66), 30-1-1817. ! MMC. 19-6-1817. 'Palghit, 58 B/9. 'Mountain ranees
KiTimiak. 57 1.2; \:i] amalai, 56 P,4 to 57 M/2. ยฐDDn. 195 (13). 6 Srm-endered ?:j-S-9S 7 vnri<
2S-12-94; MBO. Map 112. s Kondapalli, 65 D/l 0. ยปMMC. 19-6-1817. ]0 57 P/l ' "51 Dm'
"Journals MEIO. M. 120, 134, 142 etc. Map BM. Addl. MSS. 18109 (F), 4 miles to an inch on ono sheet'
28" by over 4 feet. I3 Original plots, MEIO. 133 (3) etc., 189 (1, 2).
Third Mysore War 113
After his return to Calcutta Colebrooke submitted his fair map,
in part, the Result of my labours for two years ; it represents, upon a scale of two miles to an
inch, such parts of the Mysore country as were traversed.. .during the campaigns of 1791 and
1792, likewise a part of the country between Vellore and the Ghauts.
I thought it needless to join to this sheet the March of the Army through the Carnatic, as
being only a single track, it would have added greatly to the length of the paper, without
showing any considerable portion of the country; this part of my work has been projected
upon separate sheets.
I shall be enabled likewise, from my journals and field Books, to lay down upon larger
scales, plans of Bangalore, Seringapatam, and their environs, and to furnish routes or
itineraries showing the distances as measured by the Perambulator,. .and containing written
Descriptions of the Roads, passes. Grounds for encamping, and other particulars.
I have the honor to present with the Map a copy of the astronomical observations, and
have ventured also to forward a few pages descriptive of the climate, topography, and History
of the Mysore country 1 .
In submitting a copy of Colebrooke's surveys for the Directors, Kyd also sent
various other surveys and routes collected by him in the course of the war.
Amongst these were his own surrey made at the conclusion of the war from
Seringapatam through Coorg to the sea, and then along the coast to Cochin 2 : โ
surveys by William Stewart, attached to the Nizam's army, of country round.
Bangalore and marches through Cuddapah [116] ; โ surveys by Johnson of the
Bombay establishment with the Bombay force from Camianore to Seringapatam h โ
surveys by Emmitt, also of Bombay, who accompanied the Maratha army [ 128โ30] .
By the treaty of Seringapatam signed on March 17th 1792, Tipu ceded to the
Company the districts of Malabar, Dindigul, Salem and Baramahal [pi. 1 & 9].
District Subveys
Administrative charge of the Salem and Baramahal districts was given to
Alexander Read, who was specially commissioned to settle the revenues [1 44] . One
of his first acts was to make a rapid survey which he did himself by planetable, cover-
ing the whole area in two months [193]. A copy is still preserved in the British
Museum 4 ;
Sketch of the Countries North & East of the Cauvevy, ceded by Tippo Sultan in March 1792 ;
inscribed to Marquis Cornwallis by Alexander Read. Scale about 3 inches to a mile.
Tabular Statement of Revenue, showing the totals for each Tahsildari โ Table of Dis-
tances โ Note on method of Survey โ Tehsil Boundaries shown by dotted lines and areas
distinguished by different colours.
The sketch, of which this is a copy, was done by the Superintendent. ..as particularly
useful in the management of their civil affairs; ... it has taken only two months thanks to
local knowledge, ...what by the usual mode of surveying would be a work for any one man
of some years. ...
These considerations, the ease with which surveys of this kind are made, and the great
use of which they are in Revenue affairs, may recommend the having similar ones made of
all the Companies possessions in Coromandel; especially as with the help of the numerous
situations ascertained by astronomical observations, and routes that have been surveyed
with proper instruments, they might afterwards be laid down with sufficient exactness for
everything in which assistance is derived from Geography.
Allan's "military survey" [in] was but a rough reconnaissance of the roads,
so in 1794 Read engaged a civilian surveyor, John Mather, whose work he thus
describes ;
The first Geographical Survey of these districts was begun in January 1793, and in the
August following Government and the Revenue Board of Fort St. George were presented
with Maps of them. But as those were only Sketches, and inaccurate, from the slender
means and haste with which they were executed, another was begun in August 1 794 with
ยปB Pol. C. 19-2-93. 2 MEIO. 150/32-35. 3 Wyld's map of 1843 shows Col. Hartley's route from
Calicut through Coimbatore to Mysore. *KSt. Addl. MSS. 26102 (A).
r
114 Madkas Suiiveys
proper instruments and upon a much larger scale. From its being impossible for the
Superintendent of these districts to prosecute a business of that nature and pay due attention
to the many other duties of his station, tie could only propose to set it on foot, and employed
Mr. Mather, a professional surveyor, to carry it on. This extensive undertaking is now
finished.
The Superintendant proposes, if circumstances permit, to put the finishing hand to this
work himself by performing another circuit of the districts, to examine all the principal
points made use of in the survey, and determine their latitudes and longitudes by Astro-
nomical observations. As exhibiting the aspect of the country in respect to Hills. Plains,
Woods and Rivers, the true shape and extent of Districts, and as containing every village
and tank, it will be one of the most particular surveys of the kind in India, and, relying on
Mr. Mather's ability, the Superintendent supposes it will be one of the most correct 1 .
This survey of Mather's was indeed the most thorough and complete survey of
any district in India made since Barnard's survey of the Madras jagir; but it was of
no value thirty years later, when Montgomerie reported.
The Records of the survey of the Baramahul and Salem Districts executed by Mr. Mather
under the direction of Colonel Read, are in a tolerable state of preservation, although con-
siderably wormeaten. The whole tract included in tie survey is divided into 25 districts, or
Talooks, each of which is laid down on a separate sheet, on a scale of one mile to an inch,
accompanied by its statistical tables; there is attached to the memoirs a general map of the
district, together with a map shewing the political divisions of the country 2 [ 194].
Mather says that his survey took 4 years and 3 months, and contained 6,800
and odd square miles, coming to 150 miles annually. His work was so well
thought of that Mackenzie was very glad to obtain his services for the survey of
Mysore which was commenced in 1800 [9,119].
When authorizing an establishment of Assistant Surveyors for tank repairs
[108], Government directed that they should, when fully trained, be sent out to
the districts to make any surveys that might be useful to the district officer.
With this object Goldingham drew up detailed instructions, under which he
divided the district survey into two parts, General, for topographical detail and
Particular, for revenue information [145-6]. For the General part, he gave instruc-
tions for measuring a base โ triangulating the whole districtโ and fixing the village
sites [194-5] โ and continued,
You will trace out the Principal Roads, and remark on all woods and inaccessible jungles;
ascertain the course of all the Rivers and Watercourses; and, to assist the person who may be'
appointed to superintend the repairs &c. of Tanks, mark the places where Rivers may
probably be branched off, so as to prove beneficial to the country by increasing its
cultivation 3 [146].
Three boys were sent out from the school to the Dindigul District 4 in January
1797 at the urgent request of the Collector [ 146-7 ], and in December two others
were sent to Devicottai to work for the Superintendent of Tank Eepairs [108].
Others followed to other districts as they were declared fit for independent work,
and in the course of a few years most of the districts had useful topographical
maps prepared by these young surveyors.
Two of the boys sent to Dindigul succumbed to the climate within a
couple of years [285], and were replaced by Turnbull and Allan from Devicottai, who
seem to have been kept on surveys of a revenue nature, for in 1799 the Collector,
Mr. Hurdis, tried to secure the services of De Havilland to make a complete
geographical survey of his district, but, though he made a reconnaissance map
covering the whole of Dindigul and Coimbatore, he could not be spared from his
military duties for a more regular survey. Hindis then tried to get the services of
Mather, but he was wanted for the more urgent survey of Mysore, and, after trying
in vain to get a young Engineer officer "to superintend the boys from the Surveying
School ", he had to be content with the map that these boys eventually completed
by the end of 1801 s . ' '
In 1795 the Collector of Guntur asked that some officer might be sent to make
a complete survey of that drear, and pressed for the services first of Mackenzie
>DDn. 12; Memoir (I). s DDn. 202 (91) 22-3-1825. ยปM Eev. Ba. 22-12-96. '58 F s MEev
Bel. 12-5-1800 * 14-4-1803.
District Surveys 115;
and then of Or 1 , but neither of them could be spared, and though two boys
were sent from the surveying school in 1798, they did not produce the complete
.survey which the Collector wanted [147].
Nizaii's Dominions
I11 1775 D'Anville acknowledged that he had received, too late of course for his
Carte de I'Inde which left the whole of central India blank,
Une grande carte marmscrite, dresse sous les ordres de M. de Bussy, dans son comma.ndem.ent
militaixe au centre du Deccan 3 .
In 1751 Bussy [91] then a lieutenant-colonel, had been sent up in command of a
French force to Hyderabad, where his influence had greatly forwarded French inter-
ests, though Eennell considered his geographical contributions of far greater impor-
tance than his political services ;
M. Bussy's marches in the Deccan afford data for fixing the positions of many capital
places there, particularly Hyderabad, Aurangabad, Bisnager, and Sanore 3 . But still there
are plans of some of his marches wanting, which, could they be procured, would throw much
light on the Geography of the Peninsula and the Deccan, such as that from Pondicherry to
Cuddapah, Adoni & Hyderabad; that from Aurangabad to Nagpour, and the campaign towards
Poonah 4 . ...
Had it not been for these marches of M. Bussy, the only remaining monument to the
French nation of their former short-lived influence and power in the Deccan, the geography
of these parts would have extremely imperfect; but, as they extend through more than four
degrees of latitude, and more than five of longitude, they occupy... the principal part of the
Deccan 5 . ...
Few Europeans, vagrant ones excepted, have visited these places since the time of
M. Bussy, ... and it is a misfortune to geography that his marches between Arcot, Hyderabad,
Adoni, Canoul, and Seringapatam, have not been recorded in the same intelligent manner as
the rest of his marches have been. . . . But, however I may repine as a Geographer, I ought
perhaps, as a philosopher, to be satisfied that so much has been preserved 0.
It is of course most unlikely that Bussy carried out any surveys in person, and
it is reasonable to accept the evidence of Duperron that the map, and possibly most
or all of the surveys, were the work of one of his officers, Jean-Baptiste St. Paul;
"Les Marches de M. de Bussy dans le Decan"; vraisemblement ce sont celles que j'ai
vues en 1758, entre les mains de M. de St. Paul. . .commandant le Detachment des Allemands,
au pie de Doltabad"'- Cet officier me dit alors que c'etoit lui-meme qui les dressoit d'apres les
marches de l'armee. ...
Des gens de merite citent en Angleterre les Marches de M. de Bussy, que je crois &tre les
Cartes de M. de St. Paul 8 .
In 1773 Orme visited Paris and called on Bussy who gave him a copy of his
map of the Deccan, which Orme published in 17S2 9 ; itcoversthe area 17ยฐ to 21ยฐK.
by 75ยฐ to 79ยฐ E.
Gardiner's survey to Warangal in 1767 [92], appears to have been the only
survey of any part of the Nizam's territories by an officer of the Company, till
Reynolds passed through in 1788 [128].
In 1790 Lord Cornwallis made treaties with the Peshwa and the Nizam to
secure their assistance against Mysore during the campaigns of 1791-2. From the
treaty of July 7th 1789, the Nizam had paid a monthly subsidy for two battalions
of sepoys and 6 . field-pieces, manned by Europeans, a force known as the
Ellore, or Madras, Detachment 10 . This detachment marched with the Nizam's
army in 1790, and joined the Grand Army under Lord Cornwallis in November
1791. Its marches from Koppal 11 along the north bank of the Tungabhadra to
l M Rev Bd. 5-1-98. "Antiquite Qeographiqus, Preface. MS. map of these marches drawn by
D'Anville in 1770 ia indexed in BM. Addl. MSS. l.'7'(9, but was never received in EM. 3 Savaniir, 48
N/5. 4 Memoir, 1763 (viii). 5 ib. 1793 (249). 6 ib. (284). 7 Daulatabiid, 47 M/l; rockv fortress stand-
ing 600 ft. above the plain. s Bemovdli, II (466-7) Robert Orme, I (2). 10 HMS. 563 (126). ยป 57 A/3.
116 Madras Surveys
Kurnool and south to Cudclapah 1 were surveyed by MacAlister, who also surveyed
the return route to Hyderabad in the following year 3 . Other routes to Hyderabad
were surveyed in 1792 by Nuthal] and Blunt. After spending the rains at
Hyderabad Blunt continued his survey in company with Anburey northwards
through Berar to the Jumna [43]. A line through Aurangabad and Bidar was
surveyed by William Stewart in 1790 on transfer from Sindha's camp at Agra to
join the Nizam's camp at Pangal 3 ; Stewart then accompanied the Nizam's army to
Mysore as assistant to the Eesident, who instructed him to survey the country,
" and in so doing to act with caution so as not to excite jealousy * " [127].
Reynolds also surveyed a line northwards from Mysore, through Hyderabad to
Agra, daring 1792-3 [132], and Eennell made use of his sketch for tlie '-'country
between Adoni and Palnaud" south of the Kistna, and for "all places within the
new boundaries of the Mahrattas, and of the Nizam, in the Dooab" between the
Tungabhadra and Kistna 3 . Plates 1 and 9 show generally the extent of the
Nizam's dominions south of the Kistna before the cession of this area to the
Company in 1800 [119 n.3 ].
At the close of the war, Mackenzie was appointed to the Subsidiary Force, with
directions to make a survey of the districts just ceded by Tipu to the Nizam 6 , and
then to collect as much material as he could towards the geography of the Deccan,
in such time as he could spare from his duties as Engineer;
Having been ordered in April to join the Detachment with the Nizam from the Grand
Army as Surveyor and Engineer, and to survey the Routes and to make remarks on the
Roads, Forts, Passes, ... I joined the detachment near Bangalore, surveyed with it from thence
to Gundecotta?, & Kurpa 8 , from whence I afterwards extended the sarvey. . .through the
Kurpa, Canoul 9 & Cumbum 1 " Circar, examined the passes from these countries into the
Carnatic, and, having laid down upwards of 700 miles, hitherto very imperfectly known to
Geographers, have been only prevented from carrying it across the Kistna to Hyderabad by
an illness contracted.. .in the Hills 11 [ir2].
He did not reach Hyderabad till 1794, and during- his absence Alexander Or,
Quartermaster with the detachment, had opportunities of making- surveys in several
directions. Early in 1794 "a rebellion broke out in the districts of Eljundel and
Warrangole 15 ", and Or accompanied the detachment which marched up to
"Eungapore" and remained there during the rains 13 .
At the end of that year the Peshwa declared war against the Nizam who, owinยฐ-
to treaties between the Company and the Marathas, was not permitted to employ
the subsidiary force against them, and dismissed it in disgust; Mackenzie, however,
accompanied the Eesident with the Nizam's army and surveyed the route to Kharda^
where the Nizam was defeated on March 11th 179S. As Emmitt. the Bombay sur-
veyor with the Maratha army, was able to pay a visit to the Nizam's camp, a junction
was effected between his survey and Mackenzie's, thereby giving a continuous route
between Hyderabad and Poona 14 [ 1 30 ] . On Ms return Mackenzie obtained special
permission to stay in Hyderabad to work up his maps, instead of accompanying- the
"Madras detachment" on its march clown country 15 . As it happened, however, the
detachment was recalled in July to help the Nizam against another rebellion, and
these marches and counter-marches gave On- further opportunities to add to his
surveys, which were extended in 1796 by an expedition which resulted in the capture
of "Bachoor"" on April Sth, and return by "Gujinderggur", "Mudgull 11 " and
Pagtoor to Hyderabad 18 . Mackenzie describes his first map thus;
All the surveys I had executed myself, with several other measured routes which have
been obligingly communicated to me, have been laid down on one general plan connected by
such observations as have been made, and connected with well ascertained points extending
'Kurnool, 57 I/l ; Cudclapah, 57 J/15. =MEIO. 150 (47) & Mack. KISS. LXIX, 9-9-91 'MKIO
150/18; Pfmgal, 56 LIS. 4 HMS. 614 (205), 12-2-91. โขPonfeurio, (4, 9, 13). 'The Greater part of
CmMapah&Knrnool; Attehison, IX (214-5). ' Gandikota, 57 J/5. s Old name for Cuddapah "Old
name for Knrnool. 10 Cmnbmm,57M/2. "Mack. MBS. LXIX, 13-2-93. "Elgantial- 56 \'.'5 Warm"- 1
56 0/9. "EMS. 563 (85) & 614 (122). "HMS. 446 (19), 560 (10S-204), 613 (427, 467) ยซMMc'
18-6-96. "Raichnr, 56 H/8. "Maohtal, 56 H/7. "Mack MSS. LX (71 etc.) ; for other marched
surveyed by Orr, see fdfcks. in MRIO. M. 163 and maps MRIO. 64 (26-30).
Nizam's Dominions 117
north from the parallel of Bangalore to Burhamporei about nine degrees of latitude, and
extending west from the Sea Coast to Moore Ghaut, whose distance to Poona appears well
ascertained. ... On this groundwork I have laid down all the Cross-roads and information that
could be depended on. ...
All the Chief points being thus laid down as accurately as could be expected... I have now
to mark out the parts belonging to each Circar, which I shall be enabled to do with some
precision, from the accounts of the Soubahs and Circars which you have been pleased to
communicate to me 3 .
In October 1795 Mackenzie was called down to command the engineers on the
expedition to Colombo, not returning' to Hyderabad till January 1797. He then
made a survey westwards to Gulburga 3 , the ancient capital of the Deccan, but later
in the year he was again called away for the abortive expedition to Manila, and
whilst at Madras took the opportunity to submit a supplementary map shewing all
the material he had been able to add to Ms earlier map of the Deccan [245] 4 .
By this time the "Madras detachment" had been withdrawn, and in 1798 he marched
up to Hyderabad once more, this time as Engineer with the "Bengal detachment" to
which was entrusted the task of disbanding the French corps 5 [175].
During his stay at Madras Mackenzie had obtained the services of a lad from
the surveying school and a suitable staff of subordinates, and also an assistant
engineer, 'Benjamin Sydenham, who took part in the surveys and astronomical
observations both on the march up from the Masulipatam and after arrival in
Hyderabad 6 [175]. Mackenzie writes of his own surveys,
In the Nizam's country all that T have effected, exclusive of the measured routes of the
Detachment, has been by availing myself of favourable circumstances as they occurred in the
intervals of several years, sometimes yielding, then embracing the lucky moment, and
frequently I have been obliged to suspend my operations altogether, as was the case last year
when our troops were encamped close to Hyderabad, and performing the most important
services to Government 7 .
The following extracts are taken from the memoir which he submitted with
his map of 1796:
Memoir of the materials and construction of a Map of the Dominions of Nizam Ali Khan,
Sobadar of the Decan, compiled and written in 1795 by Colin Mackenzie, Field Engineer &
Surveyor to the Subsidiary Force with the Nizam.
The interior Provinces of that part of the Peninsula of India, distinguished by the
general name of The Decan, are so imperfectly known to us, that it was imagined any attempt
to give a most accurate definition of its extent, limits, internal divisions and natural produc-
tions would be acceptable; ...
Independent of these general motives, others more immediately interesting to our
Military establishments suggest the propriety of acquiring an intimate knowledge of the
roads, fortresses, rivers, passes and strong posts. ...
On the appointment of a Surveyor to the Nizam's Detachment in 1792, it had been
recommended that every opportunity if improving our knowledge of the geography of the
interior countries should be attended to, and surveys of particular parts of the frontier of the
Company's possessions bordering on those of the Nizam were ordered and executed. The
result of these and of the marches of the Detachment across the country, opened a. wider
field for extending them still further. ...
The progress made in this attempt ( already interrupted by unavoidable circumstances )
was threatened to be finally stopped by the Detachment's being sent back to the Carnatic iu
1795; there appeared a danger that the whole would be rendered useless for want of being
arranged and brought together, while the authorities on which it had been formed were
known or within reach of enquiry.
The want of this precaution had rendered of little use "The Plans of Marches in the
Dekan" by Mr. Bussy, and of our Armies in 1767 and 1768, which are become obscure and
difficult to reconcile for want of the authorities on which they were constructed.
To prevent this by taking the opportunity of arranging the materials where many
advantages of local information could be procured, the permission of the Government of
Madras was... obtained for the compiler... to remain at Hyderabad for a limited time, during
bangalore, 13ยฐ^.; Burhimpm', 2l|*N. "MMC. 17-8-95. 3 56 0/15 j Map, MEIO. 64 (33); Fclbk.
EM. Add!- ilSS. 18.382 (19). 'AUUO. 6(5/(3; See also BM. Addl. MSS. 135S2, 'llomwks made on tho
survey in the Nizam's Dominions in 1797"; CM. 5-2-98. 5 Effected 22-10-98. 6 Fdbks. MEIO. M 83
& M. 166. 7 DDn. 41 ; to Kesdt. Mysore, 6-12-99,
fT
lib
Madras Surveys
which the liberal assistance that was received from several nnยปwโข, * โ ,. t j
the find of authentick documents. . Thou* th actual Z / ' โข c ยฐ! ltrlbuted to ^^ge
miles) may be relied on, and much ^ ^^^JZ^T? *? ยปโ **
collateral information that must be ttablZS ? Wd ยฐ" lr -
particularlytheSonbahofBerarwMchhtsctcevanvon^ J ^ ^ stiU obs โขยซ-
square geographical miles were included wSf^S ms โ ^""T^" 97 fT
survey it is subject to many impediments unkown elswhere the pre udices of the X
ยฃยฃLST* ^ mamerS **** f - *ยป E โ โข P-se^St^eslcltly l Sb n e
In another place= Mackenzie describes his wort thus
From 1792 to i 79 o it were tedious to relate the difficulties the accident,' " a โn th
discouragement, that impeded the prowess of this des.Vr. Th i j accidents, and the
K^ยฃ3E=SK ST^r au^H Si r m
,w J ^ m a ^ Terra-Incognita, of which no authentic evidence eLted, excepting in some
TarrrrTtvยซotr lated Sketches of the ยซโ- B^^sffi^^;
ForjETH Mysoee Wae, 1799
โข This last and conclusive war- against Tipu gave little scope for survey operations โข
for the purposes of the rapid advance on Seringapatam, the surveys already colSed
were sufficient. Not-but-what Beatson, the most experienced surveyoi of the
Madras establishment, was selected to join the Governor General's staff and
appointed Surveyor Genera to the Grand Army, where he soon established
himself as one of the most strong-minded and purposeful of the Commanded Mu-
Allan was D.Q.M.G., and toot a leading part in reconnaissance, and has left a
most interesting account of the campaign*. Orr commanded the Guides
From the survey point of view the most interesting feature of the campaign was
the march of the Nizam's army from Hyderabad to join the Grand Army at Ambn^
A complete survey of the route was kept by Mackenzie and Sydenham, tSrtlig
1799' Tltt - ยฐ n f Decemb ยป 1ยซ*. -d reaching Ambur on Febmary 21st
''"', T1 i? N w m ,f f , oroe was then P laoed โข der the command of Lt. Colonel the
Hon ble Arthur Welles ley*, who brought his own regiment, the 38rd Foot, o stiffen
it Mackenzie remained as his Engineer, and constructed the northern batteries
May 4tlf 6 ^ Whi ยฐ h Serin S a P atam โข successfully stormed on
Johnson and Moncrieff brought up surveyed lines from various points of the
west coast to Seringapatam with columns of the Bombay army
After the capture of Seringapatam, Fraser, of the Engineers, made a survey of
the island and its fortifications, whilst Thomas Sydenham, of the Guides was
deputed to survey the new south and east boundaries of Mysore, "but a violet
illness obliged him to abandon this work" [i 94 ]. De Havilland, who was Engineer
gSSWfiss- * Beatson - SSinha - ,57L ' 9 - ! โขยฐ ยซ ^'^ ' 'x?srrs
^Fourth Mysore War
119
with the column which took over the province of Coimbatore, "laid down a consi-
derable part. ..as a voluntary act" though "not employed or paid as a
surveyor 1 " [114].
Mackenzie was deputed to attend the Commission which sat at Serin gapa tarn
to settle the affairs of the newly constituted government 2 , and prepared maps to
assist in the determination of the boundaries 3 . He writes that,
Few satisfactory materials could be there procured, and those of inferior merit, and
disagreeing in their nature, and it appeared absolutely necessary to commence such a work
from an entire new foundation, for. ..though the Central parts of the country had been
repeatedly traversed by our armies in the Mysorean Wars, yet the limits and extent of the
several Districts were not denned, nor were even any plans of the surveys. ..to be procured at
this time, unless we except the results published so far back as 1792 by Major Rennell [111],
and some manuscripts of detached parts in private hands 4 .
This state of affairs, whereby the work of earlier surveyors was so often lost or
hidden away and thus of no avail when sadly needed in later years, was of course
the direct result of the refusal of the Directors to establish a special survey
department and surveyor general at Fort St. George, in spite of the frequent
requests of the Governor and his Council.
The story of the survey of Mysore by Mackenzie will be told in a later volume.
The charge could' not have fallen in better hands; by his thorough professional
methods and his wise organisation of the work, he set a sure foundation and high
standard for the future topographical surveys of India.
1 Mackenzie's View of the measures to be taken to 8v,ri:ey the Mysore Country. EM. Addl. MSS. 13659
(240), 1-5-1800. B Beatson (221). 3 ^. map facing Beatson (256) ; Mysore was now reduced to the limits
โ which exist to this day. Coimbatore, Wynad, and Canara went to the Company, BelL-ny & Auantapur to
the Nizam; in 1800 an agreement was settled by winch the Nizam ceded the two latter districts, with
Kurnool & Cuddapah to the Company in return for military support, and these became known as "The
Ceded Districts" of Madras [pi. i]. "B-Dn. fi8 (21).
r-ip
CHAPTER VIII
BOMBAY SURVEYS
โ Marine Surveys โ Charles Reynolds,
โ Malabar, 1790-1800- ~
City Surveys โ Maratha Wars, 1774-82-
1783-90 โ Emmit with, the Mardthas, 1790-
his Map, 1792-1800,
ALTHOUGH the Bombay Presidency holds the honour of possessing the first
factory established by the East India Company in India, namely Suraf, founded
alone rll I <- โขt acquire any further territory, other than a few factories
centur ยฐยฐ Bombay and Salsette, until the nineteenth
ยซ,/? I 66 } B f$ a l Isl ?" d "?"* t0 ยฐ harlBS H 0f En S land on his ^mage with
the Infanta of Portugal, and was transferred to the East India Company in 1668
balsette, though included in the dowry, was retained by the Portuguese and
the* Britishยฐin 177? ^ thS MarathaS early in the 18th aentm J> aild first taken by
Plans of Bombay illustrate boots by the following authors 1 : Ovington, 1688
thrift d'ffi t ''~. Dr ;-fT + r ; 1698 !' *?*? HarUm md *ยซ> "ยป inaccurate
that it is difficult to identify" those IS lands that are named ;โ Herr Niebuhr 1764
a map of the Island;-and Mr. Grose, 1772', a skeleton Plan of Bombay ; these two
laBt may have been taken from the following maps by De Gloss and De Punck
ยซ. ยฐโขยฐโข e Z' ls a Plan of the Island ยฐf ยฃomba y h 7 De Gloss dated 1755* and in
the British Museum there is a Plan of Bombay Town, 1756, by De Funck, which
shows the Port and its immediate surroundings, scale about 100 feet to an inch-
it is accompanied by an account of the survey and a forwarding letter addressed to
the Governor and Council 6 .
The British Museum also holds a Plan of Burnt*, in colours, scale 300 feet to
an mch, by De Gloss dated 1753'. Both De Gloss and De Punck were engineer
officers of Bombay Artillery [266, 273]. s
The Gazetteer of Bombay City and Island, besides reproducing the maps from
Fryer and Grose, includes a Sketch of Bombay Harbour, 1626, by Davies, and a man
prepared for the Peshwa" by his agent in Bombay about 1770 8 .
In 1784 .Reynolds was employed on a survey of Bombay and Salsette, and Maletยป
with whom he was to work for several years, writes,
Capt. Reynolds. Surveyor to this Establishment, by the Governor's desire, who is ever
kZiT ยฐt P r Tยฐ tin8 ^ SeM knowled ยซ e ' has fished me with the enclosed sketch of
Bombay its Harbor and Environs. ... This chart has been taken iu a hurry from materials that
WH^r 1 w the i . sajlcti ยฐ n o{ oflicial authority, aud consequently are only meant for your
S^ofthes"โข- C **"*ยปWยป*V> ยซยซ to b 9 able to furnish unauthentic
In February 1785 he was relieved by Sartorius who was ordered to "proceed
with the survey of Salsette 11 ". piuoeeu
During 1794-5 William Brookes, of the Engineers, was employed on a survey
-of Bombay town for the "Committee of Buildings" 12 . ยปmvey
i. โ 'Douglas (145). 'A New account of Bast India. ..1672-81, John Frvet (151) (HaMnrf cโโ laran
'A Voyage to the East Indies... Grose (Bom. Civ.) (29) iOime MSB 65 Si- J"Mlnyt Soc. 1909).
Imp. Lib. X/TP.SIl; scale 3" to a mile. 'BMI. 115 (โข7) 'USSj^S M ^ "W
governor.1759. 'BM.K. 115 (56). > Gaz. Bombay City , I (32 47 48^ II 1 121? '""1 T *w' hal
120
Mauatha Wars 121
JIaeatha Wars, 1774-82 1
Bombay was closely surrounded by three Maratha powers; the Peshwa at
Poona; the Gaeekwar of "Baroda, and Sindhia; most of the surveys carried out in
western India during the 18th century were of Maratha territories.
In 1772, to effect" a settlement of debts owed to the Company, the Bombay
โ Council took possession of the important town of Broach' 2 , which had belonged to
the Emperor of Delhi. In December 1774, to forestall the Portuguese, they siezed
Salsette Island 3 from the Marathas, and the following year, in supporting a
Maratha claimant Raghuba* against the ministry at Poona, a force under Colonel
Keating invaded Gujarat 5 with the assistance of troops from Madras.
Peace was settled by Colonel Upton's mission to Poona [30-1 ], and under the
treaty of Purandhar* possession of Salsette and the smaller islands in .Bombay
Harbour was confirmed.
In 1778 war broke out again, once more in support of Raghuba, and the
Marathas re-occupied Salsette. General Goddard's force from Bengal arrived too
late to prevent the disaster of Wadgaon 7 , but in the campaigns which now followed
Goddard not only recaptured Salsette, but occupied the northern Konkan 8 and a
large part of Gujarat, and also captured the port of Bassein 9 .
The Supreme Government were by now, however, most anxious about the out-
come of the war against Mysore, and came to terms with the Marathas. Under the
treaty of Salbai, December 20th 1782, all these acquisitions were surrendered except
those covered by the treaty of Purandhar; Broach was handed over to Sindhia.
Surveys of the Deccan were first made by the redoubtable Torriano, who in
March 1777
accompanied the British ambassador to Poonah, in the command of his honorary guard, 2
โ companies of Sepoys; but with secret directions from the Select Committee at Bombay to
take privately such surveys of the roads and views of the forts as could be effected without
alarming the Mahratta Government, and, to more effectually accomplish this purpose, he
travelled to Aurangabad and other cities in the peninsula of India 10 .
Reynolds writes in the memoir of his map of 1787 [127],
The road from Poona to Aurangabad I have laid down from an actual survey made by
Major Torriano, when he was at Poonah in the time of Mr. Mostyn's residency ; it was communi-
cated to me by a friend some years ago; the situation of the principal branches of the Beema 11
and Gunga Godowry 13 Rivers are particularly described in that plan, and become the more of
consequence as they are corroborated by a late survey of my own 111 . ...
The route from Poonah by way of Jarngom u to Caarbarry in the Kandeish is laid down...
from Mr. Charles Stewart's Journal when he was an Hostage with Mhadjee Scindia; the
bearings were regularly taken with a Compas, the Distances are computed,
Stewart and Farmer of the civil service 15 were left as hostages with the
Marathas after the signing of the "Convention of Wadgaon" in January 1779, and
Rennell writes of
the road from Poonah to Nursergur...and round to Soangur 16 , which was described by Messrs.
Farmer & Stewart, during the time they remained as hostages in the Mahratta camp. ...
Mr. Farmer, in his way from Poonah towards Naderbar 17 , observed that the passes had all
a descent northward, forming, as it were, a series of steps, until he landed in Candeish. He
was then a hostage with Madajee Sindia, who at that time led the grand Mahratta army into
G-uzerat, against General Goddard 18 .
The last stage of Goddard's famous march [4, 38-9], Burhanpur to Surat, a dis-
tance of 300 miles, was completed in 19 days 19 , a dash by which he eluded
the force of 20,000 Marathas sent to intercept him. The march was through a country then
utterly unknown, and of which no maps existed- .
^Imp. G-az. The Indian Empire, II (442-3) gives 1st M. War 1775-6; 2nd, 1778-82; 3rd, 1853-04;
4th. 1817-8; other authorities count- these first two as one: foi* an account of these wars set; Oadcll
(84-99). 2 46C'14. a 47 A/16. 4 or Eaganafch. 'The central plain N". of Nai-badaB , and E. of Catch
andKrithirnvar; 46 A, B, E, F. Imp. ffas. Bom. I (200). fi Hill fort 20 m. SB. of Pootm: treaty, 1-3-76.
7 20 ra. NW". of Poona, 47 L ? /10; 13-1-79. s Tae strip of coast below the G-hiits, both N. &โ S. of Bombay.
HI A/15; 11-12-79. W EIMC. II (117). "Bhima R., 47 P. J, O. 13 GoddvariR., 47 I, M "BoS
&, Pol. 8-1-88. "Jalgaou, 46 0/12. >* William Samuel Pernor. Writer, 1763. -"Son^arh. 46 G-/12.
''Nandurbiir. 46 E/3. ls Memoir, 1793 (223. 258). IH Feb. 6th to 25th, 1779. ^Gleig (5).
122
Bombay SuryjEVS
This part of the route was surveyed by Duncan Stewart', who remained Sur-
veyor to the detachment throughout its stay on the Bombay side. In a letter
addressed to the Supreme Council in 1781, he advises the despatch of
a survey of the route of the Army commanded by General Goddard, from the Capture of
Bassein till the close of the last campaign". ... The survey of the March from. Surat to Bassein
I have not yet been able to accomplish in a manner sufficiently correct, having been indis-
posed during part of the time. ... The next season will, I hope, give me an opportunity of
compleating it. ... In October last I transmitted. ..a survey of the movements made by the
army in Guzerat during the preceeding Campaign, but I have not yet learned whether that,
or my survey from Burhanpore to Surat, have been received 3 .
To return to ReynokVs memoir ;
The road from Callian 4 to Surat is from the survey made of Colonel Morgan's route by
Lieut. Duncan Stewart, the Surveyor to that Detachment. ... The road from Surat to
Ahmedabad s was surveyed by Mr. Duncan Stewart, as well as the Conkun from Bassein to
the Bhor Gaut, when General Goddard marched through those Countries.
The Conkun was also surveyed by Capt. Jackson by order of this Government. I was
also employed under General Goddard on those services, and tho' not the surveyor, I always
kept the route of the army, etc., and upon a reference to the surveys of Captain Jackson and
Mr. Stewart, I find mine does not agree with the scale of either, but as I have had opportuni-
ties since... of comparing my own original Plans, I have inserted them in my map in
preference". ...
The routes through the Broach Purgunnah were made when I was employed on that
survey with Captain Turner; and the others to Dubhoy, Jamboosur, Cambay 7 and Ahmedabad
. . .were taken by me for my own private satisfaction as opportunity occurred, and when I was
not employed in the surveying line 8 .
After the capture of Broach, Charles Turner had been given charge of the
engineering works there, and in 1775 the Council resolved that,
Survey of the Broach Purgunnah upon the Plan proposed by the Factors. . .will be attended
with Infinite Benefit to the Revenue, and it must accordingly be carried into Execution;
and.., it will also be of use to have a geographical survey made at the same time of the
Purgunnah; this business must be committed to Lieutenant Turner y .
Other officers were appointed to assist, but the survey was still incomplete by
April 1779, when Turner, being called upon to explain the delay, reported that,
At the time I accepted of the appointment of Surveyor, it was upon a supposition of
being Principal, and that the assisting Surveyors were to have been under my immediate
Direction; had that been the case, the work would have been much sooner compleated, but
I was consulted only as to the mode of carrying the survey into execution : the several
Gentlemen employed were independent of me & received their orders of the Chief as Collector
General, and to him only they made their reports and delivered their Plans & Calculates.
As I have not yet received an account of those Plans & Calculates, it is not possible for me
to ascertain at present the true state of the Survey, but from the enquiries I have made here
[Bombay], I find that much depends upon the assiduity ol Messrs. Lindrum & Reynolds, who
will require almost the remainder of this year to complete the work. ...
The officers. ..were recalled to the Presidency soon after the last rains, and from that
time have been constantly doing Military Duty. ... On the return of the Army from the late
service I applyed to go to Broach purposely to forward the survey, but could not obtain
permission.
On this the Council resolved that,
As it is highly necessary it should be finished with all possible Expedition, several
important arrangements being necessarily deferred for want of it, resolved that Capt.
Turner's Proposals be complied with, & that himself & Capt. Lendrum do immediately
proceed to Broach, where they will be joined by Capt. James Jackson & Lieut. Reynolds, now
to the Northward, who, with any other Officers properly qualified... must be put under the
Orders of Capt. Turner 10 [4].
The Directors stowed particular interest in this survey, writing in 1 7S0.
'Map, MEIO, IIS (5). -Eougli sketch of "the Konkan Campaign", 1781; ME-IO. 118 (22) ; v. map
of same period by Ens. Stokoe, covering' march from Kalpi. Upton's march to Poona and campaign- i'
Gujarat, Mli.IO. :i\ (2$-%): unsigned map, EM. Add! MSS. 18109 ,'B). 3 BPC.4-9-8L -"Kalyiin 47 E'a
5 46 A/12. "BoS & Pol. 8-1-88. r Dabhoi, 46 P/S; Jambusar, 46 B>16; Cambay. 46 B 11. s Bn s & 'VI
9-1-88. 9 Bo PC. 0-10-15. ltl Bo PC, 23-4-19.
Mabatha Wars 123
Not having yet received a report of the survey at Broach, which we have so long expected,
we are not competent to give our final directions respecting the management of onr affairs
there 1 .
The survey was completed by 1782, and the Council was able to send home to
the Directors 2 ,
A Map of the Broach Purgannahs, and the march of the troops under Lt. Col. Keating in
1775, during the Gnzerat Campaign 3 .
The British Museum holds an undated "Sketch of the Goojerat by Hahfizee", a
rouo-h skeleton map distinguishing the areas belonging to the Peshwa, the G-aeckwar,
and Sciudhia, scale about 12 inches to a mile 1 , andRennell speaks highly of
a MS. map of Guzerat, ...which has the appearance of greater accuracy in the outline, and
certainly contains more matter within it, than any other map of the tract ; ... drawn by a native
of Cambay, a Brahmin of uncommon genius and knowledge named Sadanund; ... given me by
Sir Charles Malet. . .who first suggested the idea of drawing the map ''.
This genuine Hindoo map, contains much new matter; ...it gives the form of Guzerat
with more accuracy than the European maps could boast of fi .
Marine Surveys
Though it is not intended to give any connected account of the marine
surveyors, reference must be made to the share they have taken in mapping the
coasts of India ; fuller particulars have been given by Markham and Low.
We have already referred to the early work and lifelong enthusiasm of
Alexander Dalrymple, to the work of Eitehie and Topping in the Bay of Bengal
and of Blair in the Andaman Islands, and now tell of the work along the western
coasts.
The first knowledge came from the early navigators, Portuguese, Dutch, and
English, and then the more reliable work of Apres de Mannevillette. There is an
undated French map, Cochin to Cranganore, decorated with ships sailing the sea,
and houses and churches marking the town sites 7 .
Of later work there were the astronomical longitudes of Howe and Huddart
[176], a land survey by De Eunck from Mt. Dilli 8 to Make, and another by
D'Auvergne from Ponnani to Calicut 9 .
The first surveying expedition sent out by the Bombay Marine was in 1772,
when Blair and Mascall explored the coasts of Katiiiawar, Sind, Makran, and part
of the coasts of Persia and Arabia 10 . In 1773 Skynner 11 surveyed the Broach river,
the Gulf of Cambay, and the coast of Kathiawar, Dalrymple writing,
The Gulf of Cambay is taken from the MS. of Mr. Skynner's Survey; I attribute to the
inattention of his Engraver the differences to be found in the elegant Chart published by
that Gentleman 12 .
Bennell also makes use of Skynner's charts for these coasts, but finds them dis-
agree with charts by Buigrose, also of the Bombay Marine ls , whose work Reynolds
uses for his map of 1787 u .
In 1786 an expedition was sent to take possession of the island of Diego Garcia,
or Chagos 15 , sailing from Bombay on March 15th, and proclaiming the island a
British possession on May 4th 16 .
A Senior Merchant was sent in charge, with Sartorius as Engineer, Surveyor,
and in command of the military detachment. Blair of the Marine, and Emmit of
Infantry, were sent as assistant surveyors, and had the Brake, and Viper 1 ' for survey
ships; Emmit carried out a survey of the main island, whilst Blair explored and
mapped the surrounding islands and shoals.
1 CD to Bo. 5-7 -SO. : Bo to CD. 10-2-84 (141). :i Map subsequently engraved by Dalrymple
[i76n. 14b MHO. MS Map 678. 4 BM. Addl. MSS. 18907 (e). 'Malet was Resident at
Cambay in 1775. 'Memoir. 179a (IS0-611; 221). 'MKIO. 133 (11). 8 4S P/4. 'List of Charts.
Dalrymple (xx) ; Memoir. 1793 (22-3). '"Lew (1S6). " W. Augustus Skynner, Ban. Mar. '-Colled 0,11
of Plans of Ports. ..Dalrymple. 1771-5: 3rd ed. )7S7 ,t Memoir of ft Chort of the Coo.sts of Gu:ur:d 5/ Scvr.l.j
Dalrymple; 3-9-S3. "Memoir 1783, (21) ; 1793, (33-5). ยป Bo S & Pol. S-1-S8. u 1ยฐ Iff S; 71ยฐ E.
lfi Bo F & P. 16-1-86, ei seg. ''Viper accompanied Blair to Audamans [47, 48].
124 Bombay Surveys
On May 7th Blair was "instrueted...to set out next morning on a survey of the
-Harbour", being allowed only 16 clays; '
For facilitating the more particular surrey of the Island afterwards, he was to leave a
distinguishing mark on all the principal points, which should terminate his angles or form
stations, to enable those points to be found at any future time '
Received great assistance., .from Lieutenant Wales [49 n.yl' '" otherwise should โโt J,
been able to compleat it in double the time. ... On July" rd saLd\vi h E^perirntnl^W
to examine the outward coast of the Island 1 . *"
o^nfluwff?," โขt S Wi * lrawn T recei P ts oi "rfera from Bengal dated August
2_nd, and the -Dn-ectors afterwards expressed great surprise at its magnitude and
unnecessary costA Blair was left to continue his survey, and "November 8th
proceeded on a Surrey of the Adjacent Islands, continuing ti 1 January mh 1 787"
The Directors meanwhile had issued instructions for a regular survey of the
coasts by officers of the marine service, and had sent out a set of instruments
It is our mtention that these Chronometers and Instruments be a w " Aboard the
same vessel [ 2 โ 3 ]. ... We direct that a Supernumerary- Lieutenant do always proceed with
tโข tTh m M rf ^K 6 ' " h ยฐ Se 6SPeCial ยฐ harge ^ are to be - ^ ^ recommend that lieu
tenant John McCluer be employed as the Supernumerary Lieutenant for making the oterva-
We would have the vessel proceed along the coast from Bombay to Surat determining
ca dully the Latitudes and Longitudes of the various points, as well as of the PeaTs and
Hills inland, with explanatory views of the Lands, taking Altitudes for determining the tยฃe
H^e h y r Trchtimr ry *"> "" ^ ^ ""*ยซโ
jjS^" th6n fo " mred fOT ยซยซJ*W the survey round the coast of
Let what is done be done compleatly and nothing left undetermined in this space- if anv
doubt arises let them repeat their observations in such part, that an implicit confident ma
be safely placed m their work when finished. โขยฐ m โข
Tal-T en T^ S 7ยฐ A โ is โ finished ' we direct ยซ** * particular examination be made of the
Lakadive Islands and the various banks between them and the Coast of Malabar In the
course of this Voyage it will be proper to determine the relative position of the Lakadrvef
Mahcoy, ... and the Head of the Maldives*. Lakadives,
In another letter they write;
โ,ffir rhe ยซ aCmty T M t h T "f ยฐ f Timekee P ers ^ Lunar Observations give to Surveys
sufficiently accurate for the safety of navigation, will we trust enable you to get this irmS '
ant service completed with expedition. We rely upon your selecting Persons of eve'Zk in
"tiritranfsc^ ^ 5f tWS T P ' 0yment ' ^ that 5 โข โข n " f ยฐ rm ttam tool's of
encourlgement? " P eSS1 ยฐ n ""' "^ *""ยป *ยป โข r P arti โข^ ยซS and
โ ?fc f "Iโข 1 }? l^ 1787 ' " the Season bein S nmT sufficiently open for prosecut
nig that object", McCluer sailed in the & P cr iment , and carried on sm-vey ti 1 the
following April when monsoon conditions drove him J
into Surat in distress On the nth, ... it blowing a fresh gale from the S.Wward we were
far so s u , t G ยฐ ZUrat Sh ยฐ re ' " bemS โข d ot "7 shelter from these v^nds even
for so small a vessel. In coming across the banks at the entrance of the gulph the sea rZ
so high that we swamped our large boat, and several of them broke upon us* โ On t ^ after"
noon of the i 5 th being half-tide, weighed to go into the river, but our stupid fellow of a P lot-
ran us on the W-ern Bank, where with a few heavy strokes we unshipped "our rudder- then
came broadside to the sea which broke over us, and in this disabled condition we'ay beatS
very hard, ... and as the Vessel is so very slightly built, I expected every stroke to be our
finishing one; however by God's providence and the exertion of our People at the oars IZ
her again before the wind and the sea, and with them conducted her up the river ยง
We have been four days wind-bound in the River, it blowing fresh the So'ward and are
now safe over the Bar again intending to go once more so far as Sin, then traverse down 2
Bombay the whole extent of soundings, if the Vessel will stand the weather*.
Blair's Journal. Daliymple. "CDtoBo CS & Pol \ 93 ยป. ยซยป- sr th โ -r. *ยป.
ยป-ยซ ยป* ยป-U 'CD to I. 23-3-87. .LeftooKt Bo PC* M A &lH^ ^ ยฐ D to *"โ
Marine Surveys 125-
In September McCluer reports
that I have. ..surveyed the Coast of India from the Ltd. 17 12' N. to 21 40' N. including the
Gulph of Cambay, and on the Guzarat shore to Diu head, with the soundings 40 leagues from
the Coast. ... By what I can learn from Mr. Dalrymple's Letters, the Surveys are to be carried
on So. ward, and among the Islands; if such is the case, for the greater perfection of the work
and safety of those employed, it will be expedient to have a larger Vessel than the one I now
command, which is very little larger than a long boat, and of a force sufficient to protect
herself... from insult, that may be given by the freebooters on the Coast 1 .
McCluer continued his surveys southwards to Cape Comorin till 1790, and
Rennell records that
an extent of about 360 miles, out of 570, between Zyghur 3 and Anjenga, has been explored;
... the remaining parts were left unexamined because of the then state of hostility with
Tippoo. Part of this defect is supplied, between Merj ee and Ctmdapoor, by Capt. Reynolds's
survey in 1781 3 .
Chaeles Reynolds, 1783-90
So long as the war against the Marathas dragged on, Bombay could send but
little aid to Madras in her struggle against Haidar Ali. In April 1781 a small
force under Major Abington had been sent clown for the defence of Tellicherry 4 ,
and during February 1782 had captured Mahe from the French, and Calicut from
Mysore ; before the end of the month he was joined by Colonel Hnmberstone
[98 n. 13] who landed with about 1000 British infantry, and took over command 5 .
During April Humberstone marched south, intending to reach Palg'hat, but
after defeating the Mysore forces at Tricalore 6 he had to shelter from the monsoon
at Tanur. In the following October he marched to the walls of Palghat, but had
to retreat in haste, being however successful in drawing Tipu and his main forces
away from the Carnatic. "We have already noticed the surveys made of his marches
by James D'Auvergne [99, 123].
After the treaty of Salbai in "December 1782 a strong force under General
Mathews captured Mangalore and Onore 7 on the coast of Kanara, and marched up
to Bednur., a small district above the Ghats which commanded the north-west
approaches into Mysore 8 .
Reynolds accompanied the army and, being employed in surveying, escaped
being taken prisoner when Mathews and his army were overhelmed at Hydernagar 9
in April 1783. He was however shut up in Onore which was gallantly defended by
Torriano until peace was signed in March 1784 10 .
On return to Bombay he handed in his survey
of part of the Bedanure Province, taken by me on the late service as Surveyor General to
the Army; it contains all the principal Gauts that are within that space, and the whole from
actual survey 11 .
The survey appears to have covered a good deal more than the small district of
Bednur, for Eennell took
the coast between Barcelore 13 and Meerzaw...from a recent map by Captain Reynolds, during
the war which terminated so unfortunately for the British arms in 1783, in the Bednore
country, to which this part of the coast is opposite.
This map is drawn in a most masterly style and contains near 60 geographical miles of the
coast, and extends inland to the foot of the Ghauts, which here approach, in some places,
within 6 miles of the sea. ... It includes the positions of Bednore, and Bilghey 1S , within the
Ghauts, and also Onore. ..on the coast 14 .
1 Bo PC. 18-9-S8. 5 Jaigai-h, 17 G/3. 3 Mirjan, 48 J/6, Coondapoor, 48 K/10 ; an obvious error
for 17*'' vrliMi llevnolds mado Lis surrey of Bednur [s-isjj] : Penintmla (2). 4 49 JYI/iO; Oom}>: in v's lactory.
founded 1683. & Cadell (97-100). 6 Trikkamrn, 17 m. SE. of Calicut, near "Tippu's Fort", 49 M/16.
7 Honiivar, 48 J/7. "Western part of Shimoga Dist. Mysore, 48 J/16 & N/4, K/13, O/l. 9 The capital
of Bednur, now a small villages Milled Nag-ar. 48 O/l ; Imp. Ga~. Mysore (258). l0 I>t: script ion oยฃ siege,
Forbes (107 at seg). "Bo S & Pol. 24-12-84. 13 or Bhatkal. 48 K/9. ,s ยฃilgi, 48 J/15. "Memoir
1793 (28).
12(1
Bombay Suiiveys
After a few months spent on a survey of Bombay Island [120], Reynolds was
ordered to accompany Malet who had been deputed by the Governor General to visit
Smdhiai, and then proceed to Calcutta to discuss policy before taking up the
appointment of Resident at the Peshwa's court at Poona [ 6 '] . The Bombay Council
write to Malet,
, x AS /I 13 . T r - fiXSd intentlon to embrace every proper opportunity of procuring a know-
ledge ot the interior parts of Hmdoostan, We have directed Captain Reynolds our Surveyor
to accompany yon ... Captain Reynolds will be directed to obey such directions as he may
receive from you during his absence from hence, to embrace every proffered opportunity of
makmg observations upon the Countries he passes through, at the same time taking every
aToided^ ยฐ n t0 gWe ยฐยฐ a ' arm ยฐ r j eal ยฐ" Sly t0 the Pe ยฐ Ple ' Wh6re U Can be by ^ mean *
The mission started from Surat on March 12th 1785, and travelled "through
country a hve with Bhils ". The camp was robbed, and Cruso, the surgeon, lost a set
ot valuable surgical instruments; passing through Ujjain [56 n. 10] they reached
Gwalior on May 2nd, and Smdhia's camp near Muttra on the 23rd 3 . The followino-
extracts from letters by the way give an idea of the interest taken in this -journey
I have the honour to acquaint yon of our arrival at Broda^. We left Surat on the 12th
and arrived here by the way of Broach on the 22nd. ... We move from hence tomorrow โ our
route leads by the way of Champanior ยป, through a Country totally unkown to Europeans as
tar as Ugen, and will afford me an opportunity to furnish information that has never yet been
m the power of any other Geographer 6 . ...
The 26th I arrived at Hallole' the first place subject to Madju Scindia since leaving the
Broach Purgannah. The Country is beautiful, richly wooded, and intersected by numerous
Gullies and rivulets, some of which at this advanced season have water. Champanier is
situated at the bottom of the vast Mountain of Powaghur 8 , which with very little assistance
from art forms an almost impregnable Fortress. ... This place, notwithstanding it appears so
totally inaccessible, was taken by surprize by HumayunS from Sultan Bahadur King of
mounfc 1 in^ aPta ' n Reyn ยฐ lds is em P lo yยซ d in taking a view of this famous and extraordinary
_ We arrived here [Ugein] on the 10th instant, & in the course of the route have gathered
information respecting the country... that is much wanted in Reynell's Geography and of
every other that I have yet met with. The country is in general laid down from Champanur
as belonging totally to Holcar and Scindia; on the contrary, the whole of it, from about so-
mites on this side of Brodera, till within 60 or 70 of this place, is in the hands of distinct
Grasiah Rayahs or Zemindars, the Capitals of most of which I have been able to ascertain
with tolerable accuracy, and in this last 60 or 70 miles of our route, the country is partly
divided between Scindia, Holcar, and the Power Family of Marattas, whose Capital Dhar"
I have also been able to fix with respect to situation. I find Indoor ยซ as well as Dhar to be
exceedingly misplaced in Rennell, and even this place as laid down by him does not corres-
pond with my observations, which, from experience of my Instruments, I can venture to say
are perfectly correct f i 77 ], I have been able to determine the source of the Mhyel' which
takes a totally different direction from that given it by any other Geographer. Thus far our
route will throw a deal of light on the situation of this part of Hindoostan. We march to-
morrow and shall proceed on a different route from any yet travelled by Europeans, till we
reach Kallaness" when we shall fall into the road laid down in Rennell's Map". ..
I shall proceed tomorrow morning by the route of Ragogur Hill", wishing to avoid the
Common road from motives already mentioned of extending onr Geographical knowledge
which, from what I have already observed, I have reason to think will receive great elucida-
tion from the accuracy of Captain Reynolds's survey.
I have taken the liberty to enclose you a table of my journey hitherto, in which I hone
you will excuse any want of Precision and method, since my confidence in Captain Reynolds's
well known skdl and ability has made me less sollicitous on those points". ...
My last respects were under the 13th ultimo from Ugen. ... I have now the honor to enclose
a continuation of it from thence to Gwalior, where I arrived the 2nd instant, having been
^lahadji ยฃa<i SimUiia of Gwalior. 2 Bo S & Pol 1S-1-N5 :f Foi-hp* IT! c- TV n
Charles Reynolds 127
forced to halt two days for the refreshment of our people and cattle, after our late brisk
marching at this very warm season; shall proceed tomorrow and to be at Akfaarabad 1 the
13th instant-.
Rennell received this route in time for incorporation in the 1792 edition of his
map [214], and records that,
This survey of Captain Reynolds's came to hand long after the construction of the Map
of Hindoostan, 1788. ... Captain Reynolds's route must be regarded as a very capital one;
bein^ through a tract which was heretofore the most vacant part of the map; and of which
our general knowledge was so limited that we supposed the courses of its rivers to be to the
south and into the Nerbuddah, when in fact they were to the north and into the Jumna
River 3 .
The mission reached Sindhia's camp near Muttra on May 23rd, and after call-
ing on the Emperor at Delhi left Agra for Cawnpore, where on August 10th they
embarked in budgerows for their journey down the river, reaching Calcutta on
October 18th. From Calcutta they returned to Bombay by sea.
At the desire of the Governor General, Reynolds was now deputed to accompany
Malet to Poena, so
that our knowledge of the interior parts of this country may be increased by the future
exertion of his useful Talents 4 .
They left Bombay in February 1786, and passing through Poona made
a j ourney to the Maratha Army when besieging Buddamee 5 about 250 miles from this city, . . .
that will tend greatly to elucidate many points which Major Rennell, from want of authentic
materials, has not been able to ascertain 6 .
After a week's halt they accompanied the Peshwa back to Poona. Reynolds
kept a surrey of the route the whole way, through a country that had only been
known hitherto by the travels of Mandelslo? from Goa to Bijapur [176], and of
Anquetil-Duperron
whose travels from Goa to Poonah [writes Rennell] furnished some useful matter towards
filling up a part that has long remained almost a perfect void [28], ... but a great part of it
is now superseded by the survey of Capt. Reynolds 8 .
Obtaining permission to return to Surat for the recovery of his health, Reynolds
surveyed one route down to Smut, and returned to Poona by another early in 1787.
He returned again to Surat for the rains, and at the end of the year submitted to
Government a "corrected Plan ยซf Hindoostan... on a very large scale", covering an
area from 12ยฐ to 29ยฐ N, and from 71ยฐ to 80ยฐ E; he attached a full account of all his
sources of information, and gave his reasons for improving on the details of RennelPs
Map of .Hindoostan ;
I have accompanied my map with a copy from Major Rennell's on the same scale. It
will point out more readily the total change these surveys of mine give to the Geographical
system of Hindoostan. The rivers in the Province of Malwa that run under Uggein, etc,
have always been supposed to be branches of the Nurbudda River; my surveys determine
that they are all Tributaries to the Churabul 9 and ultimately to the Ganges. I hope I shall
not be considered as endeavouring to depreciate Major Rennell's performance by contrasting
it with mine. I preferred his as being the best extant.
He took every care that his surveys should not attract the attention of the
Maratha officials;
I also request that your Honors will be please to point out to them [the Directors] the
inconvenience that may occur from allowing them to be published, or in any way made public ;
the Ministers at Poonah would probably get the information, and in that case the loss of my
liberty and perhaps more serious consequences to me may ensue from it and by the loss of
my papers etc., defeat the intention of employing me 10 [297].
In April 1788 Malet arranged through George Forster, now Resident at Nag-pur,
to get passports for Reynolds to travel through the territories of the Bhonsla
Raja 11 , and suggested that he might make a journey right through to Masulipatam,
'Fatehpur SIkri, 54 E/12. '-Prom Malet, ib. 3-6-83. ^Memoir, 1793 (320). of. Markham (08),
which does tmt scant -justice to the value of Eeynolds' surveys. 4 Bo to CO. 13-1-BB (9). "Badaini, 43
M/9 in BijSpur Dist. where the Peshwa was then at war with Turn: Gfcaatlhiff, III (1-12). 'From Malet
to Warrpu Hastings, 14-2-87; BM. AddL MSS. 29210. 7 Mzmo-ir, 1793 (258) refers to map of Mandelslo's
routes by Father Bu Val. s ib. (252). "Chambal E. 46 M to 54 J. lu Bo S & Pol. 8-1-8S. "Also
called Baja of Berar, or Nagpur.
128
Bombay Surveys
which he succeeded in doing by way of Hyderabad in November, travelling on
cr P tei"-9] and shewins his survey to sยฃr Arohi ยฐ b ^
From Madras lie travelled back to Hyderabad, and from there followed a new
route to Sura by way of Auraiigabad, the necessary passports being obtained on the
grounds that the state of his health prevented a journev through Poona. Ma let
reports this as giving " B "wen
a new opportunity to Captain Reynolds' investigations without much cause of additional
jealousy, which is less active while the object is at a distance K aaumonai
In acknowledging the passports Reynolds writes,
My return to Surat, while it is favourable to my completing my map of that Quarter
which will take me some time, will also be attended with less difficulty to any further excS
toยฐH Tlยซ ^return to Poona. - ^ will require at least one^ther Tip from Su"t
to Hyderabad after the rains to complete the Map of the Dukun. ... There wffl be no
difficulty m procuring Purwanas* from this Government, and I trust yon will find none ,1
obtaining permission. ..from the Minister at Poona
Since my leaving Poona, I have collected a very considerable stock of materials indepen-
dent of my Survey, sufficient to determine the practicability of my perfecting a GeneraTsurvey
of India; but as it ,s impossible that I can arrange them during my traveling I can in fact
only now be considered as laying the foundation for the future structure*
and later,
Sโl ^ T*t fr0m Q hen = e [Chimbly, 55 miles S. E. of Poona] will be by Simgumuere, Chandore
Saere, Moolere, Soanghnr-, and Surat, where I can hardly expect to arrive much before tie
settingmoftherams; ... The variety of materials from whence I draw my information a e
such that...the arranging of them is utterly impracticable while I am on my journey where
every moment of my time is taken up in collecting them. I shall therefore employ mysell
fall the opening of the season of them, and in the vicinity of Surat. I have also an idea f
time permits, of makmg a trip to Cambay for some matters relative to the Geography of the
parts of Goojerat to the westward of it. "5"puy 01 uie
You taow very well the Ardour with which I pursue the object of my employment and I
make no doubt that you will do justice to it. ... I must beg. . .that you wiU forward my request
that my assistant Lieut. Emmitt may be ordered to Surat to join me, for whom as weal as
myself I have enough to do 6 [273].
In October the Governor General gave orders that Reynolds's proposed trip to
cWtld t \ r 1( f ed 'i t0r fe " cf its arousing resentaent, and ijwas
di eeted to remain at Surat and continue the arrangement of material already
collected 6] In April 1790 he accompanied the Bombay detachment thai
proceeded to Malabar to take part in the war against Tipu of Mysore [,30]
Emmitt with the Makathas, 1790-5
On the outbreak of the Third Mysore War in 1790, the Governor General having
secured the co-operation of the Nizam and the Marathas, a small detachment of
Bombay troops, two battalions of sepoys and a few guns under Captain Little, was
deputed to stiffen up the Maratha army which was marching south from Poona
The detachment joined the Maratha army in May 1790 and reached DhaiW
at the end of October, where it met with stubborn resistance; as there was no
โขequipment for conducting a major siege, operations were held up to await re-
inforcements from Bombay. These landed at Cardona on the Jaigarh" Biver on
November 2oth under the command of Colonel Frederick, with Sartorius as second
in command John Johnson as Engineer and Emmitt as Surveyor. Em mitt
observed a latitude^ at the : mouth of the Jaigarh River, and ran a traverse to
Dharwar, with occasional latitudes [ , 7 7 ] ยป. The siege of Dharwar Fort occupied
several months Sartorius succeeding to the command on Frederick's death in March
1791. Alter its fall, Emmitt was appointed surveyor to Little's detachment which
M/3. -'47G/3. 'Emmitt's report, Bo S 4 Pol. 23-11-92? m 'โข' * s
Emmitt with the Marat-has 129
he accompanied, southwards to Mysore, whilst Johnson, who had acted as assistant
whilst on the march, was appointed surveyor to the rest of force, which marched
"back by way of Poena and reached Bombay on June 2nd 1 . The Maratha army
now made forced marches and joined Lord Cornwallis 20 miles north of Seringa-
patam on May 28th, Emmitt completing his surveyed line to make junction with
Colebrooke's survey from Madras [112-3]. He continued his line to Bangalore and
Sira-, and in October started a survey from Harihar 3 eastward down the Tungabhadra
to its junction with the Kistna, then on to Pangal* in the Nizam's Dominions, and
from thence westwards through Badami and Dharwar to G-oa. As the position of
G-oa had long been fixed by the Portuguese Jesuits, and more recent values of its
longitude obtained by Huddart [176], this junction gave Emmitt a value for his
longitudes [177]-
Emmitt was the first English surveyor to visit G-oa by land : D'Anvilie had taken
its geography from a
particular map I had from Portugal; but I must own, that the scale of that map not being
exactly known to me, I am afraid I have given the continent in this map rather too much
extent 5 .
Rennell also notes that on his map,
The environs of Goa and the country to the foot of the Gauts are from a Portuguese MS.;
It is from Goa only, if from any quarter, that we are to expect the geography of the tract
between Gauts.. .and Adoni, and which yet remains almost a perfect void in the map G .
Many references to Emmitt and his survey are given by Moor in his Narrative
โ of the operations of Captain Little's Detachment ;
In the beginning of March (1792) Lieut. Emmitt.. .arrived here [Harihar] from his surveys.
When he left Hurryhal, he proceeded along the Toombudra's banks to its junction with the
Kristna; visited the famous city of Annagoondy'; went to Paungul, the residence of the
Nizam and his court, and thence to Goa; from which place by the route of Dharwar, he was
now arrived.
We shall here take occasion to mention the great acquisition our geographical knowledge
of the peninsula will have met with from the labours of this gentleman; his surveys compre-
hend the greater part of the country in which the scene of this narrative lies, and... the lovers
of science will be pleased to hear that the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Emmitt have
produced accurate surveys of a great portion of that part of the peninsula, which exhibits so
melancholy a blank in the map of our eminent geographer, Major Rennell.
Mr. Emmitt's surveys... comprehend considerably more than 2000 miles of distance; ...a
number of desirable points and stations will be determined.,.; his route commences at
Jaigur, where Captain Little's & Colonel Frederick's detachments left the sea, and continues
in this order; to Darwar, Seringapatam, Bangalore, Sera, and the route just mentioned *. ...
After. ..March 22nd, Mr. Emmitt proceeded to the source of the Toombudra, and returned
to Bombay by way Simoga 9 . ..Darwar. ..Bejapoor 10 , and Poona.
Lt. Emmitt being desirous to proceed to the army, Lt. R. and the writer of this narrative
determined to accompany him. ... As completing the survey of the Toombudra was a desidera-
tum in Geography, we resolved on taking the route of Hooly Honore n and Simoga, ... by which
means another road to Seringapatam would be surveyed, and we should avoid approaching
too near the garrison of Chittledroog 1 -, and some of other forts in Tippoo's hands. ... [News
arrived] of the glorious successes before Seringapatam of the 6th of February, and the
cessation of hostilities. ...
We agree to leave Hurry Hal on the 23rd of March, with 45... sepoys and 5 Europeans, to
join Captain Little's detachment at Seringapatam. It was of course necessary to proceed
with all care and circumspection, having a journey to perform of nearly 200 miles, through
a country, which although the greater part conquered, remained in a very unsettled state,
and had many forts in the hands of the enemy. ...
Left Hurry Hal the 23rd of March : ... on 27th.. .halted at Hooly Honore. ... About mid-
night we were alarmed by a cry of thieves, and repairing to the place whence it proceeded, we
found Mr. Emmitt's tent robbed of several trunks, and among them that which contained all
his surveys, instruments and papers; this would have been an irreparable loss, but fortunate-
ly, not being carried far, it was found near the road. ... Had the robbers succeeded in carrying
'Survey of route, MEIO. 118 (12). -57 C/14 3 48 N/14. 4 56 L/3. "Herbert (41). "Memoir,
1793 (292). 7 Brjayanagar, 57 E,T. s Hoor (ISO). 9 Shimoga, 4S 0/9. 10 Bijapur, 47 P/9. u Honnali,
48 N/12. 12 Chitaicb'0;^, 57 B/8.
130
Bombay Surveys
off Mr. Emmitt's trunk of papers, it would have been a very distressing circumstance; for
although he had sent copies of almost all his surveys to Poona, there were many valuable
geographical materials, drawings, etc., that would have been a serious loss ; until lately he had
always slept upon that trunk, but supposing no danger of thieves amongst so many sepoys,
and not being in perfect health, had omitted it; from this time however, he recommenced
the custom, and never, while in the field, left it off 1 .
After being joined by Johnson on March 26th,
We left Hooly Honore on the 29th, and crossed the Budra ; ... marched past SimogaFort. . . .
April 15th March from Hoosdroog 5 . ... Harrassed by enemy; ... Messrs Emmitt & R. both
lost some part of their baggage. For our part, having been so recently stripped, we had but
little to lose; that little however was lost; but nothing of any consequence, save for the stock
of grain for our domestics and cattle, which could not be replaced in camp but at enormous
expence. Our tents, bullocks, and such things did not much signify; ... Mr. Emmitt's horse
was killed under him, which, and a Maharatta or two wounded, were the only accidents
received from the enemy's musquetry. ... Joined up with the Bhow's army that evening^.
Describes the falls into the "Gutpurba Biver", a mile west of "Goeauk", where
the "Heron Cassey Biver" falls in a cataract*.
Mr. Emmitt, with his usual industry and accuracy, made drawings of the cataract, from
above and below. The breadth of the river was carefully measured, and the space through
which the water falls ascertained by dropping a plummet from the top, to the water in the
bason. ... May 12th we crossed the Gotpurba=.
After his return to Poona Emrnit completed his map, compiling all his surveys
with the aid of astronomical observations, both his own and others taken by
surveyors working' under Eyd in Mysore 6 [112-3].
In November 1792 Emmitt was ordered with Johnson to Malabar to survey the
frontiers of that province [131], but by the end of 1794 he had returned to Poona,
to wort under the instructions of Malet who was still Besident there [299] . He was
nominally on sick leave from Malabar, but was allowed to accompany the Besident
and the Maratha Army during the campaign against the Mzam which resulted in
the defeat of the Nizam's troops at Kharda 7 [116]. In December he was granted
sick leave to Europe.
Malabab, 1790-1800
The immediate cause of the Third Mysore War in 1790 1112-3] was Tipu's
invasion of Travancore, to oppose which a Bombay force under Lt. Colonel Hartley
was sent down to the west coast in April, and successfully advanced to Palghat in
October.
The main Bombay army followed in December under the command of the
Governor, General Abercromby, landed at Tellicherry, captured Cannanore and,
driving all Tipu's forces out of Malabar, reached the borders of Mysore in May
1791 s . Beynolds had accompanied Hartley's detachment in the capacity of
A.D.Q.M.G., and appears to have been mostly employed upon surveys, sometimes
assisted by Blachford of the Engineers. He writes,
Almost immediately after our arrival at Farokabad'- 1 , at the top of the Ghauts, in I7gr,
I was detached by Colonel Hartley to examine a part of the Malabar Coast, and immediately
on my return, I vras again detached by Sir Robert Abercromby's orders to explore the
Tambucherry Pass [ 131 n.S], and to ascertain whether his army could penetrate that way to
Seringputtam 10 .
We find records of a "survey of Cochin", a "survey between the Hills about
Paulghautcherry", a "survey of the Malabar Coast & Calicut Country, and a Map
of Malabar showing the limits of Eoorga", all made by Beynolds during this
period 11 \_l 79] ,
'Moor (204). =Hoscmrga, 57C/5. s Moor. (221). J Gersoppa Falls, 48 J/12 - height 825 ft
โขit,.(264). 'BoS&Pol.23-ll-92;Maps,MBIO. 124(24); 135 (2), 119 (5,26-S). 'i'rUi HMS 560
(3Ni) i Kn lie S -12-9-,: .Mai, MEIO. 124 (17). 'For accounts of those operation, see Caik-11 (US-'Ol
& Taylor (356-412). '49 11/16. >ยป Bo HC. 25-11-94. "Maps, MKIO. 135 (45), 150 (7). ''
Malabar 131
โ Under the treaty of Seringapatam [113] Malabar was ceded to tlie Company,
and was administered from Bombay for the next twelve years. It is recorded that
Captain Reynolds had made a sketch of the whole the Countries that had been ceded to
the Allies respectively, excepting the District of Soondcon 1 , which "belonged to the portion
that fell to the Mahrattas, but of the extent and position of which it had not been in his
power to obtain accurate information-.
Beynolds had. however, moved up to Mysore early in 1792, and in November the
Governor describes the various defence works and surveys necessary for the security
of Malabar;
For these purposes as well as to effect a general survey of the frontiers of the ceded
country, I have to propose that Major Sartorius may be ordered down the Coast on duty. . . .
It is unnecessary for me to point out the advantages that will result from a complete
survey of the Frontiers; I have already ordered Lieutenants Emmit and Johnston to proceed
to the Coast for that purpose, and have to propose they may be employed under the inspec-
tion of Major Sartorius s .
Johnson had already during the course of the war made a survey of the route
of the Bombay army "from Nujul Ghaut to Seringapatam", and in January 1792
from "the Ercoor Rivei" to Seringapatam' 5 . Some of his letters whilst on survey
in south Malabar have been preserved; in March 1793 "having surveyed the west
end of the Paulghaut Range... south of the Munnar Pass", he has had difficulties
with guides; his fever has been relieved by bark 5 , and he asks that
you will request of General Abercromby to order bark enough to last me until the Survey be
over. ... I have laboured under great difficulties for want of people to shew me the Boundary.
... I am going to the Mallicocote District. ..to survey the Munnar Pass 8 .
Again, after describing the extent of the area over which the revenues had been
collected by the emissaries of Tipu,
I deemed it best to proceed and survey the Boundary towards Tippoo's Country of the
Upper Todenear District ; ... I am now arrived in the District of Nombhully cote 7 . ... The
District lies about 7 miles to the norward, or within the opening laid down in Captain
RennelFs [obviously Reynolds] survey between the Munnar Ghaut and the Tembercherry 8
Range of Hills. ... I wish to be informed whether I am to return and survey the Western
boundary of the three districts of Mahanaar, Poringai, and Nombhullycote...or whether I am
to proceed to survey the Wynaat 9 District (which must now be very near us) 10 .
Moncrieff and "Woodington assisted Emmitt in his survey of "the Northern
Super in tendency" which included Coorg, Wynad, and "Mount Delia with the Ooast
as far as Nelisuram 11 ". Their survey was not entirely without incident, for the
political officer received a report in July 1793;
The Coorga Rajah says that the Engineer came to examine the Boundaries and settle
differences; that Tippoo's fellows came to surround him; that the Engineer told them that
he was an English Sirdar come to inspect the Boundaries, and do justice on both sides. This
they would not listen to. but abused him and fired at bim 13 .
In 1805 the Resident in Mysore records that a survey of the Goorg-Mysore
boundary was made about 1792, "two Gentlemen having been deputed by the then
Supreme authority in Malabar to effect that object" : he refers to it as authoritative,
if it can he obtained l& .
In December 1794, Sartorius sent the completed maps up to Bombay under
Emmitt's charge 1 *;
I have now the honor of transmitting the Maps of the Northern and Southern districts
of the Malabar Province; ... both Surveyors, Messrs. Emmit and Johnson have endeavoured
to render them as perfect in every respect as unremitted application could make these
surveys. With regard to the few observable spaces which have yet not been explored, I
have every reason to think they will not take much more than one season to survey, after
which such public roads as may be deemed conducive to promote trade, and procure the
speediest movement of our troops from one end of the Province to the other, may easily be
traced out.
i&mda, 48 J/14. -HM8.615 B to CD.5-4-92. s Bo MC. 23-11-92. ^alarpattaimm E-, north
of Cannanore, from Irikur, 49 3tf|9. 5 Quinine. "Bo Sue. ; Vol. IS, 23-3-93. ~Namt.ua ! .v6a r part
of Uudftbii'frtZtife. 5SA/10. s T;lmavaseri. 5S A/3. 9 Wyrnid, 49 M/13, 58 A/NW. "ih. H-i-93.
!) Map MRIO 135 (4fi) &โ 144 (37), Scale 2 m. to 1 inch; Voimt Dilli. 4S ?/4; N41e;waram, 48 P,'3. "HMS.
613 (81); Mslabace Corr., 8-7-93. l3 B\Dn. 68 (338), 18-1-1805. "So MO. 20-1-95.
PffF
132
Bombay Surveys
In October 1795 Moncrieff vras appointed in Ernmitt's place, and employed on
a more thorough surrey of the southern province for the Civil Commissioners
which was, however, broken off for other duties;
Captain Moncrieff was then employed under us in carrying on a survey, which we had
proposed should extend throughout the whole province on a plan that will materially aid the
ascertainment of the Revenue Funds, and otherwise prove of great public utility should it ever
be completed. Captain Moncrieff, previous to his quitting us, did, however, finish a survev
of the Betulnad District 1 . '
His work was commended to the Directors;
A great addition has been made to our knowledge of the Geography of Malabar since the
map of the Ceded Countries prepared by Major Sartorius; for the elucidation of the First
Commissioners General Report we called upon Captain Moncriefie, who had been employed
to survey the Southern Districts for as complete a Map as possible 2
After the final defeat of Tipu, Moncrieff, with the assistance of Williams, one
of his subalterns m the Pioneers, was employed in North Malabar and Kanara, some
Eottavamยฐ dU โข g miIitiU7 ยฐP erations a gainst the Pychy Raja of
Mountford* writes of one of their maps 25 years later;
I consider it to be little more than a sketch made during troublesome times and there-
fore capable of very great improvement. In fact when compared with the surveys executed
under this office it exhibits little more than a blank, as may be seen by the enclosed copies
ot the same tract of country from that map 5 .
Reynolds & his Map, 1792 to 1800
On his return journey from Mysore in 1792 [116], Reynolds was able to fulfil
the wish, that had been denied to him three years earlier, to carry another line of
survey through the Decean; this he did through Hyderabad, Aurangabad. and
Kotah, to Agra 6 . Prom Agra he obtained permission to go down to Calcutta
where he pressed a scheme which he had long cherished, that he should be given
authority, and means, to work up his own great map [217].
In pursuit of this purpose he obtained Blunt's services as assistant, and a grant
of Rs. 800 a month for an escort, and during the cold weather of 1793-1 he and
Blunt ran surveys from Allahabad to Panipat, and back to Lucknow [5c]
Reynolds was then recalled to Bombay to attend a courtmartial, and on its conclu-
sion returned to Surat, and once more took up the compilation of his map, and the
collection of material. It does not appear that he made any further expeditions
himself [218], but he employed a number of native surveyors, trained by himself
whom he sent out in all directions to measure new routes and fill in blanks Their
most valuable work was carried out in Gujarat, Cutch, Sind, Raiputana, and the
Punjab [219].
'Vettatnid, a former ta.Uk in north Ponnani, 58 B/l. Logan (527, 665-6); Prom the Malabar
Comnms.onsrs.BoMC. 17-2-97 =BoEevto CD. 31-7-97 (32). ?Tl,e Pyciy SajJcf S (Kottayam)
ยซn* โข<"ยซl" mT^CD f f! C ?,ir d ^Kottoym & Wynid talAJ MR<X 1 lap 173 KRIO S
S'^S^^iSW. Deira ' yS,J - Had " a3 ' 1618 - 24 iMta โข 300 < 170 >- Eo 'ยฐ rt
CHAPTER IX
REVENUE SURVEYS
Methods of the Country โ Glossary BENGAL โ . MADRAS ; The Jagir, 1767-91
Northern Circdrs, 1774-88 โ Salem & Bdramahal, 1792-9 โ Assistant Revenue
Surveyors, 1795-1800 โ BOMBAY.
IN many countries land surveys for revenue purposes have taken priority over all
topographical or geographical surveys. Such land survey may take various
forms, according to the manner in which the rights of the occupier are
recognized, the conditions of his tenure, and the extent to which he is expected to
pay for the privilege of holding, or occupying, the land. In India the ultimate
ownership of the land has always rested with the State, or rather, the supreme
authority in the State. For some time before the middle of the eighteenth century
this supreme authority for the greater part of India was the Mughal Emperor of
Delhi. As a general rule the rulers of provinces paid tribute to the Emperor
according to the reputed wealth of their provinces, and in similar fashion they
collected revenues from their subordinates. In all cases the final call was met by
the peasant, or raHyat, who lived on, and cultivated, the land, though between him
and the ruler of the province were many middlemen. As a ruler the ra'iyat held
the land at the pleasure of the hereditary landlord, or samindar, who was respon-
sible for all revenues to higher authority, and used his own means for collecting
from his ra'iyats. In case of indm, or jagir, lands, the landholder held the lands as a
free gift, generally on account of special services rendered by him or his family.
The system by which the lands were assessed, and by which revenues were
collected, varied from province to province ;
The legitimate government share of the gross produce... was one-fourth, but Akbar
demanded one-third generally, and one-half in Kashmir. ... In practice, nearly every ruler,
Hindu or Musalman, took all he could get, and often the principle was avowed that the...
raiyat should be left no more than a bare subsistence and seed grain. ... Even the early
"settlements" made by British officers frequently erred on the side of over- assessment,
with disastrous results. ... In Bengal of the eighteenth century the information accessible
was so crude that a decently fair assessment was impossible 1 .
In most provinces there was some system under which a record was kept of the
area and ownership of all cultivated land, and some system of assessment of
revenue, with spasmodic attempts at a fair measurement of the land.
It is recorded that Rajaraja I of Tanjore (A. D. 985-1011) "carried out a
careful survey of the land under cultivation, and assessed it 2 ", and there must have
been other surveys of which no clear record has been preserved.
Much information is available of the surveys instituted by the Emperor Akbar
[ion. i ] during the 1 6th century in the Ahhar-Nama and Ain-i- Aboard, records of his
reign kept by his minister Abu-1-Fazl, from which the following notes are taken ;^
7th Year of Akbar's reign. ... At the beginning of this year His Majesty directed his
attention to an improvement of the administration of his territories, and passed new laws
for the management of civil and revenue business 4 . ...
More definite reforms were effected in the 15th... year (1570-1) when Muzaffar K โ T โ ,
with the assistance of Todar Mall, prepared a revised assessment of the land revenue, based
on estimates framed by the local Kanungos and checked by ten superior Kanungos. ...
'Vincent Smith (562). 2 Imp. Gas. Madras, II (134). frequently quoted by D'Anville A
Rennell; tran.sla.ted, Gladwin 1783, 1800; Blochraan, Vol. I, with biography of Abn-1-Fazl, 1873; Jarrett,
Vols. II & III, 1894. ''Elliott, VI (61).
133
13 I.
Revenue Surveys
The conquest of Gujarat in 1573 gave Todar Mall the opportunity for further exercise
of his special abilities. He was sent to make the land revenue assessment of the newly
conquered province, and was engaged on the task for six months. ... 64 out of 184 pargamas
...were surveyed. ...
The "settlement" was made for a term of ten years, with a demand uniform for each
year.
Raja Todar Mall's later "settlement" in Northern Indiaโ ...Akbar and his advisers fixed
the units of measurement as the necessary preliminary to survey.
Measurements had been formerly made by a hempen ropeโ ...from A. D. 1575 the rope
was replaced by njarib of bamboos joined by iron rings, which remained of constant
length. ...
The first step in the new system of "settlement" operations was measurement The
next was the classification of lands; the third was the fixation of rates.
Todar Mall.. .took no account of soils, ...and based.. .classification on'the continuity or
discontinuity of cultivation. ...
The Government share was one-third of the average. ...
Only the area actually under cultivation was assessed. The area under each crop had
its own rate. ...
Akbar's revenue system was ryotwaree; ...the actual cultivators of the soil were the
persons responsible for the annual payment of the fixed revenue. ... Provision was however
made that the headman should be paid a commission for collection, not exceeding ^i
per cent for work done. 2
Smith remarks that the system was an admirable one, the principles sound, and
the practical instructions to officials all that could be desired, but he expresses
"considerable scepticism concerning the conformity of practice with precept 1 ."
Akbar's survey was extended into Bengal : โ
In the time of the kings the particulars of the measurement were as follows. During the
reign of Akber. Rajah Toorul Mull made the measurement in Every district in Bengal in
conformity to the Customs respectively Established in them. Different places being
different m their local circumstances, and the practice of measurement diversified, these
arrangements were attended to in the Mofussil Serishtas.
The Country was then covered with Jeels or Jungle; on these accounts in many places
it not being practical to Effect the measurements of the lands by means of a rope the lands
were rated by a Toomar Jumma, the number of begahs.. .being Estimated, and the Jummah
fixed accordingly.
In such places, on the other hand, as were free from water or Jungle, and in good con-
dition for cultivation, a measurement being made, the Jummah was rated according to that
standard, and called Tuzumy. ... Many mahals...were never at that period submitted to
measurement. ... The Zamindars of such Purgunnahs were unwilling to submit to the meas-
urement of their lands, from the apprehension of diminishing the revenue by introducing a
new Custom, being used to make an arbitary Settlement with their Reyatts [142].
The business of measuring lands being of so great importance, the persons employed in
it should be men of ability. Their functions will be difficult and intricate; the measure of
the Cottah & Begah is various and the names appropriated to these measures vary also
In some districts three different standards are in use: One of the Zemindar, a second of
that peculiar to the place, and the third of Government : by which last the Cottah and
Begah is or larger dimensions than by the two former.
Such a business requires a man of respectability. If such a one be Employed as an
Aumeen, the measurement of any place having once been made by him, there will be no
occasion [or a repetition of it. But if, on the contrary, a careless or incapable person be
Employed, it becomes necessary that the business should be done a second time, & such is
the Custom of the Country 2 .
The indigenous method of land-measurement by simple geometry is commented
on by Macrabie, brother-in-law and private secretary to Philip Francis โข
โ We drove out again to the Gardens. I have been stalking all round and' showing the
Boundaries to a Black Surveyor. How the plague these people measure land I cannot
conceive. They neither use the compass nor take sights as our people do, and yet they get
the contents of ground with tolerable accuracy. It is by a means of Squares, I believe 3
1 Smith (370-6). -Report by a Bengal official ; B Res
13-2-76, Francis, I (260).
Bd. 21-12-89 (31). "Journal Calcutta.
Methods of the Country
13.')
By the time that the English came into possession of Bengal there remained
no periodical system of revenue settlements, or land measurements;
Most native Governments made rough "annual settlements". Akbar had preferred
longer terms, and actually, the Bengal "settlement" made by his finance minister Raja
Todar Mall, lasted for seventy-six years.
In the r8th century everything fell into confusion. In Bengal the village communities
...dissolved, and the kanungos ceased to maintain their records properly. ... Individual
zemindars... developed into hereditary potentates, each controlling a huge extent of country 1 .
Glossary
Before proceeding to give an account of the revenue surveys undertaken during
the early years of the Company's administration, it will "be well to give a glossary
of the more common Indian terms-.
Amin. A native official appointed to collect revenues or to investigate and report their
amounts; or employed on land measurement.
Band-o-bast. The settlement operations under which the amounts of revenue to be paid on
the land are settled in detail.
An area of one square jarib, a unit which varied according to the length assumed
for the hath.
Literally that which is and thai which was. A comparative account, generally
made by a measurement, of the assets or resources of a country immediately
before the harvest. A detailed enquiry into the financial value of the lands.
The primary unit, taken from the length of the fore-arm. No two districts
accepted the same length.
An area of land held free of tribute.
A measurement of the lands, with assessment of the revenue to be paid on
them.
Measuring chain of So haths or 60 gas in length.
An official responsible for maintaining revenue records and accounts.
i. Rent-roll showing the actul measurements and area of the land, and its appro-
priation,
Malguzari. Rent-paying lands.
Ra'iyatwdri. Dealing direct with the individual peasant landholders.
JagTr.
Jama-bandi.
Jarib.
Kanungo.
Kista-bud,
Bengal
In November 1757, whilst waiting for Mir Jafar to sign the formal grant of
the Twenty-four Parganas [12 n.7], the Secret Committee at Fort William
recorded the following' resolution ;
The Committee now took into consideration in what manner to regulate the Lands
when we receive the Grant of them from the Nabob, & it being judged necessary for one
person to examine into the extent & Nature of the Territories to be held by the Company
in Farm, to enquire into the Revenues now collected by the Nabob, Zemindars & Holders
of the Pergannas, to scrutinize and lay before us what advantages may be made of them by
following any particular Plan, and to execute the said Plan, Collect the Revenues, &c.
It is unanimously agreed Wm. Frankland Esq. should be appointed to that
Employ* [13].
In the following month Clive wrote from Murshidabad that,
The Conangoes having finished the Survey of the granted Lands, and ascertained to
what Purgunnahs they belong, the Purwannah for them is at last drawn out and signed by
the Nabob 4 ...
on which the Committee resolved.
The original Sunnud for the Lands being received, Agreed, We request of Mr. Frankland
to set out without delay on the Survey of them, and take possession in the name of the
Company as he goes along 5 .
'Vincent SinU-.h (iifilj).
33-12-67; EMS. 809 (290).
-cf. MursMduldd Letters.
'BSCC. 4-1-58.
hid os,
"BS&M. 12-11-'/.
A From Clive,
w
136
Revenue Surveys
Frankland's report was eagerly awaited, one member writing,
At the time Mr. Frankland was appointed... to take a Survey of the Lands I proposed
some other Gentleman... might be appointed to accompany Mm in the Survey, but as the
rest of the Committee were of a different opinion, I acquiesced, induced thereto by the
imagination that the Survey would be compleated in a month. ... I find so long a time as
three months has elapsed since Mr. Frankland set out on his survey, and as yet we have no
account laid before us, nor. ..can we expect any for four months 1 .
In due course Frankland submitted his survey, giving the number of bighas with
other statistics; it was forwarded to the Directors who replied โข
. With respect to the Lands ceded to us, Mr. Frankland's letter is too prolix, and not verv
intelligible, but his account of the different pergunabs, the Grounds, and the Revenues are
judicious and clear; the barren and untenanted Lands are very extensive, but through Care
and Attention We shall hope for large increased Revenue improvements
You are certainly right to order an exact measurement of all our new acquired Lands
but we hope by more than one Person, and at no great expence; such persons if they have
judgement, may from their observation of the different Grounds be able to furnish vou with
many beneficial hints-.
The Company's servants had at this time no experience whatever of revenue
administration and it is recorded that,
From the treaty of 1757 up to July 1759, the Pergunnas were farmed by the Company
but a suspicion arose that they had not a perfect knowledge of their value, and they were
put up for sale by public auction, as the only means of arriving at this knowledge. The
sale produced 7,65,700 sicca rupees, which, with the royalties, estimated at ii lacs made a
total of over 9 lacs; deducting Clive's JaghireS of 2,22,000, this left a revenue' of nearlv 7
lacs. 3 '
After Cameron's survey of the district boundary in 1761-2 [1 3], he was directed
to make a "Survey & Measurement of the several Pergannahs", and it was
agreed the same opportunity be taken of making a Register of the Villages Tenants &c
and that each Gentleman of the Committee of Lands do for that purpose appoint a proper
Person to attend Mr. Cameron during the measurement of the respective Pergunnahs under
their management*.
Cameron continued to work for "the Committee of the New Lands" till his death
two years later, but we have no record of the work done [13], nor of anyone
carrying it on, though possibly Stuart and Martin may have been so employed [137].
The conditions of the cession of the provinces of Burdwan, Midnapore and
Chittagong made by Mir Kasim in 1760 [21 n. 7] were that the Hawaii should
"be vested with the administration of all affairs of Provinces", and that
for all charges of the Company and... army and provisions for the field the Lands of
Burdwan, Midnapore and Chittagaum shall be assigned. ... The Company is to stand to all
losses and receive all the profits of these three Countries 5 .
The actual collection of revenues was left in the hands of the former Indian
officials as agents for the Company until 1771, when the Controlling Committee
of Revenue 6 was established at Calcutta, and the functions of theยฐ Supravisors
[137] of districts changed to those of Collectors of Revenue '* . From this time
each district had a fresh settlement of its land-revenue every five years.
The impossibility of the Company attempting to undertake any close control
at an earlier date will be realised when it is considered how small was their staff
of officers, none of whom were really trained in administration; in 1761 the Council
had written home,
We are extremely in want of Assistants for the Business of all our Ofhces- our whole
list consisting of only 66 for the service of the Presidency, and all the subordinates The
Engineer and his assistants are of this number 8 .
Continual anxiety was expressed from home as to the amount of revenue
could be collected from the provinces;
Although the increase of the Revenue of this Province [Chittagong] is very agreable to
us, yet much remains to be done before We can be assured that We draw all the Advantage
* , 'TV 4 ^" 58 ' 1ยฐ% \ ?โ 1 ~* J60 Mk 9S >- lilted by Mir War in 1759, beino- the quit-
rent due bythe Company to the Siawib. <BPC. 19-4-64. '5th para, of treatyivith kir Kakm , BSOC.
that
27-9-60. 6 Superseding Controlling Council of Slurshidabiid.
8 B to CD. 12-11-61 (119).
Bengal 13T
of which it is capable, and therefore direct you to cause an Actual Survey to be taken of
the whole Province, that we may know what is cultivated, what waste, what pays taxes,
what free, and bow the whole is disposed of. ...
We have already approved the Method you took to ascertain the Value of the Calcutta-
Lands, you write us it has increased the Revenue 1 ...
and the Council report that,
By an account of the Jumraabandi, or new measurement, of part of the Calcutta
Purgunnas lately delivered in by the Collector, it appears that the rent of them for the
present year... amount to Sicca Rupees [27411.3-}, ...we hope that a proportional increase
will arise from a re-measurement of the remaining purgunna which we have now ordered 2 .
In 1768 the Collector- General writes,
I request your instructions... whether I must continue to collect the Rents of the
Calcutta Lands at these rates henceforth, or in what manner you may think proper to have
the Surveyor's Office re-imbursed. I further request your sentiments as to the future
Establishment of the Surveyor's Office 3 .
From the heading of Martin's map [ 5 1 ] , it is probable that these Calcutta Lands
were the same as the New Lands of the 24-Parganas which Cameron had started to
survey [ 136] ; and the surveyor just referred to may have been a certain Alexander
Stuart, who, being
lately employed in surveying some of the Calcutta Lands, sends m a letter requesting
payment of wages he advanced to his assistants and servants previous to being called in.
The Hon. the President acquaints the Board... that his surveys are so very incorrect,
and he has been so inattentive to, and neglectful of, his duty, that he thinks him unworthy
of any Indulgence whatever. . . . The Board decide. . .that we shall not therefore repay him the
money he applies for 4 .
As early as 1766 some effort was being made to investigate the state of the
revenues of the more distant provinces;
Mr. Verelst [22 n.4], as Supravisor of the Midnapoor Revenues, lays before us an
account of the situation of the Jungles to the Westward of Midnapoor, agreably to the
ancient Statement,
and the Eesident was instructed,
To persevere in a scrutiny of the Zemindars' private account, and obtain the most exact
valuation possible of the Midnapoor and Jellasore Lands. To visit the several Pargannas
in order to ascertain upon the spot a more accurate knowledge of the subject, and to re-
dress the Complaints of the Riots 6 .
In 1769 English Supravisors 6 of Eevenue were appointed with the following
instructions,
To investigate & ascertain in a minute, clear, and comprehensive manner, a variety of
circumstances which intimately concern the welfare of the country; ... The State, produce, &
Capacity of the Lands.
The first measure. ..is to procure a compleat kistabood or Rent-Roll with the number of
Bighas or Measures of Land contained in each district, according to original Surveys &
Measurements, and the method in which they were laid out and appropriated.
The next is to fix the ancient Boundaries & Divisions. . . . The title of the Present Posses-
sions should... be examined, together with the valuation of such Lands before they became
Talooks. ... You are also to particularize the Extent, Production, & Value of Jagheeres, the
Titles of the present possessors &c. ... Among the chief effects which are hoped from Your
Residence. . .are to convince the Ryott that you will stand between him & the hand of
Oppression; that you will be his Refuge & the Redressor of his Wrongs. ... Having thus
obtained sufficient & authentic accounts of the Rent Rolls of the Districts, by searching
into the Papers & Record, ...comparing their respective Husto-bads, surveying & measuring
the lands which appear rated above or below their value or extent, you are to bring your
investigation home to the Zemindar 7 .
The Supravisor at Purnea describes the native system of collection as " sheer
plunder";
The method pursued for these last few years has been as follows; At the beginning of
the year they have made a kind of estimated Bundibust with the Aumils, but without
'CD to B. 24^12-65 (46, 56). 2 Bto CD. 31-1-66, (70). 3 BPC. 26-8-68. 4 BPC. 15-8-68. 6 BSC.
I3_3_66. s Fov view of the work of theae Supravisors, see Murshiclabad Letters, Introduction et set},
'< BSC. 16-8-69.
w
IBS
Revenue Surveys
finally settling what they were to pay, only limiting them in their charges. At the time of
the Harvest they have sent Aumeens into all parts of the Country to measure the cultivated
lands, and then Sezawuls to collect accordingly; hy these means they have at least had it
in their power to lay hold of whatever the Tenants had by industry raised 1 .
The Suprarisor at "Ragonautpure, Patcheet", reports about his district (now
Manbhum),
This district has never been measured; but.. .the Malguzary has hitherto been settled
by mere surmise. ... This province should be properly surveyed, by which means alone its
true extent and quantity of land will be ascertained...
and asks if he should
await the arrival of a Surveyor, or if. ..I should send people into the different pergannahs
to find out the number of Bigas of arable land contained in each 2 .
The Controlling Council at Murshidabad reply,
We understand that a Gentleman has lately been sent from the Presidency to compleat
a survey of all the Western Provinces 8 , but we do not apprehend the result of such a survey
-will afford you the knowledge you wish to acquire in regard to the Quantity of Land and
the nature of the Cultivation. These informations, we apprehend, must rather be obtained
by an actual mensuration, and local inspection of the Country 4 .
About this time the Chittagong Council report that they have carried out a
survey of their lands, but have no confidence in the results;
The mensuration of the Lands of this Province which cost. ..so much money that a just
assessment of the ground should take place, has rather been a Burthern than any ease to
the Lower class 01 Inhabitants, and prej udicial to the Public Revenues.
The venality of the Black Servants employed in the measurement of the Country,
having for a valuable Consideration excused the rich, and rendered a short measurement of
their lands, and the Poor who were incapable of complying with their demands have had
theirs measured with the most rigorous exactness, and the formation of the Jummabundy,
in consequence of the mensuration, has been so. partial through the Arts of the Black
servants in office here, that to this cause alone the fixed Revenues of this Province. ..have
been annually realised, and therefore may rather be deemed nominal 5 .
The efforts of the Supravisors to make measurements through the agency of
amms, met with strong opposition on the part of the landlords, one of whom makes
the following complaint;
The Supervisor of Bhettoriah has sent an Aumeen to the Jaghier, who interrupts the
Collection of the Revenues, and measures every particular Division of it. I am hopeful
that you will give an order for recalling the Aumeen, that the Ryotes, being delivered from
his oppression, may attend to the Cultivation of their lands and the Payment of their
rents,
and the Council write to the Supravisor,
As you have received no orders from us for entering upon this measurement, we do
direct that you immediately withdraw your Aumeen, and immediatly restore to Rajah R โ 's
Agents whatever collection he may have made from the Ryots 6 .
It was soon realised that there were great objections to basing the collection of
revenues on native measurements, and that collection through the agency of rent-
farmers was simpler to work; the Supravisor at Hooghly writes,
Being persuaded therefore of the inefncacy of a measurement in which there is so much
room for Fraud and Collusion, and that Annual Farms will by the competition of individuals
at the commencment every year raise the lands to an adequate revenue in the course of
three or four years, ...
he recommends that "the latter method may be adopted 7 ".
The choice between the two systems was decided differently from one district
to another ; it was often very difficult to find suitable farmers.
The Supravisors had no powers to interfere with the collection of revenues in
any way; they could only watch and report what they saw. The number of civil
servants available was at that time far too small to take oyer the administration of
so vast a country, with no sort of staff that could be trusted. The Collectors
1 ESC. 12-10-69. 3 CCEev. II (14), 12-1-70. 3 It is not known to whom this refers ; possibly Carter
[32]. 4 ib. II (17), 3-12-70. b CMttagong Dist, B. No. 37l, June 1770. 6 CCRev. II (302), 20-6-71.
i'b. VII (91), 21-12-71.
Bengal 139
appointed in 1772 were only a little better off in that they were now fully
responsible.
Detailed investigations or measurements were not encouraged by the Directors,
who in a letter of July 4th 1777 expressed "disapproval of the Governor General's
Scheme for a new investigation of the Provinces, by the deputation of Native
Aumeens into the Districts", and later noted that
one of those Aumeens has been furnished with a guard of 50 Sepoys from. Dacca without the
knowledge of the Commander in Chief. It appears that N โ 1 has also deputed subordinate
Aumeens, for whose protection the Governor General seems to think part of this Military force
might be necessary. We confess ourselves alarmed at these proceedings, and more so when
we consider that Zimindars and other respectable Inhabitants.. .should be liable to vexatious
inquisitions 1 .
In 1779 an effort was made to put the survey of the lands of the 24-Pargannas
on a regular footing, and the Calcutta Committee of Revenue write,
Finding that considerable tracts. ..were held by individuals in the 24 Pargannas on
grants from the former Collector -General, yielding little or no revenue to Government...,
we find that in. ..May 1771, the Collector General issued 81 grants.. .of lands, which had
either become wild or always been in that state.
They recommend
that the jummabundee should be formed every ten years: that a survey of the Lands
granted should in 12 months be made by the Company, so that a description of their
boundaries might be inserted. ..to the grant. ...
Many people under the authority of these grants had cultivated considerable tracts
without paying the smallest Revenue to Government, ...there were even some who had
cultivated and possessed themselves of Lands without holding any title, and without paying
revenue. ...
This committee, so long ago as. ..1776, ordered that Aumins should be sent into the
districts, but no provision was made for the support of the aumins, and they were left to
receive their pay from the Talookdars themselves, who were particularly interested in
frustrating the intention of their appointment. ... Their investigation was consequently
incomplete. ..they surveyed only a part of the lands. ...
Of about 1,75,000 given out in grants, the Ameens had surveyed 35,637 Beegas that
were still wild or waste, and 5,805 that were brought into cultivation. That the Jumma of
revenue for the cultivated ground for year 1184 amounted to Rs. 5,710, but only 980 had
been collected.
The Committee then recommended that
a separate office should be formed in our Cucnery whose duty it may be to survey all the
lands possessed under pretence of these grants, to ascertain such as are illegally held, to
distinguish how much land each possess or has brought into cultivation, ...to fix the
revenue which each. ..ought to pay for the ensuing year...
and they ashed for provision to be made for payment of the amins 3 .
In 1789 a ten-year settlement was undertaken in all Bengal Districts, and the
following notes about the necessary measurements were left to his successor by the
Collector at Comilla ;
The Munsiff will demand... the Chittas, or accounts, of the last year's measurement, that
he may ascertain the Daugs or divisions, but when he has got them, will, if the Reiatts
liberally pay him, make out an account from them withont measuring the lands at all;
an experienced Munsiff will measure the whole, both with a view to manage the Reiatts,
and secure himself if he is likely to be punished with severity. In the field they generally
set down the real length and breadth in dots, & afterwards at their leisure draw figures
over these dots, according to their agreements with the Reiatts, but as they will be stiff &
not fluent like the rest of the writing you may easily see that deception has been practised
by a bare inspection of the Chitta. It is not only in the quantity of the land but in the
quality that you be deceived. ...
The difference occasioned by these manouevres is too considerable to be slightly passed
over, being nearly equal to one half the Revenue at least. To detect the imposition you
must go into the detail yourself; it is an object of too much importance to be trusted to
native Agents. Puvtal is the term for a re-measurement, but the manner in which it is
1 CD to B. 30-1-78 (60). 2 Calcutta Com. of Eev. 7-5-79.
lilt
Revenue Surveys
conducted is partial and oppressive; the Purtal Munsiff does not measure the whole villaโข
he is sent to, but a few parcels of Land only, & in proportion to the concealments found in
those parcels of land, charge the whole village with what is called a duk
ยซ. 7 h " J M f a <*y of the m^siffs is however npon a confined scale when compared with
that m the Ameeny & Jummabmiy Serishtas; the Munsiff has but a village or two to exert
his talents In, but these Serifhtas have the whole Zemindary for the display of their
abilities; ...Nothing but indefatigable attention & local knowledge will carry you thro' so
as to do equal Justice to the Reiatt & Government; As every Reiatt is personally
concerned, their applications to you will be innumerable. Justice requires that their
complaints should be heard & redressed if well founded >.
The Collector of Sylhet met with considerable opposition from the za,nindars
especially along- the borders of the district ; he writes โ
I have as far as possible completed the several measurements of the district but the
management and examination of the papers will not be effected under four or five months
Many advantages... will result from the Hustobood. No revenue will be demanded from
the natives which the apparent condition of their land does not justify. Government will
know what they possess, and by the knowledge, provided they do not exact too large a
share of revenue will have a right to insist on a punctual performance of their agreements.
...When a Hustabood has been once made with tolerable accuracy, I think the jumma ought
to be fixed for oyer, otherwise the Hustabood papers will be constant scourge over the
head of the land-holders. By the Hustabood the constant litigation in this district will be
much less irequent 3 .
and a few months later ;
I adhered to the Hustabood papers, which may have been falsified for private purposes
Abadie lands may have been concealed out of favour, and in other instances Junglah lands
may have been measured as abadie. Where any have been concealed it is not so material
as the welfare of the chowdrie and ryot is ultimately and truly the advantage of the Governl
ment. By overrating, temporary profit only is obtained at the expence of the country but
when pique or some other motive has caused Junglah to be rated as Abadie, some allowances
must be made.
During the course of the year, especially if I can find leisure, before the settine in of
the rains to go into the mofussil, I shall learn where the assessment bears too hard โ a
deduction wdl willingly be granted*. ' "
and again,
The hustabood of the district did not orginate with me. It was recommended., by -
predecessor. ... In December... as soon as the rains would admit, I entered on the disagreable
task; and in the execution of it...I have received every possible opposition from the
Cannongoes and principal Mussalman inhabitants, who had obtained great advantage for the
depression of the zemindars. ... Against sneh opposition...! consider myself fortunate in
tltZ"^โข^ " * "* "*~* t0 ยฐยฐโ *โข ** โข -Arable
In 1793 under the administration of Lord Cornwallis as Governor General the
terms of the decennial settlement of 1789-90 were made permanent, with the
result that a great part of Bengal, together with other portions of India, became
liable for no further increase in revenue. The information collected previous to
1789 regarding the limits and areas of existing estates was incomplete; and pro-
bably inmost cases very inaccurate, so it was not long before the Collectors of
districts found themselves in difficulties when deciding what land had actually
been included in the permanent settlement. It is interesting to note the prophetic
comments of Warren Hastings on the subject a few years before. Writino- his
memoirs on board ship during his voyage home in 1786, he observes
I shall only further observe on the proposed plan of restoring the zemindars to the
possession of their lands, and the management of their Revenues, that unless care should
be taken at the same time to establish some mode of guardianship, with a view to remedv
the defects of minority, profusion, and incapacity of the Zemindars, their restoration will
often terminate m acts of the greatest severity; in the total dispossession of the Zemindars
or m concession on the part of Government in their demands for the Revenues"
The subject was complex, and gave rise to heated discussion ;
,A_9 cn B R Zi, m - *t* Wl- โ ยฐ S f h,t ยซ* B - HI. 1-9-89. 'Cultivated lands. ยซ ib 1-1-90 ยปih
24-2-90. 6 Warren Hastings, 1786 (121). โ
Bengal 1*1
Hastings... looked to experience, as acquired from a succession of quinquennial settle-
ments, to furnish the standard rate of the future. Francis on the other hand... advocated
the fixing of the state demand in perpetuity. The same view recommended ^ itself to the
authorities at home. ... Accordingly Cornwallis took out with him in 1786 instructions to
introduce a permanent settlement.
The process of assessment began in 1789, and terminated in 1791. No attempt was
made to measure the field or calculate the outturn., as had been done by Akba.r. The
amount to be paid in the future was fixed by reference to what had been paid in the past.
At first the settlement was called decennial, but in 1793.. .it was declared permanent. ...
Shore 1 [81 n. 14] would have proceeded more cautiously than Corrtwallis's preconceived
English idea of a proprietary body, and the Court of Directors' haste after fixity, permitted 3 .
In a re-view oยฃ the system written in 1883, nearly 100 years later, it is stated 3 ,
The claim of Government against the Zemindars was fixed for ever, and the Law
intended that the rights of the Zemindars over their own tenants should equitably be
restricted. But no detailed record of Tenant-right was inserted in the settlement papers.
The rights of the Landlords as against the State were defined by the regulations of 1793 :
the rights of the tenants as against the Landlord were reserved, but were not denned; ...it
was taken for granted that the law-courts would afford sufficient protection to subordinate
rights. However, large zemindaries were speedily broken up; widespread default in pay-
ment of Government dues, and extensive sales [followed ].
By the end of the eighteenth century the greater portions of the Estate of Nuddea,
Rajshahi, Bishenpor, and Dinajpur Rajahs had been alienated ; ...a host of smaller zemin-
daries had shared the same fate" 1 .
Although the permanent settlement rendered measurement of lands belonging to
mvnfindars of no account for many years, yet there were other lands which called for
surreys, as shown by the following letter from the Collector of Shahabad in 1800 ;
I beg leave to submit to the consideration of the Board the expediency of having an
accurate survey and measurement made of the lands, the property of the Government, by
European Officers qualified for the task. The benefit which would be immediately derived
from it, in detecting fraudulent evasions, in the disposition of reservoirs to the most advan-
tage, and in establishing boundaries beyond the possibility of dispute, would amply repay
any expence with which it would be attended".
Nothing came of this request at the time.
Madras: the Jagir, 1767-91
On hearing of the grant of the Jagir lands by the Wawab of Arcot [ 86 ], the
Directors were prompt in ordering them to be surveyed ;
With respect to the Lands & Territories ceded to us by the Nabob, ...We esteem it a
Work of that importance to have accurate surveys of them, that no time must be lost; you
are therefore to cause the same to be set about immediately 6 [88].
and in March 1767 the Council record that,
The Engineer... has sent Mr. Barnard, one of his assistants, with proper Instruments
and attendants, to make a survey of the Company's Jageer Lands round Madrass, and has
given him the following instructions, ...
1st. You will survey as exactly as possible, on a scale of two inches to a mile at least, the
whole extent of Country comprehended within the limits of the Jagheer lately granted to
the company by the Nabob, beginning on the North of Madras, & so continuing along the
Sea side till you reach the Northern extremity, and that you may be more certain what
Districts and villages compose this Jageer, a List of them is annexed hereto.
You have also a person sent with you to serve as an Interpreter, and orders from the
Nabob {now Renter of this Jageer') to his Amuldars to assist you. ...
2ndly. In the course of your Survey you are to be particularly careful to note the Nature
of the Country adjacent to, and between, each village, whether it be fit for cultivation of
Beetle 8 & Paddy, or dry grains, ...or whether it be Pasture Land, Woody, or Sandy.
'Recognized by Cornwallis as the most trustworthy of his local advisers. 9 Imp. Gas. ; The Indian
Empire, II (isT). :i For a scathing indictment of this settlement "by a revenue officer of long experience,
see Vincent Smith (r,!iri-7Cl ; sph ;dso Hunter's Hmujal MS. Records, Yol. I. *Land Bevenue. ef. Old Kยซv.
Surveys (it). s B.Ter.E,ev. 27-5-00. 6 CD to M. 24^12-65 (12). 7 As the simplest way of adminis-
tration, the Jagir had been farmed out to the Nawab. s The Betel Palm.
FT
142
Revekue Surveys
4tWy. Yon must exactly Survey all Tanks, remarking the Water Courses tnat 1. a ,
them, and how they are supply'd with Water wh.tw v, " ,a '- er /' our ses that lead from
Sthly. As the collection Z w7afen of Wat ' *s l^ZtTT* fT ^^
are minutely to enquire into the state of โ*t i xf ] ยฐ* Cultmt ">n. You
be repaired or improved and at what exnยปle , "" Reservoir - md r ยซPยฐrt how it may
Grounds are wate^'d thereb You ,Tยซยป T"* n0te What Co ยป ntri - ยซ
conveniently be dug, in wha't par^Tr XT^.'S" ^^ "*"- โข kS -
othly. You are to remark on all Hills Wood s or w = โ+ ^ J"
all Roads, observing at the same tie IwLttr " bT"' ^ *"" ""' Ex "* M "
muttl teโข fi nf\h;^tbifa^ t fth m r IdlrS --' What Im Pโข^ -n be madc.for the
of the y^wtS^^^t^^^^ 01 ^ 1111 ^ best account ?ยฐยป ยซยป-
Ally'. .! The difierent ProduL W?i t ยฐ ^ ^ 5 ^ * in the time ยฐ f D ยฐ^t
of villages. .. y ยฐ U U ยฐยฐ te ยฐ PP0S ' te the Name ยฐ f <*ch village in your list
8thly...Number of Inhabitants. ... Manufactures'
Circar, who studiously endeavour to prevent ruTorn^riโข , P P " belon S m ยซ *ยฐ ^e
and that unless some^peedy and IZtuT^edT Tp g pl eT 5t wm Wutofhf ^
a great measure to execute that part of his instructions" I4 oi 1S P ยฐ Wer "
o, iJSLS tEIa^an S^rS^en^cS^ - ~
drawing paper to be sent to us, ..^SL^.^L^'Qi.- ยซ" '^ - ยซ"
J-he field work was practically completed durinc- 1770 w โโ,,โ f t,โ
was required to finish the drawings^ reports and stat "tic , and ac vS servant Jewell
=;^is= ^t s^ir -tt^co^ -r -โ -
approp Ltrotof ^Xยฃta โข^^"Z^^*! 2SS ยซ ยซ"
possessions and pnvileges, where thTy areTntit^toty ; tยฃL*SSZ*ยฃยฃ โข
tJS^JST^*^^* 1 *^^^โข'* ยซ* the oppression
Other surveys of less importance followed. In 1776 Duo-ood ,ยป, om i i
โ- o n!, 1 ! 08 ' Ali - Nawab ยฐ' tie Carnatic, c. 1740. ! MPC 5-3-OT
27-6-ยซ9 (13). ยป1I to CD. 28-2-72 (109). ยซMEC. 20-12-74
"MMC. 10-7-69. 'MtoCD.
Madras : The Jagir 143
From Mr. Dalrymple 1 I had no written Orders. ..relative to the particular business; ...
the verbal ones, to the best of my memory, were;
To draw it on a large scale so that everything might be shewn, & he approved of the
scale of 220 yards to an inch. That it should be executed with a Pen for the purpose of
being engraved from. That the Paddy Grounds, Estates, Water Channels, etc., should be
exactly surveyed. And when he last saw it, he approved of the method and desired it to
be continued.
I likewise now deliver you a part of the Survey of the Jaghire by Mr. Barnard, and an
old Plan of St. Thome Redoubt, both of which I received from Mr. Dalrymple. Mr. Beatson
has surveyed & drawn a correct Plan of this Building with a Pen, as per Mr. Dalrymple's
directions 3 .
In 1785 it is recorded that three surveyors were employed "when absolutely-
necessary" on the "Company's Lands", presumably at Madras, under the Com-
mittee of Circuit [m/ 1 ], which had been reconstituted in 1780 3 .
In 1788 Norris, of the Engineers, was employed under the Chief Engineer on
surveying grounds for new settlers in certain village areas near Madras, and
reports,
It is my duty as a surveyor to inform the Board of Revenue, on examining the Papers
originally made out by Mr. Barnard 14 years ago, with the grounds, that my survey consi-
derably exceeds his, and on a comparative view. ..all advantages to the cultivators is at
least 13% under rated 4 .
and in 1791 the Chief Engineer reports that,
There is but one Engineer, Lieutenant Norris, now on that Establishment [Surveying];
he has been employed of late in surveying and adjusting claims in particular places of the
Jaghire for the Board of Revenue 5 .
Beyond the Jdgir and the Northern Circars the Company possessed no other
lands under the Presidency of Port. St. George except small areas at Cuddalore
and Devicottai which were surveyed in 1775 by George Cadogan, of the Civil
service fl .
Northern Circars, 1774-88
Revenue surveys in the Northern Circars were few and scattered; in 1774,
Andrew Scott, a civil servant "having recommended himself by a knowledge of
Drawing & Surveying" was appointed to survey "the Home Farms under Masuli-
patam...to begin with the southernmost first 7 ".
In 1775, during the governorship of Lord Pigot 8 , the Directors ordered an
investigation of the resources of the Company's territories on the Coast, with a
view of their better development;
Another object of your early attention must be to acquire a complete knowledge of those
territories which have been granted to the Company on the Coast of Choromandel, and to
establish a judicious and permanent system for their future managment. ...
And being well assured that the Jaghire Lands and Northern Circars, and especially the
latter, will be found capable of answering this desirable purpose, if duly explored and
properly regulated, ...[recommend] a Committee of Circuit to tour the country and report on
its resources... and devise a system of control for revenue purposes 9 .
A Committee was then appointed to tour the Northern Circars
to ascertain with all possible exactness the produce of the Country, the State of the Manu-
factures, the fortified places, the gross amount of the Revenues 10 .
Alexander Dalrymple was a member of this Committee, and being also a
member of the Council, saw that the committee was supplied with the best available
maps; nothing came of this, for the committee was broken up during the upheaval
that oocured the following year 11 [256].
In 1776 Maxtone, who had been helping Johnston in the survey of Vizagapatam
District [ 93 ], made a two-inch survey of "Wooratla 13 " pargana, and afterwards
1 Now Member of Council, & of the Com. of Circuit enquiring into Revenue matters, 5 MMC.
6-1-77. 3 Mad. Civ. Ests. 1785, HMS. 349 (161). 4 Mack XSS. LXIX, 5-12-88. 5 ib. 7-1-91.
"Cuddalore, acquired lti$2 ; Devicottai. captured 1740. MMO. 20-H-75. "MMC. 2-9-74, 8 Governor of
Madras, l755-63,and 177:. -6 [256116,]. "CDtoM. 12-4-75 (23). 10 ib. (24). " Caruncl^l
(193 et seq). 'Gratia, 65 K/10 ; signed map, MMO. 137 (25).
If
144
Revenue Sukveys
surveyed all the Zemindary of Sattiaveram and the Havaily lands of Casin Cotah โข also a
Purgunnah named Uppalnm Pykanadoo, adjoining to Sattiaveram'.
In 17S8 Lennon [100] was stationed at Bajahmundry, and in reportino- on
surveys he had made up the Godavari [105], recommended the systematic survey of
cultivated lands in the Circars;
The proper management of the Revenues of this Country can derive no greater assist-
ance from anything than good geographical plans of aU the separate districts, upon a scale
sufficiently large to set clearly before the view the different kinds of Soil, and the exact
quantity of cultivated ground, to ascertain the precise limits & boundaries of each division
...and particularly point out the possibility of Improvement of Cultitation
rh- . 1 " aCt ,. and ex P ressi โข P^ns of these (the Haviley Lands, in the Ganjam
Chicacole, & Masulipatam Districts), after the mode of Mr. Barnard's Map of the Jagnire
would, I conceive, be a very desirable object.
*ยปJ ^'t " PK ?f e ,*ยฐ m f B SU " eyS ยฐ f eacb ' to lay down eveI 7 viUa K e . th ยซ nature of
each soil, the quantity & quality of arable ground, the Tanks & Reservoirs of Water'
Nothing so ambitious was undertaken when Topping- was sent up four years
later [105], when the Directors particularly ordered,
this should be a mere Land Survey expressing the kind of land, without any reference to the
value, which might raise jealousy and discontent 3 .
Salem & BIeamahal, 1792-9
The first successful ra'iyatwari settlement was that made in Salem and
Baramahal by Alexander Bead [113], who held charge of these districts as
buperiiitendent ot Bevenue, one of his assistants being Thomas Munro* famous
afterwards as a revenue administrator.
There was at this time, 1792, no successful policy of settling land revenue, either in
Bengal, or in the Northern Circars and Jaghir of Madras. In the Circars, a considerable
portion of the land was in the hands of Zemindars, who collected the revenue from the ryots
paying a fixed sum to the Government. The Zemindars, for the most part, employed
farmers of the revenue, who made the collections from the ryots, and oppressed thenf grie-
vously by unauthorized exactions. The persons thus employed were usually strangers to
the country; they were employed equally in lands directly under Government.
Lord Cornwallis, in Bengal, adopted the permanent settlement with the Zemindars' the
Madras Goveminent...resolved otherwise. The Board of Revenue issued instructions to
Read providing for the settlement being made with the ryots individually, for in the greater
part of the Baramahal there were no Zemindars. ...
For the first year temporary arrangements were made for the collection of the revenue
with the aid of such village accounts as were forthcoming, and then a survey & assessment
of each division was set on foot.
The Ryotmari system does not involve the annual settlement of the rate of assessment-
all that is inquired into each year is the extent of each ryot's holding, as he has the option
to give up, or dimmish, or extend his holding from year to year. He is at liberty to sublet
his property, or to transfer it by gift, sale, or mortgage. He cannot be ejected by Govern-
ment so long as he pays the fixed assessment, fixed for 30 years.
This the system which, originated in its main features by Read in the Baramahal and
extended m after years by the powerful advocacy of Munro, has long prevailed in the greater
part of the Madras Presidency and in the adjoining Presidency of BombayS.
We have no particulars about the manner in which Bead's revenue survey waยซ
carried out; it was obviously done by native measurers under the close personal
supervision of himself and his three military assistants, and involved the measure
ment and assessment of the holdings of "upwards of 80,000 farmers" Bead's
great contribution to revenue administration was his code of regulations for workine-
a settlement directly with the ra'iyats. It was left to Munro ten years later in the
Ceded Districts [ 1 1 9 n.3 ] to work out a code of " Survey Eegulations " whereby a
field-to-field survey should be carried out with a staff of native surveyors under the
,โ, ' S^โขโข- m f/ll i Kasimcoto, 65 K/llj Haveli land, or Government edate, CD to M 9-5-97
Salem & Bauamahal 145
minimum of European supervision. In their report submitted with Bead's records
of the survey 1 the Board of Revenue write in 1799,
The whole of his records have. ..been divided into 22 sections, and when finished will
form in all 60 folio volumes. [In the] 22nd section. ..he proposed to devise such a mode of
management as may best suit the state of the country, the condition of the inhabitants, and
โ ensure, if possible, under those circumstances a permanent revenue to Government.
We believe no investigation of revenue affairs, so able, so comprehensive and laborious,
has ever been made by any European in India, as that exhibited in the Land and Geographi-
cal surveys of Colonel Read and his assistants. ... We have. ..been. ..anxious to reap the
advantage. ..of this extensive information, towards the attainment of the ultimate object of
his appointment, a permanent settlement of Revenue in the Ceded countries 2 .
One of Read's regulations
declared the assessment to be fixed for ever, but this was never accepted by Government,
and within 10 years Government introduced the muttadari system, under which the greater
part of the land in Salem was parcelled out into estates, and sold by public auction to
muttadars who acted as rent collectors ; this system eventually failed, and Read's ryotwari
system re-introduced with modifications, and in some places enhancement of rent 3 .
After the Mysore War of 1799, and the death of Tipu, the Salem District was
enlarged by the cession of the small district of Hosur, and the Collector, who had
been one of Read's assistants, asked that the survey should be extended to cover it ;
From the observations which I have, already, been enabled to make on the state of
these newly acquired districts, in which I find the assessments of the villages extremely
unequal, it appears to me of great importance to the future amelioration of Revenue, that
the acknowledged benefits derived from an actual Survey and valuation of the lands, should,
as early as possible, be extended to them.
Should your Board authorize the immediate adoption of this salutary measure, establish-
ments, consisting of experienced Measurers and Surveyors who were employed in the
Barramahal, can soon be formed, and I imagine that the whole may be compleated within
two years, at the expence of about Pagodas 8000*.
Government replied that they had
no objection to so useful a measure as the Survey proposed by the Collector of Salem,
previously to his settlement of a jummabundy for the districts 6 .
Read's survey and settlement of the Salem and Baramahal Districts was the
prototype of the present Indian system of cadastral surveys.
Assistant Revenue Surveyors, 1795-1800
In sanctioning the surveying school in 1794 [284] Government had desired
that the boys should be trained for carrying out all surveys of a revenue nature 6 ,
and it was not long before demands for their services came in from one Collector
after another; for example, in 1795 the Board of Revenue wrote in regarding the
. Northern Circars,
Having been informed by Government that they were not in possession of any correct
map denning the extent, limits, and relative situation of the Zemindaries in the five Circars,
it is much to be wished that a Geographical Survey of the whole could be obtained, and
when the establishment of Surveyors under Mr. Topping is sufficiently perfected to commence
on the work, we shall hope to obtain a more comprehensive map, shewing the villages of
each Purgunnah or Talook, the Tanks, watercourses, and other particulars necessary in a
revenue survey 7 [ 107-9].
For the professional supervision of these young surveyors Goldingham was
appointed Inspector of Revenue Surveys [285], and drafted instructions [ 114] ;
I propose a General, and then a particular Survey; the fiTst is to exhibit a general view
of the country and its divisions, to enable the Board to have before them the relative
situation of Places. ..while the detailed Revenue Survey is going on, which from its minute-
ness (and that forms its use and excellence) will require much labour and time.
'There was no attempt to map the measurements made. "MRC. 12-7-99. โ ' Arbuthnot, I (2).
* M Rev Bd. 26-8-79. 5 MKC. Feb. 1800- 6 MEC. 23-6-94. < M Rev Bd. 30-5-95.
-f
146
Revenue Surveys
Whilst the general survey proceeded, the Collector of the district was to be
asked to have certain information about the villages collected from the inhabitants
so as to be ready by the time the particular survey was taken up.
In this particular survey, run the instructions '
You will survey each Taliook or Purgunnah in the District, by finding the contents of all
the lands in ^each village and m layingdown your work you will distinguish each Pulnnah
by different colours, tat every village belonging to it by the same colour; yon will aSSata
the number of houses and inhabitants in each village, the number of cattle sheep ploughs an"
looms; the measures weights, and current coins; the tenure by which tie lands are held
the Circar share of the crops, and the share of the inhabitants when a division takes pile '
when a money rent i S paid for a particular measurement of lands the measure and "ate 'of
otrferent n so t /Tf' *Z ?*"** PI ยฐ dUCe ยฐ f a CCTtain measure Tpaddy lan^ S
different sorts and of dry grain lands; the average price of paddy and dry grains in different
years; you will also take drawings of the different implements of tasSry and the"'
dimensions mentioning of what wood made. To enable yon to obtain thisTtamatlon and
the materials necessary to fill up all the other points in the forms, exclusive of the ,nea
surement of lands and Geographical part of tie survey, and to aid your enquirie connected
therewith, the Collector will appoint one or more intelligent persons to attend von o he
will himself furnish you with the particulars required J ยฐยฐ' OT h8
โ>, Y k U ^" Surve y, al1 Tanks - y aries - T โขgols, and wells used in cultivation, note the means
whereby they are filled, whether such means may be improved, the state of the bank T
not of b- V sT f ยฐ r """^ the wat ยซ tยฐ tie Fields, and of what materials built if
not of brick and ctemam, always make an estimate of the expense of buildinT new ones
with those materials; ...you will estimate the expence of all tL repairs necesarvTnd the
benefit to be derived inconsequence, and this is to be done by ascertaining tS quanttty of
land at present watered by such a tank, and how many crops it yields As great nd,e
ment an care w,th a knowledge of the level of the country, are 7 requisite toTke wafer
out of its natural course, nothing of this sort should be attempted witLut a partfcnar
examination of the country, ...besides an exact calculation both of expense anl advance-
this will be done on the large scale by the Superintendent of Tanks, who will receive the
greatest assistance from your inquiries [142]. ... receive the
You must also ascertain if any of the old channels from Rivers, suffered to fill no can
be cleared with advantage to the country 1 . P '
This was indeed a formidable programme to set before young boys iust out of
forThe โtt fifr^ fle 'r 0f Statist tj.f ^ โขยป ' feafe โข of & โ surveys
โข e next fifty years ; Government did not now accept it in full โข โ
Though the instructions, which Mr. Goldingham has proposed for the native survevors
are extreme y well adapted to the acquisition of useful information, they comprise a ver^
desrtns ?httM Golo^r'.^ ^^ *"***<"โข - F- this reLonX Board S
desirous that Mr. Goldingham s instructions and correspondence should be strictly confined
โ m โขT, CPart ยฐ ftheSUrVeyS:bntaSthe fore ยซ oil >S det ^d instructions vSth tne
SeToard CkTrth b e T ellC * Ul f ed *" ^ l ^ ^ Mp*iยซ of the' Electors
"lโข think that the best means of making them useful, and of avoiding the interference
CoTectorSI. W Cnd ' " t0 tranSmit th6m by the Mthorit y of ยซโข B ยฐ-d of Revenue to the
Dindlul^rfi ยฐtt Sf * re f V 0mi 8' sul 'โขyยป'ยซ to work under the Collector of
uindigui L114J, the Board of Eevenue wrote to the Collector
Although the Board have pointed out what appears the best mode of proceeding thev
must eave it to the CoUector to take such measures as may appear to him b" t cakmated
to obtain with the greatest accuracy the information required by the forms annexed to the
SaCt Vtlrf s^yl * โข t ** *" * ยซ* โ " ยฃยฃ
and further,
that Mr. Goldingham is appointed "Inspector of Revenue Surveys", and that the Assistant
Surveyors are to report to Mr. Goldingham thro' him on points relating to the scientific nart
to h r7; S ยฐ d that when all the materials are collected, they are to be brought down
ttSaS weTtToS' protracted ' and the astr0 " ob โข- ยฐโข -dโข
The boys were first employed on the survey of disputed lands, but they were
not sufficiently experienced to give the Collector all the help that he wanted; for
'M. Eev. Bd. 22-12-
-"MEC. 80-12-96. >M Key Bd. 30-1-97
Assistant Revenue Surveyors 147
besides wanting a complete geographical Surrey, he required assistance in dealing
with
the various sources of Revenue to be enquired into; the many translates of schedules; the
constant and bitter complaints against the Amins and their Cacharies, to which I am
obliged to give an attention which delays the information I am preparing for your Board 1 .
As the eldest of these boys sent to Dindigul was only j 8 years of age, whilst
the youngest was 15, it was hardly to be expected that they could give much
assistance beyond the simplest of measurements or plans. What the Collectors
really wanted at this time were experienced geographical surveyors such as Mather
[ 1 13-5], and competent European assistants to supervise their native amins
and measurers, such as Bead had in Salem & Baramahal. The Collector of Guntur
expressed the general need of all district officers at this time, when asking for the
services of Captain Orr
to take a survey of this Circar, more particularly to enquire into its extent. Boundaries Divi-
sions, Soil, Cultivation, Produce &c, which subjects are at present but partially and indifferent-
ly known from the representations of Natives, generally ignorant, frequently interested in mis-
guiding the Collector. It is therefore an object very much to be desired that a Person of
known integrity and sufficient ability would undertake the labor of such a survey, which the
Collector from his other avocations is not able to execute 3 .
Orr could not be spared, but two boys were sent up from Goldino-ham's school
[us]-
In the course of- a few years a great deal of valuable work was turned out by
these Assistant Surveyors, more particularly in providing district officers with
general maps shewing the main topographical features, villages, and internal
boundaries, but the only district maps of this nature existing in Madras in the year
1800 were Barnard's map of the Jagir, and Mather's map of Baramahal.
Bombay
It is from Bombay that we have the earliest record of a survey carried out in
India, a Mr. Herman Blake 3 being appointed "Engineer and Surveyor General" in
1670, and spending several months on a survey to show the "Works " and rights of
property, which illness prevented him from completing. Other proposals for similar
surveys are recorded in 1679, 1710, and 1747, but nothing is known of any action
that followed 4 .
In 1772 it was agreed that,
an exact and accurate survey should be made of the whole Island, that the situation of these
Villages, & of all the Honble Company's Oarts* & Grounds may be exactly laid down as well
as those of all Persons whatever... under the directions of the Collector, whom the... Principal
Engineer must furnish with the most skilful persons for doin<* it 6 . "
The Collector estimated that the expence would amount
to Rs. 3,912 for 18 Months, the time supposed necessary to compleat it, including the pay to
one Surveyor, &...that Lieutenant Tamer is desirous of undertaking it alone, which as we are
of Opinion he is a very tit & proper Person tor the undertaking is therefore Agreed to [122I.
It may be begun as soon as the Season will admit 7 .
Turner appears to have made a start on the survey with the assitance of Cadet
Whiteman, but had to break off almost at once to accompany the expedition to
Broach in November 1772, and a year later orders were sent to Broach for his
return to Bombay "for Compleating the Survey of the Islands 8 "; no record has been
found of his actual work on this survey, and it is possible that the survey carried
out by Eeynolds and Sartorius in 1784 and 1785 may have been in the same con-
nection [120].
r 1 90 1'* ?S B B n d~H, rr^wSf B4S-1-S8. โ 'dwwtow called Captain Herman Bake. Sandโข,
s-i n โ n ยฐ' "' ' "' aro โข sof <!oโขanutpalms. ยซ Bo PC. 19-5-72. rib. 3.-8-72.
ib. lyโ 10โ 73.
Chapter X
ASTRONOMICAL CONTROL, BENGAL
โ Observations before 1760 โ RennelVs Maps of Bengal, 1760-77 โ Transits of Venus,
1761,69- โ Smith, Pea,rse & others, 1775-90 โ Reuben Burrow, 1783โ9 โ Burrow's
Measures of the Degree, 1790-1 โ Burrow's Last Season, 1791-2 โ Colebroohe & his
Surveyors, 1794-1800.
THE value of the essential elements of latitude and longitude for indicating'
geographical positions had been realised as early as the second century A.D.
by the Greek geographer Ptolemy [207], who, besides writing the Almagest,
a treatise on astronomy, left a list of places with their geographical co-ordinates 1 .
Both the Hindu astronomers of India and the Muslim astronomers of Arabia
and Persia were indebted to the work of the Greeks. Hindu astronomy was at its
height between A.D. 400 and 1100; whilst of the Muslim astronomers Nasir-al-Din
was born in A.D. 1201, and Ulugh Beg, who founded a large observatory at Samar-
qand, was assassinated in 1449.
European astronomy made very little advauce after the death of Ptolemy, and
gained most of its knowledge of Greek astronomy through the Arabs.
The chief instrument was the astrolabe [206], but the Arabs also used quadrants
and sextants, whilst massive masonry instruments were favoured because of their
stability, and the ease with which their arcs could be graduated and read 3 [ 157 ].
The Muslim astronomers followed Ptolemy's example in preparing tables of
geographical positions, but without distinguishing positions obtained from actual
observation from those which were calculated from their estimated distances and
directions from known places[pl. ion.].
Both D'Anville and Eennell drew largely from these tables, D'Anville writing ;
The situation of Kabul in 33-i- by Ebn-Maruph and the Astronomical Canon quoted by
Golius. ..should be corrected to 34 {- ยฐ, without which the North of India would be contracted
about a degree, which would occasion a remarkable distortion of several, situations, particularly
of Lahaur and Kandahar, whose latitude appears to be pretty exact. ...
Kandahar is placed in the latitude of 33 by Nasir-ud-din and Uleg-beg, whose tables,
among all those of the East, are most to be relied on. A Persian geographer. ..and the Turkish
geographer agree in this. The Eastern astronomers have computed the difference of longitude,
between Kandahar and Kabul, about 2 03 . ...
The errors in the tables of Nasir-ud-din and Uleg-beg extend to the position of Benarez,
which the table makes 26J 04 .
Discussing the position of Delhi, Rennell writes,
To ths list of d%ti must be adied the latitudas and longitudes of the tables of Nasereddin
and Ulug Beig; which.. .do not always agree in particulars. But we shall find them accord...
in a sufficient number of points, to satisfy the reader that there is no violent disagreement in
the chain of positions 5 .
Eennell also makes use of tables from the Ain-i-Ahbari [ 133 n.3] ;
Latitude of Lahore by the Oriental Tables, 31 50'. ... The table in the Ayin Acbaree
(Vol. III., p. 55) places Sealkote in lat. 33 06 ...
again,
The Ayeneh Acbaree is much out. The difference on a medium here is 11' in each degree
too much. From such kind of materials, nothing very accurate can be expected ; and therefore
l Ency. Brit. sv. Ptolemy. : Kaye (3-17, 70-54). 3 True positions, Kabul, 34ยฐ 31' N.; Kandahar,
SI 7 36' N.;diff. of Long. 3ยฐ 30' ; Herbert (9 J. 4 Instead of about 25ยฐ 20'; ib. (27). 5 Memoir, 1793 (67).
*ib. (81 ). v. Gladwin, II ( 353-b7 ). True values, Lahore, 31ยฐ 36' N. ; Sialkot, 32ยฐ 30' N.
MS
After Father MONSEUHATE, c. 1590
Plate 10
Drawn from the enlargement of Monserrate's map which follows p. "04 of Vol. UT,
Memoirs of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1910-14 ; by permission.
See notes on reverse.
NOTES, Plate 10.
Monserrate 's original map was about 5ยฃ by 4| inches in size; black for coast-line
and place-names, red for rivers and their names, brown for mountains.
This enlargement is an exact copy of his border, rivers, sites, and coast-line;
hills have been simplified, and selected names re-written.
the
The map was drawn about 1590, and embodied in Monserrate's Mongolia*; Legation-is
C&mmentarius, the MS. of which, being discovered at Calcutta in 1906, was edited by
Father Hosten, SJ., and published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal in. 1914.
Appendix C and plate XII of Hosten's paper give a full description and an enlargement
of the map.
th.
Neither D'Anville nor Rennell knew of Monserrate's map or surveyed route, but
survey was used by Call and Wilford, 1782-5 [n, 149].
The route van from Surat, through Delhi, to Kabul, and many astronomical
latitudes were observed; but, making Surat east of Goa instead of west, Monserrate made
bis whole map between Agra and Kabul four degrees too far to the east [149].
Monserrate gives a better idea of the Himalaya mountains and the upper courses of
the Punjab rivers than Rennell did nearly 200 years later, but he had no knowledge east
of the Jumna, as is evident from his depiction of the Ganges and Patna.
His longitudes are probably counted from the Pope's line as revised by the Treaty
of Torsedillas of 1494, which, being defined as 370 leagues west of the Cape Yerde
Islands, was about 40 degrees west of Greenwich; see article by S. E. Dawson in
Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 2nd Series, Vol. V.
Note the symbol โ โ used over vowel to denote a nasal sound, e.g. Gagis for Ganges.
See also page 209, and an article by Father McFarland SJ. in the New Magazine,
Calcutta, Dec. 1 939, No. 60, X ( 473-86 ).
Observations before 1760
119
I have never had recourse to them but in a very tew cases, where every other species of infor-
mation has failed 1 '.
TiefJenthaler [ 1 1 ] writes of these early tables,
Voici maintenant les positions que je tire de ces Geographes Orientaux;
Agra 26ยฐ 43' N. 115ยฐ E. Panipat 28 52' N. 113ยฐ 20' E. Delhi 28 39' N. 113ยฐ 25' E.
Kaboul 34ยฐ 30' N. 114 40' E.
Quoique la Latitude assignee ici a quelques unes de ces villes s'accorde assez avec la veri-
table, la plupart cependant en different en plus ou en moins. Les erreurs sont plus fortes
encores a l'egard do la Longitude. II est impossible, par example, que celle de Delhi soit de
I13 25' si celle de Kaboul est de 114 40'-.
Reviewing- Rennell's Memoir of a Map of Rindoodau [213,214], Duperron writes,
^ Cet habile Geographe croit avoir decouvert que Caboul & Candahar sont plus Ouest, au
moins d'un dcgre, que M. D'Anville ne les fait, quoiqne probablement moins qu'ils ne sont
dans l'Ain Akbari; de msme que le cours de l'Indus est beaucoup plus occidental. II differe
du Geographe francois de pres de deux degres pour la distance en longitude, du Cap Mons,
extremite Ouest des bouches du Sinde, a Bombaye 3 .
We now come to the valuable observations made by the Jesuit missionaries, and
begin with Father Monserrate [11] who left a list of over 100 positions recorded
on his march from Surat to Fatehpur Sikri' 1 in 1780, and on to Jalalabad" the
following- year 8 . Neither D'Anville nor Rennell appear to have known of this list,
but at least some part of it was in the possession of Wilford [pi. 10 n.], who used
Monserrate's latitudes for Kalanaur and Attoek 7 , and notes that,
As his observations of the Latitude from Surat to Delhi are very accurate, we may suppose
he was equally so in these others 8 .
Monserrate's list includes a large number of places which he never visited, and
does not distiniuish positions fired by actual observation; however, from a com-
parison of about 20 identified points along his route, his latitudes have a mean error
of about 11 minutes, and some at least of these would have been observed.
He cannot possibly have made any astronomical observations for longitude; he
places Surat about 2 degrees too far east with reference to G-oa, and accumulated a
farther easterly excess of 2 degrees on his journey to Agra; he holds this error with
little further change along the measured route through the easy ground of the
Punjab [pi. ion.].
We have already referred to the remarkable journey of Fathers Grueber and
d'Orville 9 from Pekin to Agra in 1661-2 [69] ; Grueber had been specially trained
in astronomy before he left Europe, and during his stay at Surat had observed the
latitude, 21ยฐ 10' 10 , and calculated the longitude from a lunar eclipse 11 ; both he and
d'Orville worked at the Pekin observatory 13 under Father Adam Schall before they
started for India, anl amongst the latitudes they fixed by astrolabe were Siningfu,
36ยฐ 20' W., Lhasa, 29ยฐ 6' [ 6 9 ] , and Patna, 21ยฐ 44' 1S [150].' Wessells points out that,
Nearly all of Grueber' s latitudes are too low by 30' on an average. Already Fathers Regis
and JartouK noticed this deviation when marking their cartographical determinations. Du
Halde is of opinion that most probably his instruments were at fault, or else, perhaps, he did
not take sufficient account of the sun's diameter 14 .
Pekin observations were of value to observers in India, and D'Anville records,
that,
By an observation at Fatepur 15 of an immersion of the first satellite compared with one
made at Pekin sum? days afterwards, . ..the difference of meridians between Fatepur and Pe-kin
is concluded to be...35ยฐ 50' and some odd minutes. Between Paris and Pe-kin, according to
the nicest result of a great number of observations, which I had from father Regis the
difference of longitude is 114ยฐ ro ...[giving] longitude of Fatepur.. .78ยฐ and some minutes 1 ".
Of all the Jesuit missionaries, Father Boudier is probably the best known astro-
nomer, but it is well to introduce him by telling first of Raja Jai Singh Sawai of
Jaipur, who
,,โ, Memc.,1-, 1,83 (ยซ) 'Translated from the original Latin, Bernoulli. I (13). 'Bernoulli, II
Jยซ,5). 54E/12 >38J77. ' Cm,n,m,tmu, (537-9). J 43 P/4; 43 C/l. s Note on map, MRIO. 7
U 1 U234n-3j. 5 Sora;tim^ written D'Orville. '"True value 21 J 28' N. "Wfl^sells (173). ls Des-
cnbed by Du Halde, II (138-39). "True values, 38' 35'; 29' 40'; 25" 37'; Clements Markham (29,1).
' ~ 3(196). "Fatehpur Sikri. '"Herbert (23).
!1":
150
Astronomical Control, Ben&ax
A most interesting- account of Jai Singh and his observatoriBS hna h.โ, โ ยซ
ยฑhe Raja had for many years made great progress with the aid nf hi= R,,i, โ
but the time came when he desired to test his observations with the he hlS * ahmln ex P erts -
SSTta't S^S^SSSS SE^S^-'-Sf* -4, stopped at.
of the Rajah of Delhi, and then p7oceaded?o Taypore where tn ^ Th f -^ 0bse โข ^
September i 734 3. y ยฐ J a yPยฐ re . โข here they worked during August and
Regarding the position of Jaipur, D'Airrille writes
obser^onc thtlt g ,td::tTui%or\ran S ob PalaCe t iS Tf N ยฐ^ โข -โข โ *> an
x h^esp^r^ โข at j โ by -h^^ri^r^r,?:
as ^3Mยป r ST to that B ยฐ Udier ' 3 ยฐ bSerTatiM1 fo " "ยป*โ *โข ** **ยป gaw 25= 38',
^^^^Jff,S!tt^SSยฃ21-**-- India - -
his ^tti^^^ 1 ^ w r:s r a - d back - and thro ^ยฐ ut
of European astronomers there. Two years later T7.s / U1V 'โขS โข eml ยปr of the batch
thereat Moghul to come to Delhi, ^L^t^^^Z^^Z SS
We haye already referred to Father Tieffenthaler's travels and observations that
were so great a contribution to geography f 1 1 1 Noti rero \Z 711 l
passages regarding his astronomical obseryations * ^ followm S
some phenomena in the sky, sueh as the occupation ยฃ one o Tupher's moons o" T^
eclipse. "AtGoa...ini 74 3" he writes "on the โยซ, ,rv โ L { P moons.. .or a lunar
On 2 nd February ! 744 , he was already It Surat, to o ยซ^e the "occul attan o.T ? , Y \
26th April 1744, observed lunar eclipse at Daraaun.
Latitude oi Agra by altitudes of the Sun Mav ist 2 nri"aH โ JC . โโยซ , , T -
to see the Observatory of Jai Singh. ... Longtde f W^M^Wh^?, ? V ,' 5ltCd ""^
76ยฐ 13' E. ... May 16th, lyth, t 7 47; Latitude of Delhi; S^'aFN. 7 747 ' by W ed 'P Se
Observations befoke 1760 151
On his journey from Narwar to Bombay, 1750... he visited the astronomical observatory
of the late Rajah Jey Singh [at Oojein], which consisted of only the most necessary astronomi-
cal apparatus. Making use of it, he assigned Oojein a latitude of 23 14*1,
Tieffenthaler's observations, however, were not accurate enough for more detailed
maps, and Duperron had difficulty in assembling- his maps of the Ganges and G-ogra
rivers [11-2] on account of his uncertainty both of the length adopted for the
coss, and the positions of controlling stations 3 .
Knowledge of the coast line of India came first from early mariners, of all
nationalities, who observed their position at sea and off the coast, taking latitudes
by sextant or astrolabe, following point to point along the coasts by compass bearings
and "estimating" their longitudes. It will be seen from plates 3 and 16 of this
volume how accurately they fixed the latitudes of the more striking coastal features,
even so early as the 15th century. The most notable of these navigators was the
Frenchman Apres de Mannevillette, who used a Hadley's quadrant 3 as early as
1736, when it was definitely regarded as an English instrument * [199].
Eennell's Maps of Bengal, 1760-77
At the middle of the 18th century latitude could be readily determined by
observing the meridian altitude of sun or star, but the determination of longitude
was a very different matter; observers had to wait for some favourable phenomenon,
such as an eclipse of sun, moon, or Jupiter's satellites in a clear sky; the observation
was then of little value unless it corresponded with a similar observation at some
known place, and even then the tables available for working out results were far
from correct [163]. It is therefore not surprising to find that, though Eennell
and his contemporaries made frequent observations for latitude, it was but seldom
that they observed for longitude. Though Eennell made use of any available observ-
ations for his detailed surveys, he mostly relied for longitude on actual measure-
ment by ground survey.
The determination of longitude was of such importance for navigation, that the
British Government had long offered a reward for some sure means of effecting it
[202]. An Act of Parliament was passed as late as June 1774, offering rewards for
either "a Time keeper, the Principles whereof have not hitherto been made public",
or for "improved Solar and Lunar Tables"; the reward to be
ยฃ 5,000, if such method determines the said Longitude to one Degree of a Great Circle, or
Sixty Geographical Miles ; ...ยฃ 7,500, if it determines the same to Two Thirds of that Distance ;
and...^ ro,ooo, if it determine the same to one half of the said distance",
and provision was made for satisfactory tests by the "Commissioners for the dis-
covery of the Longitude at Sea 5 " [ 1 54] .
Plaisted, the first surveyor employed as such in Bengal, was, being a sailor, a
skilled observer of latitudes, and on his survey of the Cbittagong coast in 1760-1,
used mostly observations to the sun [14].
On his survey of Verelst's march to Cachar two years later [82], he notes on
his map that "The Latitudes are taken with Headly's Quadrant by Eeflection in
"Water and may be depended on 6 ".
Eennell also, from the very beginning of his surveys, took regular observations
for latitude. He further observed for the variation of his compass, often in regular
sailor fashion at the close of the day when pole-star and horizon were both visible,
and at other times "by y e Sun's Amplitude", For his first two years he worked out
his latitudes to the nearest minute only, but from 1767, to 15 seconds; he allowed
for refraction at the round figure of 50 seconds 7 .
He writes in his journal on December 13th 1764,
^oti (147-8, 151) ef. Noti (411), & Orme MSS. 65 (10). 2 Bernoulli, II (266 e( Mg.). 3 proba.bly
an Octant [ 199]. 4 As R. 1800, Characters (46). S BPC. 23-13-76. s Imp. Lib. M fy P. 334 C. ?La
Touche (123 & passim).
152
Astronomical Control, Bengal
ยซfJJ ^, , bserva 'f n 0{ ^"te taken this day about four miles below the mouth of the
At the end I of 1766 Kennell had to re-survey part of the Tista because Bichards
^ W^^SSST*" ยฐยป *ยป E ^- ยฐ* *#*> Whites, at / 49 1
SnL!iยฐ ll0W J; n ? If M example of the instructions Bennell gave to his survevors-
Beu^s&trSouth^rT i e0reXtremel7diffiCUltt0 โข ^ ^between
An observation must be tataat 4^0^โข it f ^ " S ยฐ "^ meridi ยฐ" a l C*>].
survlvff'T 1 ' ? B " neI1 J 00n *j dered that the *โขโข*e measurements throughout his
survey of Bengal agreed well with the astronomical observations ยป โข
1โn B itnL T!t W f emeaSUred ' andtheyaccorded with the observations of latitude and
ยฃยฃยฃ SiS*"" minUte ' y ' Md ^ thC Iate " ~* that " โข โข-ceยฐt y a to
again,
need^nlv^T '"V^^P โข ere meas,lred *** ยปยป PossWe exactness. As a proof of it I
Gree^ch83ยฐ o ;"' m ^ " ^^ *" ^ 3 ยฐยฐ< 7 ' E - *"ยป*.ยซ from
9i^45'-.Plaisted's Longitude of Islamabad 7.
8ยฐ 38'.. .Difference.
By mensuration the difference of Longitude between these places (which are in the
extremes of the Map) is about 8" 36'; not that I would insinuate by any means that eitner
observations โf Longitude can be taken with such mmute exactness, or "hat t probate
Discussing the agreement of longitudes Dalrymple also writes,
I do not mean to insinuate that any two astronomical observations can be confided in for
the determination of so small a distance as a mileยป connoea in tor
and to illustrate the wide divergence that was possible, Plaisted's value may be
compared against a value for Chittagong "calculated by P. Barbier mis bnaire
Jesuite francois...93 degreV"", which would be 95ยฐ 20' East of Greenwich
in ltdTn^yloTe n a โข^ 17?6j **"* ***** ยฐ f C0 ' lditi ยฐ" 8 ** ^ โข
ran^'i ^h 1 ^ 1 " 8 nations - send tteir trading vessels, year after year, to the months of the
xt-XKr of the exact geograpMcai poswon ยฐ f the ยฐ therwise we " !
As regards latitude observations, Dalrymple writes as late as 1783
To say that Latitudes, taken at Sea near Land, in the present state of Nautical Astronomv
cannot be depended on, at all tunes, to less than j' or 6', will raise a sneer. Out "own
Experience long since convinced me of this : the same thing is now found by careM OtaLels
โ rTilk ' C *ยซ * N/l.^oSec, l^tnde" "lo'^ 04 โข M^pfT'lโข S^J* '*"T'
Hen nell's Maps of Bengal 153
Orrae made a large collection of astronomical observations, including' 27 latitudes
which Rennell had considered sufficiently exact to "correct the general map" which
Clive took home in 1767 [24.]. Fifteen of these were observed by Rennell himself,
two by Adams, one by Plaisted, and three by someone named Daw 1 . Others were,
Latitude and longitude of Calcutta by Captain Thomas Howe [ 176 ]. March 1764. Zenith
distance by Quadrant; Longitude by Jupiter's satellites 3 .
Latitude; of Cuttack and Sambulpur 3 , by Mr. Mallock and Captaia Alleyne [30]; ...of
Lucknow by Showers, taken in 1768 or 1769 with a Quadrant of 11 inches diameter*.
For his first Map of Hindoosian Rennell took the latitude of Calcutta as 22ยฐ 33' N,
and longitude as SSยฐ 28' E 5 .
by a medium of four different gentlemen; ... Hon. Thomas Howe 88ยฐ 33'; Rev. Mr. Smith 28';
Mr. Magee [inf.] 24'; Capt. Ritchie 26' [ 180-1 ].
Transits of Venus, 1761, 69
From time to time there have been opportunities in India of observing the transit
of Venus across the Sun's disc; a phenomenon which may be used for the determi-
nation of differences of longitude. In 1760, at the suggestion of the Royal Society,
the Directors called for volunteers to contribute observations, and the Bengal
Couucil reported,
In consequence of your directions. ..We delivered copies of the Instructions relative to
the Transit of Venus to such gentlemen here as were inclined to make the observation. . . . The
only reports we have received are One from Mr. Plaisted taken at Chittagong, and one from
Mr. Magee G taken here, ...but for want of proper Instruments they are not of a sufficient
exactitude to be of any material use 7 .
From Plaisted's observation the Astronomer Royal deduced the longitude of Islamabad
91ยฐ45' 8 already quoted.
The chaplain, William Hirst, describes his observations of this transit, made on
June 6th 1761 at Madras in company with the Governor, Lord Pigot [143 n.8],and
the Chief Engineer, John Call, and tells how he
begged Mr. Call to take notice of the Penumbra, ' 'tis a ' coming '. All three observers pro-
nounced contact with one voice 9 [ 169].
In 3 768 the Directors sent out a similar request, saying that observations of
the expected transit
will afford the only means of ascertaining some of the principal and hitherto unknown
elements in Astronomy, and of improving both Geography and Navigation. ... Recommend
to such of the Company's servants at Madras, Bombay, Bencoolen 10 ...as have been accustomed
to Astronomical observation to prepare for, and exert themselves in this. . . . Instruments
required,
1. Reflecting Telescope. 2 ft. focus, with apparatus of smoked glasses.
2. A Pendulum Clock.
3. An Astronomical Quadrant, of 1 ft, radius at least, or in lieu of it, an Equal-
Altitude Instrument 11 .
De Gloss [27], now employed at his gunfoundry at Dinapore, observed this
transit with the aid of his assistants, using three quadrants, taking also the Sim's
altitude, with the hour "exactly corrected and all the allowances made 13 ". Observ-
ers at Madras were not so successful, the Council reporting,
The Instruments which your Honors sent for observing the Transit of Venus having
arrived in time, Mr. Call with the assistance of the other Engineers undertook to adjust every
preparative for an accurate observation; but after taking great pains to regulate the time-
keeper, and adjust the Instruments, the expected Observation was entirely frustrated by a
change of weather coming on the 3rd June, which occasioned so cloudy a morning on the 4th,
'Orme^ISS. XI. 2 ib. 67 (123). 3 ib. 67 (13S). 4 ib, 8 (3). "Memoir. 1783 (20) ; True values.
22 34 N..8S 22 E. 6 William^.Tagee. Notary Public, Calcutta. 'B to CD. 1-11-61 (131). s Dafrymple,
Memoir of 0, Chart of the Bay of Bengal (5). "Phil Trans, (liil 1761 (396). "-'Company's station on
SW. coa-st of Svmja.t.ni; exchanged later for Dutch settlements in India. "CD b> B.M-3-68. ]i Phil.
Trans. LX. 239 & BPC. 24-1-69.
w
15-1.
Astronomical Control, Bengal
that the Sun was not visible till 10 o'clock; the same ill success attended Monsr. Gentil
[1S0 n.3] sent purposely the year before from France to Pondicherry, and Mr. Stevens [02I
who had fitted an apparatus at Masuiipatam was equally disappointed.
The Instruments for Bombay could not possibly be sent thither in time 1 .
Smith, Pearse,
AND OTHERS
There were always several of the Company's servants who were interested
enough to take astronomical observations for their private amusement, and thus
help the great cause of geography.
We have already noticed Thomas Howe, Captain of an East Indiaman ; William
Magee, Notary public; and the Reverend William Hirst who came out as a Naval
Chaplain; but the most notable of all the astronomers on the Bengal side were the
Keverend William Smith, and Thomas Deane Pearse of the Artillery.
Smith came to Calcutta as a private tutor, not in the Company's employ; he was
an enthusiastic astronomer, who kid claim to the British Government reward [151]
with his "Short and correct method of determining the Longitude at sea, by a single
altitude of the Moon", and it was on account of his known still as astronomer that
he was selected to accompany Upton's mission to Poona in 1775 [30-1],
to survey the country. . .in the most accurate manner he can, and by astronomical observations
to ascertain the exact situations of the places 5 .
In his journal Smith devotes a full section to his astronomical observations;
The.. .Astronomical part is indeed the basis. ..with respect to the situation of places' for
this determines the Latitude and Longitude of each. ... Eclipses of Jupiter's satellites,
occultations of stars by the moon, observed with 31 ft. telescope by Dolland. ... Latitudes
from meridian altitudes of stars, some North, some South of the Zenith [200], also of Sun and
Pole Star; which frequently gave the true Latitude within less than 1 of a mile, and ascer-
tained the error of the Quadrant within a few seconds.
Before the mission started he recorded
meridian altitudes taken at Benares, September 20th to 23rd. I requested Captain Thomas
Carter to take a set of altitudes with his quadrant, not much unlike mine [ 200] . . .which he took
at a spot 200 yards from me. Longitude of Benares, found 5" 32" 56", or 83ยฐ 14' East from
Greenwich, by Jupiter's Satellites 3 . '
Smith's line, run across the centre of India, was of particular value from the
regularity and care with which the astronomical observations were taken [31] and
Reimell points out that between Kalpi and Sironj 4 , an interval of about 2 degrees,
the difference of longitude as measured by G-oddard's surveyor exceeds that observed
by Smith by only four minutes 5 .
Before his return to England two years later Smith was able to observe latitudes
at Bombay, Cochin and Calcutta L153].
Pearse commanded the Artillery in Bengal from 1768; he was an enthusiastic
astronomer, and established an observatory at his private quarters at the Treasury
Gate, Port William, where he made regular astronomical and meteorological
observations. A continuous series of his observations for latitude and longitude,
from 1774 to 1779, was published in Asiatic Researches with a detailed description
of all his instruments and apparatus. Prom his observations of Jupiter's satellites
and lunar eclipses, he deduced a mean longitude for Port William of 88ยฐ 22' 07"
and from the altitude of IS different stars observed with an 18-inch quadrant iii
1 776, he made the latitude 22ยฐ 33' 10" โ 55 B [ 1 53 n. 5] .
The Mysore War of 1781-4 gave him further opportunity of prosecuting his
hobby during his famous marches to and from Madras [40-2 1. During these
journeys Pearse not only had the. route traversed, but made a series of astronomical
observations fixing the position of practically every important place along the coast,
'M to CD. 27-6-69 (63). =BSJt P. 24-7-75. 'True value S3" 01'; EM. 4ddl MSS 29313 'VI
N/16, 54H/12. -Memoir, 1783(24-5). 'is B. I 17S4. (57-80).
Smith, Pearse, and others
155
with main- intermediate ones 1 , whilst an almost greater contribution to geography
was the training of his young assistant, Robert OoJebrooke, to become an accurate
observer and enthusiastic surveyor.
In various reports he writes,
In these hot climates the stars only can be employed, for the Sun's heat at noon, after a
long march, is really not to be borne by any constitution 3 . ...
The latitudes were daily observed, and the result is entered on the tables. From the
difference of latitude of the places where the satellites were observed, and the easting and
westing of that place with respect to Madras taken from the tables, I calculated the angular
difference of longitude which, added to the longitude of Madras, gives the longitude of the
place by survey. The differences are such as must happen, because the satellites, observed
with every degree of attention, will give different longitudes for the same place; and these
differences will sometimes amount to 10 or 12 minutes of a degree, but the differences on this
survey are. all less 3 . ...
The difference of longitude between Madras and Fort William, derived from the reduced
measure by the wheel and that calculated by observations of Jupiter's Satellites, differed...
not quite five geographical minutes*.
โ Regarding the longitudes he further notes that
Ichappor, Madras, Nellore, Peddapor 5 and Calcutta were observed by myself. Vizagapatam
once by me, and once by Mr. Maxtone, ... and all the rest by Lieutenant Colebrooket
Of the longitudes at Vizagapatam ;
October 3rd 1782'. ... The time was shewn by Mr. Russell's time-keeper, which was made
by Arnold, and was regulated by the meridian line in his hall. ...
October 23rd. Emersion of Jupiter's 1st Satellite by Mr. Maxtone; ... Watch corrected by
Mr. Russell's meridian line 8 .
Most officers surveying marches of troops made observations of latitude to
the best of their ability, but this is not always definitely stated in their records.
There is, for instance, no record of such observations along the survey of Goddard's
route, though it is hardly likely that skilled surveyors such as Caldwell and Stewart
would have failed to make them. On the other hand, for the return of the detach-
ment in 1784, although the journals give no dates nor particulars of any survey, nor
any surveyor's name, yet there are records of occasional observations of latitude by
sextant; in fact the latitude of Handia , on the Narbada was observed as 22ยฐ 25' by
one sextant, and 22ยฐ 22' by another 10 .
A surveyor of high class was Ewart, formerly an officer of the Bombay Marine
[42]. In his survey to Nagpur in 1781-82, he recorded his perambulator distances
without bearings, but observed latitude to the nearest half minute every two or
three days 11 .
The British Museum has a series of his astronomical observations taken between
1778 and 1781 and worked out on printed forms. For the first two years these
were taken on board ship, but were afterwards continued at various stations in
Bengal [ 161 ]. He observed longitudes by lunar distances when at sea, but on land
turned to the satellites of Jupiter; latitudes were taken with a sextant of six inch
radius by Eamsden, generally the mean of five sights. There is a note that,
Altitudes of observations taken on shore were all by reflection in oil, and the correction
of the watch mostly by Equal altitudes of the sun and stars l ยฐ.
Reuben Buekow, 1783-9
In 1783 there arrived in Calcutta a most remarkable and talented man, Eenben
Burrow, mathematician and astronomer, already aged 35 years. He had at one
time been assistant to Maskelyne, the Astronomer Eoyal 13 , and then for six years
โ Pull details, A, R I. (81-121) 4 Colebrooke's Journals, DDn. 2 k i 'A.B. I (86). 'Bun.
J>*P .VI. 281.37-1-85. 'ih. VII, 130. 'Icaehipuram, 7* A/12 ; Nellore. ยป7 871a i : Pitt.puram bo
K/4 6 BPC. 2S-1-85. "Tjurinf: return fror.iler.ve in r>n^U, in charge oi treasure ; 199J. Asli- 1 tail-
โข56B/15. '"Journal. MBIO. M.207. >' Journal, MBIO. M. 229. "BM.Addl. UtM. 2!I2 .0 J.352 ,t ..j.).
'โข Nevil Maskelyne. b. 6-10-32 ; ed, Westminster ; Ordained 1755 ; AD, 1765 tall d. 1811: DSB. But. Bnt.
150
Astronomical Control, Bengal
mathematical master to the Artillery cadets at the Tower of London 1 โข in which
capacity he had been employed by the Board ot Ordnance to make a survey of the
coast of Essex and Suffolk and also of the Woolwich Warren. His salary at the
Tower was only ยฃ IOC la year and, getting no extra allowances whilst on these
surveys, he fell out with Ins principals. At the suggestion of Henry Watson. Chief
Engineer at Port William, he came out to Calcutta to pick up what work he could
and to follow up a scheme for studying the mathematical systems ot the Hindus
He at once interested himself in Hindu astronomy and was most anxious to be
sent up to Benares to get into touch with the pundits there. The following
extracts from an address he submitted to Warren Hastings gives the substance of
his proposals ;
Hindoo Inf0 H rmat 'ยฐ n wUch tos now ยฐ"aiยปยซi m* regard to the ancient Literature of the
f:tTL T :^ s ^r seinbon of its remains an obiect *^ the โข st *>*-ยซ** * โข>*
Tabta of* the Brt, 1 !' 31 ^T 772 ^^ f* ^ ^ the C ยฐ aSt ยฐ f Coโข"*" Astronomical
J โ if \ BrammS ,? Trl โข Io ยป r - - H ยซ certain that in Bengal there is a mean profession
of people who annually compile almanacks from ancient Tables and calculate eel pses with
depend < miaau ' b ยฐt โ " altogether ignorant of the principles on which their calculations
It is humbly suggested, therefore, that it is an object worthy of our monarch the
Sovereign of the Banks of the Ganges, ...to give such directions as mav be necessary ^
discovering & translating whatever is extant of the ancient works of the 'Hindoos The
Astronomical Tables used in Bengal must be easily procured and, it is hoped, some treatises
m the Shanscnt relative to them 3 .
< ^f^", g T ยฐ" t0 rcoommend a regular astronomical survey to serve as
foundation for the geography of India, shewing but scant appreciation of the labours
ot earlier surveyors ;
The Surveys of India are known to be remarkably defective, & there is great reason to
believe that not a single place in India has had its Longitude properly determined except
Pondicherry. The Latitudes are nearly in the same predicament, and indeed most of the
bvtetr? are T ยฐ f i dMl ChaiM ยฐ f monntains & imaginary woods, taken pieceme aI
by pretended surveyors, & put together at random without either Longitude or Latitude bv
people who were only solicitous to have a fine drawing, without any regard to exactness or to
a e, by these mieans the countries are horribly distorted in their positions, and Geographv is so
little benefitted by such maps that they are a nuisance rather than an advantage and there
is no other proper method of correcting such surveys but by determining the portions of
some of the most material points by Astronomical Observations; this would assist in putting
the different surveys together; and as the Longitude of Benares, and others that might be
oe sTfl "Tful Craltntate in P* rt to that purpose, a journey thither of course would
W^ . 0pP ยฐrtโข it y ยฐ f m f ki "g Observations of the dip and variation of the compass might
have their utility not only m correcting the surveys, but in discovering the theory of
magnetism. The nature ot the Refraction and its variation with respect to the Seat
moisture, and density of the air would also be a very proper object of enqufrv at Benares '
the iwrโข' TT n With a Pr ยฐ per instrum โข t tt โข"ld also be advisable to find
the moons horizontal parallax; ...this would in some respects answer the ourpose of
measuring a degree of the meridian, especially as the errors might be reduced to very small
limits by a repetition of the observations; and this method has an advantage overVat of
measuring a degree for it is not liable to be affected by the uncertain attraction of mountains
If it was though proper to send a person who was well acquainted with the theory and
practice of Astronomy etc. with a small collection of good Instruments, to take the Latitudes
and Longitudes of most of the particular towns and places in the Company's Territories and
dependencies, he might not only collect materials for making a proper survey of those parts
and acquire information respecting the ancient and modern state of the country etc but
would also have an apportunity of making the best Collection of Astronomical ana Phy'sical
Observations that has yet been offered to the Public; and if it was thought that umbrage
might be taken at such a procedure by the natives, it might easily pass under the notion of
measuring degrees of the meridian, or of Longitudes etc, to avoid suspicion a.
โ Ab.orbed into EMA.. 1582. .. Bio. Notes. โ. Bmrow. > BM. Addl. MSS. 29233 ( 237 ). 'ft.
I&EBKB3S BURKOW 157
In another letter lie presses the ad-vantages of mating- astronomical observations
at Benares;
Fortunately for Astronomy there is a large Quadrant existing at Benares [150], which
from the intent of its construction must necessarily have been placed in the plane of the
meridian when the Observatory was erected, ... and as this Quadrant is an immoveable
structure of solid masonry... the transits and Altitudes of a number of stars may be taken with
it, by a proper contrivance K
No immediate action was taken on these proposals ; Warren Hastings who
appears to have been interested left India early in 178-5^ and his successor was at
once occupied in schemes of retrenchment and economy. It was not until 1787
that Burrow's scheme could be put into action. In the mean time early in 17S4,
he was, on Watson's recommendation, appointed mathematical master to the
Engineer officers at Tort William [270]. In pressing the need for the instruction
of these officers in astronomy, Watson had obviously strong grounds for writing.
The very great want of Astronomical knowledge in the Surveyors who have been employed
by this Government has occasioned many repetitions of the same Survey, and great additional
Expence has in consequence been incurred. I will therefore venture to pronounce that expens-
ive Repetition must be continued, till a sufficient Number of Gentlemen of the Corps of
Engineers are able to ascertain the Limits of their Surveys by Astronomical Observations-.
This dissatisfaction was shared by Call, on whose recommendation Burrow was
appointed to carry out an astronomical smwey such as he had first suggested.
Burrow writes;
Some time about the commencement of the year 1787, Colonel Call (who had been Sur-
veyor General & was then Chief Engineer) informed me that in constructing the New Map of
India he had found so many contradictions and absurdities in the various Surveys, and so
much difficulty in adjusting the places and principal positions of the different districts, that
he was convinced of the incorrectness of the most considerable Latitudes and Longitudes; and
therefore requested that I would consider the subject, and draw up a plan for determining
their situations astronomically; with an estimate of the time it would take to be executed.
The intention was to fix the positions of the principal places in the Ganges and Burram-
pootra Rivers; from the Hardwar, where the first leaves the mountains of Sirinagar, to the
mouth of the Hoogly; and the second from Goalpara on the boundary of Assam, to the conflux
of the Megna with the Bay of Bengal; also the Coasts of Coromandel & Malabar, from Point
Palmyras to Bombay; but as the most considerable difficulty was the adaptation of the busi-
ness to the proper seasons of the year, so as to suffer the least impediment from the rains and
changes of the Monsoons, etc., I not only took considerable pains in forming a plan for the
purpose myself, but also submitted it to the opinions of Colonel Pearse and others; and on this
plan.., it was supposed that the business might be finished in two years.
The business was recommended to Government by Col. Pearse and Col. Call, & approved
of; but the Surveyor General (Major Wood) having considered it (though an astronomical
business) as in some respects under his department, applied for, and procured, the superinten-
dence of it; and in consequence T received a plan from him which differed most essentially
from my own; with particular orders from the Government to obey Major Wood's instructions :! .
These instructions were dated June 23rd 1787,
two years being allowed to you for the finishing of this work. ... For the present you are
not to proceed higher up the River than Patna. . . . You are afterwards to return to the Coast-
ward, and having fixed the latitude and longitude of Dacca, Goalpara and Chittagong, you
will be pleased... to return to Calcutta... by the beginning of December, for the purpose of
ascertaining the exact situation of the Southmost extreme of the Island of Sagor 4 and Point
Palmiras. . . . Your being able to execute this service so early in the Season will greatly facili-
tate your progress along the Coast of Coromandel and Malabar, to which latter it will be
necessary you should.. .have finished your observations by the middle of April, as after that
period it is not only dangerous but difficult for vessels to Navigate that Coast. ...
From Cape Comorin you will proceed to Goa. Bombay, Surat and Diu 5 .
On your return to Calcutta you will receive further instructions respecting. ..places to the
Northward of Patna. ... Ensign Blunt, of the Corps of Engineers, will accompany you on this
service, for the success of which you have my best wishes 6 .
>BM. Addl. JMSS. 29159 (3*76). *BPC. 1-12-83. s Journal, 10. Maps, MS. (5). * Sagar I, 79 C/2','
s Diu I. 41 L/14. 6 BMC. 23-6-S7.
I5S
Astronomical Control, Bbxgal
to oS&S^fโข^*^**^^ Burrow manaCTed
,ta * Qm * ^aRupeesrooo r Marine Barometer*
Thermometer sicca Rupees I4 โ
I Astronomical Quadrant 4
I Dolland's Achromatic " " ยฐ
Telescope
360
* ., Large Time piece
I 15-inch Brass Sextant
and they wrote home.
able Mathematician & Astronomer, to' al eSTf/T? 7 '*' R โข ben B โขยป. ยป โขยฃ
places, as well on the Coasts as in the inter ornartsf T % tโข "* ^S^des of several
vations He is to have an addition of R wo tc hi ^ '^ ^^ A *onomicaI Obser-
emptoyed, which we imagine will not exceed' , "years ^ ^ ^ ยซโข ot his b โขi ยป
.-ed aVa^^ oThT^ m^rnf *ยฃ St^T ^j^ ยป <*ยป ยซ -ve
Burrow started up the river in July 1 78 7 ,tmCtwns to *โ Bu โขw is enclosed'.
*ns -ro'nlfaTtSial'motT^ Z nS E^aTi % ?* ^ ^
d 'srt^irss it r - with * ยซ โ ..
2^tK t^โ r fc ^ -^ imP orta, ^ a ,nd
" ^ws&tsยฃ rii d ^~ fitte-
r^S^SS^^r^^f 11 ^^ - ยซ โ: -rmy
tion I found to be counterfeit I could not I f ? me James 's powder, which on examina
had doubled the number or my boatmen g a Jโข 7 ?? DaCCa b< * re th <= 5th November I
rapid current of the Burrampoo^r;^^^^ 5 JTV" l"** * ยปยปยซ
lef "k T b ยฐ th fMt ' St ยฐ mach ' Md ^ad at tie same time ff ?^ Nu " ah [2t> ^ n ' 6 J ยซ**
.1 ness but no time, for I had taken an European s^lorT' S ยฐ me "Nations by my
of the infectious air of Dacca was an Slf, ยฐ VerSee the P<S0 P le; and *ยฐ S* out
able to observe till the rath f November I TvtTtb f^"*โข- J" was not, however
servants, and supported in such positions as the Ob Iโข ยฐ bliged to be ^rried by my
k X^ter^r^s xr e ! r toi] and *ยป*ยปโข<
keep the account. ... The river is so fuifof is ands and" m ยฐ r โขS^ d did ยปยฐยซor some time
wayj^ ยฃยฃ *ยฃ* ^ -^ - with bamboos to k, him. All the
a^cii hmg, they are very deadly and it is ^Mfc^^ *ยป*-
'BS &M. 16-7-87
Axe, 1824.
'BtoCD. 16-8-87 (100). 'Nadia, 79 A/7.
*ef. George
Everest on Great
B.eu:bex Burrow
I r.9
The country has almost been destroyed fay floods ; a most wretched object, who evidently
was not a fakir, came to beg, and said that he had 5 children starving to death, & one of them
at that instant dying; there was such horror in his look & behaviour, and such astonishment
when I gave him a rupee, that I had no doubt of the truth of what he said ; indeed we were
almost starved ourselves, as we could buy nothing whatever & had only a little wheat left,
I saw for the first time two of the enormous tops of the Bootan hills peeping over the
clouds; they were nearly in the form above but rather indistinct [sketch with bearings].
In going round this sand I had nearly lost my boat; it was filling with water and would
have sunk in a second or two, if I had not cut the rope & let the boat drive down the river;
it took me till 23 1 ' 40" before I got to the same sand again ( 2' 8'" ), and then it was with great
difficulty that the place was passed. ...
Near this place was a town called Cursakatty, and as we were starving we endeavoured
to get something; but the people were starved out, except 2 or 3 families, & there was no-
thing to be got except a tame sheep which they would not sell, tho' we offered more than
thrice its value; we got it however, partly by force and partly by offering them some salt,
which they prized at a much higher rate than money. . . .
With respect to Geographical Observations all that could be done was to substitute the
time for a measure of the space, and to estimate the rate per hour in the manner of traverse
sailing, and to take such bearings and make such remarks as occurred. As my assistant left
me in a very short time on account of sickness, & I was totally alone ever after, not only so
but sick a considerable time myself, ...it will appear, I hope, that as much was done as
could be expected from a person who was mostly tip a considerable part of the night making
astronomical observations, and of course the less able to apply in the day.
[Many coloured sketches of the little wooded hills along the river].
When I got to Goalparah I immediately sent a letter to the person that had charge of
the factory informing him of my business &cโ but he returned the letter unopened & threa-
tened to shoot ihe man that brought it : I next morning went to the factory myself, but he
refused to see me, & stopped the Bazar all the time I stayed; so that both myself & the
people with me were almost starved to death, and one of the men actually died about two
hours after I left the place : ... At a point where I wished to observe some angles he had plant-
ed a guard of Sepoys, with orders, as they said, to fire upon me if I attempted it. The
name of the person is Daniel Rausch [80].
Bauseh later explained his conduct by alleging that he thought Burrow was a
sherrift's officer come from Calcutta to arrest him '. To proceed with the journal,
I stayed 6 days at Goalpara, and besides a number of distances & other observations E got
four Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites ; I arrived there the 1st December, and it was on account
of two eclipses happening the 5th that I stayed so long.
Latitude of Factory at Goalpara 26ยฐ n' 21"; Longitude, 6 h 2 ra oยป 3 .
After returning as far as Luckypore in the Megna 3 , I found that proceeding from thence
to Chittagong would not only be dangerous in such a vessel as mine, but would also make it
too late for me to go round the Coast, & proceeded with the utmost expedition through the
Sunderbuns to Calcutta. ...
Stopped as the tide ran strong against us and the people were tired ; this is a beautiful
river, very like the Stour near Ipswich. Set off again very ill. I had purchased some Turtle
at Cowcally ยซ and everyone that ate of them were poisoned. I had been growing worse and
worse and now was unable to keep any account. ...
At this time my illness increased so much that it was only at intervals that I could keep
the account, and therefore I shall insert no more of it : I got the latitude of a place in the
Sunderbnns where there is a Bazar which the natives called Bossuntpore (but which Mr.
Henkel 3 who cleared a little of the jungle in the Sunderbuns called Henkelgungeยซ) and found
it to be 22 27' 21*, but as its Longitude is doubtful I shall not now insert it.
I arrived at Calcutta the 3rd January 1788, and immediately sent notice of my arrival to
the Surveyor General, Mr. Hark Wood, but found no vessel provided to go' round the
Coast'.
Burrow's letter to the Surveyor General runs,
To make several of my Astronomical observations of use, it will now be necessary to get
the rates of the time-pieces, which will take a week or ten days. I therefore take the liberty
to propose that in the meantime a small Pilot Vessel may be got ready that I may set off
with all expedition to take Sagor Island, and either go to Chittagong first and then round the
1 BPC 11-2-88 (14), & DD11. 16 (1), 6-1-88. = True position, 26ยฐ 55' N. โ 6
-,79 J/18. 4 orCharauly, 79 F/14. 6 Collector, Jessore, 1786-9. *79B/15.
!-i m E. 3 Lakshrai-
7 Joiirnal, 10. Maps.
!F
160
ASTltOKOMICAL COST
rol, Bengal
observations that I have already made * d the Shlp ' m ca!cul ating the
These plans were, however hrntpn ft ff ,o d .
the Governor General to ta, I ll ' Z^T i^T*, "^ fet *">ยป
coast of Aracan โข P b ยฐ Und for the lsImd ยฐ* Cheduba off the
orders from Lord Cornwallis, ... "to renort on th^Twi "1 I2th Ja r '"ary I received
The instruments in your possession v^Iffa โข^tt mefnf f ^ ? I ? dUCe *' ยฐ tthe island '
island, the exact latitude of the northern and so,, th I ascertaining the longitude of the
the main coast of Arracan etc Return bv the ? f " mtIra ' the P^age between it and
t,ve of your proceedings containing eve" obsefvat ton * re t' tw l"โข* me With a โ
On his return from this inrโข!ยซV, ark that has occnrred to yยฐยซ" 'โ
of a voyage round tT coast to Both ยง *"**?,? โข S t0 ยฐ late to take "P the Pโขject
the encfof the rafnsL wattle tostart S'โข r 3i,1 !, d ? ยฐ^ tU ^ at
On this occasion and duri n rhimanv "ea, h fยฐ e ^ dltlon U P the Ganges.
ponse ot tie D^ectol on WW T]^ " "" U ^^ t0 โข* ยซยป โ
they cannot believe that BeSs survey ^ B^Tf "^ U - *" &St P W
correction [ 1 64 ]โข y m Ben ^ al squires improvement or
assigned to Major Rennell's su โl whTchTalreadv b, P h , Y SatlSfad ttilt the P ositio >ยซ
precision for any purpose. 7 ' ^ P ubllshed . are determined with sufficient
coast "X 1 : tppi^ Siltaf.S b6 hTf T y 4ยฐ r !! im t0 ยป"<* do โข ยซยป ยซ*
timekeepers with ยฃยฃยฃยปยป. KrCSi ed to"โข, '' 7" ^^ rec ยฐโขi if the
determine the relative positions bXe mentioned g ยฐ/ mli ยฐ rmI 3'- tt at his first operation be to
settlement unnecessarily, as t4 more s TeSrh; ' f ยฐยฐ ^ beto <=en settlement and
precisely will the relative positโข e r^mined ^ S *"* *" " *" ^ "^ the *โ
But as we have seen, Burrow's sea-trip to Bombay was abandoned
theSniยฐeโข he au^mnTI tstZZ ^/tV T^ยฐ ^ ยซP
stations wMch he had omitted the previous year* 30th, and at certain
W^tf^.liS 1, and describes his ,aโd Journey across
Passingthrough "Khvp^ tt ^S """"g f? ยฐ amd t " n 'Pยฐ rt -
PMllibeaf ยป on January 6th 1789 P ' ""' 7 ' '" Nabo %โขge, he reached
mathematics wltThim. ^Xy seemed know ^PcT *? ~" ^ * ยป *ยป
expected, and had read some part rf^Alma^?Ti^ th C Tf ^ hettei than ' had
and I told them that I wanted to compare tte Sesent hLr ^ T, " *" kn ยฐ W ^ bnsiness .
places in India with the termer onTto determine iw ^ l0ngltudes of tbe difcent
earth has changed its place upon the surface tJ! ^ยฐT!w h ยฐ" m ^ b tb = Pยฐ'e of the
pole could not alter at all; but Fa^uHan c a wn saL C โ f th ! Pt ยฐ 1<Smaic S y stem tb <=
and Longitudes, which he would make me a oreseat o, , ?J Naming many Latitudes
he sent me a very good copy of the 1^X^133 n 3l ""^ '* : "" aCC ยฐ rdfa ยป""'
get alrSn supplj, rS.SS&.X:^ ^^ ยฐ' ^ *ยฐ *ยป**ยป'*>
search for Books of Science *c. in It^S ^S L^n^ ^ to
53L/J. โ ea,,d l : " lr ' 6 ' JP ' 12 ; ; ยซโข'ยปl>gยปi.],53P/10 ; KliM,Tt,53P/ M . rAnup s haยฃ;
Reuben Burrow 161
Moradabad, January 14th. ... I found the camp almost totally without money, but with
some difficulty got a sufficiency for the Sepoys, and then returned to Moradabad, . . . then set
oft with an intention to cross the Country to Cossipore l , as Rennell's map of all that part is
almost totally empty. . . .
Cossipore. ... I also met with some Bramins that came from the Hills, & particularly an
Astronomer who seemed to be a much abler man than they usually are in the lower parts of
India : he showed me several books and instruments, & promised to let me have copies ; but
-when I afterwards sent for them, I found them almost all spoiled by the knavery of the
transcribers, who had left pieces out and copied badly &c; ... he told me there were many
Astronomers among the hills.
I also procured a Map of the World made by the Bramins, & saw immediately from it
what all the European world have for hundreds of years been puzzling themselves about ;
namely, the seat of paradise and the four sacred rivers.
After visiting Hardwar [ 7 7 ] ; Burrow then returned via Asophgimr reaching
Mandawar 3 on February 10th.
From here I sent ray Pandits to the hills to get routes &c, and to bring such books and
papers as I had been promised by an astronomer that I met with near Cossipore. ... Got to
the old station at Anopshere, February 17th. I was taken ill of the gout almost directly on
my arrival and was totally incapable of doing anything for four days.
As I knew that Colonel Wood had no intention that I should go round the Coast, and
that I should certainly die if I stayed at Calcutta, I got leave to go up the country on
account of my health, but at the same time I had taken every precaution for returning by
dawk upon the first notice, as I wished very much to have gone round the Coast on account
of its utility ; as I found however, from the best information my friends could give me, that
I might give up all hopes of it, I thought it would be best to get leave from Scindia to go at
least through the Dooab [55 n. 2] and if possible through the Mahratta Country ; also to Swat
& Bombay, and so round the Coast ; the times happened then to be uncommonly favourable,
for Timur Shah had then a large army on the march, & Scindia wished to oblige the
English. ...
I did not stay further for leave but immediately set off for Delhi, but was stopped in the
very beginning of my journey by an order from Calcutta to return to the Presidency imme-
diately ; it was not without the utmost regret that I gave up an opportunity that seldom
may happen again, and returned to Anopsheer ; I might have gone down by water, but
thought it would be of more advantage to the Geography of India to go by land as far as
Futtyghur, though it was much more expensive to myself. Whilst I was at Anopsheer my
Pundits arrived from the hills and brought several routes to the Comow Hills, Badrinaut 3 ,
&c, with several books that I had bespoken. ...
February 25th. Got to the town of Bunneah, a small village inhabited by thieves and
surrounded with Bamboos & jungle; I sent for their Chief and he said they never robbed near
home but always at a distance ; there was also an army of Fakeers and some, either of them
or the thieves, made some attempts to steal in the night, but we discovered them.
The night was rainy so that I got nothing but the meridian altitudes of 4 stars for the
latitude. ...
Arrived at Futtygurh March 1st 1789. ...
I have already mentioned that I was not permitted to follow my own plan, & I now
repeat that I am perfectly convinced that had I been permitted to follow it, every thing I
proposed to do would have been done in the time I mentioned. The journey through Fcohilcund
to the Hardwar in the two months of January and February 1789 was no part of Colonel
Wood's plan, but merely intended for a change of air on account of sickness, in consequence
of leave from Lord Cornwallis, & I took advantage of the opportunity.
Burrow then travelled down the river by water ;
In my way from the Hardwar in 1789, 1 made some observations at Patna. . . . The Latitude
I found to be 25 36' 03" [149, 150], and the Longitude by 25 sets of distances of the Moon from
the Sun and Stars, was 5 1 ' 41 111 02 s [163]. ... These determinations differ very considerably
from those found by Lieut. Ewart [ 155 ], but there can be no question of their exactness.
Burrow had already observed on the gola at Bankipore 4 in 1787, and G-arstin
writes that he
determined the Longitude of the Granary at Bankipoor , from the mean of upwards of too
observations, whilst residing with me at Patna, and took nearly as much pains with the
others 5 .
'Kiishipur, 53 K/16. 2 53 K/3. 3 Kumaun Hills, 53 O; Badrinath, 53 N/6. 4 f2 G/2. "DDn.
126 (138), 29-4-1812.
162
Astronomical Control, Bengal
and Telliagurry* " [25 n 2] Pยฐntยปn. of the famous passes of Sacrigully
He , had an uncomfortable' night further down the river โ
to determine it, ia order to fix the posifcn f MuU a d^ K 'V ? \ 9 * โข hei (ยซ*ยซ?
of the Culcully Nullah which was the. .near v irv โขd โ โ ? * ' St ยฐ PPed at the ยซยซ*
a few altitudes of the Sun, when an enormous black ,^ ^f S<!CUred my b ยฐ ats aad ยซยซ*
that had a most tremendous appearance l^Z T โข ^"^ distance,
soon after it came driving horn tL west 2th lc *ยฐ f scend perpendicularly to the sky;
the river began a falling ou .nl^^ZrTlT" ^^ tte *ยปยป->โ -
In an instant. The storm continued 'near an he g ".T" S Wer ยฐ Smk and ore ^Mmed
then turned s.owly towards the north and it 'raSed TlSEl Vf ยฃ "" " ae *"*"* and
of .ts violence : about o at night the wind cameTl i bu ' mth ยฐ" t the least abatement
y i but the whole night was so bad tTat I oSv โขt Southward ยป d ยซยป force abated gradual-
latitude may be perhaps 1 or ^โf โข ^T SmgIe merldi =ยปn altitude, so that the
however be pretยฃ exact aยฐs ZtnยฃlT2ellTยซ ** ""jS"*" t *ยป ยซ**^-2
Bogwangola short. g0od lor tlme ' and the run between Rajmahl &
Secr^ry?^ ^^ ยฐ D "* 12th > "* "*** *ยป* to the Government
Governor 1 ^r^t a sttl:X g ' 7i ' ^ ^ * ^ ** H <โข * โข* ยฐยป the
thaurz't :?::i::\%:^Jz t the ts* of a ietter from the **โข*ยปโข
ing up his observations and re'snlts wlvh T ""T ? the yea1 ' 1789 * work-
The following extracts from his oui-L/t id nub, ^f f IV^ ยซโยซ*ยซโข.
With respect to the method IS observaSs T 't ^?/' 1 ยฐ/ "" meth ยฐ ds I
culty than Observers in Europe would susoect w at ' \ ^ St f ยฐโข d mnch ยซ reat ยซ <โข-
glass covering with dew in afinltant and onir3f ' * Mst and Clouds - <โขy
wind: I tried several glass roofs and" rffSal nor?โข? 1S !ยฃ*? diStUrbed by "^ *>ยปยป ยฃ
ta the nature of a ipirit level but ^^found thโข T y ^ose of the circular kind
accidently thought of covering tte qniSetwrVh ^^V ate ยซ^eral trials...! at last
made of two parallel semicircfes wrTS c onvexi V i ^^ by meanS ยฐ f a frame
parallelogramick board, in whichros a !J ^ <โ 7 UP S> & faStened to tte sid <* of a
tained the quicksilver, which stood Mependen of Sf reCeVe , the Shall ยฐ W ^^ that ยป-
muscato curtain, to prevent the sandtos a^ te ยฐ โT ^ Tf 7 Up ยฐ n an0tta P ie <* ยฐยซ
silver; this method I found to answer beโข r mmnte lnsects ^ getting to the quick-
Altitudes. ... anSWer be yยฐ nd m y expectation for the Latitudes and
ou, Th . e t^t^SSS^SSSSSS^, wouM req r a to1u - to ^ ยซโข
Tables are much oftner owing to the imp^Sto o^T* USUa " y attllbUted *ยฐ the Lunar
watches, I then deduced ^t ^^S^JZ'.S?' ยฐ T t ^^ pl <โข ""^ ^
o the Satellites, and taking a proper medbm I ar^M ^ "^ โข ^ โข fam M "P ses
changes much and is damp generally very sudden, & usually when the weather
Xhis^cien^^^
on representing the advantages of such an inatiMe^^o^ otTinnn^?
Reuben Burrow
1ยซ3
and desired that Colonel Watson would give an estimate of the expence of an observatory โ
this however was delayed until Mr. Hastings left the country, and all my attempts to revive
it afterwards were innefiectnal [i7j].
The latitudes were generally determined from both North and South meridian altitudes of
Stars, sometimes to the number 20 or 30, and seldom fewer than 5 or 6. ... I think few latitudes
can be out so much as ro seconds, and a very considerable part of them not half the quantity 1
I believe very few of the... latitudes can be more than 3 seconds wrong, perhaps not
many of them so much, as the single observations with the sextant seldom differ from one an-
other more than .5 or 20 seconds and very often not half the number. As to the longitudes
it, s possible there may m some cases be an error of two or three miles, but I can scarce
lat',,^ T T" pr ยฐ bab ; Ut y oi "โข as tie Observations were made, as well as calcu-
lated, in a different and more exact manner than is generally used at present'
The Directors showed no sympathy for Burrow's wish for an observatory ยซ โ
We cannot pass over the remark at the conclusion of his list of latitudes and Longitudes โ
TtTtheVo^ 1 V โข*" ng ยฐ h T m&mB 0t Ed ^ of tte & ยซ'te are notlent
out by the Company, because it shows he docs not understand our intentions ; we mean that
the operations m India, whether astronomical or Geographical, should be confined to 1TJ
observations only, leaving the comparisons and results to be made in England where it can
be done more effectually, at much less expence. ... S Ca ยฐ
Mr. Reuben Burrrow's representing that there is no instrument sufficient to determine
the place of a star whereby many occultations of undetermined stars, are useless, is a s w
argument why he should have sent those observations home * [ 252 ]. S
i TlioughBrn-row'sobseryationswereofafarhigherstandarcUhananyhithertoteken
in India, and for the next thirty years were accepted as the best available [ ยซ 1 yet
mistake were found, and they were gradually superseded. Writing in 1 82S of the oh
servations for the longitude of Calcutta made by Pearse and Burrow, Blacker' remarks"
The scienific qualifications of both these gentlemen were highly respectable, butTem
means were limited, and the calculations of the Ephemerides in their time were greatly in-
pZ'T' f aCCUraCy t0 Wha " he 5' were in the P^^t day. It is true that Colonel
Pearse refers to some corresponding observations in Europe, but most of the observatories
have corrected then- longitude since that time ยป. observatories
Hodgson 1 writes in 1814,
AiA U ^^i iPPear ? a * ? UIXOW t0 ยฐ k ttese L ยฐ n ยซitudes "holly by the satellites; when he
did, probably having found the error of their then tables, he applied them to his observa!
tionsยป; I should rather suppose from their strict agreement, that he took some placeTi
standards, by occupation of stars or other approved methods, and then took the rest from
them, by means of chronometers, for his longitudes are of a precision amongst themselves
more than Jupiter's satellites can give' [5., 180]. "ยซiuseives
And again,
It was known to the late Surveyor General, Colonel Cclebrooke, several years a=o as well
as to myself, that the longitude assigned to Hardwar and several places Tn Rohucund by Mr
Reuben Burrow, were too far to the west by about 7 miles. The name of Burrow dese^edly
rands high as a learned mathematician, as well as an expert astronomer, . but at thaTtime
ables were less perfect than at present, andMr. Burrow used a telescope o sma 1 power aS
I believe, took a very small number of observations of the satellites in compSon wlS'ours'
I do not presume to disparage the operations of so distinguished an astronomer soto as hj
means o accuracy admitted, but it is well known that the due observations of the ecUnses o
the satellites, and thence determining the differences of longitude, is by no means IfficuH
to any person moderately skilled in practical astxonomy, so that those who have tte be t
rrstTcrr?esuitsS bIes ' and oan take ths โข ยป-*ยซ ยฐ< ยซยซ* ^ - %z
^d A S^: v lft ins out an emn " in the difEerence of l011gltude b8tween AiiahaM
It was the opinion of the late Colonel Colebrooke, Surveyor General that an error had
been committed by Burrow in the difference of longitude, and that he had made it too much
by 5 or 6 miles, owing to his chronometer haying run down between the tv^lnces n
12-1-25. hlAevo, General l^UlW^ t 1, T"Ti Ge " ra1 ' "^ " DD ยป- 20 * < 151 ).
w
164,
Astronomical Control, Bengal
An earlier note by Colebrooke himself states,
The accurate Astronomical observations of the late Mr. Reuben Burrow have furnished us
many points on which the Indian Geographer may now with confidence rely and which he
may assume as the most correct data on which he is to ground and regulate his work It is
however much to be lamented that this eminent mathematician and astronnmer did not
extend his observations to a wider range, and that during his residence in India his excursions
for the purpose of determining the Latitudes and Longitudes of places should barely have
reached the 30th degree of North Latitude, ... and there is reason to apprehend likewise that
a vast number of observations which he took within that space remained uncalculated at his
death 1 . [167].
If
BuKROW's MEASURES OF THE DEGREE, 1790-1
In 1787, before starting the triangulation that was to connect the royal obser-
vatories of Paris and Greenwich, General Roy wrote a short paper describing the
principles on which he proposed to work, and pointing out how desirable it was that
further measurements should be made to determine the length of the degree in
lower latitudes, and suggesting that the Peninsula of India afforded a suitable field
tor such measurements.
The British Dominions in the East Indies offer a scene particularly favourable for the
measurement of five degrees of latitude on the Coast of Choromandel, as has been noticed by
Mr. Dalrymple F.R.S. in his paper on the Marine Survey of that coast. Two degrees of
Longitude at each extremity should likewise be measured.
The plains of Bengal, directly under the northern tropic, afford another situation where
it would be of great consequence to determine the lengths of a degree or two of latitude and
as many of longitude 3 . '
Dalrymple's suggestion, dated December 13th 1784 [ 190], had been
to employ Astronomers to determine the lengths of a degree in that latitude, for at least
5 are easily commensurable on the Coast of Choromandel, which perhaps cannot be done in
any other part of the world ".
Boy sent a copy of his paper to the Directors, and
the Court being highly sensible of the importance of the objects likely to be attained by the
experiments proposed by General Roy to be made in the East Indies, ... hesolvbd that
Major James Rennell and Alexander Dalrymple Esq. be desired.. .to lay before this Court an
estimate of the expense necessary for carrying his plans into execution *.
Rennell and Dalrymple made joint reply,
Whatever Advantages to Science may be derived from the exact determination of the
figure of the Earth, we conceive no other benefit can possibly attend the Admeasurement in
Bengal : but that proposed on the Coast of Choromandel will contribute towards the construc-
tion of an exact Chart of that Coast. ... It would be unpardonable in us. . .not to suggest their
expediency.
It is only natural that Eennell should not conceive the need for any more "exact
chart " of Bengal [160]. Their note concludes,
As the expence attending the operations would be very much encreased by sending
Astronomers from England : it would be desirable to have it performed by persons already
abroad; and m case no Person immediately in the Company's Service should be found suffi-
S..?,, ac ยฃ. ustomed to Astronomical Observations for this purpose, Mr. Dalrvmple conceives
that Mr. Topping at Madrass and Mr. Burrow at Calcutta are well qualified for this under-
taking ยฐ ; ...
whereupon the Directors wrote out,
We have in contemplation to send by the Ships of next Season the proper Instruments
[166] for measuring one or move Degrees on the Coast of Coromandel : Mr. Topping at Madras
and Mr. Burrow in Bengal were mentioned to us, as persons competent to execute this trusts'
It was probably the receipt of this letter that led to Burrow's recall from Upper
India m February 1789 [ 161, 162 ], but it was not until March 1790 that he wrote
I have received Lord CornwalhYs order to measure the degree of Longitude and shall
immediately proceed to execute it 7 .
., ',ยฅ.7 0/ ,โข? ! MEI ?' 16 ( 10 )' ' S ยฐy < 3 "' S Jfยปiยป<m- concern.,!!, a Sv.ro,, of the Coast of Choro
Burrow's Measures oe the Degree 165
Isaac Dalby has written an account of Burrow's measurements 1 ;
It appears, that in consequence of the late General Roy's representations in 1787 respect-
ing the utility of the Trigonometrical Survey at that time begun in England, the East India
Company very laudably had resolved to commence a similar operation on the coast of Coro-
mandel, or somewhere in Bengal ; at the same time they intended that the length of a degree
on the meridian should be determined, because a measurement of the kind had never taken
place near the Tropic.
And it was generally supposed that the execution of this business would have been com-
mitted to Mr. Burrow, not on account of his situation as mathematical master to the
Company's Corps of Engineers, but because his qualifications for such an undertaking were
undoubtedly superior to those of any other person in that quarter. ...
Mr. Burrow expected those instruments in 1789, and so anxious was he to begin about
that time, that he wrote more than once desiring a zenith might be purchased for him at any
price : but an instrument of the kind could not be procured : besides there were reasons to
suppose that one would be sent out the following year on the Company's account.
The want of a Zenith Sector, however, seems not to have discouraged him, for... in 1790
and 1791 he measured a degree of Longitude and also another Latitude under the tropic,
with such instruments and other apparatus as he could procure. ...
From a rough journal. ..and some private letters, I have made out the following list of
instruments...
A theodolite ; A Sextant.
An Astronomical Quadrant of 1 ft. radius, by Ramsden 3 .
A Brass scale, length unknown, by Ramsden.
A 50 ft. Steel Chain, of Ramsden's new construction.
Several Glass Rods, ground to a particular length ; Long Bamboo Rods, and some
10 ft. and 20 ft. Rods ; Stands for the Rods.
Timepieces and watches by Arnold.
The measurement of this degree of longitude was begun in April 1790 near
Cawksally, not far from Krishnagar 3 , in Nadia District. Dalby quotes the follow-
ing account from a letter of Burrow's to Sir William Jones ;
My intention at first was to have actually measured a whole degree with reds... as others
measure a base ; and afterwards to determine the difference of Longitude by going several
times backwards and forwards with Arnold's watches. In this manner, by carrying a line
directly East & West, all the error of sperical & spheroidal triangles are avoided. ...
As I could not get the Assistant I wanted 4 , I saw the time was too short to measure
with the rods, and therefore concluded that the best method... would be to trace out the line,
and secure with bamboo pins, and measure it as exactly as possible with Ramsden's new
invented chain ; then make the observations, and afterwards in the cold weather, either to
measure the whole with rods, or else such part as would show what allowance would be
necessary. ..for the little irregularities of ploughed land, curvatures, etc.
I have already measured about 36 miles in this manner; the first 15 miles I measured
twice over, but found in effect no difference. I have nearly done the Astronomical observa-
tions of this part, and shall perhaps get another quarter done before the rains come.
In a letter to the Surveyor General, he writes that he has divided the degree
into four parts, and intends to measure the whole over again with rods in the cold
weather. The line was laid out by theodolite from the pole star, and offsets were
taken to avoid obstacles. Measurement was made by chain, and continued till the
middle of May, the whole easting then amounting to about 33 i miles, covering the
two easterly quarters.
In June Burrow returned to Cawksally, and began measuring to the west, and
by the middle of July when the rains set in, he had completed his third quarter,
somewhat over 15 miles. Work was resumed in December by remeasuring the third
quarter, making it 12 feet shorter than the first measurement. Measurement was
then carried westward to a place called Dhorapara, thus completing the fourth
quarter on January 22nd, 1791.
1 Dalby's account was published in 1796, but no pubd. copy has been found. These extracts have
been taken from a MS. preserved in the RS. Lib. (X110). Dalby was assfc. to Hoy, & on Ordnance Survey
of Great Britain; Math. Professor, BMC. 1799-1820. - Jesse Ramsden. b. 6-10-35, near Halifax,
Yorkshire; d. Brighton, 5-11-1800; portrait hangs in hall of the Royal Society, Burlington Gardens.
* 79 A/11. 4 Owing to Mysore War.
ili(i
ASTllON
omical Control, Bengal
times backwards and forwards between CawisajTv and ^ ' he ^ Gn * 12 or 13
checked the length of the chain aeaS t Z , od/ ^ D , hoia P a ;' a - He constantly
Eamsden's brasl scale; measured" were "eduled^to thf L "th'T^t ^
temperature 55ยฐ. During the snrin., of 1 701 l? length ot the cha โข ยปt
of latitude, nearly on le meriZ nf r 'v 7"? d ^ len ยง' tl1 of a degree
bamboo rods, nearly OoleeT ot "Lo^I ," 7 \ Measurement was made" by
numb^rof meridia/altjtudroSrsTb^'idโข S M ^ "^ ' ยซ~*
of the chain, but considered hat the W ih % A ^eB d " e to dยฐubt as to the length
as eould be got by the mXd o timetโข. TS f โข S P1 'ยฐ baW7 M accmate
not more than 3 or 4 seconds wfdeTttSh degTee ยฐ f ktifade Pโข ba %
are shortly to send out some instruments of a te r P , " '' tat aS the Com P an >'
by the next ships, as I hear theZZTjlZZJlT 1 ^ ^ Pr ยฐ baMy wffl โขโข
to postpone that part of tie work till ttef ifival 1 ^ ^ " W ยฐ Uld be better
and the Council reported
tiou, which Mr. Burrow expected to rLXehvtLl J n f r โขnts of superior construc-
The Directors had written Lm^i^O PS ยฐ f ^ PreSMt "'
be m ? d : ยฃยฃzยฃยฃยฃ^ยฃgz?r re r meaded by **ยซโ ^ to
most positive assurances that they Su hf^ptofT" T" ^ B โข dm *โข tte
this Season ยซ [i 72] . Y *" ยฐ e com P te ted m time to go by some of the ships of
Tet, writes Dalby.
chased by...the Board of Ordnance [toT 79 ip ^ โข S thr ยฐโข ยฐ" hls tands . ^Pยซ-
tookVcS ยฃ^ยฃSยฃS reached ^ ยซโ *โ &ยป ยป* ]
intended for Burrow or Tonmno T"โ! -1 ? Lambton, had been originally
^nnished. whi,st ^^J^^^^^โ:-L-
Bukhow's Last Seasox, 1791-2
I'beSS" 17M Bl โข ^dressed Government,
I beg to offer my services to execute the followine ver4 m ยซ,i
most necessary, business. I have already b, my W b โข* ' ""f โข โข Y ยฐ^ nioa
many of the principal places near the KverTw^d^T hm โขry erroneous
Muse JSe^โข. I^S^cg^, ' CD * M ' ยป** W- ยซยปยซ in the S ci m ยป
Burrow's Last Season
167
were not so much owing to the badness of the materials as to the distortions and false posi-
tions occasioned by putting them together without having the principal places fixed astrono-
mically at first; I do not speak of little trifling errors, but gross enormous ones, from five to
six miles in latitude to 13 or 14 [in longitude], and these in places so near Calcutta as the
districts of Burdwan and Beerbhoom.
I therefore would propose to traverse the diSerent districts on both sides of the Ganges,
and to determine all the principal places, and as many of the intermediate ones.. .as can be
done without losing much time about them, connecting the whole at the same time by the
watches, bearings, distances &c. This wonld render the former maps and measurements
useful, and at the same time furnish a vast quantity of new materials; ... and as the Com-
pany seem inclined to spare no cost in having their maps elegantly engraved and printed 1 โข
it is not without concern that one sees so much of it employed in perpetuating errors 3 .
This proposal was approved and the Directors informed that
the expence will be trifling, and the object is of Consequence. Circular letters have been
addressed to the several Collectors, requesting them to afford every assistance in their power
to the accommodation of Mr. Burrow 3 .
Our only clues as to his travels during this season are his " Survey of the Road
from Calcutta to Benares between" October 19th 1791 and January 1st 1792*; the
cutting of his name, with year 1792, on two Asoka pillars in Bihar, one the "Lion
column" about 28 miles north of Bankipore '; the other about It miles north-west
of Rettiah 6 ; and his death " in his budgarow " at Buxar in June. His journals have
not been found, although his executors sent them to Government in September
COLEBROOKE & HIS SURVEYORS, 1794-1800
The importance of astronomical control was recognized by no one more than
Kobert Colebrooke, and when he became Surveyor General in 1794 he appears to
have started regnlar observations at Calcutta [202]. In January 1795 he
โ addressed Government;
The Honorable the Court of Directors, having some time since ordered the erection. ..of
an observatory at Madras, it became an object, also, to ascertain the exact difference'of
Longitude between Madras and several of the principal places in India, to obtain which
they send out at the request of Mr. Topping.. .six telescopes. ..for observing the eclipse's of
Jupiter's satellites. ...
One of these Telescopes having been committed to my care, I have taken, and commu-
nicated to Mr. Topping, a few observations, but have not been so fully confident of their
accuracy as I could have wished, for want of some of the Instruments that are usually
employed in observatories to ascertain the time 9 .
He writes later to Topping,
As there is probability of Ensign Blunt.. .being at Point Palmyras during the ensuing
month of December to observe the Longitude by the Eclipses of Jupiter's satellites for
which he is furnished with one of the Telescopes you were so good as to commit to my
charge, you will I hope. ..be particularly assiduous in observing correspondent sights at your
observatory, and I purpose doing the same here 9 .
Blunt had lately returned from his journey from Chunar to Bajahmundry [59-63]
during which he had fixed 31 latitudes and 5 longitudes under the following instruc-
tions from Colebrooke ;
As no single observation of the sun or star is much to be relied on, yon will I hope
avail yourself of your halting days to observe, more particularly by repeating observations'
the latitudes of a few places in your route, and, so soon as the planet Jupiter may be visible'
you will observe with the Company's Telescope the Eclipses of his satellites.
As correspondent observations will be made here and at Madras, the longitudes of some
ot the points in your survey will thereby be deduced with the greatest accuracy ">.
In his instructions to Mouat for surveys in Bohilkhand ["^-61, Colebrooke
writes,
168
Astronomical Control, Bengal
As a few of the places through which you will pass have been observed in Latitude and
Longitude by the late Mr. Reuben Burrow, these observations will afterwards enable you to
correct your work, but as no astronomical observations have ever been made beyond the
Hills I would adv.se you to observe, if you can, the latitudes of a few places in that part of
you track, and afterwards, in returning, the latitudes of Mamdy and Khairbad l and also
any other places you please.
If however you have not acquired the use of the sextant and the knowledge of practical
astronomy many degree, let not that deter you from making the survey; ... if correction is
necessary it can be applied hereafter 2 .
Similar instructions were given to Hoare for his survey of the Jumna Biyer
L 57> 1 08 J, which would require
liiT^wT f ยฐ r obse 7 il, S ^ the sun and stars the latitudes of the principal places ;
without which a survey of such an extent would be liable to considerable errors. If you can
wmbecomplelt^ mlC SerVati ยฐ nS *" Ioi * t " d<!s ยฐ* *โข or three places, your work
Hoare took a great deal of pains over his observations at the Tai Mahal Agra
observing for latitude, longitude, and variation of the compass. The mean of 11
observations of the Sun's meridian altitude, lower limb, taken between February
22nd and March 6th 1796, gave a latitude 27ยฐ 12' 46", whilst he notes the observa-
tions of five other observers,
Captain Reynolds, Surveyor General, Bombay ... 27ยฐ
William Hunter, Esq, Surgeon to the Resident
Lt. Bushby of the Bengal Army
Pere Boudier, the one adopted by Major Rennell
Capt. Udney Yates \ October 13th, 1796
n. B ? fj haVe 6Very reaS ยฐ n t0 believe Kre B ยฐยปยซier"s observation was made at the
Church, I have rejected it from the others, and the medium of the four is 27ยฐ 10' 14'
Between March 12th and 18th, the medium of 6 careful observations, Meridian Altitude
of the Sun s centre, with artificial horizon, inverting telescope, instrument by Troughton
using observatory stand and tripod, gave 27ยฐ 11' 32*.
The medium of 4 observations for the Longitude of the Taj Mahal came to 78ยฐ 08' 07"
l7Q? lmt i e i*ofi kl r la 7-1 bs ,t rYati0nS dm ' mg his Jยฐ um <=? s in Upper India between
1/9J and 1/96, of which the results were published in Asiatic Researches" [S6-7I
In his journey up the Ganges during 1796-97, Colebrooke himself took series
of observations between Calcutta and Oolgong for latitude, longitude, and " the
variation of the magnetic needle ? ". He continued his regular observations whilst
at Calcutta, and m volume II (1826) of the Memoirs of the Astronomical Society of
.London were published, 3
Observations of an eclipse of the moon, in the year 1798. and of eclipses of Jupiter's
sateUites between J7Q7 and 1803, taken at Chouringhy near Calcutta, by the late Colonel
K. H. Colebrooke. The place of observation was Mr. Bristow's 8 house at Chouringhy about
3 seconds of longitude in time east of Fort William.
'Itfuhamdi, 63 A/1 ; KhairSbnd, 63 A/10. s DDn. 16 (63) Dec 1794 3 RPr wllo^ it> ยซ.i
oTo y I*\fv Sen - If I' ', vi 5 ; PVfV' W <ยฎยฐ = ^^ยฐโขr Henry Yu^cli. Xtg
10' 00"
10 23
10 23
15 00
14
CHAPTER XI
ASTRONOMICAL CONTROL, MADRAS & BOMBAY
Madras Observations before 1786 โ Topping & the Observatory, 1786-1800 โ Military
Surveys, 1788-1800 โ Bombay Observations โ Breadth of the Peninsula, โ Funda-
mental Longitudes, Madras & Calcutta.
OTJK earliest authorities tor geographical positions along the Madras coast are
two Frenchmen, the navigator Apres de Maimevillette [151], and the Jesuit
missionary Father Bonchet, and their Tallies were thoroughly discussed by
D'Anville and his English contemporary Thomas Jefterys 1 [178,211 11.7], who
both pointed out certain blatant errors in the English nautical tables 2 [ 238 ].
For the latitude of Cape Comorin D'Anville discusses independanfc observations
by Bouchet, 7 D 58', and Father Thomas, 8ยฐ o'ยป, the true value being 8ยฐ 0'.
For Madras, D'Anville found that the English had observed the latitude of the
Fort to be 13ยฐ 15', and as Apres had often found it 13ยฐ 13', he took it as "13
Degrees and about 11 minutes". For Pondieherry, he preferred the observations
of Father Boudier " which make its Latitude 11ยฐ 55' 30", and its Longitude, deduced
from several exact Observations, 77ยฐ 25'" from Paris 1 .
Yery thorough astronomical observations were made at Pondieherry between
1761 and 1771 by Mons. le Gentil [180 n.3] who had been sent out by the King of
France to observe the transits of Yenus [153-4]- He surveyed the environs of
Pondieherry and observed for latitude and longitude, taking an eclipse of the moon,
and several observations of the satellites of Jupiter and the lunar hour-angle. He
worked out a table of refraction, and determined the length of the seconds pendulum.
He made several voyages to the far east and to the south Indian Ocean taking mag-
netic observations s .
In July 1755 Thomas Howe [15] observed the longitude of Fort St. George,
" by observations of the 1st satellite of Jupiter ", to be 80ยฐ 28' 25" E., whilst in
1761 Hirst [153], "from many observations of the Transit of Yenus " made it
80ยฐ 2' 15" Fj. ; Hirst also made the latitude 13ยฐ 8' N s ,
William Stevens, when acting Chief Engineer in 1778, observed the latitude
of Madras to be 13ยฐ -4' 54", using an "astronomical brass quadrant, on the top
of the house usually inhabited by the Chief Engineer " ".
In his map of 1788 [ 99, 243 ] Schlegel gives the position of Madras as " Latitude
13ยฐ 8' 19", as taken by Major Pringle; Longitude 80ยฐ 29' from the Hon'ble
Mr. Howe", preferring Pringle's latitude to that accepted by Eennell, 13ยฐ 5' N 8 .
Tor the survey of the Northern Circars started in 1773 the Chief Engineer
ordered Stevens that,
In order to ascertain the accuracy of the Survey, you will be pleased to intersect some
of Captain Pittman's Stations, which, on closing the whole, should correspond with youra I
should likewise recommend to you the fixing the Latitude aad Longitude of the principal
Places by Astronomical observation 9 .
As has been already told [91-3], this survey was never completed on the large
lines that had been proposed, and there is no record of any observations taken.
'Jefferys (3). * The English, or East India, Pilot [200]. * Antiquita Geographiqae (119-20.)
* Jefferys (7-10). True value 11ยฐ 56' N.; 79' 49' B. of Greenwich, or 77ยฐ 29 E. of Paris. 5 Le Gentil.
'Noted on Dalrympl.'s reduce.! map of J&glr, [881. 'Phil. Trans. Abr. Edn. XIV 1779 (512). 'True
value 13" 4' X. ; 80" 15' E. ยปMMC. 22-3-73.
169
170
Astronomical Control, Madras & Bombay
Pringle, though he made no regular observations, records the following in Mb
"Book of Roads " l .
Latitude of Trichinopoly, in 1776, loยฐ 49' 2 .
Latitude of TanjoreS, February 27th 1777; observed the Sun's meridian Zenith distance
by Astronomical quadrant, adjusted by spirit level only, ioยฐ 46'. Longitude 79ยฐ 16', by
Jupiter's satellites, in company with Major Stevens. From this longitude that of Trichinopoly
was deduced by survey.
Latitude of Palamcottah by a number of observations of meridian altitudes of the Sun
and different stars is 8ยฐ 44' K
June 1785. Observed the meridian altitude of Fomalhaut by double reflection in a
soup plate almost filled with quicksilver, with a good Hadley's sextant.
He also records a number of bearings taken by theodolite from the highest hills,
most of them corrected by observed azimuths, taken by himself or Stevens.
In 1785, he proposed that he should make a military survey of the Cariiatio
[97],
to which may be added as an embellishment, and for the benefit of Geography in general the
exact longitude and latitude of the most remarkable cities and places, mouths of rivers and
for the ascertaining of which, as well as those for surveying, I am already in possession of
of every instrument. โ '
Kelly does not tell of any astronomical observations along his earlier routes
but in 1778 proposed to use them for the control of his Atlas [240] ; constant
observations were taken during his survey of Fullarton's marches in ] 78S some
of them by Byres [98, 178-9 ].
It is evident that the general geography of the southern peninsula was at this
period far less correct than that of Upper India 8 , which was tied together not only
by BemieU's survey, but also by the widely scattered observations of Boudier and
other missionaries. Writing of Mysore Keunell is grateful for even one isolated
latitude ;
Although most or all of the roads that appear in the map. ..have been marched over at
different times; yet seldom having a surveyor with them, or by the want of instruments or
leisure, or both, little has been done for geography, ... so that the whole country can be but
vaguely described ; no one point... having been mathematically determined. Was it not
for the observation of latitude at Chinna-Balabaram ? the position of Bangalore and all the
places dependent on it would be involved in uncertainty s [ 99 ].
Again, in discussing the geography of the Nizam's country, chiefly derived from
Bnssy's marches [115], he writes,
Col. Peach's march from Ellore to Warrangole in 1767, furnished materials for fixing the
situation of that place, ... A memorandum accompanying the survey says that its latitude is
17 57 โข Notwithstanding this assertion, the bearings and distance from Ellore place it in 18ยฐ 2'.
And I much question, whether Col. Peach's engineer [Gardiner] had anv good quadrant wi+h
him [ 92 ] 9 . "
Ioppixg & the Obsekvatokt, 1786 to 1800
Michael Topping was the only sailor of all the Madras surveyors, and the fixing
of accurate control stations by astronomical observations was his first care.
,. ^ l } e ^, st tllat we know of him is tat in 1785 he observed longitudes in the
Maldive Islands and in Ceylon ; probably on his voyage out to India ยซ' Then in
November 1786 he made an overland journey from Masulipatam alono- the coast to
Calcutta, and at the request of Sir- Archibald Campbell. Governor of Madras
observed latitudes and longitudes at about 40 of the principal places on his way
( 1 01-2]. His report shows him to have been a careful and experienced observer ;
โขMMC Sr >Lt โ 71 ir , TrneralMl ยฐ ยซ 'N.;79=S'E,oSr,,l. 'Correct, 88 H/M.
,H5Sj i,- 4 ' 3 ?- -1 mt ยฐ M ยฐ' '? "Ji^" S "ยปโขJยฐโข โข> a sailor till Topping came. โ CMk Ballapur,
ffiX (-X) mlSS 'ยฐยฐ" y C 8S 3 ' He ' b8rt (61) ' """"'โ โ 1Wa < 2 ' 2 >- ' ยปยป">โข "S3 (67)
Topping & the Oesbkvatoby
171
I have the honor to transmit for your inspection a course of observations, made.. .during
my late journey. ... I would gladly have sent them sooner, but was desirous of obtaining others
at this place to compare them with, and in part to regulate them by.
The latitudes are, I believe, as correct as observations made out of an observatory can
ever be expected; I do not think it too much to say in their favour, that they can scarcely
ever err in more than half a mile, and in general they must be much nearer the truth. ...
I spared no pains to attain the utmost possible precision in fixing the Longitudes of my
four principal stations, ... tho' the satellites of Jupiter were my only dependence in this effort;
I generally staid at each station till I got several sights, and trusted to those of the first
satellite only ; the tables of the motions of those satellites, it is true, are of late years greatly
improved, they are still far from being as perfect as we could wish them, for these purposes.
Had the Eclipses I made use of, been observed with accuracy at Madras, it would have
been a very great advantage. ... โ โข ,
The Latitudes were all taken with an excellent instrument, on the Hadlean principle,
made and graduated by Stancliffe, and an artificial Horizon, on the new construction by
Dolland, as were the Attitudes for the correction of the chronometer.
A telescope of Mr. Dolland's, magnifying power about 47 times, was made use of for the
Eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter. Several Eclipses were observed that are not registered
in this account, which contains only such as were found most correspondent and proper for
determining the rate of the Chronometer. ...
The four primary stations were Masulipatam, Vizigapatam, Gunjam 1 , and Calcutta.
After describing- in detail the record of his observations, he goes on,
I have crosen this mode of registering these results, and the data on which they depend,
from a desire. ..of putting it in the power of any person conversant in these matters^ at any
future time to re-examine them, and to point out mistakes, if any, in the calculations "'.
The Board were so satisfied with this survey that they ordered Topping to
continue his observations to the south of Madras [102],
and also to ascertain the Longitudes of the most remarkable stations in the Carnatic, an
undertaking for which he is peculiarly well qualified, not only from his experience m astron-
omical observations, but also from the excellence of his instruments, which he brought from
England with him 3 .
and further,
You will of course take the necessary means for having correspondent observations taken
at this place, of ocsnltations and eclipses as you may have an opportunity of observing, for
the longitudes of your several stations which will tend greatly to confirm the accuracy of the
work i .
It will he ' remembered that about this time in Bengal, Burrow was regretting;
that he had no opportunity of getting correspondent, simultaneous, observations
taken for him at Calcutta, and was snubbed by the Directors [163], but herein
Madras Topping was more fortunate, for one of the members of the Madras
Council, William Petrie, '' was a keen amateur astronomer and gave Topping his
strong support and assistance, and was no doubt responsible for drafting the
instructions.
Topping writes that he was fortunate in the
choice of a person to make the correspondent astronomical observations at Madras during my
operations abroad, a point of the greatest consequence to the accuracy of the deductions, ...
having recommended John Goldingham, who had been assisting at Petrie's private
observatory,
and Mr. Petrie has permitted me to make
future operations at the Presidency 6 .
Government approval was obtained in January 1788, and when Goldingham
took leave to England the following year, Lennon was appointed to carry on the
observations. When Petrie went on leave early in 1789, he offered his observatory
as a ยปift to Government, and Topping eagerly pressed the opportunity ;
The Astronomical observatory built by William Petrie Esq. for his own private use, but
which by his permission. ..has, since the commencement of my operations, been occupied in
the public service, becomes liable... to be transferred into other hands, and. ..is in danger
offer of that advantageous situation for our
1 Gran jam. 74 B/3. 2 MPC. 11-9-87 & Oriental Repertory I (119-50).
30-11-87. 5 Mad. Cfv; Writer, 1765; Aetfng Governor of Madras 1807 ;
27-10-1816, fi MFC. 18-1-88.
' MFC. 11-9-87. 4 MPC.
Governor of PWL till death
w
172 Astronomical Cohtbol, Madras & Bombay
of being no longer accessible. ... Should these consequences ensue, the Geographical work
lam conducting will ha 2 ard a total deprivation of the correspondent observations
tial to their confirmation and perfection. ...
.essen-
Mr. Petrie...very liberally assured me that the building... was at mv entire disposal
for the public service and that I was at liberty to remove it ... The principal mate a ,so
winch it ,s constructed are of a nature to be removed without the least injury to them
the whole may be rebuilt at an inconsiderable expence '"
In S tr,โขer H r' b Th C T PaDy ^^ ** ^ Presidaic y, -veral very valuable Astronomical
Instruments. They have a very capital Astronomical Clock, an Astronomical Quadrant
and a large and excellent Telescope, besides other Instruments of inferior consequence
Astronomical Instruments of the very first quality are actually constructing in England
by the best artists, and at a very great expence by order of the Hon'ble Court of Lectors
^:l deStmatl ยฐ n K !ยฐ r , thlS Presid <โขy and Bengal [ l64 , l66) . I hope I need no add how
necessary a convenient place for their safe and profitable reception will be
isdc^i^
The Board asked Topping to suggest a position for tlie new observatory and
forwarded his proposals to the Directors, whilst Lennon carried on at Petri*, oblrva-
tory under the following instructions ;
litยซ Y f U T Wil ! be P , 1 f aSed t0 ยฐ bServe ^ P articular "tention all visible Eclipses of the satel-
lites of Jupiter; all occupations of fixed stars by the Moon, with such other phenomena as
may serve to render these observations of the greatest possible accuracy and utihty
w โ': CI ยฐ Ck " th t e Observatory should be particularly examined for each observation
by a sett of at least s.x correspondent altitudes of the Sun or some fixed star
In making observations on the satellites of Jupiter, I recommend the use of the Company's
large Tetocope. All circumstances relative to the state of the Atmosphere โ the posWon
made 6 Everlth f" ft? T'^' Vโข^ " the ^ M daA โข hm the observation" s
made. . . . Everything of this nature should indeed be made so unequivocally plain and obvious
or r,rnntT rSCm ' TT* โข ยฐT ^^ Wh ยฐ m ^ ยฃnd Mcasion ยฐ n a 'A. to examine"
or profit by our Astronomical labours, may meet with no doubt or difficulty whatever Tn
understanding and digesting every article recorded in our books ยซ โขatever m
After completing 300 miles of survey along the southern coast during 1788 ยป
U02j lopping was employed the following year on a survey of Covin ga Bay [io^I โข
I have taken great pains to ascertain with exactness the latitude of the Company s Housl It
Connga, by 55 Meridional Observations of fixed stars. ... The sights on both sides of the
Mendian, gave the same result within , seconds, whereas they differed as much on the โthe
โขTrtVb PI ยฐ V6ry a^ately such observations can be taken with the Hadley when
made by a superior artist, and well divided.
lites F โยฐf r T the r L ยฐ ngitUd! ;i > i COringa ' r DOt ยฐ nly ยฐ bse โขed as many of the Eclipses of the Satel-
Iltes of Jupiter as could be seen, but took 48 lunar distances from fixed stars, equal numbers
which th eV T & ยฐ, ^n SUe ยฐ fthe M ยฐ 0n ' facing this I used a stand fโ q rrheHโขdleT
for n ; s h k g f Slm ? ' aU ยฐ W f thC inst "โขent to b<= readily placed in any possible plane and
for the sake of exactness availed myself of the Telescope [200]
usu^bt 1 Se thePO f i f SOf f ySignalSrrapeCtin 8 theMericii a" were determined, not as is
vations โข P d "' "" needl<5 ยฐ f thC ^^te, ^ut by Astronomical Obser!
wJrJl 9 ยฐ, t ^ D 7 ctora me** that "the Establishment of an Observatory at
Madras would be of very great advantage to Science'", and Topping, after I00W
for a suitable site, suggested that, S iooiun b
As therefore I have long had the Institution greatly at heart, it has occurred to me that
if a convenient House already built, and well situated, could be purchased cheap the neces
sary additions might be made at small expence. ... One...motive for my recimmending
an immediate purchase of this kind, in preference to my being empioyed in erecting 1
entirely new building, is the desire I feel to prevent any unfavourable suspicions from gf ting
upon me, or any idea arising that I have private emolument in view. ... B
Topping & the Observatory
173
Our operations have already suffered great injury from the Observer residing at a distance
from the place of observation ; and at present little can be done of any consequence, the
Instruments having been necessarily removed from the Observatory during the late hostile
aspect of affairs at Madras b
The purchase of Mr. Turing's house at Vepery was suggested at 5,000 Pagodas,
but the owner promptly raised the price when he saw that it was wanted by
Government, and Topping writes;
Since the disappointment we experienced relative to Mr. Turing's House, I have enquired
particulars of every Garden-House near Madras that has been offered for sale. ... Of these
...I have proposed terms for two only, Mr. Edward Garrow's House on the Plain, and Mr.
Davidson's at the Luz. Mr. Garrow's is no longer for sale, and the proprietors of Mr.
Davidson's House require more than I can venture to recommend ~.
He therefore submitted plans and estimate for a complete new building, " which
may be executed with the very best materials" for 6,500 Pagodas.
An amusing controversy now sprang up between the Chief Engineer and Top-
ping, Major Maule 3 disputing Topping's good faith and ability, and declaring that
both design and estimate were untrustworthy, and suggesting that Topping was
trying to usurp duties that rightly belonged to the engineers *. Topping fortunately
closed the dispute by finding that Garrow's house could now be secured for
the very moderate sum of five thousand Pagodas, ... and would compleatly answer the
purposes. ... The apparatus for fixing and securing the astronomical Instruments will cost
from fifteen to eighteen hundred Pagodas, and not more. ... Onr operations will than be
resumed, and every interruption removed, our valuable Instruments will not lye entirely use-
less and unemployed, as they have unavoidably done for several months past 5 .
Government thereupon issued orders for the purchase to be made and advanced
the money for making the necessary additions ; the purchase was completed by the
end of 1791, and in November of the following year Topping was able to report ;
The new observatory is,.. in readiness to receive the astronomical instruments, which will
be placed therein in a few days; and I had it in contemplation.. .to traverse the Bay, whilst
the north-east winds j revail, with the time-keepers lately sent me by the Hon'ble Court of
Directors [203]. ... The celestial phenomena at that time will be particularly favourable to
such an undertaking; not to omit the fineness of the season during the first three months of
the year for sea operations. I am therefore of opinion that so rare an opportunity should
not, if possible, be neglected 6 .
"We have no record of this trip being carried out, and a few months later
Topping left for the Kistna and Godavari [ 106 ], leaving Goklmgham in charge of
the observatory, which he connected to sea-level in March 1794 7 .
Whilst making- arrangements for the building of the observatory, Topping had
not overlooked the provision of adequate instruments, though much valuable work
had already been accomplished with the few instruments left by Petrie. Topping
writes,
Every correct observation made at Madras that has a corresponding one with which to
compare it, taken under any other meridian, determines at once the relative longitude of the
two Places : this proves the necessity of compleating our Astronomical Establishment as
soon as possible, and shows the very extensive advantage to be derived from this kind of
observations, which are capable of settling with all desirable accuracy, the positions of places,
however situated or remote on the Globe. Since I first recommended these observations to
be constantly made, I have obtained a great many taken in distant parts, whereby the relative
Longitudes of Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Canton and Port Cornwallis have been already deter-
mined. ... [181]
The Honorable Company having,. .thought proper to establish an Observatory at this
Place, and to honor me with the conduct of it, ... 1 fiTst recommend the correspondent astro-
nomical observations, as the only sure and practicable method of finding the relative
position of distant transmarine situations; and I indulge myseli in a hope that, by the help of
these observations, and the use of Chronometers, I shall in a very few years see the Charts of
these Eastern Seas in a more correct state than those even of Europe are ; or at least a
regular system established for the perfection of Indian Geography 8 .
1 MPC. 17-6-91 ; the Third Mysore War was in progress. 2 MFC. 26-7-91. 3 Acting for Ross
โ who was on service in Mysore. 4 Love, III (415) ; Mai-k. MSS. LXIX, 27-7-91, et seq. *MPC. 30-9-91.
6 MPC. 13-11-92. 7 cf. Mack. MSS. LYIII ( 2 ). Goldnigham's MS. observations of 1793, with account
of building of the observatory, preserved at Kodaikanal Obserratory, 1940. 8 MPC. 27-12-91.
174 Astronomical Control, Madras & Bombay
In 1792 Topping submitted two professional papers, one
On the most advantageous method of taking correspondent observations of the satellites of Jupiter,
and the other On some new Improvements in the Hailey sextant. ... My general plan of opera-
tions for improving the geographical knowledge of India, is also exhibited in these papers,
I have spared no pains to render onr astronomical institution as beneficial as possible to' the
important sciences of geography and navigation K
Kegarding the second paper the Directors replied, in a somewhat obstructive
mood,
We are informed the simplicity of the Hadley in it's use for surveying is such that any
person of the commonest capacity may in half an hour be completely instructed in the use
of it, and what is most desired by us is a speedy knowledge of the geography of India in
attaining which scarce any mathematical knowledge or anything except common instruments
are necessary, and we are persuaded the less difficulty that is made to attend science, the
more speedy and effectual will be its progress, nor do we think Mr. Topoing's active duties
will allow time for executing his proposed Treatise 3 .
Sanction was obtained for the appointment of a Brahman assistant, to be trained
to make astronomical observations, and relieve the Astronomer in case his services
were required on some distant survey, for the Directors still considered that,
Although correspondent observations at the observatory axe very desirable, yet that
consideration cannot be admitted as a compleat excuse for postponing the actual surveys.
Mr. Goldingham is not to be prevented carrying on the survey by attendance at the observa-
tory,^ the observations at which, as before observed, must be considered as a secondary
consideration 3 .
Goldingham was however relieved from distant surveys, and given charge of the
surveying school [284]. Another of his duties was the preparation of an almanac,
suggested by Topping;
Mr. John Goldingham, Assistant Astronomer at the Company's observatory, having at my
desire, computet an almanac for the Meridian of Madras, a work free from the errors that
have usually disgraced publications of this kind in India, and in which are included several
matters beneficial to the Navigation of these Eastern Seas, I request to know whether the
Hon'ble Board will give permission for its being published by authority of Government 4 .
The obs 'rvations made at the observatory, including a meteorological journal,
were now regularly sent home, and the Court resolved " to publish them for the
benefit of the world 5 ." On Topping's death in 1796, Goldingham succeeded as
"the Company's Astronomer and Marine Surveyor on the Coast".
Madras Observatory was a worthy monument to Michael Topping, and contin-
ued to he the home of important scientific work directed by a succession of
distinguished astronomers, until in the year 1899 its operations were transferred
to Kodaikanal 5 , a change which amongst other advantages affords a clearer atmos-
phere.
The observatory grounds are in College Boad, Nangsmbaukam, but the build-
ings are no longer those which Topping knew; the observatory was rebuilt in 1860
and is noiv, 1938, occupieJ by the meteorological observatory ; the Astronomer's
residence was rebuilt in 1869.
Mimtaet Surveys, 1788-1800
The only record found of astronomical observations taken by Beatson or Allan
is the entry "latitude of Church Steeple in Tranquebar, 11ยฐ 1' 20"'", in a field-
book of Allan's.
Mackenzie definitely states that on his Guntur survey of 1788 "no observations
of the variation were taken for want of time and proper instruments 8 ". He
intended to take observations for latitude after joining the Nizam's detachment in
'MPC. 24-1-92. ' CD to M. 23-4-94 (67). ยซ CD to M. 23-4-94 (63. 66) < MFC 9-12-94
* CD to M. 3-2-96 (39). โ 58 F/8. ' Edbk. MRIO. M. 77. โ Oriental Repertory I (57).
Military Surveys
175
1792, for he then took a sextant with him, and the Chief Engineer was trying to
get him an artificial horizon in Madras [205]. In 1795 lie writes of his map of
the Deccan,
Several observations in the fieldbooks for Latitude and variations [remain] to be examin-
ed and calculated, and others to be taken to correct the Geographical situation of places 1 .
The difference of his outlook from that of Topping is at once evident.
Mackenzie took latitudes to correct his perambulator and compass traverses, whereas
Topping made his astronomical observations first, regarding the situation of places
as of the first importance, and the filling in of detail as a secondary matter.
The Bengal surveyors, Kyd and Colebrooke, who came down for the Mysore "War
of 1791-2 [ 1 12-3], had the utmost respect for astronomical control; particulars
of Colebrooke's observations are published in Asiatic Researches 3 ; and lie has left
the following notes ;
Tables showing results of observations of different stars ; also comparison of the survey
with the astronomical observations. ... Instruments used were,
A fine Sextant by Troughton of 9 inches radius.
An Artificial Horizon of pure quicksilver over which, when the wind rendered it abso-
lutely necessary, a glass roof was placed [162, 200].
An achromatic telescope by Dolland with three tubes of different magnifying powers, the
greatest of which might have been 200 times, but the middlemost was used in the observa-
tions until after the end of June, when the instrument being stolen by some thieves from the
Mahratta camp, a smaller telescope was procured.
An Arnold's chronometer was used in observing time. ...
Frequently Amplitudes and a few azimuths were taken, to ascertain the variation of the
needle, which never exceeded one degree, except when attracted by the Iron Ore in the
Rocks, upon which, for the convenience of having a more distant view, it was necessary
sometimes to put up the instrument. These local variations were ascertained nearly in the
protraction of the map, and the bearings were corrected, or their differences were applied as
Angles 8 .
Benjamin Sydenham describes the observations he took when marching up to
Hyderabad in 1 798 [117]. He had trouble with his chronometer [ 203 ] , and bad
to' take a departure from Masulipatam instead of the Madras Observatory. . . . The longitude
of Masulipatam Flagstaff had been deduced from Jupiter's satellites during the years 1793-94-
95, and the medium rate of 2 chronometers for a still longer period observed at Masulipatam,
by Mr. Topping, and at Madras by Mr. Goldingham, and finally deduced by the latter as
Madras 8iยฐ6'oo*-5; Masulipatam 8iยฐ 15' 39"'75' v [181]. ...
The altitudes were taken with a most excellent sextant of 8 inch radius, lately construc-
ted and sent out by Mr. Stancliffe of London. The Eclipses of satellites were observed by a
refracting telescope by Dolland.
Observations were taken continously on the march up, and after arrival at
Hyderabad. Repeated observations for longitude were taken from May 28th to
June 23rd, " near Captain Mackenzie's Bungalo at the camp of Hussein Saugor"
giving longitude 71ยฐ 46' 08"; they were then closed down owing to rainy weather.
In October, when the weather cleared, operations against the French Troops prevented
observations being taken before the French surrender on October 22nd [117]. The march
of the English Detachment to the Carnatic which took place on December 13th, left a very
short interval to be devoted to a subject which requires much time and attention : and pre-
vented our ascertaining the correct Longitude of Hyderabad.
Observations were however made between November 17th and December 12th,
and the position of Hyderabad reduced to 17ยฐ 21' 43"*8 N. ; 78ยฐ 44' 56" E. 5 .
Sydenham continued his observations on the march southwards, and then,
having occasion to return to Madras on business, advantage was taken of this circumstance
to send the timekeeper down to the Observatory to ascertain a new rate, and take a departure
from Madras. ... Arriving at Amboor on 21st [February 1799], sights taken to deduce Longi-
tude 78 42' 43", Latitude 12 51' 33* 6
iHisfdbk. of 1797 gives regular obsns.; EM. Atfdl. MSS. 13582 (19) &, HMC. 18-5-95. 2 A- R. IV
(321-4) 3 NoteonciiiU't, M'K-TO". 138 (41). _ 4 True value 81" 8' E. 5 True position, 17" 22' N.; 7S"27'E.
B True positioi
tS'N.; IS" 43' E.; Journal MEIO. M. i
17fi
Astronomical Control, Madras & Bombay
BOMBAY OBSERVATIONS
litflfw ^ u'TVT* m f ert f nt 3' abmt t 1 ^ geography of the west coast, and
little he could bust beyond a few observations by Portugese sailors and Jesuit
missionaries ;
Latitude of Cochin observed by father Thomas is oยฐ 58'
ยซ, w hC l ?tt tnde f Goa ^ the unanimous application of geographers is 71ยฐ 25' East from
the Royal Observatory at Paris, which makes it 9 iยฐ 25' f rom \ h ! Is ? and of Ferrol [242 n 2
The latitude of Surat is 2 iยป io" [ i 49 a . I0 ] ; and its longitude, in the ConnaLance'des
Temps is 70ยฐ from Pans ; ... But Surat is not placed so far to the Eastward tothe r C^S
r,,^\i raTelIer Msna ; M "\ 3 ma P of whose ยปยปยซ* ยป mentioned by Eennell
Sui ;n L l6S8 0m r M 't a ? atah em i bM3y *ยฐ Pe, ' sia ' and went on t0 India! reachfag
bmat in 1638; he visited many places in Gujarat, and then went up country to
Agra and Lahore. Beturning to Surat he sailed to Vengurla * in JanZy 1639 and
visited Bijapur , at that time the capital of the Deccan." It is said that he
was instructed m the use of the Astrolabe, which he used in making observaHons of the
Latitudes and Longitudes of the places found in his Journal ยซ ooservations of the
DupeiTon tells us that the accepted longitude of Goa, 73ยฐ 45' B. of Greenwich
was calculated byCassini from an observation of the eclipse of the moon madlon
December 21st 1684 by the Jesuit Father Noel, and Bernoulli notes
MvslZTrvTlr^ 3 l t fโข,,โข Petlt ยฐ^^-mtitm Observations mathematics &
Pragul rr 7 / f 3 * C * !TC - faCteaPatreF โขn^0Nยซ...abanno ,684 usque annum ,708
Thirty years later Eennell found a good deal more data at his disposal He
was oonddent ot the latitude of Bombay, 18ยฐ 58' N "sposai. tie
and accepted its longitude by Mr. Howe's observations ' 7 2ยฐ 38'. ... The positions of Cane
Ramas, Angedive and Carwar points* are corrccted...b y a set of observatLTand bearing
he late Capt. Howe, whose attention to marine science was equal to his gallantrt and know
rh/nH r h ^f Ca ' ( Part u WS Pโข fessio - I "โข had occasion repeatedly to^ckโowred"e
*ยฃl^:^x^ by means ot Ms colleotion ยฐ f 0b " ns md R ~
Some time between 1778 and 1787 Captain Huddart, commanding the Royal
Admiral, earned a set of chronometers down the coast from Bombay to Anjeiigo
and then back to Bombay; by which the error of his timekeeper was ascertained 3 was
wl a ttiTst^nT dยฐ 1 "*"*โขยซ l0ngit " de: โข to โข ^ โขยฐ ^ -"sM
โข I A 1 ^ ? ed ^"S^Phy ยซ g^Uy indebted to this gentleman who has
zzz&S&ZT*' of I6 places on ais coast ' and by that mUs 8i โข * *โข
Though fully recognizing the importance of Huddart's series, Eennell at first
rejected his value for Bombay, and adjusted his work to Howe's long tide 1 u
L^iVr^' Huddart ' S yal โข' 72 ยฐ **'"โข s - tee ยซ ยป*ยซ** |rea tr'than
Howe s, fitted his other data much better ls [ 1 79 ]
He took his longitude of Surat by applying Stewart's survey of Goddard's
mitetmmet L w r ? ti0 ^^ Bm ' hanpU1 [3 '' > 2 ^> tat ^no.L moved it" 1
ThTJu / Westward " to agree with the position of Broach, remarkino-
This change of situation lengthens the distance between Surat and Boo hanpore I have
itTs^byr Smith if femt ^ ~ *"""ยซ to ยซ* tte ยป ofBTSanrLrei:
betw^e^mird^"^^ 6 " ยซ*""" * CllarleS burner during his survey
for SCeli Vaf o"ly % "** "ยฐ ยฐ bSerrations durin e his ""V ยป* Bednur in 1783,
* or 73' 45' E. of Greenwich; true value 73ยฐ 57'. s True value *>1ยฐ IS' w -^o^t,
Herbert (35, 48, 59n). -f,โข Mecklenburg, Calcttl kโข I ( 297) < 18 E/9 ' '47 P% ^ ?'/?'"'
(2). ยป Bo S & Pol. IS. i No e on Ifโข oTftf Bโข Sโ ^ ยฐ b ยป e 'โข t ? t y. ยป'#!โ ยป Pยซยป~!ยซ
MSS.336(23). ยซoteon Map of the BanAe Parjยซยปnยซs...Dalrymple [ 123 ยป. 3 j; Orme
Bombay Obskhvatioks
177
furnished with the means of joining this portion of geography to the rest, by having the
longitude of Pigeon Island determined by Capt. Huddart 1 .
In his later surveys through the Maratha countries Reynolds appears to have
taken regular observations, at any rate for latitude, and expresses complete con-
fidence in them [ 126 ], though he writes-;
My surveys are corrected by observations, and I take this opportunity to mention the
difficulty I labour under for want of good Instruments. The Hon'ble the Court of Director's
have sent out Instruments for the purpose of the marine survey, . . . and I trust they
will consider me entitled to the same assistance... ; besides the Instruments which have
come out for the marine survey a Perambulator as well as astronomical Telescopes are necess-
ary ; the latter for convenience sake should be as short and as light as possible ; Ephemeris
should also be sent out 3 .
To start the marine survey [124] the Directors had sent out
one Box, and two Pocket, Chronometers or Timekeepers, and enclose the Astronomer Royal s
account of their Rate, together with instructions for the use of them ; likewise an Azimuth
Compass, a Sextant, and an Artificial Horizon, for finding the time by altitudes. ..on
shore ; a Telescope is also sent 4 .
The first really trustworthy observations at Bombay were made in June 1790
by G-oldingham, on his return from leave, and were submitted to Government by
Topping with the following letter ;
I take an early opportunity of laying before you a series of observations made at
Bombay by Mr. John Goldingham, which determine the Geographical situation of that place,
I have no doubt, very accurately : it consists of a great number of Lunar observations ;
Meridional altitudes of the Sun and Stars ; Eclipses of the Satellites of Jupiter, and Azimuths
of the Sun ; with a few remarks on the rise and fall of the Tides.
The Longitude of Bombay in the latest and best Charts hitherto published has an error
of full 20 minutes; a circumstance of pernicious consequence, as the positions of other
places on the Malabar Coast are, no doubt, equally falsified by this mistake : It is by a
great number of accurate observations only that the true position of the several parts of the
Globe can be determined and Geography brought by degrees nearer perfection a .
Emmitt gives a very complicated account of the construction of the map which
he compiled from his surveys with Little's detachment [128-30]. He had
made only nine observations for latitude, and two for variation of the needle, and
for the former never took more than five double altitudes at any one place. _ He
made no observations for longitude, but hung his survey on a value for Seringa-
patam supplied by Kyd, and on the accepted longitude of Goa. After laying down
a rough plot of his traverses, he worked out a scale of latitude and longitude to fit
these observations and values and form the projection for his fair map ; the follow-
ing extracts from his description show the devices that surveyors had to use for lack
of an orderly system.
For my correction of Longitude I used the following method (not having been able to
provide myself with a proper Telescope and time-piece...). At Col. Fredrick's encamp-
ment, ...the 2nd December 1790, I observed the double altitude of the Sun's Lower Limb.
The 5th I observed [again]. ... I took the mean Latitude of these two. ..for the true Lati-
tude of our encampment; from thence I proceeded to Dharwar surveying; ... I observed the
Latitude of the flag-staff in Dharwar Fort by a mean of five good observations. ...
The difference of Longitude by a careful measured line from thence to Goa, 1ยฐ 09' 40",
supposing the Longitude of Goa to be 73ยฐ 45' [176] fixes Dharwar in 74 54' 40", which agree-
ing with Capt. Kyd's survey from Madras to Sreerangputtum ', and nearly with my own from
J ayaghur 7 , I have therefore placed it in the above situation, viz., 15 27' 50" North, and
74ยฐ 54' 40" East. Considering this as a point well fixed, I have corrected all my surveys
from it in the following manner.
On begining to make a fair copy of my surveys, I noted down the difference of latitude
between Jayghur, Darwaur, and Sreerangputtum (the latter by Capt. Kyd's observations...).
By the number of Geographical miles of Latitude contained in this difference, I divided my
rough copy, and by the distance. ..formed by these miles, I set off the miles of Longitude,
decreasing them in their proper proportion, thereby connecting the Longitude of every part
of my surveys to as great a certainty as the Latitude. . . .
1 Memoir, 1783 (28). = Bo S 4 Pol. 29-4-85. 'ft.8-1-88. ' CD to Bo. 8-3-86. 'MFC. 31-10-91.
6 Seringapatam. 51 D/ll [ 249 ]. 7 Jaigarh E. 47 G/3.
178 AsTKOXOMICAL CONTROL, MADRAS & BOMBAY
All the places where I ascertained the Latitude from observations, I have mentioned at
the bottom of this letter, and also the variation of the compass, ..[rSj] The sextantl
made use of is a patent one made by Gregory and Wright sextant 1
m -i!u e '.wr Particular in describing the method, ... that those who may be ac-
quainted with a better method of correcting them tor Longitude, may have it in their power
and to judge how far any error may have been introduced into my works 1
note lis map of northern Malabar, submitted in 1794, Emmitt has the following;
As the value of a survey increases in proportion to the accuracy of placing its latitude
and longitude lines, I deem it proper...to explain the method I took..,iยป the map
the ^Zie^TL^l ftT" ^r^ a SpeCimM tte โ Aโ*- whicl I made for
the latitude of the mouth of Balbaputtam River z, and as I made use of the same means
re's Hlso ' he loat of If fl *^fZ ^ fa ^ C ยฐ^ Soulea.tdlmrah count!
renders it mneret f Malabar, and, having fixed such points correctly in the survey
His specimen shows meridional altitudes observed to U. and Cowโข, .
MoJfD^f; 5 ^ S ofteVnrh โข *ยฐ" ^ ^dart/observations, vT makes
of J"" โขโข ti0n ยฐ f T the needIe at the head of the Heggut Ghaut, I found by equal altitudes
of the sun, the 2nd January % 793 , 54 < East. ... At Cannanore, 8th Sept. i 794 , 3 8' E 7
Breadth of the Peninsula
Tnrlยฃ?ยป ft ^ firs * thiQ 8' ยฃ i that ^ tlle e ->' e wheu looMn f? at the early maps of
India ls the extraordinary shape given to the peninsula as compared with that of
longitude"^ a rCSUlt ยฐ f * he ^^ u โขยซ' tai ^ of theearlLobservationsfor
oJWlrS general Hue of the east coast was fixed by repeated observations at
Calcutta, Madras, and Pouchcherry, and by Eitchie in 1770-1 F i6- 7 1 it was not
n 1ยปTiTt k "TT 7 f ? ? 6 retUm mar ยฐ h ยฐ f *ยป"* ^taX^
in 1784, though this line only touched the coast occasionally. The actual line of
WefnTy^n^l^r-fr 8 โข ""^ * "^ ^ ^^
much doubt as to the longitudes.
The breadth of the Peninsula was discussed by D'Anyille in 1752, when he adopt-
ed a value for the longitude of Pondicherry ' P
more conformable to the Breadth of the hither peninsula, deduced from itinerary measures
He makes the Breadth between Pondicherri and Maha*. on the Malabar coast and almostTn
the same parallel 86 leagues, of ao to a degree, whereas other Geographers give jooleTues?
โขtoTl6'. "^ ' WMCh * " remarkab]e ^i-eement with the true
again 1 st li8CUSSin8 ' tllel783editi0n0fhiSlIap<,/ Hind ยฐยฐ> tm > Bennell compares it
former maps, the most accurate of which makes the breadth of the hither India (or that in-
cluded between the mouths of the Ganges and Indus) near 2 degrees and a 1/4 of Lonritude
narrower that ,t appears in my map ; at the same time that it makes the lower plrt of^he
Penmsu la 3/4 o la degree vnier than mine does. I have been enabled by means ofobserva!
fons of Longitude taken at Bombay, Cochin, Madras, Calcutta, Agra, etc., together wltl
wk" map' SUfVeyS CTteIlded fr ยฐ m th6 ab ยฐ Ve ^ t0 fram - W good g/ouna
By the time the map reached India, Kelly had carried a surveyed line from
Neppatam on the east coast to Palghat, only 50 miles from the west coast [98-0T
EenneH lXnmSuh 26i e~8ยปI*iยปJ miles, or minutes of arc, wide? than
Breadth of the Peninsula
179
The latitude and longitude of Policaud ! being thus ascertained; being in possession of
Col. Humbertston's route from the Malabar Coast to this place ; also the routes of several of
our officers who marched โ with detachments from hence to Cccheen ; I cannot... place Paniane 8
in a higher latitude than ioยฐ 34', nor in a greater longitude from London than 75 59' ; where-
as Major Rennell places it in 10ยฐ 50' and in longitude 76 25' 30". I find that Cocheen 3 lies
in. ..longitude.. .76ยฐ 3' 30" instead of 76 48' which he was led to place it in. ...
Upon the whole I find that Major Rennell's maps. ..loses 26| Geographical miles in longi-
tude between Panian and Nagapatnam. And the more to confirm the Major in this error, he has-
the authority of Mr. Smith's observations in 1776, which place Cochin in longitude 76 26' 30".
I have thought it necessary to be thus particular, that the Honorable Board might be
satisfied as to the grounds on which 1 have presumed to differ from so able a geographer as
Major Rennell 4 [98].
In his Memoir of 1788, Rennell discusses the question again, making use of the sur-
veyed lines of Fullarton's and Hirrnberstone's marches, and the longitude observations
of Howe and Huddart, which lie finds agiee to within a minute in giving- the longitude
of Tanur on the Malabar coast a mean value of 75ยฐ 50' 10", and he concludes,
With respect to my former idea of the breadth of the peninsula, although the extent in
longitude between Bombay and Madras, remains nearly as before; yet by the swelling out oi
the coast on the south of Bombay, I reckoned it too narrow by about 30 G. miles in the
parallel of Madras ; and 27 in that of Pondicherry ;
thus exactly agreeing with Kelly.
The Mysore war of 1790-2 brought new measurements further north, but no
direct line ; and Rennell writes of the second edition of his map of the South Pen-
insula [243-4],
As it is not known whether the distant between Seringapatam and Cannanore... , in the
sketch drawn by Capt. Reynolds, ... was actually measured ; we are still left in a state of sus-
pense concerning the true breadth of the Peninsula in that important parallel. I am, however,
strongly inclined to believe that it was measured ; because it seems likely that Capt. Reynolds.. .
had an opportunity of doing it; and because his representation of the distance differs in
some degree, from all the former accounts of it ; to which may be added that his result agrees
nearly with the computation of the land marches and with Capt. Huddart's longitudes 5
[130-1]-
In 1800 Colebrooke having compiled a new map of the Peninsula [244] re-ope-
ned this question, and though the maximum changes that he found were less than
20 miles, it will be seen in the table below, that across the Mysore belt his latest
width was from 20 to 60 miles too great. Kelly's surveys had brought the width
further south very near the truth, but the impossibility of carrying survey directly
across the territories of Mysore and the Deccan had prevented the survey of any
direct lines from coast to coast north of the 11th parallel. Colebrooke writes 6 ;
As it appears from the accompanying map, constructed chiefly from Actual surveys, that
the Breadth of the Peninsula is throughout narrower than it had formerly been represented,
a comparison of it with the latest construction. ..by Major Rennell may not be uninterest-
ing. The following table exhibits the comparative breadths under the several Parallels, from
10 to 16 Degrees, and will also serve to verify the longitude of several places upon the Mala-
bar Coast.
Breadth of old
Breadth of the
Modem
Excess
Further
Parallels
construction
Peninsula
Maps
Excess
[Rennell]
[Colebrooke]
1793
1800
(1930)
(2)-(3)
(3)-(4)
(i)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
15ยฐ (Karwar)
524
512
518
12
14 3 (Phatkal)
4214
404
376
Wi
28
13ยฐ (MangaJore)
404
386
367
18
19
12ยฐ (Cannanore)
390
371
312
19
59
11ยฐ (Calicut)
277
268
274
9
- 6
10ยฐ (Cochin)
216
201$
204
14i
- ii
[In this table the number of miles in columns 2, 8, and 5 are those given by Colebrooke ; columns
4 and 6 show the errors that yvt remained in Colefarocke's map.]
1 PalghSt, 58/B/9. B Ponnini, 10ยฐ 48' N. ; 75ยฐ 56' E. 3 Cochin, 9ยฐ 58' S". ; 76ยฐ 14' E. 4 BPC.
28-6-84. a Peninsula (1). 6 B Pol C. 10-7-1800.
ISO
A.STKONOMICAL CONTROL, MADRAS & BOMBAY
โ โ Fundamental Longitudes of Calcutta & Made as
There was- so much difficulty in the determination of longitude, that many of
the earlier maps made no attempt to indicate longitude from Europe, but merely
'showed a meridian line through either Calcutta or Madras, sometimes with other
meridians measured from it [225, 229, 239]. "We have already noticed the efforts of
Pearse and others to determine the longitudes of these primary points with some
precision, but it was not until the founding of the Madras Observatory, and the
publication of Maskelyne's [155 n. 13] new astronomical tables, that the problem
could be tackled with any confidence.
Colebrooke took up the subject with enthusiasm, and extracts from his corres-
pondence with Goldingham between 1800 and 1803 will give an idea of how the
matter then stood.
It was remarkable that in many of the old Charts, and indeed in some which have lately
been published, the longitudes were mostly found to lie too far East. ... The late Mr. Reuben
Burrow... has pointed out... an error both in the common practice of making the Lunar observa-
tion and method of computation, and Doctor Dinwiddie i has more recently made it appear
that an error in the Lunar Tables, tending to increase the apparent longitude of places East
of Greenwich, ... does so actually exist. ...
The Eclipse? of the Satellites of Jupiter have afforded a more easy and correct way of
ascertaining the Longitudes of places at land, ever since tables of these Eclipses have been
calculated and published in the Astronomical Ephemeries, but yet these Tables have been
found to be not altogether free from error. ... Correspondent observations of the same pheno-
mena, should always be preferred when they can be procured.
An Eclipse of the Moon affords an easy method of finding the longitude... ; the observa-
tion is of course liable to error, yet the mean of several will give a pretty accurate result. . . .
I shall now give my reasons for having fixed the longitudes of Madras and Pondicherry
in the accompanying map differently from Major Rennell...by 8 minutes of a degree.
Major Rennell...has stated the longitude of Madras, at 8oยฐ 24' 40", which he derives
from the observations of three different gentlemen, Messrs Howe [169], Dalrymple [qv.], and
Topping, hut does not mention in what manner the observations were made ; it is probable
however that they were all lunar ", and if so, that those of the two former were taken at a
time when the Hadley's Quadrant, or Sextant was very far from that state of improvement
to which those instruments have lately been brought ; in that case an error of a minute in
taking the Lunar distance might easily have happened. ...
M. le Gentil 3 was deputed by the king of France to observe at Pondicherry the Transits
of Venus over the Sun's disc, what took place in the years 1761 and 1769; unfortunately
he did not arrive there in time to observe the first, and was prevented by cloudy weather
from observing the second; during the time of his sojourn at that place, he... determined its
longitude by a series of observations of the Eclipses of Jupiter's first Satellite, which he de-
duced from correspondent observations... taken at Greenwich and in France. ... The result
was Longitude of Pondicherry East of Greenwich, 5 h 19" 1 26" [169].
If the Longitude of Madras be deduced from the above by adding the difference of
Meridians by survey, viz, 25 minutes of a degree, we shall have.. .80ยฐ 16' 30". ... I have
likewise inferred the Longitude of Madras from Calcutta.
Taking Pearse's longitude of Fort "William as 8S C 22' 07"- 5, and applying
bearing and distance from his own surveyed line along the east coast [41-2],
Colebrooke derives a value for Madras very close to that from Le dentil's obser-
vations. He then considers Burrow's longitude of Eussapugly [160, 162] ;
As Mr. Burrow resided a considerable time at Russapugly, it is also possible that his
observations at that place would have been more numerous and various than anywhere else,
of which although he has not left us the detail, yet we may venture to take the result on
the word of a man of such distinguished abilities.
Now by taking the longitude of Fort William, as deduced from Mr. Burrow's longitude of
Russapugly, and applying the difference of Meridian, ... the longitude of Madras will be 5 h
2i m o6ยป, agreeing exactly with that which was deduced from le Gentil's observations, and
differing only half a second from the longitude inferred from Colonel Pearse, which very close
'James Dinwiddie, LLD. spent several years in Calcutta from 1795. 2 Nearly all to satellites of
Jupiter. 3 Gf uillanme Le Gentil de la Galaisiere ; of the Academie Royal des Sciences ; pub. account
of magnetic & other scientific work at Pondicherry & over the Indian Ocean [ 1 56].
Fundamental Longitudes of Calcutta & Madras
181
coincidence, though possibly in some degree fortuitous, at least proves that there cannot be
any material error in any of these results. I have accordingly placed Madras in 8oยฐ 16' 30* 1 .
Groldi.11gh.am replied in 1803 3 ;
About 53 sets of Lunar observations was taken at Madras with different Instruments ;
and the results, reduced to the Hon'ble Company's Observatory, gave its Longitude 8oยฐ ig' 55*
East of Greenwich.
Also 38 sets of Lunar observations were taken at Coringa ; ... by observations with Chrono-
meters three successive years 3 , Masulipatam was found East of the Madras Observatory
54' 56*; Coringa had been previously found East of Masulipatam iยฐ io.j', and therefore East
of the Observatory 2 5' 26" ; hence the Longitude of the Observatory by these observations
will be 8oยฐ 20' 38".
Also, 48 sets of Lunar observations were taken at Bombay, which gave the Longitude...
72 57' 23". By a capital choronometer, the difference of Longitude from Bombay to the
Madras Observatory was yยฐ 24' 35" '*. The Longitude of the observatory of these observations
is therefore 8oยฐ 21' 58". I have reason to think, from other observations in my possession,
this difference of Longitude is very near the truth.
The Eclipses of the satellites are very numerous. The first result was obtained in the
year 1787, by correspondent Eclipses taken at Greenwich, Canton, Calcutta, and Madras ;
which gave the Longitude of Canton 113ยฐ 10/ 07", and the difference of Meridians between
Canton and Fort William 24 54'; hence the Longitude of the latter, by these sights, is
88ยฐ 25' 07".
By a lunar eclipse observed with great care, the Longitude of Fort William was 88ยฐ 25'.
And by correspondent Eclipses at Greenwich it was 88ยฐ 24' 53". ...
Ail the Madras observations were taken at Mr. Petrie's observatory. The Longitude of
Canton was determined. ..by Captain Huddart; and the Calcutta observations were taken by
Mr. Lindley, formerly Assistant to the Royal Observatory. ... By correspondent sights at
Madras and Canton, the Longitude of the former was 8oยฐ 19' 53".
By a series of Eclipses of the satellite of Jupiter, observed between the years 1787 and
1790, and the Tables corrected by observations at Greenwich taken at or about the same
time, the Longitude of the Company's Observatory is 80 ยฐ 17' 14",
Taking a mean through all these values Groldingham deduced the longitude of
the Observatory to be 80ยฐ 19' 21" -2. He then discusses the calculations made by
Colebrooke, and after making various small chang'es, and combining his results with.
those already detailed } he deduces the following,
80ยฐ 21' 15"
80ยฐ 18' 54"
88ยฐ 25' 12"
72ยฐ 55' 13"
[ Modern Values ]
[80ยฐ 17' 16" -48]
[80ยฐ 14' 15"
[88ยฐ 22' 00"
Fort St. George Church
Madras Observatory
Fort William
Bombay Church
Colebrooke replied,
Although. ..I cannot suppose that Mr. Goldingham has been far from the truth, yet I do
not think that his deductions are so correct that the Longitude of either as given by him
can. ..be depended upon as an Unerring Standard, from which the Longitudes of all other
places in India should be calculated. ... Some new lights may be thrown on the subject by
a comparison of the Greenwich Observations with those which have been taken at the Madras
Observatory since the year 1790. I take the liberty of transmitting for this purpose a dup-
licate set of Dr. Maskelyne's Observations, . . . consisting of the 3rd volume and two numbers
for 1799 and 1800, which Mr. Goldingham not being yet in possession of, I request you will
forward to him.
I have every reason to believe that the true Longitude of Fort St. George will be found
between 8oยฐ 16' 30" and 80ยฐ 21' 43" as stated by Mr. Goldingham, the difference being only
] B Pol C. 10-7-1800. 2 DDn. 47(1-15"). :i by Topping 1793-6 f 105-6". * by Goldingham [177].
*BPC. 21-4-1803.
;,โ '
:
CHAPTER XII
PROFESSIONAL METHODS OP SURVEY
Bennell in Bengal, 1764-77 - Route Traverses - Madras Jag*, 1767-74 - MicUd
Tofjnng, 1788-94 โBaramahal & other Madras Surveys, 1792-9 -Madras Swrey-
โ mg School, 1796-1800 โ Journals ยฃ Meldboohs. '
WHEN Eennell reached Bengal at the age of 22, he had been some 8 years at
sea and had gamed considerable practice at the surveying of coasts and
harbours, with a certain amount of instruction from brother officer*
Most of his assistants appear to have had some knowledge of surveying before
they came to India; : for he seems to have had no opportunity of a personal meeting
with the majority of them, and in such instructions as have been found, he assumes
their knowledge of how to run and protract a compass traverse.
Prom his Journal of 1764-67 [i yn.i i] , and a study of the large-scale river surveys
ot his first year s work, we learn a good deal about Bennett's own methods His
instruments included a Hadley's quadrant [199] and at least two chains; he had a
compass, and took astronomical observations to find its variation; he procured later
a sextant and a theodolite. For his river surveys he surveyed the banks by chain
traverses, and the intersection of prominent bends and points with his quadrant
arid took occasional observations for latitude. He occasionally checked the length
of his chain recording errors u P to 8 inches excess [ ,98]. He left marks at the
end ot each length of survey, which he picked up on re-starting
Throughout his first river survey he distinguished between cursory survey bv
way of reconnaissance, and the exact survey which he made of any channel which
might give him the route to the south for which he was searching.
He appears to have kept up large-scale protractions day by day, at first on the
scale of 4 inches to a nautical mile, but later on that of 2 inches to a mile f 247 1
He changed over to British miles later.
Hirst gives the following note on the first sheet of the Ganges survey of 1764
The map shows some, but not all, of the triangulation and other stations used ; here and
there are double lines which were bases measured with more care than other lines on the man
The methods by winch the map was constructed can, however, be gleaned from the map โ first
of all a base was measured near JellinghP, and a traverse was run from it to the Damoda'r end
of the map ; wherever the traverse crossed deep water triangulation was resorted to and here
and there fresh base fines were measured. From points on the traverse, bends in the river
banks and village sites etc. were intersected. ...
The traverse is sometimes on one bank and sometimes on the other. In manv places
notes are made where the work is not exact 2 .
"When Eennell first started his surveys on land he appears to have had no system
ot running traverses 111 circuits or checking them by cross lines, nor does he appear
to have any regular system of astronomical control. His earlier surveys were aimed
to complete some definite length of river, or the route to some important place or
a major boundary. His surveyors were given certain vague areas to survey
As he gradually gained a better knowledge of the geography of the country he
was able to give more precise instructions to his surveyors, and these appear to have
been in the form of orders for running carefully measured circuits through places
โ Jalangi, 78D.12. ! Hitst 4 Ascoli (1).
Rennell in Bengal
183
of importance, with other lines of cursory survey [35-6]. The following- extracts
are taken from instructions issued at the end of 1776 ;
You are hereby directed to compleat the general Survey of the Jungleterry [34 n.o] etc.,
observing the same rules for your conduct as you followed during your former survey, viz., to
lay down the direction and length of the principal roads, the course of the principal Rivers or
Nullahs, and to describe the face of the country in general, by distinguishing the Hills, woods,
'jungles, morasses, arable sands, and to remark the situations of Forts, passes and gauts, as
well as every particular as may appear worthy of remaTk. ...
[Then after a list of routes to be followed], you will please to observe that only about
one seventh part of the whole distance is to be measured, the remainder is to be estimated,
according to the method you sometimes practised heretofore. Your surveys are to be drawn
on the same scale as formerly, vi2., 2 miles to an inch 1 . ...
You are hereby directed to proceed on a survey of the unexplored part of Ellahabad,
Oude &c. . . . You will herewith receive a list of the Roads, etc., that you are to survey, to
which you must conform as nearly as Circumstances will permit. . . .
According to the list of Routes, the point of commencement of your survey is at Secunder-
pour. You are to trace the Road from thence to Buxar & Benares. I know not on which
side of the Ganges the principal Road lies; but it will be your business to enquire, and act
accordingly. ...
If escort is provided you will proceed from Benares first to Biorigur Fort, and then in a
direction nearly south till you come to the extreme limit of the Benares District ; and hairing
found the Boundary, chuse such a route westward as will enable you to describe the course of
it, till you close the said Boundary at, or near, the village of Gorah 2 , which is represented in
Mr. Bruce's survey as lying on the frontiers of Chandail 3 ( the territory of the Rajah Gobind
Singh).
Then follow detailed instructions as to tracing- boundaries, marking- villages,
passes, depths of rivers, and making junction with other surveyors;
It is not meant that you should follow the boundary through all its minute windings, but;
with such a degree of exactness only as may be expressed in a map of 5 miles to an inch.
Some roads were to be "measured in a cursory manner", others
by actual mensuration, in order that I may be able to connect your former Survey with Capt.
Marsack's. . . . Your surveys must be laid down on scale of two British miles to an inch : they
must be regularly numbered, & put to paper as soon as possible after they are taken, lest, in
case of accident to your Baggage, we should lose the fruits of your labours. ...
In your plans, the general face of the country is to be described, whether Hills, Woods,
Jungles, swamps or arable sands ; the classes of towns, villages. Forts, &c. must be distingui-
shed by proper marks; and the passes, gauts, Fords, and Ferries must be noted 4 .
For the measurement of distances perambulators were generally preferred to
chains ;
To show that long distances may be accurately measured by a perambulator, I need only
mention that during the Bengal survey I measured a meridian line of three degrees with a
perambulator, and found it to agree minutely with the observations of latitude [ 152]. How-
ever, due allowance was made for the irregularities of the ground, wherever they occurred 5 .
Though ti-iangulation was quite out of the question for his survey of Bengal,
Eennell fully appreciated its value for the hilly country of the peninsula [89].
He complains bitterly about the lack of information given by early surveyors
about the construction of their maps; indeed, few surveyors ever thought to put
their names or even a date on their surveys or fieldbooks, quite apart from the
professional information Eennell wanted ;
It should be a rule observed in all plans, to note how the scale was obtained ; whether by
actual measurement ; difference of latitude ; or estimation of distances ; to which may be
added, that the meridian line or parallel should be drawn across the whole space in the plan,
to prevent errors in measuring the angles of bearing 6 .
It may be fitting here to refer to Dalrymple's Essay on the most Commodious
methods of Marine Surveying, written by him before 1765 and revised and published
in 1771 7 . Dalrymple had his first lessons in navigation and marine surveying from
Thomas Howe, in whose ship he sailed for Borneo in 1759, and Eennell had spent
^oPringle; BPC. 5-12-76 (A). : Kora, 63B/8. 3 Chandels, petty Eajas of Btmdelkhand, Imp.
Gas. U.P.K214). *To Dawes; BPC. 5-12-76 (C). * Memoir, 1783 (66). ^Memoir, 1793 (25n). *<ยฃ...
methods recommended in 1784 [ 190].
184 Professional methods of survey
nearly a year as Dalrymple's surveyor during- his second voyage of 1762-3. The
following are extracts from Dalrymple's essay;
The Basis of all Surveying is in determining a Distance, for unless some Base is found, or
assumed, no Chart can be made. ...
Experience has fully convinced me, that Bearings taken by Compass cannot be safely
trusted to in making a correct Draught. I have found not only a Difference of 3ยฐ or more in
different Compasses, but in the same Compass at different times; I do not say the Effect had
no Cause, but there was no sensible one which I could discover : And I have heard other
people say their Observations gave room to believe there is a casual Deviation consequent to
the State of the Atmosphere, or some other occult influence. ...
Hadley's Quadrant is as much preferable to the Compass for taking Angles in Facility, as
Exactness. In the common Observation for finding the Latitude, the Hadley being held
upright. . . . For taking Angles, the Hadley is held horizontal. . . .
Capt. Plaisted's Practice of using, for determining the Course and Distance in Soundings,
a Lead instead of a Log to his Line ( the stray Line corresponding to the Depth of Water )
seems to be a good Method of correcting the log.
In another place he writes;
It is not pretended that any of these Charts are Surveys, according to my idea of the word
Survey ; by which I understand " a Chart where everything is miri 'tidy and accurately laid down,
so that there is no room for additions or corrections ". But such works very seldom appear,
and I have seen some Charts very defective and erroneous, which the Editors have thought
proper to call Surveys. . . . But an implicit confidence is what no man is excusable for placing
in any Chart, and I exculpate myself from all consequences which may proceed from such
misconduct 1 .
Of map reproduction he writes.
It is almost impossible to get a chart entirely exact from the impression of a copper-plate ;
besides those errors in the original to which all human performances are liable, there are many
peculiar to engravings; the unequal shrinking of the paper; and the great difficulty of having
a drawing traced exactly on the plate is another 2 .
Route Traverses
As might be expected, it was only practicable to undertake deliberate surveys,
โ such as Rennell carried out over Bengal, over territory which had been formally
ceded to the Company. The only means of acquiring knowledge beyond these
bounds was through the marches of troops or political missions ; and before about
1790, except for Charles Reynolds, special journeys for the particular purpose of
.survey were hardly thought of.
A. large part of Rennell's Map of Hindoostan was rilled in from travellers'
journals which gave nothing more than a rough estimate of the distances travelled ;
these were more useful when a record was kept of each day's march and its general
compass bearing [10].
Most of Pringle's road surveys in the Carnatic record each day's march to the
nearest quarter of mile and gave no bearing whatever. The trundling of a
perambulator was a simple matter, but the continuous recording of the windings
of a road, especially when the greater part of the march was made by night, would
have been most difficult. In his later work Pringle supplemented his road measure-
ments by bearings taken from hill tops, and occasional observations for latitude,
but in the main the military road surveyor gave little thought to the general
o-eography of the country, and concentrated on the measurement of distance.
Where perambulator measurements were impossible, as through thick jungle,
time was noted by the watch and converted to distance by the estimated rate of
march [7 5-6]. Such computation was always employed when travelling by boat.
The more experienced surveyors made a regular deduction from their measured
distances to allow for the unevenness and winding of the roads, and also, in hilly
country, to reduce the measured distance to the horizontal [ 188 ].
1 General Introduction to the Charts Sf Memoirs, 3rd edn. 1787 ( viii ). ' Memoir of a Chart of the
Southern Ocean (2 ), Dalrymple.
Route Traverses
185
Bennett notes that when using any route distance for map compilation he
deducted one eighth part for distances of 100 miles, and one seventh for distances
of from 200 to BOO miles, and conversely.
Those who wish for a general rule for changing horizontal distance into road distance in
their common references to maps may break the line of distance into portions of not more than
ioo or 150 miles, and then add to the whole sum of distances so obtained, one eighth part 1 .
Those surveyors who had the necessary knowledge and instruments took
observations for latitude, and for variation of the compass, at frequent intervals
[ 155]. There was however no regular school of surveying [ 267 ], nor any one
co-ordinating authority, and each surveyor was his own master until Colebrooke,
after he became Surveyor General, tried to introduce some regularity of method
[187-8]. Extracts ai e now given from the journals and reports of various surveyors.
In describing his survey of 1775 [30-1], Smith discusses the danger of carrying
out a long line of survey by perambulator measurements without regular observations
for latitude and longitude ;
The "best way is to join both these methods together by making astronomical observations
at the end of every day's measurement, and thereby correct the measures by the chain of
perambulator, and also the Bearings by the compass ; all this may be done and the survey of
the whole country taken in the most private manner, without the knowledge of even so much
as a person's own bearers or servants, and at the usual rate of travelling in a palanquin, which
is about ten times as expeditious as any method yet practised, by means of the following
contrivance adapted to a palanquin.
He then describes, with a sketch and full mechanical details, the fitting of a
wheel trailing along the ground, beneath the palanquin, connected by a rod and
endless screw to a cyclometer which could be read by the surveyor whilst seated
comfortably inside. There is no record of this ingenious device being adopted by
anyone else, and it is by no means certain, either, that Smith really put it into
practice, for he writes,
Not only the places upon the road are inserted, but all those in view from the road, with
their bearings by the compass, and their distances by estimation. Indeed all the distances
were obtained by the same way, from the rate of travelling per hour, which in general,
correspond so well with the Latitudes and Longitudes taken each day, that they cannot be
much wrong. ... The point of the compass following the name of a nullah or river, shows the
direction of its course, and sometimes that of its current 2 .
Colebrooke's survey along the east coast in 1784 fully deserved Pearse's praise
[41-2]. His fieldbook gives perambulator measurements for each day's march,
and for many branch lines to the coast and important places off the line of march;
where opportunity occurred bearings were taken to conspicuous hills, or short base-
lines laid out and points fixed "by trigonometry". Astronomical observations for
latitude were taken at almost every halting place 3 .
The later Madras surveyors, including Schlegel, took full advantage of hills along
their routes, and by intersecting hilltops were able to check their measured distances.
In describing his surveys with Puliation's army during 1783 [98], Kelly refers thus
to the work of the average route surveyor;
A pocket compass and watch are the sum of his apparatus, and if he guesses within half
a point of the bearing, and half a mile of the distance, of one village or encampment from
another, he is allowed to be very accurate in his observations [28].
His own methods were different; he fixed the latitude and longitude of Madura
by repeated observations, ...which observations correspond exactly with its bearing and
distance from Trichinopoly by several routes, measured carefully with a Gunter's chain, and
the angles taken with a complete theodolite. ...
The road. ..has been carefully measured with a chain, ... and the bearing taken from village
to village with a well -graduated theodolite, the whole corrected by the intersections of large
triangles formed by the peaks of every remarkable hill. Pagoda, or other object discoverable
in route ; ... all these surveys further corrected by astronomical observations 4 .
After describing his traverse from Ongole in 1783 [100], Lennon continues,
This road is laid down particular exact, for I traversed it four different times, and always
found the bearings and distances to correspond.
1 Memoir, 1793 (7n). -Journal, EM. Addl. MSS. 29213. 3 Fdbfe. DDn. 2 &4, * BP0. 2S-6-S4.
186
Professional methods op survey
The rivers I took particular care in tracing, and ascertaining their exact courses The
Mussy I crossed m about ten different places, and of the few parts that I did not actually
trace, I had a view of its windings through the whole extent.
The roads.. .were laid down at the time, according to the Proportion of 8 and Si English
rmles traversed by the perambulator, to 7 horizontal miles of the same kind; varying the
proportion, within the above bounds, by the diversity of the roads ' [ 188 1.
Of his survey of Guntur in 1788 [ 1 1 1-2], Mackenzie writes,
The great number of remarkable hills and Pagodas facilitated very much a survey of this
kind, but.. .on the Ongole road this help was much wanting, as the road goes there through
thick groves of Palmyras, in a level country near the sea, where the sight is much circums-
cribed, and a view of the mountains can be rarely obtained.
The situation of some remarkable objects near Nellore were ascertained by an actual
survey of the environs of that place ; the principal are certain named Pagodas and rocks โ the
road to SeropiUy Fort was accurately measured by the chain, and the distance of upwards of
ir mdes, from Nellore to SeropiUy, formed the base for the angles taken of various points
and several remarkable hills in the Western Chain, which may be clearly seen from Nellore
and served to correct the distance run by the perambulator.
This foundation being laid in August 1788, I measured the road from Nellore following
the windings of the road, minuting the distance at every change in the direction and country
correcting the small errors, which unavoidably arose from the pocket compass used by bear-
ings taken at every convenient station with the theodolite, of those remarkable objects
mentioned already, and of others which occured in the course of this survey.
In protracting the measurements on the plan, I laid down each small distance according
to the beanng of compass, and afterwards corrected them by the stationary bearings so that
the distance on the plan may be reckoned horizontal, the road of winding distance being in
the abstract of the routes annexed.
I also took sketches of the outlines of the remarkable hills, which served to make them
known to me when viewed afterwards from other quarters ; some of these may be distin-
guished at upwards of 60 miles 5 .
Surveyors working in the Ganges valley had, however, to depend entirely on
measured distances and astronomical observations. Here are notes from Cole-
brooke's journal of a survey near Cawnpore in 1788 ;
November 2nd, marched about II miles in apalanquin. ... Traverse table gives the bearing
of the road by compass points, thus, NNW. ; NW. by N. ; ... Time is given to the nearest
minute all along the road, with difference of time between villages ; . . . distances are computed
from these intervals of time. ... Remarks on each village and stream that is passed.
This estimate of distance is deduced from the time of travelling in a Palanqueeu and I
have found by several trials that the average rate in 4 miles per hour when the road is
tolerable [39]. ...
Total difference of time 4 '' ยซ.. This at the rate of 4 miles per hour would produce
17* miles nearly, but as the bearers were latterly a good deal fatigued, and went slow I
allowed only the rate of 3 miles per hour. Result r6 miles. ...
The distance (six furlongs) is guessed from Begum Serai. The road was so difficult
that it could not easily be computed from the time.
Astronomical latitudes were taken almost every evening. The fteldbook con-
tarns occasional neat little plans, with no indication of scale, obviously to assist in
the protraction later on. It also contains records of routes measured by peram-
bulator ; some of these measurements are made without the direct personal supervision
of the surveyor, who discusses various discrepancies noticed 3 .
It was usual to protract each day's work on fairly large scale; Bmmitt notes
I protracted the rough copy of my surveys with a circular protractor 4 inches radius
vmg nonius and double prickers 4 .
Burrow describes his protraction thus 5
The routes may be so easily laid down in the manner of traverse sailing, by using the
differences of time for the distance and the course as usual, but though I had calculated most
of them, I found it was just as easy to lay them down from the original observations as from
the results, and therefore I left the results out; that is, first lay them down on a separate
piece of paper, then reduce them to the proper scale from the given difference of Latitude
' Oriental Repertory, I (53). s ib(57). โข Journal, DD11. 7. * Bo. S & Pol. 23-11-92.
Route Traverses
1S7
and similar figures, and then protract the result into the map ; or it might be done by taking
the mean rate that the camels travelled for the measure of the real distance in the given
time 1 .
Here is a note by Colebrooke regarding his survey in Mysore during- the war of
1791-92;
In marching, the direction and turnings of the road were observed with a pocket compass,
and, whenever a village, tank, or any conspicuous object occurred, or the road altered its
direction, the distance given by the wheel was carefully noted down. The same was done
whenever the theodolite was used. Separate Protractions of each day's march, upon a scale
of one mile to an inch, in which, besides what was allowed for crooked roads, a reduction of
1/30 was made for the inequalities of the ground and the unsteadiness of the man who drove
the wheel, enabled me to ascertain nearly the direction or horizontal distances, which, being
then corrected, were applied as Bases in the protraction of the map 3 .
A striking- feature of Ooiebrooke's fieldbooks in Mysore was their illustration
by artistic panoramas, drawn in pencil and colour wash, with hearings to prominent
points which would be of the greatest assistance in recognition and for protracting
the map [ 188 ] 3 . Similar panoramas and sketches are found in a fieldbook of
Mackenzie's, who was not, however, such an artist as Colebrooke 4 .
Here is an extract from Davidson's journal of 1790 [42] ;
The distance of our journey is computed according to the measurement of the country,
and reduced to the English standard by our own practical knowledge and the time occupied
by each clay's journey. The course is occasionally regulated by a pocket compass, but I had
a greater dependence on observing the position of the sun, moon, and certain planets. . . . Total
distance 565 miles.
This is unlikely to mean that he took astronomical observations, but rather that he
judged the general bearing of the road by watching the sky, most of the marching
being done at night to avoid the heat of the June sun [ 41 ] 5 .
The Surveyor General entered the following note in the journal,
The distances have probably been overrated, and probably did not exceed 500 miles. The
rate of 3 miles per hour allowed.. .was too much in hilly country, where considerable Jungles
intervened 6 .
Emmitt's description of his survey with Little [ 1 28-30 ] shows that the Bombay
surveyors were in no way behind those of Bengal and Madras in the care taken oyer
their measurements ; he
observed the latitude of the mouth of the Jayghur River; ... the windings of the river Major
Sartorius gave me, the bearings of which he took with a good compass measuring the distance
with a "log". ...
At Cordona I began the survey, carefully ascertaining a connection of stations in the di-
rection of the road, the bearing of which I took with a good sight compass, regularly entering
them in a Field Book, together with offsetts to villages. Hills, Tanks, and wells, or any other
object worthy of notice, measuring the distance between each station and offset with a good
perambulator; in crossing of Rivers or Nullas I noted down their distance, measuring
straight from station to station, by which method the line of Survey served me for a base,
whereby I ascertained the distance of more remote objects, such as remarkable parts of ranges
of Hills, Forts &c. by taking two or three bearings of them from different stations in my line
of survey.
I protracted the survey daily on a scale of five statute miles and a half and three hundred
and twenty yards to an inch, taking the distance from a diagonal inch scale answering to ten
thousand yards, which enabled me to lay off a distance correct to fifty yards or even less. ...
The scale of my surveys is four and a half inches the equatorial degree, which was
approved of by Captain Kyd [112]. As the Paper on which I had to make my copies was very
indifferent, I have... given a correct List of all the Towns in their regular order of survey,
lest a difficulty might arise in making out some of the names'.
From the time that Colebrooke became Surveyor General he gave every surveyor
detailed instructions as to his method of survey, extracts from which are now
given. To Blunt for his survey of 1795 [59-63] ;
1 10 Maps, MS. 5. ยป MBIO. 13S (41). 3 Tdbk, 31. 120, QBO. Lib. Ab.
& Mount [188]. 4 Jdbt BM. Addl. MSS. 13582 (19). 'Leckie (50).
IJo. Si Pol. 23-11-92.
i; v. instructions to .Blo.no
G BM. Add 1 . MSS. 135SS.
188
Professional methods op survey
The particular mode of carrying on your survey you are, I trust, sufficiently acquainted
with; I have therefore httle to add on that head. I wonld however recommend to you to
toy down your work upon a large scale, protracting each day's work upon a scale of one
British mile to an mch, and deducting 1/30 for the unevenness of the ground and the un-
steadiness of the man who drives your wheel; a reduction of 2 / 3 o may be made when the
road is very rugged and full of short turns and.. .windings that you cannot ascertain by the
Your distances thus corrected become so many bases which you may apply to the con-
struction of your General Plan, which should not, I think, be laid down on a scale less than
two British miles to an Inch.
It is advisable also to make rough sketches of the hills in your Field Book, which will
greatly aid and assist you m the protraction and finishing of your plan
lurirZT ""''it" Ue d K reCtly thr ยฐ agh the C0Uat ^ *ยป *ยป not - S'ocise, adrmt of your
rT'S'^ ยฐ mP !, maP , ySnrVey ' Itwillbe <*ยฐf**, therefore, to take down from the
fre^t of s TbT g ^l eS and HarCarahs ' the Dta <*<โข ยปnd distances of such places of note as
are out of Sight, and these you can afterwards shew in a reduced copy of your work 1
Similar instructions were sent to Mouat in Eohilkhand [ =,6, 168 1 addino-
,โ r l' S rt ! t0 ^ thatfre ยซ uent angks a ">d tarings must be taken with a Theodolite
wi 1 he d K, !' . " P ยฐ Cket C ยฐ mpaSS ยฃ ยฐ r the direction oi the Ro ^ j ยซ dยฐing which it
will be advisable to note every object that can tend to render the plan interesting and useful
making also a rough sketch of the country as you travel, and estimating by the eye the dis-
tances of such villages. Topes, &c. as are near the road, or not very remote
the wm ta * Dg angleS T , wi * h lยฐ aT Theodolite it is proper to draw the appearance and shapes of
the Hills &c. m your Field Book, instead of denoting them by a. b, c, or any other marks by
which means you will be enabled to observe them again, without which... their distances
cannot be ascertained " [ 187 ].
To Hoare who was to survey the Jumna from Allahabad to Delhi f S7 168 1
Zยฐff ad โข e yยฐn. so far as the river may be navigable, to travel bv water with a
perambulator driving along the bank and keeping pace with your boats. When you arrive
at any town, fort, or Gaut, it will be easy for you to step out of your boat and look at the
wheel, and the intermediate distances may be known by a time-keeper or a good watch
which if your boatmen are made to keep an even pace, may be calculated by the rule of pro^
portion. I would, however, advise you to observe the wheel as often as possible, and for the
greater accuracy of your survey to proceed slowly, and not to be over-anxious to make long
journeys. ยป
The direction and bearings of the River may be ascertained with sufficient exactness bv a
compass ; but a Theodolite will be necessary for nicer observations on shore. If you can also
trTwil, be compTetoT 1 ยฐ bSerVatimS the ^tudes of two or three principal places, your
_ On receipt of Hoare's first field book, Colebrooke makes the followine criti-
cisms ; s
The specimen transmitted by you appears in some respects sufficiently satisfactory the
distances bang marked with minute preciseness; but I beg leave to observe that all the
Angles being only given to points of the compass, it will be difficult for you to project your
work without running into considerable error. y
I beg leave to remind you that in my instructions I mentioned that a compass might
be sufficient to ascertain the directions and windings of the river, but that a theodolite would
be necessary for nicer observations on shore. It does not, however, appear that you had
used one, but even with an Instrument of the former kind you might have marked the bear-
i rl i ? Je ยฐ tS Wlth greater P rocision . and b 7 observing from time to time the Sun's
Amplitude or Azimuth, the variation of the needle might have been found, so as to render
your sights sufficiently correct for the common purposes of Geography *.
Colebrooke himself spent much time surveying the Ganges and other rivers so
there was eventually very little that he did not know about survey as carried'out
from a boat. Several of Ilia field books are still preserved. His traverse form is
ruled with four columns ; the two side columns contain notes of places and con
spicuons features on the left and right banks. The first centre column o-i ves
bearings, which are sometimes simple points of the compass, and sometimes have
V?";, 16 (60) ' *- 12 - 94 - 'DDn. 16 (63), Dec. 1ยป4. >DDn, 16 (83) 10-4-95 <Tke s,,โข,
General of 1796 was indeed a p.W. Je.ier Jitter. DDn. 16 (135), 12-9-96 Surveyor
Route Traverses 189
the bearing to the nearest degree or half degree, recorded with compass quadrant,
thus ST49W. [201]. The second centre column shows hours and minutes, for
calculation of distances [ 196 ].
There are occasional tables of " angles with theodolite ", taken to the nearest
minute to prominent objects, often with no indication of the position of the theo-
dolite. There is often a round of bearings taken from the top of the budgerow, with
distances run to the objects by perambulator, and with notes such as
there was a creek in the way, which prevented the wheel being driven in a very direct
course. ... The clasie 1 says he drove the wheel pretty straight, and only lifted it up in one
place, about one furlong, to cross an inlet where the water was deep a .
Wood writes to the Surveyor G-eneral in 1799 [ 58-9 ],
I have made considerable progress in my protraction, beginning at Nawabganj up to
Baraitch, as, being a good deal in a northerly direction, and having observations for latitude
of these and several intermediate places, the necessary correction I find by these means, and
what you mentioned to me in one of your letters when I was in Assam, answers very well :
viz, 1/30, and when the road is broken, 1/15. I have adopted the mode yon recommended, and
am protracting on a scale of a mile to 3/4 of an inch : you mentioned an inch to a mile. ...
Afterwards I propose reducing it to a scale of 4 miles to an inch, and on this to lay down
Don's tract, which I will protract myself 3 .
Madbas Jamb, 1767-74
The instructions given to Thomas Barnard for the survey of the Madras jdgir
in 1767 [ 88, 141-2 ] provided for a full and detailed survey, scale two inches to a
mile, of an area about 100 miles by 50. He had only reached Madras the year
before, aged 19, but had received a good mathematical education at the Royal Milit-
ary Academy, and from his account of the manner in which he tackled this formid-
able task had fully mastered the principles of geometry and surveying.
The Country is laid down from angles and measurements performed with the Theodolite
and Chain. From Madras to Tripasoor 4 Westward, and from that line to the extremity of
the Company's Territories Northward, the Country is quite level, ... having in all this part
no elevated Situations to afford the means of correcting such errors as are unavoidably...
contracted in Surveys of any extent.
I judged it to be the best way to divide the whole into Circuits of 12 or 14 miles. These
circuits were contrived so as to afford the most convenience for getting the situation of the
remarkable objects within them, and to give the greatest possible length to the lines which
formed them; the fewer stations there were in each circuit, the more correct the work
became, by diminishing the number of angles to be taken, in which the danger of error is
greatest.
The finishing of each circuit corrected the mistakes of the preceding one, as there must
always among the adjoining Circuits be some common points belonging to both, and of course
if the work should be perfect they must coincide.
From the lines which formed these Circuits the Angles were taken to the villages as
1 measured along. In those villages where no conspicuous object presented itself, the want
was supplied by a flag on the top of some high tree. ...
The plan of the villages, the situation and shape of the Yaries [Tanks], were determined
by their bearings to the above point. ...
The situation of the paddy fields being almost always contiguous to [the tanks ??], the
same work which gave me the place of one, afforded likewise the place of the other. ...
When the whole of the afore-mentioned tract North of Madras came to be closed, and the
circuits brought together, I found a considerable error had accumulated ; the extremities of
the work which ought to have joined, did not meet within a mile ; this I have been forced
to accommodate by diffusing it in small portions over the whole, so that each part shall be
as nearly in its proper place as possible and none be put much out.
I have only to offer in excuse for this error, that no pains were omitted to avoid it ; it
must have happened by errors in the angles or lengths, tho' with respect to the latter, T was
not above the task of holding the Chain myself ; and in the course of all the above work my
health enabled me, and a desire to do my duty throughly prompted me to it.
'ยปoIosi[28 9 ]. 'FdbtM. 482(a), DDn, 13. 'DDn. 15 (77), 6-6-99. * Tripasur, 57 0/16.
190 Professional methods or survey
With regard to that part of the Survey containing the Imaum Lands [ 133 ] south of the
above Western line from Madras, I give that up to the strictest Inspection ; the many hills in
it afforded me the means, and X made use of them, to correct all the incidental errors. I
have accompanied with the Charts, the angles taken from the several Stations on those hills,
as affording an easy opportunity of reference, upon any occasion that may occur 1 .
This was indeed a remarkable piece of wort to be undertaken without the
advantage of professional textbooks, or departmental rules, and with the simple
instruments of the period ; a work that would do credit to any young officer of the
twentieth centuary. The lay out of his traverses in closed circuits ; the distribution
of his closing errors; and the connection of his traverses to the basis of triangulated
hills where these were available, are principles which stand to this very day.
Triangulation appears to have been used as the basis of the large scale survey
carried out by Dugood in 1776 [142-3], when he observed from "13 Principal
Stations ", and submitted the " computations of a considerable quantity of Capital
angles " taken from them-.
Michael Topping, 1788-94
In December 1784 Dalrymple submitted to the Directors a Memoir concerning a
Survey of the Coast of Ohoromandel [164], recommending that " it will be very
proper to take the present opportunity to make a compleat Survey of It", and des-
cribing the methods which he suggested.
Flags should be set out on shore, arranged either in triangles or in lines of three
and their positions fixed by an observer on shore working with a Hadley. The'
surveying ship, would lay down lines of soundings from the flags on shore, and
the Persons on board the Vessell [should] take frequent Views of the" Land; ... those Views
should have the angles of the various Objects taken with a Hadley, as well as their Attitudes
marked, which will be of use in making a Map of the Country inland, as well as for the
information of Navigators ; But although it may be useful in making a Map, Angles taken
from Sea, with any Instrument now made, cannot be considered as equivalent to Geometrical
Survey. . . .
Perhaps it would be eligible to leave a short trunk of Bamboe, sunk in every Place where
a Flag-staff had stood, as it would facilitate the repetition of any angles which might hereafter
be wanted. ...
In case any part of the Coast is woody down to the Sea-Side, The Flag-Staffs must be
fixed on Trees, and the angles, taken, with the Hadley, from the elevated branches of the
Tree ; which I have practised where the Objects could not be seen from below 3 .
It is possible that Topping may have discussed these matters with Dalrymple
before he came out to India ; anyhow it is interesting to compare the methods
which he actually used to carry out this survey;
In 1787, Sir Archibald Campbell, entirely satisfied with the observations I had made for
determining the Latitudes and Longitudes of places between Masulipatam and Calcutta,
proposed. . .that I should continue those operations Southward [ 102 ]. ... Sensible, however, that
such a process (superior as it was to former method of surveying) was still inferior in exact-
ness to what might be done ; and not willing to lose so fair an opportunity of introducing the
most correct stile of surveying hitherto invented into this country, I proposed the Trigono-
metrical Mensuration. Chronometers I well knew, however excellent, were liable to accident
and failure ; and tho' the best expedient for settling the positions of places not very distant
from each otherโat Sea โ yet on shore, where a concatenated series of Triangles could be e ffected,
such a process was to be preferred to every other mode, not only as the most exact of anv[
but as a method which, when once excuted, absolutely precludes the necessity of every other,'
being founded upon Geometrical certainty and truth.
Were these Triangles carried throughout India (as they might have been at a much less
expence than has been incurred to make bad maps), the Geography of the Company's Terri-
tories might soon be rendered compleat ; and surely bad methods should be laid aside when
good ones can be adopted ; for one good Geometrical survey of a Province, or line of coast, is
sufficient; whereas after ten bad ones the work requires to be gone over again 4 [Iosl
โ MEO. Map 20; note 1-12-74. ! MMC. 6-1-71. 'Bitehie (1-8). <MPC. 2-12-91.
I
j
Michaex Topping
191
He thus describes the details of his triangulatiou ;
The angles axe all taken with my Hadley's sextant made by Stancliffe, by means of 3 tall
signals I have constructed of Bamboos 80 feet high, 60 of which I mount upon steps, so as to
see (over all trees etc.) very distinctly my two other signals, at the distance of from 8 to 13
miles 1 [ 102, 192].
It is, I believe, the first time the Hadley was ever made use of for a purpose of such
magnitude ; but it is fully equal to it โ nay it does more โ ; The sun's bearing. . .from my signals
is also taken by it, by which, and his azimuth (computed), I obtain the angles made by them
with the meridian, and by combining the whole, the difference of Latitude and meridional
distance of every one of them in English fathoms. This is found so nicely that a mean of
mv astronomical observations for the latitudes never differs more than a few seconds from
those given by the Geometrical mensuration 5 .
He measured a base-line upon the sea-beach near Porto Novo 3 in May 1788 ;
This Base Line, could I have chosen its situation, should have been determined as near
the middle of the line of Coast I am surveying as possible ; but circumstances have not per-
mitted me to make unrestrained choice of its place.
On my arrival at Cuddalore, I was told that, as I proceeded southward, I should meet
with frequent rivers and other water courses, that would certainly obstruct me in the design
I had formed of measuring it on the sea-beach further south ; and Soon after my removal
from that place, I found, with much satisfaction, that the Coast between Cuddalore River and
Porto Novo would serve my purpose extremely well. The Beach here-abouts is flat, broad,
and remarkably smooth, . . . but forming a curved line, concave towards the Sea. . . .
An accident that about the same time befel one of my signals, and delayed my Trigono-
metrical progress, . . . determined me to measure my base at this opportunity, and I
accordingly began that work by placing two of my Large signals. ..about 7 miles asunder, for
the. ..extremities of it. ...
[I] divided the whole distance into 6 distinct portions, each portion forming a small angle
with the next. ... Measurement; ,.. spared neither pains nor care. The 2 rods of 25 feet each
which I had provided for this use, had been strictly examined while I was at Cuddalore, and
their lengths ascertained ; ... they had been left purposely a little too long, as I found it easier
to determine and allow for such excess, than to reduce them to sufficient exactness.
Used a capital 2 feet Brass Sector by Adams as a Standard. . . .
The stands which I had prepared for levelling the rods were also brought out ; and it was
with much regret that I found I could not profit by them, as I hoped to do, assisted as I
was by none but Black people, in whom I perceived it would have been impossible, without
incurring great loss of time, to have impressed a necessary idea of their nature and manage-
ment [290].
He laid the rods end to end along the ground, which he thought was just as
satisfactory as the French base which was measured on " the rugged pavement of a
highway near Paris ".
He gives details of the measurement, the determination of azimuth, the connec-
tion with his triangulatiou, and the meridional observation of stars for determin-
ing the latitudes of the terminals, whose position with relation to neighbouring
marks he describes minutely.
The following year Topping was engaged on his survey of Coringa Bay [ 103 ] ;
The capital letters of reference show the positions of my signals for ascertaining the
leading points. These signals... were of the kind used by myself last year. ...They were
constructed of the largest bamboos that could be got, so put together with iron cramps, and
supported with rigging, as to admit of my ascending to the height of 60 feet upon them, and
thence seeing over every obstruction round me on this flat, woody country.
My Instruments were screwed upon an apparatus fixed to the top of each signal (T mean
in particular my Hadley, with which almost all my angles were observed), and the whole
could be readily elevated, taken down, and transported from place to place.
By means of these signals, a sufficient number of connected triangles were obtained ; the
sides of which were computed, and thence (not by the usual method of protracting) the princi-
pal points were established on the Chart. ... The Base-line, or foundation of the whole, was
measured as accurately as possible on a spot very convenient for the purpose, with two rods,
constructed on a similar occasion last year. ...
'ef. trestles & masts described & illustrated in Records of Survey of India, 1916-7
3 Toppingr's Report, ES. Lib. MS. X.2. & Phil. Trans. 1792 (99-114). 3 58 M/15.
(42-7).
192
Professional methods of survey
which he
Topping's
Pages give particulars of the method used for determining the configuration of the
shores of the Bay. A great part of them, being low and overgrown with jungles was inaccess-
ible, and gave me much trouble. Such parts, however as would admit of it, were measured
with the Perambulator and Theodolite.
He then describes his method of taking' soundings,
following a practical application of Mr. Dalrymple's problem (founded upon the 21st pro-
position of Euclid 3rd) for determining the place of an observer in possession of the anยซles
made by any three known points 1 .
Goldingham gives the following description of the triangulatioj
carried up the coast to the north of Madras, in 1792-3. Imde
directions [104โ5].
Two signals 60 feet high each were raised at two stations by the sea-side ; on the South-
ernmost of which the observer could elevate himself between nftv and sixty feet from the
ground, while the northern signal was distinguished by two large flags (a blue and a white
one, the distances between these signals were so regulated that the flags upon the foremost
could be plainly seen by the hinder one, tho" placed from 8 to 16 miles asunder
The observer, elevated upon the hindermost signal any time between sun risirg and nine
o clock m the morning, or between 3 o'clock and sun setting in the afternoon, with a Hadley's
sextant, took the distance of one of the limbs of the sun from the foremost signal, noting the
precise time of the observation; from which the true bearing of one signal from the other was
computed : to make the work more correct, instead of one distance, six were generally observ-
ed, and the bearing reduced from the mean of these. ...
The latitude of the Southernmost signal was then found by the mean of 16 or 20 meri-
dional observations; and, in order to remove any error that might arise through the imperfec-
tions of the instrument, half the sights were taken with objects on one side of the zenith and
half on the other side. Prom this data, the difference and distance of Longitude between the
two signals were obtained.
The hinder signal was then moved forwards and raised precisely in the station where the
foremost stood ; the foremost signal was carried on, raised, and the operation repeated ; in this
manner were the situations of the principal signals found.
The accuracy of this method in a survey of a coast situated, as this mostly is in the
direction of the meridian, when the precautions before mentioned are taken, can hardlv be
questioned.
The line of the coast between the two large signals was laid down by a circumferentor
[201] and perambulator, with the assistance of smaller signals. The declination of the needle
was found from time to time to correct the bearings by the circumferentor, and the error of
the perambulator was ascertained 3 .
Ind finally we give Topping's description of his survey for the Kistna-Godayari
Irrigation project [106].
The levels were all taken with an excellent Instrument of Mr. Kamsden's construction at
short sights for the most part of r 5 o yards each : the Instrument had indeed powers adequate
to observing at much longer intervals; but besides that short distances, in these kinds of
operations, give a more accurate result than can be derived from more distant observations
I found it altogether impracticable to take very long sights, attended as I was by Natives
only, whom I had no small degree of trouble in training to a co-operation with me even at
these very convenient intervals [191].
To render a series of observations, obtained with so much toil, as permanently secure and
useful as possible, I fixed large Blocks of stone... at convenient intervals on the Bank of the
Eiver; and to these the station staves were in order applied, that their difference in level
might be ascertained. These Stcne Terms, which are six in number, are denominated Per-
manent Terms; and their several positions are marked explicit!,- on the chart 3 ["Many of
them being under ground "J. ...
The Angles and distances. ..were all accurately measured with a very good instru-
ment; ...the islands between its banks, and the numerous Villages situate upon them are
laid down with every attention to exactness. To render the whole useful in a Geographical
as well as Political sense, many observations of the Sun and Stars were taken both for estab-
hshmg a scale of Latitudes probably correct to the nearest second, and for ascertaining
the decimation of the needle in these parts : and to prevent these observations from being
committed to a separate Paper, 1 have thought it advisable to enter their results together
with the compleat series of levels, on the Chart itself. No observations for the Longitude of
'ilfurf. Sd. XIX. 1S55. (25) s Note on Maps, MEO. (125) & MR.IO. 137 (58). *MR.C. ;>-ยฐ-Q*
Michael Topping
193"
any station have, as yet, been obtained ; since neither the celestial phenomena, the weather,
nor my more immediate avocations would admit of my taking any 1 .
It is probably safe to say that Michael Topping was the most talented and
highly qualified all-round surveyor that served the East India Company during the
18th century : and, from the ingenuity of his methods, the sound principles on
which they were based, and the courage with which he urged them, he deserves a
high place in the annals of the department [190]. It is a great disappointment
that nothing has yet been found about his education or early life.
BlKA MAHAL & OTHER MADRAS SuKVEYS, 1792~9
As we draw to the close of the century we find that the surveyors of the
southern presidency were no longer confined to the traversing of roads but were
given whole districts to survey, and, being now free to take full advantage of open
hilly country and distant views, they were gradually feeling their way towards the
system of a triangulation net.
The rapid sketch which Alexander Eead made of the Salem and Baramahal
districts, after their cession in 1792 [113], was a planetable sketch based on
graphic triangulation, the first reported use of the plamtable in our Indian surveys
[263] 3 .
For the want of other means, the bearings were taken with a plain table of 2 feet square,
having a pin in the centre, a ruler as an index of 2 feet long, mounted with a vane at each
end, to turn round the pin in observing ; and a pocket compass, for setting it by the
meridian : after which the paper for the dTaft was fixed to it, and the compass. ..removed.
The distances were all computed in gttrries, of about i-| miles.
Every object and distance were carefully ascertained by careful enquiries of seldom less
than 100 of the inhabitants.
Every station being the highest, or most convenient. . . . The drafts at each were severally
made of different sheets of Royal Paper. ... The sheet to constitute any sketch being divided
by a line to express the meridian. ... Adjusted by means of the compass and fixed to the table,
and the pin being placed to express the actual station or common centre, bearings were first
taken to every remarkable object and village, and the lines laid down to them at scale of
2 gurries to 1 inch. . . .
Roads also inserted and rivers. . . .
View from each station covered 20 or 30 miles square, and 25 in all were required, and
the positions are described.
After an apology for the probable inaccuracy of his survey, Eead justifies it on
account of speed and cheapness;
That it is erroneous is acknowledged, but it has cost the Hon. Company nothing, and
contains the principle points of a map composed of the most accurate materials, which would
cost thousands 3 .
Beatson's rapid sketch of Palnad in 1787 [no], was
the work of a few days. * . . . The scale on which it is drawn is half an inch to a Geographical
mile ; this I deem sufficient for any general survey. If upon this scale the positions of princi-
pal places, villages, and remarkable peaks, hills,be accurately determined to serve as primary
stations, the rivers, principal watercourses and large tanks are easily traced in by hand, as are
arable, hilly or woody lands, and thus a picture of the country is formed on the basis of a map
sufficiently minute for general purposes of revenue or military matters 5 .
Allan's " Military Survey of the Baramahal and Ceded Countries ", made in
1793 and 1794 [ 1 1 1 ], contained
2150 miles of principal Roads, with remarks on the adjacent country sufficiently minute for
every military purpose, and views from nearly 100 different stations, from which about 4000
bearings have been taken with a Rarasden's Theodolite, most of them corrected by Azimuth's
of the Sun 6 .
Report of 14-2-94, MPC. Teh. 1794. Hhougri Sandes, I (46 n.) records that one was brought to
Calcutta in 1742 by a young engineer. 3 Note on map, EM. Addl. MSS. 26102 (A). * elsewhere he
.ays (Tiree months [no}. 5 MRC. 27-7-98. 6 MMC. 7-12-97.
194
Professional methods op survey
disi S CT ' 6 โข P 'ยฐ y ed by Read to make a more "particular surrey of Baramahal
tleoaoltl TT 6 " C 7 ful . S + u " e 7 based upon a number of points intersected by
theodolite. His own description is somewhat confused ; he seems to have intersected
a number of prominent primary stations, from which he made further observations
to fix topographical detail. The survey which appears to have covered the whoโข
of the present Salem District took over four years 1 [โ,-,]
Montogomerie in 1826 found it impossible to fit Mather's primary points to
Lambton's tnangulation, and reports pomis to
it is^teTthTt fr? * aPP T t0 be f ยฐ U " ded ยฐ n ^"metrical Triangulation, and although
it is stated that the survey rests on a series of Bases taken on the plain south of TricMnonolv
(m what way any of them were measured is not specified ) yet there is uotrT/to Tea^ to the
ยปZT,fยฃ f' m pr0SeC,ltin S the survey from these bases, that any otter Method was
station of", mele ll^ ยฐ f bearingS ( "^ wbat lament not sTaW ) anTthat Z
situation of places were determined by the mere protraction of the same" [114]
In 1799 Thomas Sydenham, who had succeeded to the command of the Guides
[m] was sent up to survey the new southern boundary of Mysore and started bv
measuring- a base-line near ยซ Ardenelle * " [ pi 9 1 โ J
sโ J! ^ ^ E di , reCt liM ยฐ f 3 miles could be conveniently measured, ...from which the
surrounding hills could be accurately determined.
Some days were taken up in clearing the ground, in preparing the instruments for the
measurement, and m tracing out the exact direction. ..The steel chain was "earaf, 11
measured with a large brass sector, the thermometer being at 7^. and itflenga ound to oe
Lgtt^ 4 r:do a pted 22/l0 ยฐ ; ^ ^ "^ ^ โข *ยฃ> โข " -"una
the ^lete^sl "T iX '&*J&?!ttยฃZtt2tt&
Zi methods oVtX 40 ."โข " ^ hyPOthemSal ยซ*~ - ^-byTne
As astronomical observations must however be considered the foundation of all eeoina
phrcal survey I had provided myself with the instruments necessary to determine the ? d'
tudes and latitudes of the principal stations along the boundary ; although tT Jail II
in general so boisterous as to preclude the practicability of regular observation, ZTl7^
ZSg. fa ! r intervaI - J had reguIated my ยฃ=ยป-ยฃ -SS2SST2K ^ com g
=, โ,I h< K mea !T d bas t Une , afforded * sufficient data to have resolved a series of great tri
angles, by which a number of primary stations might have been correctly fixed TkSte
^ ngI ^' WbaCh J mtended *ยฐ " aVe determ -d, would have corrected fine relatfve
positron of the primary stations, from which the adjacent country, and the exact situation of
the boundary, might have been accurately laid down * situation of
Unfortunately Sydenham went sick and was never able to complete his observa-
tions; it is possible that he might have found serious difficulty in adjusting the
ยฃXT W ft ' 0m Me ba - 1; - "Ml those determined by astronomical
Madbas SiiEVETrae School, 1796-1800
for A" 1 ' , 0ll ?โข g are the P/ofessional instructions drawn up by Goldingham in 1796
^eyofr^cr -"' dWde " into โ โ -^ te ยฃMEE
To accomphsh the first object, should the Country afford accessible Hills or other
eminences conveniently situated, and commanding an extensive view, you wffl Lake tntse
your principal stations; if the country be not of this nature, yon must Z^nHSncS
stations by erecting tall signal poles of Bamboo with suitable flags on each P P
From the top of one of these eminences, a signal being placed on another you are to take
the angles made by the first station ( a flag being now placed on it ) and th^same obiecfs
wrth any others not before in sight; if a third accessible eminence be near, you may repeal
โขT>,,, i 1J f e "T' DI ? n - l 1 ?- โ SDDn - 218 (74),ll-3-26. โขHaradaahani > 68Att3 'DDubs,,,, โโข
โ Ihe mrtmotons lor the Particular survey are quoted elsewhere [ 146 ]. 68 ( 21 >โข 1799 '
Madras Surveying School
195
the operation from it; among the objects observed you will include such as may be likely to*
afford other principal stations, also remarkable points of distant Hills, whether accessible or
not, and in this manner you will ascertain the relative positions of all the principal points of
the Country.
As early as possible in the survey, you will chuse a level and clear tract whereon to
measure a Base line, so situated that you may have in view the greatest number of the prin-
cipal stations, and at the most convenient angles ; this line you will measure with a chain, the
length of which must be accurately found by a standard brass Ruler at the commencement
and finish of the measurement of each day ; the length of the Base mast be proportioned ta
the distance of the stations ; and it would be measured with great care at least twice over,,
placing a stone at each end, whereby it may be found again if necessary ; it should be levelled,
and the measured line reduced to its equivalent horizontal distance. A second base of veri-
fication may be measured towards to conclusion of the survey if the country be extensive;,
the bearing of one end of the Ease from the other you will determine by Astronomical
observations. ...
The positions of all the stations in sight with respect to the base, you will ascertain by
the requisite angles, take at each end of it.
Having thus established the principal points, you will readily ascertain the positions of
all the villages... and objects not in view before, by short bases connected with points before
determined, or by finding the point where two or more of the principal stations are in view,
by the usual method, taking care to use the needle as little as possible. . . .
You will determine the latitudes of some of the principal stations by meridional observa-
tions of stars on each side of the Zenith; observe eclipses of the satellites of Jupiter, for com-
parison with like observations taken at the Madras Observatory, and ascertain the difference
of Longitude by a Timekeeper between the observatory and one of the principal stations or
places in the District. . . .
You will protract your work as you go on, and thereby discover if any mistake has occured
in the operation of the day, that it may be rectified on the spot 1 .
It is obvious that each, of these district surveys would be completely independent
of every other, and that its scale and the surveyed area in square miles would depend
entirely upon the value taken for the measured base. Its geographical position
would depend upon such astronomical observations as these young surveyors were
able to make, or upon accidental connection with the work of other surveyors.
As a matter of fact, not foreseen by either Topping or Groldingham, nearly all
these district surveys were eventually connected up by Lambton's triangnlation, and
became incorporated into the general maps of the Presidency.
We conclude with an extract from a pathetic little note from Thomas Tum'bull,
aged 15 years, from Devicottai [109],
The letter you have mentioned dated April 1st concerned of measuring a base, and to find
our station by means of three objects, but here. Sir, is not a placeโ plain โ extending to ^ a
mile in length ; the District extends 7 by 5 English miles in length and breadth, and has only
32 villages. The 32 villages and principal Pagodas we have laid down in the accompanying
protraction of our survey, but I can't think it to be of much accuracy without a base be
measured. I have the Devicottah Pagoda and another Pagoda at Atchareram ; to the top of
these Pagodas we must mount up, according to Instructions of Captain Caldwell, but I have
made a lascar go up, and he told us that we would not be able to go up ourselves, and... get
the Instruments over โ and neither we could not get the necessary things, which greatly
hinders us from our survey-.
Journals
Field Books
The submission of regular journals has always been demanded from surveyors,
partly as a voucher that they have employed their time to good purpose, and also to
supply information about little-known country. The first orders given to Rermell
were no exception โข
You will keep a very particular Journal of your Proceedings, noting the Appearance and
Produce of the Countries thro' which you pass; the name of every Village, & whatever else
'M. Eev. Ed, 22-12-96, 2 M. Eev. Bd. 13-9-98.
3 96
Professional methods op survey
may seem remarkable, of which Journal you will give me a copy along with the Drafts you
are to make of the Rivers and Creeks 1 .
Kennel] passed similar orders to his surveyors ;
You are to keep a journal of your proceedings, & a book of remarks on the nature and
situation of the several countries through which you pass 2 .
Similar direction were given to Stevens &, Pittman at Madras [92] ;
As a perfect knowledge of the Country may be of the greatest Consequence to the Hon'ble
Company, You will endeavour to acquire all Snch Information as may be of use to their
officers or that can tend to forward the Service you are to be immediately employed on. For
which Purpose yon will keep an accurate Journal or Field Book, in which you will enter the
Bearings and Distances of your Stations and of principal objects. Also the Properties of the
Water and the Means of Procuring it; the Natures of the Soils, their Produce, with their
effect on the Health of Animals, and the salubrity or unwholesomeness of the Air, accompanied
by such Reports and Explanations as may render them perspicuous to the Hon'ble Board,
and enable them to judge of their Fitness and Propriety. ...
_ You will be pleased to inform me of Your Progress once a month, or oftener should you
judge it necessary 3 .
In his orders to Burrow in 1787 [ 157 ], the Surveyor General directed that,
So long as your situation will admit I shall expect to receive from you monthly an account
of your observations, and when this cannot be done, as often as you can find a favorable
opportunity. ... I have also to request of you to keep a regular journal of your journey and
observations, and your remarks respecting the Geography, History, of the different countrys
of India through which you may have occasion to pass, will be a valuable addition 4 .
Many of these journals are still preserved and make most interesting reading
more especially when the particular circumstances under which the surveyor was
working are borne in mind.
In 1788, at the representation of the Surveyor General, Government issued orders
for the regular survey of all routes marched hy troops, with detailed instructions
regarding the form of field book to be kept up [ 43 ] .
The form was to be kept in four columns, the two outer ones for " Bearings and
estimated distance of objects to the right and to the left"; the two central ones for
"Bearings of the Eoad", and for "Distance by perambulator or Time" [ 188-9].
The names of all towns, forts, rivers and villages, when obtainable, are to be inserted in
the two broad columns on each side, also all tanks, jheels, and ravines on the route of march,
ground of encampment for one or more Corps, and occasional remarks as to the nature of the
road and country.
Bearings of places and objects, with their estimated distances. ... The road distance,
whether measured by a perambulator, or estimated by time. ...
An extraordinary allowance. ..for an Assistant Surveyor in the Field . . . to be drawn, ... upon
producing from the Surveyor General a certificate of the Journal or Field Book having been
kept with attention and accuracy.
The Field Books are in the first instance to be transmitted to the Quarter Master General,
who will immediately... send them to the Surveyor General, who after taking a copy of them'
is to return them to the Q.M.G., in whose office they are to be lodged '.
Finding in 1794 that these instructions had produced but little information of
value, the Surveyor General asked that the rules should be tightened, and
that an order be issued requiring all surveyors to transmit with their plans. ..fair and correct
copies of their Journals or Field Books, containing ail the original measurements by the wheel
or chain, and every particular respecting their surveys in writing, and that no surveyor be
considered... as having fulfilled the object of his mission... without transmitting... such Journal
or Field Book ยซ.
He pointed out to Blunt, as one of the reasons for the submission of these copies
that.
As many surveys, however carefully performed, are liable to be suspected of considerable
errors when applied to the purposes of Geography, if not accompanied by the original measure-
ments of the wheel, bearings, astronomical observations etc., so I would advise you by all
means to prepare a fair and correct copy of your journal and Field Book, to be given in with
your plan after your return 7 .
โขFrom the Governor, 6-5-64, La, Touehe (9). 'BPC. 5-12-76. "From CEโ MHC. 22-3-73.
<BMC. 23-6-87. S B<?0. 29-9-88. ยซBPC. 5-12-94 (S). *DDn. 16 (60), 4-12-94.
JOTJENALS AND FIELD BOOKS
197
To strengthen these orders still tether, the Surveyor General proposed that
surveyors' allowance should not be paid until copies of their field hooks were
re ยฐ Alfsurveyors, acting in or out of the provinces, should transmit to the Surveyor General's
Office Monthfy Reports specifying the progress they have made in their survey, .and in lad-
ing regular transcripts of their journals or field books. The Surveyor General will notify to
the MMary Auditor General the arrival of all such reports at his office until which informa-
tion is received, the M.A.G. should not be authorized to pass their bills '.
He explains as the reason for this order that
it Has hitherto, in general, happened that gentlemen employed iu this hue have withheld then:
repots until their allowances have ceased, at which time it has been found that the ultimate
result of their labours had been very inadequate to the time they had been kept on these
dUt These orders were duly published, and for many years to come they bore very
heavily on surveyors working strenonsly and single-handed m the held ; as is often
the case, rules introduced to ensure regular procedure, and to protect Government
ao-ainst the idle or careless worker, proved vexatious to the honest hard worker.
This was pointed out with much force by Thomas Wood whose allowances had been
held up because he had failed to send in regular monthly copies of his papers whilst
out on survey, and disallowed for the period taken in making copies after return
from the field. After describing the strenuous and successful nature of his held
work for a period of over five months [58-9]. he continues,
Having mentioned these particulars to you. I am very confident yon will not only be
perfectly satisfied of the impossibility of my copying my Field Books, but likewise that
without the most constant labour and perseverance, I could not have accomplished what I
haV Hadยฐ I protracted and finished my work as I advanced, worked the various observations
for Latitude &c, and sent you copies of the whole, I am inclined to think that for what : I
have got materials in five months, it would have at least occupied me two seasons My not
having spent my time doing so will, I therefore trust, not only meet with your full I concur-
rence but that ..His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief... mil be pleased to authorise a
continuation of my allowances for such a time as he may think my exertions merit .
'DDn. 16(133), 8-8-96. *MMC. 15-8-96(18,18). 'BMC. 14-12-1807.
CHAPTER XIII
SUETET INSTEtTMENTS
Chains โ Perambulators โ Sextants & Quadrants โ Compasses โ Cireumferentors โ
Theodolitesโ ChronometersโSupply of Instruments โ Astrolabes โ Instrument Makers.
SINCE for a proper understanding of the work of any surveyor it is essential to
know what instruments he used, an attempt is here made to describe not only
the names of the instruments used during the ISth Century, but their pattern,
and the manner m which they differed from modern instruments!
There were, first, the instruments for measuring distance, Chains and
Perambulators. Next, the instruments for measuring angles, Quadrants and
bextants ; Compasses, Cireumferentors and Theodolites. And thirdly there were
telescopes of special make for astronomical work, and chronometers and watches
lor transfer of time and longitude.
Many of these have already been referred to when describing the surreys and
there is no need to deal in detail with such essential articles as drawino- instru-
ments, protractors, brass scales, or levels. &
Chaots
Both Eennell and Barnard, and presumably therefore most contemporary
surveyors, used chains, probably of much the same pattern as today.
Eennell twice records in 1764 that he measured his chain and found it from 6
to 8j inches too long-i ; he does not say how this measurement was made nor
whether he corrected the length.
Chains were probably used for all large scale surveys, but seldom for militarv
route surveys. There are many reference to tho Gunter's chain, but only one
specific reference to a 100 ft, chain. In an indent of 1787 the Surveyor General
asked tor brass chains.
, ln ,Vf ^" rrow used " a S0 ft - steel chai ยป". ^ing "Eamsden's newly invented
chain- for the measurement of his degree of longitude, probably similar to those
used by General Eoy for Ins base on Eomney Marsh, and by Lambton for all his
base measurements 3 ; with links of 21 feet each.
Perambulators
These were used in preference to chains for most route surveys. The essential
parts ot the perambulator were the wheel which was driven along the ground and
a cyclometer geared to the wheel and graduated in miles and various lesser units
Perambulators were used by Eennell and were still being used 100 years later In
1851 they are thus described;
The staple commodity for route Survey is the perambulator. All English perambulators are
flimsy, bad m principle, and incapable of working except on a smooth road or bowline trreen โข
across country they go to pieces in a mile or two. There is nothing like the Madras pattern
1 La, Touche ( 125 ). 2 Dalby. 3 Now preserved in GBO. muse
, Dehra Pun.
19s
Perambulators 199
principle of the endless screw and differential plates. The large Madras perambulator
[ invented by John Pringle ] has two faults, the wheel is not sufficiently strong, and it is
graduated to furlongs and yards l .
The Madras Pattern 8 mile Perambulator... consists of a wheel 20 feet in circumference,
driven by two handles passing through the axis of the wheel : this axis is geared to dial plates
which give readings of miles, furlongs, yards, feet, and inches. To a surveyor it is of little use
[ but cf. Pearse inf. ] its great height { nearly seven feet ) rendering it difficult to manage in a
high wind, and requiring two men to work it. The only advantage it has over other instru-
ments of the kind is that it bears its own weight and, the handles being about the height of
a man's chest, it is only necessary to keep the wheel steady, when the least pressure sets it in
motion".
There were various patterns of Pringle's perambulator. Allan used one of 5 ft.
li inches diameter, "41 times of the wheel in a furlong 3 ", whilst Colcbrooke used
"a wheel of 7 feet diameter, with Hackwork, divided into furlong's and 30th parts 4 ".
Surveys were constantly interrupted through the breakdown of the perambulator ;
Kennel! says that he could not get the exact situation of Outtack because Campbell's
"perambulator was spoiled between Cuttack and Balasore 5 ", and Pearse tells of
trouble he had with perambulators on his marches to and from Madras ;
In the march to the Carnatic it was found that the perambulator was rendered useless
before the detachment had performed a fourth of the march; the Surveyor was actually
obliged to buy a new one at Masulipatam, and that also became useless before we reached
Madras [41]. The perambulators with small wheels and clockwork are therefore, by
experiment, proved to be unfit for service of any duration.
In the Madras Army Captain Pringle measured with a wheel of 7 feet diameter [97] ; and
I caused a wheel to be made of the same dimensions, and adapted to it brass counting
machinery, very different from what he had used, and I think better. One of these was
used in my journey (with the cash) from Ganj am to Madras [155 n. 7], and afterwards in all our
subsequent marches quite down to Cuddalore, and from thence to Calcutta. Before we set
out upon our return, two more of the same kind were constructed, and connected together
by an iron axle-tree ; and with these three the distances were measured for that fine survey
which was made by Lieutenant Colebrooke. ... I therefore recommend the single wheels of
this construction for all future surveys, and will lend mine to the arsenal as a pattern for more
to be made by. As perambulators are included in the proportion of stores, I beg leave to
recommend sending" them to the different stations, and also one to the office of the Chief
Engineer, and another to that of the Surveyor General 6 .
As regards price, the Surveyor General purchased one from an officer in 1787
for lis. 130; and in 1795 Mackenzie paid about 12 Pagodas for one of large
pattern.
In 1797 G-oldingham obtained sanction "to make up some Surveying Wheels"
upon a design of his own, for use at the Surveying School.
Sextants & Qttadbants
Reflecting instruments on the familiar principle of the Sextant had been used by
navigators from the latter end of the 17th century. In 1731 John Hadley published
an account of his new reflecting Octant, which was a great improvement on any
existing instrument of the sort. It was provided with a tangent screw, telescope,
and vernier scale, enabling the navigator to determine his latitude with accuracy,
and was equally well adapted for coast surveying by triangulation. In 1733 he
added a spirit level.
As time went on it was found desirable to use a more extended arc, and the
Sextant was introduced in 1757, and Quadrants about the same time; the arc was
later enlarged to 120 degrees, and some patterns took the form of Reflecting
Circles. "With these reflecting circles observations could be repeated and the mean
taken, centring and other errors being thus eliminated 7 .
'Thiullier & Symth (360-1). 2 ib (107-8). 3 Note in fdbk., MRIO. M. 77. 4 Noto on chart,
MRIO. 138 (41). 'โ Memoir, 1783(68). 6 To G-G.; Ben P. $P. VII (120). ? South Kensington (5).
200
Survey Insthumekts
I:
โ ,1S^ Eeniw11 waB Preparing for his voyage to the East Indies as a midshipman
m i/oO, he wrote to his g'uardian; '
I believe I shall want a Quadrant and a book call'd the East India Pilot [ 169 11 2 1 Thev'll
cost about ยฃ 3-10-0, it must be one of Hadley's Quadrants. ... I have furnished myself with
drawing compasses. Navigation Books, &c. 2 ;
and this was the quadrant he used on his first survey in Beno-al.
On his journey to Poona Smith used
an astronomical Quadrant.. .made of brass, of 20 inch radius; turns horizontally upon a
pointed steel axis about 2 ft. long, ... with spirit and plumb line ; but as we seldom staid
more than one night m a place, the observations were necessarily made in the open air and
generally ma brisk wind which rendered the plumb line useless, and the observations them-
selves sometimes rather uncertain to half a minute or more * [ 162 175 ]
Pearse gives the following account of his instruments โข'
I had only a tolerably good quadrant and quicksilver till December 1776, when I was
SeTrT g TV ^ ""r land ^^^ made ** EamSden - witb a Urometer to sub!
divide the nonms. This inverts, and is capable of the nicest adj ustments. ... In August I77v
oCXmicfomltor.^' 01 ' ^ * "' **' ^ object gi ass, and alS
Going to Madras in 1782 [ I5 5 n. 7] I used an Hadley's octant and quicksilver [to which he
made elaborate modifications so that] by this contrivance, with an octant I coold tal โ
angles of 150 : and consequently meridian altitudes as far as 75ยฐ. ... In the way back we
had a land quadrant of i 5 inches radius, ... sent out by the India Company. It was used by
Mr. Hurst, in the transit of Venus [ I53 ]. This could not be inverted, but, to destroy the
effects of eo hmation and error of level, the latitudes are all determined by stars taken north
and south of each place, as the observations will shew [154] s.
r F fi hi r โข ore I iln P OTtant work Topping mounted his "Hadley" on a stand
[172], but though the Surveyor General in Bengal indented for quadrants thus
mounted, the Directors replied,
All the instruments desired for the use of the Surveyor General's office will be sent this
season, except the two land Quadrants with stands, which must be deferred for further
explanation ; the Astronomical Quadrant is sent as desired, which it is supposed must anVwer
every purpose for which the others can possible be required r20.il* answer
In 1789 the Directors
ordered to be sent on one of the Ships of this season an Astronomical Quadrant made bv
mandel. ^^ ** ** ^ * ^ T ยฐ PPing " M ^"โขy ยฐi ^c Coast of CoS
Compasses
The compasses of the ISth century appear to belongs to three main types
The Pocket Compass reading to 8 or 16 points, was probably carried by most
offlcera and surveyors and must very often have been the route surveyor's only
instrument besides his perambulator. } J
flโ J^ Az โข uth C ยฐ m P ass โข>s ยป superior instrument altogether. It consisted of a
floating needle, and a ring graduated to degrees which revolved with a pair of open
sights the line of sight conic ding with the zero of the ring. This compass varied
from three to Hve inches m diameter, and was used from a stand '
to decrees 7 ' ^ C ยฐ mPaSS ^^ WaS inoor P orated โข*ยฐ the Theodolite, also graduated
All readings had to be taken by the naked eye.
We have found very few direct references to the compasses actually used โข
Eennell makes no mention of his, except that he observed the variation of his
needle, but it was probably a pocket compass that Ferguson reported for mishe
haviour under musketry fire [28]. misoe-
] Lennon, when surveying in 178S, had no other instruments with him than an
azimuth compass and a perambulator; Colebrooke in 1786 took his bearings "with
4 CD to B. 6-4-89 (118).
1 HITS. 765, 2-2-60 ' BM. Addl. MSS. zaal
"Probably sueoessor to John Bird (l7u9-56), BNB.
3 AsR. I (58-61).
6 South Kensington.
Compasses
201^
an Azimuth Compass and another of smaller dimensions", but in 1788 Burrow
regrets that though he had " a theodolite and a small pocket compass " ot his own,
he had no azimuth compass [204]. .
All experienced surveyors, from Eennell onwards, took regular astronomical
observations to determine " the variation of the needle ", that is, the decimation of
its scale zero from true north. This would of course be of no value with a pocket
compass, but would be important for bearings taken by theodolite, which could
give readings by vernier from the magnetic meridian, sometimes to one minute.
Some compass rings were graduated counter-clockwise from 0" to 360 ; others
were graduated from 0ยฐ to 90ยฐ for each quadrant independently ; in recording from
the latter a note had to be made as to the quadrant [ i8g ].
ClRCUHFERENTORS
Goldingham mentions the use of a circumferentor on his survey of the coast in
1793 [ 192"] when the traverse between major signals was run by circumferentor
and perambulator. A circumferentor was also included amongst the instruments
issued to each assistant revenue surveyor sent out on district surveys [ 206 ].
The circumferentor was a compass on a stand, with a small spirit-level for set-
ting it horizontal. It had a 9-inch circle, graduated in degrees and reading by
vernier to 3 minutes. Fixed to the circle was an alidade with sights at either end '.
Theodolites
Bion describes the English theodolite of the early 18th century as consisting
of a brass horizontal circle, reading sometimes to 2 minutes, but without a vernier.
The rotating telescope could be elevated and depressed, but had no vertical circle.
During the ISth century improvements were added which included a vernier read-
ing to a minute ; a compass whereby all angles and bearings were referred to the
magnetic meridian ; and a vertical arc. In an article published in 1822, Edward
Troughton, the great instrument maker, writes
that the early theodolite had a single very poor azimuth circle, and angles were observed from
the magnetic needle. It was really a telescopic compass 3 .
An early Altazimuth Theodolite is thus described in the catalogue of the
Science Museum ;
The Alidade carries a vertical arc, and also a telescope with vernier arm ; ... 8-mch horizon-
tal circle graduated in degrees, and read to 5 minutes by a vernier scale on the alidade.
The vertical arc has radius of three inches, and is graduated to degrees up to 50 degrees on
each side of the zero, and read to 5 minutes by vernier. A 4-inch compass fixed to the
alidade is graduated to degrees. Telescope of 10-inch focal length, and J-inch aperture.
Spirit levels for levelling. Two parallel plaies for fixing the instrument to its tripod are
connected by four levelling screws and spherical joint- 5 .
Eennell did not receive a theodolite until 1767 ; Barnard used a theodolite 4 from
that year for his survey of the Jagir.
On Kelly's smvey of Fullarton's marches angles were taken "with a complete
theodolite [185] ", and during the Third Mysore War Colebrooke used
a fine theodolite" by Ramsden with telescopes and spirit levels, and a smaller one by Cole with
sights and Nonius. The latter was used most frequently on account of the case and leadiness
with which it might be put up 5 .
In 1795 Mackenzie indented for a
good Theodolite, ... if possible, ... with the latest improvements, the horizontal plates and
vertical arch moved by screws, and with a good telescope fixed, and spirit levels 6 .
1 Bion ; 4- South )?Bnsiยป5t<m [67-8]. 'Memoirs BAS. I, 1822 (5*) 'South KeT.sin.3t0n (70).
โขMidnapore Dist. B. (168), 5-467. s Note on chart, MEIO. US (41 ). ' MM C. 10-1-95.
202
SuilVEY INSTRUMENTS
Reference must be made to two instruments of a different class โ
โข' t j E ?, Ual AKitofe Instrument, made by Troughton, which cost 50 <minea s
in London", used by Emmitt for determining: the variation of his compass i TiySl
^J^Z^J^f^ ^ S "^ 0r ยซโ al ยป l^Sforastronoicii
EoJ'toriV^ C H rCUlar i T traTWnt "Pยฐ n * M " construction, called the New Improved
Equatorial, ..made upon the same plan as the instrument used by General Roy to ascertain
it L Sndonte T6, n G a " S ^ ^"^ ""' ""* - ^ โข *e proprilrb^
it ,n London for ,67 Guineas ; and carried it first to China, where not haVing met with a
The purchase was sanctioned, and he writes to Toppino-
ยซโ I I*โข pr ยฐ Cure f f new ^Proved Equatorial Instrument of tao feet diameter but the
loimX^nt ZmยฃTu " ?*" ^ miStake ' l ha โข DOt ** *ยป ^^ an^
use 01 this instrument, which I hope however to do in time, bavin* written to Crmnarโhโr iL
Chronometers
The possibility of determining Longitude at Sea by the use of a Time-keener was first
pointed out by the Flemish astronomer Gemma Frisius iโ a work on negation published a
Antwerp in ,530. ... During t 725 ^o John Harrison, a Yorkshire carpenter invented and
constructed four practical marine time-keepers, with the fourth of which he wo 1 the reward of
felST fndl ^' he BritiSh ?ยฐT nment [ I5t ] ' - HarliSOn ' S โ hamsm...โข comphcated
delicate, and costly ...accordingly it had little direct effect on the evolution of the modeโข
chronometer. But in r 7 6 5 Pierre le Roy of Paris invented and constructed a marine rime"
keeper, whose mechanism embodied.. .practically all the essential features of the modern
ZโnZ^r W ยฐ rk ~ *~ UP by toth - d - ^nceandtyroidtnโข
The last named produced, as early as 1785, several chronometers, which both in appear
ance , and mechanism, are scarcely distinguishable from the machine of today* ^
BalrvmnT/i'f St "T โข J ad *? f ยซ h โขโขโข^ being used in India is a note by
Dabymple ot one owned by Forrest [46] which
fell into very good hands, for it was purchased by Lieut. J.S. Ewart, who made very eood
use of it dnnng two years in Bengal and the intenour part of India [T55] and the? as he
informs me spared it to one of the vessels gone to the North West coast of America' torn
which therefore Geography has much to expect*. America, lrom
Both Borrow and Topping made regular use of chronometers and watches For
his longitude observations in 1787 Barrow bought an Arnold's chronometer and a
large timeptece for Hs. 1,700 [ 158 ], and writes,
made to GeoTraoh ^ H f ^ , Arn ยฐ' d ** ^^ ยฐ M ยฐ f the ^ test Mi * l ยฐโข ยซ^t โขre ever
sTve a, tโ โ S P 7 ' ' , he dam P ness oi ยซ* "cather of India in the rainy season is so exces-
guarSd agaiโ a sT n r egn anbeS " ** ^ "*' ^ l ~ยป tMr -^V considerably, if not โ
After taking them both out of their cases, and wrapping them carefully in cotton and
rommontrvilet *"ยป "" "ยป* * "- close box, th?y then went ve^ welltwere^of
_ We have already noticed that, between his principal longitude stations, Burrow
mterpolated others by means of several watches whose rate? he constantly' checked
L 162 ] ; that he forgot to wind the watches and had to stay an extra week at Dacca
to re-observe their rates [ , 58 ] . and that on his return to Calcutta he found all the
watches had altered their rates very considerably [ 1 50, , 6 2 ] . In measuring his
degree of longitude he made use of nine watches [ 1 66] measuring h,s
On his journey by land from Masulipatam to Calcutta in 1786 [ 1,, 1 Topoincr
had a small chronometer ' J ' u rP ln s
^ยฑ"rJ' 1 ' M that had bef ยฐ re bem under ^ ยฐ n a ">y*Se f"ยป England to the Coast and after-
wards at Madras during an interval of twelve months. The account which follows of the
Chronometers 203
method observed to ascertain its rate on the road, will show how satisfactorily it performed
on this occasion : ... the chronometer appears to have been very little affected, by the motion
of the Palanquin, between the last two stations 1 .
At the end of 1792 he asked leave to make a voyage in order to test some
chronometers just received from England [ 173 ] " ;
These watches are now in good order, and should be used before they have been too long
out of the maker's hands, after which they are found to be much less valuable than at first
for settling the Longitudes of places.
Huddart fixed the longitude of many places down the west coast by carrying
chronometers from Bombay, and comparing their times against that from astrono-
mical observations [ 176 ].
Chronometers were sometimes contrary and Sydenham reports that though he had
carefally recorded the rate of his watch, by Arnold, from "a series of comparisons
at the Madras Observatory", yet on
30th March. ..the watch stopped without any visible cause, having been carefully wound up
the preceding day, and every precaution used to secure it against accident. This unpleasant
circumstance rendered it necessary to ascertain a new rate 3 .
In 1786 the Directors sent out for the Bombay Marine survey [124] "one Bos
and two Pocket chronometers", ...and directed that
in case of any accident unfortunately happening to the Box Chronometer, it must not be
put into the hands of any Artist in India, but returned to us. We are informed that the
Pocket Chronometer can be repaired at Calcutta 4r .
It is sad to find, however, that two years later McCluer reports,
The Chronometers sent out by the Company are all useless; the large one was sent to-
Governor Boddam, that it might be taken to Europe. The small ones are both rendered
useless, one is with me, and the other is lodged in the Secretary's office. The Longd. has been
accurately measured by a very good one, sent me by Mr. Dalrymple 5 .
Supply of Instruments
In the early days it was not the Company's policy to supply its officers with
surveying instruments; they were expected to provide their own, even though no
provision was made for this in calculating their allowances [205, 277]. A
small stock however, of the more common instruments gradually came to be kept
amongst the engineer and military stores, and could sometimes be obtained from
the arsenals on payment. As the Company's servants were the only traders allowed
in the country, there were no merchants or shopkeepers to import such articles ;
officers who wanted instruments had therefore to purchase them from England,
though after a time they were sometimes brought out amongst the goods which
every captain of an Indiaman had the right to bring out as his private speculation
[ 90 ] . When an officer died or left the country, any surveying instruments among
his property were sure to find purchasers, and sanction was often obtained to pur-
chase them for Government stores.
In 1775, Ross, Chief Engineer, Madras, wrote to Stevens, who must have
possessed some instruments already, but apparently had asked for others,
I will send you the Astronomical Quadrant with a great deal of pleasure : I am sorry
that I have not a Theodolite that will answer your purpose, but you may depend on having
the best of the season. I have wrote for several, but am afraid they won't be out this year.
The Company have never sent me any Instruments, tho' it was one of the first things I
did to indent for them. What I have hitherto got were such as the officers of the ships
brought out for sale, which will account for their being of inferior quality 6 .
Again, to Government, on the close of Johnston's survey in Vizagapatam [ 93 ],
Mr. Johnstone should be directed to bring with him all the Surveying Instruments that
are not immediately wanted by Mr. Maxtone. Among which are those belonging to the
Estate of the late Captain Pittman ; they have been in use for the Company ever since his
death, and, as they are still wanted, should be purchased 7 ,
1 Oriental Repertory, T ( 419 et saq ). "4 pocket chronometers advised ; CD to M. 16-5-92 ( 15 ).
3 Journal, MEIO. M. S3. 4 CD to Bo. 8-3-86 (29). s Bo PC. 18-9-88. 6 Mack. MSS.LXvTII, 18-6-75.
rjtfMC. 6-1-77.
โ 204
Survey Instruments
100
60
ยปG
18
80
Again, in 1782,
The great want of mathematical and surveying instruments for the service of the
Engineer's Department induces me to request that your Lordship will allow me to purchase
...several useful articles brought from Europe in the ships of this season, amounting to about
400 Pagodas 1 .
Mathematical instruments were a favourite form of official present. When Bogle
went on his mission to Tibet, he took with him as presents to be distributed in Bhutan 2 ,
A. Case of Mathematical Instruments valued at
Barometer, Thermometer, Hydrometer ,,
Three Thermometers ... โ
Four Compasses ... ... 3J
A Quadrant ... ... u
A Microscope
. A small Telescope ...
Two Spying Glasses ... u
Three Prisms ... ...
' An Electrifying Machine ..:
In 1771, the Directors send out as a present for the ISTawab of the Carnatic
an Instrument of curious design and workmanship, called an Orrery, which exhibits the
revolutions of the Planets 3 .
and twenty years later presents for the young Peshwa included "an Orrery, Globes,
fMaps, and Philosophical Instruments" 4 : the orrery was damaged on the journey,
โ but Emmitt was able to repair it.
When Burrow was ordered on his astronomical survey in 1 787, he had the greatest
difficulty in collecting suitable instruments, but, not being a eonvenanted servant,
'was able to get Government to pay for those which he managed to find [ 158 ] ;
With respect to the Instruments, Calcutta is not a place where it is easy to be furnished,
even with bad ones, from the shops ; I had brought some good ones from England, but had
the misfortune to have them stolen, & there was none belonging to the Company in the
Settle nient, so that I was obliged to borrow where I could; &. am particularly obliged to
Lt. Wm. Golding of the Bengal Engineers, for use of a 4 foot refracting telescope ; & to
Captain Justinian Nutt 5 for the lead of one of Mr. Arnold's timepieces for several months
during his stay at Calcutta; Mr. E. E. Pote also favoured me with the use of an excellent
Telescope made by Ramsden, & Captain Garstin, with one of Ramsdcn's theodolites.
I had likewise a sextant made by Trougaton of 6 inches radius, & two of Mr. Arnold's
Chronometers ; one of them was very old and without any of his last improvements, but the
other went very well ; and I had also a Barometer and Thermometer ; and an Astronomical
Quadrant made by Captain Ritchie, but this last was so liable to error of all kinds (being for
- the most part made of wood & excessively ill contrived) as to be in a manner almost totally
..useless, and rather burthensome than serviceable.
For his trip to Cheduba the following spring,
The instruments I took with me were two watches made by Arnold belonging to the
Company, & a Sextant & Telescopes; a theodolite & a small pocket compass of my own. I had
- neither Azimuth compass, nor log -line, nor time to procure such things, when I received orders
_to go on board, nor could I with propriety expect such things from the ship as they were
continually wanting them for their own observations 6 .
In 1787 the Surveyor General asked Government to sanction the purchase of a
number of instruments, the property of an officer of Engineers who was goino- home
as there is not a single instrument in the Office belonging to the Company, and were they to
, be commissioned from England there would not only be a delay of several years, but very
little difference in the expence.
These instruments consisted of
A large and complete Magazine ease of Mathematical Instruments, containing
300
150
200
130
250
A very complete pentagraph by Ramsden
Spirit level by Ramsden, with long^ telescope, compass, etc.
Perambulator
A sextant with telescope
A large Theodolite, with long telescope and spirit level
He replied to the Government's query as to how the Surveyor General's Office
had hitherto been supplied with instruments,
3 CD to " Nabob of Carnatic ", 10-4-71.
;. MS. 5. ?MMC, 27-9-87.
'Mack. MSS. LXTIII, 8-1^82. ! HMS. 219(347), 3-5-74.
1 HMS. 615 (286). 5 Captain of an Indiaraan. 6 Journal, 10. Ma
Supply of Instruments 205
- Some years ago.. .our plans were contracted for to be completed for a specified sum of
.money, and there is no doubt the Expence for Instruments as well as every other must have
been considered [235]. At present I have a salary of 500 Sonat Rupees a month for myself,
and 600 for Draftsmen, but no allowance for instruments [203,277], which of course ought to
be furnished by the Hon'ble Company. ...
I further beg leave to recommend. . .that the Court of Directors be requested to send out every
two years for the use of my office the.. .Instruments which are included in the accompanying
list, which I have now the honour to send you, and if possible to be made by Ramsden,
This indent included drawing instruments of all sorts and
A Spirit Level. A Pentagraph.
Two Land Quadrants with stands. An Improved Perambulator.
An Astronomical Quadrant. Tito hanging, and two pocket, compasses.
Two small Theodolites, strongly made, with double Two hundred-tcer Brass Chains with arrows.
Telescope and a spare long telescope for each. Two Gunter's Brass Chains with arrows .
Government sanctioned the purchase of the instruments on sale and forwarded
the indent to England, which in due course was supplied with the exception of
r the land quadrants [200].
About this time Reynolds in Bombay succeeded in replenishing his stock of
instruments at Government expence :
Among the Investment of the Imperial ship, lately arrived, are a variety of mathematical
and Astronomical Instruments suited to the service on which I am at present employed, and
as such an opportunity is not to be missed of providing myself with these Instruments, ... I
-beg leave to solicit your permission to Purchase them on the Honorable Company's account.
Accompanying is a list with their prices sent me by the Captain of the Ship. I must do
him the justice to say that the prices are very moderate, and much below what such articles
generally sell for in India.
The Military Storekeeper was directed to purchase what Reynolds asked for ! .
In 1788 the issue of a perambulator and oompass from Government stores was
authorised for any survey of a military route, on the indent of the commanding
'officer [196] 3 .
; In 1792 the situation as regards instruments at Madras was so difficult that
the Chief Engineer wrote to Mackenzie, on his being posted as surveyor with the
Nizam's Subsidiary force,
An Artificial Horizon is not to be got. Topping endeavoured to render that which
Lennon had serviceable for you, but it did not succeed, you must therefore make the most of
some quicksilver in a saucer, and chase still weather for your observations. The Major
[Maule] and Sergeant Balfour have been trying at a wheel for you ; their Progress I cannot
exactly ascertain, but believe it rather slow 4 . .-.,..โข
The following year Topping submitted a second indent for mathematical
โ instruments,
which I hope will be complied with, as there are no Instruments fit for the surveying service
of any value belonging to the Company in the Country 5 .
In 1795, Mackenzie sent in from Hyderabad an account of the instruments that
had been provided to him in 1792, and an indent for replacement and addition ;
โ provided by himself,
Brass Sextant by Ramsden, with Large Perambulator.
Astronomical Ephemeris Tables. Achromatic Telescope, 4 feet.
Theodolite, with stand, complete. Two Pocket Compasses etc.
Brass Chain of 50 feet.
โ provided from the Chief Engineer's Office,
Brass Circular Protractor Box of Colours
Large Parallel Euler Tracing Glass, with some stationery.
โ and now required,
A Good Theodolite, Two eases Mathematical Drawing Instruments ;
ArtilVial Horizon, with ground glass plates ; thecommon brass kind are not St for any work
very much wanted. of accuracy ; they should be chosen of the best
Small jar of Quicksilver. kind. ...
Azimuth Compasses. A pah of Thermometers and Barometers.
Achromatic Telescope. A Pocket, or Portable, Compass.
Tracing Glass.
>MMC. 27-9-87. ' Bo. S & Po. 5-2-88. 3 BGO. 29-9-88. 'Mack. MSS. LXIX, 1-8-92.
*MPC. 19^-93.
(i
206 Survey Instruments
The above list, if supplied will render any application for instruments unnecessary for
some time. If any of the kind wanted are among the stores at Masulipatam, they might be
ordered to be supplied on indent from thence 1 .
The following instruments were supplied to each pair of Assistant Surveyors
sent out from the Surveying School on district surveys 3 ;
Theodolite, Cireumferentor.
Levelling Instrument. Chain. ;.
Telescope for celestia.1 observations. Two Teak measuring rods.
Small Telescope. Brass standard measuring rod.
Hadley's Sextant. Perambulator.
Artificial Horizon. Protractor.
Thermometer. Case of Drawing Instruments.
Astrolabe 3
Some description must be given of the Astrolabe, the oldest scientific instrument
in the world, which we have already noticed as having been used by the early
astronomers and travellers [148,151], and, as late as the 18th century, by the
missionary Tieffenthaler [ 150].
In its simplest form it consisted of a circle or disc of metal or wood, suspended
by the edge from a ring, and fitted with an alidade which rotated to give readings
from a scale of degrees. With this instrument, the elevation of sun or stars could
be observed for the deduction of time and latitude [ 176].
Instrument Maeers
It is not surprising to find surveyors of the 18th century complaining of the
quality of the instruments they had to work with, and the following extract is taken
from a letter written by Pearse to an uncle in England.
Adams' Thermometers are too short for India. I have seen the mercury 120. ...
I never had any opinion of Adams; when I was in Europe I had seen some of his instru-
ments very defective, ... his being King's Mathematical Instrument Maker mates him careless;
but I have seen many instruments of Ramsden's in India exquisitely good.
I have an astronomical Quadrant of his make which is extremely fine [200]; and I have
seen refractors of his, little, if anything, inferior to Dolland's; so that I have a very high
opinion of him*.
'MMC, 10-1-95. ! M. Rev. Bd. 22-12-96. 3 Ency. Brit. 4 Letter of 3^-TS. Mil, Repository,
I(15o).
Plate 11
Reduced b;
Trustees.
the British Museum, K. 115 ( 25 ) by permission of the
A great advance on Mercators map, Plate 3, but, interior detail pushed
too far north, compare Plate 1.
Note, in contrast, the comparative accuracy in latitude of the coastal
detail, both here and in Plate 12.
Plate 12
Reduced by
Trustees.
ISTote how
been pushed
much room.
the British Museum, K. 115(60 ) by permission of the
the Western Ghats, which are visible from the coast have
far into the interior; Malabar and Canara being allowed far too
Compare Plates 1 and 3
l _ . . ,o _! :. โโ rl,,f nf PlatP 11.
CHAPTER XIV
MAPS OP INDIA
Ancient Geography 1 โ Early Maps to 17 SO โ D'Anville's hap of 1752 โ Jefferys &
โ Orme โ Rennell's Map of Hindoostan, 1782-93 โ Thomas Call's Atlas, 1782-9 โ
Reynolds' Map 1793-1807 โ Ookhroohe & others.
THE first ideas to reach Europe about the geography of India came through
Alexander's invasion of B.C. 330;
The actual campaigns.. .were confined to the valley of the Indus and its tributaries' but
the information collected. ..included the whole valley of the Ganges on the north, the eastern
and western coasts of the peninsula, and some scattered notices of the interior of the country 2 .
This information was worked into shape by the Greek geographers Megasthenes
and Eratosthenes 3 , the latter attempting the first map of India. He held that the
earth was spherical in shape and the centre of the universe, and, making astrono-
mical observations and calculations for the length of the earth's circumference, laid
the first foundations of scientific geography; his ideas of the dimensions and form
of India are said to have been a better approximation than those of most of his
successors up till about the 17th centu j \ "but he strangely distorted its outlines,
so much so that India extended from West to East, with Cape Comorin as its most
easterly point"", whilst the ocean beyond formed the limit of his world.
He was followed by Ptolemy ' [220], mathematician, astronomer, and geographer
of the 2nd century A D., who established the geometrical principles of geography, and
insisted that astronomical observation was the only scientific basis for aยฐmap [148].
He constructed a map of the world and separate maps of other countries, collecting
information from historians and travellers. Unfortunately he took the value oยฐf
the equatorial degree as 50 instead of 60 geographical miles, and having but few
observations for latitude, and none for longitude, his positions were mostly = estimated
by mutual bearings and distances, and thus vitiated by his error. His Indian
peninsula is typical of the distortion produced, being compressed in latitude between
parallels 11 and 20ยฐ, but stretched in longitude from meridians 110ยฐ to 150ยฐ.
Ceylon on the other hand is swollen to 15ยฐ north to south, and 12ยฐ from east to west.
Ptolemy shows the Hinialayan'range [ 67 ], with the Ganges flowing south-east
from the mountains to the sea. He is the first to apply the term India intra Gangem.
to the 1 egion west of the Ganges, and that of India extra Gangem to that to the
east, whilst beyond that a rain he shows the Chersonesus Anna and Since 7 .
Both D'Anville and Kennel] refer repeatedly to his map, Eennell remarking
Although this geographer's map of India is so exceedingly faulty in the general form of the'
whole tract; yet several parts of it arc descriptive. ... Ptolemy's ideas were collected from the
people who sailed along the coast. ... A work which has travelled down to us from the second
century. ..must have possessed something worthy to recommend it 8 .
Wilford writes, probably before 1S00,
It is my opinion that, in the times of Pliny and Ptolemy, they had a more full and copious
geographical account of India than we had forty years ago. Unluckily through the want of
regular itineraries and astronomical observations, their longitudes and latitudes were only
,nferred; an] this alone was sufficient to throw the whole of their geographical information
into a shapeless and inextricable mass of confusion 9 .
ยป, ?Mi?KH,. g ' mer t 1 aoc ? l : nt of the e ">y S^SrapIry of Indii, ,. Murray, I. 'Sastri (tail),
, ; ., : l*B.t,ยป(lยป,,libr., 1 il,a,i l i, ! Smtri (MCili). 'Bunbury.I (635). โ X โยซ ( 142 1 ,
1โข ! .< v ' * Tยฐ te ab,ut 150 A - D -i E โขy BH >- 'Map, O'rkr.s 6V.โข<โ>โ !'!otoโ,,ยป,โ,
.XiSkโขโข:'' 'MR'xitlskfsHnt inSeI ยฐ n ,ttmtia?ieCe ยฐ f A " HPU ' 4 <*ยซยซ*ยซยซยซโข
207
208
Maps of India
f
I 1
One substantial contribution made by Ptolemy was a table of places with
latitudes and longitudes, the former from the parallel of Rhodes, an/ the later
ir? 1 4 h 9 dT en 'ยฐ [ H2 "โข *) โข A Latin *โขยซlยปtio n of his Georgia appeared
in 1482, and his maps were redrawn and printed in 1472 ppeareo.
The next great contributors to Indian geography to be noticed are the Chinese
40<>T3 S and a fiTiT] " *?"%' Wh ยฐ ^^ th6 Sa0red P 1 "" of '*Aยป
400 I 3 and 629-4o, leaving valuable accounts of their -journeys
From the 9th to the 13th centuries a succession of Arab travellers and geographers
left careful records of the places they visited and described, fixing So, s
by means of estimated distances. They illustrated their writings by diagi^s rather
than maps and one of these, by Ibn Haukal, is shown on plate 4 [ 22 o 1
The following is an extract from an Arab work completed in 1310 wh-ch is
more precise when dealing with internal detail โ
Hind IS surrounded ou the east by Chin and Machin, on the west by Sind and Kabul and
on the south by the sea. On the North he Kashmir, the country of the Turks and thยป
mountain of Mem , which is extremely high, and stands opposite to tne Luthel ^f d ***
Though containing little m the way of maps, old Hindu Sanskrit writing
contain much accurate geographical information, of which it has been said That *
Although there is plenty of the fabulous in Indian geographv of outlandist rLvf = 'ยซ,
allusions to purely Indian topography are generally sober. The main Tea lure" of t g. ยฐ ' 2f
were adequately known in very early times\ ieatures of the country
Wilford, who was the first serious student of such Hindu literature writes
Besides geographical tracts, the Hindus have also maps of the world both TccoVdW tโ
the system of the Pauranics, and of the astronomers ; P fhe latter are try common Thev
have also maps of India, and of particular districts, in which latitudes 2d longrTudes are
entirely out of question, and they never make use of a scale of equal parts. The sea shores
rivers and ranges of mountains, are represented in general by strait lines ct p , ,T '
The best map of this sort I ever saw, was one of the kingdom of ^/presented to
Mr Hastings. It was about four feet long, and two and a half broad of paste toardanS
the mountains raised about an inch above the surface, with trees pain ed all round The
roads were represented by a red line, and the rivers with a blue one The โขZT
scale ^The'vSSev of ^7*โข" *~Z ^^ ^ ^ ^T^J* ^ZH
^hingV^Swtrru i:rnยฐSn e!y ""^ ** " * ^ <* * -p!
Eaf.lt Maps to 1750
The invention of printing was a great stimulus to the study of geography and
between 1472 and 1480 seven editions of Ptolemy's maps were Ssued P Durmg
the following century a number of Italian and Dutch maps appeared which Ts
^h^K latTatTlerf *~ * " ยป" - ~ SS strangffor^
f rfi^ H f^ 16 Sh! - W , ItaHan ma P B of tIlc 16in Century by Bertoli and
Gas taldt- but later maps by Giacomo Cantelli da Vignola, published at Eo me "n
1683, show a considerable advance in knowledge' m
; There are a number of Dutch maps, the earlier ones being wildly imaginative
with picturesque ornamentation in the way of ships and seยฐa monsteโข Iven the
names of their geographers have an air of romance; Hadriano Eelando Gerard
piece to GladmnW,โข AUer,j f ,33 n 3] ยปiwi iv4? ?oT P .fr?' โข Ch f- "S ap app " a " as *''<">ยซยป-
o, the Venetian mapLkers of iotlfcen^ry ยป. "?ยฃยฃ' nib! u^klogued. '' "' ^^ " the -"
Early Maps to 1750 209'
Mercator ; Johann Huydekoper ; de Witt ; Pieter Goos ; Hendrick Doncker ; Hugo
Allarot ; and Nicolaum Visscher. Plate 3 gives a fine map from Mercator's atlas
of the early 17th. century.
Plate 10 shows a map of the late 16th century, a tiny map drawn by Father
"Monserrate after his visit to Akbar's court, 1579-82 [ii], which commands our
respect as the first map even partly based upon measured routes and astronomical
observation, the surveyed line running from Surat through Delhi to Kabul.
The chief merit of the map is the delineation of the western Himalaya and the
upper courses of the rivers from the Jumna to the Indus, which are better shown'
than in any other map for the next two hundred years [68], though it is seriously
out in longitude. It was never printed until 1914.
The first English map of any value was drawn by "William Baffin in 1619,.
largely from information supplied by Sir Thomas Roe [71 n. 8], whom Baffin
accompanied on the voyage home from India. Though greatly superior to other
published maps of the period, and for a long while the main authority for other
geographers, Orme's remark that " This map is curious for knowledge misplaced l "
was certainly justified, with, for example, Lahore on the banks of the Indus, and
Attock 80 leagues to the south. It is interesting to compare Baffin's map with
that of Monserrate ; they have practically nothing in common 3 whilst Monserrate
has a very fair idea of the Jumna, he reduces the Ganges to a mere tributary,,
strangely misplaced; Baffin's Ganges on the other hand, is very well shown, but his
Jumna rises about twenty miles west of Delhi *.'
With a neat humour, Baffin inscribed the following text below his map heading,.
" Vera quae visa ; quae non, veriora " s , which no doubt referred originally to the
superiority of divine faith over material vision.
Nearly 100 years later, Herman Moll published in " London, in the Savoy j
MDCCXXII ", a work entitled A Compleat System, of Geography, Ancient & Modern.
The volume for Asia contains 31 maps, and lengthy descriptions of the geography
of India as then surmised *, There are two maps of India, both on the scale of 200
miles to an inch.
The West Part of India, or the Empire of the GREAT MOGVL extends from Kabul
to Pegu, and from the Maldivo Islands to Kashmir.
Its most striking features are ; first, that it brings the Ganges directly south
from a lake, presumably intended for Manasarowar [72], which is fed by two
great rivers, a very different version to that introduced by the Lamas' map a few
years later [ 70-1 ]. Second, the Brahmaputra is brought from the East through
Assam, and the Tsang-po is not shown at all. Third, a river "Guenga", in other
early maps the Ganga, rises in- the Decean near Poona, and flows north-east into the
Hooghly [45, pis. 3 n. ; 13 n. J.
The East Part of INDIA, or India beyond the R. Ganges, extends eastwards to
cover the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Sumatra 5 .
It shows Assam as "Asem or Acham", and also shows a "Laquia E. 6 " flowing west
from " Chaammay Lake" in Upper Burma to join the Brahmaputra [ 78, 84].
Plates 11 and 12 show two maps by le Sieur Sanson d'Abbeville, Geographer
to the King' of Prance, whom Markham describes as kยฃ the pioneer of geography in
Prance 7 " ; they seem to have borrowed from Baffin's map.
Markham refers to Guillaume Delisle, "Premier Geographe du Eoi", as "the
principal creator of the modern system of geography", and "the first to publish a
map of Tibet [ 67 ]". His Carte des Indes et de la Chine is dated 1705, and his map
of Central Asia, 1706. A later French geographer was le Sieur Robert, Geographe
ordinaire du Roi, one of whose maps Les Indes Orientates 8 was published in 1751.
'Orme MSS. 134 (169). 2 Map, BM. K. 115 (2i): reproduced, Terry & "William Foster. ^The
things that we have seen are true ; those that we have not seen are truer still. Possibly from St. Aug-
ustine; cf. II Cor. IV 18. *IO. Maps, MS. 87 (451-712). 5 ib. (652) ยฐEennell gives the name
" Lukhya " to the W . channel of the Brahmaputra thro' Dacca Dist. ; La Totiche ( 46 ) & Ben. Atlas ( vi &
ix ). The name still survives, 78 L/12, 79 1/9. ' Nicolas Sanson, b. Abbeville 1600. d. 1667 ; his sons
Guillaume d. 1733 and Adrian d. 1718. 3 BM. K. 115 (11).
210
Maps of India
!
D'Antille's Map of 1752
Ail important stage was reached, and the geography of India largely rescued
from the vagaries of fancy, when the French geographer, Je^BaptUte Bourgeon
maโข of the Tยฐยฐ m ? 1 rf, -""V ยฐ aHe g4n6ml du โข> ยซ *"*โ *>ยซ, ^sed on the
maps of the Jesuits at Pefan, and this had been published in Du Halde's sreat
work on China [ 7 o, pi. 7 ]. He had also published, in 1737, a map of the South
Peninsula from surveys sent home by Father Bouchet [86, ^8-ql
His new map of India was the first to be accompanied by a careful analysis of
all authorities used in its construction ; it is entitled analysis ot
3 feSS * ' Inde ' *"* P0UI la "-W" des Indes - ยปยป ยซ Pโข> 4 lignes au degre.
His descriptive memoir 4 opens
? &2ยฃt& sr^s : P ^r iuยฃ: t&2ss^^ยซ5?
J avouerai merne que j'ai d'abord temoigne quelque repugnance a traveler TuV 1'Lud nlu,
Aureste , J'avancemeut de la Geographie m'etant pins cher que la carte rfe lfโ i โข
sing positions and distances given by writers even aTearlv a, S ' iTi?"
cove^B^L^rTSllr^fb ยฐ f Ind ^ Slm0St Wank ' Snd fr0m the "ยซ*>ยฐ -"ich
wJnV= T-ii โ 3] i , , be Seen how conscientious he was to avoid filling ur,
virons of Andanagar? ..form the gr^t river Garfยฐ Th "'' e /"J,," ^^ " the en -
? eat space of country, le aves us StntTny^S^ o7tTu^ driver ^wTbT
It is surprising that he records "an almost total defect of ;โtยซll;โ
cernng the course of the Ganges, from it, entrant Tint India UoT^ZLlZ
the Jomanes-' and even m Bengal shows nothing to thenorthof the GangL^cept
โข Carte d'A.ie, Imp. Lib. M % P. 891. 'Mill (5). 'M K llo (l! JT.K1 , *
tโ 1 mch. >EcU m โ,e m en,Gi<,,ra. v H q uโ โขr la Carte de TInde 'D'AnvO^Tvil' ' ?ยง "^"i 50 m -
Portuguese historian [ 22 ,j. author of Bยป Am,, 24 vols Lisbon tlssollfi,, ยป i***, d " B "' ros '
' .Ahnuuiiia^ii'. โ i 1 12. 8 Herbert f^Ql โ ef Jn,^ rt i.isDon, c lt.hO-lbl3; 2nd ed. I'yTS-SS
63 (J/15; Herbert (23). ' ' " 6S โข J ยฐ fa โข S "' ^avery, Kedgeree. โข Jumna elnnuS
D'Anville's Map op 1752
211
the points of junction of the larger tributaries, giving- no indication whatever of any
mountains. On the other hand,
Having material to represent this part of the Ganges, from Ugli l to the Sea, with more
nicety and exactness, I have filled up a vacant space in the map with a particular draught
of that part, upon a scale large enough to admit all the circumstances in which we are well
informed 3 .
D'Anville's memoir was translated and published with a reprint of his map in
London in 1754 and 1759, with annotations by William Herbert 3 , Hydrographer
[304]. He continued his interest in India, and helped Orme with material for his
History, and in 1775 published his Aniiguite Ge'ographiqtie de I' Itt.de, in the preface
of which he thus comments on the great advance of knowledge since his map of
1752*;
Ce que j'avois pre vu s'est effectue; et l'lnde est de venue l'object d'un travail Geogra-
phique sur les heux memes. , . . Enfin, la carte de l'lnde dressee dans le cabinet a Paris, s'est
vue suivie de plusieurs autres.
CeEe qui parut la premiere a Londres en 1'annee 68, quinze ans plus tard que la mienne,
ayant ete enrichie en diflerentes parties, en conserve d'autres qui sont purement conformes a
la carte qui l'a devancee. On lui en a fait succeder une seconde de la partie du Eengale, et
en remontant le Gange dans un espace d'environ cent cinquante lieues au-dessus de la division,
de ce fleuve, et cette nouvelle production avec plus de detail, et quelques changemens ea
divers endroits. La geographic de l'lnde a ete ainsi tiree d'un etat presque nul, ou du moins
d'une extreme secheresse, pour arriver a un degre de perfection qu'on n'auroit pas ose esperer
de lui donner ยฐ.
J-efferys & Orme
The map of 1768 referred to by D'Anville above is obviously one entitled The
Mist Indies with the Roads*, by Thomas Jefferys 7 , in four sheets, on scale about
40 miles to an inch, which included surveys by Rennell and others brought home
from Bengal by Vansittart and Clive [250]. Jefferys had obtained formal per-
mission from the Directors to publish this map, and their minutes record the receipt
of a
letter from Mr. Thomas Jefferys, dated this day, representing that he has attempted in a
Map to delineate the extent of the British Dominions in the East Indies, and expressing his
hopes that this Court will give him leave to publish it under their patronage 8 .
and no objection seems to have been raised to his use of surveys which were rightly
the Company's property [ 251 ]. โ
Jefferys follows Moll in showing the Brahmaputra by the name Lakia, rising
with the Surma from " Chemay " Lake I_ 209 ] . He shows the Chilka Lake as over
100 miles from the sea, to which he connects it by two creeks, one flowing out by
Palmyras Point and the other by Rajahmundry 9 .
Robert Orme, the historian, was most industrious in collecting geographical
materia] to illustrate his history [22, 28-g] ; and his papers, now preserved at the
India Office :o , contain long lists of sketches and surveys sent to him by John Call,
"Vansittart, Richard Smith, and other friends in India, with notes on geographical
positions of important places, lists of geographical names, lists of maps in published
books, and various notes on the construction of " our map n ". His draughtsman
was Thomas Kitchen 13 , and two sheets of their map, scale 1^ inches to a degree,,
were published without title in the first volume of his Historical Fragments of the
Mogul Empire, 1782, with the following comment;
'Hooghly, 79 B/5. -ib, (30) 3 As purser's clerk h;ul mado obsns. in S. India & Maldive Is;.
Dalrymple. * " Atlas 4ยซiigiiMs 1784, ... " 12 maps. Imp Lib. M ยง P. (239, D. 29). 5 AntiqvAU Geogra*
$hiqiie. (Preface). 6 BM. K. 115 (13, 2 Tab.) & Imp. Lib. M fy P. 519. 7 Geographer to the King; d. c.
1774. Geo. Rev. I, 1874 ; DNS. s CM. 27-4-68. 9 Jefferys' map was used by Brion de la Tour hi a map
of La Presqu'ile des Indes, Paris, 1781 ; Bernoulli, II (434). 10 Orme MSS. passim. u Robert Orme, II
(68 a). u Hydrographer to the King, Author of Map of India, Frontispiece, Ives.
212
Maps op Isdia
across Rajputana,
ages from the
Mr. Orme had projected an Atlas of the Peninsula, to consist of about 10 or 12 sheets of
which the two maps inserted in this volume were to have formed a part : but the improve-
ments then resulting from Major Renaell's survey of Bengal, and the marches of the British
armies m India, prevented his proceeding in so arduous an undertaking *.
A small scale map of India, also drawn by Kitchen, appeared with his Histor,,,
Orme's map contains various interesting items, such as, aci
"Hendous, a savage people", and at the debouchment of the' G-ai
mountains " Taglipoor, Streights of Eupele s ".
_ Amongst Ms papers is the proof of a " General Map of Indostan ", with a note
m his handwriting,
The province of Oude in this Map is placed all wrong. Such was our general want of
knowledge m the years i 7 6o to 1764. I write this May nth i 77 8. The Gunga. running thro'
Berar and falling at Balasore is from Mr. D'Anville's notion, which we have now every reason
believe wrong [209, 210]*. J
After Rennell had retired and started the compilation of his Map of Hindooskm
in London, he expressed, in a letter to Warren Hastings (who was still in India) his
disgust at the manner in which Orme still held much material that he would be
glad to get;
The general map of Hindostan is still at a stand for want of materials. It is a provok-
ing circumstance that the Historian O-e keeps up all the Geographical materials in order to
extract snch particulars only as serve the purpose of illustrating his History : and probably
I may either lose my eyesight, or drop into the grave, before he has done with them?
He probably got most of what he wanted very soon after, for Orme writes
Mr. Orme is in possession of several geographical tracts relating to India, which contain
curious knowledge, and may on occasions be useful abroad. He suggests their publication
with an index. ... To explain this portion of history.. .a General Map of India is necessary
according to one or other of two forms he now presents. What is done in that with names'
already stands at ยฃ40, and when so compleated will, with engraving, come to a great deal of
money, perhaps ยฃ150, too much for Mr. Orme to ask, but much more than any sale can bear
Mr. Orme is therefore very willing to deliver what is already done to the Company
recommending that Major Rennell, if he can be induced, may compleat the map and in such
case will assist Major Rennell with all his materials, which he imagines to be a greater
collection than any m Europe; and will give a tract of such observations and explanations
on the Construction of the map as may tend to the future improvement of this knowledge'
Rexnell's Map of Hindoostan, 1782-98
Before he left India Rennell had already conceived the idea of working up a
map of India ;
It is well known that there are deposited in the India House a variety of Maps of
various kinds; all (or most) of which... appear to be laid aside to perish; amongst this
various collection of materials much useful matter might undoubtedly be extracted was
there a proper person appointed to examine it. ... I beg leave most humbly to offer my
services towards the selecting, arranging, and (if necessary) publishing as many of these., as
the Hon'ble Court may judge necessary.
From the best of the materials I propose to form.. .A General map of AH Hindoostan'.
He had started this great work whilst his Bengal Atlas [ 22S-9 ] was yet in the
engraver's hands, and in March 1782 he writes,
I have another Geographical work in hand, and which is to be published shortly A Map
of All Hindostan, or the Mogul's Empire. ... It is a work much wanted at this time. . The
Map has been just a 12 month in the Engraver's hands; and my illness has not hastened it ยป.
In December the Directors record that Rennell
presents the Court with a Map of Hindostan, accompanied by a Book explaining its construc-
tion, and proposes that copies should be sent to India, to be delivered at a reasonable price.
'BobertOrmeOii). ' Orme, III (I). 3 ef. D'Anville's Carte de L'Inde. * OrmeMRS 11 fi\
โขXs tmk KJ? <191)> 2e ~ 1 ~ 81, ,0rme Mss - 15 ยฐ (10L 101) ' 10 -" i; ; bpc. 5 iยฃ 7 f ( ?i:
Reknell's Map oe Hindoostax
313
Resolved that 30 Books of the best binding, explaining the Construction of Major
Rennell's Map, ... with a Map placed in each Book, be purchased for the use of the Directors
and the Officers at Home; and that 20 Books, bound in the other manner proposed by Major
Rennell be purchased for the use of the Company's Presidencies in India. J
Of the copies sent out to India, the seven which went to Madras were carefully
sent in seven different ships, each copy "in a box apart" 3 .
Kennell thus describes his map and his purpose in preparing it [ 4-5 ] ;
Whilst the theatre of the British War in Hindoostan was limited to a particular province
of it, little curiosity was excited towards the general Geography of the Country : but now
that we are engaged either in wars, alliances, or negociations, with all the principal^ powers
of the Empire, and have displayed the British Standards from one extreme of it to the
other ; a Map op Hindoostan, such as will explain the local circumstances of our political
connections, and the marches of our Armies, cannot but he highly interesting to every person
whose imagination has been struck by the splendor of our victories, or whose attention is
rouzed by the present critical state of our affairs, in that quarter of the globe.
That, which I now offer to the public, is intended to answer the above purposes ; all such
minutiae 'as tend rather to introduce confusion than to illustrate the general system being
omitted; and the particular Geography of each province left to be hereafter explained m
separate' maps, on more distinct scales; in the same manner as Bengal, Oude, etc. are already
done.
I am aware that I shall incur some censure for using so small a scale on the present
occasion ; as many people who peruse maps without reflecting on the nature and intent of
their construction are too apt to expect a large extent of country, and all the minute parti-
culars of it, in the same map [33]. -โ โข
The Map is contained in two large sheets, which may either be joined together for the
purpose of bringing the whole into one view, or bound up separately in an Atlas. ... The
scale is one inch to an equatorial degree 3 : and as the whole map is a square of more than 30
such degrees, its surface will be found to contain a space larger than all Europe. ... The
whole construction is entirely new. ...
I have been enabled by means of observations of Longitude taken at Bombay, Cochin,
Madras, Calcutta, Agra, etc, together with measured lines and surveys extended from the
above places, to frame a very good groundwork for my map. ...
We must not go much farther back than 30 years for the matter that forms the basis
of this map; and it must not be forgotten that the East India Company have caused a
a mathematical survey to be made at their own expence, of a tract equal to extent to France
and England taken together* [226, 228].
In spite of the great advance of geographical knowledge, Rennell still found that
for many areas he was little better off than D'Anville, of whom he writes,
When it is considered that this excellent Geographer had scarcely any materials to work
on for the inland parts of India, but some vague itineraries and books of travels, one is
really astonished to find them so well- described as they are .
Wide areas were still completely blank, or dependent on the journals of casual
travellers ; and even where routes had been measured, very few were accompanied
hj astronomical observations [215]. The Memoir shows how he had to juggle with
the materia] at his disposal to get positions for his principal points that would best
fit his more trustworthy data, and, as Everest wrote in 1838 nearly sixty years
later,
By what unwearied exertions did not the patient and judicious Rennell strive to reconcile
the jarring and discordant data 6 on which the map that was accompanied by his Memoir is
founded 7 .
Plate 14 shows the area of Bengal and Assam taken from this map of 1782 8 .
In 1785 Rennell issued a second edition of the Memoir, which now included
his Account of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers [ 79 n.6 ] and several new maps,
one of them covering the marches of Fullarton and Humberstone [ 98-9 ] . This
edition was translated into German and French, and published with a reproduction
1 CM. 4-1&-82. The map is dated 1782, and Memoir 1783. : By ships sailing m Jan. 1 iS3. CD to
M, 15-1 -S3 ( 45, 46 ). 3 viz. about 09.V British miles to an inch ; cf . J>' Anville's map, " 1 pouce 4 lignes
au degre" [210]. * Memoir. 1783 (Preface). Memoir reviewed in Eur. Mag. Ill, 17S3 (o2), and
Bernoulli, II (464-92). h Mamoir, 1788 (vii). s Fully discussed in the Memoir. ' Everest { 10 ).
" s Copy of 17S2 map wrongly bound as frontispiece to 1793 Memoir in G-BO Lib. Ha 6.
F
214
Maps or India
- s&S^^ir^r^ as tlie thM roW of Ms B -**- m ^ยฐ
which hi wrtoT" PUMBhed ^ e " tirel3 ' " eW and enlai ' 8 ' ed map ' aud * e ""*' rf
The flattering reception that was riven to my former wort- >,, โ
an object of duty, which was originally an ob^ert of choice " โข " โขโข"' "^ ^
I have been enabled to produce a work of a more rjerfect MโH <h. ยซ. <
=ยปto of this rnap is one inch and a half to arr equatorial deSee^ r^S! ft T"' V" 7"ยฐ
large sheets, which may either be joined together for the โข r , i." contalned "n four
one point of view, or bound up J^Jety^n^J *"*ยซ" ยฐ f h โขยฐยฐ'^ *โข ยซ** ยป*ยฐ
the east coast, and Huddarfs observation K west^ TwaX ^ T
N Tn U sL a rJ d a I id e ยซ" t,lale ;' 8 '""^ ยฐ* the GaBges^d Go gra [pi 6 Sm ' TCy t0
general.lf^l^^lou^rolX^i T d t ^ *" ^ ^ *" d ยป
countries bordering on the riveflndโข and S P^tne muffin T ^f' Md the
as to have no considerable blanks in it P 6d " P ln Snch a d ^B ree .
Prob?bly^n h hji 0l :fTeo;i:\ro g StnL m ntof its" iTb" ^ < n ""* ยฐ f "^ *
but that very complete maps of The Ser^ovinces of^rii^t T^t ' TT *ยฐ ^
large enough for any ordinary purpose '. g be """โ ta "*ยป4 ยซ scales
In a letter to Wan-en Hastings he tells of changes he has made to ยซ,โ
geography of the Punjab ; to the
space between the upper part of t^Z^J^^^^^L^l <"*"ยซ
long ago, ... but could not tell how to correct it It โ2โข โขJab, a fault I discovered
not allowed space enough, by H or 2 de'rees of Ton TT i "tfP""* 1 ^ ttat ยปe have
Hindoostan, and the space between cLdSa anโ t h ^ ^ "ยฐ rtl >- west P^ of
reduced * [148-9] Candahar and the Caspian must be proportionately
Ma P of ZlnllflZ^: a ofยฐB!โ s f a, ai r ยซยฃ K^ ^ ', m ยป U S โข' e
Ssw? ^fhrin: ss T โข lTCd ยปr"^L a g
with the title m , <w*. ^r/'ut^llMx7 an 2ir^ 5? ^t
second edition o the , Maโ ofm^oostan was given coloured toJnd'ary ribands ^
made during the Mysore war of 1790-92 a new X and ^f โข f /f n mji
south of the Eistna were issned separately โข 4 ] โข Sl, ' a
'Map, MR10. 96 (29, 30) T BM.fi 115 r IS ?f a h 1 i> m
dncod. Will, (front pocket). ยป About 46} BrifchahteVto fโยฃh ยฐยฐIfr m ~ C '1 t ^) ^"mce. rep.-o-
dated 1-3-88. < AIโข.v, the same old trouble overTonritade" BM Aiil'ZVlfAi ? U *>' Pl '<*>ยซ
face signed 22-11-91. The editions of 3fยซp wore, Mยซโ 17sโข' 4 o " ^ ' 291 V ( 516 โ Jft 0-
JKimofr, 17S2, 1785, 1788, 1792, 1793. "Prefaee sio-nrf 5l To'-) ;t1"- map : 1TSS ' 1792 ' 17 ยฐ3 ! of
eopies of the main 1793 Memoir g d il ^ 1 - 9i ' Tils memoir was bound into some
Rennell's Map oe Hindoostan
215
These two last editions of the Memoir ran to 614 pages 1 , making a monumental
work which gave a complete account of the sources of all the geographical material
used in the map ; the map itself was out of elate almost as soon as it was published;
British rule was extending rapidly, and with it came fresh opportunities for the
suveyors, who took Rennell's map as the standard by which to shew the value of
^their new work. No one realised this more than E,ennell himself, and the finest
appreciation of his Map of Hindoostan is given in his own words written 15 years
later;
Believe me. Sir, when I say that I pride myself on nothing so much as on having origi-
nally laid a foundation for the Indian Geography, and which is all that I pretend to, for at that
day we were compelled to receive information from others respecting the interior of the
country, but in your time you explored for yourselves. I have only the merit of furnishing
:a dim light by which others groped their way 2 .
The value of the Memoir long outlived that of the Map 5 , and as late as 1824
Blacker asked sanction to purchase a copy for the Surveyor General's office ;
Major Rennell's Memoir is the only Memoir of Construction of any Map of India with
which I am acquainted, and such is the backwardness of Indian Geography in some directions,
that I regret to say it is still occasionally the best authority procurable *,
Thomas Call's Atlas, 1782-9
Whilst Rennell, in London, was engaged in preparing his Map of Hindoostan,
his successor in Bengal had, under Government orders of 1779, already started
to compile a complete "general plan" [235, 261 ]. Inl783,in reply to an order,
probably inspired by Beimel], to send all available surveys home to England
[251-2], Call wrote to Government,
I have in hand an Atlas of India formed from a variety of materials, such as original
Maps, actual Surveys, Routes, Marches of Detachments, Journals, Reports, informations fur-
nished by travellers. Histories and Voyages.
This Atlas, though not finished, is in a state to convey much new and useful Geographical
knowledge of this country; it will be divided into 20 sheets, afterwards the whole reduced
into one portable sheet sufficiently large to exhibit ali rivers, capital towns. Roads, and the
grand and sub-divisions of the Empire. ... It is constructed from a variety of Authorities,
more or less to be depended on, according to circumstances ; it would require a Volume in folio
to explain them and shew why I preferred this and rejected that. ...
I am sensible to the Merit and abilities of Major Rennell, who has lately published a Map
of India [213], ...yet it will be no disparagement to him or his work, to say that, being on the
spot, I have, since his departure, had an opportunity of rendering my Map of India much
more complete that his, and further that, was he furnished with all the materials I have
procured, it would take him nearly as much time to compose the Work as it has taken me,
which would be so much time lost.
If I send home the Maps... in the state they are, having no copies of them, I shall be
unable to proceed with the continuation of them 5 .
Call was permitted to continue work on his map, and in the following year laid
it before the Board that they might see the progress made ;
It is in a rough state, but I have kept it as long as possible in one sheet for the conve-
nience of correcting it as fresh materials were sent in. It will soon be divided into 16 or 20
sheets, and copied fair.
After describing various new surveys and routes which he had introduced w much
of which was obtained from Friends and Natives at a very great expence ", he asked
for twelve months to make the copy in separate sheets, whilst
to insert the fresh materials will take three months ; to fill up such parts of the Atlas from
Original Plans as now appear only in Lines will require about 3 months, so that altogether it
will take near eighteen months 6 .
1 Memoir of 1*783 had 99 pages only. Ho Warren, 1-3-1808. MPC. 18-7-1809. 3 Though the
mapisof immense interest now fo>-;i, study of old locality and place names. 4 BDn, 204 (72), 5-7-1 324
5 BPC. 6 10-83 ( 21 ). G BPC. 14-2-85.
216
Maps op India
Government thereupon ordered him to drop the collection of fresh material
[ 38 ], and asked how long it would take, and how much it would cost, to finish off
the compilation and prepare the reduced copy; to which he replied that the map was
now in one sheet on the scale of 15 geographical miles to an inch [ 248 ], and
To complete my rough General Map irom the materials in my possession,
and prepare it for copying fair ... ... ... Rg. 4000
To make a reduced copy... on a scale a little larger than that already made
and published by Major Rennell [213 n. 3]; first in rough, afterwards a
fair copy to be made and sent to Europe ... ... ... Rs. 8000
which he engaged to finish in 12 months 1 .
In 1786, on his appointment as Chief Engineer, Call left Wilford to continue
work on the map, and reported,
The Map is at present in one sheet and in a very rough state owing to the frequent
corrections it has undergone; to preserve a work that has been of so much expence to the
Hon'ble Company, it will be necessary to divide it; this can easily be done under the inspection
of my successor in office ~.
and again,
1.. .recommend.. .that a fair copy be made of it in 12 or 14 sheets on the scale it is now
laid down at, viz : about four inches to a degree.
The fair copy should be kept in the Council Chamber to assist the Governor General in
Council in ascertaining the position and distance of places, as also to preserve a work that has
been attended with much labour and expence.
A reduced copy of the Map should be made on one sheet on a scale large enough to shew
all Capital Towns, Rivers, and Boundaries of provinces, leaving out all the minuter parts.
Each member of the Supreme Council should be furnished with a reduced copy; the first
will be attended with some labor, but afterwards copies can easily be made by draughtsmen.
The West and North-west parts of India will soon be much improved by the Surveys of
Captain Reynolds, Surveyor on the Bombay Establishment, who has promised to send me
all the surveys he has taken 3 [253-4].
On taking over office as Surveyor General, Wood asked Government to write to
Madras and Bombay for all the surveys they could send in, that these might be
added to the map before it was fair copied [254], and in April 1788 reported,
It was first imagined that this work would have been completed in 12 months, and, had
merely a copy of the former Plan been required, it would have been finished within that time.
Independent of the unwieldy size of the map, which rendered it impracticable to be placed
on any glass, on cutting it into 12 sheets, it was discovered that the paper had shrunk in many
places near a twelfth part of a degree.
In the forming of the New Plan, it was by this means rendered necessary, not only to
make all the projections again ( which was a work of great labour and difficulty), but like-
wise to compare the several situations and distances.
After describing the introduction of further fresh material, Wood continues;
A comparison of the present Atlas with the original copy will be surest test of the labour
and difficulties which have retarded its progress, and which have been little short to Mr. Wilford
to what he would have had in compiling a New Map. ...
I have. ..added a 13th sheet, ... showing the division and extent of country contained in
every sheet, . . . and which shall also contain a concise account of the Principal authorities
from which the map has been compiled. . , .
The Atlas in 13 sheets for the Council Chamber has at last been completed, and I only
wait for the insertion of the authorities, and a book for arranging the several sheets to present
them.
The amount of labour in making copies of these thirteen sheets was colossal ;
one copy was required for the Governor of Madras; another for the Directors. As
for the reduced copy on one sheet, with a copy for each member of Council,
The projection of the degrees, which is a tedious and most difficult part in the
construction, ... is finished, but no further progress is, nor can be, made till such time as the
General Atlas is finished 4 .
In 1788 Call was allowed to return to England on account of ill-health, and
given permission to take with him twelve sheets of "the Grand Atlas of India" to
'BPC. 10-9-8O. -BPC. 7-2-Sfi. 3 ETC. 13-2-Sti.
4 DDn. 16 <9) : 6-4-8S.
Thomas Call's Atlas
217
present personally to the Directors; one sheet, that of Bengal, could not be got
ready in time. He died on the voyage, hut all his papers and the atlas reached
Kn gland safely 1 .
Further complete copies of the atlas were sent home, and in September 1791,
Bennell was asked by the Directors to report whether it was worth engraving ".
He was at this time awaiting issue of the final edition of his own map, and in a
position to realize the endless business of trying to keep a map up to date. He
found that many of the latest surreys, particularly from Madras and Bombay, had
not been incorporated in Call's map, though they had already reached Eng'land 3 .
There was no memoir explaining the construction, and the map would be obsolete
before it could be engraved. The atlas, on which so much time and labour had
been spent, was therefore abandoned, though the copies which had been kept in
India were of great value, especially in the Surveyor General's office for the
preparations of other maps [219 ].
The sheets of Call's atlas are still preserved at Calcutta in excellent condition,
and are most interesting to study 4 ; being on so much larger a scale than Bennett's
maps they show far more detail, but, except in certain areas, the lack of scientific
control, of which Call was fully aware [ 157 ], is most evident.
Reynold's Map, 1793-1807
Yet another map was to be created with vast labour and expence, borrowing
nothing from maps that had gone before, but being laboriously worked up from
such material as one man could collect, and fated never to be printed or published.
Charles Reynolds, Surveyor on the Bombay establishment, was for many years
the only surveyor with any knowledge of the Maratha countries of the Deccan and
western India, and compiled his first map of those regions in 1787 [ 127]; his journey
through Hyderabad to Madras in the following year inspired him with the desire
to "form a General Survey of India" [ 128 ], but he was not able to press the
matter till 1793, when he visited Calcutta and obtained the Governer General's
approval to his scheme. We have, unfortunately, no copy of his proposals, but he
says that
in the memorandum I laid before Sir John Shore, my proposal to Government was not of a
partial nature, but was to complete the whole Geography of India 5 [ 282 ] , ...
and further that,
the map I am about is of very extraordinary size. The sheet on which it is constructing has
a superficies of 400 square feet, and will develop the whole of India in a very distinct manner
from the Mountains of Cashmere to Cape Comorin, and from the Western frontier of the
Bengal Provinces to the the Western side of the River Indus, an attempt I believe that very
few would make, and fewer I believe succeed in 6 .
The Directors approved that he should produce
a complete general map, with separate maps of each district on a large and expressive scale,
with a topographical description of the country 7 , ...
and in December 1796 the Bombay Government wrote home,
Major Reynolds remarked that your Hon'ble Court expected from him, and he had pledged
himself to furnish, a map of India, which was to contain 13 provinces, all equally out of the
Company's Government, and consequently much more difficult of access, and of much less
personal security, and he did not imagine that either the Governments in this country, or
your Hon'ble Court, would be inclined to accept a work from him which should prove much
inferior to Major Rennell's, nor indeed could he hold himself acquitted as to his engagements
was he to attempt to impose such a work upon them; Major Rennell had established his
character as a Geographer by his performances, and he (Major Reynolds) toped that his
would give him an equal claim to the favour of the public should they ever be published by
the permission of your Hon'ble Court. ...
1 From John Call to CD. 22-5-93 ; Misc. LR 89 ( 207 ). 2 The Directors always regarded Kennell
as the right man to make a General Map of India [252]. H.'entury Series (07). * General Map of
India in several sections, by Call &, Wilford; 16 m. to 1 inch. MEIO. 95 (32-53). ยฐDDn. 146 (27),
24-12-99. 6 BoยฅC. 24-1-98. 'CD to B. 8-7-95 (95).
p
218
Maps of India
We have recently received a letter from Major Reynolds giving cover to the rough sheets
of his intended map of Hmdoostan. ... Major Reynolds regretted that he had not been able
to lay the whole of his information before ns on the different sheets; ... he assured ns that
his information of the other provinces is generally in the same state of forwardness โ the
scale of iti is four times larger than Major Rennell's maps of the Bengal Province'and
notwithstanding this considerable difference, his map, in the present unfinished state is ia
general as much filled up as that Gentleman's are ; ... there are in general but few blank
s'heetbefort'i'ir 31 ? ยฐ CCUr ' SmVeyS '" nOW c ^ng โข &r the completion of the
In conveying... this communication from Major Reynolds, we...accompany it with our
testimony m favour of the minuteness and apparent accuracy of that Gentleman's Geogra-
S el โข <*-*ยฐโข:ยฐ* ^ ^ we can judge by the Specimen of that part of his general map
winch he has submitted to our inspection of the North-western part of India, comprehending
the Gulphs of Cntch and Cambay, and including part of Malwa s
In 1798, Eeynolds laid before the Governor "the rough sheets of a considerable
part of my intended map of Hmdostan "; and explained that he was still collecting
material tor the remaining sheets through the agency of native surveyors r 2t 7-8 1
and 111 order to avoid having to re-survey country already known he asked that hยป
might be furnished with copies of other surveys*. The Directors however ruled that
The map m which Lieut. Colonel Reynolds is engaged must be considered as referring to
his own observations, or Collections of the country surveyors employed by him, and โ<Tt to
include any combination of the surveys made by other persons at our expence* [ 225 1
For twelve years from 1795 to 1807 Eeynolds continued at his map compiling
the work of his native surveyors as they came in ; though he frequently pressed for
an officer to join him as assistant none could be spared til] 1801 He spent a for
tune from his own money on this collection of material, and said that the sum
which Government eventually paid to him, after repeated submission of his claims
did not 111 any way meet his expenditure [282, 288]. When the Directors com-
plained of the inordinate time that had elapsed without the work appearing to
draw any nearer to completion, Eeynolds pointed out the wide area that his surreys
covered, and that he was working single-handed ;
It must therefore be very easily understood that the accumulation of information could
only add to my embarrassment ; the second reason for the increase of expence was the mena-
cing posture of Zemaun Shaw for some years, and the anxiety of our Government in conse-
quence of it [8, 55, 57 ]. This led me to make a more particular investigation of the frontier of
^moTt^b w * Hl " d ยฐ St f ' [smd ] ยฐ f Ms tributaries within the Indus! some of whom extend
almost to the Western boundary of the Soobah of Dehly, of SInd, and of the Baloche country
adjoining the Indus on the West and North-west from Buchin country
Were I to specify the different places through which the Surveys have been carried it
must prove unsatisfactory, as they [the Directors] would not be able to trace them on any
map now extant, and of course would be as much in the dark as ever
The different routes executed by myself and people, amount at present to 150 or 160
much do >, S C enqUirieS made fr ยฐ m diffeTent Pยฐ intS 0f these โขtes will occupy as
much, and m all probability a great deal more. Vy
Sยฐf J?" ab ยฐ Ve recita1 ' the ยฃ ยฐ u ยฐ wi ยฐg observations present themselves:
That the Hon ble Court of Directors have authorised my pursuit, and in consequence
expressivc^cair * C ยฐ mP ' eted *ยฐ** besid - -Pยป- te ยป-P= ยฐ'-ch province on a lar'ge and
That it became a duty on me to adopt the best means to effect this. ...That I never
expected to realize the necessary information for it until the present year. That an
attempt to hurry its conclusion must defeat the intention.
That the people employed out are beyond the power of recall. That in my proposal I
particularly stipulated for my assistant being constantly under my orders. That since the
above sanction, I have had no assistant with me.
That such a map cannot be arranged by one person ; that to enable me to meet the
wishes of the...Conrt of Directors, it rs essentially necessary that Captain Moncrieff should
join me as scon as possible, and that it will add very much to the dispatch of the work if I
am allowed a second assistant 5 . โ llv Ji x
1 9 inches to a degree. s Bo to CD. 10-12-96 (196-2041 1 DDn 14R (firm 3c urn -, .
'CD to Bo.29-5-99 (29). ยปDDn. 146 (42), 17-4-1801. ' )- B ยฐ MC ' ' 3 ' 9S -
Reynold's Map
219
At length in 1801 Jloncrieffi joined him at Sural, and other aai.tu.fa were
posted shortly after, but even so the map was not sufficiently advanced to allow
him to leave the country before 1807. He toot one copy home to present to the
Dhecto' s in person, and after a few additions had been made to the copy left m
B0I SS of a portion of Colonel Reynold's General Map of India, drawn on a scale of 9
inches to a degree, and contained in 2 o sheets, were forwarded to the Right Hon'ble the
Governor General on the 4th February 1809 \
The remaining 16 sheets were not copied for the Supreme Government, but the
whole map was redrawn with the addition of other material, and submitted by the
Bombay Government in 1821. Although never published, this magnificent compi-
lation formed the basis of all maps of Western India for many years, but no
complete copy has been preserved, and its exact extent is not known .
James Welsh elves the following account of Eeynolds at work on his map;
In his hall I had the gratification of crawling over a map fourteen feet long and ten feet
broad โ to do which, without injury to a production intended to be presented to the Court ol
Directors he furnished me with silk stockings for hands and feet ; and cased in these I moved
about at pleasure, stopping at particular spots for information which was ^mediately
obtained from a library of immense folio manuscripts in his own handwriting. So laborious
a work I never could, without ocular demonstration, have believed to be the production of
one European in such a climate as the East Indies ; and with only two assistants he was now
making another map on a larger scale, which, when completed, was to measure 30 feet by 30 * .
' The following extracts from a letter written shortly after Reynolds' departure
indicate some of the corrections made to the maps of India by his surveyors; _
indicate so ^ ^^ ^ ^ tQ ^ Wofld c so er d
feet an exhibition of the countries which lay to the N.W. of a hue drawn from Ahmedabad*
In Goojerat to Hurdwaur under the Mountains through which the Ganges enters India, that
it would certainly be extremely unsafe... to draw conclusions from their information. For-
tunately however Lionel Reynolds' works are nearly as perfect in particular throughout this
reeion as thev are with respect to any other part of India. .โ.,... t
g Alajor Rerinell's latest edition is unquestionably the best map of India that has ever yet
been published . In Major Rennell's and every other map at thfs time published, an un-
broken range of high mountains, as strongly characterized as the Ghauts of MaUabar, is
SbLd 1 runnfng upwards of 500 miles parallel with the Indus, and about 50 miles east-
ward of that river; no such mountains exist, and the improvement with respect to them is
riot of greater importance than the corrections made by Colonel Reynolds in several other
inSta cTnel Reynolds has discovered that the area shown by Rennell as uninterrupted Desert
between Todhpur and Indus contains many hamlets, villages and wells. .. ,,ยซโโ,
Therms a formidable range of mountains, equal in magnitude perhaps to the ghauts of
MaUabar running parallel, on the West side, with the Sind River- from the bank of which it
seldom recedes more than 50 miles, & often approaches within 15 miles. ...
The river Ghauggarยซ...does not run over the Desert to the Sea as supposed by former
geographers but tee 8 s itself in the sand near a place called Seersa' on the Eastern borders of
the desert 3 .
CoLEBROOKE & OTHEKS
In spite of the frequently declared policy of the Directors that all surveys should
be sent to England for compilation there, it was almost impossible for an officer in
the position of Surveyor General to resist the temptation of putting together the
surveys Tat he had in his office, the more so since he was being continually called
upon to supply maps of different areas, and it was far easier to trace these off.
general map that had been carefully compiled at leisure, than to compile afresh
from original surveys at each call [217].
ยป From Williams to Govt. 3-2-1815, Bo MC. 3-5-1815
_ - -. . 11.- . ,r H.1T1TA ttz MQ\ . A lic-r. r\t
L fragment,
'From Williams to Govt. S-2-lSlo, Ho ilU. a- : >-lยปlo. - y r^n-.m. ^^J'^qq
to Delhi, and westwards to Ajmer". MKIO. 95 (28) ; A list of maps by Reynolds tkat were .
โ n S^s given in MUIO.M 564. 3 Welsh, I (243). U6 A/12 ; frdโข R. ยซQ
in loaa w ยปยซ Tvrโn^iโข ia_d_1KnS: HUB. 737 645).
44 0/2.
โ .LinMRIO.M. 564. " Welsh, i (243). *46AJ12. " *^dnsK.
^From SG. Bombay to John Malcolm, 13-4-1808; HMS. 737 (645).
iginal protraction Agra
' were in SGO. Bombay
; Ghaggar R. 7 Sirsa,
โข22n
Maps of India
It was not long before Colebrooke started his own map, and in 1795 he tells
Government that he has commenced such a map on the scale of 16 inches to a mile'
Four years later he reports that,
Having made considerable progress in the construction of a new General Map of India
and particularly m that part which comprises the Carnatick, Mysore, and Northern Circars in
which I have nearly inserted all the Surveys and Materials that had been obtained so late as
the year 1793, I now beg leave to inform you, that as this map is intended for the use of the
Supreme Government, it would be a desirable object to have it completed from the snrvevs of
amore recent date... in consequence of the late partition of the Mysore Country and Malabar
This map again was destined never to be completed or published
w,? ne "ยฃ"? ma ? ยฐ ยฃ India may be motioned, published in London in 1788 by
William Faden, Geographer to the King [ 243 ] ; it was entitled Hind, Hindustan, or
AAa, and was compiled by L.S. de la Eochette, and published on a scale of appar-
ently ยง of an inch to a degree, about 130 miles to an inch. It bears the following
advertisement. For the new and interesting particulars with which this map is enriched
especally in the northern parts, we are chiefly indebted to the Geographical description of
Father Joseph Tieffenthaller, Apostolic Missionary in India, and to the curious draft of the
Ganges and Gogra by M. Anqnetil dn Perron [n- 2 ]. The new Chronographical map of the
Southern Countries of India by Colonel Kelly has enabled us to Reform, in several districts
the geography hitherto adopted for the Southern part of the Peninsula
The title is supported by a fine picture of palm trees, Indian jungle, and a. very
tat elephant with tusks that appear to be at least 10 ft, long 5 . '
PosTScmuT. Of other Greek geographers and historians who described India
L207J we may mention Strabo, whose Geography was -written between 17 and 23
A.D., Boot XV treating of India and Persia ;โ Pliny the Elder, whose famous
work on Natural History contained Books III to VI on Geography and Ethno-
graphy, -and Arrran, whose principal work was a history of Alexander's
expedition, from which the following extracts are given โ
The Indus is the largest of all the rivers of Europe or Asia, except the Ganges, which is
also m India. It receives its rise from the skirts of Mount Parapamisus or Caucasus and
discharges its water southwards into the Indian Ocean. It has two mouths in a low marshy
soil, hke those five of the Ister [Danube] ; and it forms the figure of the Greek letter A
The country eastward from the river Indus is what I call properly India. India is
bounded on the north by mount Taurus; which mountain retains the same name even in
that country; it rises on the sea coast near Pamphyllia, Lycia, and Cicilia, and extends it-
self in one continued ridge, as far as the oriental ocean running quite through all Asia In
some parts, nevertheless, it is called by other names; for in one country it is named Parapa-
misus, m another Emodus ; in a third Emaus ; ... The Macedonian soldiers, who accompanied
Alexander in his expedition, called it Caucasus [ 67 ].
โ Eratosthanes ten, us that India, from mount Taurus, whence the river Indus has its
nse, to the mouths of that river and the ocean, is thirteen thousand stadia. Another side
namely from the same mountain to the eastern ocean, he reckons scarce equal to the former'
but as a huge tract of land runs- out four thousand stadia into the sea, it may be reckoned
six thousand stadia that way; and this he calls the breadth of India. The length thereof
from the westernmost part to the city Palimbothra, he tells us he has measured! along the
road called the King's road, and that it contains ten thousand stadia [ 10 ] '
An account of the Arab and Persian geographers of the 8th to the 14th cent
TS i' D "f e n W b ->\ Dl \ J โข es Bird in a Paper Which a PP ears in the Transactions
of the Bombay Geographical Society, vol. II (58-72), 1844. The paper is illustrated
by a coloured map of Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, from the Oxus to
Sistan taken from a work by Abu Ali Ishak, commonly known as Istakhari, who
flourished about A.D. 358, and preceded Ibn Haukal [208, pi. 4 1 Lite other
Arab maps this is entirely diagramatic.
' BMC. 30-3-86 (10). 'BMC. 26-11-98 (5S). โ BM. K. 115 (18). - Arrian (127, 207, 208).
BENGAL
from D'Anville's Carte tie i/Inde 1752
the British Musimm, K. 115 (12) 2 Tab. by pe
3c note on Plate 8.
carries an insuxt aKntยป*no> fi>^. Wยปwโขui,, th
of the Trustees.
Plate 14
BENGAL and the BRAHMA PUTRA from BennelVs M*f W Hi^oos tan^
T ,
CHAPTER XV
MAPS OF BENGAL
Maps before Bennell โ Remiell's Early Maps, 1764-72 โ Rennell's Provincial c
eral Maps, 1772-4 โ Bengal Atlas, 1779-83 โ Distance Tables โ District ill . x .
Upper Provinces, 1797-1800 โ Punjab & Afghanistan, 1786-1804 โ Map Brewing
& Draughtsmen.
THE earliest known map of Bengal was compiled by, or for, the great Portu-
guese historian Jean de Barros about the year 1550. It extends from Orisea
on the west to Tipora on the east, on scale just over an inch to a degree ;
amongst places that can be recognised are Ghatigam (Chittagong), Satigam (Satยปaon\
and Sirote (Sylhet) \
There is another old Portuguese map 2 which places the city Bengala so close to
Xatigam (Chittagong) that they appear to be identical, whilst an Italian map of
160i> by Vignola [ 208 ] shows it on the southern bank of the Karnaphuli, or
Chittagong- River, as also does the first Dutch map, which appears in van Blaev's
Theatmm Orbis Ten-arum of 1650.
In 1660 appeared van den Broeck's 3 map of Bengal and Arracan, said to have
been "the fullest and most accurate map available for those days " ; it faces p. 146
of Book IV of Francois Valentyn's Ond en Nieuw Oost Indien published in 1724
and extracts have been re-published more recently*.
The Imperial Library at Calcutta has two old maps 5 entitled Sinus Gangeticus
โ outgo Golfo de Bengala and Royaume de Bengals et Us Pays voisins du Gcmge, sittte
entre le Mogolistan 6 et le Pegu, whilst the British Museum holds a map of the Pro-
vince of Bengal, 1680, by William Hacke 7 , on the scale of 12 English leagues to
an inch 8 .
Nothing is known of a map which D'Anville refers to when describing the
Cossimbazar River in 1752 ;
The places on the above-mentioned branch of the Ganges are drawn from an English
map, which has furnished me with some other particular circumstances, notwithstanding
there are several mistakes in that map 9 .
The Imperial Library holds an old English MS. map, scale about 50 miles to
an inch, stretching from Benares to Masulipatam, and showing the main province
names and a few important towns ; Calcutta does not appear 1(1 .
Coming now to the period of English ascendancy after the battle of Plassey,
our first two maps are. by Frenchmen; one of these is a MS. map signed by
Charles de Terranneau, and listed by Orme as " From Delhi to Calcutta, a very
strange kind of map n ". It shows the route between Calcutta and Delhi, with the
general lie of the country from Bundelkhand to the Himalaya mountains, and main
rivers and roads. Towns are shewn by red castellated symbols or flags. The
Goomty [ 29 n. 6 ] rises from a lake called Poullaule Tailors, and the Gandak and
Baghmati from hills north of Patna ; the lower part of the Bone and the rivers of
Bundelkhand are shown in fair detail. Hills are shown by lines of artistic pyramids.
1 Map faces p. 451 Da Asia, IV [210 n.6] ; also frontispiece, Campos. - Pacing p. 12S ot Thevenot's
Voyages Curieux Ln8n. 3 ]. 3 Mattheus van tUm Broeok, Dutch Director of Trade, Bengal, 165S-63 ;
Member oยฃ Council, Dutch Bast Indies, 1763-9. 4 Ben. P $ P. 1936 {54) ; Seton Kerr, V (frontis-
piece). ยฐImp. Lib.M $ P. 411 & 502. fi Mughal Empire of Delhi- ' Issued MS. marine charts
& atlases from Wapping, London. S BM, K. VI, 1 (57). "Herbert (30). '" Imp. Lib. M & P. 337.
"OiraeMSS. 67; BM.Addl. MSS. 15739(1).
221
224
Maps op Bengal
i โข-:
In 1770 Eennell wrote home describing- the extent covered by his surveys โข
This has been all formed into Maps and sent home to be engraved for the use of the
Company's servants, both civil and military, but I doubt if the Directors will suffer them to
be made so publick l [256].
It was in fact many years before his surveys became available for soldiers and
district officers, who were seriously handicapped by the lack of maps, as shown b y
the following- minutes of an enquiry into the conduct of the Bohilla compaign of
1773-4 Clavermg Monson and Francis, of the newly-formed Supreme Council
protested against the expedition ;
ยซ ^ W ยป/ยฐ m f- tbat J T Ermy ab0ut tte be Sโขโข8 ยฐ f ttis month was stationed upon the skirts
Zt it frf S lnS f ' at a Pla ยฐ e SO dlstimt * rom om frontier "โ md s ยฐ considerably to the
North of Delhi, that it is not comprehended in any of the ordinary maps of Indostan ยซ
In his reply defending the campaign Warren Hastings wrote
^ I think it mcumbent upon me to remark a small geographical error, which I have com-
mitted m my report of the situation in Ramghaut \ which I found laid doโข in mv own
handwriting upon an old map in my possession at the distance which I have described (60
miles from the border of Oudh), but having since received a more correct map of that quarter
from Capt. Rennell, the Surveyor General, which accompanies these papers, I find that it is
near 40 miles more remote 5 .
The Quarter-Master-General was cross-examined ;
What is the distance from Shawbadยซ, the frontier of the Province of Oude to LalldanK
the extremity of the Rohilla Country ?
I believe it to be about 200 miles.
Do you know the latitude of Lalldang? ?
The latitude I think is 30 48' N.
How far do you reckon it to be from Lalldang to Delhi ?
Delhi I believe is in 28" 8 . ...
Had you any map of the Rohilla Country furnished by the Governor when you went to
the Army ?
No I believe there were very few extant. I applied to the Governor for such as he
had of the Upper Country, i.e. of the upper parts of Bahar and the Province of Oudh
and he informed me the only one he had, he had promised to Capt. Toone ยป
Do you know if Colonel Champion 10 was furnished with maps of the country ?
I believe he had some maps of the Country, I have seen scraps of them but he did not
communicate them to me n .
y-
Behhell's Provincial & Geuerai, Maps, 1772-4
Early in 1 7 74 Eennell submitted a full set of all the maps he had completed which
was sent home, and is now preserved at the India Office in excellent condition 1=
Ihe maps were classified in three series ; first, a series of 19 provincial maps
mostly 01, the scale of 5 miles to an inch, with 2 special maps on larger scale!
becondly, 10 Charts drawn from the marine surveys of John Bitohie [ 1 7 1 and
thirdly, tour particular maps of Bengal and Behar, reduced from the larger maps to
a scale of 6 inches to a degree, with one general map covering the whole, on the
scale of o inches to a degree.
The provincial maps were accompanied by an index showing the lay-out of the
different sheets, the area surveyed by each surveyor, a table of symbols, and notes
on construction and compilation, in which Eennell writes -
The original surveys from which these maps are compiled we're the work of ten different
surveyors [33]. A Map was first constructed on a scale of 5 British Miles to an inch but
being too cumbersome whilst in one piece (it being ten feet by seven), is now copying 'into
15 parts, each part being on a sheet of large Dutch Paper (40 inches by 26), and containing
one, two, or more Provinces, or Sircars, according to their extent.
1 HHS. 765. 2-11-70. < Piliblilt in Eohilkhand. ยซ B Pr C 23-10-74 'Bmno-hsf โข, 11 r-
to East, whereas this question refers to West bor.Icta of Oudh. 'LSI Dhan=- 29ยฐ 58' N โ 20 m OT 3
Kemell's Ebovwciax &-Geot)kal Maps 225-
The followino- is a list of the provincial maps, "which are all on the scale of 5 miles
to an inch, except where stated. Bach one is signed J. B. fecit, with the year, gener-
ally 1772 or 1778. Each covers a number of complete administrative areas, marhed-
with coloured boundary ribands. On most of them the meridian borders are divided-
into one-minute divisions of latitude, with no indication of longitude whatever [ 1 5 1 J โข
I. North mrt of Bahar, containing the Siroara of Tirrnt, Hajoepom- Pjsttyah and boran witn
part of Birear Monghir north of the Ganges, as is the whole map [72 B & P j. Mmveyec,
between the years 1761 and 1772 by Richards. [Includes Mocamupour and Monmg on
the norti which area is marked "Woods", and shows bnt little detail].
TT SW sort of Bate-, containing the Sircars of Rotas, Shawabad, and part of Bahar to about 3
miles oast of Patโข.. fB3 O & P. 72 C & D] i Map beautifully clear, and neatly drawn]. Sur-
veyed by DuGloss, Eichards, and Russell, 1767 to 1771. The Ganges, from Patna to Benares,
III SB 3 Tf %char, making overlap with sheet IT, containing part of Sircar Bahar, Cnrruekponr,
Boglyponr, Cumiekdea, and with the Passes of Eajema!, and part of Ramghur. [72 G, HJ.
Surveyed between 1760 and 1770 by Eiciairds, Dublloss and Carter.
IV ftmnl # Maimal, with the Fejgamnahs of Surorc and Maldah. [73 O, P.-. .Surveyed 1.67 to
1773 by Richards west of Mahananda River, Bennett to east ; rdahananda Elver by Adams ;
eastern slopes of Eajema! Hills by Iluygens, western from report. โ r , , , tv
- V. Dinujcnoar fSorooot. ..[78B. C.]. Surveyed by Bennell, except road from Malda to Dinage-
pour surveyed by Richards 1767 To 1771. -!,ยซ*ยซ,
VI. Ran.,โ โ,โ.ยป.,. "na.voar ,',- Coat-Xcyhar. with the adjacent IV;.โข.. .1 riaaarbnrid & Brttre-
bund, & part of Bootan. [78 F, &.]โข Surveyed by Eennell, except for Coos-Beyhar surveyed
- vn MS*"thc 3 Horth part of Dac'cL' ... [78 L, P.]. Surveyed between 1768 and 1771 by Eennell.
VIII SoBhWa โข art of -Dacca, k. low lands of T.perah. with the Islands in the mouth of the Ganges
[79 I, J, M, N.]. Surveyed 1764 to 1773 by Eennell, Eitchie & Eichards. Country to west by
IX Siiยฐeยป9, divided into Chncklahs. [78 N, 0., 84 B, C,]. Surveyed between 1761 and 1772.
Sea-coast h, Ritchie, Uamabad River by Plaisted, inland pints by Richards.
This map required a larger scale to have the particulars expressed with clearness & accuracy.
X. TheSv.,ui<rl,,u,J,Ri.:,.r,. The Railage! and the Sundcriimd sailing passages are distinguished
bv red and BMOB doited lines. [ 79 F, J, G, K. ]. Surveyed between 1769 and 1773. The
coasts and Sundeibunds by Eitchie ; other rivers & creeks by Eichards ; inland area to west by
XI Iยซlmยปir, J,oon, Noosnah <fc Mahmudshi , with part of Dacca * Eaujeshy, comprehending
the haltaWe part of country between the arms of the Ganges. [78 A, S, B, J?.]. Surveyed
between 1769 & 1771. rivers by Eennell At Richards, remainder by Martin.
XII. BottorioJ,, or North Rai.jeshy. [78 I), II.]. Surveyed r.y Rormell 1769 to _li ,1
XIII. BtrfaW > Eaยซiยซ.JยปJ. [72 P. 78 D, 73 M, 79 A.]. Surveyed between IMS * 1771, eastern a ea
by Eennell, Ganges by Richards, Cossimbasar River hy DnGloss, roads through Rajenial Hills
by Huygens. country west of Ajy River, by Carter
[This map shows the meridian line of Calcutta ][ 180].
XIV. lH..|,.i! i.:iโยป'aโโ, ricogii,, Bissumpour.ciPachete. [73 TJj.O.] Surveyed between 1767 &
1774- North part of Burdwau bv Ren.iell. south rant by DuGloss, Carter, Portsmouth, & Calls
Midnapour by Carter ; sea-coast hy Eitchie. [Shows the meridian line of Calcutta, and a
second meridian about 2 mites east of Miduapour].
XV. Wed tart of Miaesyotcr, with parts of Mayurbunge & Eamgur. [73 I, J.]. Surveyed by Carter,
Portsmouth & Call. ,โบ,,,ยซ , . .
The next three maps contain material as late as 177o and 17i /, and must have
been submitted later [35]. ,..,,. 1 โข โh to t> tt
XVI Ramour, Fal.amow. Chut,, Necwiar, Tome a hoondah. Scale 12 m. to an men. I.'- it "-โ
73 1 r" tlr-dcr survey bvFciineil in 1774, not completed till 1777. Filled m largely from
observations cud remarks - of Captain Ca.nac * Lieut. Fernell. who reduced these provinces to
subjection [ 15 ]. [Shows meridian lines, east from Calcutta, one degree apart>
XVII. J. s to"'t lfa,a;,,aยปaยซ,eJiun,Irt m -,, Oistricrs ivith the Passes of Birboom rtEajemal. [Covers
the whole of the modern Santal Parganas District]. [72 P, P.], Includes the surveys of
Piingle of 1775. _ , r , , , , โ ,,i
XVIII Correction to mens of Dacca cf BoUoHal,, 1775 : [7S H, L.] [protaWy by Rennoll]
XIX. Maun I ! [78 3] [This may have been surveyed m response to a proposal
bv the Chief of Cosslmbazait dated 20-12-68, that "A Surveyor be appointed ,o survey the
Island of Cossimhazar...as the most effectual means of shewing how far the Silk investment
XX. CoiLtrVKireen Sangral & Ooloobaria, along the right bank of the Hooghly. [79 BJ Scale 2
inches to a mile. Surveyed by Eennell 1770. .
XXI. Country 20 miles round the city of Dacca. [79 1,] Scale 2 miles to an inch. Surveyed by
Eennell 1774. . ico-a 4-1
Yery few copies of these valuable maps remained in India, and m Lbd6 tne
Surveyor General reported that he held only 7 copies, which he describes as
indifferent sketches on a scale of 5 miles to one inch, without an original signature. ... liven
if ..on a sufficiently large scale for the frequent demands of the public service, they are
unworthy of credit from their being totally destitute of any Memoir of construction [ 230 ] .
'DDn. 204 (9), 26-11-1823.
226
Maps op Benga
Blacker knew nothing of the memoir Ivinr, ;โ T j r
mdictment of Bennell's work i s in ~ S. r^" f33_4] aDd Us seTCre
during the fifty years that ^,2 1โข ยฐ * P ro ^ s ' rf ยซยซ> โข*y
accurate maps, on which roadTcouk b Wed ?t ^ "^ f ยฐ r COm P Iete and
oision ; in Eennell's day the urgent need was for b ? mda โขs ^ down with pre-
the general course of the main rivers and the a a P 10 + W f* ne cยฐโข*ry, shewing
complete map was required with a Tt t e delay as n K, ยฐ f ^ Pโข^ 1 to โข S S a
little or no importance. J M possible and precision was of
Beimel! had served his masters ยป.n i i i
economy and speed, and had produced fales's than" twT P ^ ^ ^ โข heS for
an area of oyer 150,000 squai4 miles Vre^ouslv? Jf 3 seI โข eab le โขV* of
years later, in discussing their Zw J? !?^ U ' 2281 Nearl J si ^J
the cross routes were not sufficient Ju ' P ยฐ mted 0ut that
the principal towns and villages ^ysl^^i ^Zt^ ^ feat " rM of *"ยฐโขtry, nor are
to which the Directors replied C C ยฐ ntraiy seTeraI bIanks hitervene \
Bahama tTSe o^L^n inl^tr" * G *ยป " - - ยปโ -
that we are in possession of the orSrfnat iZST , B " 0t perha P s a โข*>
eminent Geographer, on a scale of 5 Sto aTfnch " rH TT tW Pro โข CeS ^ ttat
Major Hirsts had a number orXn reproduced f' *$ ^ ^ assist ^ยป of
form of a Companion Atlas*. AtTh same time H ^ m 19U in t] ยซ
maps, io which Ascoli added a chapter oTrh , Hrst P ubhsh ยซl a memoir on the
that title to property might be estaMshed o Tl. TaIU6 ' Jt had been suggested
but Ascoli ^tri y <mr4^^^t l ^ U ^ t J ,yaK,eal8t<, EemelPs ma ยป
completed many years before th e S โZT7l ยฃ,T J ?** ^ ^
the Company assumed full control of tl, 1 , 1793, and eyen before
they might provide the only available 1. ^ TT 6 m 177S ' In some โข^s,
their relative positions, Jd tte โข "*" 7tvยฐ ^ eiisfen0e of TilIa ? es a ยป d
Hirst emphasised the fact that the mans W " 1 77/' the time of s โขy.
Hirst further published a Dane,, e Kt , l Ar , a โข 'ยฐ detailed "Curacy โข
A-prf, 176^7ยซ, P in wlii h h e P make, a" v , ยฐ B ^ ***** *"FVยป9 ยปf
journal, and tables of road and rivT distanced ' 6 * ammat โข ยปf Eennell's maps";
?h?a^ rn ptS , :rr ps ยฐL? ngaI aDd Baha '' E ^ ยซ writes,
degree the scafe pScSely^Ty^hfcouTof ^reVtoS * ^ ^ * 6 *<*- * a
the defective parts f rom the perfect โ ยซยซ I b mg T PS ยฐ f th ยฐ Se P arts ' To point ont
country thus vaguely described &X ยฐh Authorities" 7 b *ยฐ f"โข"** list of thetacts of
I have also put off the correctโข ofTh.r , ^ "* * P roree ded ยป. ...
formed, for, as tie materials are conttutllv iT ^ ^ ^ ^ P'ยฐโข,al ones are
Was it to undergo a change every SSjSS ? 7" *" be "โP^t.
employment for one person. The towโข 7,7 c Fโข 4 '' Wonld 'nrnish full
Upper Provinces 1, ought therefore to be Te fast W0 A ^ MaPS ' ^^^ th ยฐ Se of ยซโข
sub-divided to minutes of fatitnde L^^?โข?^ S^tl
Palk T Noy:rn O bIrT77t ra0tS ^ **" & ยฐ m ^^ lette hom " < *" Sir Eobert
' DDn. .
U 45 '' ^t 18S2 -- ! CD.toI 1 ,dia,16- 1 -lS33 (10)
Bunnell's Provincial & General Maps
227:
The general and particular surveys are to be drawn in about 45 or 50 large folio maps,
and will be a very compleat work when finished. Each province is to be drawn in a
separate map, and most of these provinces are as big as the County of Norfolk, and some
as big as Yorkshire K
To his guardian, March 1772,
From this sketch you'll partly guess what a job I have to construct particular maps of
each Province on scales of 5 miles to one inch, together with general Maps of the whole
Country. I have made a considerable Progress in this Work and shall completely finish it in
a twelvemonth now. Should I leave the Country next January, I shall yet leave behind me
a complete Sett of Original Maps, but leave the fair copying to another. If I stay another
year, the whole work will be compleated. ...The distances are all determined by actual
Mensuration, corrected by observations of Latitudes and Longitudes 2 [ 152].
With his next letter he encloses a little plan
done in hurry, and by a young draughtsman, for I only put the finishing hand to it, by
writing a few words in it. ...I'll request of you not to lend the Map to anyone, nor suffer-
any to copy it 3 .
Rennell eventually stayed out till the beginning of 1777, spending the last
three years making improved copies of his maps ; in January 1776, he submitted
another set for the Directors ;
Bengal & Behar ... ... ... 10 miles to an inch
Ellahabad, Oude, & the known
parts of Agra & Delhi ... ... ... 10 miles to an inch.
The whole in one general map ... ... 20 miles to an inch.
Some corrections & additions to the map of Bengal, from later surveys ; accompanied by
an account of the construction of each map 4
The Directors allowed Rcnnell's general map to be engraved and published
privately, and in February 1776 there was published by Sayer & Bennett of Fleet
Street, an engraved Map of Bengal, Behar etc.... from Benares to Silhet, reproducing
his surveys on the scale of 12 miles to an inch, "dedicated to the Court of
Directors by Andrew Dury ", but without bearing any acknowledgment to
Rennell s .
In the same year there was published a "Map of the Eastern Parts of Bengal...
drawn chiefly from actual surveys, 1769, Engd. by Win. Whitchurch, 1776. 24 G.
miles to an inch"".
Hirst has given a very fall account of Eennell's maps and surveys in his memoir
entitled The Surveys of Bengal, published in 1917, with full particulars of the
Bengal Atlas and its Companion Atlas ".
Bengal Atlas, 1779-81
Soon after Rennell reached England he wrote out to Warren Hastings,
I brought home the Provincial Maps safe ; but the Directors demur about engraving them,
and yet they are now engraving the Map of the Madras Jaghire [88]. Time, and the convic-
tion of it being a saving scheme, will, I hope, conquer their aversion to parting with a little
money now to save a great deal in the end : for either the originals will be totally lost ; or the
copies will run away with a vast sum every year to renew them 8 .
He had however to take the responsibility of engraving them himself [167 n. 2],
and explained his design in the following note;
The maps of Bengali & Behar engraved in 1776 having been executed in a careless and
inaccurate manner 9 , and containing none of the surveys taken since 1772, I have been induced
to undertake a new engraving of them; which shall contain all the new surveys. Accordingly
in this edition there will appear two entire new maps; one of the Conquered Provinces on the
South of Bahar; the other of Jungleterry. There will also be very great additions made to
Purneah, Coos Beyhar, Midnapour, Burdwan, Gentian 10 , and the Sunderbunds.
^alhMSS. 12-11-71. 2 HMS. 765, 15-3-72. 3 ifa. 6-4-72. A These scales are in terras
of geographical miles, so correspond to those of the earlier maps, 6 and 3 inches to a degree. BPC.
5-2-76. 5 MKO. Slap 445. G Seton Kerr IV (pocket). ' Where these records do not agree with Hirst,
careful consideration has heen given to fresh evidence. s EM. Addl. MSS. 29140 (343), 1-5-7S. 9 Pro-
bably by Whitchurch or Dury [ sup]. '"Jaintia, 83 C.
228
Maps of Bengal
As these maps are chiefly designed for the use of the gentlemen who travel in Bengali &
Bahar, the Survey of these Provinces is divided into 8 parts, which will fold very convenient-
ly into a quarto Book, and take but little room either in a Palankeen or escritoire.
The divisions are as foilows : โ
I to 8. Eight parts (inf.'] Scale IO miles to an inch.
9, IO. Two General maps. Scale 20 miles to an inch.
11. The Dooab, on same scale as Bengal. ...a new Map.
12. The Cossimbazar Island. Scale 5 miles to an inch.
In the re-distribution of the 8 parts of Bengal, more regard has been paid to the natural
than to the political division of the country; yet as far as it could be done the Provinces or
Sircars are preserved entire.
The above 12 maps (in Boards) will be afforded for about a guinea and a half. A good
binding 7s 6d more 1 .
He sent a copy of this note to Warren Hastings with a letter dated November
20th 1778;
I have also begun a new set of maps of Bengal & Bahar, the nature of which will be ex-
plained by the enclosed Paper; and no less by a first proof of one of the maps. I do not
expect to get them finished till next April or May; so that tie sets will hardly find their way
to Bengal that year. I shall take care however to send you one of the first copies that is
worked off 3 .
The first edition of the Atlas duly appeared on November 1779, engraved by
W. Harrison, of 42 Wych Street, London, and entitled,
A Map of Bengal and Bahar in VIII parts, with an index map to the VIII divisions of
Bengal & Bahar. Published according to Act of Parliament by J. Eennell, November
1770A
The nine 1
miles to an inch.
tt' m? 1 ยฅ "",' BeW " ยฐ fth " Glln 9' s - vith the adjacent countries on the East, and a plan of Samooko-nr
II. IheJunghU yD.^nct and adjacent Province of Blrrabhoam. Rajanal, and Boglipovr com-
prehending the countries between Moorse.ofla.bad and Bahar.
Map <:/ Saufa Bahar.
Map e/' 'North Bahar.
The Northern Provinces of Bengal, with the Bootan. lEorung, and Assam Frontiers.
The Low Land* t,eijcoid the Ganges, from (he MauMah 'River to Sillier..
The Promises of Bengal U/mg on the Wat of the Heoilily River with the Mahratta Frontier
The Conjuerec! Province! m the South of Bahar, viz., Kamgliur, Palamow, & Cliuta-Sa^pom- with
2 ISt
i_ plates were as under, the scale of the first eight being 10 geographical
m.
rv.
v.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
1 Tract more extensive &. Populous than tile British
1 Testimony of his distinguished Abilities, and
ontrasts Bengal with Great Britain and
their dependeiiei
IX. Map of Bengal $ Bahar, comprehendin;
Islands.
Hcspeeti'nily insorihod to "Warren Hastin,
in gratitude for favours received.
A Table of areas totalling 149,217 square miles.
Ireland, of area 121.S00 square miles [ 226 ].
This plate is on the scale of 25 miles to an inch, and covers the area of the VIII maps above.
In 1778 the Directors had agreed to advance ยฃ1S0 towards the engraving of
this Atlas, " the charges of executing which work will be defrayed by a subscription
of the Company's servants in India" 4 . This advance was to be repaid in 18 months
-without interest, and in 1779 a further advance of ยฃ100 was made on the same terms.
Free transport was allowed for a consignment of the atlases to Bengal, which
-were to be issued to Company's servants at Es. 16 for a folio atlas, and Es. 14 for
quarto; 80 copies folio and 120 quarto were sent out before July 1780 5 .
A second edition followed in 1780, containing IS plates, and was entitled
A Bengal Atlas: containing maps of the Theatre of War and Commerce on that side of
Hindoostan. Compiled from the Original Surveys ; and published by Order of the Honourable
Court of Directors 6 .
Early in 1781 a quarto edition was published 7 with 23 folded maps, in the ad-
vertisement to which Eennell wrote,
The intent of publishing the maps of Bengal . . .under the present Form, was to render them
portable to those who travel over that extensive country 8 .
'BM. Add! MSS. 29210 (298). = ib. 29142 (75 ). 'IO. Cat. (164). ' CM 1-10-78 *CM
10-5-80, t CD to B. 5-7-80 (40 ). ยซ Scale of first 8 sheets now given as 12 British miles to an inch
+10. Cat. 165 ) also Hirst & Ascoli 35. โข Ben P. ef P. Dec. 1935 ( 69 )
Bengal Atlas
:22<>
Two more editions followed in 1781, of foiio size, with the maps unfolded, and
a final edition was issued in 1V83. The later plates were,
X. CWai Mip of 0,.* If Allahabad, with part of Agra A Delhi. Scale .tart So ml M to an mch
[ Longitude east of Greenwich is given along the north edge and west of Calcutta along the
south edge; Calcutta being taken as SS" as" cast of Greenwich I [ 150, iboj
XI. lfยซj.o/ttยซC(.ssiii.taor IsfamJ. Scale 5 miles to an inch. With a sketch of the Battle of
Plassey on scale 1.500 yards to an inch. .
XII. nan of the Boiirems of the City of Dana, (or jeliangurnagur ) Scale about 3 miles to an men.
XIII Tlte Doo-ab from Allahabad to Kalpy. Scale 6 miles to an inch.
Plate? XIV to XVII. scale 5 miles to an men, show th.e rteaess from Allahabad to its continence
with the Megna, and the Megna hence to the Luckia Elver [ 19, 21 ]. _
[These plates are specially well drawn, with tree symbol? and excellent lettering
XVIII ZVw Burrammoter from the head of the Luckia or Banner River to Assam. Scale 5 miles to an
' inch. Inset, A Southern View of Dellamcottah Fort [pl.5] in Bootan, inscribed to the memory
of. ..John Jones, ...and Plan of Dellameotta Fort, by Captain Claude Martin.
XIX The Keoelo Etuei* from Nuddeah to the sea. Pub. August 25th 1780. Scale 5 miles to 1 mch.
Balasore RooAs ,v Povnl Palodras. Scale 34 nia.rine leagues to 1 inch.
Battle of Oudanulla 1 ;^. Adams. Aug. 17b3. Scale about 3 miles to 1 inch. [ About 3 miles
below Eiiimahal].
XX A Me/p of the Se.-aderband 0/ Bofliagot Fe.esaoes. Scale e miles to 1 inch. Includes Calcutta and
Culna on the north, Sutalury on X.E., and Backergunge.
XXI Viewsoi O.ahuml'o 0783)4 ยป<ยซi' (Till- ( 1764 )โ by Claude Martin.
Semi-final Plate illustrates the action of the Ganges waters m erosion of Banks and formation
of Islands.
Fined Plate is a map of Inland Navigation [ 230 J.
The enlarged Atlas sold at Rs. 22 for a folio volume, and Es. 20 for a quarto, and
Eennell was allowed to send a box hy each ship proceeding to Bengal 2 ; he wrote to
Warren Hastings,
All the Bengal Atlases sent out by the last Fleet were carried to Spam. I have now
added very considerably to the work. I have prepared 400 copies of it, to go by the ships of
the present season. ... If the demand should increase I may possibly reap some advantage
from the publication. From the locality of the subject and its consequent limited sale, I was
obliged to fix a high price on it 8 .
Two years later the Bengal Government reported,
In consequence of the orders contained in your letter of the 8th of Feb. 1781 regarding
the sale of a number of Major Rennell's Bengal Atlases which yon sent to us by the ships of
that season, we beg leave to inform you that they have all been disposed of accordingly, and
the produce of the sales amounting to Rs. 9590-14-0 deposited in your treasury '.
In 1785 the Atlases were advertised
to be sold at the Council House Calcutta for Ready Money, Those m folio (a, 30 Sicca Rs.
each. Those in Quarto @ 25 Sicca Rs. each B .
The atlas now had a wide circulation amongst officials throughout the Provinces,
and it is interesting to find the Board of Revenue sending this very practical advice
to the Resident at Tipperah in 1789,
\ topographical knowledge of the Districts in his charge is absolutely necessary for a
Collector, but Rennell's maps will be of little service to him in that respect. He must make
the Tour of his district himself 5 .
In 1823 the Surveyor General reported that
the great utility of the Bengal Atlas published by Major Rennell many years ago (but which
excellent work is now I believe out of print) has been generally acknowledged 7 .
A partial reprint made in 1826 was advertised thus,
In the Press, Calcutta ; Rennell's Illustration of the Rivers Hoogly and Ganges, from the
mouth of the Hoogly to Cawnpore, comprised in 9 doubles plates, 41.0. coloured, to which are
added Tables of Routes and Distances from Calcutta, thoughout all the principal Inland
Navigation, Price in Boards ; Sa. Rs. 10 s .
Rennell's atlas remained the standard map of Bengal until 1850 or thereabouts,
when the i-inch sheets of the new Atlas of India began to appear. These contain-
ed much of Rennell's original survey from his 5-mile provincial maps, fitted to
later surveys and the triangles of the Great Trigonometrical Survey [ 226 ].
In 1908 the Bengal Atlas received new lease of life. A new design was being-
worked out for Indian maps and, inspiration Toeing found from a study of Rennell's
โ UndwahSala ,5-9-03. "- CM. 1 1-1-81 , ยซ= CD. to B 8-2-81 (24 ) . *BM. Add] MSS. 29147,
S16-1-81. 'BtoCD. 17S3 (38). ' CC. 24-3-S5. > B. Key. B. 4-6-89 (27). 'BMC. 7-11-1823,
8 As J. March 1S26.
23 Maps op Bengal
old plates, it was decided to make a complete reprint of the 1781 edition '. This
was done in 1911 and the plates are now stocked for sale at Calcutta, and replenished
as a matter of routine to meet a steady demand.
Distance Tables
In 1776 Beimel] submitted, with his general maps, a Road Table entitled
Great Roads of Bengal ยฃ Behar, with Dacca taken as centre ; this was supplemented
"by tables showing roads and distances to places of note from other central
cities. In 1778 he published a pamphlet entitled Description of the Roads in
Bengal, of which he writes to Warren Hastings,
Since I have had any leisure from my own private concerns, I have chiefly employed
myself m superintending the printing of a Book of Eoads of Bengal, f trust it will prove
extremely interesting 3 .
Ill the preface he describes it as,
A complete travelling guide, as far as relates to distances and the nature of the rivers
that intersect the roads. The utility of such a work in any country must strike every one :
much more in a country where the people employed by Government are mere sojourners, -
and from the want of local knowledge must depend upon the information of Guides, who'
often mislead them either through ignorance or interested motives [ 89, 95, 241 ]. At best these
guides know only the most frequented roads ; so that in crossing the country no information
whatever can be derived from them : and as for the peasantry, or ryots, they cannot be sup-
posed to know the roads beyond the circle of the markets which they frequent.
^ By comparing the distances in the Tables with the horizontal distances in the Map, it
will be found that one mile in seven is taken up by the windings of the Roads ; which, consi-
dering the flatness and openness of the country, is a circumstance that one would not
expect [184-5].
As most parts of Bengal & Bahar are level, or nearly so, the Sun's rising and setting may,
in clear weather, be as easily discerned as at sea: I have therefore added a Table of the
tune of the Sun's rising and setting, as it furnishes the easiest method of regulating time for
common purposes 3 .
In 1781 he published a Table of Routes and distances from Calcutta through the
Prmcipal Inland Navigations, with similar tables from Dacca, Murshidabad, and
Patna ; it also included a statement of areas for the main subdivisions of Bengal,
and a Jfep of Inland Navigation, which distinguished rivers perennially navio-able
from those open for part of the year only *.
Ill 1779 Call prepared a Map of the Principal Roads of Bengal, Behar, Oude &cยฐ
[235], and in 1794 Colebrooke submitted distance tables for the Upper Provinces
and Oude ;
The accompanying Table of the Distances from Benares and Lucknow to most of the
principal places m the Upper Provinces; but having been informed from maps, these
distances will be found to fall short of the real travelling distances bv a few miles, though
seldom more, I hope, than in the proportion of five miles to a hundred.
1 have only inserted the distances by water of places situated on the Ganges ; the other"
rivers falling mto the great river above Patna being seldom navigated... by any.. .civil or
military servants. ...
I shall now proceed to lay down in the manner of Major Rennell a set of Tables of the
Eoads throughout the Upper Provinces, but this must necessarily be a work of time 6 .
Ill sending these tables home Government remarked,
A copy of this table has been sent to the Civil Auditor for his guidance in auditing Bills
for Travelling charges, as far as it can direct him for the purpose, in addition to theยฐTable
which was prepared by Major Rennell ".
' At the suggestion of Capt.W.jiI. Coldstream. "BH. Addl. HSS. 29142 (75) 20-11-7S 'Roads
.ยป. Bmgal, auttagong to Benares: a free issue to all military officers, CD to E 23 r>-7<< ("ยป:|
'Pamphlet 10. Haps. II, AC, (4, 5) ; Map. also in Jfemoir & B,l Atlโ. See also Hirst .BMC
17-7-1813(75-6. 'DDn. (1667), 5-1-95. ' B to CD. 5-2-95 (69) โข BMC "
District Maps
231
District Maps
Bennett's 5-mile Provincial Plans were not at first available for use in the
districts,, for apparently he had only left one copy of each in India. In 1776 the
Governor General wrote,
I have had frequent representations from the provincial Councils of the difficulties to
which they are liable for the want of provincial maps, and having been lately furnished with
a very compleat general map of the province by the Surveyor General, drawn out -upon a
scale so large as to comprise all the principal Towns and Places of every district, -which I
judge will be more useful as a reference for this Board than the separate maps of each
division, I recommend that this map which I now lay before the Board may be deposited in
โ this office for their occasional inspection, and that the maps of the Provincial Divisions may
be transmitted to several Councils & Collectors l .
This was agreed to and acted upon, but ten years later, on the Surveyor
General's report that many of these plans were missing from his office, Govern-
ment wrote to all districts calling in any that might still be found. This met
with but little success, for most officers reported that they had no map of their
district whatever, whilst the few who did possess one urged the impossibility of
giving it up [257-8].
In 1792 the Chief Engineer, Wood, whilst in temporary charge of the Surveyor
General's office, raised the question again, reporting that there were two draughts-
men
making copies of several of the Provincial Plans which had been found m a very tattered
State. ...I have since had an opportunity of examining and of arranging those Plans, which
are ten in number. ... These Plans are on the large scale of 5 miles to an inch, and I think it
is most probable that there must have been formerly Plans of the whole country on the same
scale for the use of the Collectors and Revenue Servants ; but which in the Course of so many
years have been lost or mislaid.
There were yet 15 districts for which no plan had been found ;
Should any of the Plans be irrecoverable lost, I will have others on the same scale
immediately constructed. ... The inconveniences arising from the want of those Plans is
frequently experienced, having lately had an application from Mr. Macguire of Tipperah
for a plan of his district, which could not be complied with ".
The following year the Chief Engineer submitted
13 Plans on a large scale of the. different Collectorships. ...There is scarcely a Collector
throughout the whole of the Company's possessions who have any sort of Plans of their
respective districts, and without them they must be kept greatly in the dark 3 .
The Collector of Burdwan asked for a map of his district showing parganas ;
A Map of this kind is the more wanted, in consequence of the proposed sale of a large
portion of the Burdwan Zemindary in numerous lots; ...It might be found an_ assistance to
the Magistrate, by enabling him to distinguish the relative positions and distances of his
Police Tannahs, and certainly to the Collector in his business of regulating & realizing the
tax proposed for the maintenance of those Tannahs 4 .
In 1796 the Surveyor General reported, in reply to a request for a map of
Dacca District, that
we have not in the office any complete Map of the District of Dacca on a large scale, the
only documents of that Part of the Country which remain "being of a very old date, and
much decayed, nor could I have them copied so as to form a connected Draught of the
whole, as a part of one of the sheets is missing.
As the Honble. Court of Directors are in possession of all the original surveys which
have been made of these Provinces, and as no new surveys of any consequence have been
taken of late years, I would recommend that they be written to on this subject, to request
that they would be pleased to authorise the Engraving and publishing a set of Provincial
Maps on a scale not less than five British Miles to an inch 5 .
This very reasonable suggestion was not approved, and a great opportunity of
of helping the work of district officers was thrown away.
1 BBC. 1-5-16.
26-9-96 (35).
S BPC. 22-2-92 (17). a EMC. 15-2-93 (19). *MKEO. M 574, 17-fr-t
2g2
Maps of Bengal
Upper Provinces, 1797-1800
As the affairs of the Company "became more concerned with the Upper Provin-
ces, the more inadequate were Rennell's maps found to be, and in 1797 the
Surveyor General wrote to Wilf ord at Benares ;
As tie recent invasion of the Punjab by Zamaun Shaw was the cause of serious alarm to
our Government, and his long-intended inroad into Hindostan may at some future period be
carried into effect [57], I conceive it the duty of my office to collect in the time, for their use,
every possible information relating to the countries through which the invader might be
expected to approach. ... I have therefore to request that you will assist my endeavours. ..by.
sending down to the office every original route or document in your possession. ... What
would be more particularly useful at present are the original sheets of the great general map,
which was compiled by you and the late Col. Call ; ...I cannot much depend upon the copies
which we have in the office, as in consulting them occasionally I have discovered numerous
errors. ...
I have in hand of my own a map of the Doab, and Rohilcund, which is in tolerable
forwardness, compiled from the surveys of Messrs Rind, Hunter, Mouat, & corrected by
Reuben Burrow's astronomical observations 1 [163-4].
In 1800 he was able
to lay before the most Noble the Governor General in Council, the accompanying Map of the
Dominions of Oude &c. which has been compiled chiefly from the Materials in this Office.
The Latitudes and Longitudes of many of the Principal Places along the Ganges., and in
Rohilcund, have been laid down from the observations of the late Mr. Reuben Burrow, but, :
since this Map began to be constructed, some other plans have been procured, which with
the Survey that is now making by Captain Thomas Wood... will enable me.. .to lay before
Government a copy still more accurate and complete 2 .
Punjab & Afghanistan
The Punjab was probably better known to early geographers than any other
part of India owing to the campaigns of Alexander the Great and the interest
roused by his historians [207]. The following extracts from D'Anville indicate
the confused nature of his later information ; he would indeed have rejoiced at a
sight of Monserrate's map and Commentarius [pi. 10].
For the situation 01 most places between Kandahar and the Indus, I am indebted partly
to the Turkish Geographer, compiled by Kiatib-shelebi, under the title of Gehan-numa (The
Mirror of the World) and partly to the historical account of the expedition of Timur. . . .
The Tchenav, which joins the Indus near Attek 3 , is the river which comes from the dis-
trict of Kashmir : For this we must depend upon two modern travellers, Bernier 4 and
Thevenot [118 n. 3]. ... Kashmir is celebrated by the Eastern nations; ...The mountains
which surround and defend it on all sides represent a kind of shell, from which issue a multi-
tude of streams, which unite in a river a little above Sri-nagar, the capital of the country, and
in order to get out... the river opens a passage between the mountains, just wide enough for
it to run through, and which are called the Baramule s . The Eastern Tables make the latitude
of Kashmir 35 , but I cannot think it so much : that of Lahaur is fixed at 31 50' 6 [148]. ...
Bernier... has given a map, of which our geographers seem to be unacquainted, in which
this part of India, in general, has been carefully attended to. ...
Tchenav is the first of the five rivers, which occasioned the Persian name of Pendj-ab, ...
Shantov comes next, after which we find Ravee, which is the river of Lahaour ; then Bish,
and last of all Caul 7 . ...
Alexander having crossed the Indus, came to Taxila 8 , the largest town between the
Indus and the Hydaspes 9 : I am inclined to think that this is the same with Attek... which at
the conflux of the Tchenav and the Indus, may be situate on the left hand, or farther bank
of these rivers 10 .
^Dn. 16 (25), 23-3-97. 3 Map. scale 8 m. to an inch, 1798. MKIO. 28 (6) ; and another ic 7
sheets, scale 4 m. to 1 inch, 1800. MEIO. 15 (23-3% BMC (59), 3-7-ISCO. s Chenab joins Endns, 39 K/12,
350 10. below Attock. 4 Dr. Bernier visited Kashmir with A.urang'zeb, 1664. 5 Baranmla, 43 J/8; an,
excellent picture of Kashmir Valley, except that its river is the Jhelran and not the Chenab. B Srina^ar
34" 6' K. i Lahore, 31 c 36' 3* ' The flvo rivers, from W. to E, are Jhelum, Chenab, - Ravi. Beas. Sutleh
3 43 C/ 14. 3 Identified hy Rennell as Jhehun K. 10 Herbert (10-16).
Punjab & Afghanistan
โ โ >:)โ [
Herbert includes a map entitled Carte du Pais traverse -par le Fleuve Indus, taken
from D'Anville's map of Central Asia, which illustrates the above account,
ReimelPs geography in 1782 was not much further advanced, but by 1792 he
had collected fresh information from which he prepared a new map covering the
Countries situated between Delhi and Candahar [pi. 8] ;
By the favour of my friend Col. Poller, I am possessed of a map of the countries situated
between the upper part of the course of the Ganges, and the rivers of Punjab : and between
the northern hills and the road leading from Delhi to Batnir 1 . This map was constructed
by an European gentleman, whose name I an unacquainted with : but Col. Polier assures me
that the routes between Delhi and Sirhind were drawn from the gentleman's own observa-
tions on the spot 3 .
For the country between Delhi and Ajmer he acknowledges a map by Father
Wendel [12] and for the Punjab rivers,
I have derived considerable assistance from the Persian MS. map of the Punjab 3 ; ...it
was drawn by a native, and preserved in the archives of government in Hindoostan. The
names were obligingly translated from the Persian by the late Major Davy [249]. โ -- The
tract includes the whole soubah of Lahore and a great part of Multan proper. It not only
convevs a distinct general idea of the courses and names of the five rivers ; but with the aid
of Capt. Kirkpatrick's MSS. [42] sets us right as to the identity of the rivers crossed by
Alexander *, ...
By the help of the Persian and other MS maps, particularly a map of the Punjab. ..drawn
by Lieut. Rind , ...I have been enabled to give the road from Wizierabad 5 ... through the
Retchna Doabah, with many other positions in and about the Punjab .
Kind's Map of the Country of the SeiJcs [42], gives a crude representation of
the five rivers, with a few place names, and a suggestion of the foothills ; its most
interesting feature is the naming of the four doals, Bind Sagur, Eetchena, Bary,
and Baeii Jalinder. It was in great demand and several copies now exist in
Calcutta : . Kennell continues,
The Behut 8 , or Cashmere river, was supposed by M. D'Anville... to join the Sinde 9 at
Attok. Tavernier seems to have led M. DAnville into this mistake; which has finally
been the occasion of his misplacing, and of course misnaming, all the other four rivers. The
fact is that the river which runs by Cabul, and in the lower part of its course, bears the
name of Attock, joins the Sinde on the West side, and in front of the city of Attock. We
are obliged to Mr. George Forster... for clearing up the mistake; and finally to the very
particular and pointed observations of Capt. Kirkpatrick, for illustrating the courses of the
rivers in general, in this quarter 10 .
Forster had made a remarkable journey through the lower Himalaya, Kashmir,
Afghanistan, Persia, and Sussia. Starting from Benares in August 1782,
It was necessary, from a regard to safety, to avoid the country of the Seiks ; that is,
Lahore : he accordingly crossed the Ganges and Tumnah within the mountains, and proceeded
to Kashmere by the road of Jammoo 11 . From thence, crossing the Indus about 20 miles
above Attock, he proceeded to Cabul. ...
As he travelled in the disguise of an Asiatic, and in the company of Asiatics,
through a vast extent of Mohammedan country, where the religious prejudices... are nearly
equalled by their political jealousy of all sorts of foreigners, ...detection had been worse than
death. ... From the time he left the last British station in Oude, to the Caspian, ...he em-
ployed near a twelvemonth, and travelled 2700 English miles, ...sleeping in the open air, even
in rainy and snowy weather ; and contenting himself with the ordinary food and cookery of
the country he passed through 13 .
He reached St, Petersburg in 1784, and in 1790 published an account of his
journey 13 with a
chart of the road, calculated according to the reckoning of my journal, ...constructed by Mr.
Wilford, ...a gentleman of extensive geographical knowledge 14 .
Kennell concludes his remarks,
The geography of the Punjab country. ..I have detailed much beyond its seeming impor-
tance; ...we are not likely, as for as I can judge, for a great length of time, to be possessed of
1 Bhatinda, 44 J/16. -Sirhind, 53 B/6. Memoir, 1793, (67), 3 Possibly MEIO. 97 (10, 11).
4 .MemOM- 1793(103). s Wazirabad. 43 L/3. s Memoir 1793 (110-1). '3LK-I0. 1 (525), 12 (30 etc).
8 Jhehim E. 9 Indus E. ia Memoir, 1793 (100). " Through Xfihan, 53 F/fh Bilfisijmv โ >! AM-> ; ."Minimi,
43L/14; Srinagar, 43 J/ 16. ^Memoir., 1793 (148-9). 13 Adv. 06. 11-3-90, " Price Ks. 25. Embellished
with a Correct map explanatory of the route ". As AM. I (86). u Forster (xiii).
234
Maps op Bengal
any better materials than those I have exhibited, indifferent as they may be in many in
stances ; and therefore I consider it as the finishing stroke to the whole matter for some time
to come 1 .
He was wrong- in thinking- that his map would long remain the " last word ",
for in 1804 Wilford completed A map of t lie Countries to the West of Delhi, as far as
Cabul and Multan, scale 16 m. to an inch ", which carries the following note ;
The survey of these countries was undertaken about 20 years ago by Capt. Wilford, in
order to ascertain the track of Alexander. Tt was completed between the years 1786 and
1796 by a native properly instructed [287].
This native surveyor, with safety to himself, could only use a pocket compass : the dis-
tances of course are computed. ... The survey is checked towards the S.E. by the known
latitudes and longitudes of Hardwar, Delhi, Jypore and Ajmere, but thro' this extensive
country we have to lament the total want of actual surveys & accurate observations of
Latitudes and Longitudes. There is however a measured track from Delhi to Cabul, and
another from Lahore to Moultan, by order of the Emperor Shahjehan 3 . ...
In 2 instances this map differs materially from that lately published by Major Rennell ;
Distance from Delhi to Lahore and again from Lahore to Moultan; Delhi to Lahore, Rennell,
280 geo. miles; Wilford 222. Capt. Wilford having leisurely and maturely investigated this
subject for several years past is convinced that his distances are correct *.
Wilford's map was a very great advance over Rennell's geography, and on the
whole his detail was remarkably good. He showed the Indus down to Sukkur, and
all the Punjab rivers ; the distant regions of Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, the Goorum
River ; Jalalabad and Kabul ; Dheer, Ghatraul, and Tereejmeer, to the north ; the
" Tor Octffirs called also Syapaosh or Black Vests, Black Infidels ", and the โข JEsphin
Cafirs, White Infidels " ; Gilghit and R-unse.
He places Gilgit about 72ยฐ 52' E., 35ยฐ 58' N. as against the true position of 74ยฐ
20' E v 35ยฐ 54/ N., and shows the general course of the Upper Indus correctly.
There are of course minor errors and a general wildness in longitudes values; but
the map is a wonderful example of what could be done by compilation from trust-
worthy information.
Wilford had long established himself as a learned geographer, and Burrow in
1788-9 preferred to send his geographical information to Wilford rather than
to the Surveyor General ;
I forgot to mention the reasons why I have not sent copies of the routes among the
Comow [ 161 n. 3] Hills ; in the first place they are out of the limits of Major Rennell's Bengal
Atlas ; secondly they require more time to translate and explain them than I can spare at
present; thirdly, as Mr. Wilford has been for a long time collecting materials at his own
expence for making a Map of the external parts bordering on India, they will be of more service
to him, and ultimately to the Company, than they can possibly be by sending them home 5 .
Reynolds'" native surveyors added much to the knowledge of the Punjab;,
Bajputana, and Sincl [132], and most of their work is included in the maps
shown on p. 246.
jVIap Drawing- afd Draughtsmen
Both Rennell and De Grloss took three or four European assistants with them
when they set out on survey [ 283 ], and it is reasonable to presume that these
assistants made themselves useful in map drawing. Rennell must have spent quite
as much time in plotting his surveys and in compiling and drawing his maps as he
did on actual survey; and he mentions that Richards assisted him.
In his establishment returns of 1768 he allowed for a draughtsman with pay at
Rs. 120 a month, whilst a surveyor of the rank of captain was allowed one "at
Rs. 60 a month and Rs. 1 a day when on actual service ", and a subaltern was
"allowed no Draughtsman, except by particular orders 6 ".
l M&moir, 1793 (111). 2 MKIO. 7 (11). 3 Wilford here acknowledges asfcr. obsns. of Monserrate
[ 149]. *True distance; direct, ^40 i.t, miles; by road, 291 m. or 250 G. m. 6 IO. Maps. MS. 5. 6 BPC
30-6h6S & 4-7-6S.
Map Drawing and Draughtsmen
235
Eennell made his headquarters at Dacca, and from about 1772 till his depar-
ture in 1777, must have been almost continuously employed in map drawing, with
a fairly efficient staff of draughtsmen; he refers to " a young draughtsman " in a
letter of 1772, and the name J. Fougeron is associated with his own on a map
dated 1775*
โ In 1779, when the pay of the Surveyor General came under revision, Call
pressed the importance of an adequate allowance for map drawing;
I am led to believe your Hon'ble Board have either overlooked the necessary allowance
for Draughtsmen, or that it is your intention I should draw for them in a separate Bill
monthly as a contingent expence not to be ascertained. To put my Office on a good footing,
...permit me to lay before you a particular account of the necessary Draughtsmen for my
Office.
Two European Draughtsmen ... @ 350 ... Rs. 700
Four Native โ ... 60 ... Rs. 240
Three Portuguese โ ... 15ยฐ โ -โข Rs. 450 1,390
Part of the business in my Office requires men of Genius and ability to execute ; it
requires precision, close attention, and much application ; few such Draughtsmen are to be
met with in this Country, and they will exact their own rewards. I have absolutely engaged
two European Draughtsmen possessed of the necessary Qualifications, and I wish to give
them proper encouragement. . . .
For six months past I have been closely engaged in framing a new General Map of India,
making fair copies of it; Copying Plans furnished me by the Governor General & Commander
in Chief ; Maps of Roads, &c. &c. [ 230 ] ; Reducing Routes of the Army, and inserting them
in my general Map. I have absolutely been unable for want of necessary assistance to reduce
the Surveys of the Several Gentlemen employed in that Branch, and I have now several
months work to bring up ' ! .
The Surveyor General was then allowed to make a fixed charge "upon honour"
to cover all the expenses of his office, including draughtsmen [262], but under
the retrenchments of 1785 this arrangement was withdrawn, and he made the
following estimate for completing the copies required by the Directors [ 252 ] ;
To give you as exact an estimate as possible of the expence in making copies of such a
variety of Maps, Charts, Plans, Journals, &c. as I have in my possession, I am of opinion that
the following people will necessarily be employed about 12 months.
4 European Draughtsmen ... @ 350 a month Rs. 1400
3 Portuguese โ ... 15ยฐ โ โ โ Es - 45ยฐ
4 Bengal or Portuguese Writers 60 ... Rs. 240 2090
Good European or Native Draughtsmen are with difficulty procured, and they must be
handsomely rewarded, or they will not work 3 .
The Board refused to accept this estimate, and Call replied,
As your Hon'ble Board have since been pleased to withdraw my allowance for Draughts-
men, Writers, Stationery, Office Rent, and every contingent allowance, it will be impossible
for me to comply with the orders of the Hon'ble the Court of Directors * ...
whereon Government "allowed him Rs. 4000 to compleat the rough draught of his
large map", and on his further representation that,
If the Original Plans. ..sent to my office are to be copied and sent home, it will require
draftsmen and writers at the rate of Rs. 700 a month for 12 months, and it will be necessary
either that Rooms be allotted to the Draughtsmen to work in, or an allowance of Rs. 250 a
month to be made for that purpose 5 ;
this estimate was sanctioned for 12 months, besides the Rs. 250 for Wilford as
Assistant in the Drawing-office [ 277 ]. For the future it was provided that.
All plans executed by the Surveyor General or under his instruction should be paid for,
either by contract or estimate, previously approved of by the Board. ... Paper and other
materials for drawing to be drawn for by bill, as actually purchased, and audited by the Board
before payment [205],
and further that a statement of the work actually carried out should be submitted
with every claim for pay of draughtsmen. It was not long before Wood, who had
succeeded as Surveyor General, protested against these restrictions ;
1 MRIO. 53 (7). " HMS. 35S (45), 12-8-79. 3 BPC. 9-9-85 (7). " BPC. 31-S-85. 5 BPC. 15-9-85.
236 Maps of Bengal
When the Board came to the resolution that the Surveyor General should send in the
monthly bills, ...accompanied by the work finished during every month, ... I stated that
Draughtsmen and such people as were employed by the Surveyor General were not like
common writers, who could be discharged or increased occasionally as circumstances might
require, but that they were artists difficult to be procured, more particularly in this country,
where there is no regular establishment for the education of people in this science.
For this reason I requested that in place of sending in monthly bills with work, a small
establishment should be allowed, similar to that of the former Surveyor General, and that
when any extraordinary work might render any increase necessary, application for this pur-
pose should be made to the Hon'ble Board. ...
For the common services of the Surveyor General's Office, an establishment of Drafts-
men and people a fourth less than what was drawn for by the former Surveyor General will
be sufficient 1 .
By the following year, Wood found the pressure of wort in the drawing office
so great that he proposed the introduction of two Engineer officers to assist โข
The .difficulty m procuring Capable Draftsmen amongst our own Countrymen and the
necessity of employing Foreigners on business requiring confidence and fidelity has long
been a matter of regret [245]. ... There are several Young Gentlemen whose abilities as
Draftsmen, altho' not such as would make them immediately useful in this line yet after
the practice and experience of a few years, I have no doubt but that they would be capable
of executing any work entrusted to their care.
I beg leave to recommend that I be authorized to employ two Young Gentlemen at a
Monthly salary of 150 Rupees each; Specimens of their abilities being previously submitted
for your Lordship's approbation ". :
Two officers, Anburey and Stewart ยป, were appointed, and at the same time
orders were issued restricting the monthly charge for other draftsmen to Es. 600.
In 1788 the Surveyor Genera] reported that the draftsmen actually employed were'
Andrew Bemmannemi. Employed by me for these 6 years past, originally at Es 600 per
month, to work 5 hours in the day, every day but Sunday; but for these two years past paid
according to his work and abilities.
Jean Boisseau*. Employed by Colonel Call and myself for these last 4 years, origiually-
at Rs. 120 a month, for 5 hours a day, but for the last two years paid according to his work
T. Wood Junr s . Employed since July 1786 : at present absent [245].
Ramnarry, a Bengali Draftsman, employed occasionally in common work (ffi Rs 60 per
month. r
When it was customary to pay the Draftsmen per month for their 5 hours attendance
little or no work could be executed ; as, what under the excuse of sickness and other pre-
tences, bad attendance was given, & even when present, little work done ; the tasking them
or allowing them so many days or months for a certain work, was therefore successfully
adopted by my predecessor, and followed by me G .
In 1789 Government reported that they had extended the period of employ-
ment of the two Engineer officers ;
We understood likewise that he [ Surveyor General 1 was compelled then, and had
been for some time back, to have recourse to foreigners as being the most capable men he
could select m the Settlement. As the ties which could be maintained upon the fidelity of
these Men were very weak, We yielded to the propriety of the Surveyor General's recommenda-
tion, authorizing him to employ two young men for the space of 12 months, ... since continued -
or another year ?.
In 1788 the Directors once more insisted that copies of all surveys should be
sent to England to he mapped there rather than in India [ 252 ] ; they scoffed at
the Surveyor General's plea of the great labour and expence ;
We cannot agree with your Surveyor General that these copies would necessarily be
attended with great expence, and require much time to copy ; for copying maps and plans
on transparent paper is a work easily and speedily performed by a careful person without
almost any knowledge of drawing. We do not mean to depreciate Elegance in execution of
Drawings ; but actual information must supercede every consideration of Decoration [245].
Every new acquisition must be transmitted by the earliest opportunity; for the facility
of making copies we now send you half a Ream of paper ; we need not observe to you that
.B ,.h B *, C - f*^ 1 " 86 *' 22) ' .^? M0 -tff' 3Ste โขrt'* "Ration accepted. BMC. 24-3-39.
ILi.M.rutluT to llt'umianiiKiu. "Thomas Wood, younger brother to Mark : jouiou Hoo Er-T. 178s
ยปHHS. 369 (122), B. S & Sop. 12-6-88. IB to CD. (St Sop) 8-1-89 <150) ^
Map Drawing and Draughtsmen
237
as it becomes opake in the warm, climates, it ought not to be exposed to the air, and that
the Chart. . .should be traced in black lead pencil, and afterwards done in ink, correcting any
defect in the outline ; we are informed that the ink proper for the purpose is China Ink, or
any Ground Ink, not too fluid 1 .
They approved that the Surveyor General should be given a special assistant for
charge of the maps and drawing office [ 258 ], "Wilford having now gone to survey
to Benares, and suggested Colebrooke who joined in July 1789 [ 258 n.7 ].
At the end of 1790 the Surveyor General, Alexander Kyd, and Colebrooke were
ordered off to the war in Mysore, and Anburey followed the next year; all the
draughtsmen except Hemmonneau and Boisseau accompanied the Surveyor General,
and the office and maps were left under the charge of Wood, now Chief Engineer.
The quantity of maps to be copied hardly eased during this interval, and by the time
that Colebrooke toot charge of the office in 1793, the volume of fresh material had
been vastly increased. There were still questions about the bills ;
I beg the favour of you to represent that no fixed allowance is settled by the Regulations
for Stationery and Drawing Materials; I. ..should consider for the future an Allowance of from
forty to fifty Rupees per month as amply sufficient to defray every Charge for antiquarian,
and elephant paper; Reeve's colours; Indian Ink, Pencils, and other articles 3 .
Government ordered that bills for actual expenditure should be submitted to the
Auditor General and that annual returns should be made reporting the actual work
carried out.
Drawing paper was often a difficulty; and to facilitate the copying of maps for
England, the Directors sent out supplies of tracing paper [252] of which Wood
writes contemptuously ;
As for Oil Paper, in future it had better be kept at home, being totally unfit for the pur-
pose of Copying Plans on, excepting in cases of great hurry, which seldom occur. It will not
carry the Ink, and besides is quickly destroyed by Vermin 5 ; ...
whilst later the Directors write out,
An inconvenience arises from the use of Europe Paper in large charts as the sheets can-
not be well joined, and as there is an elasticity in the paper which makes it impossible to
draw straight lines upon it of considerable length; We shall order our Supra-cargo in China -
to send to you and other settlements some transparent China Paper, which is more commodious
for large charts, and facilitates the operation of copying them, and at the same time it is not:
injured by folding [45]*.
In 1798 Andrew Hemmonneau was g'ranted a pension of Es. 120 a month 5 on
the Surveyor General's recommendation;
In the year 1773 Mr. Hemmonneau entered as a draftsman in the Chief Engineer's office
at Fort St. George under Colonel Ross, where he served until 1781, when he came to Bengal.
He was admitted as a draftsman in the Surveyor General's office by the late Lt. -Colonel Call,
and continued to act in that capacity successively under Colonels Wood and Kyd, until the
office devolving to my charge, I found Mr. Hemmonneau amply qualified to execute any
works ; and I continued to employ him as head draftsman, until a weakness in the eyes,
incurred by long and unremitted application to maps obliged him to desist from that duty 8 .
He did not enjoy his pension long, for he died at the end of the following year.
'CD to B. 20-8-88 (13, 14. 26). =BMC. 14-3-94 (14). ^BPC. 13-1-92 (8). 4 CI> to Bo. 25-5-98
(30). ''Boisseau was granted similar pension from 1-9-1804. fi Dl>n. 16 (80). 12-7-98.
f
CHAPTER XVI
MAPS OF MADBAS & BOMBAY
?โขn 1^7' rf "W 0arnatic > to 1780โKdltfs Atlas of 1782-Madra, Maps,
1780-1800โ Draughtsmenโ Maps of the Mza-ms Dominionsโ Maps of Bombay.
HE earliest maps of the south peninsula appear to be Dutch, of the 16th
17th centuries, two of which are โ
T
A map of the peninsula south of 15ยฐ 20' entitled Jfcw Tabula: Terrarum,
"'*""' Malabaru,, Madura, & Coromandalia ; by Hadriano Eelando, scale
-about 2 , inches to a degree. The coast line is deeply indented, very little internal
detail is shewn, and the map is decorated with animals, ships, and other ornamen-
A coloured chart of the coast of the southern peninsula, with Ceylon and the
Maldive Is ands, by Jaspar Gentet of Batavia, scale 4i Dutch miles to an inch-'
ยปr i T2 x S 1Tes , a rel 7 c โขยซ map, Portion d'une Carte dv, Sud de la Presfile de
I Inde, forte par des Brahmins, que comprend le Tanjour ", which gives positions
and names of towns, with stiff wide rivers *.
Delisle published in 1723 & Carte des Dotes de Malabar et de Coromandel % and
other, maps or the coasts.
-d ^.^t^P ยฐf. '^interior, of any merit, was that sent home by Father
inโข,? L , J ' entltlec1 ** Meridionale de I'Inde, par les Bfi. PP. Jesuites
1722 , scale one inch to a degree, extending slightly north of parallel 14ยฐ It
shows political divisions strangely different to later geography ; there are several
Royaumes; Carnate, lying entirely north of the Palar river, Gingi, Tanjaour,
Madwrey, Matssour, besides the Terres de Chitanliken between Gingi and Mysore
Marava, and on the west coast Oanara, and Bolarin, the latter name covering both
Malabar and Travancore ยซ. Jefferys writes of this map โข
Europeans had but confused ideas of the inland and southern Parts of the hither Penin-
sula of the Indies, before the Missioned, especially the Romish, entered those countries
to prorogate their Religion ; and, as for more than a century none but they had visited them
none but they were able to give the World exact Informations concerning them
In 1719, Bouchet the Jesuit sent into France a Map of their Missions in Madurev'and
the neighbouring Kingdoms, together with the Latitudes and Longitudes of the principal
Places, as they had been observed, or otherwise calculated, by the missioners
r โ Thl L M i iP ' WhiC J iS P refixed t0 his lotte =-* the Beginning of the fifteenth Volume of the
Lettres Edifianles et Cuneuses [un.2l... includes., .the space of above six Degrees that is
from Cape Comonn to beyond Palliakat a 8 on the East side : and from the same Cape to
Onor y on the Malabar Side.
But this Map being drawn by a small Scale of not quite an inch to one Degree of Lati-
tude, and consequently not capable of giving the Countries in any considerable Detail โ the
Jesuits sent over several manuscript Charts, and other Materials, from whence Mr. D'an'ville
composed a new Map; which, being drawn by a Scale near twice as large as the former is a
great Deal more particular as well as accurate, and extends farther north M [210]
From this map, with the Assistance of Travellers and other Materials we were prepar
ing to draw our Map of the Seat of the War, when Mr. D'anvule's two-sheet Map of that
Coast appeared, accomodated with the Roads in great Detail : the Space of above five Inches
'Konkan [121 n. 8]. 3 BIM. K. 115 (61) & Imp. Lib M & P 413 a Ait n f^Ti,^ *
India; p;,b The Hague 1867. -Possibly- tie map copielby InoSil-DupeLt ยฐยฃ Mn BoXy
Bernoulli II (v,,). ยซBM. K. 115 (62). < BM. Aden. MSS. 15331 (14. S ?. sTS'
T^Sf?/ 6 T- โ ' H r" Var - f Zn - 'ยฐ P " b - ^1;Neuv,Ue Carte X,L jmrfe jST'ta Lfrf
lie des Mes...dresse siu- deux cartes ms. d*s Jesuites. 10. Tracts. 284 (164). jwesffw
238
Plate 15.
Essay
Towards an Improvement
in
Exemplified in a New Map
of Part of the
Hither Peninsula of India
Illustrated
hj LXB7 Sketches
wit]] Geographical Descriptions
General * Particular to WWli ls added
ew Lemraeit, t/et
?/
Geographical Tables
on a
-
HuMBlTf JN $ CM BED
JH8 HONOHABL-E, miSHEN HAA'TINGi? ESQUIRE,
GOVERNOR GENERAL
*," Gerrffemen of ilie Supreme Council
C7? if muff ^/ervant
Early Maps of the Carnatic 239
and a Half which he assigns to a Degree, having allowed him to describe the Country very
minutely, in Comparison of anything which hath been hitherto published. He was employed
in this Work by the French East India Company. ... In this he has made several alterations
from that of 1737; and even from his first sheet of Asia, published in 1752 [210-1 ].
His map is accompanied with a very copious Analysis, full of Geographical Erudition ;
and as we have taken our Map in a Manner wholly from his ; we shall not scruple to make
use of his Remarks, so far as may serve our Purpose.
Our Map extends from South to North the space of four Degrees, that is from the tenth
to the fourteenth parallel of Latitude 1 .
D'Anville's two-sheet map appeared in 1753, and was entitled " Carte de la Cote
de Coromandel j pour La Compagnie des Indes ; 5 pouces 3 lignes au degree", and
covers the country between parallels 10ยฐ 40' and 17ยฐ ; the only meridian shown is
that of Pondicherry, 77ยฐ 25' east of Paris 2 . It was republished in London by
Jefferys in 1754, accompanied by the memoir above quoted, in which some shrewd
remarks are made as to the spelling of names [ 249 ] and the importance of both
maps and histories being supported by proper authorities ; " a history without
vouchers ought to pass for a History of the compiler's own Invention 3 ".
Jefferys' map appeared as frontispiece to Cambridge's History that was pub-
lished in 1761, together with a " Map of the Kingdom of Madura, with the South
coast of Malabar, ...exhibiting the marches of the British Troops into the Tmnivel-
]y Country", on the scale of 12 miles to an inch* [ 87 ].
Another map of this period is by J. Hook, 1760 5 ;
A new Draught of the Coast of Choromandel from Negapatam to Pullicat, with the true
distances from the Principal Places from Tripudy as far as the mountains of Canavayas to
Trichinopoly.
Orme published three maps of southern India, compiled and drawn by Kitchen
[211 11. 2 ] , to illustrate his History e .
A Map cf the Coast of Coromandel from the River Gadevari to Cape Comorin.
The greatest part of this Map is copied from Mr. Danville ; but there are some additions,
the Materials of which were not known to that excellent Geographer. [ These additions were
various routes marched by English troops between 2755 and 1766 ? [87]. The map is in two
sheets, scale 3^ inches to a degree, and includes Ceylon.]
The Countries of the Coromandel from the Coleroon to Cape Comorin. Madura and Tin-
nivelly from maps compiled for the East India Company by John Call Esq. Chief Engineer.
The Carnatic from the Pennar to the Coleroon, with the Western Mountains and part of
Mysore. Published. ..1778. [ The scale of these two maps is 5^ inches to a degree. ]
For his Map of Hiruloostan Bennell acknowledges,
A French MS. map, which contains the Southern Carnatic, and which has afforded me
much assistance, ...and some few particulars are from the engraved French Map of 1771,
whose principal merit is confined to the southern part of the Carnatic s .
This latter is probably one entitled. " Theatre de la Guerre dans lTncle sur la
Coste de Coromandel, par M. B. C. T., grave par Groisey 9 " It is on a scale of
about 16 miles to an inch and contains large-scale insets of important towns ;
the main map shows battle sites, with the names of the French officers command-
ing, and whether won or lost.
In 1770 Henry Montresor completed a map of the Southern Peninsula from
material in the Chief Engineer's office 1U , which was acknowledged as an authority by
Rennell ancl others for many years 11 [3,98]. Four years later the Chief Engineer,
in sending a map to General Clavering of the Supreme Council, writes ;
You have rightly judged of my reasons for not drawing the Latitude and Longitude
lines; as well as the separations between the Country's and the Divisions of the Districts,
as I thought it was better not to run the risk of misinforming you by inserting them at
random, when possibly I might hereafter be able to render them complete. Mr. Barnard's
survey will furnish me with that of the Jaghir, and I hope what is now doing to the
northward will enable me to lay down these Circars with exactness 13 [3].
^efierys, (3 4). "10. Tracts. 284 (165). & BM. E. 115(72). * Jefferys. (preface). 4 Cambridge
(1 83) ft BM. K. 115 (71). '"'Mack. MSS. LXfX. 10-8-91. 'Orme, Vol. III. "Orme M8S. XIII (16).
s Memoir, 1793 (273-4, 267). S BM. K. 115 (74). ID MMC, 25-6-70 & 28-1-71. u Memoir, 1703, passim.
u Mack. MSS LXVtll. 10-12-75.
1
240 Maps of Madras & Bombay
i D'Anville's map and the reproduction of it by Jefferys still remained the only
printed maps available to the Company's soldiers and civil servants, Bonjour [So]
referring to the former as "the best we have of this part of the World" whilst
Pearse had nothing- larger than Jefferys' for his march from Bengal in 1781 lii 1
when he wrote to Port St, George ;
I humbly request if you have maps of the country, I am to march through, that you will
order your surveyor to send me one Jefferys' is the best, but I fear it is on too small a
scale for military uses, for it is necessary for me to know every village within ten miles of
m l T ' Z , ' 3nd Hlrcarrahs - I โข ยซยปe at a competent knowledge of the country
and be able to form any judgement of the motions of the Enemy, if any come towards
I shall be very thankful for some Hircarahs that can be relied on, who know the
country ; .what 1 pick up may be very good, but they are strangers to me and my People
T ^ 7 ^ S T ยฅ e EMm yยฐยป Purpose to mislead and misinform, A few well known
at the Presidency would enable me to guard against such Practices, as they would enable
me to point out those who might be relied on k
This reliance on information provided by harcaras is frequently referred to as
one of the greatest drawbacks caused by the lack of good maps [ 8o, 05 2A1 1 but
so long as the Nawab of the Camatic objected to a systematic survey of his country
L 3= 90-1 J there was no other way of collecting information off the main surveyed
Kellt's Atlas oe 1782
In 1778 Eobert Kelly, who had been one of the most persistent surveyors of
military routes for several years [ 89-90 ], offered to compile an atlas to cover the
whole south peninsula with a uniform series of maps ;
First I propose a General Map of the Deccan and Camatick, chiefly laid down from actual
burveys. Corrected by Astronomical Observations, and divided into Squares, or rather Paral-
elograms, each containing One Degree of Latitude and Longitude, amounting in all to Sixty
four, each of which will be illustrated by a particular sketch on a large scale [ 242 1 And
to render this Work the more useful, an Alphabetical List of all the Towns and Forts contained
m the General Map will be printed in a separate Book, with their Latitudes and Longitudes
the dumber of the Square they are contained in, and the particular Book and page in which
each may be found among the Enlarged Sketches.
To this will be added a Book of Surveys of all the great Roads on a Scale of two inches
to a Mile, or Eight times the size of the Sketches. In this will be minutely delineated all
the Topes, Tanks, Wells, Rivers, Watercourses, Morasses, Hills. Rocks, Passes, Woods &c &c
which it may anywise concern an officer to know. ... '
, t ?! W ^ยฐ le ] V ยฐ rk t0 be illustrated ยฐy a Geographical and Military View of each Province
Its Natural and Artificial strength, with the best Account that can be Obtained of the Mili-
tary Force Connections and Resources of the several Chiefs or Potentates under whose
Dominions they are at present. ...
For the Compilation of this Work I have many Materials already in my hands not yet
reduced to form ; Many more are to be Collected from the Engineer's Office f 2,6-7 1 And
the rest I hope to obtain with your permission and Assistance in the coarse of a year =
After calling upon him for an estimate of the cost, the Madras Council for-
warded Kelly's proposal to the Directors ;
He lately proposed the scheme again to us, and gave us some idea of the expence which
appeared much too great for us to engage in without your sanction; the plan seemed likewise
too extensive, taking m many objects which are not necessary to such a survey of the Countrv
as you require for the Assistance of your Military operations 3 .
^ Kelly's proposals included the establishment of a regular survey department
involving considerable expence, which the Directors could not face [263 L and in
1782 he visited Calcutta, and laid his specimen atlas before the Supreme Council
lhis atlas is still preserved * contained in two substantial volumes described below > ;
โ MMC.23-4-81. >MMC. 32-12-78. ยปM to CD. 14-10-79 (43). "SGO. Lib Sr 7 s 'The
small type does not here represent esaet quotation. v ' ' ""
I!
Kelly's Atlas
2U
Title Page [pi. 15]. Headed by an elaborate and brightly coloured picture in the form of
an heraldic device. The arms of the E.I.C., with two globes, one of the world the other of
the heavens, supported by cupids, one using a pair of dividers, another a sextant; the two-
supporters are officers of the Madras Infantry; the tailpiece snows a collection of artillery
ordnance, with a mortar and gun being fired.
Title, "Essay towards an improvement in Geography, Exemplified in a New Map of Part
of the Hither Peninsula of India. Illustrated by LXIV sketches with Geographical Descriptions.
General & Particular, to which is added A Complete Set of Geographical Tables on a New
Plan."
Inscribed to the Governor General and Supreme Council, by Robert Kelly, 1782.
Address to the Governor General ; " In the course of nine or ten years service on the Coast,
I could not avoid observing many bad consequences which arose from the want of accurate
Maps of the country. ... An officer's sole dependence... was necessarily placed on his
Hircarahs, a race of designing knaves, whose Ignorance of the Country, Treachery, or
Cowardice in the time of danger, had often caused the miscarriage of the best plan'd expedi-
tions [89. 953-
"From all these considerations, ... I was induced to set about some such work as. ..might
be of general use, and at length, in the year 1770, selected this Plan. ...
"But, after carrying it on for a few years, occasionally as my duties in the military line
permitted, ... I made some attempts. ..to obtain the sanction & assistance of Government to
carry it on with that vigor which I thought it merited. The former, I obtained in very
flattering terms; but, ... the latter never coming to hand, I was obliged to go on as before,
making such observations & surveys as my finances enabled, and my duty permitted me
[89-90].
"In Sir Thomas Rumbold's 1 - Government I made another attempt, & again succeeded in
obtaining the sanction of Government, but with limitations; And the small allowance
granted to assist me in carrying on the work was so very inadequate to my expences, that I was
exceedingly happy when it was discontinued, a few months after it had been granted [97-8]
"At length I have brought it to such a state in which it is now presented. ...
"I am convinced it may be of great public utility during the present war; there being no
maps of the Peninsula which can be equally relied on. . . . By their assistance, the Gentlemen
of the different Presidencies, but particularly of Madras, will be enabled to Plan their opera-
tions with more precision; and to trace out the routes of their armies and detachments (as
well as those of the enemy). ... I promise that, should it be so fortunate as to claim the
attention of the Hon'ble the Court of Directors, so as to produce their orders for its com-
pletion, the next edition shall give perfect satisfaction. "
General Description. The Atlas covers that part of the Peninsula that lies south of the
17th. degree of North Latitude. โ Description of the country, its geography, its climate, and
its peoples. โ List of the Passes leading through the Eastern & Western Ghauts.
The Grand divisions of the Peninsula [pi. 9].
"Although the Southern boundaries of the Mahrattas & Nizam's Countries are exhibited
in the upper part of our General Map, as well as part of the English possessions in the Circars,
yet it is not our intention to include them in our Grand Divisions of the Peninsula; ... they
are to be the subject of another work. ...
" Our modern conqueror of the Peninsula [Haidar Ali] has saved us a great deal of trouble
since he assumed the Government of Mysore; Not having left an independant Prince or Chief
of any denomination (out of the Carnatic) between the River Kristnah & the Travancore
Country, Bassaulat Jung excepted".
1st Grand Division. Bassaulat Jung's Dominions [ 86 n. 2 ], The Guntoor Circar and
Adoni; excluding the Palnaud, which interposes.
2nd Grand Division. Hyder Ally's Dominions, before he entered the Carnatic in July
[1780].
3rd Grand Division. The Nawab of the Carnatic's Dominions, before Hyder Ally entered
his country in July 1780.โ The Company's Jaghire about Madras. โ The Tanjour Country, at
present under the English protection.
4th Grand Division. The Travancore Dominions, Independant.
Then follows a map and description of each of these Divisions ;
ist. Includes the districts of Savenour, Adoni, Kanol-, Soorapet and Guntoor; forming a strip
south of the Kristnah River, separating the Nizam's Dominions from Mysore and the
Carnatic.
โขGovernor of Madras, 1778-80. 5 Savamir, 48 N/5 j Adoni, 57 E/6; Kurnool, 57 1/1.
2*2 Maps or Habeas & Bombay
and. Bounded by the Mahrattas and Adorn on the North; by the Carnatic on the East- Coimba-
toor and Salem belonging to Hyder Ally; by Travancore on the South.โ The position
of all the passes is shown.
Coorgisnot shown at all; "the Biddenoori Country" fills the basin of the upper
" 1 ungaboodra . rr
3rd. Map of the Carnatic, extending from the Kistna to Travancore, with description of the
changes in the extent of the Carnatic that had occurred during the iSth century. โ โ The
Natives of India never think of surveying large territories, or of settling their boundaries
ยป anything like straight lines; ...in the center of a district fifty or sixty miles broadTt is
common to meet with village belonging to the neighbouring districts
4th. Geographical and historical description of Travancore, with map.
The Degree Sheets. Index map shewing the division of the Peninsula, south of parallel
17 , into degree sheets. These are lettered A to I southwards from parallel 17" to 8' and
numbered 1 to 9 eastwards from meridian 80ยฐ to 99ยฐ [pi. 9]. These meridians denote longi-
r o ndon ^ aTe aIS ยฐ nUmbered from 7 I ยฐ 28 ' tยฐ 81=28' East from
The "grand divisions" [241] are distinguished by different colours
Then follow the 64 degree sheets, on scale about 13J inches to an equatorial degree or
about 54. miles to an mch [248]-. They contain very little detail, except in the coastal
areas near Madras and Pondicherry. cuascai
They show main rivers, surveyed routes, villages and towns; ranges of hills are shewn
conventionally like little sand-hills; undulating ground is indicated by light shading โข forests
by free symbols. The boundaries of provinces and districts are shewn by narrow ribands
Many of the sheets carry clever little headpieces, illustrating some prominent place -'for
example, the Masuhpatam sheet is headed by a high masonry fort, a sepoy with musket
standing alongs.de a cannon aiming down through the battlements; there are the masts of
shipping beyond the fort, bundles of merchandise and a large anchor in the foreground.
Kelly closes his letter to the Supreme Council by saying- that the Directors
will perceive that there are large tracts of country even in tie Carnatic. and many more on
the Malabar Coast, yet unsurveyed and very imperfectly known. That I have therefore pur-
posely eft those spaces vacant on my maps, that they may in time be filled up by the
observations of some future surveyors, or occasional travellers through those countries
Vut .^ l m " x and ambllion is to see this โขrk filled up with accurate surveys as soon as
The Council allotted him a gratuity of 30,000 areot rupees [279 n. I ] in acknow-
ledgement of his labour, and commended his maps to the Directors โ
From the apparent accuracy with which they are drawn, and the utility of the plan on
winch they are constructed, being calculated both for present use and the easiest reception of
future improvements, until the provinces in Decan and Carnatic shall have been completely
surveyed, they appear to us a most important and useful acquisition; ... they have already
proved a serviceable guide to General Sir Eyre Coote in regulating the motions of his army*
Two years later Kelly submitted his survey of FullarWs marches fog 1
from the results of which I purpose making it the basis of a new edition on the sine plan as
that which I had the honor of lodging in the Council Room at Calcutta; with the Longitude
calculated from London, and some other improvements in the Geographical Tables
I have already began this new map, and wish to know whether any answer hath yet been
received from England relative to the proposed survey, which may authorise me to proceed
m that useful work, ere my rank and station in the army prevent my paying that attention
to it which is absolutely necessary to bring it to any degree of perfections
Though no money was forthcoming for the development of Kelly's schemes he
continued working- on his atlas in his own time, and in 1786 sent home to the
Directors a map of the Southern parts of the Carnatic, drawn on a large scale
referring to some of the Military operations of the late War"', which was cashed
to Kennel], and embodied in the later edition of his map
ยซ /? t] ? e ,rf iS !l ed Tยฐ ant ยฐ ยฃ F? llarW ยป campaign is a frontispiece map entitled
Sketch of the Southern Countr.es of India, traversed by the Armies commanded by Colonel
Humbertson and Colonel Fullarton. Scale about 25 miles to an inch ";
'Bedmir [125]. 'One of the Canary Is. about 18ยฐ W. of Orecnwieh. 'Decree alonยป namllel
16 measures 12 inches; along meridian, 13-7 inches. <BPCI. 27-5-82 'B torn Vยฐ 5 K V
ยซBP0. 28-6-81. =Misc.LE. 78 (251), 7-6-86. ' also reproduced mVibkrt. '^ (22) '
Kelly's Atlas 24&
which he describes thus ;
Mr. Faden, Geographer to His Majesty, has completed a Map of the Southern Provinces
of India, from Madras to Cape Comorin, on a large scale, according to the plans of ColoneL
Kelly, Captain Wersebe, and other accurate surveyors. In this map, the movements of the
Southern Army, during the Campaigns of 1782, 83, and 84, are faithfully traced, and the errors
of Former Topographers are carefully corrected 1 [220].
Madras Maps, 1780-1800
There is at Calcutta a map of the Peninsula of India, south of the parallel of
Surat, of which nothing is known beyond an office note "Pere Itluniine's Map of
India; 1784-1800?" ; it may be a very great deal older 2 .
Rennell makes constant references, not only to Kelly's map of Fullarton's
marches, but also to two others;
Wersebe's map of Tanjore, contains more particulars than any other that I have seen;
especially in the northern part. And for the southern parts, I had some assistance from the-
map of Mr. Sullivan. More particulars appear in the Marawar and Madura countries, than
in any former map that has been published. After the great roads specified in the discussion
of Kelly's map &c, most of the new matter is from Mr. Dalrymple's collection 3 ; and the rest
from Wersebe and Sulivan 4 .
[A map] communicated by Mr. John Sulivan, contains the whole peninsula south of the
parallel of 15ยฐ; and is particularly valuable on account of its having many routes and situa-
tions m Mysore, and Bednore; as well as in Tanjore and Madura 5 .
Neither Wersebe's [99] nor Sulivan's map has been indentified, nor is there
any clue as to the author of Sulivan's map, of which Eennell believed "there is no
other copy in Europe".
Eennell makes no mention of Sehlegel's map [ 99 ] , which was possibly unknown
to contemporary geographers, as it was sent home to be presented to King George
III as Elector of Hanover 15 , and passed on his death with the King's Library
to the British Museum.
This is on the scale of 5 miles to an inch, and extends from Madura 011 the
south to Pulicat on the north, and from the east coast to the ghats leading up to
Mysore. It is beautifully drawn and handprinted, being drawn in colours with a
most artistic title piece ; the hills are brush-shaded, some in the conventional
" caterpillar " form, others in elevation ; the draughtsman was F. L. Eothmeyer,
Sergeant of the 13th Electoral Regiment of Foot. There is a long note describing
the lay-out of the principal points of control and the more striking differences of"
the map from those already published [169].
In 1788 Eennell supplemented his Map of Hindoostan with a larger map of the
Peninsula ;
As the peninsula... contains more interesting matter than could well be comprised within
the space furnished by such a scale as could conveniently be applied to a general map of so-
large a tract as India; it was judged necessary to form another map of the peninsula, on a
much larger scale ; but an accident has retarded the publication. . . . The scale of this map
is just double that of the general one''.
This map was entitled ;
Peninsula of India from Krishna River to Caps Comorin. Drawn chiefly from materials
in the Collection of Alexander Dalrymple Esq. ; J. Rennell. London. November 1st 1788.
Engraved by Phillips & Harrison, London 8 .
It is on the scale of 3 inches to a degree. A second edition, scale 2 inches to a
degree, was issued in 1792 to show the "political division according to the Parti-
tion Treaty made at Seringapatam in 1792 9 ", and a special memoir, dated 1793,
was published at the same time [214].
'tfullarton (Advertisement). 3 MEIO. 96 (2). Scale 24m. to 1 inch. 3 Maps m BM. Addl.
MSS. 15139, presented to BM. by Admiralty in 1844, may have formed part of this collection. * Memoir,
1793(276)^ 5 ib.(2ft7>. s State Archives, Hanover. Ha. D e3 . 92, LXXXV. S. Nr. 12. โ Memoir*
178S, 214. 3 BM. K. 115 (65, 1). 9 MEO. Map 23, & Memoir, 1133 (preface-).
2U
Haps of Madras & Bombay
The following passage from this memoir illustrates the difficulty that confront-
ed early geographers in the estimation of height ; the direct height of a risible
hill could be ascertained trigonometric ally, but the height of an undulating plateau
was in those days indeterminate.
The Balagaut Carnatic, or Table Land... is strongly marked in the map. ... The terms"
Balagaut & Payengaut respectiveiy mean the regions lying above, and below, the Gauts. ...
"We are not yet informed concerning its exact height, but are told vaguely that it is 3000
feet at the eastern side, opposite to Madras, unquestionably the highest part on the eastern
side of the Peninsula, because from this parallel the waters decline to the north and south ;
and as they universally decline to the east, we have a proof that the western side is higher
than the east; and it is by far the steepest. ...
All the waters that are collected on this vast extent of Table Land from Coimbatore
to the neighbourhood of Surat, run to the eastward; proving as we have said before, a general
declivity of the ground towards that quarter 1.
In 1794 the Supreme Government wrote to Madras and asked for
a General Map of the Carnatic (including, and distinguishing, the Ceded countries), to be taken
from the best surveys on which the Roads, communications, and passes, are accurately laid
down 3 .
This was entrusted to the Chief Engineer 3 , who submitted it three years later,
reporting that,
From the time that this Map was first called for, until a few months since, I had been
left without any assistance in the Office, every Officer of the Corps having been employed at
different stations, and on the several expeditions to Ceylon and the. Eastward ; my own
avocations as Chief Engineer taking up so much of my time as to prevent me engaging in the
compilation of the Map in the manner I wished, and when I had completed the Carnatic, I
detained it a few months to render it more complete by adding the Island of Ceylon to it.
List of Maps and Surveys from which the General Map of the Carnatic is compiled ;
The Sea Coast from Point Calmere to Point Gaudavery taken from the late Mr. Michael
Topping's Surveys.
The Jaghire is taken from Mr. Barnard's and the late Captain Pringle's Survey.
The Ceded Districts 1 taken from surveys made by Major Allan.
The Masulipatam District from Surveys in the Chief Engineer's Office.
The Vizagapatam District, do. do. do.
The Ganjam District from Mr. Cotsford's Survey.
The Island of Ceylon from a- Survey made in the year 1789, by order of Mr. Van de Graaf, .
Governor ~ยฐ.
In 1800 Coiebrooke, Surveyor General at Calcutta, submitted to Government
a map of the South Peninsula compiled from all the latest maps and surveys, in-
cluding Gent's map described above [254] ;
The Map which I have now the honor to submit to your Lordship, although the result of
considerable labour, is only a part of a more general 'and extensive work, which I purpose to
continue on the same or occasionally a larger scale [220].
The materials used have been chiefly those deposited in the Surveyor General's office,
collected with such others as I have been enabled to procure. A list of these I take the
liberty of enclosing, with a paper on the subject of the Longitude [180], and pointing out some
of the chief circumstances in which this map differs from any former Construction of the
Peninsula by Major Rennell 6 [243].
It is possible that this is a map that was sold to the British Museum in 1843 :
Map of the South Peninsula. Scale about 8 miles to an inch. [Bears no date, but from '
the political divisions must have been drawn about 1800. Very well drawn and coloured. In
two sheets. The Northern sheet between parallels iiยฐ and 14 , the' southern sheet from parallel
nยฐ southwards' 7 .] . โ โ '..
. Draughtsmen"
Throughout this period the only Madras officer officially responsible for drawing
and copying maps was the Chief Engineer [252]. In 1783 he told Government that,
1 Peninsula {14^-6), 'B. Pol. C-- 31-3-94. 3 :Wmiam Gent, then acting for Itoss. 4 Coimbatore
RaramahaL & Salem. 5 BftIC. 3-11-97 (1,2;.. C B. Pol. C. 10-7-1800. 7 EM: Addl. MS S. 14392 (a, b,).'
5fap bears note '-Purchased of J, Graham, 19-,7-1843." . There had been a Head Draughtsman of this
name at SGO, Calcutta, before this date, : .-.-โ โ :,.-;:: . ;
-Draughtsmen
2 45
There were formerly several Draughtsmen employed in. the Drawing Room 1 [ 237 j,
. . . At present there is but one, and he, though of considerable merit in his Lore, at five Pago-
das a month only, a sum certainly not sufficient in this time of scarcity to keep him above
want 3 . ... Colonel Kelly and Mr. Gomond give from their private purses to their Draughts-
men from 15 to 25 Pagodas per month each s .
As a result of the Chief Engineer's representations a Barou Reichel, who had
recently arrived in Madras, was appointed, on October 28th 178-3 ;
After a few months residence at Madras, Baron Reichel, being informed that orders had
been received from the Court of Directors, directing that certain plans in the Engineer's
Office should be immediately reduced to a particular scale, and, thus prepared, should be
transmitted to England [25 1-2] , took the opportunity to address the. . .Governor, soliciting that
he might be employed in that line. ...In consequence of which, the Hon'ble the Governor
and Council did him the honor to appoint him Assistant Surveyor under the Chief Engineer,
to be employed in preparing plans for the Hon'ble the Court of Directors, with a salary of
118 Pagodas for a month of 31 days. ... Which employ he fulfilled for the space of near eight
years 4 .
The Directors were all for economy ;
We require exact, not finely finished. Copies, and the Officer, whose plan of the attack of
Cuddalore you have transmitted, could have made Tracings of several, if not ail, of those we
particularly pointed out, in less time than this one finished plan required. We do not mean
to discourage any person from finishing his work neatly, ... and only intend a necessary pre-
ferance of what is needful [ 236 ] 5 .
In 1786 the Chief Engineer recommended the employment of Mr. Dorman, an
English draughtsman, as Head Draughtsman "to relievo me from the Dependence
I'have hitherto been obliged to place in foreigners [ 236 ] ยฐ" and on the death of
Dorman in 1788, Mr. Wood [ 236 n. 5 ] was appointed 00 a salary of 40 pagodas a
month 7 . In 1791 the Chief Engineer reported that,
Baron Reichel is the only one [ Surveyor ] under my direction out of the Corps ; he had
been heitherto employed in preparing Plans for the Court of Directors, whose approbation you
will perceive he has merited 8 .
Orders were however received from England that on account of his being a
foreigner, Reichel should no longer be employed ,J .
Maps of the Ni;
Dos
o.niNroxs
For many years the only knowledge of the Nizam's Dominions was derived
from Bussy's marches [115], and there was no attempt at regular survey until
Mackenzie was attached to the subsidiary force in 1792 [ 116].
With the help of route surveys by other surveyors as well as his own, and by
such local information as he could collect, he completed his first map in 1796 10 , and
submitted it to Government the following year with a full memoir describing its
construction [ 116-7], ^e writes,
In the year 1796, a general Map of the Nizam's dominions was submitted to Government
for the first time, compiled and digested from various materials of various authority descri-
bed in a Memoir that accompanied it ; and designed as a specimen for future corrections, and
shewing that was wanted as much as what was done. It had however the use of bringing
the subject into one point of view; further inquiry improved its supplements in 1798 and
1799 ".
Maps op Bombay
Reynolds submitted his first map of western India at the end of 1787 [ 127 ],
.and gave with it an account of all the surveys which he had incorporated with his
1 Air, Jamisa G-illwpiy to bs e;iipl.)7ei as draughtsman, CD. to AL 2-2-S1 (35). - 1IP0. 2S-10-83
'Mack. MSS. LSVILI, 11-3-83. 4 MPC. 12-12-94. S CD. to M. 9-12-84. 6 Alack. AISS. LXIX
18-5-86. ' io. 1-8-92 & AlilC. 14-3-88. "Alack. AISS. LXIX, 7-1-91. *CD. to >I. 4-1-91 (4). 10 AIap,
elated 30-7-96. BA1. Addl AI3S. 23102(B). "AIRfO. 65 (5) Soala 12 m. to an inch; H. H. Wilson
(vii-vui).
246 Maps or Madbas & Bombay
own work, distinguishing' certain areas as inserted "from information only ". The
map covered Gujarat, Malwa, the Konkan, the Maratha Deccan, and Berar, and he
writes,
A great deal of information still remains to be acquired, and I trust that I shall be en-
abled. ..to complete hereafter a more perfect Plan 1 .
As time went on, he found himself able to extend surveys over a wider area,.
and conceived the more ambitious plan of a general map of India, but was unable
to settle down seriously to its preparation till 1795. In granting approval to this
undertaking the Directors provided that besides the general map, he should give a
particular map of each province. As has already been explained, the exact extent
of Reynolds' completed map is not clear, though he had intended to cover the
whole of India with the exception only of Bengal [217].
The general map, of which the final copy was sent to the Supreme Government
in 1809 [219], was on the scale of 9 inches to a degree.
The following are some of the particular maps, all on the scale of 18 inches to
a degree, except where otherwise stated ;
Map of Scind & Ctttch, shewing the Mouths of the Indus. Map of the NTV. part of Cutch, & the
East branch of the Indus, as high as Kaunpoor 2 .
Part of Berar, Bedar : * & Hyderabad, to the East.
Part of Berar, Bedar & Aurangabad 4 to the West.
Map of the Dnkhan & "Konkun. 15" to 19" N ; 73ยฐ to 78ยฐ E. Part of Malwa 20ยฐ to 25ยฐ N ; 73" to 76ยฐ E.
Part of Malwa 22 c to 24ยฐ N j 76ยฐ to 79ยฐ E.
Country between the Tapatee i> & Nerbudda.
Map of the Punjab & the Countries about Delhi and Panput. 27ยฐ to 35ยฐ N ; 70ยฐ to 78ยฐ E. Part of
Hindoostan. 24ยฐ to 27ยฐ N ; 75ยฐ to 76ยฐ E. Country beyond Ajmere; 9 inches to a degree. 24ยฐ to 27ยฐ K;.
73ยฐ to 75" E.
[ It was noted in ltfoS that the information on this map was not to be found elsewhere ].
RiveT Indus, with adjacent countries. 25ยฐ to 29ยฐ N ; 67ยฐ to 70" E.
Map of the Sind & the Indus, continuation of above to the south.
Map of Rajpootana. 25' to 27ยฐ N ; 72" to 71ยฐ E. Map of Tliull or Great Desert. 24 s to 27ยฐ N ; 69ยฐ to
71ยฐ E.
Part of the Coast, Vizagapatam to Balasore ; scale 9 inches to degree. 18ยฐ to 23 3 K j S2ยฐ to 88ยฐ E.
[ This is the only section that lies so far east : the bulk of Reynolds' work fell to the west ].
Map of the Peninsula of G-uzerat, with country to Gwalior & Calpee 6 .
1 BoS. & Pol. 8-1-S8. - Khanpur, 39 L/10 or Khairpur, 40 A/14 ? s Bidar, 56 G-/9. * 47 M/5.
5 Tanti R.. 46 0, K, C. s List of Maps in SGO. Bombay, 1833. MRIO. M. 564.
CHAPTER XVII
MAP CONSTRUCTION & PRESERVATION
Scales โ Projections โ Orthographyโ Maps for Court of Directors โ Co-operation betiveen
โCustody & Distribution.
I^HE scale first used by Rennell for his survey of the Ganges was 4 inches to a
nautical mile [ 182], or "500 yards to an inch, or 8 inches to a coss 1 ". This
" use of the coss as a scale unit was frequent with early surveyors and map-makers
because distances were thus obtained from native information and travellers'
journals. Both D'Airville and Rennell discuss the length of the coss which varies
in different parts of India from l-ยง to 2 British miles 2 .
Rennell soon reduced his scale of protraction to two inches to a mile ; whilst of
his compiled river maps he writes,
Having now compleated the survey of the Ganges &c, I proceeded to construct a Set of
Maps of it, on a Scale proper for common Use (2 miles to an inch), to be divided into 3
parts, each on a Sheet of Royal Paper, and a fourth Sheet to contain the whole on a Scale of
10 English Miles to an Inch 11 .
After receiving Olive's orders " to set about forming a General Map of Beng-al ",
he adopted for that map the scale of o British miles to an inch, whilst for his
reduced maps he used the scales of 10 and 20 geographical miles 4 to an inch.
On one of Rennell' s early maps the scale heading reads "A scale of English
Statute or measured miles (691= ' degree) 5 , and 2 of them to one Coss", there
being no statement that the actual scale of the map was 5 British miles to an
inch 6 . It was usual thus to define the length of the scale unit, leaving the scale
ratio to be found by measurement along' the drawn scale.
Though Rennell's surveys were all compiled into 5-mile maps, yet his surveyors
were required to make their original protractions on the scale of 2 miles to an inch
[ 183 ], as also ordered by Colebrooke in 1794 [ 188 ] .
In Madras, the Chief Engineer first proposed that the Northern Cfrcars survey
should be made on the scale " of an inch and a third to a mile, which. ..Capt.
Stevens has begun on ", but his final instructions to the surveyors read,
The General Survey may be laid down to a scale of two inches to one mile, from which
that of the particular districts may be reduced to a scale of six or twelve Inches to a Degree,
...and the whole afterwards formed on a Scale of three Inches to a Degree, aggreeable to the
Orders of the Hon'ble the Court of Directors 7 .
In 1771 the Directors had sent out orders to all their Presidencies laying down
specific scales for surveys and maps ;
The Extent and importance of the Company's possessions have made us sollicitous to
obtain a General Chart of India, but we must be greatly obstructed in such a design while
the maps and Chart we receive from our several Presidencies are drawn upon scales dis-
similar to each other, and as the fixing one certain scale will greatly facilitate the formation
of a General Chart, we shall direct our servants at our different Presidencies, that their
general maps must in future be formed on a scale of three inches to a degree, and all parti-
cular surveys of Districts or Provinces on scales of six or Twelve inches to a degree, as may
be thought most proper for the purpose; by these means the separate Charts will be reduced
more easily to a General one 8 .
1 Journal, Orme MSS. 7 ; entry for 19-5-64. ' 2 37 to 43 coss to a degree, D'Anville ( 14 ) ; 35 to
46, Memoir 1793 (4-5). 3 La Touche ( 36 }, 1-1-65; ef. Hirst & Ascoli. 4 6J geographical, or nautical,
miles to a decree on a sTPat circle. s Many cataloging wrongly quote this simple definition as being
the scale of the map. 6 Map, MRIO. 51 (3). 7 MMC. 22-3-73. s CDto 13. 10-4-71 (62).
247
218
Map Construction & Preservation
In spite of this order, Bennell retained the scale of 5 British miles to an inch
for his provincial maps ; though his scale of 10 geographical miles to an inch
conformed to the order, being equivalent to six inches to a degree ; and on this
scale he submitted his particular maps of Bengal & Bahar in 1774, together with a
general map on scale three inches to a degree [ 226 ].
The first edition of his Map of Hindoostan was on the scale of one inch to an
equatorial degree; that is, 60 geographical, or 69 J British, miles to an inch,
increased to 1\ inches to a degree for the map of 1788, which was slightly larger
than D'Anville's map [214; pis. 6, 13, 14].
Kelly's atlas contains two general maps on the scale of H inches to a degree,
and an index map 1J inches to a degree. The degree sheets are on the scale of
13J inches to an equatorial degree, or about Si inches to a mile [ 242 ].
Call's atlas of 18 sheets was on the scale of 4 inches to a degree, or 15 geo-
graphical miles to an inoh [ 216 ] ; Beynolds' province maps were 18 inches, and his
general map 9 inches, to a degree.
Colebrooke was the first to adopt a scale of British miles for a general map,'
his New General Map of India, started in 1795, being on the scale of 16 British
miles to an inch.
Projections
Original surveys were protracted from bearing and distance by means of circular
protractor and scale; the larger scale maps, and in some cases the general maps
also, were laid out either in squares or rectangles ; for small scale maps some form
of conical projection was adopted, as described by Bennell in his account of the
maps sent home in 1774 [226];
The Projection answers to that of the Plain Chart; the Parallels of Latitude and Meridians
making right angles with each other. This was found to answer best for Particular Maps, but
in the General Map. . .the projection is such as shews the inclination of Meridians and difference
of Longitude; preserving at the same time the respective positions of places; and of course
showing the quantity of Superfices contained on that portion of the Globe which it represents 1 .
It is probable that Bennell and other map-makers in India had tables shewing
the lengths in inches of degrees of latitude and longitude at different parallels,
whilst their scales were given in terms of the equatorial degree; amongst Orme's
papers is " a Table shewing how many (British) miles answer to a Degree of Longi-
tude at every degree of Latitude, from Latitude 1ยฐ to 90 os ".
On his map of the Coromandel Coast of 1793-94 [ 104] Goldingham describes
his projection thus ;
The meridian was divided by allowing a degree 60488 fathoms in Latitude 13 , and 60491
fathoms in Latitude 16ยฐ.
The Longitude was laid down by allowing a degree in Latitude
*3ยฐ โ โ โ 59495 fathoms 15ยฐ ... 58968 โ 5 fathoms
14ยฐ โ โขโ 59197 .. i6 J ... 58651-3
Both these scales are according to tables constructed by General Roy... and published in
Philosophical Transactions s .
In 1800 Colebrooke projected his map from a table published by Dr. Hutton,
professor of mathematics at the B.M.A. Woolwich from 1773 to 1S07.
Orthography*
The spelling of place names on English maps of India has remained a vexed
question even to the present day, and in the 18th century it was not a matter of
complete indifference to all. Spelling was then, however, largely regarded as a.
1 vv't ' Mi,pS ' L A ยฐ 13 ' =0 โขยซ MSS -65(1). ยปMRO. Mยปpl25 4MRI0 37(53). 'v. Markham,
Okthg&bafhy 249*
matter of personal taste, and the precise form even of personal names was not
regarded as at all important; we find De Lisle. deLisle, Delisle, cle lisle, Del'isle,
for the great French geographer; we frequently come across "Kennel", who nearly
always refers to De Gloss as DuG-loss; Mackenzie often appears as McKenzie, whilst
Thomas Robertson was so inconsiderate as to change his name to Robinson and back
again 1 . It is, therefore, hardly surprising to find the greatest confusion about the
simplest of Indian place names.
Jefferys [211] waxes indignant on the subject as early as 1754 ;
This is surely not a Credit, but a Reproach; which yet a Geographer cannot avoid, who is
frequently obliged to follow the corrupt Way or writing Names, first coined in foreign
Countries by Europeans, and then imported by their Travellers. The only way, however, to
shun this Reproach, and remedy the inconveniences attending so shameful a Practice, is to
give Exotic words according to their proper Orthography ; or, when that is wanting, according
to Pronunciation of the natives expressed in English characters 3 .
For his map of the Punjab Rennell had the advice of William Dayy [233] of
whom Markham writes,
The first advocate of any system at all was Major Davy, an officer who studied Persian
in India just a century ago. He prided himself on his pronunciation, and was a strong sup-
porter of the phonetic system :s .
The Bombay surveyor Emmitt was abnormally conscientious over his spelling,
but not very happy in his results;
As in the names of some places I have ventured to differ from the common Orthography,
it may not be unnecessary to account for what might otherwise pass for error.
For instance the well known word Seringaputnam I have for the sake of perspicuity
written Sree Rung Puttam, which, in the common speaking of the country, is abbreviated
into Serin gputtun, or simply Puttan. ...
There is surely a characteristic Idiom in the pronunciation, as well as in the construction,
of every Language, & perhaps neither sound nor sense can be conveyed through a foreign
channel without some deviation from the Idiomatical nicety of indigenous experession.
The fact is indeed obvious to our daily notice... and our present knowledge of the Oriental
Languages teaches us to regret the wide estrangement of proper names throughout our
ancient and profane Histories from their Asiatic Origin, whence have sprung obscurities
that the industry and ingenuity of the present age is disagreably, and I fear ineffectually,
employed in removing.
With these Landmarks before us, It seems peculiarly incumbent on Geographers to be
attentive to the right information of the present and future age in the names, as well as the
position of places etc.; and though I believe (as perhaps a Frenchman also may) that our
pronunciation is as just ( and probably more so ) to the languages of the East as any other of
Europe, yet do our best maps afford ample room for amendment, if we wish to preserve the
pure names of the country to erroneous ones, tho' modell'd perhaps more pleasingly to the
tympanum of an English Ear, as for instance Nagapatnam and Masulipatnam, instead of
Naugputtum, Muchliputtum, and a great many others with which, had I not been already
led into greater prolixity than I intended, this subject of remarks might be lengthened 4 .
De Havilland writes of his map of Coimbatore [114],
And in writing the names of places, altho' I have attempted throughout to adopt the
orthography of the Tameel which appears to me the language, ab origine, of that country; I
am sensible, as well from my very slender knowledge of that tongue, as from my being un-
able frequently to obtain the real names of places written in the language itself, that I have
materially failed in this respect 11 .
The two great authorities on the subject, whose rival systems were to hold
sway for nearly eighty years, were Sir William Jones and Dr. Gilchrist, of whom
Markham writes,
The names of Jones and Gilchrist became the watchwords of orthography and orthoepy,
of the scientific and phonetic system ; and their disciples continued to argue, whilst absolute
confusion and anarchy prevailed in the spelling of the general public. For 30 years they had
a fair field and no favour; but except among the learned, there was a decided leaning from
the first in favour of Gilchrist's system 6 .
'Markham (384), gives the classic example of "Sir Eoger Dowler" for ''Suraj-ud-daiuah".
โขJeft'eryg (36). ; * Markham (385). *BoS & Pol. 23-11-92. *M. Eev. Bel. 12-5-1800. s Markham
2H0
Map Construction & Preserve
A.TIO.N
Jones came out to India in 1783 as a Judge of the High Court at Fort
William ; one of his first extra-official acts in Calcutta was the founding of the
Asiatic Society in 1784, and his first presidential address was A Dissertation on
the Orthography of Asiatick words in Roman betters.
In the Manual of Surveying of 185 1 it is written,
Sir William Jones's method is at once elegant and phonical, and is, with slight modifica-
tions, in use in the Great Trigonometrical Survey, the rules thus used being,
1st. All vowels to have Italian sound.
2nd. Semi-vowels such as Y to be used as consonants only.
3rd. All consonants as in English, except that C is not used.
4th. The soft G to be always replaced by J.
5th. Dispense with re-duplication of consonants.
6th. Drop superfluous letters where they make but little difference to the pronunciation.
7th. Old established spelling not to be changed.
8th. Double consonants not to be used when the some sound can be represented by a single
one.
Gilchrist went to India in 1782 and, devoting himself to philological work
nearly the whole of his service, was appointed Professor of Hindustani at the
College of Port William on its foundation in 1800. According to the Manual of
The Revenue Survey generally followed Gilchrist's system [ of orthography ], which
though simple and rigid, was not based on sound principles 1 .
ilAPs for Court of Directors
The Directors of the East India Company had from the first been most anxious
to have all the information they could collect about their possession in India, and
not only ordered that surveys should be made as early as possible, but also that
โ copies should be sent home to them without delay [ 22, 87 ].
In 1765 when ordering the survey of the Madras Jaglr they also asked the
Council,
To send us as soon as finished the said surveys with all the plans and explanations which
may be necessary for our fully understanding them [ 7-8 ] a .
and in the following year they wrote to Bengal,
A very slight respect has been shown to the frequently repeated Orders given for trans-
mitting Copies of all such [ Plans ] as have been and shall be made, ...which has only been
done of the works at Calcutta 3 , and the Survey of Chittagong * ; yet it has appeared to us
that such have been in private Custody here, particularly the Survey of the Calcutta Lands 5 ;
you will therefore be deemed highly culpable in forbearing to pay the attention due on this
important point, by furnishing us with copies of all Draughts, Plans, and Surveys in your
Custody, made of our Works, Lands, or of any other kind whatever 6 .
and again two years later,
We shall be pleased to receive the Chart preparing by Captain Rennell, but at the same
time must observe we think the Charts should be first sent to us, and no Copies given but by
our permission, a Rule hitherto unattended to, as Lord Clive & Mr. Vansittart are both in
possession of Captain RenneU's Survey of the different Provinces [223] 7 .
In another letter they expressed themselves even more strongly on the subject;
When a survey is taken no one is to be permitted to take a copy of it, which leads us to
repeat our Astonishment at the unfaithful Conduct of our Surveyors, in that they have sent
us no one Production of their Labors, tho' they have already put the Company to a very
great Expence, which is still going on at the rate of 5,000 and 10,000 Rupees per month, and
this neglect is aggravated by our finding that Maps of all the Provinces are in the Hands of
Lord Give and Governor Vansittart. We should have carried our resentment at their con-
duct as far as dismission, had not the advices by the last Ship assured us the Surveys will be
compleated and sent out next year 8 .
*Thnfflier & Smyth (629). : CD to M. 24-12-65 (12). 3 The new Fort William. 4 Plaisted's
surrey [14]- s Gould this ba Cameron's work of 1762-4, possibly taken home by Vansittart f it ~P
6 CD of B. 19-2-66 (40). "CD to B. 61-3-68 (56). 8 CD to B. 11-11-68 (28).
Maps for Court of Directors 251
This was surely somewhat unfair on the surveyors, for to whom else should
they deliver their surveys if nut to the Governors who had appointed them?
Caracciolij who turned every thing he possibly could to Olive's discredit, had
obviously ample grounds for writing-,
The Directors were kept in the dark by the Company's servants in regard to the acquisi-
tions made in the last war; maps of all the provinces were in the hands of Lord Clive and
Governor Vansittart, with a minute description of all the powers who border on them, and
an exact estimate of the product and value of the lands, whilst the Directors who employed
surveyors at very great expence, could not get the same information 1 .
Though the primary reason for the Directors' desire for information may have
been purely commercial, there was also the wish to know something about the
geography of the country, so as to be able to follow with understanding reports
and plans about political and military commitments. In these early years, how-
ever, it does not appear that the Directors ever took the initiative towards the
improvement of general geography, or the preparation of general maps. This was
left to private individuals and professional map-makers, by whom Rennell's earlier
maps were published [ 223, 227 ]. *-
By 1766 Vansittart had made his peace with the Directors, who ordered
that Mr. Henry Vansittart & Mr. Alexander Dalrymple be permitted to inspect the several
Maps and Charts of the East Indies in the Company's possession, in order to correct and
compleat some works of that kind, which when done they intend presenting to the Court 3 .
Whilst 011 the Madras establishment Dalrymple had spent some years trading
and exploring in the Eastern Islands, and after his return to England in 1765 he
devoted himself to the collection and publication of marine charts. It was un-
doubtedly at his instigation that the Directors were insistent on calling for copies
of surveyors' journals and ships' logs, writing in 1772,
As we are solicitous to acquire compleat Charts & Maps of the Coasts & Internal Parts
of India, by means of such Surveys as have been made thereof, you must not fail to trans-
mit to us by the first opportunity the most accurate copies of the Journals of all such
Persons as have been employed at your Presidency in taking Surveys, either by Sea or
Land :i .
These orders were repeated on his appointment as Hydrographer in 1779 [ 45 ].
Whilst Dalrymple's interest were mainly in nautical charts, Rennell had come
home with the particular intention of preparing a general map of India from the
records at the India House [ 212 ], and it was obviously at his suggestion that the
Directors were continually writing, sometimes for copies of particular surveys, and
sometimes insisting that all surveys should be sent home.
It has been said that Rennell was appointed Geographer to the East India
Company, but no official record of such appointment has been found. Markham
says that " He was the unpaid but most efficient head of the Geographical Depart-
ment of the India House '"". His position was openly recognised, for Ross, Chief
Engineer at Fort St. Georg'e, writes,
The Best Plans of the Southern Countries compiled last war by a number of hands was
carried home by Col. Fullarton, who has furnished, with the most liberal readiness, ...the
Company's Geographer General, Major Rennell, with all the Documents in his possession. ...
Major Rennell has also had access to the plans and papers of the late Col. Umberstone
[ 99 11. 1 ], and to other important MSS. which the Company and Public at large have already
benefited by, from Major Rennell's second edition of the Memoir and Map of Indoostan,
lately published 5 [213].
All surveys that reached India House were placed at his disposal, and his
advice was constantly sought. It was obviously at his request that in 1788 the
Directors again wrote to both Bengal and Madras urging the collection of geogra-
phical material and its despatch to England, concluding,
We repeat our orders of May 27th 1779 [45] to send copies of. ..all the general surveys
taken since the year 1776, on a scale of 5 British miles to an inch 6 . ...
and again the following year,
'Caraccioli. II (392) . -CM. 19-11-66. ;i CD to M. 25-3-72 (79). * Markham (401). -'Mack.
MSS. LXVIII. 1-11-86. 6 CD to B. 15-1-83 (40, 41, 56).
252
MA-P CONSTRUCTION & PRESERVATION
The intention of the orders contained in our letters... respecting Charts, Plans, &c, was
that the Company should have in England copies of everything relative to the Geography or
Navigation of India that could be obtained, or had been laid down from surveys made at the
Company's expence, that we might have all the information possible before us, and that
those materials should be secured against any Accident which might deprive the Company of
information obtained at so much expence. ... We purposely sent Oil paper [237], with which
any person could have traced them. We want exact and not finely finished copies [236].
We therefore again repeat our Directions that Copies of all Maps, Charts, plans, surveys, Jour-
nals, Routes, or Nautical and Geographical information, not already published, be sent to us
forthwith, that you order a Catalogue of all MSS of this Nature, in possession of Surveyors or
other officers, to be sent to us in Triplicate, by the earliest conveyances i .
These orders were by no means welcome either at Calcutta or Madras, for not
only did they involve tremendous labour but they also threatened to interrupt
the progress of the Surveyor General's own general map [215].
Rennell however was now working on his enlarged Map of Hindoostan, and the
Directors were insistent, even calling for surveyors' journals and
written papers, for copying which there can be no obstruction from want of Draughts-
men. ... We also direct that copies of all the Maps and Plans be sent to England so soon as
the same can be done. ...
Oil paper enables any person to trace the outline of the most circumstantial map, and any
exact outline will satisfy us ; and to prevent any obstruction to the ready execution of our
wishes, we have sent by this opportunity some more Oil Papers 3 .
They particularly disliked the idea that the Surveyor General should he coin-
piling a general map of his own in India ;
We mean that all Documents be sent to England (reserving a copy in India to prevent
accident), for the very few draughtsmen likely to be in India will be much better employed
in making, or copying, surveys and other documents of original information, than in cons-
tructing any general maps from such documents, which we mean to have executed in
England from all the Materials accumulated here; and, without disparagement to any man's
abilities now in India, we cannot but think Major Rennell the fittest person to form a
general map 3 .
They even objected to Burrow keeping his astronomical observations in India
for computation [ 163 j.
To reduce the enormous labour entailed by these repeated orders, Wood made
the following suggestions in 1792;
I recollect five or six years ago Copies of the Plans in the Surveyor General's Office were
alone asked for, the estimated amount of the expence of which... was nearly Twenty Thousand
Rupees, ...Amongst the various Plans in the Secretary's, Chief Engineer's and Surveyor
General's Offices, not one half of them can ever be of any real Utility, and were it not for the
consideration of the little trouble in sending them Home, might as well be destroyed.
I have arranged the Plans in four Classes A, B, C, D.
Class A, may be sent to Europe as soon as possible.
Class B, I would recommend Copies being kept of them, and the originals sent to Europe.
Class C, not appearing to me to be in any respect useful in Europe, I would recommend
being kept here.
Class D, are old, ragged, Engraved Plans of no value and may be destroyed.
[ I estimate ] the cost of copying Plans in list B. . .about Rs. 2,500. I hope the whole of them
may be completed in time to be sent to Europe by the latter ship of the season.
These proposals were approved, and 8 draughtsmen engaged for the purpose 4 ,,
enabling the Surveyor General for some years to take copies of new surveys for
record and forward the originals to England within a year of their receipt.
The Directors were equally insistent on being sent plans or copies from Madras,
where in 1783 the Chief Engineer had to engage a special draughtsman [ 245 ]T
In 1786 he was again pressed for material, and after pointing out that many of
the surveys had already reached Major Rennell [251 ] he adds, "What still re-
mains in this country I will endeavour to procure, very few having come to the
Engineer's office these last 6 years 5 ". In acknowledinna' Keichel's com- of " nart
Engine
1 CD to B. 9-12-84 (19). : CD to B. :
(8-10). 5 Mack. MSS. LXVTII, 1-11-86.
In acknowledging Reichel's copy of
-7-86 (13, 14). 3 CD to B. 20-8-S8 (12). * HPC. 13-1-
Map Km Court op Directors
โ !->:>>
of the Cicacole Circar " [93], the Directors say that "the original surveys. ..would
have been more acceptable to us l ", and in 1791 they acknowledge a box of " 30
plans, some of which were not before in our possession ", but add that there are still
many originals that had not been sent 2 .
Topping was directed to "transmit by every Ship, the result of his observations
and Surveys 3 ", and in reply to his suggestion that other surveyors should submit
their work to be examined by him [ 264 ], the Directors write,
We do not concur. ..that the persons employed in surveys should send the produce of
their respective labours to the observatory, there to undergo an examination previous to
their being transmitted to Europe, because we do not mean that any collation should be made
abroad, but all originals sent us, by which we shall be the better enabled to judge of the
abilities and dilligence of the persons employed, and obtain that information without delay 4 .
They had some difficulty in getting the Bombay Government to send home the
surveys collected by Reynolds, who was loth to send any material before his map was
ready. In reply to his request that copies should be sent out to him from the
collection in London, the Directors ordered that his map should only include his own
work [218, 255 ],
Nor do we mean that Lieut. -Colonel Reynolds should postpone transmitting to us till his
map is completed the surveys he has already made or may hereafter make, but on the con-
trary that everything done by him as well as by others at our expence, should be send to
England as soon as possible 5 ,
to which the Bombay Government replied that,
The undertaking was then approaching very fast to its conclusion, in consideration to
which we did not insist on that officer's immediately sending home any of his separate
surveys, ...since it was... the Colonel's anxious wish to lay the whole of them in one connected
view before his employers. ... It would have thrown him back in his final arrangement
of his work at least two years, besides occasioning a farther very heavy expence in making
the copies thus called for, to an aggregate... of about sixty thousand rupees 6 .
CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PRESIDENCIES
The lack of co-operation between surveyors of the three Presidencies during
the earlier years of the Company's administration is particularly noticeable, but
is hardly surprising when it is considered how remote each presidency was from the
other, and how few were the opportunities for contact. Two striking instances
may be given.
When Topping, in 1786, travelled from Masulipatam to Calcutta [ 101-2],
he must have travelled the greater part of the way by the same route as had Pearse
and Colebrooke during 1784 and 1785 [41-2], and must have made astronomical
observations at several of their stations, but he makes no reference whatsoever
to Pearse's journey or Colebrooke's survey, and was probably completely ignorant
of both.
Colebrooke, in submitting the map he compiled from his surveys made during
the campaigns in Mysore of 1791 and 1792 [ 112-3], makes no reference whatever
to the work of Beatson and Allan during these same campaigns ; and in the map
and memoir which Rennell produced in 1792 to illustrate the Marches of the British
Armies, acknowledgement is made to the surveys of Beatson and Allan, and none
to Colebrooke [ 1 1 1 ] ; indeed it is quite possible that Pennell at that time knew
nothing of Colebrooke's work with the Grand Army, for he does not even mention
him a year later in the memoir on his map of the South Peninsula [243].
"When compiling his map of southern India a few years later, however, Colebrooke
did make use of Rermell's compilation [ 244 ] "'.
The first suggestion that there should be any interchange of geographical
material between one presidency and another was made in 1785, when Call was
engaged on his atlas of all India. In that year Reynolds had travelled right
Mb. 8-t-89 (82). 2 ib. ll-i-92 (24). 3 CD to M. 16-5-92 (16). -'CD to M. 23^-94 (65). 5 CD
to Bo. 29-5-99 (29). 6 Governor's minute, 16^-1801. BPC. & DDn, 146 (44). 7 B, Pol. C. 10-7-1800.
โขjr.l
Map Construction & Preservation
across India from Surat to Calcutta, and had promised to send Call copies of his
surveys [216]. This was followed up by a letter from the Supreme Government
to Bombay,
Our Surveyor General being engaged at present in preparing a General map of Indostan,
โ we request that you will give orders for copies to be taken of all surveys made by Captain
Reynolds or now at Bombay, that may be useful to this work, and that the same may be
transmitted by your Surveyor to our Surveyor General, who has received instructions to
furnish him with copies of such public surveys as may be useful on your side of India *.
The next. year, at Wood's suggestion, letters were again sent to both Bombay
and Madras asking for copies of all surveys, as these
would be of the greatest utility in improving a work of so comprehensive a Nature, and, as
the object which we have in view is a National one of considerable importance, We request
that you will transmit to us, as soon as they can be prepared, and at the least possible
expence, copies of all Surveys which may be in your possession of the Sea Coast from Ceylon
to the Gulf of Persia, as well as any surveys of Routes, which may have been obtained since
the begining of the year 177S, & especially those which relate to the Mysore, and the Mahratta
and Travancore Countries, and to the Deccan, of the first of which our knowledge is extremely
limited E .
The Chief Engineer at Madras responded with " a list of all the General plans
in this office", and made special copies of "Captain Pringle's Book of Roads, ...
together with the General plan of this Part of India 3 ", but it was only after more
than one reminder that Bombay replied that
the Surveys. ..are in considerable forwardness, and shall be transmitted as soon as possible,
as well as an accurate one of the Sea Coast, which is now prosecuting by the Company's
orders 4 [124-5].
This action on the part of the Bengal Government was far from meeting with
the approval of the Directors, who wrote out,
We think the orders transmitted to the other Presidencies to send to Bengal copies of the
Maps etc. ...may retard their being sent to England. We therefore direct all such copies
received at Bengal from the other Settlements be transmitted to us, ...and that in future they
be sent directly from those settlements to England. ...
copies should only be made for Bengal after the home demand had been met 5 .
It was of course only natural that the Governor General and his Council, who
were responsible for directing the general political and military policy of the
whole of India, should wish to have as complete and up-to-date a map as possible,
and during the Mysore War of 1791 Wood obtained their permission to forward to
the other presidencies,
extracts from the General Maps, containing such portions of country as were most un-
known, and for filling up of which from actual observation opportunities would occur to
different Gentlemen, employed on active service with some of the various detachments of
your armies, whose combined operations, at this period, comprize a very large extent of
country.
These extracts, with their deficiencies supplied, are, at our request, to be returned to
us, ...and we trust that the event will fully Justify our Chief Engineer's expectations, by
supplying a body of Geographical information which has hitherto been particularly defective
as it relates to the Mahratta countries and that of Mysore 6 .
As a result of this procedure, copies of all the military surveys carried out in
Madras, Mysore, and on the west, reached the Surveyor General after the Mysore
war, and facilitated the construction of his map of the South Peninsula [ 244 ].
In making thesa proposals Government had expressed some fear lest their
requests should interfere with the rights of surveyors, who
with personal risque and labor, and in some cases at their own expence, had explored coun-
tries, and accumulated materials from which they thus acquired the best founded right to
future credit as well as pecuniary advantage 7 .
Jealousy on this account was certainly felt by Reynolds. In 1797 Colebrooke
asked for a copy of the survey made by Reynolds and Blunt in 1793-4 [ 55] ;
'BoSi Pol. 7-12-S5. *BMC. 5-9-86 ("7). 3 BMC. 24 11-8*
B 20-8-88 (15). *B to CD 18-8-91 (169-170). Mb. (168).
*BoS & Pol. 8-11-87.
Co-operation between Presidencies
255
The difficulty of acquiring any Geographical knowledge of countries remote from the
Company's possessions has always been very great, but it was in this instance overcome by
Captain Reynolds, ...whose activity and perseverance. ..enabled him. ..to carry a measured
line through the country in question. ...
It is much to be lamented that a copy of so valuable a Survey should not have been laid
before Government. ... I beg leave therefore to recommend that an application be made to the
Presidency of Bombay for copies of such a portion of Major Reynolds' survey as he took
while acting under the particular authority of this Government 1 , and had escorts from this
Army for his protection [301].
This request was met. and a few months later Reynolds responded by asking
for copies of surveys from both Bengal and Madras, though he seems to have anti-
cipated obstruction from Colebrooke's part; rightly or wrongly Reynolds suspected
him of being jealous of the Bombay map, even though it was at Colebrooke's request
that he had been given permission to copy plans in the Surveyor General's office
during his visit in 1793 [217] 2 .
The request in my letter... for the copy of papers from Bengal etc. ..would have been
urged before, had I not had reason to expect difficulty in the compliance with it. for from
very good authority. ..I learnt that suspicions had been propogated of a very unjustifiable
nature towards me in Bengal, of my intention in prosecuting the enquiry, and of its ultimate
appropriation. ... This calumny, from whence its source no matter, whether low or perhaps
high, answered the purpose in some measure, and I have felt the effects of it. ...
The authority under which I have been for some time past acting, gave me a right, in
my opinion, to expect such communications... which added no credit to myself, took none
from other, and they were public papers, copies of which in general had been no doubt
already transmitted to Europe; I conceived there could be no just reason for detaining them
from me. ...
The map I am about, ...I have reason to apprehend, has laid me open to the envy,
jealousy, and secret influence of some of my contemporaries, and had occasioned much vexa-
tion to me already. Ignorant as I am, however, of the nature of the reference intended from
Bengal, I beg leave to observe, should the idea still remain there of my being backward in
my communications, that the nature of the business absolutely requires the final arrangement
of my various materials to take place, ...and that any impartial imposition will be a great in-
justice to me, and can serve no purpose... except to transfer the credit that's my due to some
one who may have possibly been most of the time enjoying himself in his armed chair 3 .
Reynolds's protests, however served no purpose, for the Directors ordered that
he was not to incorporate the work of other surveyors into his map [ 21 S ], orders
that sadly disappointed him ;
I read them with much regret, for... in the memorandum I laid before Sir John Shore
[in 1793] my proposal to Government was not of a partial nature, but was to complete the
whole Geography of India, ...[which] led me to conceive that I might ask for copies of
public surveys from the other Presidencies in order to assist my enquiries, and bring the
work to a more speedy close, without a suspicion. ..that I meant to deprive others of the
credit of their labours 4 .
It is quite probable that all this distrust originated solely on Reynolds's side ;
he was working alone at Surat, with no assistants, and with no other work than
the compilation of his map ; he was worried by the Directors pressing for its com-
pletion. Oolebrooke on the other hand, was at this time engaged in friendly
correspondence with Mackenzie, arranging for a free exchang-e of material between
Bengal and Madras, and at the same time passing the remark to Mackenzie,
I should rather think that Colonel Reynolds on the Bombay Establishment would not
agree to any mutual communication of surveys, notwithstanding his application for copies of
yours 5 .
The Governments of Bengal and Madras agreed to this exchange between
Colebrooke and Mackenzie, an arrangement which was in due course blessed by the
formal approval of the Directors;
The reciprocal communication between your Surveyor General and Captain Mackenzie of
the Madras Establishment may tend very much to the improvement of Geographical know-
ledge, and as this communication is to be made through the medium of our respective
'BMC. 1-5-5-97 (37).
*DDa. 14 (66), 23-3-98.
"DDn. 52 (39), 26-9-93. 3 BoMC. 24-4-9S. 4 DDn. 146 (27). 24-12-99.
256 Map Construction & Preservation
Governments of Bengal and Fort. St. George, we direct that you transmit us from time
time copies of the correspondence which may pass upon the occasion 1 .
Custody and Distribution
From the very earliest days, the Directors were insistent that detailed surveys
should not he allowed to fall into the hands of the many possible enemies who
threatened the Company's possessions during the troublous days of the 18th cen-
tury. In 170-5 they specially asked that Plaisted's surrey of the Chittagong
River should be kept confidential [15].
They were disgusted to find that surveys were passing into the hands of Gover-
nors and senior officers, and being treated as private property, even to the extent
of being handed over to map-publishers long before official copies had reached the
India Rouse [ 223, 250-1 ].. It is even recorded that Bunnell's
original surveys... were brought home by some of the high authorities in India, and treated
as private property, till they were accidently discovered in the collection of a lady of rank, . . .
and purchased for the sum of one hundred pounds by the Court of Directors ? .
As a precaution, it was recommended in 1768 that,
as the Hon'ble Company have been at a very heavy expence in procuring different surveys in
Bengal, ...they be from time to time collected, and deposited under the Governor's care in a
public Plan Chest, and a regular list of them to be registered in the Secretary's office 3 .
This system appears to have been maintained for some years, for in 1787 the
Surveyor General pointed out
the inconvenience of many of the Plans, Routes, and Journals of Surveyors, being kept in the
Secretary's office, . . . [ and asked that ] they may all be collected in the Surveyor General's
office, or at any rate a list of those retained by the Secretary supplied to the Surveyor General *.
The Surveyor General appears to have held safe charge of all surveys which
reached him and to have issued no copies except to the Governor, but other maps
frequently slipped away, especially through commanding officers who thought
they had first claim on the work of their own officers. Orme certainly seems to
have experienced no difficulty in collecting surveys from his many friends in high
places [211 ]. Closer control was however established in course of time, and the
regulations of 1779 threatened the Surveyor General with dismissal if he allowed
copies of any map to leave his control without proper authority [ 262 ].
In Madras the Chief Engineer was for many years the custodian of maps and
surveys, but there were no orders that officers other than Engineers should submit
their surveys to him [ 240]. In his instructions for the survey of the Northern
Circars in 1773 [92 ], he issued strict orders to the surveyors ;
You are to take particular Care that no one have access to your Plans, and you are not
to take, or allow any copies of them to be on any account taken, without the express leave
of the Governor and Council 5 .
His office was, however, no very secure repository, for he had to report later
that,
The loss of plans, and many other inconveniences respecting plans, have arisen from the
changes of system that have at different times been adopted, and from orders given by
successive Governors for removing plans from the Engineer's office ; especially during the
Government of Lord Pigot e , when the plans at the Engineer's office were taken out by a
public order of the Secretary, and, in consequence of the Revolution that took place during
his Lordship's administration, were suffered occasionally to fall into the hands of a variety
of People.
Such a want of arrangement has existed in this respect, that I can venture to assert that
Government is now possessed of less materials towards furnishing a complete Chart of the
Southern parts of India, than they were at the period of ten years back "โข.
'CD to B. 7-5-1800 (41). -T. B. Jervis, Bo. Geo. Sog.IV, lS-:0 (170) & Bo. Qy.Rev.II, 1856(140).
S BPC. 30-6-6S. *BFC. 12-3-87 (20). S MMC. 22-3-73. s Lord Pigot, with Dairy m pie, reached
Madras Dee. 1775: arrested by his Council 24-6-76; d. in confinement 20-5-77 l~ 143 n. 8 1. "BMC.
24-1 1-86.
Custody and Distribution
โ i:>1
An example of such loss of material is given in a letter from the Quartermas-
ter-General of 1807, writing of the Nagari Hills west of Tripasur ;
Several of the Pollams were attacked and explored in 1776 by a Detachment under the
command of Colonel Kelly [qv], but such geographical information respecting them as may
have been acquired has been lost 1 .
The Directors took note of Hoss's report and sent out strict orders that
to prevent any Plan or Map being, in future, lost or mislaid, as by the Chief Engineer's
letter., .appears to be the case, the person entrusted with charge of them shall deliver none
without the Governor's order in writing, and taking a receipt 3 .
Boss still had to report that his lists of maps were incomplete and most con-
fused, and suggested that.
In order that every succeeding officer of Guides may have the means of informing
himself of what has been formerly done towards obtaining a perfect knowledge of the
country, certain prescribed Times and forms should be established for their reports. ..to be
lodged in the Engineer's office, ... to which officers wanting information can refer as occasion
may require ; and it would greatly facilitate our researches were the Hon'ble Court to direct
the publications of Major Rennell and Mr. Dalrymple to be regularly sent to us.
There is not... in the Public offices copies of any of the Maps or Memoirs which were
presented to the Governor General in Council of Bengal by Colonel Kelly [240], and only a
few detached reports and one Plan of Captain Pringle's in the Engineer's office 3 .
The Directors then ordered that
Mr. Topping be employed to arrange the Register of Maps, as Geographical knowledge is
requisite to a proper arrangement 1 ;
and Madras replied,
we shall pay the strictest attention to your instructions and keep in future the plans &c. in
the consultation room, under the care of our Secretary 5 .
The Directors were still not satisfied ;
As our directions to have all our maps and plans arranged in presses in the Consultation
Room, under the Governor's key have not been attended to, we repeat our orders for that
purpose s .
Having seen the Madras maps properly settled at last, we return to Bengal.
Shortly before Rennell left the country the Governor General had decided that
the Council would he satisfied with one copy of his general map, and that the
provincial maps would be more useful if they were distributed to district officers
[ 231 ]. These 5-mile maps were then sent out to the districts with the following
circular ;
We herewith transmit you a map of the division superintended by you ; and desire the
greatest care may be taken of it, as it is to remain a record in your office. We direct that
you on no account take any copy, or allow any to be taken of it, and we shall consider your
disobedience or neglect of this as a fault highly censurable 7 .
Ten years later Wood found that his office possessed no copy of several of these
very valuable maps, and tried to call in copies from the district officers ;
When I succeeded to the Office of Surveyor General, I received from my Predecessor a
variety of different Plans, a list of which I have the honour to transmit you. I have since
received some of the Provincial Plans, which, although Lt. Colonel Call did not obtain offici-
ally, yet he has been so good as to give them up, to remain in the Surveyor General's
office. ...
As many of the Provincial Plans are wanting, and I have some reason to believe this
may have been occasioned by former Chiefs and Collectors having obtained the Temporary
loan of, and not returned, them, ...I beg leave to submit the following proposal. ... That a
circular letter be addressed to all Chiefs and Collectors, directing them to transmit to the
Committee of Revenue a list of such plans of their Several Districts as may be in their
possession [231] 8 .
The Collector of Dinajpur, replied to this circular;
At my request the Collector at Purnea some time since forwarded to me the Provincial
map of Purnea, Dinagepore, and Rungpore Districts, in order that I might trace the situation
of Mudgenoo ( insurgent leader of Faquirs ) at the time he entered this district ; this map
1 MMC. 4-12-1807 ; Kelly >
3 Mack. MSS. LXIX, 31-1-90.
). 'BBC. 1-d-IG.
as unlikely to have sent his work to the CE. a CD. to M. 8-4-89 (85).
CD to M. 11-4-92 (26). 5 M to CD. 5-10-92 (51). 6 CD to M.
s BMC, 5-9-86(62).
2r,s
Map Construction & Preservation
formerly was in the possession of the Provincial Council, and taken by them to Purneah. ...
The necessity for every Collector being furnished with an accurate map of tie Division he
superintends induces me to request that the map at present in my Possession may remain
for the use of the Collectors of Purnea, Rungpore and Dinagepore 1.
whilst the Collector of Sylhet wrote,
I have no plans of this district in my possession, either officially or otherwise obtained 3 .
The Surveyor General then noted that,
Complete copies are wanted of all the Provincial Plans, not only for Government, but for
the Surveyor General's Office. The only copies have been either mislaid or carried to
Europe 3 .
Five year later the Surveyor General reports that he has several draughtsmen
engaged in copying ten of the Provincial Plans "which had been found in a very
tattered state ", but that there must be many others which have not yet been
found [ 231 ] ;
Should it meet with the approbation of your Lordship, I again recommend that the
Collectors of the Several Districts of which the Plans are wanting, to be directed immediately
to transmit to the Board of Revenue all Public Plans in their possession, copies of which
being taken, the same Plans or Copies of them will be returned them as soon as possible 4 .
The following year the Chief Engineer was able to submit 13 of these provin-
cial plans, and that they might not "be lost or mislaid" recommended "that they
be placed in charge of the Secretary in the Revenue Department 5 ".
From about 1788 the Surveyor General submitted an annual list of the maps
held in his office, and in reply to a proposal made by Wood 6 the Directors authoris-
ed a special officer for the charge of the drawing office ;
The Charge of all ChaTts, Maps or Plans and other like Documents belonging to the
Company should be vested in him, under the directions of the Governor General, and an
exact Register made and carefully kept of all particulars, noting how they are at any time
disposed of. ... I hope you will be carefull in the choice of the person to be selected for this
charge [237]?.
The following year the Bengal Government had to report,
relative to different plans and charts carried from this country by Lt. Colonels Watson and
Call, and other persons, and beg leave to recommend... that they may be recovered to the
Company's property, to which they belong 8 .
In Bombay the charge of maps and surveys fell naturally to the Surveyor ; and
soon after Reynold's appointment to this post, the Supreme Government ordered that
it is our wish that your Surveyor should keep a Register of ail surveys made by your direc-
tions, inserting opposite them by whom they were made, and at what time 9 .
As Reynolds was constantly out on survey he was not in a position to look
closely after maps at the Presidency, where the Chief Engineer was in a better
position to do so ; when however he settled down at Surat, Government ordered that,
it having been customary during the absence of the Surveyor to Lodge all Surveys, routes,
Ac, in the Chief Engineer's office, the Hon'ble the Governor directs that in future all such
papers shall be directed to Captain Reynolds, the Surveyor, & transmitted to his office, from
whence he will furnish Government and the Hon'ble the Court of Directors with such papers
as may be necessary 10 .
Three years later, however, the Commander-in-Chief asked that maps should
be kept at the Chief Engineer's office rather than at Surat ;
The view of the Commander in Chief in making the present proposal is, first that the
surveys may be lodged at the seat of Government, for whose use they were compiled, and
secondly, by depositing them with the Chief Engineer, they may be serviceable in instructing
the Practitioner. Bombay has no seminary for the improvement of the young Engineer ;
but he might be advantageously employed for the first year after his arrival in the country
in copying these maps.
Government approved this proposal and authorised the Chief Engineer to
employ properly qualified persons... to make such further transcripts as may be required at
the rate of four rupees per diem [281] 11 .
1 Dwkypw, Sist. R. II (59), 12-10-86. * Sylhet Dist. S. II (93), 16-10-86. 3 DDn. 16 (18), 1788.
4 BPC. 22-2-92 (17). * BMC. 15-2-93 (1.9). 6 B. S& M. 23-5-87. ; Colebrooke was duly appointed
[237]; CDtoB. 20-8-88(26). B B to CD. 5-11-89 (92). 9 BoS & Pol. 1786. From Bengal, 7-12-85.
'ยฐBoM:C. 8-12-95. "BoMC. 2S-S-98.
Custody and Distribution
259
Ifc must be remembered that this concern for the custody of maps was the
more justified since nearly all were manuscript. None of the Company's money
was spent on the engraving of maps, and those that were published by Dalrymple,
Rennell, or professional map publishers, were engraved at private expence, the ut-
most contribution from the Directors being the grant of a fixed remuneration to
Dalrymple, and the purchase of a limited number of copies from Kennell, with an
advance payment [227โ9]. ^ยฐ general issue of maps was made to Government
servants other than Members of Council ; other officers had to purchase them
privately.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE SURVEYOR GENERALS *
Surveyor Generals of Bengal"* โ Bengal Regulations โ Surveyor General's Office at'
Calcutta โ Proposals for Surveyor General, Madras โ Surveyor General, Bombay.
JAMES Rennell was the first Surveyor General to be appointed in India, his
appointment from January 1st 1767 being made under the following resolution
of Council, a few weeks before CHve sailed for England;
Mr. James Rennell having, in the surveys which have lately been carried on under his
direction, given sufficient proofs of his abilities and assiduity in that branch, which may
prove of great consequence to the Company's possessions under this Presidency, It is agreed
that he be appointed Surveyor -General, with the rank of Captain, and a salary of Rs. 300 per
month in consideration of his merit and the labour of that employ 3 [31 ].
It has been suggested that Rennell was Surveyor General of India 4 , but this is
not so. In 1767 the President in Council at Port William had no authority over
any other Presidency except Bengal; such estended authority was not conferred
until Warren Hastings was appointed Governor General in 1773, and even then
he had no authority for appointments beyond Bengal.
Rennell was Surveyor General in Bengal โ โข.
Having completed the greater part of his surveys and maps by 1774, and being
most anxious to return to England on account of ill-health, he applied for a
pension. This was granted, after some delay, as a special favour, and he resigned
and left the country early in April 1777 [ 36 ].
The appointment was then left vacant for several months, until in October the
Council appointed Thomas Call, of the Engineers, who had worked as surveyor
under Rennell for a short while [ 33, 35 ] ;
We have lately found it necessary to revive 6 the Office of Surveyor General which had
remained vacant since the departure of Major Rennell to England, ... and Lieutenant Call
having been recommended to us by the Governor General, as qualified for discharging the
duties of this office, he has accordingly been appointed to it 7 .
The appointment dated from October 7th 1777, but the Directors did not at
once confirm it, and the following year appointed William Richards s who had been
assistant to Rennell for several years, and had left India on account of his health
at the end of 1776. Richards, however, never returned to India to take up the
appointment, which he eventually resigned in 1781 9 .
Call continued as Surveyor General till 1786, when he resigned on Pebruary
6th to become Chief Engineer ;
Having completed my Map of India as far as the Materials in my possession will enable
me to do, I humbly beg your permission to resign the appointment of Surveyor General. ...
My motive for wishing to give up my appointment, is that I may be able to apply myself
to the studies of my profession as an Engineer, and that I may be at liberty to pursue such
other services as my Superiors may think proper to order me on.
Captain Mark Wood is well qualified to fill the appointment of Surveyor General, and be-
ing the next Officer to me in the Corps, I take the liberty to mention him as a proper person
to be appointed in my stead 10 .
1 This form of plural was accepted by Sir. Sidney Burrard, 27-10-1914; SGO. 111-1923. The
hyphen is not here xised in India. J James Eenneli, Jan. 1767 to April 1777 t Thoinas Call, Oct. 1777 to
Feb. 1786 ; Mark Wood. Feb. 1786 to Nov. 1788 ; Alexander Kyd, Not. 1788 to Feb. 1794 ; Eobert Cole-
brooke, Feb. 1794 to Sept. 1808. 3 BPC. S-l-67. *eg. La Touche { Titlepage ); Hirst & Ascoli ( i,
49 ). There was no SGr. of India till 1815, when Mackenzie was so appd. ' Memoir, 1788 ( Titlepage ).
6 Written " revise " in extant records, an obvious copying error. B to CD. 21-11-77 ( 82 ). a CD to
B. 23-12-78 (148). "CM.23-1-81. 10 BPC. 7-2-S6 (14).
!60
Surveyor Generals op Bengal
201
Wood was duly appointed from the following day, February 7th, and during-
the time he was Surveyor General continued " Commanding at Budge Budge ",
even submitting estimates for the construction of barracks there. On November
15th 1788 he, in his turn, was appointed Chief Engineer, and on the same date
Captain Alexander Kyd is appointed Surveyor General and commandant of the Fort of Budge
Budge in the room of Lt. Colonel Wood 1 .
Both Wood and Kyd were Engineer officers, Wood having made surveys of
Calcutta and the Hoogly River [ 50, 53-4 ], and Kyd a reconnaissance of the
Arakan coast, and a survey of the island and harbour of Penang [ 46โ7 ] '; in both
cases their selection to be Surveyor General seems to have followed from their
standing in the corps.
During his term of office Kyd spent very little time at Calcutta ; he spent
season 1789-90 on a survey of the harbours of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
[48-9], and from November 1790 till July 1992, was A. D. C. to the Governor
General, Lord Cornwallis, on the campaign in Mysore, retaining in the field his
office of Surveyor General [ 43, 1 1 2-3 ] .
In February 1793, he was sent to the Andaman Islands as Superintendent,
leaving his assistant Colebrooke in charge of the Surveyor General's office [49-50] ;
he continued to hold the post and salary of Surveyor General till he resigned a
year later ;
It is my wish to have permission to resign the Office of Surveyor General.
I am induced to make this request from the little prospect that there is, owing to my
present public occupation, of being at all able to attach myself to the duties of an office that
particularly requires constant and unbroken attention, and from a conviction that they will be
executed with much more advantage to the Public were it entirely under the management of
a qualified person, whose mind may be wholly engaged in Geographical pursuits 3 .
Colebrooke was appointed to succeed him from February 8th 1794 [8, 268] ;
The Governor in Council thinks it proper to observe upon this occasion that although the
seniority of appointment among the assistants in the Surveyor General's Office is with
Lieutenant Wilford, who has been for a long time on a Surveying Duty in the Zamindary of
Benares, yet as Lieutenant Colebrooke is Senior to Lieutenant "Wilford in the list of the
Array, and very competent, as indeed Lieutenant "Wilford also is, to the Duties of Surveyor
General, the choice has iallen where the Order plans it 3 .
Colebrooke's was a fitting choice as ho had spent the greater part of his service
on survey. He had first learnt his profession as surveyor to the Bengal Detach-
ment under Pearse between 1783 and 1785 ; he had accompanied Kyd as assistant
surveyor both to Penang in 1787, and again to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in
1789โ90. He had made surveys on the march with his regiment in the Upper
Provinces, and in 17S9 had been appointed assistant in charge of the maps in the
Surveyor General's Office. He had been on survey during the 1791-92 campaigns
in Mysore, and remained a keen and active surveyor throughout his term as Sur-
veyor General, dying on tour, September 21st 1S08.
Bekgal Regulations
The earliest regulations for the Surveyor General's Department in Bengal were
laid down in 1779, and amongst the more interesting are the following ;
That he [the Surveyor General] furnish Surveyors employed in different parts of the
country with orders and instructions. All surveyors sent with detachments are to receive
their instructions from the Surveyor General. . . .
He will compile such routes and observations as may be made, and reduce and insert
them in his general plan [215].
He is to supply the Commander in Chief with such routes as he may deem necessary.
He is to furnish the Board and Commander in Chief with alphabetical lists and military
descriptions of the Roads through India [ 230 ], specifying the distance from each town, and
observations on the roads, forts, passages of the rivers, in the different seasons of the yeaXj
J BGO. 26-11-88. a BPC. 7-2-94. 3 BPC. 8-2-1794 & B to CD. 14-2-94 (33).
262 The Surveyor Generals
with the boats and materials for erabarcation procureable in the neighbourhood ; proper
places of encampment for food and water; market places and grain and bullocks; natural
strength of the ground.
That the Surveyor General shall not furnish, on pain of suspension or dismission from
his office [256], to any person whatever, copies of any maps or plans of the country and
posts, march routes, or information relating to the surface of the country, without an order
in writing from the Board or the Commander in Chief. That he require from the surveyors
that have acted under him all original plans and surveys, ... with a declaration in writing on
honour, ... that they have not retained any of the original matters of which they were
compiled.
That he be responsible for the Assistants in his Office, so far that he employ none with-
out large security for their fidelity [236].
That the Surveyor General make Quarterly Returns to the Board, specifying the diffe-
rent plans in his possession, as also the progress he has made in forming new ones ; such
returns shall also specify what surveyors are employed under him, on what duty, and the
progress respectively made by them, their fitness for the service, and the good or bad execu-
tion of the plans furnished by them.
That the Surveyor General obey all orders from the Governor General and that he conti-
nue to receive his instructions for surveys from the Governor General as heretofore 1 .
Up till 1785 the Surveyor General and his staff belonged to the Civil depart-
ment, hut on the formation of the Military Department of Government, they were
transferred to that department.
Surveyor General's Ofeice at Calcutta
Beimel] made his headquarters at Dacca 3 , and we do not find any claims from
him for an office building or office rent, nor for any office establishment, which
a,ppear to have been covered by the full field allowances which he drew throughout
the year [274].
After he left, the Surveyor General maintained his office at Calcutta, where it
has remained to this day.
By a resolution passed in August 1799, the Surveyor General was allowed
Salary, Rs. 651; House Rent, Rs. 400; Draftsmen, Stationery & Charges of Office to be drawn
by the Actual Charge, but limited to Rs. 600 p.m. [235]...
But shortly after this, ... on irth October 1779, that order was revoked, and the Surveyor
General's Bill's for Draftsmen, Stationery, and charges of Office, were directed to be delivered
upon Honor, not as a fixed charge, but varying monthly according to the occasions of his office,
and in consequence of this resolution.. .a charge not variable, but fixed, ...was regularly
drawn until 31st March 1785.
Harcaxrars, Sickligurs [290 n. 6], Peons, Moonshies and Interpreters [ 289 ] Rs. roo
Stationery, Oil, and Candels, ... ... 120 3
In 17SS, after the retrenchments of 1785, the establishment was fixed at,
Office Rent per month ... ... __ j^ g Q
One native writer ... ... ,-
Followers ... ,.1
44
Living in Calcutta was far from cheap, and in 1793 Government found it'
necesary to order that,
After ist of next month, no uncovenanted assistants, or writers, whether European, Por-
tuguese or Native, on monthly pay, or paid by the section, shall do duty in any two or more
offices 5 .
In 1794 the Surveyor General addressed Government from Chowringee [168] ;
The allowance of Rs. 90 for an office is not adequate to the Expence I have incurred. Not
being allowed quarters in the Fort I humbly conceive I might, in the article of House or Office
'BMC. 5-8-79, & Carroll's Code, Ch. VIII. 3 Both Century Series & Hunter (73) say that
Rennell "kept a staff of draughtsmen in Calcutta". No corroboration has been iound thonยฐ-h he spent
several months in Calcutta during the rains of 1767-69. ! BMO, 9-S-7W & HMO 24 11 -*f>" *BMC
10-6-88. 6 MEI0. M. 574. 25-2-93.
Surveyor General's Office at Calcutta
2(53
rent, be put upon a footing with other Heads of Offices, and with the Secretaries to the
Military and Hospital Boards, whose allowances are each Rs. 250.
This is the exact sum I have expended for many months past for the House I inhabit, and
I am pretty certain I could not accommodate myself at a cheaper rate without retiring to such
a distance from Calcutta as would render it impracticable for the Draftsmen to attend, or
living in some remote void obscure corner of the Town 1 .
The application was refused.
Proposals for Surveyor General, Madras
Although the surveyors of the Madras Presidency were as worthy of note as
those of Bengal, and their labours equally appreciated, yet until 1810 the Company
firmly refused to appoint a Surveyor General to that Presidency.
The first suggestion of the need for such a post was made in 1775 by Ross, the
Chief Engineer, with reference to surveys in Masulipatam;
As the surveys now wanted are very extensive, I would propose that as many gentlemen
as can be got t>e employed thereon, and that the whole be under one Surveyor General, who
should appoint the most capable to the direction of the different districts and the others to act
as their assistants, until properly qualified to take a charge upon themselves.
He should manage the correspondence and direct their proceedings, so as the whole may
agree when completed 3 .
The detailed scheme which Kelly put up in 1779 [97] covered an establishment
of two sub-directors, two assistant surveyors, four draughtsmen, thirty native non-
commissioned officers and men, fifty lascars and coolies, "to be generally employed
in separate parties thro' the country", together with an adequate supply of teles-
copes, quadrants, sextants, theodolites, plane-tables [193], and other surveying
instruments. He asked for no administrative charge for himself other than the
duty of compiling the maps;
The nature of the business points out an office for which, as I have no competitors, I will
venture to apply, not without hopes of success; I mean that of Geogrpher to the Hon'ble
Company. This is a post for which I have long laboured to render myself qualified, and in
which I think I can render myself useful 3 ,
and again to the Supreme Government in 1782 [240-1],
The part I should wish to act in the business myself ...should be that of Geographer, not
only because I wish not to interfere with the appointments of other Gentlemen, but that I
could always employ myself that way, without neglecting my other duties as an officer 4 .
Kelly's proposals were referred home both by the Madras and the Supreme
Governments, but the Directors, dreading any increase of expenditure whilst so
heavily involved by the Maratha and Mysore Wars, and gave an emphatic refusal
to both n [240],
They were equally firm when Ross suggested in 1783 that, to meet their call for
increased activity in surveying [ 101, 251-2 ]
a Corps of Surveyors should be selected and put under the Orders of a Surveyor General, to
whom Government should give the entire charge 6 ,
answering,
We do not by any means approve of your intentions, grounded on the Engineer's report,
for establishing a Surveyor General, which would draw the Company into a great and needless
expence 7 .
In 1792 they expressed their appreciation of Topping's abilities;
As Mr. Topping has been actually employed so long in surveying, and in Astronomical
Observations for the Company, we think it proper to appoint him our Astronomer and Sur-
veyor on your Coast. ... We direct that all Surveys be made under his directions; we do not
mean to extend his Authority as Surveyor.. .over Engineers or Military Officers employed
with the Army or Detachments,- but over all Persons, Civil or Military, employed especially
in actual Surveys or Astronomical Observations, and all the Instruments are to be under his
Charge.
1 BMC. 14-3-94 ( 14 ). "Mack. MSS. LXVIII, 29-5-75. J MMC. 16-8-79. 4 BPC. 27-5-82. 5 CD.
to M. 18-10-82. 6 MPC. 28-10-83. 'โข CD t-oM. 9-12-84 (16); CD to M. 16-5-92 (14).
264 The Surveyor Generals
To get his responsibilities more clearly defined, Topping submitted that
in order to render these intentions effectual, and my exertions as extensively useful as possible,
it will be necessary for me to be made acquainted with the present state of surveying in this
country, and to have entire access to the maps and charts that have been constructed from
time to time by different persons: The Hon'ble Board will, I presume, see the propriety also
of apprizing such gentlemen as are, or may be, employed throughout their establishment in
making surveys, or taking astronomical observations, that they are in future to make their
reports to me.
...The Hon'ble Board will perceive it to be a part of the orders they may have sent me
that all the Instruments are to be under my charge^.
Government accepted these suggestions and desired the Chief Engineer to
put Mr. Topping in possession of all the surveying instruments under your charge, and permit
him to have free access to the maps and Charts in your Department.
Topping- further proposed,
That all persons who may be employed in surveying, ( with exception only to... the re-
strictions specified ) be directed to take their instructions from me ; to report their proceedings,-
and finally to send the produce of their respective labours to the observatory, there to under-
go an examination previous to their "being transmitted to Europe [253].
Besides the personal labours of a practical surveyor; and the duties of an astronomer the
Honble. Company evidently expect from me, ... the more extensive services of a Surveyor
Ganeral.
But in doing this, they do not clearly appear to have given me the fixed appointments,
and titular character usually annexed to so responsible a station; I hope however that this
state of incertitude will not impede my exertions in the Public service.
On this the Council resolved
to recommend to the Court of Directors the adoption of the regulations proposed. ..and to
point out to them the necessity of denning the authority they meant should attach to Mr.
Topping's station ".
Later in the } r ear, when recommending an establishment of surveyors for a
Department of Tank Repairs, Topping repeated his suggestion that a Surveyor
General should be appointed [ 108 ], and the Directors replied appointing him "the
Company's Astronomer, Geographical and Marine Surveyor-iii-chief under your
Presidency 3 ".
After Topping's death early in. 1796 Mackenzie applied to be appointed Sur-
veyor General ;
To... render the several surveys carried on under the Presidence of real use, by bringing
the whole under one regular systematic arrangement ( as is already the case in our neigh-
bouring Presidency of Bengal ), I beg leave to submit. ..the expediency of appointing an office
of Surveyor General for the purpose of superintending and directing all surveys made by
order, under this Presidency, for examining and reporting their progress, and for suggesting
such further improvement as may be expedient. ...
The office of Surveyor General being for some years established in Bengal, it is supposed
that adopting the same plan on the Coast would facilitate a.ready communication on these
subjects between the several branches of our Government in India, and promote the acquisi-
tion and improvement of General Geography so useful and honorable to the British interests.
On this Government resolved
that Captain Mackenzie's application for the appointment of Surveyor General on the Coast,
be recommended to the favourable consideration of the Honorable Court of Directors i .
but the only response was that
your recommendation of Captain Mackenzie will be attended to when the expediency of
appointing a Surveyor General comes under consideration 5 .
The following is taken from a letter written by the future Duke of Wellington
to his brother Henry. Private Secretary to their eldest brother the Governor Gen-
eral, Lord Mornington s . Arthur Wellesley was at this time commanding the troops
in Mysore, and a member of the Mysore Commission for which Mackenzie had been
preparing maps [rig] ;
I enclose you a letter I received from Mackenzie immediately after his departure from
hence, and I shall be obliged to you if you will show it to Mornington. I refer you to Webbe 7
'MFC. 13-11-92. 3 MPC.30-3-93. 3 CD to M. 23-4-94. 4 MMC. 6-9-96. 5 CD. to M. 23-5-98.
*G-G. 179S-1805, becoming Marquis Wellesley. 7 Josiah Webbe, Writer, 1783 ; Sec. to Govt.
Proposals for Surveyor General, Madras
205
for all the particulars relating to his claim to be appointed Surveyor General. It appears to
me very necessary that there should be such an officer upon the local establishment.
Hitherto, whatever may have been the merits of the Surveyors employed, or the excellence
of their works, the Government have derived no benifit from them for want of the office of
the Surveyor General where they might be examined and arranged ; and the fact is, that ex-
cepting of the iaghire and the survey lately made by Mr. Mather of the Barahmahal, the
Company have no survey of any part of the coast, notwithstanding that officers have been
employed and paid at different times to survey every part of the Carnatic and of the
Gircars * .
Surveyor General, Bombay
The presidency of Bombay differed from its sister presidencies of Madras and
Bengal, in that it had no territories of any extent to administer until the acquisi-
tion of Malabar in 1792. A few routes had been surveyed during- operations-
against the Marathas between 1772 and 1782, and Reynolds had been Surveyor
General to the army that met disaster at Bednur in 1783 [ 125 ].
From 1785 Reynolds was " Surveyor on the Bombay Establishment [273, 282]"
and three years later the Bombay Government wrote home.
As we are of the opinion that the appointment of a Surveyor General at this Presidency
would be of great utility, we beg leave to recommend the institution of such an office to your
consideration, and that, should it meet your concurrence, you will be pleased to appoint
Captain Reynolds thereto, who has eminently distinguished himself in that branch of Science 3 .
This letter crossed one in which the Directors wrote,
An application has lately been made to us in behalf of Captain Charles Reynolds.. .that he
may be appointed Surveyor General under your Presidency. Although we entertain a very
high opinion of the abilities of Captain Reynolds, ... yet we cannot yield to the present appli-
cation in his favor by appointing him Surveyor General, the same being a new office 3 .
Reynolds had to wait until January 1796 before he became Surveyor General
on the Bombay Establishment*, and then held office until his resignation in
February 1807.
'Supply. Desps. I. 2-8-99. 3 Bo to CD. 6-1-88. 3 CD to Bo. 21-11-87 (8).
creating 1 this appointment has been found. In a resolution dated 8-13-95, Reynolds is de;
veyor ; in all subsequent correspondence he is designated Surveyor General.
4 No order
gnated Sur-
CHAPTER XIX
SURVEYORS
Recruitment โ Conditions of Service โ -Civil & Military Surveyors โ Swveyors "Out
4>f the Service " โ RennelVs Surveyors โ Other Bengal Surveyors โ Madras Sur-
veyors โ Bombay Surveyors.
THE great majority of surveyors in India were military officers drawn from the
Company's troops. Before 1760 these military forces were few, and there was
no difficulty in obtaining sufficient cadets by nomination in England or in India.
Some, like Clive, actually started as civil servants and it was then possible for a
writer in the Civil Service to hold a military commission, and receive promotion in
both services. There was no provision that cadets should have had any special
education or training before appointment.
After 1760 there was a rapid increase in the strength of the Company's army,
especially in Bengal where the acquisition of great territories involved the Com-
pany in frequent struggles along and beyond its frontiers.
The greater part of the army was Infantry, mostly Sepoys, with one or more
battalions of Europeans at each Presidency, and a few companies of Artillery each
having on its strength at least one officer qualified as an engineer ; these weie the
first military engineers ; the early civil engineers and Surveyors of Works did not
hold military commissions.
Separate corps of military engineers were formed, in Madras from 1759, in
Bengal from 1761 1 , and in Bombay from 1768 2 . Service in the artillery and en-
gineers was not at first regarded as "in the military line ", and their officers were
not allowed command over other troops, nor a share in prize money ; service in the
infantry was often more popular, and brought better pay and prospects 3 [ 272 ].
From 1765 a few cadets were obtained from the Royal Military Academy at
"Woolwich, but these did not necessarily join the scientific corps ; it was not until
1798 that the Company was allowed to place a few boys at the R.M.A. to be edu-
cated for their artillery and engineers. The R.M.C. at Marlow was founded in 1802.
Cadets came out to India, sometimes as young as 14 or 15, and then waited for
a commission until there was a vacancy ; during the Rohilla War of 1773-4 a corps
of 100 such waiting cadets took part in the campaign as a select picket.
Conditions op Service 1 "
Civil officers came out with first appointment as Writers and then rose as Fac-
tors and Merchants to be Senior Merchants. The senior merchant at one of the
early Factories was designated the Chief of that Factory. The senior civil officer of
-a province or district was called at various periods Resident, Supervisor, or Collector.
For some years there were Provincial Councils at Murshidabad, Patna, Chittao-onยฐ-
and other settlements, each with their Chief.
On receiving his first commission, a military cadet received, as a rule, the
junior rank of his corps ; for cavalry Comet ; for infantry and engineers, Ensign ;
for artillery, Fire-worker. Besides their military rank, engineers were graded pro-
fessionally as Practitioner-Engineer, Sub-Engineer, Sub-Director, and Director. The
1 When Poller took charge of the Works at Ft. William in 1762, he had only two assistant
engineers, Huygens & Adams; B to CD. 30-10-62 (63). : Not finally separated till 1775 ; Bo PC.
21-7-75. ' j y. Bio. Notes, Maclean, Montresor. *Hodson (preface) & Addiscombe (1).
266
Conditions ot Service
267
senior engineer at the Presidency, or with a field force, was called Chief Engineer,
regardless of his grade.
For all corps there was a rank of 'Certain-Lieutenant intermediate "between
Lieutenant and Captain, which was abolished for Engineers in 1809, and for others
in 1819.
Mrs. Kindersley wrote from Allahabad in 1767,
The army is at present divided into three brigades ; each brigade consists of one batta-
lion of ten companies of European infantry ; ... one regiment of ten battalions of seapoys
[ 200 men to a battalion ] . ... Every battalion has an English captain, . . . and the whole regi-
ment of seapoys has field officers, the same as a battalion of Europeans. ...
The artillery is one regiment of four companies; ...one company of artillery is attached
to every brigade. . . .
There are besides, the three brigades, some battalions called P-urgunna Seapoys, com-
manded by English officers ; these are a sort of provincial troops, being under the direction
of the chiefs of the English factories 1 .
Infantry officers were frequently transferred from one battalion to another,andthe
numbering of the battalions was liable to change at every re-organization of the army.
There were no pension rules until 1793 and no furlough before 1796. Any
officer wishing to return to Europe had to resign the service, usually receiving no
pay whilst thus absent, though he might be re-appointed and permitted to return
to India. The regulations of 1 796 allowed furlough for three years. Officers were
allowed to proceed oversea on medical certificate without surrendering their'
appointments, provided they dicl not go west of the Cape.
The conditions of life in the east were so severe that Eennell has been quoted
as saying that of the young Englishmen who come out to India " scarce one out of
70 men returns to his native country " 3 .
Civix & Military Suev
Though there was no training school for surveyors, officers with some elementry
knowledge of survey were generally to be found when wanted. Officers with pre-
vious experience, or talent, were soon found out, whatever their corps, and every
engineer officer was presumed to be capable of surveying [ 182, 270 ] .
In reply to one of their earlier demands for surveys the Bengal Council wrote
to the Directors,
We beg leave to recommend it as a measure well worth your attention, the keeping your
Corps of Engineers constantly supplied with young gentlemen properly instructed in that
particular branch 3 ,
and the Directors replied,
As we send out several young gentlemen for the Artillery who have been educated at
the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, we would have you employ such of them in the
Surveying way as show a talent for that branch i .
The following table gives a rough analysis of the Company's servants employed
on survey in the three Presidencies during the 18th century, about half of whom
might be considered as efficient surveyors. The table does not cover every officer
who ever made a sketch or survey or observed a latitude.
E,ennell's surveyors
Bengal, excluding above
Madras
Bombay
Total ...
Mariners
]
Civil
( including a Chaplain )
11 14
1 5
Artillery Infantry
2
13
'Kindersley (208-9). - Ursula. Low (68). 3 B to CD. 30-3-67. 4 CD to B. 16-3-S8 (56); For
many years Engineer cadets were sent out to Artillery and posted to Engineers after a test in India ;
Addiwmhe (1).
268 Surveyors
Perhaps the most noticeable features of this table are that iu Bengal half the
surveyors were Infantry officers and in Madras the Civil Servants took a large
share in the surveys ; for the purpose of this table the skilled surveyors Barnard
.and Cotsford have been classed as civil, though they started service with commis-
sions as engineers as well [272].
Colebrooke was the first Infantry officer to become Surveyor General, and bis
professional qualifications were undoubtedly superior to those of the three Engineer
officers who immediately preceded him.
Two civil servants made outstanding contributions to Indian geography, both
โ of them as geographers and not surveyors ; Dalrymple, who spent several years
exploring the far east, and went on to be Hydrographer to the East India-
Company, and then the Admiralty ; and Orme, the great historian, who never
โ ceased his demands for maps and yet more maps and, like Dalrymple, did not re-
main content with the mere collection of surveys, but had them engraved and.
published.
SURVEYORS OUT OP THE SERVICE "
When in 17G8 the Paymaster General put up proposals for surveyors' allow.
โ ances [275], he added,
You will observe. Gentlemen, that we have made no provision for such Surveyors as are
not in the Company's Civil or Military service, because we are of opinion no person should be
entrusted with Inland Surveys, except those who are actually in the service 1 .
But in spite of this narrow view there were many notable men outside the
Company's civil and military services to whom all the early geographers of India
have been indebted. Eirst the Jesuit missionaries, the pioneers of scientific work,
astronomical observations, and early maps. Then the French leaders, Bussy and
Law, who, though possibly not actual surveyors themselves, kept up the most valu-
able maps of their travels. There was the parson William Smith, not only an
ardent astronomer, but a practical surveyor as well, and the rolling stone Thomas
Motte, always ready to take up any task that would bring him a living.
There were the Hanoverian soldiers, Schlegel, Wersebe, and du Piatt, who ob-
viously welcomed their surveys and map-making as a relief from regimental duties.
There was the uncouth genius Reuben Burrow, who spent his early years as mathe-
matical teacher and compiler of almanacs in London, and escaped to the East to
absorb himself in Sanscrit and Hindu learning, doing perhaps the most valuable
work of his life in covering Bengal with reliable fixed points, carrying on till his
health broke down and a lonely death overtook him in his budgerow 011 the river.
There was Michael Topping, a man of the sea, who was undoubtedly the most
talented surveyor who had yet reached India, neglecting no scientific precau-
tion to keep his work up to the highest standards of the time, with the vision and
strength of purpose to establish the Company's first astronomical observatory, and
a training school to turn out a useful body of professional surveyors. And to
Topping's credit also may he put the " young- man John Goldingham โ ", whom he
brought in as assistant astronomer, and left in charge of the observatory.
And then there was the Master of Arts from Aberdeen, John Mather, who
reached Madras after being several times ship-wrecked in the eastern seas, and
for over 12 years did steady reliable work, Mackenzie's most trusted assistant.
His health broke down completely and he was allowed to return home with a pen-
sion, only to find his final rest, drowned at sea, almost in sight of the English
shore.
Two surveyors of a different walk of life were Edward Tiretta, Italian, civil
architect and surveyor of Calcutta, and Aaron Upjohn, who travelled out to India
as a bassoon player in a ship's band. Both of these made large-scale maps of part
'E PC. 4-7-68.
Surveyors "out op the Service" 269
of Calcutta, and Upjohn, a capable draughtsman anc ^ surveyor, spent an exciting
season beating along- the Chittagong coast in a small country ship, only to return
to his death in Calcutta.
Renxell's Surveyors
The Council at Fort William fully realised the need for the survey of the
territories which they had acquired in 1757 and 1760, but it was some tune before
they found the men for the work. Plaisted proved the ideal man for the survey
of the sea coast, and Hugh Cameron, discharged from the Bombay service, was
discovered for the survey of the 24-Parganas. The engineers Amphlett and
Polier found time to make rough surveys of the rivers and roads between Calcutta
and Murshidahad, but up to the end of 1764 the army was engaged in vital strug-
gles on the western frontiers, and officers could not be spared.
The arrival of Rennell with the testimony of his naval friends as to his skill
with quadrant and chain came at a most opportune moment, just after the death
of Cameron. De Gloss, from the Bombay Artillery, had answered the call for
officers, and as soon as he could be released from military duty after the battle of
Buxar, was put on to the survey of Burdwan.
Each Governor in turn, Vansittart, Clive, Verelst, Carfcier, and Hastings, was
eager to push on the map-making, and none hesitated to exercise his patronage to
nominate likely young men for the work. When he first gave orders for a general
map of Bengal, Clive wrote to Rennell, " if you have occasion for any assistants,
name them, and I will order them to attend you 1 " and Ensign Richards of the
Engineers was sent up at once to join him [ 22 ]. The following year Adams and
Huygens of the Engineers were sent out on surveys, as well as Lady Clive's " most
deserving " relation, Thomas Carter.
On his appointment as Surveyor General, Rennell was given the services of
Richards, De Gloss, Adams and Carter, and when submitting his maps he said that
they incorporated the work of ten surveyors (Adams having died in 1767) ; De
Gloss, Richards, Rennell, Huygens, Carter, Portsmouth, Call, Martin, Russell, and
Ritchie [33 ] ; whilst he mentions several others whose work he used for the small
ecale general maps [2261a. 6].
Of these ten, Carter and Martin were Infantry officers, Ritchie succeeded Plais-
ted as Marine Surveyor, and the rest were Engineers.
Claud Martin was the Frenchman who afterwards took service with the Wazir
of Oudh, and is well known for the huge fortune which he accumulated, and the
bequests which he left for the foundation of schools. Portsmouth died in 1767.
and Carter, Martin, Richards, and Ritchie, were the only assistants to remain on
survey for any length of time.
In 1774, after Rennell had submitted his maps, Government ordered that all
surveyors should be withdrawn, but two years later, when he pointed out the
existence of certain gaps, he was allowed to take on a few surveyors for three or
four months and to select them himself. Though the appointment of surveyor was
much sought after because of the allowance which it carried, there were not many
who were properly qualified, and Rennell did not find it easy to find suitable
officers ;
At present I cannot fix on any person for conducting the surveys in Delhi and Agra ; and
I await an answer to an application I have made to the Commander in Coos Beyhar, before
I can appoint any person to that survey-.
Andrew Pringle had recently got into trouble and had been removed from the
survey of Jungleterry by order of the Supreme Council [ 35, 295 ]. Rennell now
asked for his services again, saying,
'Malcolm, III (162); Olive to Eennell, i-10-65. "BPC. 5-12-76 (3).
37"
Surveyors
I find it extremely difficult to get persons properly qualified for this service; ...lain
now at a loss to fix on 3 person of ability. Joined with sufficient local knowledge in that
country.
The Commander in Chief, General Clavering, objected strongly to Pringle's
re -employment, saying', iC There are many other officers who would be' glad to get the
appointment, and are equally or better qualified for it ", but Hastings shewed a per-
sonal interest in the matter and supported Kennel! ;
I have a good opinion of Mr. Pringle's abilities as a surveyor, and consent to his being
employed in that character on any service, provided it be not in the Jungleterry District.
It was not often that there were enough officers available to allow of two sur-
veyors working in company, though a beginner was sometimes attached to an
older surveyor for a short time. In 1767 Adams mentioned that Portsmouth was
lately his assistant, and in the same season Carter had both Russell and John
Cameron with him on survey in Eamgarh. Remiell had greatly appreciated
Eichards' company in the early days, and was now anxious to provide assistant
surveyors for the more distant areas,
as it will be requisite that the Surveyor appointed to conduct the Surveys in Oude, Ellah-
abad, &c. should have an Assistant with him, that in Case of Illness or Accidents, the
Surveys may not be delayed 1 ; ...
and again,
As the probable length of Mr. Ranken's Survey in an unwholesome country may expose
him to sickness, & a considerable expence unnecessarily incurred, I beg to recommend the
need of appointing a proper person to accompany him; at present in the capacity of assis-
tant; and if need be, to take charge of the survey. Lieut. Dodsworth of the 6th Battalion
stationed at Chittra in Ramghur has been represented to me as a proper person, and being
on the spot all contingent charges and delays will in consequence be avoided-.
Othee Bengal Surti
After Eenuell's departure the chief opportunities for survey came from the
marches of military detachments or political missions through unknown country ;.
where an engineer officer was available he was generally detailed to make
the survey, as in the case of Goddard's march to Bombay, but very often some suit-
able infantry officer was found. A particularly important selection was that of
young Colebrooke who surveyed Pearse's return march from Madras, and devoted
himself to survey for the next twenty five years.
The large scale surveys of towns and cantonments was regarded as the particu-
lar business of the Engineers, and Wood and several others spent two or three
seasons on the survey of Calcutta and its neighbourhood between 1782 and 17S5.
In 1785, however all such surveys were closed clown on account of expence [ 3S ].
In 1783 the Chief Engineer, Henry Watson, obtained Government sanction to-
start a school of mathemetics and astronomy for young engineer officers stationed
at Fort William, and proposed Reuben Burrow as instructor [157]. In making
his proposals Watson writes,
Surveying is much wanted to be known, even to those Gentlemen of the Corps who have
had the most experience and are best qualified, for altho' several must certainly possess
a competent knowledge to make a correct survey of a small District, none are yet perfect
Masters, or able to determine with precision the Longitude and Latitude of Places, and
therefore unable to perform extensive Surveys with the requisite exactness.
This useful Branch of learning is more particularly necessary for the Corps of the
Engineer in this Country, than it can be even said to be in Europe, where Mathematical and
Astronomical knowledge is not sought for from any one Corps or Body of Men, but from a
nation at large, when great and Extensive Surveys are required to be executed.
The general want of this Branch of Science in His Majesty's Corps of Engineers, even
with all their advantages, is well known. ... But, Exclusive of the great Benefit that would.
1 BPC, 5-12-76 (4), - BPd 28-10-76 (17).
Other Bengal Surveyors
271
result from establishing the knowledge, and by rendering the Theory and Practice of it
familiar to the Corps when employed in these Provinces ; Government may then at all times
be assured of having a number of Officers properly qualified for undertaking Distant Nauti-
cal Surveys, which I believe are more wanted to the Eastward of Bengal than any other part
of the Globe, where such extensive Branches of Commerce are daily carried on.
I am the more anxious about the Establishment which I have presumed to recommend,
from a perfect conviction of the great want of the Mathematical Learning in the Corps, and
of the very great utility that would certainly result from the attainment of such
knowledge ] .
Burrow was duly appointed, but three years later was called off for his astro-
nomical survey, and the engineer officers lost his regular instruction. It is
โ doubtful whether his teaching had much effect in promoting the cause of Survey,
more especially because from this time forward engineers were seldom to be spared
from their normal duties on buildings and works.
About 1780 the Surveyor General had secured the services of young engineer.
Wilford, for work on his Atlas of India, and in 1787 bis successor, Wood, obtained
the services of two others, Anburey and Stewart, as draughtsmen ; in 1788 Wil-
ford was deputed on a survey of Benares, and Colebrooke was posted to charge of
the drawing office.
At the close of the Mysore War Colebrooke and Anburey returned to Calcutta,
and on Colebrooke's appointment to be Surveyor General, James Hoare was
broug-ht into the vacancy as third assistant, whilst Wilford, on completion of his
survey of Benares, was allowed to remain there on special duty, being borne on the
list as first assistant. In 1796 Blunt, who had been employed on important field
surveys, was brought in as fourth assistant to the Surveyor General. Blunt and
Anburey shortly after found employment in the Commissary General's department,
though they nominally remained assistants in the Surveyor Generals office. Hoare
died and was succeeded first by Haywood, who had been a naval midshipman, and
then on Haywood's death by Upjohn a local civilian. Ujohn's death in 1800 left
the Surveyor General with no assistant actually at headquarters, and Government
thereupon abolished the four posts and the salaries attached to them [275 n. 1 ]-.
During this period various officers were employed on special surveys, the most
notable of whom was Thomas Wood of the Engineers, who had made surveys on
the Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy rivers, and from 1798 was surveyor with the army
in Oudh.
Being a practical surveyor himself, Colebrooke introduced various orders to en-
able the Surveyor General to exercise stricter control over officers employed on
military or other surveys ; these rules provided for the issue of professional instruc-
tions from the Surveyor General on each occasion, which should fix a definite time
for the completion of the survey, and for the regular submission of reports and
copies of work done [ 196-7 ].
Maukas Stjevetors
The earliest surveyors in Madras were officers, such as William Jennings, who
made occasional surveys of the marches of the armies during the wars against the
French before 1757; John Call probably carried out some surveys of this sort, and
at any rate took a lead in encouraging geographical work of all sorts, and as Chief
Engineer was responsible for the compilation of many plans of the southern parts
of the peninsula. Engineer officers were detailed for all surveys called for by
Government ; Barnard, Cotsford, Stevens and others being so employed at various
times before 1770.
. The Corps of Engineers had a curious start in Madras ; it was " formed into a
regular Body" from 1759, though one officer's commission as Sub-Engineer and
>BPC. 1-12-83 (23). 3 BMC. 19-3-1801.
I
272 Surveyors
Lieutenant dated from December 1756, and Call's commission as Sub-Director
and Captain dated from January 1st 1757. Several of the earlier officers held
appointments in the civil list as well as their commissions as engineers [ 268 ]".
In 1768 the Directors wrote out,
Mr. Call presses much for Young People to be sent out as assistants in the Engineering
way, but We find it very difficult to engage such. We recommend it to you to enquire
among Our Writers for such as have a turn to that Profession, & employ them accordingly
Mr. Charles Desvoeux, one of those who go out this season. We know draws, and may there-
fore be more easily initiated, and We are informed some others have that Qualification 1
Desvoeux's talents were but little turned to survey but both Cotsford and
Barnard held commissions as Engineers and appointments as Writers. Cotsford
was selected for civil charge of Ganjain for the special purpose that, in addition to
the administration of a new and turbulent district, he might attend to the cons-
truction of defence worts, roads, and maps [92 ].
With his petition for appointment as writer, Barnard had submitted a certi-
ficate that
Thomas Barnard attends the Royal Military Academy very constant and regularly โ is
particularly assiduous in his studies, and had made very good proficiency in the several parts
of Mathematical and other learning necessary to a military employment '-.
On his arrival he was placed under the Chief Engineer, given a commission in
the corps, and employed on the survey of the Mgir [ 88 ].
In 1769 all engineer officers were called upon to decide between the civil ser-
vice and the corps; Barnard and Cotsford chose the civil, and Montresor the
infantry, and on Call's retirement in 1770 Stevens and Marsden stood alone on
the engineer list. The Madras Council had given warning of the unpopularity of
the corps some years before.
We cannot expect they win stay longer in the service than till something more advanta-
geous offers. ... Mr. Call has had great difficulty to prevent their going into the Military
where they have a better chance of rising to higher rank :i [ 266 ].
The Directors now had to fill up the Corps by appointments from home. Pat-
rick Boss came out as Chief Engineer in place of Call, and Pittman, another of the
new arrivals, proved a valuable surveyor. Boss took a keen interest in the organi-
sation of such surveys as were ordered by Government, and the drawing and com-
piling of maps formed part of the duties of the Chief Engineer's office for another
thirty years [ 244 ].
Colin Mackenzie who came out in 1783 was one of the last of the Madras
Engineers to play an important part in the surveys of that Presidency.
Various officers of the Civil Service were employed on large scale property and
road surveys m and around Madras, whilst Cotsford', Maxtone, and others, found
that the best way to get maps of their districts was to make the surveys themselves
The general geography of the country, and the need of the army for route
surveys, brought forward keen regimental officers such as Kelly and Prinze, the
latter being responsible for the formation of the Corps of G-uides which produced a
long tram of enthusiastic surveyors, Beatson, Allan, Orr, and lastly Valentine
Blacker.
We have already referred to those capable men, Topping, Goldingham, and
Mather, who came out to Madras in search of employment and did yeoman service
in the cause [268].
A subject that is always interesting is the relation between professional sur-
veyors and the military commanders or civil administrators of the districts in
which they are working. In 1775 Lieutenant James Johnston, on survey in Viza-
gapatam, had a dispute with the local military officer ; the Chief Engineer reported
that the O. C. Troops at Vizagapatam had called on Johnston for " sketches and
Reports on the Passes", and he asked that local officers "should not be allowed to
interfere with the work of the Surveyors, who received their order from the Chief
Engineer". Government ordered that
'CDtoM. 9-3-63 (55). ! WF. Vol. V. >M to CD. 27-3-65 -(33)." ! ' :
Madhas Surveyors 273
plans and Reports do not pass through the Military Commandants, nor that the Engineer
Surveyors be looked upon as acting under their orders, but that Every Paper, Plan, and
information concerning the Survey, be transmitted to the Chiefs and Councils. ..under whom
the Surveyors are placed 1 .
Amongst the regulations laid down for engineer officers at Fort St. George m
1787 were the following;
No Engineer.. .is permitted to make out or present any plan or design of any Public
Work, or Survey or Sketch of any District of the Country, without a special order from
Government for the Purpose. "When employed in Surveying they are to inform the Chief,
Resident, or Commanding Officer of the District of the manner in which they are employed
and apply to them for... allowances and other assistance.
[ Surveyors are ] to inform the Chief Engineer of their progress once a month or oftener 2 .
In 1791 the Chief Engineer reported that the only officers then drawing Sur-
veyor's allowance were ISTorris, of the Engineers, who was working for the Board
of Revenue in the Jdgir [ 143 ] ; Baron Reichel who was employed as draughtsman
[ 245 ] ; and " the Superintendent of the Company's Lands and Eoads ", this heing a
civil post which had been instituted in 1778 [ 94 ].
All Engineer officers did not make successful surveyors ; in 1792 Lieutenant
George Johnstone protested against the nomination of Ensign Caldwell for the
survey of Earrah-maul, to which he conceives himself entitled, from having been formerly
ordered on a similar duty in the Salem Country...
hut, according to the Chief Engineer, his
report and sketch of the Guzalhatty Pass 3 had been executed in a very imperfect manner for
Lord Cornwallis, and was so perfectly incomprehensible as not to he understood either by
His Lordship's secretary or by myself 4 .
Iii later years Mackenzie attributed the incompleteness of the surveys of the
Madras Presidency to the frequent changes of personnel ;
Officers have been repeatedly appointed, even so late as 1786, but with little effect, ...
[ owing to ] the change and removal of Surveyors, & the want of a fixed establishment &
office or Depot. ... The employ of Engineers in one light promised fair at first, but tha
necessity of removing them for professional duties occasioned greater inconveniences 6 .
Bombay Surveyors
Ti.e earliest surveys on record in Bombay were made by Engineer officers on
the strength of the Artillery Company, De Eunck and De Gloss and Turner, and as
time goes on we find a larger proportion of Engineers were employed on surveys
in Bombay then in any other Presidency. The most notable surveyors was
Charles Reynolds who came out as an infantry cadet at the age of 14, and took to
surveying as a hobby. He was given the post of Surveyor General to the Bombay
force that proceeded to the Malabar Coast in 1782, and on his return was appoin-
ted Surveyor on the Bombay Establishment, and continued as such without
interruption till he again went on service to Malabar in 1790, this time in the
capacity of Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General, but once more being mostly
employed on survey. In 1789 he had made particular request to be retained on
survev fearing' that,
being "by rank near the Command of a Battalion of Sepoys, ... I am apprehensive of being
shortly ordered to charge of one. This, although a flattering and honorable situation, I
could wish not to be called to until I have completed my map 6 .
Some time before 1789, Emmitt was appointed "Assistant to the Surveyor [1 28]",
and they were both struck off the strength of their corps. At the end of I 795,
Emmitt returned to Europe, and Moncrieff was appointed assistant in his place.
Moncrieff being at this time employed with several other officers on the survey of
Malabar, was given command of the newly authorized Corps of Pioneers, and much
to Beynolds' disgust was not able to join him at Surat until 1801.
'Mack. MSS. LXVIII, 20-7-75. 2 Maek. MSS. LXIX, 23-6-87. 3 Gazalhatti, 58 E/2. * Mack.
MSS. LXIS, 15-11-92. 5 Report on Northern Circus. MEIO. M. 60,29-11-1810. 6 BS & Pol. 19-6-89.
CHAPTER XX
PAY & ALLOWANCES
Surveyor Generals of Bengalโ Bengal Surveyors โ Madras Surveyors โ Bombay
Surveyors.
WHEN Bennell was appointed Surveyor General his salary as such was fixed
at Be. 300 a month ', which made his monthly pay.
Pay as Surveyor General ... ... .. r s โข
Pay as Captain ... ... ... ... I20
Batta> as Captain ... ... โข "_ l8o Total 6oo
At the exchange of those days, 8 Bupees to the pound sterling, this was equi-
valent to ยฃ900 a year *. *
In addition to these personal allowances he was allowed establishment charges
[289]. ยฐ
His salary was charged to the General head under civil charges, " his surveys
being- as much on a Civil as a Military account " *
In 1776 the salary of post was raised from Rs. 300 to Bs. 500, and in 1779
when Call was Surveyor General, the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Eyre Coote, sug-
gested that this was insufficient ;
The allowance... for the Surveyor General does not appear to me to bear any proportion
to the allowances established for the other staff Appointments ; the importance of the Trust
and the abilities requisite for fi l ling the Office duly considered, ... with the danger to which
all Surveyors are inevitable exposed from the severity of the Climate alone. I must there-
fore beg leave to recommend an increase in the Salary of the Surveyor General, and I have
to propose it as this officer is precluded from deriving any advantage from his profession as
an Engineer, either by Field Service or otherwise.
The Governor General, Warren Hastings, supported this proposal ;
I most heartily concur in the opinion expressed by the Commander in Chief, ...and on
this ground I recommend, ...Salary Rs. 651 ; House Rent Rs. 400. ...
Could I hope that my recommendations would prevail, I would further purpose that the
Merits of the last Surveyor General... should be again reported to the Court of Directors,
that if they shall approve of the salary now recommended, it may be further ordered to take
place from the first day of his appointment 5 .
The Directors passed a salary of ยฃ1500 a year without retrospective effect,
but under the retrenchments of 1785, thie was brought back to jยฃ7S0 a year, or
Es. 500 a month ', in addition to pay and batta of regimental rank, and house-rent
of rank when not allotted free quarters.
This salary contained no provision for establishment charges, and when Cole-
brooke, as Surveyor General, went out to survey the Churni Eiver in 1795 [ 63-4 ],
he had great difficulty in obtaining special sanction to draw the further allowances'
of a Surveyor of Bivers, Bs. 240 a month, to cover the hire of his boats 1 [ 276 ] .
In 1 800 he pressed for an increase of salary ;
The office of Surveyor General, having formerly been in the Civil Department, although
usually held by a military officer, was, on it's being transferred to the Military Department
in the year 1785, considerably reduced both in salary and establishment. That this office
>BPC 8-1-67. 'Allowance during absence from headquarters. "This remained the official
rate of exchange for ยปโขโยปf rupees for many years (of. MMC. 14-3-88) ; a na.it rirpoo wo, one that
had been in oircu.ation two or three years, and stood at a discount against a sicca, or new ruDse โ 100
?Sr.'ยฐ ?โข??โ .' }ยฐi ยฃ'โ โ,. HMS ' 3iA ( 56 >โข ' EMC - 16 - 7 -79 & 9-8-79. โข IDIS. 'TO i )3(i ) 4 356 (' 771
' JJJJn, 16 ( 41 ), 1 /-6-9 i. \ /โข
214,
SuxvEroK Generals or Bengal
275
has since that period, increased in. importance, has been evinced by the successive appoint-
ment of four assistants [ 271 ] ; yet the duties of it, which are in a considerable measure con-
nected with the civil department, must from their nature continue to be exercised chiefly by
the person at the head of the office. That the salary allowed to the Surveyor General conti-
nue nevertheless the same as on its first reduction, viz. 500 Sonat Rupees per month, a sum
not exceeding what is now drawn by the first Assistant to the Secretary of the Military
Board, and falling considerably short of the salary annexed to the head of any office, or
department, under Government.
Tha.t the First Assistant attached to the Surveyor General's office, Captain Wilford, now
stationed at Benares, is in the receipt of a monthly allowance of 574 Sicca Rupees or 600
Sonats, which, added to Rs. 250 in his capacity of assistant in this office, makes up his
allowance to Rs. 350 more than the salary above mentioned 1 . ...
I... hope your Lordship may be pleased further to consider the late acquisition of terri-
tory in the Peninsula, the several surveys of which it will be my pleasing task to reduce
and insert in a new general map of India [ 220 ] ; the recent appointment of a marine surveyor
to act under my instructions, and the new military survey at present carried on in Oude and
Rohilkund [57-8], as conferring some additional importance, increasing the labour and res-
ponsibility of my office, and strengthening my claim to an increase d .
Government refused this request, adding
"Whenever you may have the execution of any Work of an Extraordinary nature or extent.
His Lordship in Council, upon the circumstance being submitted to him, will readily take
into consideration the propriety of rewarding you for such work 3 .
Bengal Surveyors
It is well known that till late in the 18th century the Bast India Company did
not pay their civil servants more than a few pounds a year 4 , but granted them
the right of private trading, on the proceeds of which they were able to retire after
a few years with comfortable, or even handsome, fortunes.
Military officers were on a different footing. Their privileges in trading were
elosely restricted until withdrawn altogether h ; they drew reasonable salaries and
batta. and infantry officers had claims on prize money.
In 1762 the pay of the Engineering Branch was settled at the same daily rates
as officers of Infantry, viz. 6 ,
Captain ... 10 shillings ( Rs. 4 ) & Batta Rs. 6
Capt. Lieut. โ โ โ 5 ,, ( ., 2 ) โ โ 6
Lieutenant ... 5 ,, ( ,, 2 ) โ ,, 4
Ensign ... 4 โ ( โ r-10 ) โ โ 3
whilst in 176S the Directors approved
an additional pay by way of Gratuity or Donation in the same way as the rest of our Military
Officers, that is to say, those in the Rank of Captains 3 shillings a day, Lieutenants 2 shil-
lings, and Ensigns one shilling 7 .
It is not known what allowances were first drawn by surveyors in Bengal, though
on Rennell's appointment in 1764 he was given the same allowances as had been
drawn by Cameron 3 . The first rate drawn by Madras Surveyors was 10 shillings
a day, and the equivalent, 4 rupees a day was the established rate in Bombay. It
is probable that this was also the rate first allowed in Bengal, viz. Us. 120 a month.
Our first certain information on the subject is in June 1768, when
the Military Paymaster General lays before the Board the Disbursements of the Different
Surveyors, which he deems very extravagent ; he begs leave to submit to their consideration,
so that they would be pleased to establish some regulations in order to reduce the great
expence incurred in this Branch of Business 9 .
The subject was referred to a small committee which recommended that the
surveyors should draw pay and batta according to their rank in the army and
1 This particular ยฃriovanct J way remedied a vear later bv the abolition of all the assistants [ 271 ].
3 DDn. 16 (152), 27-1-1800 & BMC. 11-2-1800 (67). "MBIO. M. 11-2-1800. 4 Factors, ยฃ 15 a year,
Junior Merchants, ยฃ 30, Council, ยฃ 40 (BPC. 13-10-66 ). 5 See comments by Eennell [Bio. notes].
* BPC. 22-11-62. 'Following the settlement, of the " Batta " Mutiny of 1766. s BPC. 9-4-64. In his
own account Rennell includes establish n.i en t charges, r. Bio. 'Note*. '-'BPC. 1)0-6-68.
27(1
Pay & Allowances
150
120
180
Rs.
also allowances as surveyorsโ if a captain, Es. 150 monthlyโ if a subaltern, Es.
100โ whilst the Surveyor General should continue to draw Es. 300. They report-
ed that they had found "the Accounts & Disbursements of the several Surveyors,
...uniform in nothing- but in the arrangement of the different Heads, each varying
in these charges, and in some extravagant". They recommended that when actually
employed on river surveys, a captain should be allowed Es. 240 for boats, and a
subaltern Es. 195 \ Stationery should be indented for from the nearest factory or
brigade. They also laid down scales of establishment charges, with definite regu-
lations 3 .
Eennell protested at once, more especially against the " the small number of
assistants allotted", and his own recommendations, as under, were duly authorised;
The Surveyor General was allowed an establishment of,
A draughtsman ... Rs. 120 2nd Assistant Rs. 60
1st Assistant ... 90 Followers 318 Total Rs. 588
mailing, with pay and allowances, a total sum of Es. 1,188 which he apparently
drew all the year round without having to submit acquittance rolls. The full
allowances for the surveyors now became 3 ,
Captain, Pay as Surveyor
do. Captain
Batta as do.
2 Assistants (S> 50
Followers
Pay as Surveyor
do. Lieut.
Batta as do.
Establishment
Pay as Surveyor
do. Ensign
Batta as do.
Establishment
These rates were thus notified to the Directors ;
The Surveyor General. ..represented to us that it was utterly impossible to pursue the
business with the small number of Assistants, Lascars, Coolies & Hircarrahs allotted to that
establishment, & at the same time delivered in an Estimate of the necessary expences
attending thera.
As this Estimate of Captain Rennell's is founded upon experience, and he assures us
calculated with the utmost Oeconomy, and we were of opinion that the small addition pro-
posed by the Surveyor General was not an object to be put in competition with the material
consequence it is to you to have this Branch of Business properly conducted, we consented
to augment the Surveyors' charges agreably to Capt. Rennell's proposals ; but we by no
means approve of any Innovations upon our Regulations, nor would we have receded from
them but from the opinion we eatertain of Capt. Rennell's Integrity, Judgement, and
Frugality, and that an addition to the allowances was absolutely necessary *.
Just before he left India Eennell put forward a revised scale, exclusive of mili-
Lieutenant,
Ensign,
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
120 Rs.
5ยฐ
90
Rs.
450
100
310
280
410
240
410
Ha.
690
Rs. 650
tary allowances, that was accepted, and published
Surveyor
2 Assistant Europeans (a> 50
Followers [ 289 ]
Stationery
When a Subaltern Officer attends as an assistant, pay...Rs. 70, and 6 Coolies, Rs.
should be added.
In surveys of a difficult nature; by which I mean those that require strong Escorts &
long Marches ( such as in the Southern Part of Ellahabad, & part of Palamau ) an extra
allowance may still be required ; but this being a mere contingency, it is impossible to deter-
mine the sum before-hand 5 .
in General Orders ;
Rs. 100
100
426
12 Rs. 638
and 6 Coolies,
3".
In 3 785 the Directors sent out orders for drastic
[ 5? 38 L and the Council called upon
retrenchments all
1 Became the established allowances for River Surveyors, [277]. 2 B to CD 13-9-68(119)
5 BPC. 11-10-68. 4 B to CD 2-2-69 ( 77, 78 ) ; accepted under CD to B, 23-3-70 ( 156 ). ' BPC. 28-4-77!
Bengal Surveyors 2*77
the Chief Engineer and Surveyor General to furnish us with a report of all officers employed
in survey, or receiving allowances of Surveyors. ...
Having received the report, ... we have recalled all Surveyors from the last day of the
present month ; we have ordered that their allowances do cease from that period, and that
no persons be employed on this duty in future but by special order of the Board.
We have also resolved that no allowances be granted from the end of the present month
to Engineer officers excepting their pay and Batta, unless by order of the Board for particular
services.
It appears from a statement.. .by the Commissary General, that the allowances, fixed or
contingent, paid to officers employed on survey, ...amount by the latest bill to no less a
sum than Rs. 17,405-8-0 x .
With a view to maintain close control of expenditure the Surveyor General was
eventually
directed to report at a stated period, such surveyors as are employed under his immediate
superintendence in the surveys of country's and Sea-coasts -.
The revised allowances were published in October 1785;
Surveyors, as such, are to receive for every charge, as well within as without the Pro-
vinces, Sonat Rupees 618 per mensem 3 , with an addition of Sonat Rs. 240 per mensem, if
employed on rivers; but they are only to receive 250 per mensem during the rainy season,
viz. from 1st June to the 15th September.
The Assistant Surveyors, as such, to receive for every charge, ... 100 Rs. per mensem,
with an increase of Rs. 195 per mensem, if employed on rivers.
(Surveyors and Assistant Surveyors, being Military Officers, also receive the pay, frill
batta, gratuity and tent allowance of their Regimental Rank. )
These allowances covered all contingent charges, stationery, instruments, and
establishment*, and were still in force more then eighty years later.
Although these reductions did not bear so heavily on the Surveyors as upon
their Surveyor General [274โ 5]; it is worth while quoting here the apologies of the
Directors for the retrenchments made;
We are aware that in consequence of the directions we have given, many of our servants
will undergo a very mortifying alteration in their circumstances, but the situation of our
affairs renders it absolutely necessary. ...
We expect a ready and implicit acquiescence in all our servants. Civil and Military, to the
reductions which you shall direct.. .and should any of them so far betray a spirit of dissatis-
faction, as to impede, or embarass, your preceedings upon this subject, we direct that they
be instantly dismissed the service, and sent to Europe.
To relieve us from our present exigincies, no alternative we think can be devised 5 .
The Surveyor General was able to rescue from retrenchment the allowance of
Rs. 250 a month for Wilford who had been working in the drawing office for several
years [235], and in 17S7 the allowances of Anburey and Stewart were fixed at
Rs. 150 a month;
When it is considered that the Monthly Writers in Public Offices are paid Rs, 150, and
that the duties of a Draftsman, not only require as close application, but a particular sort of
Education, ...this will be considered a moderate encouragement for Gentlemen to give up
the whole of their time and application 6 [236].
In 1789 Colebrooke, was posted as assistant on a salary of Rs. 250 a month
โ [337] 7 . On his return from the campaign in Mysore, where he had been employed
for nearly two years on survey, he applied for further compensation,
I have been at a considerable expence in execution of this survey, and as my salary of
assistant to the Surveyor General has proved inadequate to the additional expenses incurred,
and I humbly presume was not meant to defray the charges of an actual survey, I have ven-
tured to hope that the allowance established by Government for a Surveyor in the field, or the
difference between that allowance and my salary, might be allowed me for the time I was
employed upon this service 8 .
He was allowed a gratuity of six thousand rupees.
On his promotion to be Surveyor General, he asked for an increase to the allow-
ances drawn by his assistants, but was given reply,
1 B to CD. 31-7-85 ( 71-2 ). 2 BPC. 29-5-89. 3 A reduction of Rs. 20 made in establishment of
followers fixed in 1777 [276 I. โ 'BMC. 11-10-85, & see Greene (41,265-267) & Carroll's Code. 6 CD. to
B. -11-4-85 (34. 39, 40). 6 BMC. 9-3-87. 7 BPC. 10-7-89. B B Pol C. 19-2-93 (19 ).
27s
Pay & Allowances
Government do not think it proper to make say alterations in the allowances fixed for
your office by their resolutions of September nth 1786 and June 12th 178S. The following
allowances are to be drawn by these assistants 1 .
Lieut. Wilford
Ensign Anburey
Lieut. Hoare
1st Assistant
2nd
3rd
Es.
250 per month
200
TOO
The salary of surveyors who were not military officers had to be especially
decided. When detailed for his special astronomical survey Burrow was granted
500 sicca rupees a month in addition to his salary of S00 as teacher of mathema-
tics, and Government paid for all his instruments and transport 2 .
When Blair was sent on the survey of the Andaman Islands he was told,
Your allowances while employed on the survey are fixed as Sont. rupees 858 per mensem,
and further sum of Sont. rupees 30 per mensem will be paid to your order, that you may
divide it among the Gentlemen proceeding with you, in such proportions as their services may
appear to you to deserve 1 '.
To recompense Dr. Hunter for his surveys Government made him a gratuity
approximately equal to the amount of a surveyor's allowances at Es. 618 per month
for the period he spent on the work 4 .
When Haywood was appointed junior assistant in Surveyor General's office in
1798, he was allowed Es. 300 a month, on the following calculation ;
Bt. Captain Hoare drew a salary of Sonat Es. 150 per month, in addition 'to which he had
Rs. 60 for house rent, and full batta, which amounted to about 300 St. Es. over and above the
pay and half batta of his rank, but Mr. Haywood, not being on the Army establishment, ... to
obviate any idea of lis having a larger salary than the senior assistants in the office, the oldest
of whom, as such, is only allowed 250 rupees per month, [is recommended] salary 150, Sub-
sistence 90, House Eent 60, Total 300 s .
Surveyors often had difficulty in cashing their salary bills, as the following
letter from Wilford will show;
Some time ago I sent my Bills to the Pay Master at Chunar, but he has refused to Dis-
charge my allowance as Surveyor, and even my Pay and Batta Bills.
There are now five months 1 have received no Pay or Allowance, and I cannot even form
an idea when, or even whether, I am to receive any, notwithstanding which, the service I am
upon has not suffered the least interruption. ... In this distressed Situation and State of
uncertainty I. ..beg you will address my case to the Hon'ble Board; ...I shall not much longer
be able to fulfil the labourious duties of my present station, and advance the money to defray
the great and unavoidable Expenses attending it.
The Military Auditor General then authorized the Pay master at Chunar to
withdraw the prohibition 6 .
The rules of 1796, under which the Military Auditor General was not autho-
rized to pass the bills of a surveyor until he had been notified by the Sui veyor
General that all journals and field books had been received and found satisfactory,
gave rise to frequent delays and complaints [197]. So also did the rule that
Surveyors should not draw more than Es. 250 a month from June to September
[277] ; in Upper India it often happened that a surveyor was obliged to carry on
work in the field through these months but, whatever the circumstances, the pay-
masters and the Auditor General stuck closely to the regulations, and surveyors who
wanted them relaxed generally found Government very firm.
Madkas Surveyors
Regulations on such subjects as allowances varied from one Presidency to an-
other. In Madras the standard coin was the gold Pagoda 7 .
The first order that has been found regarding the pay of surveyors in Madras
is one of 1769 when, on Barnard's surrender of his commission as Engineer, it
'MEIO.M.6M 16-8-94 -'B to CD. 9-2-84 (26), 4 23-6-87, (331). >BS. 4 Pol 22-12-S8
'DDn. 16 (47-8) 12-4-94. >DDn. 16 (102), 26-11-88. 'EMC. 25-5-92 (716). '80 Ka, or cs/.-l
Fanani; 42 Fanam^l Pยซ9o(ia=from 3 to 4 somviiS rupees, or S shillings, according to exchange [ 280).
Madras Surveyors
279
was ordered that during the survey of the " Jaglr " he should draw " ten shilling's
per day as pay, and six Rupees 1 as Batta, the usual allowances made to Civil
servants employed out of garrison "; his pay as Engineer was to cease 3 .
On the deputation of engineer officers to survey the Northern Circars in 1773,
it was ordered that Pittman should draw "the same allowances which were made
to Mr. Barnard when he commenced the survey of the Jaghire"''. Johnston, being
yet a cadet, was allowed Ensign's pay and batta until the survey should be
finished z .
In 1775 the Chief Engineer recommended that " fixed allowances be established,
...exclusive of what they may be otherwise entitled to", submitting a copy of the
Bengal rates as a model, and in 1776 the following resolution was passed by the
Council,
The Board, taking into consideration the Allowances drawn for by the several Surveyors
employed in the Company's Lands, do now resolve to fix them on the following Establish-
ment.
Surveyor's Allowances to take place from, the ist December 1776.
Pay and Batta, which as an Encouragement to those who are appointed Surveyors, are
fixed at 10 shillings & 6 rupees a day;
per month of 31 days,
Pagodas
88 14 56
30 .,
[85 21]
Horse Allowance, ...
per month
600
Allowance in lieu of Tent Money
500
Bullock hire, including Packally
700
Interpreter's Allowance (to Northward)
10
โ ,, (to Southward}
Total ( 31 days ) ,,
800
124 14 56*
[Followers to be provided from Government establishments.] ...
If any Surveyor be obliged to leave the service on which he is employed from ill health,
or upon Account of private affairs, or during the Monsoon, the Batta and all Extraordinary
Allowances are to cease until he shall have returned to that service again. ...
Each Assistant Surveyor to receive as a proper encouragement for a month of 31 days,
88 Ps. 38 40 c 5 .
It is recorded that under
the Printed Regulations of the Presidency.. .Subaltern Officers employed as Surveyors are
permitted to draw the full Batta of Captains, and the sum of 10 shillings per Diem as staff
Pay. They further receive the monthly sum of six Pagodas for Horse Allowance, and they
are provided with lascars for the carriage of their instruments at the Public charge G .
These allowances did not apply to military officers surveying the routes of an
army and, in pointing out Pringle's good work as surveyor, the Commander-in-
Chief writes in 1777 [95 ],
The expence may be judged of from Mr. Pringle's being necessitated to keep coolies to
carry his extra Baggage and Pallankeen, with two horses, and his men to work the Perambu-
lator; besides the expence of instruments, and of a theodolite lately purchased; the
General had occasion to see these articles of necessary expence whilst Lieutenant Pringle
accompanied him 7 .
and the Council resolved,
in consideration of the merit and services of Lieut. Pringle, that he be appointed Captain of
Guides to the army, as recommended by General Stuart ; and that his allowance as such be
10 shillings a day, exclusive of his pay as Lieutenant, and Captain's Batta when employed
on service.
Pringle found that these allowances did not cover his expenses, and in 1780
tied to Government ;
I have hitherto. Sir, executed tnat necessary Branch of my Employment as Captain of
Guides, Surveying, without any allowance having been made me on that score, which has
*100 sicca rupees-about 107 (treat rupees. g MMG. 26-1-69. 3 IVIMC. 19-7-73. -The consulta-
tions give totals aw here siioim. thon<?h both rates of Interpreter's allowance could hardly he drawn by
one surveyor. ยปMPC. 1-11-76 & MMC. 24-3-77. 'MMC. 11-11-1806 ; minute by Governor. ?MMC.
5-8-77. J
Pay & Allowances
been greatly distressing to me, and has repeatedly sent me back to the Presidency much
impoverished in my finances; but particularly the Extraordinary Expence I was obliged to
be at in journeying to Mahe alone, before the march of the Army, fell heavy upon my
circumstances [96].
As I have had sufficient experience of the bountiful Dispositions of my Hon'ble Masters
to know that it is not their intention that any Person in their service, who in the Course of
their Duty is obliged to make Extraordinary Exertions of this kind, should suffer thereby, I am.
induced to apply... [for] the allowances of a Surveyor whilst employed in the field, as settled
on Consultation Nov. rst 1776 (except the Batta, which I cannot expect.. .as I drew Batta in
another capacity), in addition to my former Pay and Allowances as Captain of Guides.
On this the. Council passed the following resolution ;
To enable the Captain of Guides the better to execute his Duty, that he be allowed a Brevet
as youngest Captain in the Army, whilst acting in the Field only ; ... and to enable him to
execute that laborious Branch of his Duty, surveying, that he be permitted to draw the
allowances of a Surveyor, whilst employed in the field; ... It having been customary so to
allow to any of our officers who have been employed on that kind of service 1 .
In 1780 Kelly was put on special survey duty for a short time [97], but
the very small allowance granted to assist me in carrying on the work, was so very inade-
quate to my expences, that I was exceedingly happy when it was discontinued a few months
after it had been granted 3 .
He writes again,
In January or February 1780, a letter from their Secretary informed me that... I had
their permission to continue the survey, and to enable me to carry it 011, they had been
pleased to grant me the pay Batta of Major till the Company's pleasure should be known.
(It should here be observed that I only drew Captain's pay then, in common with the other
brevet Majors). My enjoyment of even this emolument, inadequate as it was to my
expences, was but of short duration. For in October 1780 another letter from the Secretary
informed me that as my services would be required with my corps in the field, the Board had
thought proper to discontinue my allowance as Geographer 3 .
On the appointment of Topping to survey the Coromandel Coast, he was granted
captain's pay and batta from the time he started his first survey from JMuslipatam
in November 1 786 ; and in addition drew the allowances of a Captain of Guides from
the start of his survey to the South 4 . After a while he applied for better terms;
Mr. Reuben Burrow in Bengal, a Gentleman out of the regular line of the service, as I am,
is employed. ..on a business similar to mine, for which he is allowed 1500 Rupees per month,
or three times as much as I am allowed 5 . My operations are of a much more arduous nature
than Mr. Burrow's are; his being Astronomical observations only, while I have undertaken a
laborious Geometrical Mensuration besides Astronomical observations. ...
I agree to defray all extraordinary expences of my present undertaking such as the Wages
and Victualling of the people on board my vessel, the Batta of the lascars, hircarrahs, and
other people with me, with all contingencies; provided Government will allow me to draw 500
Pagodas per month, a sum not greater than Mr. Burrow receives for himself alone. ...
I do not desire an additional salary for this additional service, . . . nor for directing every-
thing necessary to be done at the Observatory 6 .
Whilst the Madras Government ruled that " the extra charges he may be at, in
carrying on the surrey, will be regularly paid, on the account being presented
monthly ", the Directors refused to raise his actual salary, which comprised the
following amounts, drawn as a fixed sum throughout the year ;
Subsistence, Batta, & Gratuity * Pagodas a month
as Captain of Guides approx. ... 96
Pay as Surveyor ... ... ... 36
Horse, Tent, & Packally ... ... ... 20
Interpreter ... ... ... 10
Palanquin & Writer ... ... ... 30
a total of about 192 Pagodas a month, or about ยฃ932 a year 7 . This sum was con-
tinued to Beatson when he took over Topping's surveys in 17 98, but in addition
to his military pay.
'MMC. 1S-3-S0. a Kelly's Atlas (Address). 3 M.Sel.C. 23-10-79 & BPC. 27-5-82. *WPC.
11-9-87. "Burrow only drew Es. 1,000/- a month [278]. 5 MPC. 30-1-89. 7 Pers. Eee. 15 (199).
Madras Surveyors
281
Mackenzie raised the question of his allowances whilst Engineer and Surveyor
to the Nizam's Detachment;
The Surveyor's allowance I have hitherto received.. .amounts to no more than 37^ Pagodas
a month* (Captain's additional Subsistence) and... I have incurred considerable contingent
expences-. ..
but the only reply he received was that,
Though the Governor in Council is fully sensible that the allowances drawn by you are
not adequate to the labour and importance of the office for which you have been recommended
to the Hon'ble Court [Surveyor General, p. 264] he does not feel himself at liberty to antici-
pate their decision 3 .
He had obtained the sympathy of Colebrooke who wrote from Calcutta,
The work you are engaged in must, no doubt, be laborious and expensive, and your
allowances are certainly small, which circumstances I will mention to Sir John Shore [8in. 14]
ob his return from the Upper Provinces : but I cannot possibly say what compensation our
Government will be induced to make you, as it is possible they may not like to interfere
with the Madras Government 4 ,
and again,
With regard to your allowances, I am sorry to observe they are so small. It was my in-
tention to have spoken to Sir John Shore on the subject had he stayed any time between his
return from Lucknow and his departure for Europe, but he went away in such a hurry that it
was impossible to do so. I cannot venture to represent this matter publickly to our Govern-
ment, and I have to lament that the little acquaintance I have with the present Governor
General 5 would render a personal application improper, and in all probability unsuccessful 6 .
At Colebrooke's advice Mackenzie raised the question very strongly from
Hyderabad, where he now, 1798, found himself attached to Bengal instead of
Madras troops, and pointed out that
he has only received the former Surveyor's allowances, and not those of 618 Rupees per
month, which the youngest officer from that Presidency would be entitled to receive for that
duty exclusively 7 .
The Council thereupon increased his allowances to 200 pagodas a month 8 as
Principal Engineer to the Nizam's Detachment, and eventually the Directors author-
ized the Council
to present him with the sum of Pagodas 2400... for his past services in this line, and approve
of your having allowed him a salary of Pagodas 200 a month, in addition to his pay and
allowances as Engineer with the Hyderabad Detachment .
Bombay Surveyors
The normal rate of special pay for surveyors in Bombay appears to have been
4 Rupees 111 a day, which Reynolds drew from the time he was attached to the Resi-
dent at Poona [ 127 ].
At the close of the Mysore War of 1790-92, the following- regulations were laid
down on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, deduced from
the experience gained from the work of the Bombay surveyors during that campaign.
1st. No survey to be undertaken but by order of Government.
2nd. Engineers or Officers surveying with a detachment to be allowed 4 rupees a day.
3rd. Officers detached on surveys to be allowed 500 rupees in lieu of everything.
4th. Copies of surveys to be paid for agreeably to the scale ; If an inch to two niiles, and
three copies are required, they are to be completed at the rate of 750 miles a month, for
which 500 rupees will be in future allowed 11 .
The pay of a Lieutenant, as drawn by Emmit in addition to the Survey
allowance, was
Pay as Lieutenant โขโ โ K-S. 62
Gratuity ... 24
Language Money ... 3ยฐ Rs - II6
'10 shillings a day. =MMC. 6-2-98. 3 WยฃG. 3-3-9S. 4 DDd. 14 (52). 7-12-97. 5 Lord
Morninufton. later Marquess Wellesley. fi ib (66), 23-3-98. ' ilMC. 6-11-9S. 8 About ยฃ 970 a year,
in addition to pay & allowances of rank. *CD, to M. 7-5-00 (175). ,0 or ten shillings, as recognised
also in Madras ,"279! "Bo. 1IC. 3-7-92.
282
Pat & Allowances
The pay drawn by .Reynolds as Surveyor, at Surat in 1795, was
Pay ... Rs. 702
Established Allowances ... 876 Rs. 1576
These allowances covering Lights, Stationery, Carriage of Office Tent, and Attendants 1 .
The allowance included Rs. 800 which had been allotted by the Governor Gene-
ral in 1793 to meet the expenees of the survey towards Delhi and Eohilthand [132}.
On his recall to Bombay Reynolds was unable to draw this sum until the matter
had been referred home to the Directors ;
Captain Reynolds, who has been employed for a long time in Geographical Pursuits for
the Company in different ports of India, represented to us that he had incurred a very consi-
derable expence therein, exceeding his fixed allowances. We have no reason to doubt the
truth of this assertion, and... submit his application to your decision 2 ,
to which the Directors replied
we observe that you have already made an addition of Soo Sonaut rupees a month to his
allowances, sufficient in his opinion to enable him to complete the work in which he is engaged;
so soon therefore as we shall be advised of Captain Reynolds having finished the business? ..'.
we shall proceed to determine on presenting Captain Reynolds with such pecuniary gratifica-
tion as his zeal, activity, and ability shall appear to merit 3 .
On the receipt of this authority, Reynolds, who had become Surveyor General,
was permitted by the Bombay Government to draw the arrears of this allowance,
but the Bengal Government protested that it had only been granted for expenees
incurred on the Bengal side, and ordered that the arrears just drawn should be at
once refunded. This drew a sturdy protest from Reynolds, who explained that the
purpose for which Sir John Shore had authorised this allowance was the general
geography of India which was still being pursued from his headquarters at" Surat,
and that the chief expence for which this special allowance was required was the'
pay of his native surveyors [287-8];
I am at this instant nearly seventy thousand rupees out of pocket by my pursuits, and
am still willing to trust for remuneration to the merit of the work when completed*.
The Bombay Government supported him nobly, so the Supreme Government
gave in graciously, and allowed him to retain the allowance from 1798 onwards 5 .
At the end of 1799, on the order of the Directors, the payment of these sur-
veyors was taken over by the Bombay Government [28S].
Over and above this special allowance for establishment, and the substantial
gratuity which the Directors eventually paid him on completion of his map,
Reynolds drew "Staff pay as Surveyor General, Rs. 702 6 ".
โ Bo. ME. 1795. ! EtโCD. 14-2-94 (S3). 'CD to E. S-7-95 (95).
>. "Eeport from MAG, BoMC. 30--t-18G4; LDn. 146 (62),
4 BoMC. 10-6-96. s BoMC.
CHAPTER XXI
CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT
Mmypecm Assistants โ Surveying School, Madras โ Assistant Revenue Svsi'veyors r
Madras โ Indian Explorers โ Reynolds & his 8ur> eyors โ Lascars & Followers.
When Reimell set out on survey in May 1764, lie was accompanied by an
assistant surveyor and three other Europeans [17], the assistant surveyor
being" probably the Armenian who was killed in the fight against sanydsi
fakirs in February 1766 [2^]. Of the others Eennell tells nothing except that
one, " having cut a Dandy's l Ear off, I delivered him prisoner to the Chief " at
Dacca ' 2 .
When De Gloss set out on his survey of Bihar, he took with him from Calcutta
four assistants, John Edwards, John Barnard Chausour, John G-eromee, and
Francis Sydra 3 , but says nothing further about them [ 25 ] .
Plaisted was allowed Rs. 250 a month for each of his assistants, Collins and
Stew-art, who were with him on his survey of Channel Creek and the coast line to
Balasore [ 1 5 ] 4 .
In his orders to Barnard for the survey of the Madras Ja-glr, the Chief
Engineer wrote,
To assist you in this Survey I send with you John Ashmole, who, besides his Pay as a
Soldier, will have an additional allowance of 5 Pagodas p.m. 'ยฐ.
In 1768 the Bengal Council sanctioned two "European Assistants" for each
surveyor [276], "one for measuring', one for pointing out the Roads and placing
flags". On river surveys, a special boat, or willock 6 was provided for them. It is
very unlikely that such assistants were employed after Rennell's departure, but provi-
sion for them remained incorporated in the allowances.
SrrRVEYns T G School, Madras
Topping's proposal for establishing a school for surveyors [ 108 ], is given in
the following letter ;
Tenor twelve Practitioner Surveyors will be wanted. ... They might be raised in the"
following manner.
From the Male Asylum * and other English schools at this Presidency, a number of youths
might be selected. These might be regularly trained to the business of practical surveying :
first in the office, for the sake of a few rudiments ; and afterwards in real field practice,
under such Gentlemen as are employed in actual surveys, who ( being doubtless well qualified
themselves for their severe trust, and ardent to promote the General good ) would cheer-
fully undertake to prepare them for future service, by receiving them as their daily
Assistants.
Either this expedient must be adopted, or the same number of practical Surveyors must
he sent to this country from Europe. ... My reasons for preferring Native* Assistants to
European are the following.
First, every European... would cost the Company as much, at least, as six Natives ;
besides tents, conveyances, and a liberal allowance, each European practitioner must have
an Interpreter to attend him. . . .
boatman, Hobson Jobson (296). -La Touche (36). "Orine MSS. 9. i BPC. 12-1-67.
S MPC. 5-3-67. 6 Smaller than a biidgarow. Hobson Jobson (971)- 7 This military orphanage even-
tually merged into "The Lawrence Memorial Royal Military School" now situated at Lovedale in the
Nil^iri Hills. s For the next 50 years or more the term Native, used in its primary sense, was applied
to persons of any raae, born in the country.
283
284
Civil Establishment
Secondly, each European would require a long and previous seasoning, before he could
sustain the rigors of an Indian sun and climate ; it is indeed hardly to be expected that one
European in ten, after leaving Europe at a Mature age, could be brought to endure, for a
constancy, the fatigues of so laborious an employ in the torrid zone.
Thirdly, the ease with which the establishment might be kept up, from the same foun-
tain, is a material consideration. ...
The Indian-born offspring of Europeans, educated in the public schools at Madras, might
be rendered very useful to the public, and happy in themselves if, instead of being suffered
to fall a sacrifice to idleness, and a vicious course, ... some line of active employment were
to be marked out for them 1 .
The "Revenue Board strongly supported Topping's proposal ;
The natives hitherto employed in making surveys of the Tanks etc., have been unquali-
fied for a service of such importance and, without correct information or estimates it could
be no easy matter to detect, or prevent, abuses in the expenditure of the public money
Whether the native practitioners be hereafter employed under the proposed office of
Surveyor General, or any other Department in that line, it is obvious that the practical ex-
perience to be acquired under Mr. Topping, particularly during his present surveys will en-
able them to be of essential advantage in accomplishing the grand design of providing works
for the supply of water, upon which the improvement and prosperity of the country must
materially depend 9 .
Government thereupon
Resolved that the Board of Revenue be permitted to conclude an arrangement with the
Governors of the Male Asylum, and the Directors of the Charity School, for the boys requi-
red in the Surveying Dapartment, agreably to Mr. Topping's proposition ยซ.
The Board of Revenue recommended that the boys should be formally inden-
tured, that a building should be erected for their accomodation, and that Goldin^-
ham should be appointed to superintend their education at the Observatory
and Government directed that, '
For the sake of order and decorum, the young men to be employed in so responsible a
service should have a place of residence as near the eye of their superior as possible ยซ.
In June 1794 Government ordered that 12 boys should be indentured to the
Company for seven years, and after instruction under Goldingham, should be em-
ployed under Topping*. The school was started in the Fort, probably on Oct. 1st
1794, and in June 1795 when the new building 6 was ready the Revenue Board
wrote to Goldingham,
You have permission to remove the twelve articled boys from the school in the Fort to
the Company's Surveying School.
The Eight Hon'ble the Governor in Council has consented to your drawing the sum of
100 Pagodas for each of the boys, ...but this charge is considered a very ample allowance,
and. ..may be understood to include every contingent charge of whatever description.
You are permitted to provide the several articles of furniture. ... Regular reports should
be made by you of the progress which the Boys... make in their education... every six
months 7.
Mr. J. V. Pereira, who had worked as a draughtsman for Topping since
1792, was engaged to instruct the boys" in the drawing branch", and prepare
maps for the Revenue Board ยป. Goldingham submitted his first annual report on
the 1st October 1795, and it may be of interest to record the boys' names, for
several of them did valuable work during the next 25 years. They were articled
as Assistant Surveyors, but were more often known, from the nature of their nor-
mal employment, as Assistant Revenue Surveyors 9 .
a 1-10-95, 13 years John Ambrose Johnson 16 years
, & 9 months Thomas Turnbull ... 12 โ k 6 months
Charles Webb, : _
Robert Gardner
James Allen
Samuel Godi'rev
"William Webb"
James Ross
11
10
& 8 months
Thomas David
Henry Lincoln
Silvester Pope
John Robinson
lfi
In 1796 Goldingham reported that
three of the young men... are now ready for the public service; the professional knowledge
they have would enable them to act alone were they not much too young, I therefore beg
โ MRC- 10-1-94. ' MRC. 31-1-94.
20-6-94. 'Costing Ps. 1979 fs. 35 e. 64.
Bd. 16-10-95.
ยปMRC. 4-4-94. ยซMaok. MJSS. LXIX, 24-5-94. 'MRC
' M. Rev. Bd. 5-6-95. S M. Rev. Bd. 10-12-1810. 'Rev.
Surveying School, Madba
285
permission to suggest the propriety of their being placed for the present under persons of
โ experience employed on service, and furnished with such instruments, books, and cloathing,
as may be deemed requisite for their outset L .
Charles Webb, Gardner, and Johnson were accordingly seat to Dindigul in December,
and furnished with a tent and lascars from the garrison there.
During the following year G-oldingham submitted to the Board of Revenue a
number of maps drawn by his pupils and their drawing master ; he engaged a lan-
guage master,
As a knowledge of the Country Languages is indispensable for the Assistant Surveyors,
and as many of them, from not having been suffered to speak these languages at the schools
they came from, are almost wholly ignorant of them, T have employed a Tutor for the Gun-
toor and Malabar languages at a salary of 8 Pagodas per month 2 .
To fill up vacancies as the boys passed out to the districts, and to bring the
whole establishment to 24 s , others were admitted in 1798 and 1800.
Assistant Reve.ntje Surveyors, Madras
After equipping and sending out three boys in 1796, Gl-oldingham made the
following proposals for their proper supervision [ 145] ;
Each set of Surveyors (two or three in number) should be placed. ..immediately under
the Collector of the District where they may be employed. ...
A competent person should be appointed to superintend the progress and execution of
the survey, with whom, through the medium of the Collector, the Assistants should cor-
respond and consult in all cases of difficulty; and they should inform him from, time to time
of their proceedings, that he may be enabled to judge whether they are pursuing the most
expeditious and advantageous methods.
When the survey is completed, the material should be brought down to his Office by the
Surveyors, arranged, protracted, the Astronomical Observations computed, and the superfi-
cial contents of the different descriptions of the Ground ascertained under his inspection, a
correct copy of the whole should be sent to the Collector, who will then be enabled to draw
out his report and transmit it with the Surv ey to the Board.
This person may be called "Inspector of Revenue Surveys ", and as the youth and inex-
perience of the Assistants make it necessary that a watchful eye should constantly be kept
over them, more particularly at Madras, they should always while at the Presidency be placed
โ under the immediate charge of the Inspector; the consequences -without a check of this kind,
at a place where there are so many idle persons of their own class, are easily foreseen 4 .
This was endorsed by the Board of Revenue,
The appointment of a proper person for collecting and superintending the general execu-
tion of surveys. ..seems essential to the attainment of those public benefits which the Board
looked for from this institution; for however well instructed the Boys may now be, it cannot
be expected, by reason of their early age, but that they will be liable to errors at their first
outset, which will require the correction of a more experienced person ; the certainty that
their labour will undergo revision will stimulate the boys to more diligent execution, and in
the selection of a person for this task, we cannot overlook Mr. Goldingham; ... we therefore
take the liberty to recommend that he be appointed Inspector of Revenue Surveys at the
Presidency s ,
a proposal that was duly sanctioned [ 145 ].
The Board of Revenue wrote to the Collector of the Jagir, to whom other boys
had been sent,
They must also be subsisted and clothed at the expence of the Company, and for these
purposes, the Acting Collector at Dindigul stated Eleven Pagodas per mouth each would be
sufficient; you will report whether this is found adequate for the purpose with you 6 .
The boys sent out to the districts during the first few years were as under ;
December 1796. To Dindigul; Charles Webb, Gardner, and Johnson. Of these Webb and
Gardner died during 1798.
May 1797. To the Jagir.
1 MRC. 16-9-96.
* M. "Rev, Bd. 22-12-9C
<M, Rev. Bd. 6-7-97.
6 M. Rev. Bd. 15-5-97.
3 M. Rev. Bd. 22-12-96. *3ff. Rev. Bd. 22-12-4
286
Civil Establishment
December 1797. To Devicottai, for work under the Superintendent of Tank Repairs ; Tun-
bull and Allen; transferred at the end of 1798 to Dindigul, in place of the two who
had died there.
September 1798. To Vizagapatam; David and Godfrey
1798. Lincoln was placed under the Superintendent of Tank Repairs, and two others were'
attached to Major Beatson for a few months. James Ross was placed under
Cap-tarn Mackenzie for his last year in the Nizam's Dominions
September 1799. William Webb and Pope were sent with Malcolm's first mission to Persia
Mackenzie 6 ^ 7 ^ S ^ 131 "^^ """ F ยฐ' Ud to the Mysore Sarve 5 r und โข
There was a steady demand for the services of these young men, and they were-
sent out to held work as fast as their school training- was completed.
Indian Exflorebs
Useful wort w-as done by Indian surveyors, or rather explorers, trained by the
surveyors who employed them.
The first record of such surveyor is of Ghulam Mohammed, sepoy officer, whom
Camac sent m 1774 to explore the country between Bengal and the Decean [30]
Ihonias Call employed several Indians to collect information for his Atlas of
India. He writes in 1788,
I have for a year and half past, employed 6 munshies l and 30 Hurcarrows 3 at my own
expence, to travell through the different parts of India to collect information. This I did
with the permission of the Hon'ble the Governor General 3 .
And again,
I have by order of the Governor General employed Munshys to survey some Roads be-
tween Places well ascertained in the Map, and have procured some very useful information
The expence attending this mode of Surveying is trifling. I employed six Munshys and 34
Hircarrows for 18 months at the rate of 650 sonat Rupees a month, which, with the expence
of Law charges incurred by a prosecution one of the Munshys commenced against me in
which he was non-snited, amounts to Rs. 12,600.
May it please yonr Hon'ble Board to order the Pay Master to re-imbnrse me this ex-
pence, and inform me if it be yonr pleasure that I continue to employ them at the same rate <
Government paid him the Es. 12,600, but directed that these surveys should
stop as expences had to be cut down on account of general retrenchment [ 18 "I
Call also writes that Ewart had procured for him "several useful routes from
Cossids โขduring his stay at Nag-pur [ 42 ], some of which are still preserved :
Great Nagpore 1782. Route from Great Naugpore, Westward to Poonah, from the
account of a Cossid, giving stages, and distances in Coss. Signed James Ewart. Similar
route, Nagpore to Neermnl & Hyderabad, 1783.
This bears a note by Colebrooke entered many years later. ยซ The distances in this
route, and party m the preceedmg one, are great exaggerated " ยซ. There are similar
"โข s ,โข Nagpom- to Oojein and to Asseer Gurh", countersigned by Ewart in
1/82; which bear pencil comments, probably also by Colebrooke, that the distances
are erroneous.
Burrow was another who collected routes through native agency; though it is not
clear that they carried out any actual survey. In stating the establishment required
tor one of his journeys, he allows for "a Moonshy, at Es. 25 a month", adclino-
ihe last article is more necessary than at first sight may appear, as it is often requisite
to send a Moonshy to make enquiries, and to take bearings, and to get copies of routes etc'
In his journal for 1789, describing his trip through Eohilkhaiid. he writes
From here I sent my Pundits ยป to the Hills to get routes &c, and to bring such books and
papers as I had been promised by an astronomer that I met with near Cossipore [ 161 1
While I was at Anopsheer, my Pundits arrived from the hills and brought several different
routes to the Comow Hills, Bndrinaut, &c 9 .
on ,, '5โขH ยปn educated Miihammadan. โขBmima, ft messenger. s BPC. 6-10-83 ( 211 <BPO
^o.irnL.mkplMsl*"*' 8 ' ' โข*' MEI ยฐ- ยซโข ^- 'BPC. 21-9-91 (15). ยปJ^.LwJ^.
Assistant EtEVEKUe Surveyors, Madras
287
For his Map of the Countries West of Delhi, Wilford employed, between 1786 and
1796, Mirza Mogul Beg- [234] whose surveys included "Chitraul or Hindu Kush'Y
and extended "as far as the parallel of Multan v ' 3 and were supplemented by " a
copious account, in Persian, of the Geographical and Political state of these
countries".
It is not clear how far Pringle relied on sketches and information collected by
the rank and file of his Corps of Guides [110-1] for he states in his Booh of Roads
that the routes given were all measured by himself. "When the corps reformed m
1790, its function was to "obtain information about the country, especially with
reference to roads and passes". Guides were no longer to be employed in procuring
intelligence, but restricted to the performance of their duties as surveyors 3 .
Several of Beatson's maps included information and sketches brought in by his-
guides [109-10] and when submitting his own maps in 1797 Allen wrote,
I have also the honor to lay before your Lordship, several maps, made entirely by the
Native Guides, together with their own Field Books. . . . They have examined, and made every
necessary remark upon, near 5000 miles of roads in the Carnatic and Mysore country, which
they have compiled into the form of a book of roads. ... I consider it a duty I owe to the
Corps of Guides, who were employed in the field during the whole of the late war, to request
your Lordship will transmit to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors their maps and field books,
also their book of roads, which I have had translated into English 3 .
Reynolds & his stjeveyqbs
No one made greater use of Indian surveyors than Charles Reynolds. When
attached to the Residency at Poona he had referred to "my Country assistant,,
moonshee, and interpreter", saying that the moonshee could "not be entertained on
a less salary than 45 or 50 rupees a month" 4 .
From 1793 ha had a number of such surveyors scattered in every direction, and,,
in pressing for the continuance of his special allowances [ 2 1 8 ], he mentions as "the 1
first and most considerable... and the only constant" item of expense,
the pay and rewards of the establishment of Native Surveyors which I have created my-
self, and whom, from the great difficulty I experienced in being able to select men fit for my
purpose, it became impossible for me to discharge, whilst I continued to entertain any hopes
of bringing my work to conclusion. ... At the time 1 was ordered round [to Bombay in 1794],
these Native surveyors were all absent from me, and employed in distant parts of the
Country, so that had I been inclined to discharge them it was then impossible; since my
arrival on this side of India, they have all at different times joined me, and been immediately
dispatched again on the same business. All these native Surveyors are at present employed
in different parts of India; ...some of them at the Attock and in the Punjaub, someinTatta 5
and in the Indus River, in different parts of Goozerat G and Marwar", and others in the Deckun
and Tippoo's frontier, besides one just returned from Kutch, and four.. .on the eve of their
departure [132,219].
The cxpence of this part of my establishment in pay and rewards has already, since my
return from Lucknow cost me upwards of Ten thousand rupees. ... In consequence of my own
researches and the labour of these people, my stock of Geographical information is nearly, if
not quite, doubled since my return 8 .
Again, in 1798,
The remaining information necessary... is now carrying on by twenty-seven sets of my
native surveyors, distributed throughout the various parts of India 9 .
He carried some or all of these surveyors on the strength of his escort [302],
and protested strongly when Government objected to his charging batia for them
Ms R. VI (495, 534) also note on map MKIO. 7(H). ' W. J. "Wilson, II (237). a MMC. 12-12-97.
cf . " Sketches of roads and passes on Mysore Frontier, by Native Guides, and on south of Cauvery E. ".
A. Allen. Trichinopoly. May 1790. BM. 13907 (A.B.C). *Bo.S&Pol. 29-6-86, & 8-8-88. B Tatta,
35 P/14, then applied to whole of Sind. 'Gujarat, 46 A, B, etc. ' MarwiLr, or Jodhpur, 45 B, F;
Cutch, 41 E, I, etc. 3 Bo. MC. 10-6-96. 9 DDn. 146 (23), 2-2-88.
288 Civil Establishment
whilst he remained stationary at Surat [282]. The Directors were anxious about
,his large expenditure, and ordered that it should all be regularly charged to Govern-
ment and audited ;
We do not cleariy understand what is the state of the Country Surveyors employed by
Lieut. Colonel Reynolds, nor the nature of the disbursements, which he alledges have already
exceeded by more than Rupees 70,000 the amount of his Allowances. If the native Surveyors
axe to be so employed. ..the expence should be regularly paid by the Company, and not de-
frayed by an Individual at his own expence, who would thereby have a Claim on the Company
hereafter to an unlimited extent, without any vouchers for the Expenditure l [ 282 ] .
Reynolds later explains that,
The expence... has not been brought against the Company, by reason of the Hon'ble the
Governor's dislike to it, from a promise I had made him that no further burden should be laid
on the public, and that the people then out, and charged for, should be struck off as they came
in. ... Command of retrenchment... had been made on account of my people's batta, of bet-
ween four and five hundred rupees a mouth ; this took place when my receipts . . . were unequal
to my disbursments; on explaining this to Government, I was authorized. ..to draw for the
extra sum under the strictest rule for Military expenditure, declaring the charge, ..upon
honour.
It was at this time, and not before, that the company bore the whole of the expence in-
curred by my enquiries. The people then charged for, having some of them since returned,
the expence has been gradually decreasing. ... The expence resting oil myself is for people
employed on the Indus, Zemaun Shah's frontier, and a part of Malwa, but as these have been
despatched since my promise to the Hon'ble the Governor, they are not included in my con-
tingent bill. ...
None of the native surveyors, including the people it has been necessary to detach with
them, have cost Government more than 150 Rupees a month ; ... no other contingent charges
have ever been made. ...
It was impossible for me of course to investigate every part of so extensive a country
personally, and hence arose the necessity of employing Natives. The propriety of this
measure has had for its support the authority of Government, and the sanction of the Hon'ble
the Court of Directors. ...
The employment of the Native Surveyors was indispensable, and I should, had I neglected
to avail myself of the labours to the utmost extent, have justly stood accused of neglect of
my duty. These people are of course at present employed out, and... I do not expect the
earliest of them in before the month of November next, and several of them considerably
beyoad that period 2 .
One of the monthly bills for these surveyors reads,
The sum of 995 rupees, being the balance over and above my receipts, and required to pay
up the monthly allowance to Twenty Setts of Native Surveyors, employed by me for the
completion of my Geographical work in different parts of India, including the extra people
employed with them, on account of the difijculty of travelling from the present confused state
of the country 3 .
When he handed over in February 1807, he left his successor a note,
One of these Surveyors has lately returned, and I have taken down his information.
There are still remaining four of my Surveyors out; ... one of them has a survey to make of
upwards of 25,000 [sic] miles, the surveys of the others are less extensive; whenever these
people arrive, ... Sake down their information*.
He considered the taking down and arranging of the reports a matter which required
much care;
The surveys of those Natives now out cannot be rendered of use if they are taken down
and translated by any other than a person conversant with the business 5 .
He toot a personal and fatherly interest in his men, and made ample provision
for their welfare after he should leave the country, though the Directors eventually
.took over this responsibility, writing out in 1808,
As Colonel Reynolds had represented to us that, in order to stimulate the exertions of the
Native Surveyors employed by him, he had agreed, on the conclusion of their labours, to give
them a pecuniary remuneration, and had accordingly on leaving Bombay lodged in the hands
of his attornies...the sum of Rs. 22,000, to be applied in payment of annuities to the Native
'CD. to Bo. 29-5-99 (30).
i-6-1807. *ih. 13-1-1807.
= DDn. 146 (33-42), 17-4-1801. a Bo MC. 5-12-1S0O. 'BoJIC.
Reynolds & his surveyors
289
Surveyors for the remainder of their lives, and the principal to go among their successors; we
have resolved to relieve him from the charge, for as the Surveyors were employed on a
Great Public Duty, it is but reasonable the expence of pensioning them should be born by the
Company 1 .
Effect was not however given to this laudable purpose till very many years later 3 .
Lascars & Followers
When Eennell set out on his first survey in 1764, he took with him 11 Lascars
and 11 motias or porters 3 .
In 1767 De Gloss had "20 Burgundasses and 5 Harcarras" for his survey of
Bihar, besides private followers and an escort of sepoys [25].
In 1768, onEennell's recommendation, Government approved the following
establishment for the Surveyor General;
i Tindal Rs. 10
10 Lascars โ 60
Rs.
70
2 Watermen @ 4 Rs. 8
2Dufladars ... .
12
Tent & Moonshy 30
34 Coolies @ Rs. 4
136
4 Peons @ 2 16
4 Beldars 4 โ 4
16
5 Hircarrahs @ 6 30
Rs. 318
The establishment for a surveyor differed only for the last two items which,
stood "2 peons Es. 8, 6 Hircarrahs, Es. 30", with total Rs. 310.
The duties of the lascars were given as
For the Chain ... 4 Tent ... I Signal Flag ... I
Theodolite & stand ... 2 Powder ... I Spare man ... I
whilst the duties of the 34 coolies were,
For carriage of a tent ... II For carriage of Plans, Instruments,
Powder ... 2 & Drawing Table ... 8
Flags ... io Spare Men ... ... 3
Besides the above, the Surveyor's necessaries require 26 coolies, for which no allowance
is made; this article falls particularly heavy on the Subalterns, whose allowances are so small.
I have found it necessary to employ 25 Hircarrahs during some surveys; but in the known
parts of the Country, on a medium, 6.
The Surveyors are at the monthly expence of 48 or jo rupees for Bearers, for which no
allowance is made in the new regulations.
The expence of Coolies might be considerably lessened by carrying the Tents &c, on
Bullocks, but this method of conveyance is remarkably tedious, and occasions the loss of much
In 1777 establishment was increased to allow each surveyor 8
1 Tindal & to Lascars
2 Head Coolies & 40 Coolies
Hircarrahs
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
216
50
Rs. 30
Rs. 30
Rs. 18
426 [276].
The establishment which Burrow 1
24 Bearers for palanquin
20 Mooteas and Bangies (carriers) Rs.
2 Hircarrahs
Carriage of Tents
Moonshy, 15,; Interpreter, 15 .
2 Watermen @ 9
Total Rs.
sked for on his Astronomical Survey was 7
Rs. 100 1 Beestie Rs. 6
1 Jarrawalla [sweeper] 4
6 Calashies 33
2 Musalchees 8
This is the first -time that the term hhakusi is found, the term lasmr being' at that
time the usual one applied to a "handy man" in regular service.
The Madras regulations provided for
one Tindall & 8 Lascars to be supplied by the Chief & Council of that Settlement under which
the Surveyor may be employed, and Batta to be drawn for them while on Service, agreeably
to the Regulations. Two Hercarahs to be supplied by the Chief.. .& no charge therefore to
be made for them 8 .
ilE.
! I
โขCD to Bo. 1-9-1808 (11). 'Bo MO. 18-10-20. โขLaTonche (9). 'Diggers, or Jimgle-clearers.
5 BPC. 11-10-68. fi BPC. 28-4^-77. 7 ib. 21-9-91. S MPC. 1-11-76.
I
290
Civil Establishment
When Irwin was appointed to survey Blacktown [94], he was allowed "two
Conicoplies", and four _peons\ A wrmcopula was a Madras institution, whose busi-
ness it was to keep the account of household expences, and to pay the servants'
wages, and tradesmen's bills'.
"We find very few references to men regularly trained for survey, and in 1788
after only two years in the country, Topping carried his triangulation 300 miles
down the east coast with no assistance except from general service lascars, and when
measuring his base-line he did not use the stands for his measuring-rods as he could
not expect the lascars to manage them successfully [102, 191].
A few years later, when running levels through the Kistna delta, he found that
his men responded to patient training;
In justice to these poor people, I must confess that no set of men are more to be depended
upon than they are, nor more regular and exact in tie several offices assigned them, when
once they are brought to comprehend what kind of duty is required of them [192].
When Beatson took over charge of the survey four years later, he tried to ยปet
hold of Topping's squad of men,
Major Beatson.. .applied to the Military Board for nine lascars belonging to the Arsenal
who were employed with the late Mr. Topping, and whose names are mentioned in the accom-
panying list, but he has been informed that an order of Government is necessary. ... These
men, being experienced in the business of levelling and surveying, would be extremely useful
to Major Beatson, whilst employed in the Circars. ...
I am therefore directed by the Board to request that an order may be sent. ..that all, or
at least half-a-dozen, may be spared to him. During the time they may be employed on 'the
survey, their pay and batta will be paid from the Revenue treasury, and when the investiga-
tion of watering the Circars is completed, they will be returned to the Arsenal 3 .
Artificers were a useful addition to the camp of a surveyor, and in 1798
Mackenzie was glad to get sanction for "1 carpenter, 1 smith or brazier, for repairs "'.
Bates of pay on the Bombay side seem to have been a good deal higher than in
Bengal. Eeynolds writes to the Eesident at Poona in 1786,
The rate at which common servants or coolies have received their wages every since I
left Bombay on our journey to Bengal, till the present time, is well known to you to have
been nine and ten rupees a month for each man, whilst aHallalcore [harkara?'] receives eight,
as is still the case ; it cannot be supposed that I can possibly procure servants in an infinitely
more respectable Line of service at a lower rate 8 .
The staff sanctioned for the Surveyor General's office at Calcutta in 1788 was
3 Hircarrahs @ Rs. 5 ... Rs. 15 1 Darwan ... 4
3 Lascars @ Rs. 7 ... โ 21 1 Siclegur 6 ... ... ',' 4 7
Hb. 20-9-71. -Ives, (51n). ^MEC. 3-3-98.
6 Polisher; sword or knife grinder. "BftfC. 10-6-88.
'MMC 3-3-98.
CHAPTER XXII
INHABITANTS & OFFICIALS
in Rennell's Time 1 - โ -India at Large โ Military Escorts โ Posts & Communi-
WHEN Kennel! started his surveys Bengal had not yet come under the regular
administration of the Company's servants, who were still but strangers in the
land, occupied with commerce and money-making, with but a few troops for
the protection of their factories or to support the collection of revenues ; the bulk
of the small army was fighting beyond the western frontiers [136, 266].
Local zamindars were, for the most part, independent of all control, except for
the payment of revenues to the Nawab's officials, whose exactions were often quite-
out of proportion to what the zamindars were able or willing- to pay ; defiance and
armed resistance to authority were part of the day's work.
On his journey up the Brahmaputra in 1765 Bennell writes home telling that
he is engaged in tracing the sources of the river,
but I shall have a number of barbourous [sic] nations to pass through, and some of them are
extremely jealous of Europeans 3 .
Travelling by boats however, he tells of no incidents till he came to the fron-
tiers of Assam, where he was prevented from landing, and could proceed no further.
It was after Richards had joined him, and they had discharged their boats prepara-
tory for the march across Rangpur District [23], that they met with the first
serious trouble ;
From 1st January to the 9th [ 1766] I sent all round the Baharbund Countrey 3 to hiro
Coolies and Bearers, but was not able to procure a single one, although I offered a sufficient
Price. The Countrey People like wise refused to supply my People with Provisions, and
upon enquiry I found it was all owing to the Villiany of the Dewan of Olyapour [20, pi. 14] ; who
had threatened to punish any person who should supply me with Men or Provisions. Upon
this wrote to the Dewan. ..to know the Truth of it. ... HisAnswerwas that the People might-
sell me Provisions if they chose it, but dared me to take any Coolies. ...
I immediately applied to the Resident at Rungpour requesting his assistance in procur-
ing Bearers & Coolies. He sent me a considerable Number from Rungpour, but as they
deserted on the Road I received no more than 18.
The 10th in the morning we left Curygong 4 , having prest what Coolies we could at that
Place, and proceeded by way of Olyapour in order to explain matters with the Dewan. We
arrived in Olyapour late in the Night.
I sent a message to the Dewan this Night & another in y s morning of y e nth requiring
him to make his appearance but he treated them both with great indifference, About 8
next morning I went with Mr. Richards & 16 Sepoys towards his Countrey House under cover
of a thick fog, but he had got intelligence of our March, & was gone before we entered the
House. I informed the servants that if they did not produce their master I should set fire
to the House, which was accordingly done, & we retired to our Baggage on the South side of
the Teesta.
The fire was extinguished immediately after we left the House.
Although the Dewan had not Resolution enough to defend his House, yet he followed us
immediately with 150 Burgundasses & 300 Villagers some of which came close to our Rear & .
began to fire at us, which fire we returned in single shots for upwards of 6 miles, they being
afraid to close with us & retreating whenever we made a Stand 5 .
1 gยฃ. Long : Sural Bengal ;
78 G/9, 10. * Kurigram, 78 G/9.
Dist. R. Vol. I.
La Tonche (61-2).
-LTMS. 765 (31-8-65), 3 Ben. Atlas. Map V,-
โ โ โ โ \
m
291
โข20-2
Inhabitants & Officials
The very next month they fell in with a detachment of the Company's sopoys in
pursuit of a band of sanydd raiders 1 near the southern border of Oooch Behar [23].
There was a dispute raging about the succession to the chief ship of Cooch. Behar ;
the local people had appealed to the English for assistance against the Bhutias,
and the latter had hired the services of these sanyasis. Kennel! gives the following
account of the episode;
We now found ourselves on the Western Bank of the Neelcomer or Curesa River 2 which
is a Boutan River passing near Bullerampour 3 . ... It joins the Durla near Curygong. ... We
found that the English Detachment crossed this River during the Night before our arrival &
that the rear had not passed over many Hours. The Sannashys were reported to be march-
ing towards us, & had several Detachments posted in different Villages to the Northward &
North East. ... We accordingly crossed the River Neelcomer & marched for Curesa''. ...
At Curesa I learnt that a party of the Sanashys Horse had been routed that moruing. ... I
stopped at Curesa to reiresh my People & during that Time.. .heard a firing of Cannon &
Musquetrey to the NE.
We set out in the afternoon & marched 6 miles to the NNE. & found the Detachment
under the Command of Lieut. Morrison 5 encamped at Bouter Haat, having that Forenoon
defeated the Main Body of the Sanashys. ... Morrison had go Sepoys Rank & file ; and the
Sanashys were 700 strong & near 150 of them armed with English Musquets. We halted
with Morrison this Night ( of the 20th February ) [ 1766 ].
The next morning early Morrison set out in quest of the Enemy, & my Sepoys being
joined with his, I acted as a Vohmtier under him. We marched 8 miles this Forenoon, and
then halted at Santashpour 6 to refresh the Troops. We continued marching all the After-
noon to the S & SE. till we came in sight of the River Baramputrey. . . , About 4 we entered
the village of Deenhotta 7 , where a Party of the Enemy had posted themselves, or. ..had sat
down to rest themselves ; ...they made a desperate effort to defend themselves. ... In this
Skirmish I had the misfortune to be surrounded by the Enemy, & received several cuts from
their broad Swords, one of which threatned my Death e [ 23 ].
Morrison spent the next two days pursuing the sanydsis down to the banks of
the Durla, where their leaders escaped to Ulipur, of which we have heard already
[291 ] . Besides Rennell's own serious wounds, Richards was slightly wounded, and
what- was much more serious, the Armenian assistant was killed [ 283 ] .
In December 1770 he had trouble with a zamindar of Rajshahi District, which
he thus reports to the Council at Murshidabad ;
I am employed on a Survey... on the North side of y c Ganges, & halted near Pulash 9 the
5th Instant at Noon. A few Minutes after our Arrival the Villagers came arm'd, & threat-
ened to fall upon Us. I asked them if they had any Complaints to make. They abused
me, told me no, & insisted that I should go away. We soon dispersed them without making
Use of any Weapons, as I never suffer a Sepoy to fire 'till Matters come to Extremity.
Whilst they were in the Action of running away, We caught one of them, a Burkandass, who
had entangled himself in the Jungle. I enquired of him who the "Village belonged to, &
( after disarming him ) sent him with a Message to Cadder Beg, informing him of my Busi-
ness in these parts.
From this Time none of my people enter'd the Village, altho' everything seem'd quiet;
yet about two Hours afterwards, a Mogul ( Caddar Beg ) appear'd on Horseback, & with him
a very great Rabble, some of them armed with Matchlocks, & the rest with Pykes & Swords
etc. Without sending Me any Message, he came within Call & told me that He was come to
fight me. I was obliged to have Recourse to my Sepoys, but hoping to end the Matter with
little Bloodshed, I aimed a single shot at the Mogul, which however missed him, but killed a
Man close by him. This had the desired Effect of making them retire to a greater Distance ;
but they kept us in a continual alarm by sending Parties into the Jungles on every side of
Us. During this time the Mogui remained in Sight, & sent me several insolent Messages ;
one of them in particular so full of Abuse & Menaces, that I thought Myself fully authorized
to chastise the Messenger, which I did ; the rest contained bis hints of Independence, to-
gether with Orders for me to depart. To one of these I replied by showing the Messenger
the Sepoys, Arms, and Camp Equipage, by which he might be assured that We belonged to
1 For account of these samjasi fakirs, v. Ghosh. ^Probably the old Toresha E, or Torsa, now'
disappeared. 3 Balararopur, 78 P/12. All these places are shown in Ben. Atlas Map V. & Companion
Atlas [pi. 44]. * 3 m. NE. from Fulbari, 78 G-/9. " Dennis Morrison ( qv ) . 6 Santoshpur, 78 F/12.
7 10 m. NE. of Kurigram, 78 G/0 ; not the present Dinhataon railway. s La Touche ( 73-1). ef. Sobson
Jobson ( 872 ) Ghosh ( 37-9 ) & HMS. 765, 30-8-66. 9 8 m, NE. of Godagari, 78 D/6. Ben. Atlas. Map VI.
m
Bengal in Kennell's time 293
the Company, for the Mogul affected to believe that We were Robbers. Even after this he
insisted in sending his Messenger, & using threatning Gestures, 'till, finding it had no Effect,
he fell into the opposite Extreme, & began to aplogise for his Behaviour, which he imputed
to Ignorance of my Station & Employment 1 .
The Council thereupon called upon the Xaib Duan to summon Kadir Beg to
Hurshidabad to answer for his conduct, and the records continue,
The Naib Duan reports Cadder Beg has been brought in, a Prisoner, and that upon com-
paring the account of the affair in Question with the representations received from Captain
Rennell, it appears that Cadder Beg had been guilty of the insolent and outrageous behav-
iour which Captain Rennell sets forth. The person mentioned by Captain Rennell to have
been killed is not dead.
The Board decide that He should be way of punishment for this offence, and in order to
deter others from attemping to impede or molest Gentlemen employed in the Public Service,
be drummed thro' the City of Moorshidabad, and afterwards the village of Pubaw wherever
the offence was committed, and then proceed to Dinagepore 3 , or wherever Captain Rennell
may be, to ask pardon of him for his culpable behaviour 8 .
The following year Kermell had further dealings with the sawjasis, and in
February 1771 reported from "Belcuehy 4 , then in Rajshahi District",
There is now in this part of the Country a large Body of Fakirs who are laying all the
principal Towns under Contribution. They were yesterday at Lutchinumpore, 4 Coss from
this place, and after receiving two hundred Rupees from the Gunge Darogah, marched north-
ward into the Puckaryah Districts. By the Accounts I have from an intelligent person
whom I sent to watch their motions, they are about a Thousand in Number, and tolerably
well armed ; they came from the Western Provinces about a month ago, and traversed the
Denagepore and Goragaut [pi. 14] Districts in their way.
As there is no force in this part of the Country I imagine they will continue in it, till
they have plundered all the principal places. I have met several of their detached parties,
which are indeed scattered over the whole province of Radshy and Goragaut. I have
enclosed a Route to this place and a Sketch of the Couutry, in case you may think proper to
send any force after these miscreants 6 .
The Council at Murshidabad at once sent two companies of sepoys from head-
quarters direct to Rennell., and ordered the Supravisors at Rajshahi and Rangpuv
to get into touch with him, and to send one or two further companies.
Rennell was directed to take command of these troops and expel the fakirs from
the province 7 . On March 1st he was able to report from " Seebgunge " 8 ,
I join'd Lieut. Taylor's detachment the 24th ultimo, and followed the route of the
Fakeers towards the Hoannah Divison, they retreating that way. On hearing they were
passing, Lieut Feltham with the Rungpore Detachment, taking road to Goragaut and Gobi-
gunge 9 ; surprised their camp on the morning of the 25th, and after a short skirmish,
effectually dispersed them, taking their Camp and Baggage, & a few prisoners. Their
Chief Sheik Munjinoo fled on Horseback to Mustan Gurr l0 , where he was joined by 150 of his
followers, all disarmed and many of them wounded.
The rest to the number of 2,500, are dispersed in such a manner that two of them cannot
be found together, so that it is impossible to pursue them ; ...They all threw away their
arms in their Retreat, and the villagers falling on them killed great numbers.
I marched to Mustan on hopes of taking the Chief prisoner, but on my arrival found the
place empty, and was informed that he went off with a few followers on the road towards
Purneah. Upon this I sent a Jemedar's Party after him with orders to follow his road four
or five days journey, and I am in hopes that the Jemedar will be successful as Munjinoo is
diseased and cannot travel fast. ...
As the service on which I was sent is now finished I have left the command to Lieut.
Taylor; I shall return to the business which I was before employed in 11 .
[Note. 165 years after this adventure of Renn ell's the Statesman published a letter from
Lueknow, dated March 6th 1936, " Four hundred sadkits recently raided C- village in the Sita-
pur district, on the refusal of the villagers to supply them with fuel free of charge.
Overcoming all resistance, the sadhus let loose the villagers' cattle, set fire to the houses,
destroyed the standing crops and took away property. . . .
1 Firminger, II, 9-12-70 & La Touche ( 137-8 ) . " Dinajpur, 78 C/10. 3 Firminger, II ( 172 ).
4 18- H/ll, now washed away by Jamuna-E. 6 -Ben. -Atlas. Maps VI, IX, 6 Firminger, III, 14-2-71.
"' BTer G. Moo--slu!dLib;.ยซl. .14-2-71. " Sibganj, 78 6/8; 9 Gobindgauj, 7S G/8. in Mahasfchan, 78 H/5.
11 Firminger, IV (58-9) V. 7-3-71 & Ghosh (44-45); cf. Cardew (36).
294
Inhabitants & Officials
The villagers are panic-stricken, as they have reason to believe that the sadhus are plan-
ning another raid on their village in larger numbers on their return. ]
Whilst Bennell had his adventures in what might be called the home districts,
his surveyors working on the western frontiers had frequent adventures amongst
the more primitive tribes of Chota Nagpur and Jungleterry [34 u. 9].
De Gloss has referred to the timid folk who lived in the jungles alono- the
banks of the Son [25].
In 1771 Carter had to apply for a reinforcement of sepoys, to enable him to
prosecute his survey through the Herboe > district, where the Omars '- had attacked
his detachment without provocation. The Supravisor of Birbhum District reported
This district is inhabited by a Sett of independent Chouars, who pay no Revenue to the
Company, but are very troublesome Neighbours, as they make irequent Incursions into the
Borders of Beerbhoom, and carry of large Quantities of Cattle and grain. ... I beg leave to
Represent that as the Herboe People attached Captain Carter's Detachment without any pre-
vious Provocation whatever, I Think they ought to be made sensible of their Presumption
and that this District should be obliged to pay a proper Revenue to the Company 3 .
After an extra company of sepoys had been sent up [300], the Supravisor was able
to report,
The Herboe District being now entirely reduced by Captain Carter's Detachment, the
Chouars in those parts have been quiet for some time past ; but when Captain Carter leaves
that Country, I fear they will be troublesome again 4 .
About this time Camae, who was in command on the south-west frontier [30],
suggested a survey through Chota Nagpur and Palamau, and wrote to the Council
at Patna,
Ever since the conquest of Palamow, I have found a great alteration in the attention of
the Hill Rajahs, and am well convinced that if proper uses were made of them, very great
services would accrue from it. Of all these the Nagpore Rajah is the most friendly. In
conversing with Ms people I could not but be astonished at the facility which they seemed to
make of passing to and from the Deckan, and of the nearness of Aurungabad ', Hyderabad,
and Cuttack, to Nagpore. I could not but think at the same time on the benefit it would ba
of to the English, who having two such considerable countries, know much less of the com-
munication between them than the French. The remainder of Mr. Law's people after their
defeat at Bahar went by these Roads, and there is reason to think an intercourse is still
carried on by them with the Northern Powers by these means [271.
We have often experienced the extreme diminution of our Troops and the great expence
and difficulty of sending them by sea, while the Road would be nearer and attended with
scarce any objection or trouble [40-1]. ...
The Gautwals and Headmen of Palamow are now all come in except one or two who are.
left without followers, so that you may look on the country as fully reduced 6 .
The following year Carter was sent up by Government to survey the road to
Eamgarh 1 and he greatly alarmed the country by unwittingly bringing with his
followers, a claimant to the chiefship ; Camac had to appeal to the Provincial
Council at Patna to order Carter to surrender this pretender, and represented that,
If it shall be found expedient to survey these Hills, I think it advisable that the person
sent should act with my advice, which shall be such as will give least umbrage to these wild
people, who being nearly Independent are easily alarmed s .
_ The following report describes an incident of Thomas Call's survey in
Midnapore district in 1774 [33]; he had two companies of sepoys as escort, and the
officer commanding them writes that, after a brush with the local people, they had
been
obliged to leave off surveying in order that one might get through the jungle as soon as we
possibly could & get on a plain, which we did about 12 o'clock, and here we found that they
had get possession of a tank, the only one ; however we soon took it from them. I then
halted to refresh my people, clean my arms and dress the wounded. ... In the morning at
daylight we proceeded on route, Mr. Call pursuing his survey; as soon as we got in the jungle
they fired at us from all Quarters, my Detachment partys kept them off for some time โ at
1 0T "Hendooa"no"R-Hansdiha, 72P/2; Ben. Atlas. Map II.
Ill, 5-2-71 &l-<^-71. 4 Firminger,v (12S). 15-4-71. 6 Aurang
30-12-71. ; 73E/10. โ BTei-C. Patna, HI, 19-3-72.
2 ProbablySa
Ibid, 47 M/5.
Sis. s Firmiuger,
'BTerC. Patna, II,
Bengal jk Bunnell's Time 295
last they crowded upon the rear so fast I was obliged to face my people about to drive them
off, which I very soon did dropping near a hundred of them. ... I must beg you will excuse
my not giving you every particulars, for Mr. Call & myself are in a feavor and not able to
hold our heads up. Mr. Call has received orders of the Surveyor General to alter his
route. ... I have written to the Raiah at Barm Bhoom [pi. 14] & to acquaint him that we
were coming thro' his District by order of the Government to Survey the road, not in any
Hostile manner, and that I would be glad if he would order the Riots to supply me with
what Provisions I wanted & that I would take care that they should be paid for what they
brought me ; he did not chuse to send back an answer but kept [ the messenger ] l .
The following were the instructions issued to Pring-le for his survey of Jungle-,
terry [34];
You will as far as possible, prevent all causes for dispute in the Districts not under my
authority with the Zemindars or inhabitants ; if they should oppose your surveying, & you
think them sufficiently strong to prevent it by Force, you will immediately write to me for
assistance, and not incur any risk of being obliged to retreat by attemping tp force a passage
with too inconsiderable a number of men.
In the districts under my authority, you will not meet with any opposition, I trust; but
if you should, advise me, that the Leader of the Offenders may be brought to justice, and
during all your march, give particular orders that no act of Oppression may be exercised on
the Riots, without the full value being paid. I shall order an escort.. .to join you at this Place 3 .
Shortly after, Pring-le got into trouble for interfering in revenue matters ;
whilst making his headquarters at Deoghar 3 he undertook responsibility, on "behalf
of the native farmer of revenues, for the payment of certain tolls ; the farmer fell
into arrears in his monthly payments, and
quitted DeoGurr without so much as acquainting me where he was gone, or when he would
return to his Duty. ... Convinced from this behaviour that he never meant to return to
DeoGurr, ...I, considering myself as accountable to Government for the amount of the
Revenue, took the Collections into my own hands; ... I ordered his Papers and Effects to be
secured, in order to investigate his accounts, and obviate as much as possible the Loss I
must naturally sustain. I was the more induced to use these rigorous Measures from the
Number of Complaints I had heard against him for repeated acts of oppression and Injustice,
which in the End would have ruined the Collections, and reflected Dishonour upon the
English Government *,
Although he was supported in his action by his commanding officer, the Sup-
reme Council took a serious view of Pringle's behaviour, General Clavering noting.
I think his becoming security to Government for Pertaub Sing's paying 7,000 rupees,
taking the Collections into his own hands and afterwards seizing his papers and effects,
Entirely unjustifiable. ...
And the Governor General agreed,
As for Ensign Pringle, I deem him highly culpable in engaging in a Business so foreign
from the duties of his profession ; and am of opinion that the proper and most effectual ex-
ample which could be made of such an offence would be to order his immediate removal from
his present station to some other Corps at a distance from it 5 [35, 269].
It would not be correct to give the impression that Eennell and his surveyors
were in constant conflict with the people of the country, as this narration of a few
incidents might imply ; the work indeed could not have proceeded had this been
so; on the contrary the Council were glad to commend "his just and inoffensive
conduct to the People of the Country " 6 .
The following extract from a journal of Showers [29] illustrates the general
willingness of the people to help, and yet the difficulty the surveyor found in
getting exactly the help he wanted ;
The Fauzdar...came to camp and brought along with him two guides ; he seems to know
very little of his own country, and could give me no information of the distances of the
inland Towns. ...
Being unable to obtain any just account of the distances that these Parganas extend
from the river, I have thought it improper to insert the confused description I receive from
the guides, who are only acquainted with the names of the villages near the Gompty, and are
obliged to be changed every two miles, their knowledge not extending further 7 .
1 Midnapore Dist. B. Ill (335), 2-4-74. "Browne's instructions dated 18-10-74; JBKC. 7-4-75 (9).
3 72L/10. * BEC. 24-5-76 (19). 5 EEC. 28-5-78. ยซ-B to CD. 17-10-74 (60 ). r 0rme MSS, 8 (3).
296
Inhabitants & Officials
On a journey down to Nagpur the same year,
' met with every civility " on the way \
1768, Showers records that he
India at large
It was the general rule that surveyors should be subordinate to the civil officer
in charge of the country in which they were working [272-3 ], except, of course,
in the case of officers surveying the route of a military detachment. The following
notice to the "Chief of Masulipatarn " advises him of the appointment of an
officer to survey his district ;
Notwithstanding it was necessary for the better executing the Business of the surveys of
the Circars to direct the Chief Engineer to furnish the Gentlemen appointed for that service
with particular instructions for their conduct therein, yet it was not intended that those
Gentlemen should be independent of the Chief Council of the Settlement in the Districts in
which they may be employed.
You will therefore acquaint Captain Stevens that notwithstanding the instructions he
has received from the Chief Engineer, he is to consider himself as acting immediately under
your orders ; that he is to report to you and the Council from time to time the Progress of
his survey, with bis remarks and Observations, and to transmit to the Chief and Council his
Plans and Charts to be forwarded to us 2 .
At the same time the civil officers were directed to furnish the surveyors " with
every necessary assistance " [92].
One of the most remarkable features of the work of the surveyors was the
manner in which they were able to travel with safety through unknown parts oE
the country with but little molestation ; and this was true even of countries whose
rulers and inhabitants were the most jealous or unfriendly; there is not one case to
report during the 18th century of any murderous attack on a surveyor. In the
first instance no surveyor ever ventured into a country where access was definitely
forbidden, just as Kennell turned back from the frontiers of Assam in 1765 [20, 29 1 ];
secondly, surveys of hostile countries were invariably made under the protection
of a military column ; and thirdly, before a surveyor could enter any foreign terri-
tory, he had always to be provided with a parwdna or passport [59,128]; once
provided with this he was seldom molested, and then only if ihe strayed unwittingly
beyond the limits specified; fourthly, the provision of escorts protected the surveyor
from the attacks of "bandits or dacoits.
The following extracts from the journal which Mr. Thomas kept from Nagpur
to Cuttack in 1782 [39] give a fair idea of the adventures to 'be encountered
when travelling off the beaten track.
January 28th. Left Nagpore on my return. By Moodahjee's s order. Ram Pundit,
Rajah of Cuttack, sent 8 horsemen with me, & I have also a Naig and 6 sepoys of Mr. Chap-
man's guard. ...
February 1st. Carried hence 3 days' provisions for men and beasts to support us through
the Nuctee Pass. ...
3rd. Delay by Elephants; Bildars clear the forest for the Elephants & Camels to
pass. ...
4th. Kept in alarm all last night by Tigers. ...
5th. Kyrabgur. Disturbed again all night by Tigers. ...
The Kyragur district is reckoned the extremity of Moodajee's Raj, and that of Bimlajee
begins. ..on the Cahcurrah Mullah which divides the two Rajes. The Kyragur Jemadar de-
clares himself independent of either Raj, and would give me no guides, nor read the Rajah's
passports. ...
8th. Robbed last night at Lecknow of my ring. Gold watch, chain, and key ; Crest cut
on a cornelian, crest on an emerald, one pistol, stock and buckle, and other things, at least
Rs. 1,500. ...
9th. About two Coss from Dhiggy, a nullah bad for Camels ; at Curmindah, a village
two Coss before I came to Dewreah, the villagers, after I had passed the Naig, plundered my
1 OrmeMSS.4(9'i-103). S J1MC. 24-4-73. "Maratha Raja of Nagpur.
Ikdia at lak&e 297
people in the rear, which obliged me to return, when...Naig drawing his sword, and the rest
beginning to fall on ray people, I fired a charge of bird shot at the most distant, to intimi-
diate them, which it did, and the greater part took to their heels.
I then ordered the Naig and another leader to be seized, and brought them with me to
Dewrah, but dismissed them unhurt on restoring the things they had taken.
loth. Guniss Pundit came to get the arms, my people had taken the day before, res-
tored ; I told him if he gave me a guide I would send them back by him, but he gave me no
guide, tho' he promised it; the arms therefore remain with my people.
12th. Halted. The Jemadar behaved very civilly, came to see me and gave chokee and
guides. I gave Mm two Turbands and at his request returned the arms taken at Cormandah.
14th. Sarongur \ large place. Rajah came see me and gave me three kids, rice, &c; I
gave him half a piece of Crimson Silk which Moodajee gave to me, and Rs. 5 to his servants.
He also give me Chokies and Guides, and desired me to tell the Governor General that he
had written to him to stay and take care of Mr. Elliott's grave. ... He says that Chammojee's
people destroyed the garden at Mr. Elliott's Tomb, but he intended to repair it. I offered
him money for that purpose, but he refused it, saying he would certainly do it at his own
expence 2 [39-40.].
The most remarkable instance of the immunity of a surveyor is that of Charles
Reynolds, who spent three years travelling backwards and forwards through the
heart of India, through the territories of the various Maratha chiefs and of the
Nizam. He invariably travelled with adequate passports ; but these gave no per-
mission to survey, and both Reynolds and Malet, the Resident at Poona, were
most anxious to prevent the Marathas getting to know the real purpose of all these
journeys. When submitting to Government his first map, at the end of 1787,
Reynolds particularly asked that it should not be published [ 127 ], and this re-
quest was repeated by Malet;
Permit me to solicit your Lordship's attention to the necessity of stopping the publica-
tion of any of Captain Reynold's journies with me, or procured by my means during my
residence at this Court... as, should such publication come to the knowledge of this Govern-
ment, which I think very probable from the inquisitiveness of its spirit, it certainly would
have reason to reproach us with a deviation from that candour which we profess 8 .
The Directors agreed as to the impropriety of publishing Reynold's survey at the
time.
Reynolds wrote in again after his trip to Madras [ 128 ] ;
My present Trip has been productive of much interesting information, and I have pur-
posely deviated in the Nizam's country from the established Roads, to try the practicability
of a full and complete Investigation, without attracting the notice of the Government or any
of its officers, and it has fully answered my most sanguine wishes. I have been most cau-
tious since I came into the Maratha country, and have kept [to the] High Road, being well
aware of the prying and inquisitive turn of the Peshwa's Government. . . .
The facility with which I make my journies unnoticed by the natives, whose curiousity
is not easily raised, particularly as I make use of no Instruments whatever before them, and
merely pass through the country as a Traveller, convinces me... of the practicability of com-
pletely effecting my scheme. ... From the time of my leaving Poona to this period, I have
never once had occasion to produce any of my Purwannahs, either from the Nizam's or Mar-
rar.ha. Government*.
In preparation for a second visit to Hyderabad, Reynolds asked the Bombay
Government for a letter to the Resident ;
I beg leave to submit to your consideration the propriety of my having a public letter
to him to the following effect, " Captain Reynolds is despatched by us on business which he
will communicate to you ". It may be necessary to assign some reason to the Nizam's
Minister for my journey, and in that case the producing a letter from Government would
remove every suspicion of my employment, and insure my safety back 5 ,
Malet was far from happy about this journey, and told Government that,
I acquainted him that the repetition of his journies must rest on many precarious con-
tingencies. ... I am at a loss clearly to comprehend on what footing the journey which...
Captain Reynolds is now on the point of prosecuting to Hyderabad will be undertaken, as at
present it appears intended to be performed without the knowledge of this court. In that
1 Sarangarh, 64 0/2. -Journal, MEIO. M. 163 (40-4). 3 BoS & Pol. 9-1-89. 4 BoS& Pol.
3-4-89. 5 BoS & Pol. 23-9-89.
^ J8 INHABITANTS & OFFICIALS
case furnishing him with a guard from my detachment, ...would reduce me to a T>ile m โข :.
called on here to account for his journey, since I should neither be able to ยฃยฃ,ta i ' "
"ThlSov : t0 Tโข S Tf a ,T rily ",* ^ MthOT ' ty *โข ^nndSahen^-
lire Groveinor General had by now become disturbed by these tourneys and wrote
I am so unwilling to alarm the jealousy of the Marrathas that 2^KโขS
^iSd^^
tm^employ himself in arrange and protract t^X tt ts^re^ ^l
Beynolds' journeys were not however entirely without adyenture and the
following extracts from the journal of a fellow traveller fell of TZ + I-
journey from Luctnow to Bombay in 1794 [cT. mmimt* on his
of hfs o oSe a n7d Wr '! ten t0 ^ Zemindar ยฐ f tto " lla ยป" e complaining of tne valence
Mav mh an T , dC f mS ^ration of the articles which fell into their hands.
ยปโ S w ' 5 2em โข d ^ of Ammeree < returned almost submissive answers to Caotain
^^^r^^r:โข,^ and it โข impossibie for his sin ^
He sent the body of Reynolds's servant, and said he would keep the Bodies of hi.
men who were killed as a proof, and restore the property as soon assent for * "^
Ihe diarist notes that, on arrival at Burlianpur
The person in authority here who farmed the town from Scindia is โข+ *โ n .,โ
towards Europeans, and therefore I did not chuse to Sk goTng into tne cit^ """ ^^
Burrow records an interesting incident at Cheduba [ 4 , 160 1
As I was taking equal latitudes a number of people came and" disturbed m โ K >. *โ
was very angry and supposed I was making observations to determine the F^nt, '
expedition that the English might intend ajamst them m favour ofTheโnt S * * """
thestuth 1 "' "= t0 hare BeatS ยฐ n ' S evid6nCe as t0 the fr^dliness of people in
The duties of Surveying in which I was occupied for some years afforded manv โโ mrt ,,
mties of judging of the disposition of the Natives on the Coast โข7tZ man T ยฐPPยฐrtn-
traversed the wildest parts, amongst Woods and Mountains from the Citoars to Cat c โข
cllf^t only r T ys ' J aever met โข"" the ~^^โขT^โข;
Colleries, on the contrary I was treated with respect and attention wherever I went?
^Johnson records the following note whilst surveying the frontiers of Malabar
Earn Gooty (who is now in the Cochin Territories for his health TtLI^ZLT^,
Revenues he collected on a God. (Set up near NumbhuUy cote I3 rn 7] \7hom t ht call
Hurrowbally) without accounting in the least to any superior* 7
The surveyors did not find the people of Malabar particularly helpful h-il-
The want of proper guides has lately much increased the labour and dFfficulties of 'the
Surv eyors ; on hand lt dera tbe Mc ^ lnformation ^ d '^ es ; of the
other, it evidently retards the progress of the Survey โข and as no exertion nf IT =
has been able to overcome the litigiousness of the Tassildart ^"^l^Zl
furnish the necessary guides, I have therefore to request as the only efficacfous m^ s yo u
1 Bo S 4 Pol. 30-9-89. โ Bo S & Pol 7-10-89. GG to Millet 21
Jl-Mb. til (A0o-2i0). ^Bo Stir. Vol. IS, 17-4-93.
39. s Conflux with Jumna, 54
' Paper by Beatson, Oct. 1801;
INDIA AT LAlvG-E
will be pleased to direct the Northern and Southern Superintendents to furnish each Sur-
veyor with a Good Peon of their own, to remain with them during the survey, having an
order from their respective Masters or the Tassildars to furnish these gentlemen with one or
two guides from each district, as they proceed 1 .
Blunt had several anxious moments during his journey from Chunar to Bajah-
mundry [ 60-2 ],
and received considerable opposition from the natives, while the symptoms of enmity were at
one time sufficiently alarming to deter him from proceeding to Amarakant [60 n. 12] although
he was only 40 miles distant from that place, and considering it as he did 'one of the greatest
natural curiosities of Hindoostan' he relinquished the idea of visiting it with a feeling of much
disappointment '-.
He was obliged to deviate from the track which had been proposed, as he found it impos-
sible to penetrate through the wild and inhospitable regions bordering on the Northern
Circars, and in attempting it, had nearly fallen a sacrifice to the ferocity of the wild Goonds,
by whom he was attacked. ...
Travelling through a part of the Nizam's Dominions his perwanahs were of no further
avail, as he had not foreseen that he should require any others than such as were obtained
frem the Nagpoor Rajah and Mahratta Chiefs. He found the people of course extremely
suspicious, and shewing every inclination to molest him on his progress. When arrived near
Paloonshah 3 , he was suddenly surrounded by a considerable armed force, and to avoid hosti-
lities he allowed himself and party to be conducted to the Rajah of the place, with whom he
was necessitated to enter into a negotiation, when, after an interview in which Lieutenant
Blunt found it expedient to present the Rajah with a Toorky horse, he was allowed to depart
in peace, but not until he had distributed likewise among the Rajah's servants a few incon-
siderable presents. From here he met with no further molestation, and arrived safely with
his papers in the Hon'ble Company's territory, after performing one of the most hazardous
and laborious journeys that had ever been made in India 4 .
Other surveyors also had found the people of the Nizam's Dominions particularly
suspicions. "When Emmit ran a line through the southern districts in 1791, the
Resident wrote to his commanding officer, Little,
The conduct of Captain Reynolds was deserving of imitation in the caution he observed
lest the natives should see Ms instruments. ... There was more cause for circumspection in
the Nizam's Dominions than in those of the Mahrattas 5 .
Mackenzie says that when he was working round Hyderabad,
One of the earliest instructions given to me on that survey was to avoid going into their
walled places except by permission, or to erect or exhibit the instruments as seldom as
possible ; strict adherence to these measures only enabled me to do so much, and I never
felt myself at liberty to measure a base in the common cursory way, but in obscure places,
and near our detachment 6 .
Emmitt's appointment at Poona at the end of 1794 [130], had to be arranged
with circumspection, Malet writting that he had
been employed. ..as Surveyor with me, since December last ; though for reasons that need
not be explained, under Furlough of absence, in preference to a Public appointment to an
office that thereby might have attracted notice and interruption here '.
During his survey with Blunt through Central India at the end of 1792 [ 43 ],
Anburey met with occasional unfriendly villagers ;
15th December, Selleyah 8 . The people at this place chiefly Patans, and showed every
inclination to quarrel had the least encouragement been given them to do so. Refused
supplying coolies and every other necessary. ...
17th. The people at Salemow 9 again troublesome, pushing into the camp notwithstand-
ing the Sepoys begging them to keep off, and shewing every inclination for hostilities : the
people of Phaadu on the contrary shewed every friendly attention by letting the people
bring grass, milk, and everything we wanted ; Coolies and Guides 10 .
Surveyors often met with the greatest friendliness and courtesy, of which
Mackenzie gives an instance;
In 1794, some years ago, I passed through the Canoul ยซ Nabob's country by Attoor. . .to
Hyderabad [112]. I was taken very ill of a fever at Alpoor with most of my followers, just
> Prom Sartoriis, BoMC. 20-1-95. ยป Journal of Waugh & Beany, 1833. MEIO. 11263 'Monona,
65C/10. โขยป;-,. v. T ..ri. BMC. 29-2-9(5(49). 'Hydei-ibid Cor ; HMS. 613 (80), 2 1-10-91. ยปDDn. 41,
6-12-99. 7 Bo HC. 8-12-95. s Salaiyah, 55 1/7.
UKurnool, 571/1.
SiViaao, 55 I 11. '"Mbk. G-BO Lib. Aa. 41.
3110
Inhabita
Officials
as I was on the point of going to Canoul to visit the Nabob, who iโ the handsomest manner
sent a good dhooly and a set of his own bearers, who carried me safe to Hyderabad - I can
never forget tins civility, and if you see him I will thank yon to mention that I retain a very
just sense of his kindness. *
I also wish you would let me know what small present would be most acceptable to him
and I would send it up to your own care, I believe glasses, cordials, and china, are some^
times acceptable to Moor men i of rank; after you go to Canoul enquire discreetly, but let
it not be mentioned to the Nabob ; I do not pretend to go a great length, but I should like
to show my remembrance of his civility 2 .
Hoare tells us that when on the survey of the Jumna River U 7 1
At Hermeerpoore 'the principal pundit requested I would not so much as disgrace him
โข Jยฐ m PaSS t P f! l ^ OTdia ^y b "-ยฐยปSht to, as I wished to gain some information, and he
paid me a visit. I found him a very good man, but as usual the number of servants preven-
ted our being so properly supplied as he wished *.
Military Escorts
When Rennell left Calcutta on his first survey in May 1764 he took with him
only 11 sepoys, and Richards in December 1765 brought another ten and a JamaiarK
It was therefore wl th this small body of 21 men that Rennell hastened to
Morrison s assistance against the mnyasis [ 292] ยป. After this affair the Governor
ordered that the Surveyor General should always travel with an escort of a full
company, with one or more British officers 7 .
Most of the surveyors also were allowed a company of sepoys when working in
the frontier districts [ 34 ] ; in earlier years these were detailed from the " par^ana
battahons [267], an extra duty that was hardly welcomed, as witnessed by the
Resident at Midnapore m 1770 [225];
Mr. Carter arrived here yesterday, and proposes to set out for Ballasore in three or four
ยซ??i. v g ,!ยฐ," r J 0rder ; > therefore < as so ยฐยป ^ possible, whether [it be] absolutely necessary
that he should be furnished with a company of Seapoys from hence.
If this can be dispensed with, without much inconvenience, I should be glad, as almost
our whole force is at present required for the service of our Junguls 8 .
Carter got his company, but the Resident had to complain three month's later
Both the Zemindar and Tahsildar at Gatseela' have wrote me very heavy complaints
against the Seapoys and people of Lieutenant Carter's Detachment, of their plundering every
place they go through. I have wrote to Lieutenant Carter on the subject, and must request
you will likewise represent the matter to him, and how hard it is for those poor Ryots to
cยฃT w 5 meMS 0t EngliSh Seapoys what the y have saved from the devastation of the
โข 0a, S WO T? to ยฐ k him ยฃurther west > lnt0 Jragleterry" [34 n. 9], and the Supra-
visor at Beerbhoom " writes, F
Captain Carter who is employed on a Survey in these Western Provinces, has applied to-
me for a reinforcement of one or two Companies of Sepoys, as a large body of Chouars in the
Borders of the Herboe district, have opposed his passing thro' that Country on his way to
Boglepore'- Sec. ... It was in my power comply with Captain Carter's Application, as I have
not a complete Company fit for Duty at this place, independent of those who are detach'd in
small Commands for the protection of the province.
If you think proper that Captain Carter should be reinfore'd from this Quarter I doubt
not but you'll supply me as soon as you convenientiy can with two Companies of Sepoys
In short, Gentlemen, I must take the liberty to repeat to yon, the necessity there is of' my
bemg supplied with another Company if they can possibly be spar'd from the City u
The President thereupon informed the Council,
that.. .he had ordered a Company from the Burdwan Battalion to join Captain Carter and that
he has reason to believe this supply has enabled him to continue his survey of the Herboe
District 14 [ 294 1.
'SยฐโขrJWoor was at that time applied to all Mnhaminadans. ยปDDn. 83, 27-1-1810 'Hamlr
?R*io7?M^ 'Jn^OBO Lib.M 48!. ' La Touohe ( 9, 59 ) . ยซHโtoโ Job ยปโ ( '872). TBpQ
48-10-76(14) . >M,dn apm eI>istR. II So. 517, 29-1-70. 'Gliitsila, 73 J/6. ยปib lVjIo.3 28-4JK,
i2L, P. '-Bhagalpur, 72 K/16. "Firmmger, III, 5-1-71. "lb. 30-4-71 (21). ' '
j,
โ Mi
Military Escorts
W\
As Bengal became more settled, such large escorts were no longer required.
"When the Surveyor General went up country to surrey the Cossirnbazar and
Granges rivers in 1795, and again in 1796 [64-5], he was satisfied with escorts of
about a dozen sepoys K
Reynolds always took a fairly large escort with him on his journeys through
Maratha country. In 1788 he wrote to Malet from Nag'pur [ 137-8 ] ;
Since my arrival at Nagpoor I have despatched people to explore the Road from hence
to MasullipuLtum 2 by way of Rajmundry, in order to be ascertained of the truth of the
common report of the Country, which represented it as much infested by Banditti. The
men I employed are returned some days with the fullest confirmation of it.
I have therefore, as the season is now approaching for commencing this journey, made
an application to Mr. Forster, the Resident here, to reinforce my guard, so as to make it ade-
quate to my protection.
Forster replied to this application,
I would willingly furnish you with a party of Country Sepoys, . . . but as the payment of
it must be ultimately made by the Bombay Government, with which I have no official con-
nection, I am apprehensive of the irregularity of taking such a step. Fearing however that
the service you are employed in may be wholly frustrated. ..without some adequate protec-
tion to your person and papers against the Banditti, ...I am inclined to recommend to you
hiring an escort of the sepoys of this Quarter, and to charge the expence of it to your
Government.
Taking this advice Reynolds entertained
twenty of the common foot of this Country, with a Jamidar, as with a less party neither my
Person or papers would be safe in going through the immense Jungles that occupy the greater
part of the Road. ... The common men are to have seven rupees per month each man, and
the Jemadar twelve 3 .
In 1793 Reynolds obtained a substantial escort from the Bengal Government
for his survey of the upper dodb [ 55] ;
A detachment consisting of 2 Subadars, 2 Jamadars, 6 Havaldars, 6 Naiques, 1 Drummer
and 1 Fifer, and 100 Sepoys is to be immediately formed at Cawnpore for the purpose of
attending Captain Reynolds. ..on public business, and from whom the Officer appointed to
the Command of the Escort will receive his orders.
The following Establishment and allowances are fixed for the Detachment :
1 Sircar ... 1 Native Doctor ... 1 Fireman
2 Doolies ... 2 Fuckaullies ... 1 Carpenter
1 Mistry Smith ... 2 Lascars ... 2 Coolies
1 Bildar
Allowance for the writer and Stationery ... ... Rs. 20
For Iron, Steel, Charcoal and materials for repairing
accoutrements ... ... ... Rs. 20
An Annual Allowance of Rs. 70 for supplying Wax Cloth, Tarpaulins etc.
The Detachment is to be furnished with Ten rounds of Ball Ammunition & I Flint per
man in their pouches, and a further quantity of three bullock loads, and 4 flints per man, is
to be sent with the Detachment, for the carriage of which the Commanding Officer will pro-
vide cattle, and charge for the expence in a contingent Bill, certified upon honor 4 .
He says m another place that,
I had, besides, a Jemadar's detachment belonging to this Presidency, of between thirty
and forty men; and to the Bengal detachment two European Officers on double full Batta,
Tent, and all field allowances, were attached, besides an Assistant Surveyor ( an Engineer
Officer) on the same footing 5 .
As this establishment was over and above all that taken for survey purposes,.
Reynolds and Blunt must have led a fine caravan.
William Francklin, an officer of the escort, describes their presentation to the
Emperor of Delhi ;
On the nth of March 1794, the author accompanied Major Reynolds, who was at Delhi
on a deputation from the Bengal government, to an audience of his majesty, Shah-Aulum
[z4n,6]. ... [We] presented our Nazzars 6 on white handkerchiefs, each of our names being
announced at the time we offered them. The King received the whole, and gave the Naz-
J DDn. 16 (82), 8-4-95. 3 Masulipatam, 65 H/4. J BoMC. 11-10-88. * Bo GO. 14-10-93 : BoMC,
23-6-96. & BMC. 12-2-9S. 6 Beinga definite number of gold mohurs according to rank.
302
Inhabitants & Officials
zais to his son. ..and two other princes who sat on his left hand. ... We then retired with
our faces towards the presence, made the same obeisance as before, and returned a second
time to the Musnudi. After a slight conversation, we were directed to go without the enclo-
sure, and put on the Khilluts which his majesty had ordered for us. They consisted of light
Indian dresses, a turband Jamah, and CumberbundS made of cotton, with small gold sprigs.
On being clothed in these dresses, we once more returned, and after a few minutes stay
previous to which Major Reynolds received 3 a sword and a title from the king, we were
dismissed.
Francklin also describes as a notable sight a body of Sikh troops in the service of
Sindhia, which they met whilst out on survey.
Early in 1796 Beynolds proposed another expedition to the western frontiers
of Bengal, and applied to the Bombay Government for an escort of the same
strength as he had from Bengal, saying,
I am well aware, from the small military force under this Presidency, the great demand
for their services, and the weak state of some of the Battalions, may render the compliance
inconvenient.
He suggested that it might be formed as a special unit because,
The inconvenience in taking from the establishment. ..is the hardship to the Battalion
they may be ordered from, and the disgust it creates in the breast of the Officer Command-
ing it, m having so large a portion constantly detached and from under his authority. ...
There is one other consideration, ...the being able.. .to disband them on my reaching the
Bengal Provinces, and putting an end to the expence, when of course I may be fnrnished, as
I was before, with an Escort. ...
I shall be able to procure the number of men necessary from the Nawab and Buckshee 4 ,
and from among the Troops which they have lately disbanded at Surat, which, altho' not so
well disciplined as our Troops, are nevertheless old soldiers, and will answer every necessary
purpose.
With respect to the allowances (Pay and Batta) for the escort, I do not conceive that
the Sepoys lately disbanded at Surat by the Nawab would willingly engage with an English
officer for foreign service, and in so active a line as mine must necessarily be, when I set out,
without the common advantages enjoyed by similar ranks in the Company's service. ... For
my own sake, I should not like to entertain any but able-bodied men, and such I could de-
pend on emergency to place some reliance on, for altho' it cannot be supposed that I am
meant to force my way through the country, but on the contrary to effect it by friendship
and permission, still it has happened in the course of my journies, that I have been obliged
to make use of the Military force with me, for the preservation of myself, and partly against
large parties of Banditti, which are too often the terrror of some the interior parts of India '-.
He estimated the monthly cost at Es. 1189-8-10 a month, and Government
sanctioned his raising such an escort provided he
discharge the Native Officers and men on his arrival at the first station in the Bengal Pro-
vinces ; taking from them their Arms, and lodging them there 6 .
It is not surprising that the Bengal Government ruled that the charge of this
escort should fall on the Bombay Government. The letter Government were how-
ever fully generous, aud authorized an establishment of artificers, and transport
for ammunition and accommodation for the sick, and allowed Beynolds to purchase
24 yards ... Aurora Cloth 20 yards Superfine Dark Green Cloth
8o โ Blue Coarse โ to โ โ Blue
which probably sufficed for his personal bodyguard 7 .
He never made the expedition for which this escort was primarily sanctioned,
but brought on to its strength all his native surveyors, their assistants, and such
escorts as accompanied them on survey [ 287 ] ;
He had been in the habit of employing the people of his escort, either as principals or
Assistants in the detailed surveys, and had in all such instances allowed them both their
pay and Batta, besides other allowances and rewards, to them and to others, altogether
considerably exceeding whatever he drew on every account from Government 8 .
โข.โ ' Thl ' 0n8 - /Waistbelt. "Francihn (204). 'Paymaster or accountant; ffoSsoi. Joteon, Buxee.
'BMC. 9-2-96. >ib. >BJIC. 23-9-96. ยปDDn. 146 (46 ), Mm. by Governor, 16-U-1801.
Posts and Communications
Posts and Communications
During the 18th century the sailing ships of the East India Company used to
take, on an average during the favourable season, from five to seven months from
London to Madras, sailing from London between October and April only; the
passage might last very much longer.
In 1789, a Dutch East Indiaman arrived at Calcutta which had left Amsterdam 14 months
before. In 1809 the Calcutta Gazette writes "seven and a half months have now elapsed
since the date of the latest advices from Europe " K
On the other hand in 1776 Rennell writes home
The Triton which left Gravesend the 10th April arrived here in the beginning of
September. We had advices long ago from England as late as the end of May, by way of
Suez. This is a new route opened by Governor Hastings; and letters which left Marseilles
the 3rd Jane, arrived here the 20th August. This... is a ready communication with Europe,
and may be kept open at all times, if we chuse to take a little pains 3 .
Philip Francis writes of this same event with, however, no acknowledgement to
Hastings, August 21st, 1776,
A ship is arrived here from Suez with Letters from England so low as the 20th of May.
... Such a passage is almost miraculous 3 .
We also hear of
Mr. WhitehiU's route hy Suez to Madras, when in charge of the Company's orders to
restore Lord Pigot 4 [256 n.6] ; which journey he accomplished in 59 days from London to Fort
St. George 5 .
The passage between Calcutta and Madras occupied anything from 6 days to
28 days, according to the weather and the season [ 101 ] 6 , so provision for regular
postal arrangements by land were organised as early as 1764, when the Directors
were informed that
we have for some time established a constant correspondence with Madras by Land, by the
means of Stage Cossids 7 .
Communication between Bombay and the Malabar Coast seems to have been
even more uncertain; Cameron [qv], in 1758 found it impossible to get any boat
to take him from Tellicherry to Bombay at the end of May, and says that a
passage would not be possible for six months.
For the journey to the far East,
the passage to the Straits was taken outside the Andamans and Nicobars ; and it was not till
about 1795 that the safety of the direct passage along the coast of Lower Burma had been
demonstrated, and ships could hope to reach Calcutta from the Straits in about 15 days s .
We find many references to the demand for timber for ship-building [20 n. 9, 1 03],
and to the dockyards at Bombay and Kidderpore, and Rennell notes,
Teak ships of 40 years old and upwards, are no uncommon objects in the Indian seas;
while an Europe an built ship is ruined there in five years. The ships builts at Bombay are
best 9 .
He records in 1788 that
a regular post is established throughout the parts of Hindoostan subject to the East India
Company, and also from Calcutta to Madras. The postmen always travel on foot. Their
stages are commonly from 7 to 8 miles ; and their rate of travelling within our own districts
about 70 miles in the 24 hours 10 .
Eeo-ular lines of postal communication by runners were gradually established
between the more important cities, these being termed dak in Upper India, and
tap-pal in Madras : individual travellers kept in touch with these established lines
by means of their own harkaras or cossids.
Where regular lines of post-runners were established, letters travelled with
great speed from place to place ; for example, a letter from the Resident at Poona,
dated 4th was read at the council in Bombay Castle on October 7th, a speed that
would not disgrace the post office of 1940. On the other hand, a letter written by
1 Calcutta 0$N. (177). - HMS. 765. 16-10-76. 3 Francis, I ( 268 ) . 4 Bio. Notes : m. Darlymple.
"Taylor, I {454-5). fi Hickey &, Colebrooke [ qv ] embarked in the Hooghly on Christmas Eve; and
reached Madras Jan. 11th ( 1791). 7 B to CD. 26-11-64 (60). 3 AspinaU (189). "Msmow, 1793 (260-1).
^Memoir, 1188 (237).
',:โ
301
Inhabitants & Officials
the Governor Genera] at Fort William on August 26th, did not reach Poona till
October 1st 1 .
In discussing the probable width of the Peninsula [ 178-0 1, Herbert writes
I was 25 days on my journey from Tellicherry to Fort St. David's in the year 1747 ' and
lost as little of tins time as possible, being spurr'd on by anxiety lest the ship I belonged to
should sail before my arrival [211 n. 3 ]: And I find, by my memorandums, that I was at least
220 hours travelling it, deducting all delays for eating, sleeping, &c, in that time ; But I have
been informed that the.. Couriers have done it in 9 or 10 days; that is to say, they forward
letters &c. in that time ; for they do not go all the way, but being generally Bramins, they
stage it from one pagoda to another ; so that upon extraordinary occasions they lose neither
eating nor sleeping time. ... While I was on the spot I computed my travelling at the rate of
a league an hour, ... I can m no ways allow it at less than 2 i miles 2
The normal means of travelling from place to place for Europeans was by
palanquin, with fresh bearers at regular stages ; always travelling by niยฐ-ht durini
the hot weather. ยฐ J a e
The more leisurely and comfortable way, especially with a quantity of baggao-e
was to travel by river, of which Mrs. Kindersley writes,
.โ Jhe progress up the Ganges is so exceedingly slow, that the voyage from Calcutta to
Allahabad takes near three months to perform it in '; at the same time that it is common to
go from Allahabad to Calcutta in twenty days ยซ.
The Presidency Postmaster General had various agents distributed through the
CO a n ^ y ;, 1774 A1 % ne โขs transferred from Cuttaek to Ganjam on such duty'
and Motte was employed for several years at Benares " as agent for despatching the
Cossids& expresses from the Presidency to Bombay ยซ". Accidents were rare, but
the Calcutta Gazette records in 1792 that,
Mail of 2nd inst. was robbed between Jagganaut? and Neringapatam, the Hircarras and
Guides murdered, and the Bombay Letters entirely lost; the Madras Mail has been since re-
covered complete 8 .
โขv. Bo S & Pol. 7-10-89.
>BPC. 26-5-74, โขWO. 19-12-74.
3 Herbert (51n).
7 Puri, 74E/13.
3 ef. Colebrooke [qv].
1 CO. 19-7-92.
^Kindersley (93-4).
! :!
TERZA PARTE dell' ASIA
by Cliacopo di Gastaldi, 1561
Plate 1(J
Reduced, by a half, from a map published in Venice, entitled II Designo Delia Terxa I'arlc
dell' ASIA, by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.
Note the complete absence of longitude values, and the ignorance of the
positions of places like Multan, Chitor, Lahore and Delhi.
Geography of Central Asia largely taken from Marco Polo [70].
CONTINUED FROM P.
305
Addenda & Corrigenda
317
321
ยป I
Page 309 col. 1, Anburey, line Yl,.after 116 insert 299,
โขjia " Z' lme I0 froni botklin ' f<> r -OS read 238.
โ โ 2. Baillie, line 8, delete Portrait.
Bogle, line 2, for 1746-7 read 20-11-46.
last line, for alimenting read augmenting
1, Byres, line 10 from bottom, /ยซโข CaiTery
read Can very; Cadogan, line 2", /<โโ i-i-54
read 1-12-54.
โข2, Caldwell, James, line 4, /or Rickarts read
Rioketts and insert new footnote John
Henry R-ekett.s ( Riokarts ) (1767-92)
Ben. Engrs., Ens. 3-1-85; elder bro. of
Vice Adm, Sir R.T. Ricketts, 1st Bart โ
father of John Ricketts, founder of Dove-
ton Coll., Calcutta, d., in Carnatic
11-4-92.
(, line 17 from bottom, insert as new yara
1761, assisted in obsn. of transit of
Verms [ 153 ].
footnote 2, for cousin read cousin.
, Camae, line 9 from bottom, for 000 000
read 294.
..line 9 from bottom, after Corah insert
[pl- 1]-
', line 21 from bottom, for Bristowc read
Bristow.
', line 12 from bottom, after 271 insert 335.
', line 4, after world invert [ 84 ],
, hne {.; from bottom, after Corah insert- [ 326 ].
, line 18 from bottom, for not read on.
line 4 from bottom, after ( qy ) far stop
read comma,.
, line 8, commence para 1772-5, comdf. batt
at Berhampore j 1775, after tr. to Midna-
pore, Dismd., etc.
, Erbb, line 2, for servant read sergeant.
. Guthrie, line 8, for Daniel read Daniel!
Hardwicke, add final- para April 1817 to
Feb. ISIS, comdg. Art., Duia Duru, kept
meteorological journal, MRIO. M 534.
. Humphrays, line 7, after Inf. add ( 1750/1-
line 5 from bottom, after instruments delete
comma.
Jones, line 6 from bottom, after DIB.
insert Ency. Brit.
line 17 from bottom, for Chhattsrpur read
Chhatarpur.
Mackenzie, line IS, for Fulchner read Fnl-
Iine 11 from bottom and footnote C, for
Blackiston read Blakiston.
324
320
32!ยป
331
332
333
33*
348
34!)
351
!ge 352
, 358
376
380
3SI
y.si
386
388
col. 2, Marsaek, line 13, for 000 read 360.
,, 1, Montresor, lines 6, 7, for Ens 5-4โ 3">
read Pr. Engr. 2-10-31 ; Ens. 14th Foot'
5-4-32 ... Maj. Engrs. 14-5-57. ...
โ 1, last lme, for the 3rd Mysore War read
1790-2; for Maj. General read Lieut.
L-eneral.
โ 2, Nuthall, line 2 from bottom, far Aruott
read Arcot.
โ 1, Orme, line 12 from bottom, after 223 insert
โ 1, Orme, line 3 from bottom, after 331 insert
โ 2, line 5, for acquinted read acquainted.
larrott, after hue 4, insert ' new para โ
.Sailed from England 23-11-67, as 4th
matt: of Adm. Watson-, Indiaiuan.
โ ยซ, line y, rv/to* Arcot Rupees iff-ssri [279 n 1 1
Poller line 13, delete killed, Ckulla!
17ob-9, a-H(i substitute- <]., Calcutta 1759
175Sยฐ UndS rCCeived at sie ยง e of Madras^
" 2 - lbl ^ *' 5 ' f or Picture Col. Mordaunt's Cock
.tight xaUiauU, pictures Co/. ; UWยซ?, ,.,{'*
Cยซ* Afยซ^A and C'fa,/^ jlfยซrfiยซ ยซยป,/ /*;.,
Friends,
. โ 2, line 20, /or. 3-3-24 read 3-3-1824
โ 1, line 26 from bottom, /or heath read
health.
โ 2, line 2 from bottom, /br Aracan read
Arakan.
at end of note 12 add in letter dated 25-3-77 Eliza
Draper writes "Kir I. Newton used to say that
some Blockheads |>' C J or other would find out
the Longitude bye and byeโ and by the way, it
is found out at Poonah by an English Chaplain
m the Company's Service, who, through the
Directors, claims the reward offered by Parlia
ment". (Wright). ^
col. 1, Charles Stewart, hue 5, for Vadgaon read
wadgaon,
โ 1, Terranneau, line 5, after Anne insert
; grandfather of Robert Terranneau
(1790-1841 ), Revenue .Surveyor, Bengal
โ 2, hue 14 from bottom, for 191 read 102
โ 2, line 8 from bottom, after Noland insert
reference number to new footnote to read
sometimes Nowlan or Nowland
{ 1740-1-80 ), 2/L.t. Bom. Est. 12-4-63 -
Lieut. Ben. Est. 10-2-G4 ; Capt. 8-7-66 โ
Resd. Sept. 1766 ; restored as Capt Bom
Est. 17-3-60 ; bur., Bombay, 1-8-SO
306
Fuetheb Abbreviations
ADC.
. Aide -de -Camp
AG.
Adjutant General
AB.
Astronomer Royal
Acctt.
. Accountant
Adj.
Adjutant
Adin.
Admiral
Admn.
Administration
Adv.
Advertise / d/ment
App/d/t.
App oint/ed / ment
Arrd.
Arrived
Art.
Artillery
As8t.
Assistant
Astr.
Astronomical
Attd.
Attached
Auth.
. Author
BA.
Bachelor of Arts
b.
Born
bapt.
Baptized
Bart.
Baronet
Batfc.
Battalion
Bio.
B i ograph / ical / y
Bri.
Brigade โ
Brig Gen.
Brigadier General
Bro.
Brother
Bt.
Brevet
Bur.
Buried
c.
about
CB.
Companion of the Bath
CP.
Central Provinces
Cant.
Cantonments
Capt.
Captain
Capt Lieu
Captain Lieutenant
Cav.
Cavalry
Cem.
Cemetry
Cert.
Certificate
Chpn.
Chaplain
Civ.
Civil Service
Co.
County
Cod.
. Codicil
Col.
Colonel
Coll.
College
Com.
Committee
Comd/d/g
Command/ed/ing
Comd/r/t.
Comma nd/er/ant
Commy.
Commissary
Comn/r.
Commission/er
er.
Created
Ctml.
Court Martial
DD.
Doctor of Divinity
DL.
D Q M G.
d.
dau.
Depy.
Dett.
Dismd.
Div.
Dman.
dsp.
Eeel,
Ed.
Edu.
Engr.
Ens.
Est.
Eur.
Expn .
FRS.
I'd Engr
Ft.
Furl.
Fwkr.
GCM.
GM.
GOC.
Gen.
HM's. โ
HMS.
Hon.
I.
IO.
I O Logs
Inf.
Kt.
LLD.
Lat.
Lieut.
Long.
Lt.
LtCol.
MA.
MD.
MGO.
Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Quartermaster
General
Died
Daughter
Deputy
Detachment
Dissmissed
Division
Draughtsman
Died without issue
Ecclesiastical Returns
Educated
Edition
Engineer
Ensign
Establish me nt
European
Expedition
Fellow of the Royal
Society
Field Engineer
Eort
Furlough
Fireworker
General Court Martial
Gentleman's Magazine
( periodical )
General Officer Com-
manding
General
His Majesty's
His Majesty's Ship
Honourable
Island
India Office
India Office Logbooks
Infantry
Knight
Doctor of Laws
Latitude
Lieutenant
Longitude
Light
Lin u tenant- Colonel
Married
Master of Arts
Doctor of Medicine
Master General of Ord-
nance
MI.
Monumental Inscription
MP.
. Member of Parliamont
Mag.
Magazine
Maj.
Major
Maj Gen. .
Major-General
Mar.
Marine
Math.
. Mathematic/al/s
Med.
Medical Service
Merch.
Merchant
N.
. Nala, Stream
NT,
Native Infantry
OC.
Officer Command i i ig
Ob.
Obituary
Obs/d/n. .
. Observ/ed/atiou
PWI. .
Prince of Wales's Island,
Penang
Pers Rec. .
Personal Records, I 0.
Pract Eng
. Practitioner Engineer
pr.
Probate ; proved
Presdy.
Presidency
prob.
Probably
Progs.
Proceedings
Pub.
Published
Qmr.
Quartermaster
R A.
Royal Academy /Artillery
R AS.
Royal Astronomical
Society
R A S (mn
) Monthly Notes of R A S.
RASB. .
. Royal Asiatic Society of
Bengal
RMA.
. Royal Military Academy,
Woolwich
RN.
Royal Navy
Regt.
Regiment
Resd.
Resigned
Resdt.
Resident
Ret.
. Retired
Rev.
Reverend
S J.
Society of Jesus, Jesuit
Sd.
. Signed
Subsy.
Subsidiary
Supt.
S uper intend/ent / i i ig
Surg.
Surgeon
Surv/d/r.
Survey /txl/or
Tr.
Transferred
unkn.
unknown
unm.
unmarried.
Vol.
. Volume
WP.
Writers' Petitions, I 0.
ยฃโ . ::
: โ โ โ
.
. .. โ
โ
โ
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
307
ABINGTON
308
BIOGRAPHICAL
ABINGTON, William. Bom. Inf.
b. 1740. d. 29-3-1816.
2nd Lieut. 23-1-62 ... Maj. 26-12-81.
mโ Bombay, 22-1-67, Miss Elizabeth Gawky.
Comdg. 9th Batt. in action at Kalyan, 24-5-80.
10th & 1 1th Batts. to Tellicherry, April 1781 ; captured Mahe
12-2-82 & Calicut 13-2-82 ; relieved by Humberstone [ 125 ].
Sketch of coast between Calicut & Mahe 1 .
ADAMS, John. Ben. Engrs.
d. 1767, in Bengal, unm.
Ens. 6-10-61 ... Capt. 30-12-66.
Mother, Eleanor Adams, of Ashburton, Devonshire ; uncle,
Richard Adams, of Cornwall.
Will sd. Dacca 17-7-67; pr. 1767 (v. Portsmouth).
Hodaon.
1762, Asst. Engr., Ft. William.
On survey in 1766; placed under SG.'s orders from
1-1-67 [31 j. Survd. Mahananda and other rivers in
Purnea, and roads in Midnapore 2 [32, 52, 225];
Obsd. astr. lat. Malda [ 153].
ALLAN, Alexander. Mad. Inf.
b. 1764. d. 14-9-1820, unm.
Ens. 27-8-80 ... Purl. 1799 ; Maj. 23-6-1803.
cr. Bart, of Kingsgate, 18-9-1819.
EIMC. I ( 454 ).
Served with 3rd and 13fchNI. ; Appd. junior Capt. of
Guides [ 97, 109 ] ; Capt. of Guides, 30-8-92 [ 272, 287 ] ;
Read. 10-2-98 [in]; Town Major, Madras, 1797.
Survd. provinces S. of Coleroon R. from May 1789
[no, 174].
3rd. Mysore War; May 1790 to Jan. 1791, Survd.
marches of Medows' army [6, 110-1 ] ; 1791-2, Guide
& QMG. with Nizam's Horse ; measured 2300 miles
of road [7, no]; Zealand activity commended by
Lord Cornwallis 3 [253].
1793, submitted map of these marches and sketch
of roads and passes along southern frontier of Mysore
[111,113,193,244], which latter however Montgomerie
described 33 years later as " very poor "*,
4th Mysore War 1799, following extracts from his
personal journal 5 [9, 118];
"I have had many conversation respecting the
route to Seringapatam, & I thought it advisable to
discuss the subject very fully with Major Beatson.
After referring to my field books of the Marches of
the Army under Marquis Cornwallis. ..we have given
our opinion that we should proceed by way of
Aunacull. ...
"I have made sketches of the proposed route of
the Army from hence to Seringapatam. ... Capt. Orr
[qv] has not only had access to all my maps and
field books, but has had my personal assistance on
the march; and as I every evening prepare sketches
of our actual position, and that proposed for the
ensuing march, as well for Wellesley as the General
[Harris], I have scarce a moment to myself. ...
I am particularly anxious the General should be sensible
that I have no recollection of his behaviour respecting the
QMCahip, and yet, bad he behaved as he ought to have done,
how enviable would my situation be now".
After the capture of Seringapatam General Baled entrusted
to Allan the business of gaining entrance to the Palace, "where
it was thought the enemy in defence of their sovereign and
his family would make a serious resistance " s .
"Nature had given to Major Allan a heart, form, and a
countenance admirably fitted for this humane duty" 7 .
"Taking a white flag", Allan was after a time successful
in gaining the surrender of the two princes, and the opening
of the palace gate. The palace was searched for Tipu, but
his body was eventually found in a gateway on the north
face of the fort 8 .
May 11th, Allan "this morning went round the fort with
Eaird and Lambton [ 9 ]. "
"May 13th. Beatson received a letter of the 23rd of
April from Lord Mornington [ GG. ] informing him that a
vessel was ordered to be ready at Bombay to convey his
Lordship's despatches to Bussora; ...he wished that one of
us should proceed to Bombay, to go home overland. Beatson
declined this ( owing to the great difficulties of a journey to
Bombay at the moment ). ... I also determined to go to
Madras, and not to make an attempt in which I was so likely
to fail. ..."
"May 16th. When I waited on the General the other day,
to ask his permission to go to the Presidency, he thought I
was going to make some request respecting the appointment
of QMG. ... ; I thanked him, and...said there was nothing that
the Service offered which would induce me to remain in the
country, now that I could retire with propriety. The General
has repeatedly regretted that he had not made me QMG. ;
this is so far satisfactory, as it shows that his refusal to re-
commend me for the appointment was not because he thought
me ill-qualified: there was mystery in the whole of his conduct
in that business. ...
"I have given the General a map of the marches
of the army, which he means to send to the GG. I
have addressed an official letter to the AG., ...it
being my intention to embark for Europe on the rst
ship that sails".
Allan and Beatson were then sent down to Madras with
dispatches, and Allan slipped ahead of his companions ;
"May 28th. Arrived at Amboor 9 ,. ...I set off immedi-
ately and reached Vellore in the afternoon, to the no small
mortification of my fellow travellers. Being informed that
Lord Mornington was to leave Madras on the 30th, ... I pre-
vailed upon Mr. S โ to furnish me with bearers, and set off
from 9"clIore after supper. ...
" I got to Madras early the next morning { 30th ). I waited
immediately on Lord M โ , and was received with every mark
of kindness, and in a manner particularly gratifying. Being
the first officer from the Army, I had a very long and un-
reserved conversation with his Lordship".
At a public ceremony on June 4th for the reception of the
colours of Seringapatam, Allan " had the priviledge of hand-
ing to Lord M โ the sword of Tippoo Sultan, and Lord
Mornington replied ' The gift is particularly acceptable from
an officer distinguished throughout the whole campaign by
the most meritorious exertions of activity and valour ' ".
Allan arrd. in England early 1800; became a
Director of EIC. 1814; MP. for Berwick 1814-19.
Pub., June 1794, Twenty Views in the Mysore
Country li> ; all his fdbks. show an artist's touch.
"Col. Sir Alexander Allan, Bart, bred up in the Company's
army, of which he was at once its pride and ornament, his
eminent qualities successively attracted the notice of those
distinguished Governers General of India, the Marquesses
Cornwallis and Wellesley, also of Sir Arther Wellesley, now
Duke of Wellington, with all of whom he formed a friendship
of the closest nature, and which terminated only in Death.
After acquiring a competent fortune, the reward of incessant
and distinguished service, ... he retured to England. .โโ
iMewmr, 1793(20- "Map, MRIO. 51 (3), shows roada survd. by Adams 1768-9, but pr. of will;
ible. 3 M to CD. 3-2-93(9). _ *DDn. 246 (88). ^Sinha. ยซib. 'Lushington (245). *Sinha-cf
9). 9 Am bur, 57 Lยป. 10 VM. Exbt. 934. cf . Colebroofce ( 828 ).
& Colin Mackei
this date imposs-
( exxvii-xxxi )
NOTES
309
ANQUETIL- DUPERR0N"
"With manners of the most winning cast, and a heart
ovcrlowing with benevolence, ho displayed all the accom-
plishments of the gentleman, and the best affections of the
friend. The dignity, yet penetrating kindness of his deport-
ment, will be remembered by all, of whatever rant, who
have survived his acquaintance ; and the voice of gratitude
from hundreds, who are now enjoying the moat substantial
marks of his benevolence, will preserve his memory long
after the hand which dispensed them has mouldered in the
grave. ... The title is extinct " l .
ALLEYNE, Henry. Ben. (Postal Service ?).
Jan. 1769, Agent at Cuttack-.
"Capt. Alley ne" and Mallock, survd. road from
Cuttack to Sumbalpur, with obsns. for lat., probably
about 1763-4, being sent by Vansittart [30, 153].
1774, the Madras Council report ''the arrival of Mr. Henry
Alleyn at Ganjam from Cuttack with instructions from the
.L'osfc Master General" a [ 304 ].
AMPHLETT, Thomas. Ben. Civ.
d. Oct. 1763, in Patna massacre [v. Knox).
Writer, Ft. St. George, 1753 ; tr. to Ben. 1761.
Sandes. I ( 125 ).
5-7-56, Arrd. Madras ; 1759, tr. to Bengal as Asst. Engr. to
Brohier [ 93 n. 12 ] ; June 1760, succeeded to charge of Works,
but resd. owing to ill-health, Oct. 1762.
28-3-63, Appd. Resdt. at Murshidabad.
Survd. "Hooghly R. from Ghiretti to Nadia", &
"cursory survey of Jellinghee R* " [222,269].
ANBUREY, Thomas. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1759-60. d. 31-3-1840, Saugor, CP.
Ens. 12-11-S3 ... Maj Gen. 1-1-37.
Son of Obadiah Anburey, of the Aectt.'s office at India
House.
m. Calcutta, 16-2-94, Miss Dent, dau. of Sir Digby Dent.
GB. 24-10-18; KCB. ; Kt.
Hodson.
Emploved for 15 vears, up to 1783, in Acctt.'s office, EIC. ;
appd. Pract. Engr. for Bengal, 23-9-83.
6-6-87 Appd. Dman. in SGO. Calcutta [236,271];
Jan. zjcfi. Acted as O'Halloran's "friend" in presen-
ting challenge to Samuel Showers [qy.], which led to
the latter's conviction by ctml.
โ 12-8-01, ordered to "Grand Army", 3rd Mysore
War [29,237]. 1792-3, Survd. route Seringapatam
to Hyderabad, and thro' Berar to Kalpi [7,43,116.314].
14-2-94, Appd. 2nd Asst. to SG. [271].
14-2-94 Depy. Coramy. of Stores ; Commy. of Stores
26-12-96 to 1808. Furl. 180S-10. 1st Comdt. Sappers &
Miners, Allahabad, from 1319. Had a distinguished, military
career; CE. and member of Mil. Bd., 1830; GOC. Saugor
Divn. till death aged 80.
Unsuccessful candidate for office of SG., 1829".
Pub., 1-1-QQ, "a set of views entitled ' Hindoostan
Scenery', consisting of 12 select views in India.
Drawn on the spot. . .during the Campaign of the Most
Noble the Marquis Cornwallis. ... Engraved by
Francis Jukes, Flowland St. London " (1 .
These were from paintings made 1792-3, on journey
from Seringapatam to Kalpi; adv. CG. 24-10-93; the
scenes in many cases correspond with delightful little
sketches contained in his fdbk. [43]; beautifully
reproduced in aqua iinta, with soft colours and tones.
ANQUETIL DUPERRON 7 , Abraham -Hya-
cinthe. French Scholar,
b. 17-12-31. d. 18-1-05.
Son of Pierre Anquetil, grocer, of rue de la Verrerie, Paris ;
each son added a different suffix to their father's name.
Elected; 1.7(13, member of V Acad-.hnie de-s inscriptions et
La Grande Ena/dopvdie ; Diet. General; 1
DIB.
Enlisted, 7-11-54, as. a means of getting a passage to India
to fulfil purpose of research into literature of Zoroaster and
religion of the Parsis.
Sailing 7-2-55, landed Pondicherry 10-8-55 โ Left
for Chandernagore 1-4-56. Feb. 1757, avoided siege
by deserting to Cossimbazar where Law [ qy. ] ordered
him back ; Chandernagore having fallen to theEnglish,
he followed Law up country, but did not stay long
with him; "les officers de Law..,outres de voir ce
civil, qui savait la geographie, consulte par leur com-
mandant sur les meilleures itineraires, ...firent ยซn
scandale. 'Monsieur', dit Anquetil a Law, 'je vois
que je suis de trop ici; je quitte le camp, et pars pour
Pondichery ' " 9 .
He left Law 2-5-57, travelled alone through Murshidabad,
Balaso.ro. Puri. "quasi-descrteur", and was well received by
Bussy [ qv ] in the Circars. From Pulicat he took a small
boat to avoid Madras and reached Pondicherry 10-8-57.
Not only did he arrive "charge de notes geographiques,
morales, historiques, meteorologiqu.es", but also brought the
first news of Law's retreat up-country [ 27, 05, 222 ].
It is said that "Orme [qv]...reconnaissait en lui
le seul voyageur de l'lnde qui n'eut rapporte aucune
histoire douteuse; il suit dans tout les cas la fidelite
extraordinaire de sa memoire pour dire chaque chose
cornice elle est" 10 .
Accompanied his brother who was transferred as
an official to Surat, where he spent the next three
years collecting material for his work on the Parsi
religion.
On his way to Surat he visited another brother at
Mahe and travelled overland from Goa through Poona
and Aurangabad, April 1758, keeping geographical
notes which Rennell makes use of [27-8, 127].
During stay at Surat he bad an affair with a French lady
and killed her husband, and had to take temporary refuge
with the English at Bombay. This gave him the opportu-
nity of a journey by land to BasseiniMn 1760; and at Bombay
the Governor " had kindly wished to give me a large map of
the interior and of the South Coasts of the Peninsula, made
by the Brahmins; I succeeded in making a copy of it" 12
[ 20S n. 4 ].
Owing to the war between England arid France he could
only got return paaa^ge to Europe in an English ship, sailing
from ""Bombay April 1761 ; was treated as a prisoner of war
on arrival in England 13 , but reached Franco the following year.
He now lived in Paris till the end of his life occupied in
his writings, the chief of which was a translation of the Zend-
Avesta, the sacred book of the Parsis, pub. 1771.
1776, Tieffenthaler [qv] sent him his collection of
maps, on the strength of a brief correspondence in
1 JSIMC, I. ( 454 }. 3 MaItby (119). 3 BPC. 26-5-74. *Orme MSS. xi. 5 BMC. 11-9-1829.
cf. Allan [ 308 J, Colebrooke ( qv }. ' This form of his name was used by him in 1804, but his contempo
as Anquetil or du Perron- 8 Schwab's biography was published with a financial contribution from the
Bombay". 9 Schwab ( 34 ). 10 ib.(37). "47 A/ 15. ia Kanga. 13 Visited Bodleian Library.
BM.K. 115(20. la);
aries knew him either
1 Pa.rsi Punchayet de
310
APRSS BE MANNEVILLETTE
India [ri-2] 1 . After acknowledging the receipt in the
Journal des Savants, 1776, Duperron worked up this
material and pub. it in Paris, 1784, under the title
"Des Recherches...sur I'Inde, et la description dtt cours
du Gange el du Gogra, avec une tres grands carle [220]
parM. Anquetildu Perron, de l'Academie des inscrip-
tions et Belles Letters; Interprets du Roi pour les
Langues Orientales. ... Grave au frais de l'Auteur " .
This work forms the substance of Vol. II of Bernoulli's
great work pub. in Berlin two years later [72,151]
in which Duperron made an appreciative review of
Rennell's Memoir of 1783, discussing several points
on which he disagreed [80-]*; he corresponded with
Robert Orme as late as Sept. 1789A
The following is his own account of his frugal life in his
"Du pain avec un peu de lait on du fr-omage, et de l'eau
de pints, voila ma nourriture journahere ; e-Ue me eoute
quatre sous, la douzieme partie d'une roopie indienne ; je
vis sans feu, meme en hiver; j'ignore 1'usage des draps, et
des lits de plumes; mon Unge de corps n'eat ni change ni
Iessivii ; je subsiste de mes travails littcraires, sans revenue,
sans traitements, sans place assez bien pourtant pour mon
nge et, mas feravattg passes J ni femme, nj enfants, ni doines-
tique, je suis prive de tous les liens de ce monde ; seul, absolu-
ment libre, et pourtant tres ami de tous, les homines, et
surtout dos gcus de probite ; dans cet 6tat, faisant une rude
guerre a mes sens, si je ne triomphe pas absolument des at-
traits et tentations du monde, je les meprise ; aspirant d'une
ame allegre et par des efforts continued ver l'Etre supreme
et parfait, peu eloigne du but, j'attends avec tranquillite
la di^ointion de mons corps 4 .
He remained a sturdy royalist till his death, and in the
following letter refused to take the oath which was demanded
from all members of the newly re-formed Academy ;
"Paris. 28-5-04. Monseigneur. Je suis homme de
Iettres._ ... Le vieux Duperron refuse le serment. Declaration.
Je ne jure ni ne jurerai fidelite a l'Empereur comme on
n'a pas droit de 1'exiger d'un Erancais, simple partieulier,
sans places ni fonctions. ... [ sd. ] Anquetil- Duperron, voyagem-
aux Grandes indes, ancien Pensionnaire et Directeur de la ci-
devant Aeademie des .Belles Lettres " *.
APRES DE MANNEVILLETTE, Jean-Bap-
tiste Nicholas Denis. French Navigator
b. 11-2-07. d. 1-3-80.
Son of Jean-Baptiste Claude D'Apri-s, lord of manor of
Mami-v. e.i-ut. o1 ship, French EIC.
m., 1732, Mile, de Binard.
Knight of the order of the Ring.
As. AS. I. 1S00, Characters ( 46-50) ; Diet. Generate,
Born at Havre de Grace ; with his father to Pondieherry
1719; returned to Paris 1721 where he studied Astronomy
and Geometry. 1726, sailed as 4th officer on ship bound for
Senegal, and, probably on this voyage, made survey of W
Coast of India [ 123, 151 ], was shipwrecked, and returned to
1 ranee.
1830, Appd. 2nd in command of brig sailing for Africa -
returned to France 1732, and married; then a voyage to
Madeira, and another to Pondieherry [ r ].
In all his voyages Apres pursued his purpose of
correcting the charts of the Indian Ocean and of the
coasts of Africa and Asia, and in November 1745 he
published the Neptune Orientale, an atlas of marine
geography, from which, both D'Anville and Rennell
borrowed freely [14, 86, 169],
BIOGRAPHICAL
nSfr-l, made another voyage to India, with instructions
to determine the positions of all important places ; on this
ship he carried to the Cape the Abbe de la Caillo ' , sent by
the French Government to measure a degree of meridian.
According to Dalrymple, "No maritime geo-
grapher of any age or country can be compared to
him. His equal has never existed".
BAFFIN, William. Biariner.
h. 1584. d. 23-1-1622, Persian Gulf.
DXB. ; Ency. Brit. ; William Foster ; Markham's Voyages
0/ William Baffin, 1612-1622, London 1S80.
Employed on search for WW. Passage and other Polar
exploration, taking tidal & astr. obsns. ; hence Baffin Land,
Baffin Bay, etc.
Served EIC. 1617-9; survd. Red Sea & Persian
Gulf. Visited Surat & sailed home in Anne with Sir
Thomas Roe, constructing map of the Empire of the
Great Mogol from Roe's information [209].
Returned east 1620; d. of wounds received in
attack on Kishm in Persian Gulf.
His obsns. of Long, at sea by lunar obsn. probably
the first on record.
BAILLIE, William. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1753. d. 6-6-99, Calcutta, ML
S. Park St. Cem.
Ens. {Inf) 22-12-77; (Engrs.) 9-3-7 S ; Lieut.
7-5-81 ; Read. 1788.
m. Chinsuxah 22-3-89, Miss Anne Mary Roddy, who d
27-1-1840, aged 67 ; left 3 children.
Hodsou. Portrait, Ben. P & P. V. { 232 ).
1779, Survd. W. bank of Hooghly R. below Riip
narayan R. [50]; 1782, survd. neighbourhood of
Colgong, and lowlands between Rajmahal Hills and
Ganges [37].
BGO. 25-4-85, Allowed to "retire on furlo' for three
years without pay". Jan. 1786, started the Calcutta
Chronicle as weekly paper, with Upjohn as printer.
1791, obtained permission to pub. engraved map of
Calcutta from Wood's survey of 1783-5 ; adv. CG.
26-7-92; "Plans nearly ready for publication, 53
inches long, and on a scale of nearly 7 inches to a mile.
Rs. 25 on rollers; Rs. 20 on cloth ". Govt, subscribed
for 150 copies but Wood was disgusted with the map,
which did no justice to the original survey, and Govt!
refused to complete payment for the copies received
[53].
Baillie then became Sec. to the Free School Society whose
school had been founded in 1790, and held fclna post til! his
death.
BenP&P.V (232); * : In 1794 appeared a set of 12 views
of Calcutta, drawn by Wm Baillie, ... Etchings on copper
afterwards eolonred by hand. They are well drawn, and give
a very good idea of the Cacutta of the period. Two views
are reproduced in Bengal Past & Present. In his advertise-
ment Baillie describes himself as Superintendent of the Free
School. He also published 8 views of the Ruins of Sour and
Rajmahal, giving his address as 13 Chitoore Road".
1796, adv. a further set of 12 views, but was never a sue-
onssl'iti hu<inf;5s man.
NOTES
311
BEATSON
i Robins 1 [322] to
BARKER, John. Mad. Civ.
d. 24-7-51, Madras.
Engr. Gen. to EIC. 8-12-49.
One of six assts. to accompany Benj a
India in 1750.
Survd. line from Devicottai to Trichinopoly [ S6 ].
BARKER, Robert. Mad. Art. & Ben. Inf.
b. c. 1730. d. 14-9-89.
2nd Lieut. Mad. Train of Art. 1-11-53 ... Capt
Ben. Inf. 3-1-57 ... Brig. Gen. 24-3-70.
Only son of Robert Barker, MDโ of Drayton, Salop, &
St. Anne's, Soho.
ni. 1780, at Bolsover, Derby, Anne, only child of Brabazon
Hallowes.
Kt. 16-4-6-4 ; FES. ; MP. for Wallingford ; cr. Bart.
24-3-81. DNB. ; DIB.; Hodson ; Holzman.
CM., 8-11-52, Appd. Lieut, of the Company of Art. at
Ft. William, but exchanged with William Welle [ qv ] to Ft.
St. George.
Oct. 1753, Plan of Ft. St. George 9 [93]-
1756, with Clive to Calcutta in comd. of Artillery.
Orme MSS XII (7), Plan of Chandernagore, sur-
rendered 23-3-57, showing attacks by the ships under
Admiral Watson, and troops under Clive. Plassey,
23-3-57-
"Survey of Country from Lakes behind Calcutta,
through the Creeks to Ranga Fullar on the Hooghly,
by Robert Barker, Engineer" [13].
1759-60, Comdg. Art. at Siege of Madras & battle
of Wandiwash 3 [ 86]. Plans of Karikal & Madras [87].
Distinguished military career ; C-in-C. Bengal 1769-73 ;
left India 1773.
Papers on ice-making, meteorological obsns. at Allahabad.
and on Benares observatory ; Phil. Trans. LXV. 1775 { 202,
252 ) & LXVII 1777 ( 59S ).
BARNARD, Thomas 4 . Mad. Engrs. & Civ.
b. 13-10-46. d. 31-3-1830.
Ens. & Writer, 1-11-65 ... Surrendered comn. in
Engrs., 26-1-69 ... Senior Merck. 1776 ... Purl.
1787 ... Resd. 1790.
Son of John and Elizabeth Bwnard, of Westminster.
Younger bro. to Nicholaa Barnard, Ens. Mad. Engrs. 7-9-61,
who was killed at siege of Madura 1764.
m. Anne โ -, by whom he had a son, Thomas ( b. Dee.
1789 ) who entered Bom. Civ. 1805.
Ed. at RMA., possibly not as cadet, but granted
certificate by the Professor of Math., 19-9-64 [272].
WP. vol. v.; States himself that he had "been study-
ing at a very considerable expence the different
Branches of Learning requisite to qualify himself to
serve your Honours as Engineer".
Nominated Writer, and "to be employed as an
Engineer [268]".
3-10-65, Arrd. Madras on the Ponsbome; March
1767, Appd. by CE. to survey Madras jagir [88, 141,
271, 272, 279, 283].
On the outbreak of 1st Mysore War, "The Fort of Tripas-
sour being in but a very bad condition it is agreed that the
Engineer do give Mt. "Barnard, who is now on a Survey in
those parts, directions to examine it, and to make such
temporary repairs as may serve for its present defence, and
white he remain;! there, he is to have commavKi of the Place".
MMC. 7-12-67, hearing of the intention of Haidar Ah "to
plunder the Country", the Council ordered "Mr. Barnard
to proceed to Tripassoor, and establish Signals to be made
from that place to Pundamaliee, and from thence to the
Great Mount, which done, he is to send out people and fix
Signals to be made from Coverpauk and Bomerauz s country,
or at least from Conjeverarn to Tripasorc, which signals arc
to be repeated from each place, on the approach of any of
the enemy's Horse" 5 .
July 1769, Appd. to accompany a member of Council
"to proceed thro' the Jaghire, and make enquiry into the
losses sustained by the incursions of the Enemy's Horse in
September 1767".
Oct. 1771, Appd. Agent for the provision of chunam [ lime ],
for use on the defence worka "with a recompense for his
Trouble proportioned to the quantity he may deliver" 6 .
1773, Completed his survey of the Jagir after
many interruptions, and submitted maps and reports
Nov. 1774 [141-2, 143]. His survey was carried out
on the soundest principles, and did justice to the pro-
fessional training received at the RMA [189-90,272].
Records that he took a personal hand in dragging
the chain, a remarkable evidence of his zeal [189].
10-11-74, Submitted application for furl.; "My health
having been very much injured in the course of the above, ...
and having suffered under it for near a year, with little or no
material relief from medicine, lam advised.. .to go to Eng-
land". He was allowed to take passage by a French ship
which sailed from Pondicherry Feb. 1775, and was granted
leave to return to his duties, June 1777.
1785, granted furl, from the Council at Masulipatani, and
once again took passage by French ship from Pondicherry.
Settled in Sloane St., London.
BEATSON, Alexander. Mad. Inf.
b. 1759. d. 15-10-1830.
Ens. 21-11-76 ... Ret, Aug. 1813 ; Maj. Gen. 1814.
2nd son of Robert & Jean Beatson, of Kilrie, Fife ; nephew
of Alexander Read { qv ).
Natural son, Alexander, dโ Chingleput, 6-2-92, aged
8 months & 16 days 7 ; natural son, Richard, ba.pt. 15-1 1-94 8 .
m.., 1808, Davidson, 2nd dau. of David Read, Comnr. of
HM.'s Customs for Scotland.
DNB. ; EIMG. I. ( 375 et seq ) ; Portrait, Ge.nl. Mag.
iii. 1900 ( 394 ).
June 1776, Arrd. Madras, cadet, expecting appt. to Engrs. ;
Oct. 1776, Survd. Blacktown and St. Thome Redoubt [ 143 ].
After 2 vears attd to Engrs., appd. Qmr. of Brigade: 1777,
with Mad. Eur. Regt. at siege of Pondicherry.
10-12-78, Appd. Engr. at Muslipata.ni, where ho remained
till 17S2, then joining army in the field, 2nd Mysore War.
Appt. to Engrs. definitely refused by Directors, 2-2-81.
1786, Appd. to Corps of Guides as senior Capt.
under Pringle, succeeding to comd. in 1788 [6,97, 109].
Whilst with Guides did valuable survey from " Circars
to Cape Comorin" [no, 174, 272, 2S7, 298]. 1787,
Survd. Palnad [no, 193].
M to CD. 6-2-89, Govt, forwarded to the Directors
a "letter from Major Beatson, with a large Map of
the Coast of Coromandel, made by that officer. ..for
the purpose of assisting Mr. Dalrymple's object of
forming a General Map of India", which the Directors
acknowledged in flattering terms [ 109-1 1 ] .
1 d 1751 Ft. St. David. 1 Imp. Lib. M & P. < 366 ). " Orme II { 458, 521 ). 'HM S. 777 ( 161 ) is letter 29-1-1817 from
Warren Hastings to "Sir Thomas Barnard of Mad. Est." & mentions " Lady B.", but indentity is not continued. " ot. the line
of visual Telegraph Towers laid out through Bengal in 1817 by George Everest. ยซM to CD. 28-2-72. 'Cotton (179).
*Mยซd. Eeel. 11(226).
I
-BEATSON
312
BIOGRAPHICAL
During 3rd Mysore War, 1790, with the Centre
Army under Kelly (qv.) as Capt. of Guides, when "Col.
Kelly., .detached Capt. Beatson, an officer deservedly
high in his confidence... to ascertain the practicability
of entering Mysore by the Mugly 1 , a pass hitherto
but little known" 5 .
During remainder of the war his knowledge of the roads
โ and passes proved of the utmost value, and Lord Cormvallis
writes; "The army with all the artillery, stores etc., has
ascended the Ghauts through the Moogly pass, -without any
material difficulty or accident ; and in justice to Captain
Beatson, the Captain of the Guides, I must add that his
exertions, and the accurate knowledge which he had obtained
of the pass, were of essential service " 3 . We are further told
that he ' ' was employed in conducting all reconnoitring parties,
whether for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of places
to be attacked, of camping grounds, or of routes by which
the army was to march. On these occasions he generally
returned to camp with sketches and observations... always
โ a ncfipt able " * [ 7, 253 ].
Prom 1792 to 1795, when he returned to England on sick
leave, he was Town Major at, Madras [ in ].
1792, Consulted by Govt, on Kistna-Godavari
irrigation scheme, which he warmly supported, show-
ing in his reply a clear appreciation of the principles
of canal construction [105-6]. 1797, after death of
Topping, wrote to the Directors from Bath, asking
permission to return to India, and offering his services
for completion of surveys required for this project.
Claiming to have been employed on surveys since
1776, he asked that he might succeed Topping as
"Chief Surveyor", and the Court wrote out to Madras,
"We are extremely desirous of availing ourselves of
his services in contimring the investigation began by
Mr. Topping, in order to ascertain the practicability
of appropriating the waters of the Kistnaand Goda very
to the purposes of cultivation. We therefore direct
that Captain Beatson be employed on his particular
service, with the same allowances as were given to
his predecessor, Mr. Topping" 5 [280].
Feb. 1798, Arrd. back in Madras and placed under
orders of Board of Revenue; travelled up to Ellore,
examining country as he went [107, 286].
Suggested that a rapid survey of the whole of
Masulipatam and Rajahmundry Circars would be
useful, and would willingly undertake it himself "if
the states of my health would permit, but, unfor-
tunately for myself, I have already suffered so
much from the effects of the sun and heat of the
weather [this was in June], that I am discouraged
from attempting a task so laborious" 6 [7, 106-7,
290].
But he was not to be left in the wilds to continue his
professional work; "on 7th July, his survey was interrupted
by an express from General Harris [ acting Governor Feb. to
Aug. 1798 ], telling him to go down to Masulipatam immedi-
ately, prepared to embark in a ship that would call for him.
There he found orders to proceed at once to report to the
Governor General" in Bengal 7 .
Trouble was brewing with Tipu, and Lord Mornington,
who had just arrived from England, had written to General
Harris, June 20th, "If you could dispatch your answers to
my questions by any fast, sailing vessel, and could send with
your answers any intelligent officer, who might be capable of
entering into all the details of your force ; of the seasons,
and all other cireu instances connected with the object of
striking a sudden blow against Tippoo before he can receive
any foreign aid, you would greatly assist me". Harris
replied, July 6th, "I. ..did not hesitate in fixing on Major
Beatson as particularly qualified to give your Lordship the
fullest satisfaction on every point that you may refer to his
judgement".
Lord Mornington awaited Beatson' s arrival with im-
patience, writing July ISth, "The Frigate met with such bad
weather on her passage that she could not touch at Masuli-
patam, and she arrived here without Maj. Beatson"; and
then, Aug. 14th, ''Major Beatson has been here for some
time; I have received groat- satisfaction from his knowledge
and ability, and I feel very much obliged to you for having
afforded me the opportunity of forming bo useful and amiable
an acquaintance" s .
Beatson was appd. A D C. to the GG. and, after ar-
rival in Madras, "Surveyor General to the Army";
he was General Harris's most trusted adviser through-
out the rapid campaign which followed [8-9, 118,308].
He claims to have been, responsible for the
selection of the route followed by the army into
Mysore ;
"If I had not on my return from Bengal most decidedly
opposed the- first intended route of the Army i.-o 8eriiiira,[.)Hfcinii
in 1799, it would have entered the pass of G., a route subse-
quently used by Lt.-Colonel Head, who experienced with a
small detachment so many obstacles from rugged roads,
steep ascents, want of forage and water, that there is no
doubt if the Army had attempted it, all those evils would
have been felt in a much greater degree, and in all probability
it never could have reached Seringapatam in time, and in a
condition, to undertake the siege before the netting in of the
Monsoon. ... Had the attacks on Seringapatam, Bangalore,
and Sevandroog ( in 1791-2 ) or the route of the Army to
Seringapatam hi 1799.. .failed, the consequence might have
been fatal to the public, as well as to ray own character" 3 .
When it came to the scheme for assault on Seringapatam,
Beatson took a line directly opposed to that recommended by
Chief Engineers of the Bombay and Madras armies ; his was
chosen by the C-in-C., and proved successful ; "Just as the
troops had got possession of the rampart, Col. Sartorius,
after he had examined the intricate works of the south-west
angle [ the point of attack favoured by the Engineers ], came
up to Major Beatson, and in the most cordial manner
took him by the hand, and addressed him in these words ; T
most sincerely congratulate you upon the success of your
attack, for I am now convinced, it was the only mode by
which Seringapatam could have been taken" ( EIMC. ).
Beatson had asked the GG. for privilege of carrying dis-
patches home to England on conclusion of the campaign,
"this subject... I have very much at heart, since it holds out
a fair prospect. ..to ensure.. .my return to India, ... together
with my views in offering to the Court of Directors to com-
plete the investigation of watering the Circars" 10 .
The GG. consented, and asked if Beatson and Allan would
carry the dispatches home overland, but they declined as it
"was so likely to fail", but took them by the usual sea
route, arriving in England at the beginning of Feb. 1800
[ 3ยฐS ].
3-2-1808, Beatson was gazetted Colonel and C-in-C.
at St. Helena, an appt. which he held till r8i3-
1800, pub. history of the 4th Mysore War, entit-
led A View of the Origin and Conduct of the War with
Tippoo Sultan, illustrated with sketches and views,
which is a standard authority [118].
1 57K/15. ^Mackenzie (136). 3 B. Pol. C. 16-3-91 (11).
โ 'EIMC. I. ยป Martin (I 64, 67, 135, 216 ; II 173). 'MMC* " '
"EIMC. I "CD to M, 9-5-97. ยซMR0. 27-11-98.
"BM. Addl. MSS. 13670 (199-207).
I
NOTES
:U3
BLUNT
BLACHFORB, William Henry. Bom. Engrs.
b. 10-10-60. d. 8-7-1841.
Ens. 1-1-80 ... Lt Gen. 27-5-1825.
Son of Mr. Blachford of Bombay, m. Bombay, 15-9-92,
Miss Frances Dick. E1MC. I ( 175 ).
Arrd. Bombay, Aug. 1777. April 1790, Attd. as Engr. with
Col. Hartley's force to Malabar ; survey of the marches [ 130 ];
Plan of Seringapatam 1 .
After 1792, on survey of Bombay Town "to ascertain the
superficial measurement of each house occupied by the garri-
son" IBIMG. ].
1794-5, ABC. to the Governor, and Officer Suptg. the
Works. BoGO. 2-1-96, resd. and struck off from 31-12-95 ;
furl, from 1-2-96 ; Reinstated Aug. 1798 ; BoGO 5-6-1801,
Supt. Engr. at the Presdy.
Fnrl. on sick cert. Sept. 1803 till death.
Bom. Marine.
)t. 16-10-92 ; Ret. 1800.
BLAIR, Archibald,
d. 1815.
1st Comn. 1771 ..
FRS. 2-5-99.
1771 2 , Volunteer in Company's ship Revenge.
Low (186), "In 1772 was the first surveying ex-
pedition undertaken by officers of the Marine
(Bombay), including Messrs. Blair and Mascall, mid-
shipmen. These officers explored the coasts of
Mecran, Scinde, Kattywar, and a part of that of Persia
and Arabia [123] ".
1780-1, Lieut, of the Betsy "Cruizer" when captured by
a French Frigate at the Cape, and delivered over to the Dutch.
March 1784, the Directors resolved that the "be permitted
to return with his rank in the Bombay Marine", but that
"the claim for wages from 4-12-80, the time to which.. .last
paid up at St. Helena be by no means admitted, but that in
consideration of sufferings, and long captivity, be paid a
gratuity of ยฃ 200 as full compensation to... arrival at Bom-
bay " 3 .
17S6, Attd. as asst. survr. with expn. sent to
occupy Chagos 1., and survd. the island, harbour, and
surrounding archipelago, till Jan. 1787 4 [123-4].
1788, Deputed to Bengal, his first task being sur-
vey of Diamond Harbour and adjacent parts of
Hooghly R. [51].
Tn Dec. received instructions for survey of the
Andaman Is. with the particular object of finding
good harbour for the Company's ships; also to report
on vegetable and mineral products of the islands, and
if possible open up friendly intercourse with inhabi-
tants [5,47,278].
Coming back to Calcutta for monsoon he returned
Sept. 1789, and established headquartersatChathamL,
in the " Old Harbour ", S. Island. March 1790, leaving
Wales [49 n. 7] in charge of the settlement, " sailed
with the Ranger & Vipsr, accompanied by Capt. Kyd
[qv] in the Experiment, to prosecute the Survey, and
with the intention to complete the circuit of the
Andamans 5 [48-9].
The following is an extract from Colebrooke's journal on
this trip [ 328 ] ;
1789, "December 25th, went on shore upon Chatham
Island to take views ; this is a very amall Island near the
entrance of the Harbour, where Mr. Blair, the Marine Surveyor,
has lately erected a small house with wood and canvas. He
has already cleared away a great deal of the wood on the
Island and planted a small garden. ... [ 328,41. Topping].
26th. "When the Ranger and Viper BriggS first entered
this Harbour, the Natives were extremely hostile ; they
attacked the Boats which went ashore for water, and even
ventured to approach the vessels and discharged their arrows
at them. One of the crew had an arrow shot through his
shoulder, and probably some would have lost their lives had
not the timely discharge of two or three muskets put a stop
to their attack. In one of these skirmishes a native was
unfortunately killed, upon which the Test ran off making the
most doleful la-mentations" 6 .
Blair remained as Supt. of the Settlement till 1792, and
established friendly relations with the inhabitants, so much so
that it is recorded that "the two Andaman Islanders lately
brought from our settlements on those islands by Capt. Blair
are both well formed, and their countenances much more
agreable than the African. ... The eider is about 20 years of
age, & rather of a serious disposition ; the younger about 15
very lively and free in his manners " v .
Dec. 1792, Govt, sent orders for Blair's relief, "The
circumstances of your situation on the Bombay Est-
ablishment rendering it of consequence to you to be
on the Malabar Coast, and the Services of a Surveyor
being now less wanted at the Andamans than those
of an Engineer; Captain Kyd has been appointed to
be Superintendent, and is to receive charge in 4 or 6
weeks" [5,49].
Blair duly handed over, and submitted his final report at
Calcutta in May 1793, his last duties in the Andamans being
the transfer of the Settlement to the new Port Cornwallis in
the North Island, whore he constructed several houses, anil
a small battery of it-poundersยฎ. His first settlement had been
in the South Andaman, at the present Port Blair [ 49 ].
His original charts are now preserved at the British
Museum, and include several coloured views by his
assistants, Test and Wales [49n.7] 9 . It is recorded,
BPC. 14-9-93 (9), that "Mr. Brittridge only struck
off 80 copies of the chart of the north part of the
Andamans which, with the copper plate, was sent
Colonel Kyd".
Blair returned to England 1795, sailing in the Panther to
S-uea. In 1803, Government allowed him a commission on
all cotton belonging to the Company exported from Bombay,
as a reward for his invention of ' engines ' which effected a
" considerable improvement in the packing of cotton" 10 .
4-4-99, Read account of the Andaman Is. before Royal
Society.
Settled at Bayford, Herts.
BLUNT, James Tillyer. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1765-6. d. 20-10-1834.
Ens. 16-2-85 ... Capt. 1-1-1806 ; Ret 9-2-1810.
Ed. Merchant Taylors'.
m., Calcutta, 3-9-96, Miss Mary Bristow, sister-in-law of
R. H. Colebrooke [ qv ].
E1MG. Ill ( 290 ) ; Hodson.
Sept. 1783, Arrd. Calcutta as Inf. cadet; tr. to
Engrs. and studied under Burrow [271]. Asst. Engr.,
-Cawnpore. June 1787, Appd. asst. to Burrow on astr.
survey [157,158], with him up the Ganges to Patna,
but on arrival at Dacca at the end of Oct. went down
with feveT [158,318] ; on recovery was posted as Asst.
Engr. at Monghyr.
iBM. Addl. MSS. 13906(d). "Mar. Rec. Misc. 680,20-11-71. 3 CM 10-3-84. cf. CD. to Bo. 16-3-84. {57 08) & Mar.
Bee 492 * Bo. 1 & P 16-1-86 & 27-11-86 ; cf. Blair's Memoir, pub. 1789 ( Dalrymple ). B Blair's Report, BPC. 31-5-93.
6 Journal DDn. 10. "00.27-9-92. 8 670.31-1-93. ยป Twelve Views of the Islcmd of Bombay and ts Vicinity. John Wales.
{ IO Lib ) 10 10 Misc. 7-3-1803 & CD to Bo. 1-6-1803. RS. Lib. MS XI ( 93 ).
!
BOGLE
Aug. 1791, ordered on service to Mysore ; sieges of Sevan-
droog and Ootradroog ; in charge; scaling ladders at assault
of Sermgupatttni, 6-2-92.
On conclusion of peace attd. as asst. to Anburey
[qv], survd. route of Nizam's army from Seringa-
patam to Hyderabad, and from Oct. 1792 survd. a
line through Berar and Bundelkhand and to Kalpi
โ and Cawnpore; then posted to Dinapore [ 43, 116, 322 ],
I 793-4- Asst. to Reynolds on survey Allahabad-
Delhi -Pa nipat-Hard war -Lucknow [ 55, 132 ] ; April
1794- described Jantav Mantar obsy. and Quttab Mi-
nar; sketch of latter engraved by Upjohn ;m easured
height of Qutb txigonometrically, but could not climb
to read date of erection 1 .
After rejoining at Dinapore, tr. to Ft. William.
Dec. 1794, selected for survey from Chunar to
east coast; left Chunarghur, 28-1-95, and after ad-
venturous journey got through to Ernagudem near
Rajahmundry before end of May [8,59-63, 167, 187-
8, 299 j.
4th Asst. to SG. from 1796 [ 271 ], making several
smalllocal surveys [51, 65]. Held temporary charge
during SG's absence on survey 1796-7, and again
1801-02; 1798 appd. Barrack Master, Ft William, in
addition to his other duties.
An account of his later services, which included
survey in Orissa during 1803, will be given in a later
volume.
BOGLE, George. Ben. Civ.
b. 1746-7. d. 3-4-81, Calcutta; MI.
S. Park St. Cera.
Writer, Dec. 1769.
DNB.; DIB.; Stewart; Clements Markham (cxxxv-
clix).
Arrd. Bengal 1770. Mission to Tibet, May 1774 to
Aug. 1775 [2311.5,73-4,204]; corroborated identity
ofTsang-po and Brahmaputra [80].
Collector of Rangpur, 1779-81 ; personal friend of
Warren Hastings [v. William Campbell, 325 n. 12].
BONG, George. Mad. Engrs.
d. 31-3-1801, Madras.
Ens. 11-12-80 ... Capt. 25-5-92.
3-12-80, CE. recommends for "the Corpa of Engineers,
Mr. George Bong, a Gentleman who served in that line in
the Swedish Service for several years, and is warmly recom-
mended by Lord Maeleod, under whose protection he came
from Europe, and has been employed with me for some time
past" 3 .
1-11-88, CE. writes; "Lieut. Bong having just
finished a survey of the Northern Environs for about
a mile beyond the Blacktown Wall of Madras, I pro-
pose he shall after the monsoon make good the
deficiency in Mr. Barnard's survey " 3 .
18-9-93, CE. writes to Bong "In your letter of 13th August
I observe you mention your intention of colliding materials
for a map of the country, but as that may detain you in the
prosecution of the work ordered by Govt. I think it necessary
to mention that the business you have to do at present is to
be considered as Engineer's duty, and not Surveying ".
What was required was a report on the Forts and strong
places in Baramahal and Salem 4 .
3W BIOGRAPHICAL
13-6-95, CE. notes that Bong "has been ent-ao-ing in
Mercantrle Tmiieaotious in the KiiramaliSl, which are' cen. a m l y
derogatory to the character -of -a military man "a.- 29-6-95
Bong placed on the Invalid List.
18-2-1801, CE. notes that Bong "Is now, .and has long
been, suffering under suspension, for his misconduct when in
charge of the Works in Baramahal"ยซ.
BONJOUR, Noe Antoine Abraham. Mad. Inf.
b. 1731, at Avenches, Canton Vaud,
Switzerland, d. 1807, Switzerland.
Ens. 11-9-57 ... Lt Col. 27-8-70 ; Ret. c. 1775.
Sailed as cadet for Mad. 1758.
Diet, de la Swis.se.
With Clive to Bengal 1757; Lieut. Ben. Art. 2-12-57-
returned to Mad. ; Capt. of Pioneers 4-11-61.
1766, Survd. passes along Cam at ic -My sore border,
submitting sketch with proposed fortifications
[89, 240].
25-6-72, Comdd. dett. which captured Kaliyarkovil ยป.
On return to Switzerland bought Bellerive, where he died.
Member of the first Grand Gondii Va:idois, 1803.
BOUCHET, Father Jean-Venant. SJ.
b. 10-4-1655, Fontenay-le-Comte, France
d. 13-3 or 14-7-1732.
SJ. 7-10-1670.
1687, Member of expdn. to Siam ; expelled thence 1688,
went to Pondicherry and entered Madura Minion, 1689 ;
left Madura to found Carnatie Mission 1702.
In letter from Pondicherry, 13-4-1719, described
" the Coromandel and Fishery Coasts which he tra-
velled on foot ", and enclosed a " map of Madura and
other missions ", together with results of astr. obsns.
at Pondicherry and other places, and more detailed
geographical sketches 8 . From these D'Anville com-
piled his first map of the south peninsula of India
[n, 86, 169, 210, 238].
Wrote a paper on The Latitude of Cape Comorin,
pub. in Memoirs de VAcadimie des Sciences VII (758).
Other writings, are preserved in the library of the
school of St. Genevieve, Paris.
BOUDIER, Father Claude Stanislaus. SJ.
b. 16-10-1686, in the diocese of Sens,
France, d. 1757, Chandernagore.
1718, Left France for Bengal and after arrival
Chandernagore established reputation as astronomer.
1734, at request of Raja Jai Singh, went with a
companion to Jaipur, returning about a year later.
Made frequent obsns. for lat. and long, and also kept
up a survey of part of his route [ ir, 149-50].
D'Anville describes him as "Tres habile dans
T Astronomie, qu'il a cultivee par inclination " 9 , and
uses his values for Agra [ 168 ], Delhi, and many other
places. He also used his value for the latitude of
Madras in preference to any other [ 169 ] 10 .
He further records that "the memoir made by
father Boudier on his journey, furnishes the descrip-
tions of places on this road [Agra to Bengal], with
the computed distances of each from the course of
the Gemne [Jumna] and the Ganges, between Agra
and Helebas [Allahabad]" 11 [25 n. 2"].
iFraneklin (208 n.) & As R. IV. 17&5(313). 2 Mack. MSS. LXVIII. " cf. Norris \ 143 1 >ib LTTY
LXVIII. ยป 58 K/10 ; Orme MSS. 333 { 32 ). โ > B eS3 e ( 19 ). ยป D'Anville ( 6 ). " Jefferya ( 8). " Herbert (25
a ib.
NOTES
315
BUCHANAN"
Rennell still used Boudier's values as late as 1793
[ 152 ] ; lie also used his survey of the road from
Korah to Agra for Ms general map of Bengal of 1774
[226 n. 7].
In 1786 Bernouilli pub. all the obsns. made by
Boudier between 1731-5, and also a map by him of
a portion of the Ganges from Delhi to Chanderna-
gore 1 .
Letters from Boudier on astronomy are preserved in the
library of the school of St. Genevieve, Pails, and at the library
of the Paris Observatory.
Son of Thomas Brown, of Johnson Burn; had three bros.
1 India; Andrew in Bengal, Adam in Madras, and Henry in
BOURGIGNON d'Anville.
> D'ANVILLE.
BROOK(E)S2, William. Bom. Engrs.
b. c. 1754. d. 30-10-1838.
Ens. 25-10-83 ... Maj Gen. 10-1-1837.
m., Bombay, 11-3-94, Mary, sister of W. H. Blachford
[ qv ].
Employed as survr. and draughtsman; "Plan of
Bombay Fort; 200 ft. to an inch, 1793". July 1795,
Resd. post 3 of dman. to CE., which interfered with
his survey of town [ 120]; Bo MC. 13-10โ95, re-appd.
dman. to CE.
Bo GO. rโ 11โ 1803; "Captain Brookes appointed
to proceed with the survey of the Magazon Estate,
and to continue it thro' the Island for revenue pur-
poses and political utility".
Bo GO. 17- 2-1806, CE. Bombay.
BROOME, Ralph. Ben. Inf.
d. Jrmc 1805, Bath.
Ens. 14-1-73 ... Capt. 2-4-81.
m. 1798, Charlotte, dau. of Dr. Charles Burney, widow of
Clement Francis, Surg. Ben.
Hod son.
1777, Appd. to survey " the country adjoining Raj-
moll, . . . being recommended to the Governor General
as skilled in surveying"' 1 , survey covering part of the
Rajmahal Hills [37].
Some time after, the Political Officer with Sindhia wrote
to Warren Hastings from "Euttyghur 5 . ... You expressed a
โ wish before 1 left Calcutta, that an Astronomer might accom-
pany me if I travelled to the Westward. Lt. Broome who is
here, and well known for his abilities in that line, would he very
glad to accompany me in such an Expedition, & make such
observations as you may please to direct. He says that he
can at the same time Survey the country without the know-
ledge or suspicion of the inhabitants. He is Deputy Judge
Advocate at this station. ... My Expedition will be but
temporary" 6 .
Resd. 5-2-85, proceeding 10 England, where he was "per-
mitted to remain till his health is restored". Dec. 1790,
requested "permission to return to his rank in Bengal as
soon as released front attendance at the Trial of Mr. Hastings" 7 .
Author of a paper dated Nov. 1790, Elucidation of the Articles
of Impeachment again'.!, Wn.rrpv Hastings*.
After return to India became Judge Advocate, Bengal.
BROWN, Thomas Crockat. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1759-60. d. 18-10-93, at sea.
Ena. 9-4-77 ... Capt. 3-8-82; Furl. 1-12-85.
Will sd. 2S-4-92, Berhampore 9 , with cod. Madras 24-7-93.
Possibly the " Captain Browne " who about 1781
made a rough sketch of "the Southern Part of the
Zemindary of Benares"; with the assistance of Charles
Crawford Vi .
1784-6, Survd. Benares City and Environs [ 38 ] ;
receiving compensation of Rs. 3,000 on claim for
Rs. 8,000 for expenses.
BRUCE, William. Ben. Inf.
d. 1-5-83, Calcutta.
Ens. 16-9-67 ... Maj. 7-5-81.
Hodson.
Nov.โ Dec. 1767, Survd. route of 19th Batt. of
Sepoys "fromFyzabad to Mamdy 11 , from thence
crossing the river Gogra to the forests at the north-
ern extremities of Shujah Dowlah's dominions, and
back to Fyzabad; with a plan of the fort at Mamdy",
and on another occasion, with the Wazir, from Fyz-
abad " to Sananli and Buckrah, and back to Oud ",
[29 n. 4] 13 .
About i77r, explored country S. of Mirzapur to-
wards headwaters of the Son and Narbada [30],
possibly the survey referred to "by Rennell [ 183 ].
Attd. to En^rs. during Roh.illa campaign of 1774. Champion
writing to Sel. Com., 12-3-74 [ 224 ];
"As there are several Forts in the countries against which
the Vizier had demanded our aid, I took it upon me...to
appoint Lt. William Bruce to act aa Engineer. ... Lt. Bruce
has been further advanced into the Countries against which
our Force is destined, and has therefore acquired a more
perfect knowledge of them than any officer 1 know , his
abilities as an Engineer have been so well certified to me" 13 .
The appt. did not meet with the GCJ'.s approval, but was
allowed to stand till an officer of Engrs. could be sent up.
"Lt. Bruce can have no just cause to complain; he has
already had indulgeneies in the service to which his rank
could give him no sort of pretensions ; your particular regard
for him, ..may be one reason for shewing him favour, ... but
I must confess that some parts of his conduct have appeared
to me exceptionable' 1 ls .
Employed m reconnaissance in advance, making "a Plan
of a Rohilla Post", and "being recognised by people who
had seen him surveying, created suspicions of our inten-
tion [ 76 ]" 1S .
4-8-80, Led storming party at capture of Gwalior 18 ,
24-3โ81, and with Caniae at victory of Mahatpur 17 [324].
BUCHANAN, Francis. Ben. Med.
b. 15-2-62, Callendar, Stirling,
d. 15-6-1829.
Asst. Surg. 1794 ; Besd. 14-8-1816.
4th son of Thomas Ihicha nan, of Hpittal, Leny &โ Bardowie,
and Elizabeth his 2nd wife, dau. of John Hamilton.
ERS. ; D L. co. Perth. 1826.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Buchanan ; Ben. P&P. 1915 ( 190 ).
After retirement, on death of elder bro. adopted mother's
name, Hamilton, and became known as Buchanan -Hamilton ;
1816, inherited family estates on death of nephew.
Ed. Glaseow ; M A. 1779 ; Studied medicine at Edinburgh ;
MD. 1783. Made several voyages to East as ship's surg.
before appt. to Ben. Est.
1 Bernoulli ii ( 117, 429). 2 Bombay records use spelling Brookes. 3 Bo MC. 19-8-96. *BPC. 3-2-78. 6 Fatehgarh,
54M/11. *BM.Addl. MSS. 2<)14o (333) (undated). 'OL 22-12-90. B IO. Tracts. 183. *7S D/8. "DDn. 126 (13S),
29-4-1812. "Muharadi, 63 A/1. โขIO. Cat. ( 225 ) & Orme MSS. (134); Oudh, NE of Fvzabad, 63 J/1. !3 HMS. 221 12 1).
"HMS. 221 (320). ยซBPrC. 14-2-75. ยปยซ. W.N. Cameron [315 ]. i'Grier(III).
โ r
BURGESS
Feb. 1795, Appd. surg. to Symes' Embassy to Ava,
and, during visit to Andaman Is. and journey up the
river from Rangoon, not only made collection of
plants, but collected new and interesting information
about geography and peoples of Burma. In sub-
mitting report to Govt, two years later he claimed
with justification ; "I imagine that there is no place
of any considerable consequence in the Burma Empire
to the westward of the Martaban River [ Salween ] or
between Martaban and Siam, but what some account
of its situation will be found in these materials, not
indeed such account as will enable the Geographer to
lay them down with precision, but enough to give
bim a tolerable idea of the situation of the greater
number [ 8, 84-33". " From these papers the SG. was
able to prepare a Draught of the Burmah Territories
and Eastern Countries 1 , and 30 years later Dr. Craw-
ford 3 writes of his map of Burma, " Much of the
interior of the Birman dominions is from the sketches
of Dr. Francis Buchanan Hamilton. ... Recent and
actual enquiries have in many cases confirmed the
geographical speculations. ..of this gentleman " ? \
On return of mission, stationed at Lakshmipur at mouth
of the Meghna, and from there sent on botanical expna. to
Chittagong. Held temporary charge of Botanical Gardens at
Sibpur for a few months.
Biography concluded in Vol. II.
BURGESS, Thomas. Ben. Inf.
Ens. 1769 ... Capt. 18-0-80 ; Resd. 9-12-82.
Hodson.
Probably 1776, made surveys and maps of the Ganges
from Rajshahi to Pabna, with Creeks & "Poolbunds" [Em-
bankments ] with proposals for river-training 4 .
BURROW, Reuben. Mathematician & As-
tronomer.
b. 30-12-47. d. 7-6-92, Buxar.
1-12-83, Appd. Math. Teacher to Engr. officers at
Ft. William [270-1].
25-6-87, Appd. to take astr. obsns. for lats. & longs.
[53-
b. at Hoberley near Shadwell, Leeds ; son of William
Burrow, a small farmer. Ed. at Mr. Crookes' school at Leeds ;
schooling interrupted by farm duties.
mโ 1772, Miss Anne Purvis, dan. of a wholesale poulterer
in Leadenhall St., London.
To India 1782, wife and four children following in 1790.
His legitimate son, Charles, was b. at Shorediteh 3-7-81 ;
entered Mad. Inf. as Ens. 29-8-97 ; became Lieut. 12-10-98,
and d. 8-12-1 Su;l at- Cut kick, presumably on active service
DNB. ; DIB. ; New Monthly Mag. I ( 12<j, 5,17 ) ; Mc-r] } ,
Mag. 51 (211, 298, 350 ) ; 53 ( 267 ) ; 55 ( 324-7 ). Original
Journals in HAS. Lib. & I 0. Lib. ; Ben. P&P. sdvii โ 1934
( 49-50 ).
July 1765, aged 17, Burrow left Yorkshire and travelled
to London in less than 4 days, mostly on foot, spending only
Is. lOd. on the way. He became clerk to a timber merchant
for a year, and then usher to a writing master of Bunhill Row,
and for a short time was teaching at Portsmouth.
1770, Appd. engr. to a projected expn. to Borneo,
which however came to nothing. The same year was
316 BIOGRAPHICAL
appd. asst. to Maskelyne, AR., at Greenwich, finding
time to take private pupils. 1774, Assisted Maskelyne
m obsns. for terrestial attraction at Mt. Schehallien
in Scotland 5 . Writing of Maskelyne's method of set-
ing the sector in the plane of the meridian, Burrow
says, "I did all the surveying, and found out all the
methods for doing it. ...I had pnt up all the Instru-
ments, and drawn the meridian line, and put the
instrument in order, when he had put it out of order
and did not know how to put it right again " fi .
1775, Applied without success for the place of
Math. Master at Christ's Hospital ; but the following
year, through the influence of Henry Watson [qv],
he obtained the appt., on a salary of ยฃ 100 a year, of
" master to teach mathematics to the Cadets of the
Drawing Room" at the Tower of London".
"The B. MA. at Woolwich was not originally established for
the education of Gentlemen Cadets for the Royal Artillery
but.. .of the Corps of Royal Artificers. A school for the
Artillery officers had been established in the Tower as far
back as the reign of Charles the Second. ... The school in the
Woolwich Arsenal was however, by degrees converted to the
use of the Cadets, and the mathematical school in the Tower
was merged into the Drawing School of the same Fortress. ...
The whole of the Tower part of the establishment was then
designated as the Drawing Room in the Tower, but while the
Wnnlwich Academy was gradually absorbing the Cadets, and
eliminating the N.C.O's, the Drawing-Room was the school in
which the aristocratic portion of the Cadets was still privi-
Iedged to acquire their modicum of preparation for a Com-
mission" 3 .
From about 1775 to 1782 a, Burrow was editor of "The
Ladies DIARY or Wonwn's Almanack.. .designed tor the use
of the fair sex." which consisted of a calendar, inter-
spersed with "Aenigmas, Rebusses, and Mathematical Dis-
sertations" ; the title was changed more than once. This
Almanac had been started by the publisher with the definite
purpose of dispossessing "the Stationers' Company of their
pretended exclusive privilege of printing almanacks, which
they had usurped for 2 centuries", and the challenge was
successfully carried through the law-courts. "The Contri-
butions to this periodical were mostly men of distinguished
abilities, many of whom after wa n.is attained to great eminence
in the Literary and scientific World" 10 .
The rival almanac was edited by Cliarles Hutton, the
distinguished mathematician [ 248 ]. Burrow records that
"Hutton is allowed ยฃ 100 a year by the Stationers' Company
on condition of not making any almanacks.. .except for them.
Hutton byo the bye does not know how to make an Al-
manack" 11 . It is not surprising to learn that there was at
this time " strong hostility between the Tower and the Wool-
wich Schools" 10 .
During his time at the Tower Burrow gave private
tuition to several pupils. He also published various
mathematical papers, amongst which were
A Restitution of the Geometrical Treatise of Apollo-
nius Pergaeus on Inclinations; also the Theory of
Gunnery , or the Doctrine of Projectiles. London 1779 13 .
A new and Exact method of placing a Zenith Sector
in the Plane of the Meridian.
A new and Exact method of finding the time and
Longitude at Sea [_ 151 ] Ji .
^-nVJ? 10 ' 1S ~ 3 -"' ( 44 )- a Chief Coum. Rangoon, 1826-7; name often spelt Crawford. 3 Crawfurd Appx xiv f88)
โขMBIO. 164(14), 166(8). 'PhU. Trans. 1775 & 1778 Ahr. Edn. xiv. (408). 6 Journal, R AS. Lib 10-9-75 Mb 16-1-76
*Mech Mag. 55 (324,327) 25-10-51. ยปHe was living at this time at 11 New So,, in the Minories. "Several 'copies in
RAS Library "Journal, RAS. Lib., 17-8-75. โขMech. Mag. 55 (324). "One copy in library of RA. Institution,
Woolwich, cf. Bm. B & P. xlvii. 1934 (49-50). "RAS. Library.
NOTES
317
BURROW
. Of his mathematical ability it is said "The ability
and elegance of Burrow's geometrical investigations
are admitted by his critics "^
" To the mathematicians of the English school the
name of Reuben Burrow is as a household word ; and,
as a geometer, there exists no question that he was
only second to Dr M.S. of all his contemporaries" 3 .
In capacity as math, master at the Tower he was deputed
by the M G O. on two occasions to take ypuns cadets out on
survey ;
"In 1777 I was ordered to take several of the Gentlemen
of the Drawing Room & Woolwich Cadets, & to make a
compleat survey of the sea coast from the Na/.e in Esses to
Hollesby Bay in Sussex 3 including the 3 large rivers, Stour,
Orwell, and Deben up to Manning- tree, Ipswich, and Wood-
bridge, together with the Islands, Sands & Soundings, etc.,
in & about Handford Bay, Harwich Harbour, etc. As there
had never been a plan of the kind before but what was
excessively erroneous, I did the whole witb great care &
exactness, & Plans were delivered to the King & Lord Town-
shend [ then M.G. of Ordnance ], but I never received a
farthing for my trouble.
"I was likewise ordered last year [" r/Si 1 to make a survey
of Woolwich Warren : & in doing it, I was obliged to lay out
about ยฃ 7 from my own pocket : this ยฃ 7 witii great difficulty
& after a long and niel.leotua! application, ... I got returned,
but never received a farthing for doing the .Business itself" 4 .
He persisted in his claims without success ; "If the Porter
of the Drawing Room.. .is to he paid S or 9 shillings a day
besides his usual wages every time he carries a letter as far as
1' lack heath, I see no reason why the Mathematical Master
of the Drawing Room should work day & night, Sundays &
all, for 6 months together, on a business of real importance
& public- utility, and yet he allowed nothing ; when at the
same time that wretched compiler of other men's productions,
the Mathl. master at Woolwich [ Hutton ] is paid with pro-
fusion for his extra services, ... & his scholars never made
J the improvement that those of the Drawing Room did in
the same interval.
"The survey of the coasts of Essex & Suffolk was done,
without any written order, by Lord To wnsh end's verbal
commands, which were given mc by his Ldp. himself, at the
time he was down at Landguard Port" 5 .
1782, Burrow decided to resign his post at the
Tower ; he was on bad terms with his superiors and
saw no prospect of advancement ; he had an interview
with the Duke of Richmond, nowMGO., and explained
his reasons for wishing to leave :
11 that the place was likewise disagreable on some other
accounts, particularly the flirty behaviour of the chief
draughtsman, & that I had an increasing family, & ยฃ JOO a
year was not sidricient for a man to save anything by..."
" I wrote a long letter to the Duke giving my sentiments
on the State of the Drawinsj; & the means of Improving it ;
which I proposed by superannuation of the Chief Draught s-
man & his Deputy. ...
He visited the Eoard but " the Duke belai \ ed like a mean
dirty fellow, & told me he would advise me for future not to
abuse the officers, ... at which I looked at him with all the
insolence and blackness of hell, & told him that my be-
haviour was very proper for theirs, & that I did not ehuse to
put up with impertinence from anybody".
It is interesting to note that shortly after Burrow's resigna-
tion, a warrant was issued, 4-9-82, ''for reducing the Estab-
lishment of the Drawing Room at the Tower, and augmenting
the Company of Gentlemen Cadets" โ "Whereas it has been
further represented to us, that the establishment of the
Drawing Room at the Tower .seems ill -calculated for instruc-
tion, and might be considerably reduced.. ..and the savings...
beneficially applied to the alimenting the Company of Cadets,
... our will and pleasure therefore is, that the Drawing Room
at the Tower be reduced. ..and the Mathematical Master.. .be
transferred to the R 31 A. at Woolwich; ... to be carried into
execution from 1-10-82 " 6 .
Burrow now decided to take advantage of a sug-
gestion made by his friend Henry Watson, CE. in
Bengal, that he should go out to Calcutta and find
employment there [268].
He sailed from Southampton in the General Coote. Sept.
12th, in company with a contingent of Hanoverians [ go, n. 4 ].
Whilst waiting to sail, "on 29-8-82, the Royal George, a
200 gun ship at Spit-head, sank in about 13 fathoms of water.
... Admiral Kempenfelt was on Board, and drowned with
the rest "[330]. Burrow describes the disaster, and wrote
to the Admiralty suggesting a method by which the ship
might be refloated.
He took with him a set of astr. instruments [ 204 ], and
in his usual intemperate, language records that on the day of
sailing, l: In the afternoon the Captain shewed me a letter
he had received from Arnold the watchmaker, wherein the
Scoundrel had pretended that ii, was in consequence of art
expression of mine that he did not send Capt. H โ a watch ;
this exasperated me so highly, that I wrote him a most
bloody letter, & shewed it to Capt. Hโ , & his wife took it
with her on shore" 7 .
The following extracts from his journal show that he did
not enjoy the passage, and found no kindred spirits amongst
his fellow passengers.
"Damn the Latitudes ! I took them every day, and
intended to have kept a Journal, but had no place to write
in alone. ...
" I took the earliest opportunity of trying the
method of finding the Latitude by observing how
long the Sun took in ascending its diameter, accord-
ing to the rule given by Lyons, ...but I did not find
it answer. ... I also attempted the method by the
moon, but not having a watch that could be depen-
ded on, and having nobody on Board capable of
helping me, I never got a good observation. ...
"Last night got an observation of the moon's
distance from Fomalhaut, gave the Long. 19 2' west
of Greenwich. I deduced the time from the altitude
of the moon. I took the distance, and two of the
mates took the Altitudes, but out of the 3 sets of
observations only one was anything like right. ...
"I expected when I came on Board to have found some of
the officers qualified for making such observations and cal-
culations as were at least absolutely necessary, but except
the Captain I did not find anyone that, had the least knowledge
of such matters ; they did not even ao much as know how to
allow for the change in the Sun's declination, nor how to
take out the proper- refraction in finding the Latitude from
the Sun's meridian, and they were likewise so conceited and
ignorant as to be above being shewn".
He made trouble about his cabin; "What I the more
particularly wanted was to practise Drawing in order to
improve myself, as I was very deficient in that article, but
I could scarce get. an opportunity".
He gives a panorama of "Trinidada", and on 26-11-82,
when they got into the Bay of St. Salvador, he wrote to the
Governor, "Mr. "Reuben Burrow, an English Astronomer, on
board the General Coote, East Tndiaman, to Marquis of
Valencia, Governor of St. Salvador, asks for liberty of making
some astronomical observations on shore, for the purpose of
determining the Latitude and Longitude, magnetic variation
and other similar matters". ...
1 DNB. -Jlech. Mag, 56 (334), 3 A slip for Suffolk, corrected later in Journal. 4 Journal, R A S. Lib. II. 2-5-82 ; cf.
Jones (29) Letter from JIG 0. 12-2-79. asking for plan of Woolwich Warren. B Jones (28) records that during 1.777-8 there were
" certain gentlemen of the Upper Academy on duty at Landguard Port". B Jones (3ft). 'Journal, RAS. Lib. II. 12-9-82.
-
BURROW
"On Jan. 1st 1783, gave Captain B. the Longitude 29ยฐ
44 W., Latitude 2i.r 31' S.. nnd variation of com uยซ*ยป 2," 3' W
of the Island of Trinidad " l
Soon after his arrival in Calcutta, Burrow wrote
to the GG., Warren Hastings, urging the value of re-
search into the writings of the Hindus on the subject
of Astronomy, and a study of the construction of the
astr. observatory at Benares [150], and offered his
services in making these investigations, and also in
making such astr. obs. as would give a sound basis
to the surveys of India [156-7].
He followed this up on 12-6-83, " The favourable attention
yon were pleased to show to the Ilints concerning the Obser-
vatory at Benares, which I had the honour to lay before you
by means of Colonel Watson, emboldens me to inform you
oi Llm motives by which I W as induced to come to India
"When I first applied to the study of mathematical T
commenced with the works of the moderns. ... I... endeavoured
to discover some preferable mode of investigation... & luckily
I hit upon.. .the works of Archimedes and the Conies of
Ap.jllonkis. ...
I looked upon it as some consequence to the world, & was
by this time convinced of the probability of the existence of
several of those MSS supposed to be lost ; I concluded that
the best method oi answering every purpose would be to
go to the East Indies for a few years, & while I made myself
master of the necessary languages, to endeavour to acquire
a sufficiency of money ; afterwards to go thro' Arabia, Persia,
& ; Tartary, or any other parts where there was a probability
of meetmg with those works, ... & having made a collection
of everything curious, & useful, & carried on a series of
Astronomical and other Observations, to return to England,
and Employ the remainder of my life in publishing .such
ilsing-- as I might meet with. ...
"These were some of the motives which induced me to
leave my friends, my family, and a maintenance not un-
genteel, to come to India [ 156, 26S ]"ยซ
A few months later Watson found him a job on a
regular salary, Rs. 500 a month [27S, 280], as teacher
of mathematics to young Engr. officers [ 157, 270-1 ].
Watson writes,
"The Gentleman 1 wish to recommend. ..is Mr.
Reuben Burrow, who has been induced to quit his
Native Country in search of the supposed hidden
Treasures of Ancient Learning, which he hopes to
meet with in the Hindoo and Mohamedan Reposito-
ries of Asia.
"I am happy.. .to have an opportunity of making known to
the Board, as a specimen of the uncommon abilities of this
Gentleman, some very curious and interesting discoveries
that he has already made. ...
"In the first Instance, ... he has determined those famous
Periods of the Hindoos called the Five Yngees, which have
been so often mentioned by ancient and modern Authors,
and caused such numerous mistakes and conjectures amongst
the Learned. ...
"He has also discovered that several Branches of Science,
which were supposed to be the invention of Europe, were
long since known to the Bramins ; that they were acquainted
with decimals, and Algebraic Computation, and also that
they had determined the mean Motions of the Sun and Moon
and several other parts of Astronomy, to almost as great
exactness five thousand years ago, as the Europeans have
done in the present age" [ 148, 156 ].
^ J n A P ri l 1784 Burrow wrote again to the GG. and reported
the discovery of several books that are entirely new among
the mathematical MSS. he has received, ... [ and ] returns
sincerest thanks for the favours he has received " 3.
1 Remarkably correct; True value. 29' 5G'W โข 20ยฐ SO'S
(113). "jo. Maps. MS. .3. *IG. Maps. MS. 5.
318
BIOGRAPHICAL
In 1787 came Burrow's opportunity for the astro-
nomical work which he had suggested in 1783, for he
was officially appd. to make regular obsns. for lat.
and long, for the better control of the maps [43, 157,
204 ]. To his great disgust he was placed under the
orders of the Surveyor General, Mark Wood, who
gave him a programme which did not meet with
Burrow's own ideas; "no latitude was left to my
own judgement with respect to the choice of times
or seasons, or the order in which the different parts
of the business was to be performed " i .
With Blunt as asst., he travelled up the Ganges
to Patna in July 17S7 [209] and, after much loss of
time due to monsoon weather, worked back to Dacca,
where the whole party was overcome with fever, and
Blunt had to be left behind [ 15S, 313 ]. Burrow then
worked up the Brahmaputra as far as Goalpara, hav-
ing a difficult time with sickness and shortage of
supplies ; on his return he travelled through the Sun-
darbans, and reached Calcutta once more in Tan
i 7 8S[i 5 9].
The original programme of a journey round the
coast of India as far as Bombay was here interrup-
ted, and Govt, ordered him to Cheduba I, on the
Aracan coast, to fix its position and make a survey,
which he completed by the end of March r 43 201
293],
He spent the rains at his house at Russapugla, to
the south of Calcutta [ 160, 180], and then, finding
that there was no prospect of carrying out the original
programme, he obtained leave to travel up country
on account of his health [ 161].
Leaving Calcutta Sept. 1788, he went up by river
to Fatehgarh, and then by land across Rohilkhand
to Hardwar, taking astr. obsns. all the way. He also
made such geographical surveys as he had time for,
and sent out pundits to collect routes to Almora and
other places in the Kumaun Hills [77, 234, 286].
He made particular enquiries for learned men
with knowledge of astronomy, and picked up a num-
ber of Hindu MSS. on the subject.
At the end of Feb. he received orders to return to
Calcutta, and, on his arrival there, found that the
Directors wished him to be employed on measuring
the length of a degree for geodetic purposes, a
suggestion that had been made by General Rov
[164].
His journal, giving a full and most interesting
account of these two seasons' work, and containing
verynea,t panoramic sketches of Cheduba, is still
preserved at the India Office 5. The geographical
points fixed by him from Assam to Hardwar were
used by surveyors for the next 30 years [55, 163,
168, 180, 232, 234].
The work now assigned to him comprised the
measurement both of a degree of Longitude as well
as one of Latitude, but it was not commenced until
April 1790, for the instruments which had been pro-
mised from England never arrived, and he had to
2 BM. Addl. MSS. 29159(376-381). >BM. Addl. MSS. 29163
I
NOTES 319
collect what he could in the country [ 202, 204 ]. He
found Sir William. Jones, President of the Asiatic
Society in Calcutta, most interested in the work. He
made his measurements in Nadia District and com-
pleted them by May 1791, but never found time to
work out the results. His observations were, how-
ever, sent home to his friend Isaac Dalby, who worked
them out as best he could and sent an account to the
Royal Society in February 1796, which was after-
wards published [ 165-6].
During the following season, 1791-2, Burrow made
an expedition to Bihar, but while wort was still in
progress succumbed and died " on board his Budge-
row at Buxar, on June 7th 1792 [ 43, 166-7, 26S 1-
A full account of his valuable work in India is
given else-where [55,155-67, 171, 186-7,202], and
it only remains to speak of his vigorous, and
somewhat crude, personality. His mathematical
genius was outstanding, and was notable for his
efforts to break away from the commonplace. He
had a consuming zeal to discover all he could of the
ancient learning of the Hindoos, as was witnessed by
his mastering the Sanscrit language sufficiently to
make his own translations of old manuscripts
[156, 161, 26S]. Several notes on astronomy in
Gladwin's translation of the Ain-i-Akbari [ 133 n - 3 3
appear to have been contributed by Burrow, and one
gives an interesting account of a Hindu method of
measuring longitude, and of the construction of the
frontispiece Hindu map 1 [208 n. 4].
Of the less attractive side of his character the following
comments arc quoted,
"A rough but kindly man, who sometimes drank too mueii,
and would then indulge in pugilism".
"He amused himself by pouring out coarse abuse in the
fly-leaves of his books" 2 . ...
" Mr. Burrow certainly possessed strong natural abilities,
but his attainments were not confined to the mathematics ;
he could read and translate Latin, French, and Italian with
Facility, and he made considerable progress in Arabic and
Persian after he left England. His disposition was rather
convivial, and he had a ready knack at writing doggerel
verse".
"His form was athletic, and oounteaaaoe expressive, with
a penetrating eye but the graces had been somewhat neg-
lected, and he possessed less of the suauiter in modo, than of
the jortiter in re. " 3 .
A biographical memoir, written in 1821, by one who
had obviously known him personally, records his
liking for "rites of Bacchus"โ indulgence in "pugi-
lism"โ "Protracted and midnight revels not uncon-
genial, but he was not of dissipated habits" โ "Natu-
ral powers very greatโ Education defectiveโ Heart
good, but habits lacked prudent training" 4 -
After the publication of this memoir there followed a long
correspondence between Mr. W โ who championed Burrow,
and Mr. de Mโ who accused Wโ of having quoted Burrow
seriously, without emphasizing his undesirable character.
Mr. W. replied, 3-5-1 S54 ; "I offer no excuse for Mr.
B's. scurrility and obscenity, altho' something might be
urged in palliation from the usages of the times in which ho
lived. ... I am still of opinion that his testimony... will here-
after be received as trustworthy in the main".
BURROW
D e jx โ continued the discussion, and gave the following
specimen of Burrow's malignity ;
"He had an excessive hatred of J. Gโ and W . Wโ , who
were astronomers in Cook's voyages, and he had probably
been beaten by them in some competition for places. When-
ever he bought a work of either, he wrote some scurrility on
the fiv-leaf. ... On an editorial note he remarks, 'This
stupid, pimping, affected, dull, pert, contemptible, vile,
fulsome, nauseous, villainous note, the reading of which is
enough to make a person spew their liver up, and to give the
Devil a vomit, was written by W. W โ ' "ยฐ-
His private journals were certainly filled with spiteful
remarks, and bawdy rhymes, obviously of his own composi-
tion, but many of his entries have a homely and intimate
touch :
25-9-75. "My wife's Sister Bet had got the Itch ( at
Lewisham ) & the Doctors blistered her for it, till at last some
woman had given her Brimstone". ...
2S-10-75. Since the above was wrote, I lost my Ink
bottle, & the damned Taylor made my Coat without a side
pocket, which is the reason that I neglected to keep my
Diary as I used to do".
Those written in India contain petty details about domestic
โ_ _LSt 1784. I have only 20 gold mohurs 6 left out of
Us. 500 that I received for the month of December ; how it
is gone, by God, I cannot tell, but it is ail gone in a very
short time. I cannot for my life find winch way. I have
bought nothing but a few books. ... What the hell can be
the reason of all this ?
Es. 10
to Jack Es.
Moonshy 7
Barber
Metranee ;l
20
Silk & Co. for the
girls
Gave Malto:
Us. GO
"I only remember these, and.. .the other must have gone
in the house. ..." Then remembers P*s. 30 "the other I
cannot make out for the blood of me. I have had no...nor
any liquor in the house".
"16th day of March. Durzee came at 8 Es. per month.
Cut hi3 tullep 9 for the Sunday, and cut it for another day
that h'e did not come, and out it for 2 days fine, and cut it
for another 2. Paid him Rs. 4 in part".
After Burrow's death many of his possessions were
put up for sale in Calcutta, including,
"A valuable collection of astronomical, mathema-
tical, mechanical, chymical and other Books of
Science, in different languages."
"A valuable collection of Shanscrit Books, with
translations from the same in Bengally. Also a
variety of Persian MSS. and 2 figures in Black
marble of Boodh, the principal Hindoo Deity" 10 .
This sale seems hardly in keeping with the provi-
sions of his will, and it is to be hoped that they fell
into the hands of some who appreciated them.
He contributed several papers to the journal of the
Asiatic Society ;
Hints relative to Friction in Mechanics.
A Method of calculating the Moon's Parallaxes...
[180].
Remarks on the Artificial Horizons.
Demonstrations of a. Theorem concerning the Inter-
section of Curves.
Correction of the. Lunar Method of finding the
Longitude'' 1 .
Gladwin II ( 3*9-50 ). 2 Notes & Queries. I f 143 ). 3 New Monthly Mag. I. 537. * Memoir by J. H Swale, Mech. Mag.
โ Notes db Queries XII. 25-8-1855. *A Gold Mohm-, 16 Es. "Muhammadan teacher. ^Sweeper
"CG. 30-S-92. & 13-9-92. xl As. E. I. 1788; five papers.
53,1850, (267 et seg).
woman. 9 talb, or pay.
1
I;
BUKROW
A Synopsis of the different cases that may happen in
deducing the longitude of one place from another by
means of Arnold's chronometers '.
Observations of some of the Eclipses of Jupiter's
Satellites-.
A Proof that the Hindoos had the Binomial Theorem.
The following estracts from his will giro a sad view of
Burrows domestic life; it has been said, probably with
reference to their early life in London, that '-Mrs. Burrow
owed black eyes and a swelled face to some of her husband's
eccentricities.. .m priyate life"". Relations do not seem to
have improved alter her arrival in India.
"I, Reuben Burrow, mathematician, being in sound mind
but m a very ill state of health, imdetvon over by the doctor'
and of course haying very little expectation of living more
than a day or two longer, make this my last will and Teste-
ment. ...
ยซ-.i J 1 ,!*,,ยฐ the h โข ds of m y trotier John Burrow, and my
lather William Burrow, some chests of Books in trust in
Vorhshire, and as the said .Join, Burrow wrote me word that
.lit. John Orookes, Teacher: of Mathematics ( my beloved and
most friendly instructor ) was dead, which information was
most wickedly false and gave me a long time great uneasi.
ness ; I therefore leave the whole of those books to my sister
Mary Burrow. ... J
"I leave to my lawful wife Ann Burrow the sum of one
sicca rupee and no more. I also make it my dying request
to my legitimate .laughters that they would keep out or her
company as much as possible, as lessons of wickedness are,
alas, too soon learnt, and misery and repentance are always
the consequence".
Remainder of money was to be divided in equal shares
amongst legitimate and illegitimate children equally โ "I
have 4 legitimate children, Aim. Mary. Charlotte and Charles
who were born in England ; and four illegitimate children
Nunoo Burrow, a girl about 6 years, John Burrow a boy
about 4, Ann, and Oliver, all christened. ...
"Whereas my wife, since her arrival in India, stole and
destroyed many of my private letters, and I left a large chest
strongly locked up with many other letters, books, and papers,
m my house at Russahpugly, with strict orders that it should
not be opened m my absence ; now, if this chest has been
opened m my absence, or should be found opened by my
executors, I hereby revoke that part of the aforesaid...be<mest
respecting my legitimate children, and instead of one 8th
part... I give each of them only oise 121* part; ...and the
remainder or one 6th part I give on, half to my sister Mary
Burrow and the other half to my most honoured and virtuous
father, Mr. Witliam Burrow of Rounday, near Leeds in York-
shire, and in case of hia death, his share I give to ray brother
Carmi Burrow, an industrious S'liipwrieht at Whitby.
" My house and ground at Russahpugly I give solely to
my illegitimate ohddren, but not to be disposed of till they
all come to age, and I will, and order, that my wife be imme-
diately turned out of the house on my decease, and not
suffered to stay nut by any means, nor have any communica.
tion with my illegitimate children. ...
"I appoint my most honoured and respected friends the
Revd. Mr. John Owen of Calcutta, Mr. .Francis Redfern
Collector of Kishnagur, and Mr. James Agg, Engineer of
Calcutta, my Executors.
"Written all with my own hand, the 14th of May
1702 on one leaf of paper at Caranfola 1 in Purneati,
where there are no Europeans, and therefore the
Witnesses must necessarily be black people ".
[Two witnesses sign in Urdu, and one in NagriJ.
'โข Codsci'. I consider it as a matter of great consequence
that the Sanscrit Learning & Sciences should be transferred
320
BIOGRAPHICAL
to England, and therefore I wished to breed up my leeitimate
or supposed legitimate, son Charles to rhe knowhdee of that
language and the mathematics; but as he has she,,., tie
most fixed determination ceaiust it. & obstinately refused
for near S months together to learn anything I waited him,
1 therefore annul & make void k revoke that part of the
foregoing will which leaves him one 8th part of my money
and leave him instead, one twelfth part, and the ckfterence'l
leave to Betsy Roshny, the mother of my illegitimate son
John Burrow, and the rest I leave to lie implied to the teachiiur
of the said John Burrow the Sanscrit laaauase ft. sciences"-'
After Burrow's death, his family returned to Loudon'
where his wife aud two daughters died soon after and the
remaining daughter married. As has been already noted, the
intractable Charles entered the Madras Infantry ; no record
has been found of the natural family.
BUSHBY, Ewan. Ben. Inf.
d. 5-2-93, Calcutta.
Ens. 13-9-79 ... Lieut. 30-at-Sl.
Hodson.
21-5-81, Eflore, Appd. DQ1IG. with Pearse's force [ 41 1 โข
JJov. 17S1, taken prisoner by Haidar All's forces, near Tri-
pasur 8 .
Dates unknown ; DDn. 270 ( 39 ), Survd. route Annnsh.hr
1168 1โข" 1 "' Garl โข' 1; obsd ' kt " a ' T5 J Mahal, Agra
BUSSY-CASTELNAU, Charles-Josepli PATIS-
SIER, Marquis de. French Inf.
b. 8-2-20, at Ancienville near Soissons.
d. 7-1-85, Pondicherry.
โโ J"f Compagnie des Indes, 1736; Brig, d'inf. April
17o8 ; LtGen. comdg. at Cape of Good Hope 1782
His father, Lt Col. Patissier, took name de Bussy, and
Charles- Josonn bought fire "marquisat de Castelnau" about
1756, confirmed by Louis XV at his 1st marriage in 1761
Diet. General ; Martineau ; Memoires, Letters etc. Le Sieur
de Biiesy.
e ^' ith C 9 ^ date of birth, obtained com, as Lieut, at age
ot Li and Capt. at 15, under his father's conmd. ; on father's
death obtarncd comn. in the French EIC, and after service
at .Bourbon and Isle tie France, ami. India 1741
< โขF2' Sent in COmd - of French detfc - 30 ยฐ Europeans and
4,W0 l bepoys, to support MzSm in Dec: can ; 1751, defeated
'UiuaUins at Ahinadnagar. 1753, granted revenue of N
Uircars for payment of his troops, and during 1756-7 occupied
Cirrars asbr as G an jam. capturing English factory at Viza^a-
patam ' [ 91, T15, 309 ]. ~
July 1758, recalled to Pondichorrv ; 1760 captured by
the English under Eyre Coote at Wundiwiish f 86 1, and
returned to France.
1781, Sent out from France to support Haidar Ali with
French reinforcement:,, but -found such difficulty in evading
British squadrons "โ that he did not land at Porto Novo till
March 1783, and a few months later news arrived of peace
between England and France. "The arrangements for the
cessation of hostilities m India were made with Bussy, and
the most amicable relations followed" 9 .
During his command in the Deccan Bussy had
surveys made of all his marches [118, 170], and the
map compiled from them, described by Rennell as a
"monument to the French nation", remained the sole
authority for the geography of that country for more
than forty years [115, 117,245,268]. Both D'Anville
and Orme were proud to receive copies.
Krlยฃk?^
NOTES 321
BYRES \ John. Mad. Engrs.
b. 1745. d. 23-9-88, Tanjore.
Capt. 15-12-78.
Youngest son of Patrick and Janet Byres of Tonley,
co. Aberdeen.
m., Isabella, dan. of Jafflies Donaldson, HD. of Auchmull,
co. Aberdeen, and had two daus. who did not accompany
him to India.
No record of service has been found, either with BIG, or
at home, before Feb. 1781 when appd. Capt., to rank from
15-12-78 2 .
Passenger in DmjfarH, staffing from London 12-6-81 3 ;
trans-shipped at St. Helena to H MS. Hannibal*; captured by
the French 22-1-82 5 bv a French squadron under comd. of
Adm. Suffi'Dn; K prยฉseDt...da.ttng the action with the British
Fleet off Sadras 6 , 17-2-82. Byres being seriously ill with
fever was sent on shore at Porto Novo.. .on parole. ... Byres
then asked to be allowed to serve in the north where there
were no French, hut Coote replied that he could not allow
him to serve, as we were liable to be attacked by the French
He writes himself "I had the misfortune of being captured
in mv voyage out and lost almost everything I had ; remain-
ing 19 months a Prisoner of War ; and that ever since my
release I have been constantly in the field with the Southern
Army"*. He was bound by parde til! -July 1 78:1, when news
of peace with the French readied Madras, and he might well
feel aggrieved at not receiving any allowances for so long a
period.
He was not even able to use his surveying instru-
ments, for he writes in Sept. 1783; "I brought a
complete sett of professional Instruments with me
from London, which I have been lugging after me for
better than two years at a considerable expence, tho'
it would be perfectly convenient for me to dispose of
them, and I have had more than one opportunity of
so doing". He offered to sell them to Govt., but
appears to have kept them on, for he made several
surveys after joining Fullarton's army, taking astr.
obsns. and submitting "A Draught of the March of
the Southern Army to the reduction of the Fort of
Poligatcherry and Coimbatoor, together with a plan
of the former, and its environs. ..." [98,170]ยฐ.
At the close of the campaign he acted as "Chief
Engineer to the Southward, and sent in a detailed
report of every particular respecting the garrisons of
Tanjore, Trichlnopoly, Madura, Palamcottah, and
Ramnad 10 .
1787, carried out survey, with Ens. Forrest, of
the Cavery R. to W. of Island of Seringham, down
to the anicut, "that no cause of complaint between
the Nabob & the Rajah of Tanjore may remain un-
explained" [95 n. 8] 11 .
When submitting this survey "with particular Revenue
notes", in June 1788, he applied to succeed Pringle "in the
Direction of the Guides. His having been regularly bred a
surveyor, and having risen by succe-'ssioti to the appointment
of Surveyor General to the Ceded Islands, leaves his experience
in that line undoubted" 3 - 2 .
CADOG-AJST, The Hon. George. Mad. Civ.
b. 1-1-54. d. 1780, S. India.
Writer, 1771. Junior Merch. 1780.
CALDWELL
4th son of the Hon. Charles Sloane Cadogan, afterwards
1st Earl Cadogan of Cavers-ham, Oxfordshire.
Lodge's Peerage, 1803.
1775, "To survey the Island of Devicottah, and
lands dependant on Cuddalore" [143]-
CALDWELL, Arthur. Ben. Engrs.
d.. 26-1-86.
mโ Elizabeth โ , who with her two children was admitted
Lord Clivc's pension fund 22-S-S7. Father of J
Lilliman Caldwell [ inf. ].
1778, Survd. route of Ben. Dett. under Leslie and
Goddard, Kalpi to Burhanpur [4, 39. 155]; ma P e
beautifully drawn.
2-8-79, Appd. Fd. Engr. to Goddard's army.
CALDWELL, James. Ben. Engrs.
Lieut. 4-9-81 ; Eesd. 1793.
1787-8S, Survd., with Ens. Rickarts as asst., the
Banka N, with estimate of cost of making it navi-
gable. 1788, Corrected Lacam's survey of Channel
Creek and harbours on Hooghly R. [51].
Dec. 1789, "in hospital for insane persons, ... not capable
of attending to any business" ; 1793, Struck off the strength
on account of lunacy, and sent to Europe ; 24-12-1803,
Directors decline to reinstate him in spite of restoration of
health, pleading lapse of time, but continue allowance of ยฃ 90
a year from Contingent Fund 13 .
CALDWELL, James Lilhman. Mad. Engrs.
b. 1770. d. 28-6-1863.
Ens. 22-7-89 ... Left India 1837 ; Gen. 20-6-1854.
CB. 4-6-15 ; KGB. 1837 ; GCB. 1S48.
Son of Arthur Caldwell, Ben. Engrs. [ sup. ].
in., Madras, 18-2-94, Joanne Baptistr;, dim. of M. "\Tn ill;! r<\,
of Dole, near Dijon, widow of Richard Johnston, an officer of
the Guards.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Vibart, II, with portrait.
After survey in Baramahal [273] was, 26-3-93,
appd. Asst. Survr. under Topping on survey of Kistna
and Godavari deltas [106]: Aug. 1793. cannot be
spared for service at Pondicherry; Survd. coast from
Masulipatam N. wards for 106 miles [105]; and also
several miles of the Godavari, with levels [7, 106-7,
593-3]; 1796-7, completed Topping's [qv.] drainage of
Masulipatam, reporting that "the putrid strench.-.is
now no longer felt".
1795, Report on project for irrigation of Devicottai ;
from 1797, Supt. of Tank Repairs under Rev. Bd.
[108-9].
4th. Mysore War, wounded at assaidt of Seringapatam,
6-5-99.
MGO. 11-8-1810, Appd. Senior En<n\ & Survr. on expn.
for capture of Mauritius "without prejudice to his situation
as jSu'jWhiteudiug Unsineor at the Presidency".
1-10-1813, resumed appt. as Inspector of Tank Repairs.
Jan 1816. acted as CE. "Madras: designed St. Thomas'
Cathedral, afterwards constructed by De Havilland [ qv ].
"Painted in water colours with great skill" ( DIB. ).
โ A\
1 Name also spelt Byere. >CD to M. 2-2-81. ( 11 ). "10. Logs. Deptford. < V.bart . ยซ m 3 30 N ; ยซ IE "86D/2.
'Wvllv (2S-I-5). "Muck. MSS. LXV1II. 15-9-84. "Map. MRIO. 150(25), Mack. MSS. LX\ III. .-4-84. J! ullarton ( U 1 ).
"Slack MSS. LXIX, 15-5-87, & 23-9-87. "ib. 9-6-88, & DDn. 246 (62 ). ยซ I 0. Misc. 43 ( 3o5 ).
T
โฌALL
CALL, James. Mad. Civ.
d. 8-7-99, Madras.
Writer, 1766 ... Senior Merch. 1778
Bro. to John Call [ inf. t
โข ^"Ji 5, t rri 1Iad " "PP d - Praot - Engr- & Ens.: tr. to
civil thro' influence of his bro. John i.
Not a surveyor.
CALL, Jewel. Mad. Civ.
bapt. 4-9-48. d. 17-3-83, Poonamallee.
Writer, 1771 ... Senior Merch. 1782
Bro to John Call [ inf. ] ; left all his property to his bro
James [ sup. ].
"โ 2 !^ 8 i 1 ' AlTd - m >- 61 "! 12-2-73, Appd. to assist Barnard
in the drawing and writing business" required to complete
the survey of the Jafffr [ 142 J ^
CALL, John. 2 Mad. Engrs. & Civ
b. 30-6-32. d. 1-3-1801.
Ens. 1-1-51 ... BtCol. l(M-65.
25*?'/โข 17S1 "โ Member ยฐf Council, 8-0-60" ;
Son of John & Jane Call, of Prestacutt, Launcells, Cornwall
?ln"'S -T*, 4 {T 11 [my -l ; lst ยฐโขโข ยซยฐ Thouia;
1 ยซy. J Ed. liverton & Somerton.
S'il 8 " 3 ^ 72, PMaiM Phia, dau. of Win. Battle, MD
pโ u ',?ยซ! ยฃ heriff ยฃ Corm โข n . 1771 ; M P. for Cailington,
STi ' rffr 96 ; ยฐ r - Bart ' of Whiteford, Cornwall 28-7-91
DNB. ; DIB. ; Holzman ( 136 ).
Ft. William; to Ft. St. David, 1751, In several military
campaigns rag. India up to 1760, making various plans and
surveys [3, 87, 98, 271 ] .
On formation of corps of Mad. Engrs., Jan. 1759 r 271 1
appd. Sub-Director 4 Capt. at head of corps, to date from
3I-7-B1 Promoted Engr.-in-Chief 31-7-60 and CE.
Valuable engr. services during defence of Madras 12-12-58
to I7-2-59ยซ ; his journal of the siege is pub. in Cambridge's
r Sj'-L' J, '? ng Ietter to CliTe . I- 9 " 58 . Ascribing capture
ol Ft. St. David by the French s .
'r 7 " 60 '., d f s "ibed operations against the French settle-
ments, Karikal & Pondicherry, in which ho comdd. 50 Pioneers-
,"'โ bearing the Delineation of our Conquests go on
this Ship, and I suppose will be pubbshed ; at least I think
they ought, that the Commander may reap aU the Honor he
deserves from such successes" 7 .
Sent the Directors "a very sensible account of the method
be practises to make Powder" 8 .
Sept. 1763, Comdd. Engrs. at siege of Madura, where he
had a tall from his horse and broke an arm, but remained on
duty.
Only one map has been found which is definitely
known to have been survd. by him; "A Sketch of
country from Vellore to Pass of Cuddapahnattam
taken in April 1763"; sd. J. Call 3 .
Another map which may contain his work is a "Plan
of the march of the English Army under Caillaud from
Nellore [16-2-62], to Ami [1-5-62 j"; shows coast
line, and lines of march with each stage; very neat,
especially the handprinting 10 .
1766 and 1767, Sent a number of maps of S. India
to Clive and Palk [870-9], to be delivered to Orme,
to whose History many of them are appended, sd. by
322
BIOGRAPHICAL
Call as CE., tho' few of them are likely to have been
survd., or even compiled, by him. [153, 211, 239].
On the death of his father in 1766 Call expressed a wish
to leave India but the Council desired him "to remain, on
account ot his long experience and Abilities in Military affairs
as well as those of the Country, ... constant readiness to give
his assistance, a zealous attachment to the Company's true
interest, and a vigilant attention to the Prosperity of their
AITairs. Mr. Call rophed that his whole aim has been to
serve with credit to himself, and with the Approbation of
JtSu'iSSsa.-? ^ โข adfly ^ s โ **โ *
n , P~,'> Sent on a secret mission to interview "the Mahratta
Chiet , to arrange an alliance with him at the time of the
war against Haidar Ah ยซ. The Mowing year Call and another
Member of Council accompanied the army operating in
Mysore, as Field Deputies representing the Council"
1769 when officers of the Engr. Corps, were called on to
choose between service in the Corps or the Civil [ 272 1 Call
was specially exempted, and allo.ed to hold his position in
both. At the end of that .wear, however, he applied to return
to Lnglsnd on account of ill-health, and on 25-1-70 obtained
pci-iuissiuii - u, embark with Ins European Servant on board the
Britannia, and bade farewell to the Council" sailing 8-2-70
During his long service in India, Call had accumulated a
substantial fortune; amongst other interests dealing in
diamonds and sending them home to his father through
palk L 17. Motte ] M. a
Many of his personal letters are preserved, with several to
them following are extracts from some of
Aug. 1759 "Money I hope soon to have enough ; the next
thing I want is honour, and unless I can have it here with
my right, I am determined to seek it in Europe"".
On 3-6-61 after describing various marriages and engage-
ments m Madras, he adds, "If you should hear any 3,
reports of me do not believe it, for tho' my inclination leads
that way, Duty and Interest forbid the Banns""
Agam, m a letter to Bichd. Smith, "I can now sav T am
worth ยฃ25,000, and that, my friend,' is the ."ount'oi ' โข
iortnne ; and I am sure I can live on the income of it in mv
Country like > a Prince ... My affairs arc reduced all to money
& that is with the Nabob at 25% per annum" 1*.
After retirement Call cherished the ambition of
becoming Governor, and in 1779 applied to return to
civil duty; on Sir Thomas Humboldt's retirement in
1780, he was considered to be first rival to Lord
Macartney for the succession 1 ^
He was always regarded as an authority on Madras affairs,
a . nd t m \il S โข b "hittetl '<> the Directors a memorandum
starting, Having spent more than 20 years of my life in the
service of the EIC and participated of almost every Employ
m the Civil & Military Line on the Coast of Choromandel
and being now a standing and independent Proprietor of
East India Stock, ...gave me not only a most intimate Local
Knowledge of every District, ... but a distinct and clear Idea
1750 to 1770ยฐ^S Mโข*"? Transactions...from December
Besides a London house in Old Burlington St he height
TOiteford, Stoke Climsland, in Cornwall, ' ? whieh he converted
into a handsome seat .
In 1786, domed John Pybus (Mad. Civ.) in founding a
bank m Bond St., besides engaging in other business interests
After 7 years of blindness he died in London of an apop-
lectic lit. ' L
"V,bart,I(KM . ยซPalkMSS.(35) "OrmeMSS 26(16) SmllKI ยปh1^ , โ.?, *ยฐ CD ' 15 ~ 4 - r ' 7 < s >-
Mad Servants accumulated large fortunes which they lent t he Nawfb o thj Katie \SS^7{?V' *'*? * im ยป ma ^
( n 7?5 , 5rvโ I te ,7 2 .' ,LoTe ' m (219) ' Go โข : B "ยป Md ' >"^ยฃ^^S^a5wT^^ UM ยป , Sfc w ,5
NOTES
CALL, Thomas. Ben. Engrs.
b. c. 1749. d. 12-12-88, at sea.
Ens. 15-9-71 ... LtCol. 13-2-86 ; Resd. 15-11-88,
SG. Bengal, 1777-86 [ 260 n. 2 ].
Younger son of Riehd. & Mary Call, of Prestacutt,
Launeells, Cornwall ; 1st Cousin of John Call [ sup. ].
m., Calcutta, 5-2-S4, Bethia, dau. of John Blackbume of
Sneaton, Yorkshire. Father of Thomas Henry Call, b.
1-11-84.
MI. Exeter Cathedral.
Hods on.
Nominated in England, 6-2-71, Pract. Engr.
Bengal, and directed to call at Ft. St. George to assist
in finishing the survey of the jagir; as this was almost
completed by the time of his arrival, he proceeded
direct to Bengal 1 .
1773-4, Survd. roads in "Culna, ...Munboom &
Burraboom, & Western perts of Bengal " [225] ; Survd.
a line nearly N. & S., to the west of Plassey ; given an
escort of 2 companies of sepoys from Midnapore 2
and attacked by local people [294-5]. withdrew from
Midnapore survey on account of fever [33, 35].
1776, received the following letter from his cousin John
Call, Great Russell St., March 21st, "A few days ago, thro'
the information of Major Watson who is to he your next
Chief Engineer, I learnt that the Court of Directors had
appointed a Lieut. Douglas [334] into the Corps of Engineers,
to rank just above you. ... Upon this I took the alarm, went
to the House, and traced the whole affair through the Com-
mittee of Correspondence, and made very strong representa-
tions of the injustice done. General Smith [ 24 n. 9 ] backed
me, and went to the House on purpose. ... I wrote a letter
to the Chairman the moment 1 was certain on the fact, but
"being yesterday at the Court, and having an opportunity to
-urge my complaint in person, I added that I asked no favor,
I only contended for justice, which they ought to give unsoli-
cited. They acknowledged they had done wrong and would
rectify it" 3 .
Appd. SG. in succession to Rennell from Oct. 7th
1777 4 [37, 260], having been recently employed in
constructing Barracks and defences at Chunar. Built
a block of Invalid Barracks at Ft. William in 1782,
and had to rebuild the roof three years later "as it
admitted the rain very much".
26-3-81. Produced a theatrical entertainment in
Calcutta, Venice Preserved 3 .
1783, reported that he had in hand an Atlas of India
[3, 5, 11, 12, 38,215-7, 286], and that
"The application necessary to such a work, in a
climate such as this, has much impaired my Health,
and the General of the faculty have recommended me
strongly to take a trip to Europe. ...
" Being on board a ship I shall be able to pursue
my business with more expedition than I could do if
I remained in India, both on account of the benefit
which I expect to derive from the change of climate,
as well as retirement. ... I shall be as fully entitled
to my allowances as if I remained in India ; it will
not be expected that I should labour six or eight
hours a day during my passage for nothing; if the
work be of Public utility it merits a recompense. ...
I am very anxious to see it appear before my Hon'ble
323 CALL*
Masters at home, from a conviction that it will meet
their approbation and encouragement, and further
that I shall ultimately be rewarded by a regular suc-
cession to the command of the Corps " 6 .
The Council were prepared to recommend this to-
the Directors, and Call further asked, 14-10-83, that
it might be represented that, " In going home, though
actually employed in the execution of my duty, I shall,
be under the necessity of resigning the service; this
I consider to be a hard case, but by the custom of
the service, and the absolute orders of the Court of
Directors, it appears that no alternative can be ad-
mitted of . ... I beg leave to request that you will be
pleased to issue an order expressing the nature of the
service I am sent home on, to secure not only my
return with my rank, but the continuation of my
appointment" 1 .
As his request for advance of eight or ten months
allowances was refused, Call abandoned this visit
home, and continued working on his map [215, 253,.
257]-
Feb. 1786, the office of CE. falling vacant, Call resd.
that of SG. to become CE., being promoted to Lt.-Col.
at the same time [43, 157. 216, 260].
As a reminder that more than 150 years have passed since
Call was in Calcutta, we may note that in CG. of July 17th
1786 he advertised for "a runaway slave called Jack". Such
advs. were common, the slaves being generally negros.
1788, Call asked leave to resign, -writing on Oct. 13th,
"Having for near two years past labor'd under a severe and
dangerous illness which neither care or medicine can get the
better of, I am by the advice of the most skillful of the faculty
reduced to the painful necessity of soliciting your Lordship's
permission to resign the service, and to go to England for
tins recovery of my Health. ...
"Holding a distinguished appointment, ... lately appointed
to it, limited in point of fortune, and having a young family,
nothing could induce me to pursue this measure but the most
urgent necessity, and as the only means left for saving my
life.
"Should I be so happy as to reach England, and recover
my Health, it is my intention to solicit.. .to be allowed to
return with my Rank.. .and to succeed to my present appoint-
ment in the first vacancy " a .
16-11-88, Sailed from Calcutta, taking with him a
copy of his Atlas to present in person to the Directors
[216-7 ] y . In less than a month he died, some where
in the Indian Ocean, and it was not until the follow-
ing August that the news reached Calcutta.
CG., 30-10-88, Adv. ; "Public auction at Col. Call's Quar-
ters at the New Fort. The effects of Col. Call previous to
his departure for Europe.
Plate A Eu.ropci.ri Built Chariot.
Furniture A Phaeton.
Books 2 pairs of Excellent Carriage Horses,
also Col. Call's Garden House to be sold, situated close on
the Banks of the River below the Fort-, with 70 Biggahs of
Land 1 '. ,. ,.,,,.-โ
He made his will just before sailing whilst enjoying a
tolerable state of health, and perfect contentment of mind,
leaving to ray af&efeiaBate and Tender wife, Bethia Call,
ยฃ 15 thousand. ... To my mother Mary Call at Kentan near
Exeter in Devonshire... ; To my sister, ... ; to my Brother
Richard Call... ; To my natural daughter, Sally Preston, now
CAMAC
324
BIOGRAPHICAL
living with my dear sister Sarah Terrell, ยฃ4,000;... To my
dear friend John Call, of Whiteford in Cornwall. ..& To Francis
Wilford, to purchase rings.
"Residue of my fortune to my three legitimate children,
Thomas Henry Call, Maria Call, and Eliza Call;... my son
Thomas Henry Call should be brought up at the Bar "K
CAMAC, Jacob. Ben. Inf.
b. 1745. d. 1784, of a fever in Ireland.
Tr. from H M's S4th Beg*, of Foot in 1763.
Lieut. 14-10-63 ... LtCol. 3-2-81; Resd. 2-12-S2.
Son of John Camac, of Rose Hall, eo. Downe, Ireland,
and Elizabeth Turner his wife.
DIB. ; EIHC. II ( 101 ).
From 1766, Comdg. 24th Ben. Batt., Ramgarh frontier;
1770, comdg. forces which subdued districts of Ramgarh,
Palamau, & Chota Nagpur, with political charge of this area
[30,225,294].
Dec. 1778, Appd. to eomd. force supporting Goddard's
march 011 the western frontiers ; Dec. 1780, took comd. of
Popham's force after capture of Gwalior, drew Sindhia from
Guzerat and defeated him at Mahatpur near SIronj, 24-3-81
[40, 315]. 2
When submitting maps in 1774, Rennell acknow-
ledged sketches made by Camac "*in the little known
regions of Ramghur and Palamau ' [35,000,000], and
later acknowledged" some very useful Routes and
other Geographical materials, communicated by Col.
Camac... [who] to his praise, employed a part of his
leisure time, during his command on the "Western
Frontier, in enquiries concerning the State of Politics,
Government, Geography, and nature of the countries...
which has till now been very little known to us" 3
[ 30, 286] v. Cameron, W.N. [ 325 ].
CAMERON, Hugh. Bom. Art.
d. 16-3-64, in 24-Parganas, Bengal, of
dysentery.
Ens. 3rd Co. of Bom. Inf. 173S; Lieut. Dec. 1746?
Master Gunner, Bom. Art. Sept. 1748 ; Capt. & CE.
Art. 4-^^9; tr. to Inf. Oct. 1750; Resd. 1-10-58,
hut declared a desertor.
Son of Margaret Cameron of Aire, near Giascow.
m., Bombay, 22-7-50, Miss Elizabeth Johnson.
_ Dec. 1754, comdg. force which occupied B&nkot, or Fort
Victoria 1 , from Bombay.
Early 1758, sent to "Telheherry, on Malabar Coast, where
fortifications had been proposed, but "was Divested of his
command over the Military the 7th May ; he was however
paid to the end of August, though he had often absented
himself without leave of the Chief of Tellicherry. On the
2Sth September He and his FamUy set out for Durmapatam,
and on the 1st ult. he sent the Telheherry servants his com-
mission and a letter from Cannanore" 5 .
"Till Capt. Hugh Cameron became 1st Officer [at Telli-
cherry], the Military behaved properly. ... Capt. Cameron
has been offered a passage hither [Bombay], therefore t'is
thought he has no Intention of Quitting Cannanore" 8 .
Cameron himself wrote, 12-10-58, explaining that the
Chief at Telheherry had on 7-5-5S directed him to hand over
his charge and return to Bombay "by the first conveyance" ;
that this was "almost six months before there was even a
possibility of proceeding [ 303 ] ; and for all this not anv
reason assigned, no Crime alledged ; nor at any time had I
ever been charged with airy misconduct, incapacity, or neglect
of duty during a Service of two and twenty years".
Finding it impossible to secure a passage to Bombay, even
by hiring a country boat, " ( the Season of the year, often
fatal to small vessels, deterring some, and the length of
the voyage fi-ightenrhhg all I laid aside all thoughts of
being able to proceed now, and determined to wait a more
favourable opportunity". He had moved to Cannanore in
the hope of finding a passage, and "as... I believed that my
not proceeding... might be considered as an act of disobedi-
ence, ... I thought it advisable to resign the Hon'ble Com-
pany's Service and my Commission... with a letter the 1st
inst. " ...
When this "was read in Council, the Governor 7 declared!
I had deserted the Service ; but a Majority opposing this
Sentence begged he would change that odious appellation for
a milder word, and directed the Secretary to call it absconded.
But the Governor in wrath took the minutes himself, dashed
out that word, and wrote Deserted with his own hand. ... In
consequence of this he caused me to be proclaimed a deserter
at the head of the Troops, and wrote to. ..apprehend me aa
such and send me to Bombay a prisoner. ... How hard this! ...
to be forced into exile for about two years. ... Just about
this time too [before submitting resignation] I received
warning, even from some of the Council at Bombay, ... by no
means to put myself in Mr. Bourchier's power, as he was
fully bent on my distraction. ... All intercourse with my
friends at home or abroad he cut off. All letters were inter-
cepted, and either kept or copied as they fell into his hands. ...
Letters from Europe, even those to my Wife, were broke open,
and when sent, sent so, some with the Seals shattered, and
some without any seal at all. ...
"Could it be for my ill behaviour that I was presented
with two Commissions together at the head of the Troops ?
One as first Captain of the Train of Artillery : the other as
Captain of grenadiers, and held both.. .until' the latter was
incorporated.-.with the other Companies of the Regiment. ...
Could it be the reward of ill behaviour to have the first Com-
mission that ever was issued Tor Chief Engineer given me ? ...
I was clerk of the works for Sixteen or Seventeen years, and
I made gun Powder for the Company" 3 .
Cameron is next heard of in โ 1761, when the
Bengal Council report that he had been appd. to
survey "the New Lands [24-Pargannas]", and two
years later they write to the Directors, "Neither can
we in justice omit recommending to your particular
favour and countenance, Mr. Cameron, who has, for
these two years past been employed in the Office of
Surveyor at this Presidency. In this capacity he has
been engaged in making a Survey of your Lands in
the Calcutta Purgunnas, and has in part executed the
same with care and exactness, much pains & Trouble
[2, 13, 51, 136, 269].' ... And as we are well assured of
this Gentleman's abilitys and Knowledge in the En-
gineering and Artillery Branches, we cannot but point
him out as a person who may be very useful to the
Company"".
The Directors had however already noticed the
appointment, and wrote out "We observe. ..that you
have entertained Mr. Hugh Cameron as Surveyor of
New Lands; In the year 1758 or T759 there was one
Mr. Hugh Cameron, a Captain ia our Service at Telli-
cherry where he behaved very ill, as he had done be-
fore at Bombay, and deserted our service, by going
to Cannanore and not returning again to his duty.
In case this is the same man, We direct that he be
immediately dismissed Our service, and sent home by
the same ship" 10 .
iBen. Wills. 1787-00(31). * Late War in Asia ( 290); & Grier (in). * Memoir, 1793 (23S). ยซ47 O/l -Bo to CD
7-11-58(107). "Boto CD. 27-3-59 (165-6). Progs, of Bom. Govt, approved by CD to Bo. 25-4-60 (134) 'Richard
Bourchier. *Gtno contract for gunpowder June 1747 ; Young (70). BPC. 8-S-63, with Cameron's letters of 12-10-58 and
29-7-63. ยปBtoCD. 14-2-63 (37). "CD to B. 17-12-62 (53).
NOTES
325
CAMPBELL
To which the Council replied, " Mr. Hugh Cameron
...is the same person who was formerly in your Milit-
ary Service on the Bombay Establishment. Upon our
giving him notice of your displeasure, and orders for
his dismission, he requested that he might have, leave
to represent his case 1 , which he never before had an
opportunity of doing. ... As we are well satisfied
with his Behaviour since He has been here, and have
found his Services very usefull, and greatly tending
to the Improvement of the Revenues of your new
Lands, "We have presumed to suspend the Execution
of your orders, and to keep him in the same usefull
Employment nntill we receive your further Deter-
mination [51, 136]-.
The Court's reply was favourable, "In consideration
only of your strong recommendations of Mr. Cameron
for his usefulness to our Service, We permit you to
continue to employ him so long as it may be found
necessary" 3 , but long before this reached Bengal
Cameron's service had ended, and the Council reported
in November 1764, "We are to mention the death of
Mr. Hugh Cameron, the 16th March last, of a Dysent-
ery; in him you have lost a very useful servant^.
Cameron left hits property divided between his widow,
his "lawful begotten son John", and Hugh Johnson; ''I
have a right and Title to 3 Houses in the town of Aire",
which he bequeathed to his mother 6 .
In January 1765 his widow applied to the Conned "on
account of the services rendered the Company by her late
husband, whose death was, she represented, partly owing to
the unwholesome air and Damps he met with in his survey
of the Sew Lands, that we will grant her a monthly pension. ...
"Agreed.. .that his death was in a great measure brought
on him. by the circumstances she represents, that we grant
her the usual monthly allowances made to the Widows of
Captains deceased in the Company's Service" 6 . She appears
to have died in Calcutta [ bur. 20-3-82 ], leaving a little more
thanRs. 2,000 7 .
Cameron's survey was made use of by Rennell, and
is still preserved in Calcutta [13, 250 n. 5]. He was
the first officer to receive the regular appointment of
Surveyor anywhere in India, and was immediately
succeeded by Rennell [269].
CAMERON, John. Ben. Engrs.
d. 5-6-76, at Ft. William.
Ens. 10-4-64 ... Lieut. 21-3-65.
Hodson.
Dec. 1764, John Cameron, "Ensign & Draughtsman , sd.
petition from officers of the corps of Engrs. regarding their
April 1767, on survey in Ramgarh [ 26, 270 ].
CAMERON, William Nevil. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1755. d. 13-5-1837, Bath.
Ens. 8-5-75 ... Ret. 1804 ; Lt.Gen. 25^1-lSOS.
Son of Rev. Wrn. Cameron and Judith his wife,
m., Calcutta. 17-8-89, Charlotte, 2nd. clan, of Sir Wm.
Gordon, "Bart., of Embo.
EIMC. I ( 50 ) ; Hodson.
Arrd. Bengal as cadet, and as such employed as Asst.
Ensr. at Buxar, and with Select Picket during Rohilla War-
of 1774 [ 266 ].
About 1775-6, Appd. Depy. to Ed. Engr. on active service
in Oudh. 1778, Appd. Survr. with Camae's force supporting
Goddard's march to Surat [ 40, 324 ]. 1780, Fd. Engr. with
Popham's force, planning the assault, and fixing scaling
ladders, at capture of Gwalior [ 315 ].
"Sketch of the Ranah of Gohud's Country, 1780",
and "Route of Detachment under Camac, 1781", pre-
served at British Museum [40].
23-2-93, succeeded aa CE. Ft. William, holding the post
till 1800.
CAMPBELL, William. Ben. Inf.
b. c. 1742; d. between 30-1-79 &
29-6-79, in W. India.
Ens. 14-9-65 ... Cap t. 22-9-70.
Owned estate of BFillinbar in Islay, co. Argyll.
Will sd. 26-6-78; cod. sd. "Brampore"*, 30-1-79, and
witnessed by John Campbell ยป & W. Ross Munro, with bequest
to his son James Cowan Campbell 10 .
Hodson ; Clan Campbell No. 230.
Survd. coast from Puri to Ganjam, the Chilka Lake,
and "the road from thence to Balasore, through
Cuttack 11 " [28, 199].
BPC. 2-6-77 ( 6 )- Comdt. at Budge Budge.
1778, with Elliot's 13 ill-fated mission, Cuttack to
Nagpur, and probable author of journal & survey of
the route [39].
Tarquhar 15 reported, about 2 coss east of Sarangin. 11 .
9-9-78, that Elliot was "seized with a severe Bilious dis-
order, attended with an inflammation of the Liver. ... Capt.
Campbell, our other fellow traveller, is also very ill of a
complaint much of the same nature " 15 , and again, 30-9-78,
"Capt. Campbell had a return of his disorder".
Elliot & Farqtihar both died, and Campbell and Anderson
moved on to Ratanpur, Campbell writing from there to
Warren Hastings, 19-10-78 ;
" I hope you have long since received Mr. Earquhar's
report of Mr. Elliot's Death on the 12th Sept. I was at that
time so dangerously ill that I could not advise you of that
unfortunate event, which was immediately succeeded by a
sickness throughout the whole party, ...as โ well as Messrs.
Andnrsori. Farauluir and myself all whom were so danger-
ously ill at the same time of a Billious Fever, that [ we ]
could not afford each other the least help.
"Mr. Earquhar soon recovered of this disorder, but I am
concerned to acquaint you that on the 7th inst. he was taken
suddenly ill ten miles from this place, and continued delirious,
a few intermissions excepted, till the 15th when he died.
"These circumstances, together with the badness of the
Season & fiends, retarded so much the progress of our journey
that we have come but about a hundred & ten or twenty
miles since the 3rd of Septr. that Mr. Elliot & myself were
first taken ill. ...
"I date this at Rajah Bimajee's Capital residence ; he sent
guides some distance to meet us, who persisted in bringing us
out of the right road to come this way, notwithstanding Mr.
Anderson & myself was at that time very ill ; ... but we are to
thifife the less i.f this delay.. .for he has received us with extra-
ordinary politeness, vast state & ceremony; ... the day after
r tomorrow ] I am in hopes he will permit us to depart, and
as the Rains are just broke up & every body 01 l bhe recovery, f
have no doubt but we shall bis at Naugpore by the oth Novr. ...
*BtoCD. 26-11-64 [v. Rennell].
iยซ letter of 20-7-63 [324]. sBtoCD. 19-12-63 (94). ^CDtoB. 15-2-65(76).
GBen Wills, 154-52 (9). ยซBPC. 14-1-65. โข Ben. Let. of Admn. 17S2, Il-4r-82. "Obviously bur 1 -mpur (inf. ). "Hodson
gives two John Campbell's who served with Goddard's force. ยป Wrongly given as son to John Campbell m some places.
.1 I'rlwi, "]7S3(ยฑ>.(SS1. 1- Elliot ft Rode were close friends, & both favourites of Warren Hastings Clements Markham).
ยป A [Robert Farquhar served as jure, at" inquest on Lord Pigot, Madras, 1777. Tinder BSโฌ. 20-7-7S ( 14 ), drew whikt.on
Elliot's mission " Pay & Double Batta of a Captain ", and shewn in index under " Company s Servants
28-9-78.
i*64 0/2. "BSC.
I
CARTER
P.S. I request you will be bind enough to excuse the
badness of this scrole, not having yet recovered the strength
of my nerves " *,
Anderson wrote a similar letter *, and reported later that
the party had reached Nagpur November 15th, and according
to the journal^ Campbell appears to have reached Gocidard'a
camp at Hoshanaabad, 51-12-78, a,nd with that force would
have reached Burhanpur 30-1-79 [ 121 }, obviously extremely
ill, for he ad. his cod. that very day [ 39 ].
His death, of which no record has been found, must have
occurred between this date and the middle of June, his will
being filed in Calcutta, 29-6-79.
CARTER, Thomas. Ben. Inf.
d. 5-9-76, at Bilgram, Hardoi Dist. , Oudh.
Ens. 13-8-65 ... Capt. 19-5-70.
Hodson.
On 8-9โ66 Give wrote to Lady Clive, "Your relation
Mr. Carter is a most deserving Young man [269]. I gave
him a Commission immediately upon his Arrival, andยฐthe
^General has since made him his Brigade Major "*.
Two weeks later the Sel. Com. ordered the C-in-C.
to send him from Monghyr to assist in the survey of
the western passes [25], and on Rennell's appt. as
SG., 1-1-67, Carter was placed under his orders [ 31 ].
April 1767, on survey along the Ramgarh-Midna-
poxe Frontier, in company with John Cameron and
Russell [ 26,270]. Carter's opinion about the line of
this boundary met with a protest from Ferguson [ 28 },
who found his movements disputed because "Lt.
Carter happened to come that way in the course of
his survey, as if the Chief of Midnapore was not a
more proper judge of the limits of his own province,
than a young gentleman about a year in the country
who is ordered on a survey, I suppose, because he
knows the use of Gunter's chain and the Theodolite,
and is perhaps an excellent hand at Charts " 5 .
Continued survey in Midnapore, from where it was
reported, 29-1-70, that " Mr. Carter is arrived here
yesterday and proposes to set out for Balasore in 3
or 4 days [r38n. 3, 152]. Three months later he
was at Ghatsila [300].
1771, Survg. through the " Harboe District " of the
present Santa.1 Parganas, where his escort had to be
strengthened for protection against the "Chuars"
[300]. Arriving Bhagalpur, he then worked into
Ramgarh [294], still drawing bis expenses from the
Chief at Midnapore, who wrote to him, Feb. 1772;
"I had the pleasure to receive yonr letter of 6th, and very
readily admit your apology for your silence, tho' I could wish
to have had a more favorable account of your health. ... I
hea.it.ily wish you health and success " Q .
It is not known when he made his survey of the
" Routes from Benares to Corah, via Fyzabad, and
to Chatarpur via Rewah ", which is referred to by
Rennell and still preserved in Calcutta [30] 7.
Sept. 1775, Obsd. lat. of Benares in company with
William Smith [ 154], being probably on duty with
his batt., as all survrs. had been recalled the year
before.
More than 30 years later the SG. sent to the
QMG. "my best thanks for the very valuable geogra-
326 BIOGRAPHICAL
phical sketch [of Chota Nagpur] by Captain Carter
which you have sent me " s .
Carter was one of Rennell's most valuable assts.
and his surveys covered the greater part of SW.
Bengal, from Bhagalpur to Balasore [32, 33, 225].
COLEBROOKE, Robert Hyde. Ben. Inf.
h. 1762-3, in Switzerland, d. 21-9-1808,
Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Lieut. 9-11-78 ... Lt.Col. 2-11-1803; SG. Bengal,
1794-180S [ 260 n. 2 ].
Hudson.
Natural son of Robert Colebrooke, of Chilham Castle,
Kent, H M.'s Minister to the Swiss Cantons 1762-4, Em-
bassador to Turkey from 1765.
Robert Hyde's grandfather, James Colebrooke, mercer of
London, bought Chilham Castle, Kent, 1724, and d. 1754 ;
he left 3 sons, of whom the eldest, Robert, was M P, for Maiden
and became the 1st Bart. ; the 2nd son, George, became a
Director of the EIC. and succeeded as Bart. ; George's eldest
son, Henry Thomas, Ben. Civ., wrote papers on the Height of
the Himalaya Mountains [77].
Robert Colebrooke m., 1st, 1741, Henrietta Powlett, who
dsp. 1753 ; 1756, m., 2nd, Elizabeth Thresher, then only 19
years of age. There were no children of this marriage either,
and apparently they did not live together after Robert's
departure to Switzerland, from which time he lived with Mary
Jones, nee Williams, wife of Robert Jones. By this connection
he had a natural family of 5 sons and 1 daughter, of whom
the eldest was our Robert Hyde, Ben. Inf., followed by James
Mad. Inf., [ rn ], and John, Mad. Cav.
Robert sold Chilham Castle in 1774, having to obtain Act
of Parliament <ยป to break the entail, in order to assign estates
to trustees as provision for his wife Elisabeth, and to meet
creditors.
He continued to live with Mary Jones on the continent,
and settled at Soissons in Prance, where he d. 10-5-S4. In
his will 10 he desired "to be buried at Chilham Castle, in the
Mausoleum built by me and my brothers.. .at the right hand
of my late wife the Hon. Henrietta Colebrooke". An account
of this mausoleum is given in the Topographer of Peb. 1791 ;
it was demolished when the church was restored in 1863.
Our Robert Hyde had a natural son, Thomas, b. 21-12-94,
and ed. in England ". 31-7-95, he m. in Calcutta, Miss โข
Charlotte Bristowe, who d. at Bath 2-7-1833. Charlotte's
sister Mary m. J. T. Blunt the following year [313].
Colebrooke's 1st dau. was bapt. 2-10-96 ; his 3rd dau. had a
double christening with Blunt's 2nd ; and they gave their
first-bom sons a double christening on 9-2-1801, each with
the name of Richard 12 .
Young Richard Colebrooke was b., Calcutta, 30-12-1800,
and comnd. as Ens., Ben. Inf., 1โ S-1S.1R, ret. I3-S-1831, and
d. 23-2-1868.
Robert Hyde arrd. India 10-12-78, having obvi-
ously obtained cadetship through his uncle George.
The first we hear of him in India is that he was
granted leave from Madras to Bengal, Oct. 1782,
on account of ill-health 13 ; he had marched down the
East Coast, I78r, with Pearse's dett. [41].
15-11-83, before the return march to Bengal,
Pearse appd. him Survx. to the Dett., and, shortly
after, his 2nd ADC; Pearse says that " when Lieut.
Colebrooke entered upon his office, he was not
acquainted with the astronomical part; he however
very rapidly acquired it, by means of the instructions
iBPC. I6-ll-78(3S). "ib.(39)&BM.Addl.MS.S. 201-11(460). 3 MRIO.M.272. & 320. "HMS.819 (31) '
Dist. S. I. 5-4-67 ( 168). "Ghatseela Port ". ยซib. IV. 14-2-72 (115). โข'Memoir, 1793 (206); MRIO. 29 (42). s DDn. 87
20-6-1806 ( 474 ). 9 House of Lords Library. " pr. 1784, Somerset House. " The Indian mother was left a pension of Rs. 50
a month, capital to revert to Thomas on her death. Will Sd. Lucknow, 24-12-1807. 13 Ben Eccl. 1801. 13 MMC. 3-10-82.
NOTES
327
COLEBROOKE
I gave him, and has, without any further aid from
me, carried the survey on from the cantonments to
this place [Gaurhati] l [41, 270].
Colebrooke's survey exeeded 1124 miles, from
Madras to the Hooghly, measured by perambulator
the whole way, and checked at frequent intervals by
astr. obsns. [4, 42, 60, 155, 199].
Whilst with his batt. up country during the next
two years, he took every opportunity of making
surveys, and one of these, preserved at Calcutta, "a
sketch of the road from Chittra to Jelda, " SW, of
Parasnath, bears a note " by Lt. R. H. Colebrooke
when marching with a company in 1786. The dis-
tances were measured with a wheel of 7' diameter,
the same as he used in his other surveys [199].
...This was done for his own private amusement " 3 .
1787, with Kyd to Penang to survey the newly
acquired island and its harbour. Sailing from
Calcutta in April, they completed their survey, and
in July went on to Kedah where they saw the
King of Kedah, who had ceded Penang to the
English on promise of protection against his ene-
mies 3 [46 ].
Coiebrooke kept most interesting journals of this
trip, and also wrote an article On Barren Island and
its Volcano 41 . Sailing from Kedah, they anchored
next in Achin Roads [47], and were granted an
audience of the King.
"We sat up till 11 and then wailed impatiently till the
King should send for us. The old Persian sat up with us,
sinoking tobacco iJn-OLiyh little reeds m the Malay fashion,
entertaining us with the politics of Aeheen. When we
expressed our impatience at the lateness of the hoiir, he deli-
berately took the reed from his mouth, and said by way
of comforting us, 'Don't you see that I am keeping you
company ? '
'At last about 1 o'clock the royal summons arrived. We
put on our coats and swords and walked with our interpreter
to the palace, which was about a mile from our lodging.
The hall of audience had been illuminated for our reception,
and as we approached had a cheerful appearance. ... We
entered the hall after taking ufi' shoes, which we were told
was an indispensable mark of respect. The roof was supported
by two rows of pillars and hung with a canopy of red cloth
and blue damask. Glass lamps were suspended from the
roof outside of the canopy and others were burning from the
niches of the walls. The ground was spread with carpets,
and some candles with glass shades were placed upon it. We
were surprised to see nobody in the hail except the guards
who were ranged on each side. The Persian who was walking
up the hall with us in a supplicating posture with his hands
joined, and the two ends of r.us thumbs touching his forehead,
immediately whispered lo us nob Ui apeak so loud. But the
question being repeated., he ventured to direct our attention
to a window which looked down from the upper appartments
into the hall. There we met, not the eye of love, nor beheld
with awe the glare of majesty, bet perceived a little fat
Malay grinning from behind a curtain which he held open
with this right band. This was the King" 5 .
After staying six days at Achin, they sailed July
26th, and arrived back at Calcutta 12-8-S7. Cole-
brooke stayed in Calcutta the next four months, and
amongst other duties kept a journal of the weather,
doubtless at Pearse's suggestion.
Leaving Calcutta by boat, Deo. 14th, he rejoined batt.
up country, and his journal is of interest as showing the
leisurely progress up stream [304].
17S7, Dec. 17th. AtNuddea. ... Dec. 25th. At Moorshed
abad. ... Dec. 31st. In the afternoon I left the Eudgerow and-
pitched my tent about 3 miles from Mohungunge. I was
unable to get by boats through the remaining part of the
Bangrabty on account of the shallows. ...
1788, Jan. 4th. In the afternoon I left Mohangunge in a
patchy boat. ... Jan. 18th. In a tent at Mongheer. ... Jan.
30th. In a house at Bankypore. ... Feb. 23rd. Arrived
Buxar... March 1st. Arrived Benares. ... March 4th. Arrived
Chunar.
Whilst with his batt. Colebrooke took every
opportunity of survg. its marches, visiting Benares,
Jaunpur, Cawnpore, and other places 6 .
Aug. 1788 the Directors sanctioned the appt. of a
special asst. for charge of maps and charts [258];
" From the specimen which- Lt. R.. H. Colebrooke
has afforded of his abilities in this Line, we think
he should have the option of this employment ".
He was duly appd. and leaving Cawnpore by river,
24-3-89, arrd. Calcutta, June 10th; on the journey
down he regularly obsd. lat. every evening and
recorded everything of interest'; he took up his
employment from July 7th being allowed to draw
pay of the new post from Feb. 13th, the date of his
acceptance 8 [237, 258 n. 7, 271].
Four months later he set out on another voyage
with Kyd, now become SG. ; this time they accom-
panied the naval squadron under Commodore
Cornwallis [5,48-9] on a cruise to the Andaman and
Nicobar Is. [313].
They left Calcutta Nov. 29th. "and embarked on
the board the yacht; 1789 Dec. 1st. Arrived on
board the Atalanta sloop of War. 5th. Sailed from
Saugor Roads at 10 a.m. in company with the Ariel,
Crown, Phoenix, and Perseverance".
Colebrooke made daily obsns. for lat. and kept up
his fascinating diary [48] 9 ;
"Dec. 13th. Coasted along the land at about 3 leagues
distance. It appeared to be a wild Country, covered with
wood. It has a steep and rocky shore. There were many
rocks which seemed to be detached 2 or 3 miles from the
beach. The most remarkable of these are called The Buffaloes.
" We passed Cape Kegrais at about 1 p.m. This is the
southern extremity of the coast of Ava. At about 2 the
Commodore made a signal for anchoring and we came to
shortly after, in about 5 fathoms, having Diamond Island
about 4 miles to the Southward. The intention of stopping
here was to catch turtle which are found in great plenty at
t-Iiis place. At night a party from the Ariel went on shore.
They walked round the island in the dark and overturned
45 large green turtles which they found upon the beach.
This is the usual manner of taking these animals, as they
never appear on shore during the day. The next morning
not above 25 were found, the rest having turned again and
made their escape. This island is the most remarkable place
in the Bay for turtle, and produces the species which is called
Green, superior in si/.e and flavour to any other.
"Dec. 14th. This morning I went on shore upon Diamond
I. in company with Capt. Kyd and Capt. Mโ of the Ariel.
We found the landing rather difficult on account of the rocks
and stones which surround the island. Capts. Kyd and M.
measured a base and took some angles with a theodolite to
iBen.P&P. VI (281); Letter to GG., 29-1-85 j also As. R. J. (115). 2 MRJ0. 46 (11). cf. Charles Reynolds [ 122]
DeT-Taviiland [ qvl. 3 Though Capt. Light's promise wasnromoi.lv repudiated, the Company kept a firm hold on Penang.
* As. B. IV. ( 397 ). 5 DDn. 48, Colebrooke's Journal. โข Journals, DDn. 7, P " ' ' '
3 Journal, DDn. 10.
1 Fd. Bk. DDn. 7 M. 265. 3 BPC. 10-7-i
COLEBROOKE
ascertain the position of Cape Negrais and other headlands
upon the coast. We observed the latitude of the island with
our sextants. Mean 15ยฐ 49' 38". ...
"'Dee. 19th. We have now caught altogether 102 large
turtles in three days. This, is an astonishing stock of fresh
provisions for the squadron. Each turtle is sufficiently large
for the consumption of our whole ship's company in a dav,
and we now have 12o men on board. ...
"Dec. 20th. ... We sailed from Diamond Island at about
1] o'clock".
The squadron then sailed down to the Andaman
Is. and spent the last week of the year at Port Corn-
wallis, where Blair had established his headquarters.
[313]. "Dec. 31st. Sailed from Port Cornwallis ".
They then visited the Nicobars, and after survey-
ing Nancowry and other harbours, returned to
Port Cornwallis on Feb. 22nd. They sailed again
I 9-3-9ยฐ; a nd explored the western shores of the
islands in company with Blair. After frequent en-
counters with the islanders, some quite friendly and
others the reverse, they took leave of Blair and
sailed for Calcutta where they arrived 20-4-90
[49].
BMC. 9-12-90, Colebrooke was detailed for service
in Mysore [237]; "The Governor General judging it
probable that he may have occassion for your ser-
vices on the Coast of Coromandel in your line of
duty as Assistant to the Surveyor General, is
pleased to direct that you proceed with all conve-
nient expedition to join the Detachm ent of Bengal
Troops that is now serving with the Army on that
Coast " 1.
He did not this time repeat the weary march down
the east coast, but got a passage by sea; William
Hickey, the diarist, happened to be making a pass-
age by the same ship, " for his health's sake " and
tells of their meeting.
"On Christmas Eve.. .Capt. Lโ [who had told Hickey he
would never allow smoking in his ship ] and my self... em harked
in the pilot schooner... and reached the Warrtn liadings the
following afternoon. ... We found the whole of the Sepoys
already on Board. Upon entering the- Cuddy, lie saw Captain
Colebrooke and four other officers sitting at the table with
hookahs in their mouths. Capt. L. โ ... deemed it better to
let them continue than give offence by putting a stop to
them. They therefore continued in the use of their hookahs
during the voyage. ...
"We did not arrive until 11th January 1791 โ owing to
light winds and calms [ 303 ] " -.
Colebrooke lost no time in getting to work ; his
fdbk. records; "start from Fort St. George on Tan.
1st 1791; ... through Vellore on Feb. 13th; ... near
Seringapatam May 27th; ... "; he survd. the route
up from Madras into Mysore, and continued to
survey all the marches of the army during cam-
paigns of 1791 and 1792 [6-7, llz-3, 175, 1S7, 199,
237]-
One of his fdbks. is embellished with full-page
sketches and panoramas, tinted in watercolour, and
328 BIOGRAPHICAL.
including spirited sketches of Bangalore, Sevan-
droog, Nundidroog and other places* [187].
In Rennell's Marches of the British Armies... z 790
-gi is included a "Plan of the Battle of Seringa-
patam, fought on May 15th 1791, by Lt. Colebrooke,
Surveyor with the Bengal Detachment. The ground
from actual survey and measurement ' ' + .
The following announcement is taken from the
CG., of 7-2-93; "We understand that Lieut. Colonel
Brooke [sic] has finished, and will shortly present
to Lord Cornwallis, a map of such parts of the
Mysore Country as were traversed by the army
under his Lordship's command during the campaigns
of 1791 and 1792. in which the operations of the
army and topography of that country are drawn
upon a large scale, and with minute accuracy, the
whole being the result of an actual survey, per-
formed by Lieutenant Colebrooke while with the
army.
"The map has taken Lt. Colebrooke five months
in the execution, and is an additional proof of that
gentleman's exertions and ingenuity [253, 277 j ".
Colebrooke now took steps to have some of his Mysore
sketches engraved and pub., and several sets are still preserved.
Whilst on service in Mysore he sent the following ad vs. to
the papers.
CG. 9-2-92. "With the... permission of Earl Cornwallis,
Lt. Colebrooke proposes to publish by subscription 12 views
of the most remarkable Ports and Places in the Mysore
Country, from drawings taken on the spot.
"He hopes by the time the Army will return from Seringa-
patam to have finished a select number of Drawings for this
purpose,_ to be sent to England by the Earlist ships after
that period, and to be engraved by the Best artists in Aqua
Tinta. Subscription for each set 120 Arcot Rupees.
CG. 5-7-02. " Lt. Colebrooke having finished his views
of the Mysore Country... asks subscribers to pay in their subs-
criptions to his bankers..., or to Capt. John Garstin at Patna
... The drawings will be sent to England by the Dutton and
be put in hands of the best Aqua Tinta Engravers. As this
mode of engraving is more espeditious than anv other, it is
hoped that the prints will be struck off in Time to be sent
out by one of the ships of next season. ... Plates 21 inches
by 15 inches nearly "s. Then follows the list of views
CG. 4-7-93. "A Card. Lieut. Colebrooke has the pleasure
to acquaint the subscribers to his proposed publication of
Mysore views that the drawings were received in England ill
December last. They were immediately put in the hands of
Mr. Edy, an eminent engraver in Aqua Tinta, who was to
execute them under the eye and superinteudance of Mr. Paul
Sandby j that on the 16th of January three of the plates
were in great forwardness, and it was expected that six of
the views would be ready for delivery in May. Mr. Edv
had engaged to finish the whole set in one year".
In 1796 fifty sets of a second impression of these views
were advertised to be sold by auction.
There are now two complete sets in the Victoria Memorial
at Calcutta, besides "A water-colour drawing by B. H
Colebrooke, 1794, A view taken from- the hiq 'tree near the
Jail [ Calcutta ]. 22 inches by 12i " 6 .
To each of the Mysore views was attached "concise des-
criptions of the places drawn, with a brief detail of part of
the operations of the Army.. .and a few other particulars"
and he is referred to as an authority in Roderick Mackenzie's
history of the war ;
j
1 Colebrooke's accounts of this expn. and the islanders were pub. A.R. IV ( 129. 317 385 ) s H : okev TV I 7 ยฑm 1
>CEC Lib. 4.b S6 ยซRennell(114). โข Fl 3. George Gas i-6-oc -VM. Esbr *i ,. i 509 & 2000-2009 " S s ee "l, โ f- n-",i
Imp. Lib.; The Mysore Oar attracted mote than one painter of liepute to the southern Presidency. Holier! Hume' product!
both protracts .ant! landscapes, whilst 1 lioinas Daniel], B.A. painted a well-known series of views i'โ Madras ?J T sโโ โโ,] the
kSonthern districts." LoTe(4i)5). ' - ' """ L "t
NOTES
329
COTSFORD
"For such of these remarks I" on Bangalore] as are not
consistent with my own knowledge I am indebted to the
researches of the ingenious Mr. Colebrooke ; and as I know
that his information is drawn from a source highly respect-
able, I entertain no doubt of its corrections. On this subject
the reader is further referred to the explanation of that
Gentleman's Views hi Mysore 1 .
At an entertainment at the Calcutta Theatre, 6-2-93, to
celebrate the anniversary of the victory at Seringapataru, the
scenery was painted from drawings by Colebrooke 3 .
After his return from Mysore Colebrooke held
charge of the SG.'s dept. till, on Kyd's resignation
7-2-94, he was appd. to succeed as SO. [4.3, 187-S, 237,
261, 268, 281-286].
One of his chief interests was the course of the
Ganges and the water communications to Calcutta.
I 794-~5 De made three excursions to examine the
channels leading from the Ganges, but his recommen-
dations for improving communi cations into the
Hooghly were never taken up [63-4, 274-5].
At the end of 1796 he made a three-months trip
up the Ganges to record the changes that had taken
place in its channel above the head of the Jalangi,
and continued his survey up to Colgong. In an in-
teresting memoir describing this survey 3 he wrote
that he had seen the Ganges at Colgong in 1779, 1788,
and again in Jan. 1797 [8, 64-5].
As was his invariable rule he took regular obsns.
for latitude, and kept up his journal. 16-11-0,6, on
his way up the river, he met Charles Crawford* at
Krishnagar.
Was a keen astronomer and after becoming SG.
made regular obsns. at SGO., and corresponded with
Goldingham about the geographical positions of
Calcutta and Madras [163-4, 167-8, 180-1].
He continued to devote himself to the improve-
ment of his map of India, more especially as regards
the territories won to the Company through the
Maratha War of 1803-6 [179,219-20,244,254-5].
In 1807 he left office at Calcutta in order to carry out
a "survey of the Ceded and Conquered provinces in
Upper Hindoostan". After continuous work in the
field for over a year he was taken seriously ill with
dysentery, and on his return journey f rom Rohilkhand
died at Bhagalpur, Sept. 1S08. Of his 30 years
service in India the last 19 had been wholly devoted
to survey.
A full account of the last 8 years of his life and
work will be given in another volume [65].
CONRADI, F. Lewis. Mad. Art.
Lt.Fwkr. 1756.
15โ6-54, Mad. Council write to Chief of Devicota,
"We are infurmed that Sir. Conradt [ sic. ], belonging to
Capt. Ziegler's Company, has some knowledge of the Engineer's
business, particularly the drawing of Plans etc. ... He is to
be sent to Madras " 5 .
1755, Made a large-scale plan of Ft. St, George & Madras
Eflsl-
1756, Lt.Ewkr in the Train, and Asst. Engr.
COSSARD, Charles, see TERRANNEAU, de.
COTSFORD, Edward. Mad. Engrs. & Civ.
b. 6-3-40.- d. 25-5-1810.
Writer, 1758, Ens. 1-1-59 ... Capt. 8-10-64.
MMC. 2(5-1-69, Elected for Civ., and surrendered coma.
in Engrs. [ 272 ].
Resdt. at Ganjam from 1766 ; Mad. Council & Chief at
Masulipatarn, 12-1-77 ; to England in 1780.
Son of William and Mary Cotsford of Mary-le-bone London.
Took a regular course of Merchant's Accounts, or book-
keeping, at an academy in Great Windmill St s .
His widow m. Sir Morris Ximenes, Kt.
Holzman { 138) .
Ens. and Praet. Engr. from the first formation of the
Mad. Engrs. as a. regular body [ 271-2 ].
Present at siege of Madras by French, Dec. 1708' till
Feb. 1759 [ 93 ] ; at siege of Wandiwash, Nov. 1759, remaining
there after capture as Engr. in charge.
1781, with Engrs. at siege and capture of i-'ondi cherry,
then sailed with fleet to attack Malic, which had however
surrendered to Hector Munro 13-2-61. Recalled in Aug.
from Tellieherry to take part in siege of Vellore, marching
overland, and reaching Veil ore 10-12-61 a .
1762, with espn. to Manila s ; 176-i, present at siege and
capture of Madura, after which he returned to England to
recover his health ; 1766, "permitted to return and be restored
to his rank in the Engineers and also in the Civil as before",
reaching Madras 1 1-9-66 10 .
1766, Madras Council received authority to take
over Northern Circars, and resolved that " As we have
all along intended that Ganjam should be resettled,
as soon as our affairs with Nizam Ally were concluded
[91], ...and it being therefore necessary that the
Servant sent thither should be one qualified for
securing the Settlement, Mr. Edward Cotsford, who
may act both as an Engr. & Resident, is appointed to
proceed thither. ...
"It is agreed that Mr. Cotsford do now proceed to
the Northward, make himself acquainted with the
investment at the different Factories, and if he has
time, that he do assist in finishing the Fortifications
at Vizagapatam and, if he finds the country suffi-
ciently settled to proceed to Ganjam, he is to survey
the Factory and report to us its condition, with that
of the Country about it" 11 .
After a few months reconnaissance Cotsford found
the country too unsettled to accomplish anything
without troops, and returned to Madras, but in May
176S he returned to Ganjam, with the support of
Peach's brigade.
For the next five years he administered his turbul-
ent province with energy and tact, and succeeded in
mapping a considerable area in the course of his other
duties [3, 92-3, 271].
1773, Recalled to Madras and acted on Council for a few
months before tc.king leave to Europe 13 . On return to India,
held charge at Masulipatam tiU he returned once more to
England 17S0. 1781, Appd. 2nd in Council, and nominated to
succeed as Governor if anything happened to Lord Macartney 13 ,
but never returned to India to take up appt. ; 10 Tract 59,
Letters to CD. re successor to Lord Macartney 1784.
Succeeded to a substantial inheritance on death of his
mother in 1783, and purchased manor of Clist St. Mary,
Devonshire. 1792. Became Sheriff of Devon ; 17S4, elected
MP. forMidhurstii.
1 Mackenzie If (48). 3 Carey ( 120). 3 As. B. VII, 1801 (1-31). *SG. Bengal, 1813-6. E Love, if (-170). MVP.
21-9-57. 'Journal of siege, Orme MSS. 63 (81). s Vibart I (54,57). * Plan of Bay of Manilla, EM. K 115 (39).
ยซMPO 11-9-66. 11 MPC. 2-12-66. "Maltby ( 111-33 ). 13 CM. 5-1-S1. ยซ Holzman ( 13S).
CRIDLAND
CRIDLAND, John. Ben. Engrs.
d. Deo. 1769, in India.
Ens. 15-9-67 ... Lieut. 1^1-69.
Granted gold medal as "prize of honour" at RMA
5-6-651.
1767-9, Survr. with Peach's Ben. dett. N. Circars,
making surveys in Chicacole, Kiniedi, and Tekkali
districts of Ganjam [92],
DALRYMPLE, Alexander. Mad. Civ.
b. 24-7-36 2. d. 19-6-1808.
Writer 1-11-52 ; ... Dismd. 21-3-71 ; ... Appd. to
Madras Council, 4-12-75 ; ... Dismd. 1777.
Hydrographer to EIC. 8-4-79 ; to Admiralty 1795.
7th sort, in family of 16, of Sir James Dalrymple, Bart.,
of New Hales, co. Edinburgh, and Lady Christian, dan. of
the Earl of Haddington.
M4S.
DNB. ; Holzman ( 139 ) ; Autobiography with portrait
[ pL 17 ], Eur. Mag. Nov., Dec. 1S02 ( 323, 422 ) ; Markham
( 403-5 ) ; As J. I. 1816 ( 420 ).
" Alexander... was taught geography by his father, not
learning by rote the names of countries, capitals, and
subordinate tenons, but by Sir James shewing his son the
Maps, and pointing out those distinctions of farm and situ-
ation, which were likely to make an impression on a child's
attention, and fix that impression on his memory. ... As he
left school before he was fourteen years of age, and never was
at the University, his scholastic endowments were very
limited. ...
"Alexander.. .conceived a strong desire of going to the
East Indies, by reading Nieuhoff's voyages and a novel... .
"Left Scotland in the spring of 1752. ... On the
1st 01 November 1 752... was appointed a Writer in
the EIC.'s service, and on the 8th of November
stationed on the Madras Establishment. ... Wanted a
few months of sixteen years of age. ... About the
middle of December embarked at Gravesend on
board of the Suffolk Indiaman; ...sailed from the
Downs the 26th, ...arrived at Madras on the nth of
May. ...
"At that time writing a very bad hand, was not at first
employed in the Secretary's Office, but. ..was put under the
Storekeeper, where he could neither learn any thing worth
learning, nor was he in. the way of being taken notice of. ...
"Lord Pigot [ 143 n. 8 ] perceiving that Alexander wrote
a very bad hand, instructed him to hold his pen, and write
with ease to himself. From this instruction he benefited
more in a few days than by anything he had been taught at
school ; and speedily attained to write a very good and fluent
hand. ... To this instruction the Public are, in some measure,
indebted for whatever excellence there is in the writing to
the M.aps and Charts published by Alexander Dalrymple.
"In this cady period of his life, Mr. Omie the distinguished
Historian [ qv ]... shewed him great civility, and wanted to
have him appointed his Sn h- Accountant ; ...he ever after
shewed him countenance, and gave him the free use of his
valuable library" 3 .
After the siege of Madras, 1758-9, Dalrymple ob-
tained the permission of Lord Pigot to undertake a
trading mission to the Eastern Islands ; he sailed,
22-4-59, in the Winchelsea, commanded by Thomas
Howe [339], "and from that able navigator... receiv-
ed his first nautical tuition " [1S3]. Arrd. at the
Strait of Singapore, transhipped to the Cxiddalove,
comdd. by George Baker [ 83 n. 11 j ; visited the Sulu
330 BIOGRAPHICAL
Is. 4 and concluded a commercial treaty with the
Sultan.
During this voyage he made surveys of the N.
coast of Borneo and coast of China as far as the
"Islands near the Entrance of the Canton River J ',
and explored the great archipelagos 5 . Great in-
terest in his explorations was taken by Admiral
Kempenfelt and, after Dalrymple's return to Madras,
28-1-62, it was at one time proposed to commission
the Royal George [317] to return with a cargo to
Sulu.
It was, however, the London to which Dalrymple was
given a comn. as Captain, and in which he invited Rennell
[ qv } to accompany him as surveyor. This second voyage
was not a commercial success; "To the substitution of the
London for the Royal George may, in a great measure, be
attributed the misfortune of the voyage ; for the Indiaman
that was to follow could not find her way to Sooloo, and
carried the remainder of the cargo to China, from whence it
was sent to Manila, then come into our possession, and from
thence sent to Sooloo, and indiscreetly delivered before the
former account was settled".
The London arrd. back at Pulicat, 19-3-63, after many
adventures, fully described in journal kept by Rennell 6 [ qv ] ;.
on return journey they called at Ralambangan off the N. end
of Borneo, and Dalrymple negotiated the grant of that small
island to the EIC.
โข The venture with the Sulu Is. was persevered with,
and Dalrymple embarked once more, 5-7-63, with another
cargo, this time in the Neptune, with permission to take a
passage home to England from Canton. On this voyage he
"got a grant for the Company of the North end of Borneo
and South end of Palawan, with the intermediate islands "'.
His interest in Sulu kept him at Manila till that place was
handed back to the Spanish in April 1764, when he moved
to Sulu, living there "in a small galley, without anv other
European" till October, when he got a passage to Canton
and on to England, arriving 10-7-65.
He writes that "from the time he returned to-
England in 1765" he "was almost constantly en-
gaged in collecting and arranging materials for a full
exposition of the importance of the Eastern Islands
and South Seas; and was encouraged by the Court
of Directors to publish various Charts &c", and to
this collection and publication of charts of India
and the east Dalrymple now devoted the remainder
of his life [15, 16, 17, 83-4, 251].
1770, Nominated Governor of Balarnbangan but,
falling into dispute with the Directors, was dismd.
before leaving England 3 .
1775. Sent out once more to Madras, this time as
Member of Council to his old patron Lord Pigot,
who soon found himself in direct opposition to the
majority of his Council, with Dalrymple one of his
few supporters. Having arrived in Madras Dec. 1775,
Pigot was arrested by his Council Aug. 8th 1776,
and Dalrymple was suspended at the same time
[256 n. 6]. The unfortunate Governor was kept in
confinement whilst reference was made to England,
but died before orders arrived [303]. Dalrymple
was more fortunate in that he was promptly sent
home, travelling overland by Cairo and Alexandria 9 ,
probably in company with Irwin [qv].
Jones. a Gives his own birth ( Eur. Mag.) 24-7-37, but certificate with WP. gives 1736. 3 Eur. Mag 1802 (323-6)
* between the : Philjipine Is. and Borneo. 5 Memoirs pub. 1771, Dalrymple. 6 cf. M. to CD. 31-5-63 (17). * Mm. Mag. 1802-
Letter from Dalrymple, dated Alexandria 19-1-77 ; HMS. 129 ( 579 ).
8 OH. 5-9-70 & 21-3-71.
\
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE
HYDROGTUPRER TO E.I.C. 177J โ IB03.
NOTES
331
D'APKES
During his few months on the Council he had
taken particular interest in the maps of the Presi-
dency, and had initiated the large-scale survey of
the "Home Farms" carried out by Dugood [143].
Before his departure he found time, 7-10-76, to ob-
serve the astr. position of Madras 1 [180], but he
had to write from England two years later asking
that his "Papers, Charts, and Books" should be sent
after him-.
8-47-79, Appd. Hydrographer to ETC., a special call
for nautical sketches, journals, and ships' logs being
made, many of which are still preserved at the I O.
[5, 45, 88, 99, 125].
In addition to numerous charts of the coasts of
India, China, and the Eastern Islands 3 , he published
intermittently a long series of Tracts, Memoirs,
and other papers of interest to Indian geography,
besides many of political and economic interest*.
His best known publication is the Oriental Reper-
tory'', pub. in four volumes from 1791 onwards
[100, 105, 112].
One of his most interesting papers is an Essay on
the Most Commodious Methods of Nautical Surveying,
first published in 1771 [183-4]. In another paper
he called attention to the feasibility of measuring
the length of a degree along the Coast of Coroman-
del [164, 190], and the principles of survey set forth
in this paper bear a marked resemblance to those
followed by Michael Topping [183-4, I 9ยฐ]-
In 1791 the Company granted him "an annuity of
ยฃ 500 for the term of his natural life" O59] 6 .
"In 1795 the office of Hydrographer to the Ad-
miralty was created, and Dalr.ymple was the first to
hold it, together with the same post at the India
House. He filled it until r8o8, when he was sudden-
ly called upon to resign. ... He declined to do so,
and was summarily dismissed on the 28th of May.
On the 31st he published "the Case of A. Dalrymple ",
bitterly complaining of the treatment he had re-
ceived. It broke the old man's heart, and he died
on the 19th of the Following June".
As regards Dalrymple's geographical work, Mar-
kham rightly remarks that he "was more an indus-
trious collector of materials than a compiler "' . His
greatest services to the geography of India were his
continual demand for accurate knowledge of the
coasts, and his publication of the material collected
[85, 243, 268].
D'ANVILLE, Jean-Baptiste BOURGUIGNON
French. Geographer.
b. 11-7-1697. d. 28-1-82 in Paris.
La Grande Encyclopedia s .
Son of Hubert Bourguignon and Charlotte Vaugon.
His family name was Bourguignon, and it is under
this name that his works are catalogued at the
British Museum.
His more important geographical works concern-
ing India have already been described [1, 210, 233].,
but he also compiled maps of all parts of the
world. His earliest Indian works were his map of
Tibet compiled from materials sent home by the
Jesuit missionaries of Pekin, and pub. by Du Halde
[70, 74 n. 4, pi. 7], and the map of South India com-
piled from material received from Pere Bouchet,
pub. 1737 [238]. His great map of India was pub.
1752 [pi. 13], with another of the Coromandel Coast,
1753 [86, 89, 238-9].
It has been written of him ; " In D'Anville's sys-
tem of work, books professedly geographical formed
the least portion of his studies, while those of all the
ancient and modern historians, travellers, narrators
of every description, were assiduously examined'
He studied also the philosophers, orators and poets,
but only for the sake of the occasional geographical
lights which they afforded ; for it was remarked that
in perusing these works he was totally indifferent to
everything which did not tend to fix a geographical
position. His life work extended over a vast
field.
"It was D'Anville who first set the example of
accompanying the map with a memoir exhibiting
the data on which it had been constructed" [4, 169,
176, 211] 9 .
A ful! list of his works is given in a Catalogue des
Livres du Cabinet de feu Delatour, Jan. r8io 10 , which
also contains an Moge written in 1782, of which para.
8 reads, "Les Anglais ont si bien apprecie le merite
de ses cartes et de ses ouvrages, qu'ils les ont pres-
que tons fait passer dans leur langue ; ils ont meme
Tine telle estime pour lui, qu'ils ne croient pas pou-
voir honorer davantage leur plus habil geographe
actuel (le major Rennell ) qu'en 1' appellant "le
d'Anville de l'Angleterre".
. His Eclaircissemens Geographiques, pub. 1753, is
well worth reading, either in the original or in
Herbert's translation ; he had collected far more
information than might be expected for such an
early date, and it was not his fault that many of the
astr. obns. and recorded distances which he used
were far from precise.
The closing words of his preface [Title page, 210],
are worthy of the great geographer that he was, pray-
ing for further increase of knowledge that should
cause his map to give place to a better.
His Antiquite Geographique de I'Inde was pub.
1775 [211 ]. He continued to take the greatest in-
terest in the geography of India, and corresponded
and exchanged maps with Robert Orme n [qv],
though in a letter of 26-4-74 he regrets that he can
say little about the maps sent for his criticism
owing to " la faiblesse de ma vue " [ 115 ].
D'APRTCS, see APRES de MANNEVIL-
LETTE.
1 Note on reduced map of jcu/ir, Orme MSS. 65. 2 CD to M. 23-12-78 ( 71 ). 3 List of Charts pub. 1771 & 1787, bound
with various Tracts: Dalrymple [123^.3]. *List of 39 publications other than nautical, Eur. Mag. 1802 {422-$).
5 Wrongly called "Repository ", Markham. ( 403 ) a C Cor. 13-4-91. 7 Markham, ( 403-5 ). s &
*ยฐ 10 Tracts. 284. " Orme MSS. 50 & 72 ( 155 et. seq. ).
. Anville. ยปCyc. Ind. III.
D'AUVERGNE
D'AUVERGNE, James. HM's 100th Foot.
d. 15-3-1804, "on board his Budgerow
off Houghly ".
Ens. c 1781 Lieut. 22-7-S4 ; Brad. 1783-6.
vJ9tVโข~ S^pt Philip D'Auvergne, "Prince of Bouil-
lon i, Ben. Inf ( Hodson ), and possibly son of Philip
D Auvergne, oomdg. Scarborough East Indiainan, 1747-50.
Dec. 1781, Arrd. Bombay with 100th Foot under
Humberstone, landing Calient Feb. i 7 Sa [99 n 1
125]. June 1782, Appd. Asst. Engr. Tellichery'
having survd. route Ponnani-Calicut [123] 2 Oct -
Nov. 1782, Survd. Humberstone's route Tanore-Pal-
ghat [99].
After reduction of regt, 1785-6, appears to have taken up
*'ยฃ?โ" โขยป tra ? i ? g , in Bengal; shown as trade? at
1786, Survd. Dinapore Cant.*; 1793, SG. received copy of
a most accurate survey of a road from Gya to Sherghauty
m Behar executed by Lt. D'Auvergne*
โ โข 7 ' SG r โข b " lit T tod *ยฐ Govt, for despatch to England
a survey of the Lands, PubHck Buildings, Enclosures,
,'7โ *S" immediately appertaining to the Govememnt
Stadat Pooยปhaยซ...โth...Elevations, Hans, 61 Sections of the
Buildings, by James D'Auvergne " โข.
DAVIDSON, James. Ben. Inf.
d. 4-8-1802, Monghyr.
Ens. 27-3-77 ... Maj. 31-7-99 ( 4th S.I. ).
Hodson. '
Prom 1790, Comdg. escort with George Torster, [ ,,, 1
Res*, at Nagpur; SG. considered his journal of route
Cuttack to iagpur a "very valuable geographical communi
thaS" ui, h ;?7 ] Lt - D - id8m de โข โข* ** S
Reported from Nagpur, Dec. 1792, that he had received
Central SSLSMj^fS? " "* ^ "" '^
kJHยฃcS SSoS: 19 - 1803 ' k - fcs to K ยป ยซ โข*โ
DAVIS, Samuel. Mad. Inf. ; Ben Civ
b. 1756-7. d. July, 1819.
Ens. Mad. Inf. 4-2-80
S-t-isod 5 " 1 *' ' 27_S ^ 83 ! Soni " sfcrola - 1796 ; Ke8cL
Younger son of John Davis, Commy. Gen., W. Indies
m Burdwan, 24-9-94 Henrietta, dau. of Solomon Bo'ileau
13SUS& Johu Peter Boifa "' โข m * ยซยซ*โข"โ
iW& ; MB. ; Hodson.
7-3-79*, sailed in Bad of Qxford aa (jadet
George; arrd Madras IS-l-80ยป. Made a. sketch "in and
about Guntnr Circar" [ 99-roo ],
ADC to Sir Eyre Coote, and sailed with him from Madras
to Bengal in the Medea, 28-9-82.
Petition for appt. as Writer read by Directors U-1&-82
and admitted as such in Bengal 27-8-S3 10 .
โ "
BIOGRAPHICAL
According to his son, "Mr. Davis went out to
India as an engineer officer 1', ...but with the privi-
lege..^! leaving the army if he wished it and
becoming a civilian. The first station he went to
was Madras; and here he became aide-de-camp u
the commander-in-chief, and went with him to Cal
cutta where, soon after his arrival, he was appointed
from his known talents lor sun-eying, to accompany
Mr. Turner m his embassy to Thibet. During this
expedition he made a large collection of excellent
plans and coloured drawings. ... On his return to
Calcutta, thinking that the civil service afforded
more prospect of advancement, he left the army
and obtained the appointment of collector of Burd-
wan 13 .
This account is not wholly supported by official re-
cords ; for Davis went out to the Inf. at Ft St George
Turner records that "Lieutenant Samuel Davis" was
"appointed to accompany me... as Draftsman and
Surveyor is, and would surely have mentioned the
lact, had he been an Engineer officer. Further his
appt. as Writer was sanctioned in England before
he joined Turner's mission.
ยซ, * r'u" i?"* I?83 that the G G ' recommended
that he should accompany Turner's mission "in the
capacity of Surveyor, with the established allow-
ances ... He is particularly desirous of making this
use of the known talents of Mr Davies " u
His sketches of the Bhutan mountains attracted
much admiration, but were the cause of his being
left behind when the mission moved forward towards
Tibet on Sept. 8th, owing to "the suspicious caution
M U ,,T du ยฐ tors " 1 '- Ma -iy of his sketches are
published in Turner's narrative [74].
His obsns. made to the snowy peaks on the
march to Bhutan were used by Sir William Tones
in estimating their distance [77].
After his return, March 1784, Davis held various civil
posts at Bhagafpur ; 1793, tr. to Burdwan j 1795 to BenaS
At Bernโข he was the hero of the disturbances of Jan 1799"
when he defended his family against a large mob noJtS
hai ยฐ f โ tlle "'Jโข , leadinB *ยฐ the โข f ยฐ f Ms house, single?
banded, and armed only with a footman', pike" g
nrdSm5.sAcctt el G d eยป 8eTeral "ยฐ^ M S* '* C ^.
A Director of the EIC. from 1810.
Author of several papers on Hindu Astronomy ">,
DAVY, William. Ben. Inf.
d. 1784, on voyage home.
Hod?โข: 1 "^ 7 - ยซยซโ *โ *ยซ.*-. m
1769. as Ens. in 3rd Bri., survd. "Road from
hmit h s ab โ a f d Cยฐ , C T h " 1S Md m " to Ahawa wS
!to tS the Jumna f^n" """" ^ ""*
Persian Secretary to <3G. till Jie left, TnAia TJOA
1 CalcAdla Monthly Journal, March 1S04 f2<m srโoยซ, t> , i* n ยซโ
-"' 1 ! Mm ,- l0 J>avis: l'--iliโขk ir.,..l.i,โ... ,1-.'., ,-. ,
,-,; CM. 11-12-82.
Inf "Davis (86-7). "Turner (3)*.* uBPfJ." 18^Ss iยป Tumi' /Tsa" T ""..^ *โ "'-' not ยซ n0 โขig of the appt. to Mad
NOTES
333
DE GLOSS
Being a recognised authority on the transliteration of
oriental names, he assisted Bennell with the names on a
Persian map of the Punjab [ 249], whilst Prof. Joseph White 1 ,
Oxford University, acknowledged his help with a translation
"from the Mogul language. ... His perfect knowledge of the
language, intimacy with Oriental authors, ... render him a
very competent judge- of the subject. ... Tn writing the name
of the Arabian Law-giver { as well as all other names of
Persons and Places introduced... ) I have adopted the Ortho-
graphy of Mr. Davy, whose accuracy of pronunciation was
โ well known in the East " 2 .
DAW, โ . Bengal.
Probably before 1770, survd. roads in Chittagong Dist.,
with astr. lats. [153]-
DAWES, Kobert. Ben. Inf.
d. 21-11-63.
Ens. 13-9-68 ... Lt.Col. 1-3-94; Ret. 2-11-98.
Hodson.
Ed. as cadet at RMA. ; Entertained to be Erwkx. in the
Art. 3 but posted to Inf.
In 1776 Rcnncll issued instructions to Dawes for
survey of unexplored parts of Allahabad and Oudh,
and referred to an earlier survey by him [183]. In
1786 the SGO. held "A Survey of the Ganges below
Hardwar, in 6 pieces " and "Routes and Remarks in
Allaliabad, Benares etc. *', all by Dawes [36].
DE EUNCK, James. Bom. Art.
Capt. of Art. & OE. 1752; Resd. 1757-S; Lt.Col.
15-2-62.
Spring.
Had been Capt. in Royal Regt. of -Swedes in France.
1752, engaged to serve the ETC. for 7 years, all Engra. being
b*orne on the strength of the Art. [ 266 j. Employed on
fortiti cations and survey [ 273 ].
His Plan of Bombay Town, with description and
covering letter dated 9-3-56, bear the elaborate
autograph "deFunck" [120].
1755, Survd. coast between "Mt. Dilla and Mahe"
by measurement and compass [123].
1756, Council reported that the fortifications under De
Funck "make slow progress", and that he had been "acquit-
ted by Courtmartial of Disobedience of Orders, since the
message from the Governor to Capt. De Funck was delivered
by Capt. Cameron [ 324 ] in such a manner that it could not
be looked on as an Order " 4 ,
Spring says that be was dismissed for disobedience of
orders, but he was tici-mdly allowed to resign 6 , and 011 return
to England was granted ยฃ ,7t00 as ^compensation".
DE GLOSS 8 , Luis Felix. Ben. Engrs.
1st Lieut. Bom. Art., 20-8-53 ; Capt. & Engr. Bom.
Art., 13-1-58 ; Capt. Bom. Engrs. 6-2-59 ; Bt. Capt.
Bengal, 9-2-64, with comn. as Engr. ; on re-formation
of Corps of Engrs., 22-10-64, appd. Capt. & Director
of Ben. Engrs. ; Bt Lt Col. 21-1-73 ; Resd. 4-2-73.
Son of "Frederick Daniel De Gloss, whose lands were at
Lublin & Cracow, Poland".
m., Bombay, 2-4-5."J, Miss Margaret Edgerton.
Hodson.
Granted comn. in Art. by Directors in London, to take
effect from arrival in Bombay.
Employed on surveys and "took plans of and
surveyed the works of Bombay, the Castle, and all
the Forts in the Island [120, 273] ".
His large-scale plan of the Town of Surat. 1753,
bears title in French, but names and references in
English ; he also made, 1759, "a true and exact plan
of Surat Castle [120] 7.
8-10-57, Appd. Clerk of the Works; 1760, present afc
sieye of Surat, and in command there for nearly 3 years.
1764, as volunteer to Bengal, where the Council report
that "the great want of Capable and Experienced Men, to
assist in conducting our Engineeiany Business, has induced
us to entertain Capt. Lewis Du Gloss, belonging to the Artillery
Establishment at Bombay. ... We have granted him a Brevet
Commission as Captain, intending to employ him at the New
Fort under Capt. Poller" [ qv ] a .
Appd. to comd. a company of Enr. Pioneers, about
40 strong, and sent up. to the Army at Patna 9 ; the
following year these Pioneers were broken up, and,
19โ 2-65, De Gloss was appd. additional Surveyor 111 .
After making a survey of the Cossimbazar R [ 17]
he took up the survey of Burdwan and Midnapore,
where his chief concern was the survey of river
embankments for the prevention of floods [2,22,
22.5, 269].
Sept. 1766, Ordered to Bihar, and spent nearly
a year on a survey up the Son R. and along the
hills to the south of Gaya as far as Monghyr. His
interesting journal is preserved at the IO. n ; his
English is weak and he uses many French words and
expressions [25-6,234,283,289, 294].
โ Came under Rennell's orders from the beginning
of 1767 [32]; Sept., received orders to survey the
north bank of the Ganges up to Patna, and then
the Gandak as high as feasible, with a view to
facilitate the transport of " Firr Trees " which
were wanted at Calcutta for ships' masts, and similar
purposes 1 - [20, 23,26]. This survey lie completed by
March 1768. [26-7,33, 225].
He was then placed in comd. of Dinapore Cant., where he
remained for the next two years, having set up a foundry
for easting "field pieces & Mortars, and for the construction
of guncarriages and other military stores"'. In 1770 he was
brought down to Calcutta to start a similar foundry [ 153 ].
He now became very anxious about Ins military promo-
tion, and addressed a petition M to the Council, asking for
"some indulgence for my upward of twenty years service to
the Hon'ble Company in India, ... the latter part of which
has been mostly employed not surveys, ...a very Patiguing
duty in this country. By being out at all seasons and exposed
to the inclemency of the Weather, my health is very much
impaired and my constitution quite broke ; so that I find it
at present.. .absolutely necessary that to preserve my life a
few years longer, I must return to my Native Country, ...
"From my being so unfortunate as not to have any parti-
cular friends in the Directorate, and in a manner unknown in
England, repeated supersessions have very much injured my
rise in the Army. ... The oldest Lt. Colonels, either on this
or the Bombay Establishments, were but Subaltern Officers
when I had the honor of bearing a Captain's commission".
But in r.766 the Directors had issued an order
that no foreigner was to rise to higher rank in their
service than Major, cf. Poller ( qv ) u . and the utmost
that they would now do for De Gloss was to give
him the brevet rank of Lt Colonel on the condition
that he forthwith resigned the service. He therefore
iDJVB. 2 A Specimen of thc.Instihdes of Timour, or Tamerlane, 1780. 3 CD to B. 16-3-68. 4 Bo to CD.
15-12-06(141). 5 ib. 7-2-58 (18). s Tho' name frequently spelt Du Gloes, he fflgas De Gloss. ' Imp. Lib. M & P. 369.
8 B to CD 20-2-64 (24). 9 Broome (446). 1D BPC. 19-2-65. n Ornie MSS. 9 ( 16 ) bears a clear autc
i=BPC 17-12-72 (11). 13 With a history of his services, BPC. 17-12-72 ( 11). ยซ CD to B. 19-2-66 ( 54 ).
:ยซi
BIOGRAPHICAL
preserved in SCO "Sketch of a route from Tutacorra to
-bulkary, Kamaoadnpooraai and Madura, reduced from th
original done by Ens. V. Delafield in Nov. 1764" =
Identity by no means certain, for no explanation can be
given as to bow this Bengal officer made surveys in S neui,,
suia ; on the other hand, the only Madras officer of the narrui
was Richard Delafield, Ens. S-8-70.
1775. Dismd. by ctml., owing to discontent in his batt
one to his intemperate and improper conduct as Command'
ing Officer 10 .
DES VOEUX, Charles Philip Vinchon Mad
Engrs. & Civ.
b. 3-11-45, Dublin, d. Aug. 1814.
Ens. 1-12-63 ; Writer, 1763 ... Senior Merch 1774
bon of Rev. Anthony Vinchon Des Yoeux, Chpn. of H M's
Regt. of Horse Carabuners, ibrmerlv of Bacq uecourt Nor
mandy. a ' ,
cr. Bart, of Indiville. Queen's co., 1-9-87.
1763 sent out as Writer and appd. to Engrs. after arrival
Madras [ 2? , ]. 1765 O C. troops' reports %r. Des vSS
engineer, text at Ongole to carry out repairs, and will be the
more able to compleat his chart of all our marches and of
this Country u .
Probably resd. Engr. comn. before April 1766.
1768 to 1771, to England for recovery of health.
DODSWORTH, Francis Alexander. Ben Inf
d. 6-1-98.
;. 25-2-81.
DE HAVILLANTJ
resd. his comn., and sailed from Calcutta, Feb
1773, in tie Duke of Grafton.
Before he left he sd. his will, making the following provi-
sions. He asks to be bmded in ground consecrated in the
Protestant religion. He makes provision for Mrs. Margaret
l)e Gloss, at present at Anjengo [9611.1] also for "Anna
Louza de Kozario of Calcutta, single woman, who is to keep
the House, Furniture, Slaves, etc.. now in her possession
with inters* on a sum of Es. 8,000 for life". Bequests are
also made to his slave Anthony, with his freedom and to
other slaves and servants x .
May 4th 1774, after his arrival in England, the Directors
Resolved that Major Lonis Dn Gloss, in Ms retreat from the
Company's Service be granted a Brevet for the rank of Lieut
Colonel, that he may carry with him to his Native Country
that honorary Testimony of their Approbation of his active
and faithful conduct, during a course of Twenty years Em-
ployed in the Company's Military Service under the Presi-
dency, of Bombay and Bengal"!. Again, in the followinc-
month, Lt. Colonel du Gloss.. .on account of his past I011S
and faithful services to the Company, and his present dis-
tressed situation, be allowed the sum of ยฃ100 from the
Contingent funds" 3 .
DE HAVILLAND, Thomas Fiotte. Mad.
Engrs.
b. 10-4-75. d. 23-2-1866 in Guernsey.
Ens. 3-5-93 ... Lt Col. 1-5-1824 : Ret. 20^1-1825 โ
Hon. Col. 28-11-1854.
Son of Sir Peter de Havilland, Kit., of Guernsey.
m., 1st, Madras, 3-9-1808, Elizabeth, dan. of Thos de
Saumerez, by whom he had issue 2 sons and 2 daus She d
Madras, 14-3-1818, and he m., 2nd, 6-8-1828, Harriet, dau!
of Anthony Gore, by whom lie had no i=suo
Oriental Club.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Yibart. II.
13-12-95, Appd. Asst. Engr. under Mackenzie [ av I for
expn. to Colombo.
Probably before 1798, Survd. "A Sketch from
Tanjore, West to the sources of the Colleroon" 4 .
Mysore Campaign of 1799, attd. to Lt Col.
Brown's Southern Divn. of the army, which reached
Coimbatore 1-8-99^.
May 1800, submitted a map of Coimbatore and
Dindigul with the following letter, "In the course of
my Travels in the Southern Divn. for several years
past; and particularly when doing duty with Col.
Brown's Detachment during the late war, I have
amused myself in surveying, 8 ...and have likewise
collected every information I could obtain relative
to the Geography of the Country. ... I have now
made an Humble attempt at compiling a Map of the
Coimbatore and Dindigul Provinces [114, 11 8-9
2 49]" 7 -
April 1800, with CE. to Seringapatam, and re-
mained there as Asst. Engr.
(see Vol. II).
DELAFIELD, Philip. Ben. Inf.
d. 25-10-83, in England.
Ens. 7-4-65 .-. Capt. 14-9-67.
m.โ Calcutta, 25-7-72, Mary, sister of Adm. Sir Albemarle
Bertie, Bart. Their dan., Priscilla, d., Chunar 16-7-74 MI
Broome ( 600 } ; Hodson.
Rennell refers to his "cursory survey from Good water
Island to Cape Comorin"s, and for many years this was
x Ben wills, 154 ,59 (196). *CM. 4-5-74. ^Lord Clive's Fundi. ^DDn. 246 (127J ยซMMC 4 8 19 ยซof
?78l Sf^^DDn 24^1441 uHK? MK pโ^P- ^ribed by Montgomery in IsV T "US " ' ^-<
llSd I 24 ). DDn. 246 ( 144 ). w c f. Williams ( 53 ). ยซ MS & M. 29-7-65. " Pdbk. MRIO. M 277. 5 M RIO. 136 { 2, 3 )'
Ens. 21-11-71 .
Hodson.
28-10-76, with 6th Batt. of Sepovs, stationed at Chittra
appd. asst. survr. with Ranken [ qv ] on survey in Ramgarh
L 270 ] ; survey closed three months later [ 36 ].
DON, Patrick. Ben. Inf.
b. 1756-7. d. 16-1-1837.
En 3 . 177 8 ... Lt . CoI . 30-9-1803; Furl. from
18-2-1808 ; Ret. 29-8-1810.
EIMC. II j Hodson.
20-3 to 23-1-1799, Survd. route from Gorakhpur to
Bahmcb. [ 189 ] ; obsd. high snowy peak, 20-4-99 12 .
1803-4, Comdg. column under Monson against Ho'lkar.
DOUGLAS, Patrick. Ben. Inf.
b. 1758. d. 16-3-1821.
Ena. (Engrs.) 9-12-70; Lt. (Engrs,) 17-11-73.
Reverted to Inf. 4-6-76 ; Lt Col. 6-12-97 ; Ret
30-7-1800.
m. Calcutta, 1787, Jane, dau. of Lt Col. John Fortnom,
Ben. Engrs. ; hence bro.-in-law to Andrew PriDglc f qv 1
Hodson.
Reversion to Inf. ordered in Directors' letter of 28-11-77,
on representation "by John Call of tbe injustice of his being
brought into the Corps of Engrs. over the beads of Thomas
Call [ 323 ] aud others.
1781, Survd. route of Pearse's Dett., Midnapore
to Madras, except between Surapjedah and Ellore,
where interrupted by damage to perambulator [41,
i"99]-
Large-scale plan of action, 20-1-82, between Eyre
Coote and Haidar AH bears the initials P.D 13 .
DUPERRON. seeANQUETIL-DUPERRON.
DU PLAT, Peter Joseph. 16th Regt., Corps-
of Hanoverians [ 99 n. 4 ].
Arrd. Madras as Lieut., 1782 ; called Capt. in 1788.
NOTES 335
P.ro. to George Wilhelra du Plat, of Hanoverian Survey
Dept. 1764-86 ; several of the family were topographers of
the Hanoverian army J .
Assisted Schlegel [ qv ] with surveys & maps^ [ 99 }, and
with Wersehe [ qv ] distinguished himself in the S. Peninsula
[268]. Was bequeathed a Dumber of Wersebe.'s sketches
end journals.
Returned to Europe with his regt. 1792 2 .
DUGOOD, Alexander. Mad. Engre.
d. 1778-9 3 , in S. India.
Ens. 20-3 or 27-5-71 ... Capt. 20-1-75.
1768, Arrd. Madras, a private soldier of Inf., m tte
Military", in the 8&iharse l ; acted as dman. m CE.S ofhoe
from Aug. 1768.
MMC. 27-5-71, Appd. Ens. & Pract. Engr.
Marawar campaign of 1772, survd. route from
Trichinopoly to Vallum [90]; siege of Tanjore,
1773 s -
Dec. 1773, Ordered to Masulipatam "to compleat
the survey began by Captain Stevens" [3, 93]-
MMC. 10-10-74, " Having for near three months
been incapable of continuing the Survey from ill
health, he is now advised by the Surgeon of Ellore
to return to the Southward, as the only means of
effecting a recovery"". After a visit to Ganjam to
survey its environs he came down to Madras at the
end of Nov.
The CE., Ross [qv], complained that he could hot
get Dugood to send in the plans of his survey of the
Circars even though he "went to the Mount Races,
where he was well enough to attend the amusements
daring the day, and to be at night at the Public
tents, and still he did not complete the plans of his
survey" 7 .
15-2-75. CE. sent him Govt, orders " that the
Drawings of the Survey should be completed as soon
as possible", and in May told Govt, that he con-
sidered Dugood to have been "a very negligent
servant to the Company..., as he was appointed to
the Survey of the Masulipatam Circar in Deer. 1773,
on which he was only employed between nth March
& 6th June, so that... he can only have surveyed but
2 months out of the 16, and he has been from June
6th to the end of April in protracting it. ... None of
the Engineers experienced in Sarveying have done
less than Capt. Dugood, most of them a great deal
more, and he, so far from intending to exert hrmself,
has repeatedly declared that he would never do
more than he was necessarily obliged to".
"It vrieves me to be obliged to point out the infirmities
that have been inflicted on Capt. Dugood by the hand of
Providence, and that I am now under the necessity to rcmarfi
on his natural defects, but as his shortness of sight essentially
disuiiahhes him from some of the most important duties oi
an Engineer, ... I hope I shah be excused. His sight is never-
theless very strong, by which he is enabled to dismumi-n
chests at a certain distance with great precision, and as this
is an advantage in Drawing or Protracting, the business ^of
the Survey appears to me particularly well adapted for him" 8 .
Dugood took strong exception to this letter, and retorted
by aspersions on the CE.'s capacity as an administrative
EMMITT
officer and demanded a etml. to clear himself from the charges
made Ross writes "Capt. Dugood has been remarkably
industrious to misrepresent my conduct everywhere; but I
doubt not I shall be able to make it appear that 1 have acted
a consistent part, & that Capt. Dugood has brought upon
himself whatever may happen"'.
The ctml now became the wrisc eeW.re at fee Presidency.
and Dugood put up a stout defence. & said that after
reeeivhm cclers to proceed to .Masulipatam m Dec. i;73, he
was hetouw Hon at Madras, ami did not. start the survey
till March 2'iid, working till May 10th ; "Land Winds coming
o- oblived me to go in to Masulipatam, where 1 remained
till 15th July...: Wis taken ill of Bilons Fever ami em ned to
Ellore" He" pointed out. that Cotsfordalso was shortsighted".
Even the Governor and C-in-C. were called as witnesses
and cross-examined. The decision of the ctml. was announced
in GO. of 5-1 2-75. with the following findings ;
1st. Neglect of Duty.โ Not sufficiently proved. Acquir-
ed. Conduct to the Prejudice of good order and military
GOBOipKne.โ Acquitted.
3rd. Conduct unbecoming the character of an (Cheer sod
a gentleman, with reference to his letter of 2-7-75, challeng-
ing the conduct of the Chief Engineer.โ Acquitted : tho it
does not appear that Col. Ross had not reason to conceive his
Professional Character in some respects attempted to be sullied
by the said letter" 11 .
Dugood's survey, about which such a storm had
had been raised, was, after all, no mean effort, and he
had submitted to the CE., 27-4-75, a large-scale
survey of the irrigation channels fed by the Goda-
vari, to which Dalrymple refers very favourably
many years later [ 93, 105, 107 ] l ~.
During 1776 he was employed on large-scale
survey in the neighbourhood of Madras, under the
directions of Dalrymple [94-5. 142-3. 33 T ]. and in Nov.
he was called away to be an Asst, Engr. Tanjore.
Towards the end of 1777 fle carried out a survey
between Vallamaud " Seringham " 1! ; then return-
ing to Tanjore.
EMMITT, George Lobey. Bom. Inf.
b. 1758-9. d. 1845.
Ens. HM's 65th Poot, 1-8-80 ; Ens. Bom. Inf. 1781 ;.
Capt Lieut. 22-3-99.
From Lincolnshire, m., Christiana โ .
16-1-86 Appd. Asst. Survr. with expn. to Chagos
I. sailing from Bombay 15-3-86 ; expn. withdrawn
Oct. 1786 [123].
Continued as Asst. Survr. on Bombay est., pin-
ing Reynolds at Surat April 1789 [ 128, 273, 2S1 ].
Survr. with Frederick's dett. from Bombay for
capture of Dharwar, landing at Cardona at mouth
of Taigarh Rโ 25-11-90. After fall of Dharwar volun-
teered to remain with Little's dett. and continued
with it till return to Poona June 1792 [7. "3. 128-
mo] Survd not only route down to Sermgapatam,
both through Chitaldrug and Shimoga, but also the
Tungabhadra R. from its source to junction with
Kistna, and then west to Goa [187.299]- Closed
survey at Poona ;HH>2, after more than 18 months
continuous work, and then allowed 3 months to
finish maps 14 [I77" 8 . 2 49l-
Berlin. 1933-4. 'Wylly( Mo). "Said
โข Emb. List. vol. 2, 1767-9 (30), St Mad.
,,. gs. of GCM. 2S-S-76. "Mack. MSS.
, โ โ= ,i,, -"7075 Vi.-k "list, LXV1TI. "Oriental Repertory..
TXVTTT 99-5-75 ยปib. 18-6-75, to Stevens. "ib. 9-6-7o. "MGO. 0-12-70, -Vlaox. moo. u
U ..SriraSam. opposite Trichinopoly, 58 J/8. "BoMC. 3-7-92.
r G Schnath, Die Kurtennovenche Ltmdtiaufnuhme des IS Jahrhunierts .
to have been " Killed at Chittoor " 10-11-81, but admn. of will fronted 1-4-/9.
MircsterRohs, 10. โขVibart tSJ_m)._ 'ยซยซยปยป?t. , .ยซ*ยซโข l ,-^
I
ERBB
Account of his visit, Nov. 170,1, to the ruined city
โ of Bijayanagar 1 pub. by Rennell' 3 .
From Nov. 1792, Employed on survey in Malabar,
returning to Poona on sick leave at end of 1794
[130-2 178,202, 299]. Jan. 1795, Survd. route of
Peshwa's army to Kharda, where it defeated Ni-
zam's force [ 116, 130].
Having "suffered considerably from indisposition during
his late employment in the Field", obtained permission to
spend rainy season at Poona, and in Dec. submitted an appli-
cation for return to Europe; "ft is a matter of the most
mortifying to me, that from the alarming state of my health
i am reduced to (he neoessh.v of relinquishing my employ-
ment as a Surveyor. The fatigues which I have experienced
and the exertions 1 hare nnremittingly made in that duty
for upwards of ten years, in various parts of the Peninsula;.
have brought upon me a disorder from which f have no
Coโขtr " rยฐยฐ ray hat by s P eedfl y returning to my Native
Furl was duly granted by GO. of 16-12-95, and he left
for England shortly after, not to return.
ERBB, George. Mad. Art.
French sergant "of Captain Illen's company" of
Artillery m service of English.
Survr. and dman. of two plans of Trichinopoly
and neighbourhood, showing operations against
French between Sept. 1753 and Feb. 1754 [87],
EWAET, James Simon. Ben. Inf.
Ens. 22-0-79 ; Lieut. 25-1-S1 ; Furl. 20-11-86 โข
Struct off. 1793.
.โ m " 12 - 2 - ^ Catharine, elder dau. of Joseph Skinner, of
Aldgaie High St., London, & of Wanstead Essex, who d
28-10-1855, aged 90.
Hodson.
10-9-78, Appd. Cadet from date of rank as Lieut in the
Bombay Marine, 18-8-7S, "from the Ships under the com-
mand of Captain Joseph Price" 4 .
Sept. 1778 to March 1780, Officer of a ship cruising from
Coast of Corouiandel by Ceylon Vnv. 1778. Nieobsr [stands
Straits of Malacca, Sumatra Dec. 177S, Malabar Feb 1779
Madras April 17,11, Si raits of Malacca Sept. 1779, Diamond
Island Oct. 1779, Fort William 16-3-80.
Throughout these voyages took regular astr.
obsns, for lat. and long, and, after posting to Ben.
Inf., his obsns. continue ; Barrackpore Cant. Aug.
1780, Berhampore Cant. Nov. r78o, Patna Dec. 1780,
and Chatra Jan. 1781 [ 155, 161 ].
At end of 1781 appd. survr. with Chapman's
mission to Nagpur, which according to G G's. ins-
tructions of 12-11-81 was "to strengthen and
increase the friendship and alliance virtually sub-
sisting between that Government and ours fa
42] ".
After arrival at Nagpur, Ewart continued survey
through the little known neighbourhood, adding to
his range by sending out cossiis to Hyderabad,
Poona, Ujjain and other important places [ 286 ].
1784, brought a survey northwards from Nagpur
to Benares, where he joined his batt. These sur-
veys cleared up mucn that was unknown in Central
India, and by his frequent astr. obsns. their value
was greatly enhanced.
336
BIOGRAPHICAL
Whilst at Nagpur, โ โข 12 European vagrants sur-
rendered to him"*, probably deserters who had
found that a free life had its disadvantages.
Ewart was probably the first survr. in India
to make use of a chronometer, buying one from
Thomas Forrest [45-6], and passing it on to
one of the expns. to the NW. coast of America
[202].
In 1786, applied to be allowed to accompany this expn
as surv. to make astronomical observations and surveys of
harbours m which branch I have the honour of being em-
ployed.. .for some time past". Permission was given but
Ewart did not go; two or three such expns. set out about
this time, with the object of opening up trade in furs - two
of them came to grief not only through weather conditions
Oat also through encounters with Spanish rivals*
Nov. 1786, whilst with 6th Eur. Batt. at Dinapore applied
ior furl, and, arming in England at end of the following
April, was allowed to remain on half-pay ; April 1790 per
nutted to remain in England till next Season "ยป, bat appar-
ently he never went out to India again, and was struck off
the strength in 1793.
26-4-95 .Wrote to Warren Hasting,, congratulating him
on the result of his trial, and regretting that he could not
London* 1 " PerS ยฐ n OWh>g *ยฐ ^ distmce ยฐ f his residence from
FALVEY, Dennis Morris. Ben. Tnf
d. num. 27-10-1806, AUahabad.
Ens. 18-9-80 ... Maj. 21-9-1804.
Hodson.
Survd. routes west of Agra as far as the Indus, and "tra-
velled twice that way in the years 1787 and 1790 ; according
to turn there is no river nor branch of the Indus betweei
Jayaulmert and BaccarK He was a well informed man, who
understood the country languages, and in his route be always
took particular notice of the rivers which he crossed" 10.
FENjMELL, Richard. Ben. Inf.
d. Sept. 1774, Ramgarh.
Ens. 19-1-69 ... Lieut. 9-5-70.
Hodson.
Served under Caraao in Chota Nagpur, and emnloved on
survey till death [ 35, 225 ].
oi. 20 ~ 1 ,; 74 ' C โข ao "Ported to the Revenue Council that the
Chota Nagpur people were slow about, paving the promised
revenue, and had "collected the whole force of the eonntry
into a very strong hill, where they had amused Lt. Fennell
ivr about (I weeks"! 1 .
In his will, appd. his "worthy friend Jacob Camac" as
one ot his executors. "I give to Chowdry, a little girl what
has been with me from an infant, and been particular useful
and Diligent m all my sickness, 300 Son it rupees ; to Cozella
my eldest girl and tool- into ray house at the Famine j 1771 1
300 Sonat rupees. To Bundu 200 St. Es., and to other
servants". The remainder to his aunt in Loudon Mrs
Hester Moxteed ; "I have no slaves, ah my people are free
at my decease " 12 .
FERGUSON, John. Ben. Inf.
fo. 7-3-43. d. 4-9-73, Cape Town.
"Ens. 29-S-65 ; Lieut. 7-1-67 ; Resd. 24-1-69.
Eldest son of Rev. Adam and Amelia. -Ferguson, of Moulin,
Scotland,
Hodson.
One of the officers of 1st Bri. who mutinied in 1766.
r \J^~ 8 ' comd ยง- coIlimi1 of sepoys on the western borders
oi Midnapore, keeping journal and sketch of his routes till
โขEPcXl-s's 7 ; mSZtl cTll^o ' B ยฐ^V^I^ยฃ Vr V^T;J-J^ EM ' '^.24-2-83, (20).
I, J, M; Bhakkar, near Sukkur, 40 A,}*" .. Wilf.^ I^^,^^ T^^^T^l
NOTES
337
mishap to compass ; captured Ghatsila Ft. [ 28-9, 300 ].
Objected to Carter's views regarding position of frontier line
[ 32 & ]-
Jan. 1769, to Europe on account of ill-health and, Aug.
1770, authorised "to compile a dictionary of the Hindo?tuii
Language, taking care to hring the orthography of the Hindos-
ta.n words, to be printed in the roman characters, as similar
in sound and accent to the. English as possible 1 [ 24S-9 ] .
May 1773, Sailed to rejoin from England, but killed m
duel at Capetown by Captain Roche under such circum-
stances that Roche was recalled to stand trial in En^and.
"The case became famous in the history and the ethics of
duelling during the two subsequent years " 2 .
FORSTER, George. Mad. Civ.
b. c. 1751. d. 5-1-91, Nagpur; MI.
Writer 1770 ... Senior Merch. 1782.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Eorster.
1782-4, made a remarkable overland journey from
India to Europe through Persia [214, 233], and pub.
account 1798-
1788, on return to India, appd. Resdt. at Nagpur
[127, 301], being accompanied on journey from Kalpi
by thesurvr. J.N. Rind [42]. On another journey,
Cuttack to Nagpur, 1790, route was survd. by James
Davidson, comdg. escort'' [42, 187, 332].
FRANKLAND, William. Ben. Civ.
b. c. 1720-2. d. 28-12-1805.
Arrd. Calcutta, 30-8^10 ; Resd. June 1758.
3rd son of Henry Frankland, Governor of Bengal 1724-5,
and Mary his wife.
ISethara's Baronetage 1S02 ; Hokman ( 143 ).
Buxey or backshi [ 302 ], paymaster and acctt., Ft. William.
1756: avoided "the. Black Hole" by escaping from the fort
to the ships, playing "a somewhat inglorious part" as des-
cribed by Holwell; "Messrs. M- & Frankland, the first
Colonel and the other Lien tenant -Colon el of the Militia,
Conducted the Ladies on board, and I understood were to
return when they had reconciled the Ladies to their Situation,
but they never returned again " 4 .
1757, responsible for the supply of building materials and
bricklayers to the engineers on the new Ft. William.
1758, sixth Member of Council, and Import Warehonse-
keeper. Appd. to survey the 24-Parganas which had just
been assigned to the Company, and submitted the first
revenue survey made by servant of the Company [ 13, 135-6].
His Garden House became the Loretto Convent now in
Middleton Row 5 .
Between 1758 and 1760, spent two years travelling home
overland by way of the Persian Gulf. From Baghdad he
crossed the desert to Palestine in the guise of a "Tarter
messenger", and then sailed to Constantinople.
"Returned to England and purchased Muntham, Sussex ;
MP. for Thirsk York, 1768; Sheriff of Susses 1782. ... Spent
his later years in seclusion & study ; much interested in
median iir-iil imperii!) cut, for which he had an elaborate equip-
ment at Muntharn " s .
ERASER, Thomas. Mad. Engrs.
b. c. 5-7-76. d. 15-3-1823, Bath.
Ens. 2-1-9& ... Capt. 14-7-1808; Ret. 1-3-1819.'
Son of Hugh Fraser, ofMorpeih. portrait painter.
m., 29-11-1810, Ann, clau. of Richard Sewell, & widow of
He my Brown, Mad. Civ.
Sometime a Lieut, in H M's Sth Brit. Fencibles.
1799, Adj. of Engrs. at siege of ^cringa-pata-m ; Engr. &
Survr. to Read's Dett. 7 .
GOLDINGHAM
June 1799, Appd. to survey duties under Mackenzie:
survd. Island of Seringapatarn [ 1 18 ] ; after a few months
returned to Madras on the sick list 8 .
GARDINER, Thomas. Ben. Engrs.
Ens. 16-9-67 ... Maj. 2.5-7-81 ; Bead, 22-1-84.
Hodson.
1767. in campaign aaainst ~Sv/.*\u, survd. march 01 [-each s
dett., Ellon; to Waraagal, [ 92, 115, 17ยฐ J- โ
The artist, William Hotlges, stayed with him at Ghtinar
ia 17S3ยป.
GEILS, Thomas. Mad. Art.
b. c. 1746. d. 24-10-1815.
Lt. Ewkr. 26-10-67 ... Maj Gen. 3-5-96;
Ret. 31-1-1S05.
Son of Andrew Geils.
m.. Madras, 3-2-7:1. Miss Mary Pascal.
1768, During Mysore- War acted as Fd. i-higr., there hemg
no engr. with the army. 1774, Senior Qmr. on the Coast ;
acted as DQMG. daring siege of Tanjore. 1774, Appd. to
comd. the Company of Guides, and to carry out survey of
the Carnatic, but the Nawab objected to survey, and after
correspondence lasting over a year, proposal was abandoned
[90-1],
GERARD, John. Ben. Inf.
b. 1765. d. 17-4-1824.
Ens. 15-1-83 ... Capt. 30-9-1S03 ; Ret. 22-1-1808
Hodson.
Will, dated Tours, Franco, 3-U-1S20, describes him "or
Rochsoles, Edinburgh", and refers to his wife, Mrs. Dorothea
"Montague Alison or Gerard, to whom he left "his sugar
Plantations, known as Belvue, in the Island of St. Vincent,
a.nd property in the shire uf Lanark " ln . Left two sons, Arclu-
bald and John, and a daughter Dorothea Jane. Uncle to
the survr. Alexander Gerard ( 1792-1839 ).
1793, Survd. route of Kirkpatrick's mission to Nepal
[ 75 ]. Afterwards AG. Bengal.
GILCHRIST, John Borthwick. Ben. Med.
b. 1759. d. 9-1-1841, Paris.
Asst. Surg. Feb. 1782 ; Surg. 21-10-94 ; Ret. 6-1-1809.
LLD. Edinburgh, 1804.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Crawford.
To India as Asst. Surg. RN. .
Employed on philological work nearly the whole of his
service Author of an English TIindo.ita.ni Dictionary, pal).
Calcutta, 1787-90. A later edn. was adv. as, "{Mkknfs
Hwdooskmee Dictionary ยฃ Grammer, by John Gilchrist,
Ru^iimiEila. neac Calcutta, with his system <>i ILmdoosWo
Philology Tic intends to proceed to Europe in Jan. 1797 ยซ.
1 800 r " \ppd Head of Ft. William College on its foundation;
Look furl, to Europe, Feb. 180 1, and did not return to India.
1818-26, Professor of Hindustani to EIC. in London.
His "System of Orthography of Indian names "
โ was more generally used than the more orthodox
system of Sir William Jones, and was followed in the
Revenue Survey Dept. until the universal introduc-
tion of Dr Hunter's system in 1870 [249-60].
GOLDINGHAM, John. Astronomer,
d. 1849.
ij-i-88, Appd. asst. to Topping for astr. obsns. ;
5-2-96, Astronomer & Marine Surveyor; 6-2-1805,
Leave to England; 31-1-1812, Resumed appt. m
Madras; Ret. 1830.
iCM. 8-8-70. ^Twelve Indian Statesmen (7). George Smith. 1927. "Ltcldu 1. I
Rom. Council 17-7-5G, HMS. 92(260), SO M 303 ) : cf. HMS. 192(40-5); & Grose II ( 242 )
man (71, 77, 143). ? Vibart (327). 8 Govt, letter of 13-6-99 & MMC. 29-4-1S0O. "
ยป CG. 26-5-96.
0); Wills (86-116). 4 Letter to
5 Wilson, C. R., 5-1-61. 1 Holz-
Hodges (53). 10 Ben Wills. 1S27.
GOMONDE
Native of Denmark.
m., 1st, Madras, 20-4-96, Louisa Maria Popham ; their
son, John, bapt. Ft. St. George, 22-10-1801, entered Mad.
Civ. 21-7-1820; another son, b. Madras, 11-1-1800". joined
Mad. Art.
m., 2nd, Madras, 20-2-1815, Miss A. Baxter, by whom a
son and 2 daus. were born,
1786, Arrd. Madras from England.
MPC. 15-1-88, appd. Asst. to Topping, salary 15
pagodas a month, on following recommendation; "A
young Gentleman Mr. John Goldingham, who has
had a regular mathematical education, and who is in
every way qualified for the trust, 1 would beg leave
to recommend. ... Mr. Goldingham has assisted, for
several months past, in making many astronomical
observations at a private observatory lately erected
by William Petrie Esq. [ 6, 171 ] ".
Jan. 1789, permitted to resign and proceed to
England [ 171 ] i returned 1791, landing at Bombay
where he fixed position by astr. obsns. [177, 181].
His salary was now raised to 50 pagodas a month.
T 792-3> whilst observatory was being built, he
survd. the coast northwards from Madras as far as
mouths of the Kistna [4, 103, 104-5, I 7^. I 92].
1794, appd. Snpt. of the Surveying School[i74,i99].
Jan. 1796, succeeded as Astronomer and Marine
Surveyor [173 n. 7, 174, 180-1 ], and the following
year further appd. Inspector of Revenue Surveys
{ 109, 145, 146, 194-5 ]โ
Had some knowledge of building construction, and in
June 1799, was sent to Vellore to superintend repair of
buildings to accommodate the family of Tipu Sultan, and
under MPC. 19-3-1800 was appd. Civil Engineer in charge
of all buildings at the Presidency town.
"The Right Hon'ble the Governor in Council, having con-
sidered the very defective mode of executing at present the
erection & repair of the public buildings at this Presidency,
lias been pleriKn<] to supersede it entirely, and to establish a
separate office of Civil Engineer. ...
"The Governor in Council, being induced to form an
opinion of your integrity, not less sanguine than lie is justi-
fied in entertaining of the zeal & science which you have
manifested in the execution of the buildings and repairs
entrusted to you, has been pleased to appoint you to be Civil
Engineer at the Presidency, and to order that the repair &
erection of all the Company's, buildings at the Presidency,
Civil & Military, shall be entrusted to your execution &
Superintendence, from the 1st of May next. ...
"His Lordship permits yon to draw the usual commission
of fifteen per cent on the amount of all bill for building and
repair, on the certificate of your honor that you derive no
other advantage ; and application will be made to the Court
of Directors for two plain builders of sufficient knowledge in
the practical part of the business of building to be employed
under the Civil Engineer " *.
This appt. did not meet with the approval of the Direc-
tors, and in Sept. 1801 the Chief Engineer was ordered to
resume control of all buildings and works. In 1S04 it was
reported that Goldingham had drawn commission as Civil
Engineer amounting to a total of Pa go Has 22,507, excluding
that drawn for the buildings at Vellore 2 .
GOMONDE, Richard. Mad. Inf.
b. 1752-3. d. before 1812.
Ens. 17-6-78 ... Ma}. 19-5-88; Ret. March. 1800.
m., Madras, 13-9-89, Miss Susannah Elleker; left 2 sons;
Richard James, Mad. Art. ; and Edward Thomas, Mad. Civ.
8 BIOGRAPHIC^
Dec. 1779, Acted as Asst. Engr., Tan] ore ; 1781-2 ^u,,
Adj. Fort St. George ; Aug. 1781 to Jan. 1782, Survd various
marches of Sir Eyre Coote, with appt. of Asst. Engr. 3.
GUTHRIE, John. Ben. Inf.
b. 6-3-49. d. 18-10-1803, at Fatehgarh r
of wound received 30th September.
Ens. 15-3-73 ... Lt Col. 21-4-1800.
Son of Hncrii Guthrie, of Kilmarrock.
Hodson. ;
1789, visited Garhwal with the artists Thomas &โ
William Daniel, and fixed the position of Srinagar
by compass and perambulator [73].
HARDWICKE, Thomas. Ben. Art.
b. c. 1756. d. 3-3-1835.
Fwkr. 10-9-78.. MajGen. 12-S-1819.
Distinguished botanist.
EI MO. I. ( 178-9 ) ; Hodson.
1796, starting from Fatehgarh with Dr. Hunter [340],
proceeded alone from Anupshahr to Hardwar, and then
from Najibabad across the hills to Srinagar in Garhwal
arriving 29-4-96. Left interesting journal, with description
of the upper Ganges and snowy range.
A plot of his route and sketch of the Ganges is preserved
in Calcutta [ 77-8 ]. He was not a surveyor, and the plot
bears a note, by Colebrooke, ; 'It is impossible that in this
mountainous Country a Day's Journey should amount to
12 Coss ".
HARVEY, Henry. Ben. Inf.
bapt. 1-6-47. d. 1810-11.
Ens. 3-2-69 ... Capt. 13-10-78 ; Resd. 5-1-84.
Son of Rev. Amrose Harvey & Elizabeth his wife.
Hodson.
Amongst maps in Orme's possession in 1770 was a survey
of the W. part of Monghyr by Lieut. "Harvey" ; no other
officer seems to fit *.
1773, with John Jones [ qv } at action "Delamcotta".
HAVILLAJSTD.
j DE HAVILLAND.
HAYWOOD, John James. ' RN.
b. c. 1773. d. 10-12-985.
Midshipman, 20-6-96. Asst. to SG. 5-11-98.
SG. recommended appt. thus ;
"I take the liberty of recommending to the notice of
Government a young man of the name of J. Haywood, now
a midshipman belonging to HMS. La Sybille, who, having
long been afflicted with siukness and the' hardships incident
to a sea life, has, with the concurrence of his commanding
officer, Capt. Cooke, determined on leaving the service. ...
Mr. Haywood was sent on a voyage of discovery on board
HMS. Providence, in the course of which he assisted in a
survey of the NW. coast of America and California, but
coming afterwards to Japan, the Providence was unfortu-
nately wrecked near that island, when Capt. Broughton and
the crew saved in a small tender of the same name, in which
they arrived at Canton, and proceeded from thence to Trinco-
malee.
"Mr. Haywood was at that place sent on board the Sybille
in a bad state of health, owing to the hardships he had under-
gone, but his principal reason for leaving the Navy is that
he has. been, with little intermission, afflicted with the scurvy
ever since he took to the sea. He now lies sick at the General
Hospital, where he is well taken care of, and in a fair way of
recovery, but the medical gentlemen, I understand, have
declared that he will be liable to a relapse should he again
go to sea, and be put on a salt diet. ...
1 MPC. 19-3-00.
Records; PRO. 13497.
*Pers. Rec. IV (136). ^BBn. 246 (147) *0rme MSS. 67. & Extracts (4999). ^Admiralty
m
NOTES
" As Mr. Haywood appears to possess in an emi-
nent degree the scientific knowledge and qualifica-
tions requisite for a Surveyor, and is otherwise
recommended by his Captain, as a young man of
excellent character, his appointment is strongly
recommended" l .
His nppt. was sanctioned but he died the following
month [271, 27S].
HEATH, Robert Tyrrell. Bom. Inf.
b. c. 1764. d. 1-10-1813, Bombay, MI.
Lieut 11-3-S1 Col. 4-6-1S13.
m., Bombay, 9-6-92, Miss Ann Hinton; left a son Henry
(1794-1S1S) who became Lieut, Bom. Inf.
Bo MC 3-7-92, Asst. Survr. with Emnutt from April to
July 1791 [129 1-
HEMMONNEAU, Andre. Draughtsman,
d. 31-12-99, Calcutta.
Son of Joaquim Hemraoneau end Frances Castello, of
Pondicberry, and half-brother to Jean lioisseau L 236 J.
m., Calcutta, Maria, dan. of Ferdinando Despontnior, and
Maria George Panigier, of CalcuUa. T, Q โโ n ,
In OE's. office. Madras, from 1773 till mowed to Bengal
in 1781. and served in SGO. till -ranted pension ill July W.JS
[23b, 237]. Govt, refused an application to continue this
pension to his widow.
HIRST, the Rev. William. Ben. Chpn.
d. 1770 ; lost at sea.
Junior Chpn. 18-3-62 ; Eesd. 26-11-64.
Son of Rev Wm. Hirst. D D.. Master of Hertford iree
School โ Yn- - of Borises ft Rector of SueoiliO, Hertford.
BA.,Peterhousc, "Cambridge, 1750: MA. 1754; IBS.
14-11-54.
DNB. ; DIB. ; Hyde ( 71, 127 ).
Chpn. EN. to Adm. Cornish; arrd. East Indies
and present at siege of Pondicherry 1760-1. Whilst
staying at Govt. House, Madras, obsd. transit of
Venus 6-6-61 [153. 160, 200].
Returned to Europe with Governor Vansittart,
sailing, Calcutta, 26- n-64.
His astr. obsns. used in compilation of Dunns
map of Bengal [222]. Amongst surveys taken home
to Orme by Vansittart was a "map of the River
Samelpore, laid down by Mr. Hirst" 2 .
Returning to India with Vansittart and Francis
Forde on board the Aurora, sailed from Cape of Good
Hope 27-12-69, and never heard of again.
HOARE, James Griffith. Ben. Inf.
d. 9-8-98, Barrackpore, mm.
Ens. 15-1-83 ... Et. Ca.pt. 7-1-96.
Hodson.
May 1794, appd. 3rd. Asst. to SG. [271]' 3 .
1794-5, Survd. a possible connection between the
Ganges and Hooghly [63].
Survd. Jumna R. from Allahabad to Delhi [8, 57]
reaching Agra by the end of June 1796, and remain-
ing there several months [168, 1S8, 300].
On his complaint that he was not receiving
allowances regularly. SG. pointed out that this was
because be had not sent in monthly copies ol his
HOWE
fdbks. [196-7], and reported to Govt., 10-3-97, that
"Nothing material has been received at this office
from Lieut. Hoare, who was deputed near two years
since on a survey of the Jumna River, and that thrs
officer has not in any adequate degree fulfilled the
orders of Government, or my instructions, having
been upwards of 8 months at Agra, where he has
been detained partly by sickness and other causes,
there appears to be little hope remaining that he
would ever accomplish the object ol his deputation,
I beg leave therefore... to recommend that be be
immediately recalled" 4 .
To Hoare he wrote, "The plea of sickness which
you have urged could not exonerate you from this
part of your duty, particularly as it appears by
your letters, most of which are written in a fair
and legible hand, that you have never been totally
incapacitated from writing"'. Hoare carried his
survey on to Delhi, and was then recalled.
His plea of sickness was obviously genuine, for
he died the following year, being buried at S. Park
St. Cem. (MI j.
He had made his will two years before at Agra ; "Being
this dav severely Oil by a small .log, and at present uncertain
of its 'actual state of health, I am induced to make such
preparations in time. ... ,
โ โขLet the Horse I purchased from Mr. Treeves be offered
to him aoain, as I have no other mode of paying hut. and beg
hi, feveivene-s for me. I was much deceived m the horse ยซ
His fdbks. are preserved, and contain several neat and
artistic little pen-and-ink sketches' ; ids maps are preserved
Wilford quotes Hoare as authority for some Hindu legend ,
"This information was procured, at nil request, by the late-
Lieutenant Hoare, who was remarkably fond of enquiries ot
that sort; and to whom I am indebted for several curious
historical anecdotes...relating to the geography of the Gangetio
Provinces " fl .
HOISSARD, George Isaac. Mad. Civ.
bapt. 18-10-54. Lisbon, d. 1791.
Writer, 1771 ... Senior Merch. 1782.
Eide-i son of Danie! & Susannah Hoissard.
1790 Asst. to Eesdt. at Hagore, residing at Negapatam;
Survd. lands of Neaapatam and .Sagore, a survey which,
beiiw "very erroneous" OS regards relative positions of prin-
cipal towns, Goldingham recompiled on Toppmg s survey
of coast-line [ 103 ]. ,. 1TM
Will, sd. on board ship in Point de Galle Harbour, 12-11-90,
describes him as "lately resident of Nagore" w .
HOWE, the Hon. Thomas. Mar. Service, EIC.
d. 14-11-71.
Sworn 2nd Mate, 11-10-54 ; Comdr. 29-6-57.
4th son of Emanuel Sorope Howe, 2nd Viscount Howe
( TJebrett, 1803 ).
19-IS-54, Sailed in Rhoda ; arrd. Madras 9-6-55 ;
obsd. long, of Madras 5-7-55 [ iยซ9 ] 1 sailed for China
r8-7-55 "โ , โ ,
30-12-57 Appd. Comdr. of Winchehea ; April 1759,
sailed from' Madras with Dalrymple as passenger for
Borneo and Sulu Is. [183, 330]: sailed agam from
England 15-3-&, losing ship at mouth of the Hooghly
20-3-64.
^l.uT-17^^
"CM. 11-10-S4; MEC. ft 10. Logs. vol. 596 D.
HUDDART
16-3-66, Appd. Comdr. of Nottingham ; arrd. England
26-11-67; Disnid. 4-5-68, with other Comdrs., for illicitly
carrying warlike stores ; Eestored 1769 1 .
CM. 11-7-70, Directors record letter "from Mr. Alexander
Dalrymple [ 330 ]... representing his willingness to go in joint
Commission with the Honble Mr. Howe to effect an establish-
ment at Balambangan, and that he is authorised to say
Mr. Howe will on all occasions be ready to render any service
in his power to the Company' 1 .
Many astr. obsn. and charts recorded by Dal-
rymple, particularly a survey oi Orissa coast and
chart of Bay of Bengal, 1763 [15]. In one of his
printed papers Dalrymple regrets the loss of a
compass given him by Howe.
Astr. obsns. at various places along the coast used
by Rennell and others; long. Ft. St. George, 5-7-55
[ 169, 180 ] ; lat. & long. Calcutta, March 1764 [ 153 %
and obsns. at Bombay [ 123, 176 ].
Rennell acknowledges the use of "aMS. chart
compiled by the late Mr. Howe " for the Tenassarim
coast from Tavai point to Mergui " 3 .
1767, Col. Richard Smith sent maps and drawings
home to Orme from Calcutta " by the hand of Capt.
Howe [29, in ] " ;i .
HUDDART, Joseph. Mar. Service, EIC.
b. 11-1-41. d. 19-8-1816.
4th Mate, Dec. 1773 ; Comdr. April 1778; Ret. 1788.
Son of a fish-curer of Allonby, Cumberland.
m., 1761, HBzabeth, dan. of John Johnston, and left 2 sons
both in service of EIC.
1791, Elder Brother of Trinity House, and FRS.
DNB. ; Burke's History of the Commoners, 1837.
April, 1778, Comdr. of the Royal Admiral ; before
April 1778, made a series of obsns. for lat. and long,
between Bombay & Mount Dilli on Malabar coast
[123, 129, 176, 178, 203].
Obsd. long, of Canton, China [ 181 ].
HUMPHRAYS*, Richard. Ben. Engrs.
b. 28-1-62. d. 14-4-1806, Allahabad.
Ens. 2-10-78 ... Bt. Lt Col. 1-1-1800.
3rd son of Charles Gardiner Humphrays, of Bank House
Jlont-iromery.
m., Calcutta, 4-2-86, Margaret "Ursula, dan. of Thomas
Kearnan of Ben. Inf.
Blunt ; Hodson.
BRC. 14-6-82, Appd. Asst. Survr. under Collector
of Bhagalpur, and apparently with Pearse on his
return from leave down east coast [1550.7], for
Pearse records that at Masulipatam, 1-11-82, " Lieut-
enant Humphrys observed with a sextant", taking
latitudes '".
July 1787, Asst. Engr. Budge Budge ; 1793, Engr. at
Dinapore; 1806, Comrlg. at Allahabad.
BPC. 14-3-1800 (138) ; Examined Dr. Dinwiddie's
instruments, purchased in Calcutta for Lambton's
survey ;" Captain Humphrys in particular has exa-
mined them with much attention, and be is a good
judge of such instruments " [inf.].
Bur. Kydganj Cem., Allahabad; MI.
34( > BIOGRAPHICAL
HUNTER, William. Ben. Med.
b. 1755. d. 16-12-1813, Batavia, in Java.
Asst. Surg. 4-3-82 ; Surg. 21-10-94.
_ Had a bro.. Rev. Charles Hunter, and house propertv
i:t Bdifl burgh. r r y>
m. Charlotte, who d. Calcutta 9-12-1808, and had three
Be'n'inf S ยฐ f Wh ยฐ m ' EHzabeth ' m -' 2 ~ 2 - lsll > Jolm Ramsay,
MA. 1777; MD. 1805 ; of Maresehal Coll., Aberdeen ยซ
3>SS, ; DIB.
1785, pub. Concise Account of the Kingdom of Pegu.
1790, appd. Surg, to Resdt. with Sindnia and,
1792 survd. route from Pategarh toUjjain 7 ; Resdt!
writes, 21-12-92, from " Ogeine. An epidemical
fever has prevailed here ever since the Rains, and
few persons in my camp have escaped it ; Mr. Hunter
the Surgeon has, for several days past, been in a
very deplorable situation, but I am more apprehen-
sive for the loss of his reason, than of his life " s .
Made a good recovery and during the next four
years made surveys of Sindhia's marches, taking
frequent astr. obsns., through a country of which
there was little accurate knowledge [ 56, r68, 232].
March 1796, with Thomas Hardwicke from Fatehgarh to
Anupshahr, running a perambulator traverse, and visiting
several Indigo plantations. Hardwicke expressed regret that
Hunter could not have accompanied him to Garhwal [ 33S 1
for the Public would have obtained much important informa-
tion from the labours of a person of Mr. Hunter's abilities &
intimate knowledge of every branch of natural philosophy " ยป.
1800, on committee inspecting instruments pur-
chased from Dinwiddie for Lambton's survey [ sup. 1.
1807, Presidency Surg., Calcutta.
1798-1811, Sec. Asiatic 80c. at Calcutta; Asst. to Pro-
fessor of Hindustani [ 250 ], also Sec. and Librarian, at Ft.
William College from 1805. Pub. Hindu stam-Enqliah Die-
tionary 1808.
Supt. Surg., Java, 1811 till death.
HUYGENS 10 , Henry. Ben. Engrs.
2nd Lieut. 11-10-62 ... Capt. 25-3-65.
Hodson.
A Dutch Huygens "devised a pendulum clock in 1656".
Oct. 1762, Appd. Sub-F.nsr. under Polier f qv 1 on work 1
at Ft. William.
Oct. 1763, Engr. at Berhampore ",
1765, survd. Ganges, Allahabad to Kanoge, and
Allahabad to Benares 12 [21, 225].
1766, Feb., Survd. the Ganges ; Benares to Patna 1S ;
with 3rd Brigade during "Batta" mutiny, but did
not take part.
From Oct., Survd. the passes thro' Rajmahal
Hills and to south [25, 33, 225, 269],
HYDE, William. Ben. Inf.
d. 21-10-87, Cawnpore, unm.
Ens. 20-2-69 ... Capt, 28-1-79.
Son of Mary Hyde ; had an uncle, Thomas Lewise, of
Tottenham High Cross, Middlesex ; also a bro. David.
Hodson.
, i,ยซ JfeV Re B % Mls S- ^ l ( *A T CM ' \ Me โขโข> 1793 ( 40 >- 'Onae MSS. 41 ( 19). *Manv variations of spelling. Ms R.
1 1784(8;) s Crawford. * Narrative, As AR. 1800 (277-316). a B. Pol. C. 21-12-92, { 12). ยปHardv.;,lX journal MRIO
Msl 65 (3~dV -MBIO i67{ 9)" (3 ยฐ 9_S1> " 10S ยฐ metime3 Hu ^ ens 0r Hu ^ms. "BM. Addl. MSS. 6049 (2i). ' -Orme
:>I1
NOTES
March 1779 to May 17S0, acting Fd. Engr. iritl
1st Bri. at Cawnpore, survd. Jumna R . from Etawah
to Allahabad ; maps beaatifally drawn, with copious
notes of military interest [ 3S ]. ,
Aug. 1781, stationed at Kalpi ; Dec. 1786 to March
17S7. made other surveys along Jumna.
IRELAND, Thomas. Bom. Art.
b. c. 1767. d. 6-2-93, in India.
Oct. 1791 to March 1792. Survd. route from Mangla to
DbLr with Little's Dett, [12S]; classed as valuable
survey " by Jopp, 1832 1 .
IRONSIDE, Gilbert. Ben. Inf.
b. 12-12-37. ct. 7-10-1802.
Ens. 14-12-58 ... Lt Col. 2-4-tiS.
Son of Edward Ironside, of Twickenham, banker, Lord
Mayor.
24-9-60, Conimy. ft Judge Advocate to the .amy; 8-7-0-,
Town Major, Ft. William , 27-1 02, Report on 1 , onghyr Fort
Si* Oriie a ionrnal of Maj. Adams' march Patau to
Ga-urhatil orGirheli 1. near Calcutta, via ยป the Bihar Passes ;
alto Mat of stages all through Bengal, with geographical
descriptions of provinces and districts, and routes in the
UP f7 e 67 P BยปSused his values for lats. of Calcutta, Biudwan,
and Malda ; also information about march from Hodgepore
to ยฐ Bettyah '", and, in later maps, the" road from Seranvpour
to Ayturah " 3 .
IRWIN, Eyles. Mad. Civ. ^
bapt. "23-2-51, Calcutta, d. 12-8-1817.
Writer 22-10-68 ... Senior Merch. 1778 ; Eet. 1794.
Son of Capt, James Irwin, of Ben. Council and Eoseommon,
Ireland & Sarah his wife. ,
m , hlS, Honor, cku. of Kev. Wm. Brooke of co. Longford.
DNB. ; Holzman ( 147 }.
20-9-71. Appd. to survey Blacktown, Madras;
21-O-7I Appd. " Superintendent of the Lands. ..be-
longing 'to the Town of Madras, St. Thome, Chipauk,
and" environs"; 1-4-76, submitted survey of Black-
town; 10-12-76, appt. abolished [94, 290].
1776 with Dalrymple supported Lord Pigot against his
Council F 256 11. 6] ; sent home, but reinstated later: pub.
acecamtof journey home vi. Bed Sea, possibly with
Dalrymple [ 330 ] *. . . โ,,
lk^SH, again in India ; 1792, on mission to China.
Wrote verse ; portrait by Rornney.
JACKSON, James. Bom. Art.
d. 1783, in Mysore.
Fwkr., 31-7-71 ... 2nd Capt 14-2-79.
April 17S3, taken prisoner at Bednur [ 125 J, and d. m
ยฐ aP sยฃvd.' in N. Konkon and, 1779, detailed to assist in survey
of Broach [ 122 J.
JENNINGS, William. Mad. & Ben. Art.
b. 1718-19. d. March 1766, in Bengal.
Fwkr. (Mad.) 15-6-54; tr. to Ben. Est. 1757 ...
Maj. 11-12-65.
Son of Joseph & Mary Jennings of High Wycombe,
m. Harriot โ .
Ed. LIMA, with Knox [ qv ], probably 1 , o0-- s .
Hodson.
JOHNSTON
1755 Survd. marches of Heron's force from Tri-
chiuopoJy to Madura & Tinnivelly, and country
round Madura [87, 271].
With Clive to Bengal at the end of 1756, with A* from
Madras", succeeding to oomd. the Bon. Company of Art. as
(.'apt., 29-6-57. TT _ โ , ,
Comdg. Ben. army at Sawaut, near Karamnasa E. [ 24
n. 7 ], Fib. 1764, when the Eur. contingent mut.mcd
"The exertions of Jennings Si of Lt. Claud Martin [ qv ]
prevented mere the.,, a small number deserting into Oudk'.
-'3-10 -61. Comdg. Art. at battle of Buxar, before which
had been employed with Xicol [qv] on survey of battle-
field.
JOHNSON, John. Bom. Engra.
d. 11-2-1846.
Ens. 31-5-S5 ... Bt. Lt Coi. 4-6-1814 ; Eet.
15-S-1S19.
m. Diderica Memehng. CB. 4-6-1815.
nine. I ( 220 ).
Nov. 1790, with Frederick's force to Dharwar as
Asst. Survr. and after fall of Dharwar survd. return
route of the dett. via Poona [ 128-9].
Joined Bom. army in Malabar and, Jan. 1792,
survd. route into Mysore [ r 3 r ] and various routes
round Seringapatam [113]. March 1792, joined
Maratha army, making surveys on march back to
Bombay.
Mentioned by Moor more than once; "A J^<*ยปg*
300 Bevdsr- now made their appearance, when 300 Main art ,1 โ
mounted and vowed vengeance ff te โขยป <ยซfยซ
them Lieut. Johnson put himself at then head, and they
eh-n-e-ed to --vithiii 100 vams of the Beydais. ...
, v Crnse [ rs-i | "had the misfortune to break his arm
which at this time was peculiarly unlucky, ยซ his utrnos
exertions were required with the hospital department. .
Eioe this evening in the basar was three Ei.pees lยปrj,eor
"On the 19th the Army marched, and were, as usual
pestered by the Beydars, on whom a gun or two wyยซ
,, the rear ... Mali II, . best of our way to Hurry Hal. ..."
"On 4th of Ma. the sick and wounded, with the heavy
baโขve of our party, proceeded to Goa ; ... Lt. Johnson also
went to survey another route to Goa, and thence to Poena,
hy way of Tajgom and Meritch" 9 .
At the end of 1792, sent with Emmitt to survey
boundaries of Malabar, and remained m that pro-
vince till the 4th Mysore war [ 7, 13C 13*. *ยซ*]โข I 795;
on engr. duties at siege of Cochin, and at end of
I7 9S on works at Palghat. 1-12-96, Report on gun-
roads through Malabar 10 .
1709 Survd. route of Bombay army to the siege
of Seringapatain [ 118], and there employed on the
north batteries under Mackenzie [SJI].
1S00 and rSor, on survey and engr. duties in
N.Canaraand Dharwar, and the following year in
charge of defence works at Haliyal in which Welles-
ley was much interested! 1 .
JOHNSTON, James. Mad. Engrs.
d. 26-2-93, Edinburgh.
Ens . 1S-4-74 ... Maj. 26-9-83 ; on halfpny to
m โ Tli%t 7 Marg,ret, eldest dau. of John Blair, of
Balthayock, co. Perth.
mLin. 235,20), 3-5-1S32. -Orme 1BL* โข โขยซggยป2ยป' *g*%$ i ?}ยฃrl& W (uf^
SA5% Ss. III. 27-10-1800 & 29-6-1802.
JONES
1773, Asst. Survr. with Pittman to Vizagapatam
as a cadet, being allowed Ensign's pay and Batta
[3, 92-3. 143. 272, 279,]. After Pittman "s death
continued survey until, in Jan. 1777, it became
"necessary to remove Lieut. Johnstone from the
Northward on account of the repeated indisposition
he has had during the Course of his Survey for the
last three years ; and that he may have an oppor-
tunity of improving himself in other branches of
his profession " '.
_ 1778, Wounded at siege of Pondicherry, and then placed
m charge of works at Tartjore. Selected for comd. of Pioneers
on expn. to Mahe the following year, but "declared bv the
aoetorsu.to be in too ill a state of health to think of pro-
ceeding ', and in Dec. was "yet so much affected by the
wound he received, that he is incupoble of iisi:^ U iuch"exer-
cise" 2 .
1782, Engr. at Negapatam [ 103 n. 1 ] ; 178S, Senior En^r.
with force which occupied Guntur [in] and, 1789, after
selling his survg. instruments to Govt., permitted to return
to Europe via China.
JONES, John. Ben. Inf.
d. 24-5-73, Cooch Behar.
Lieut. 2-11-64; Capt. 27-5-67
DIB. Hodson.
Survd. routes in Oudh & Robilkhand ; constructed
"Map of the Centre of Indoostan ", Allahabad to
Delhi [222].
"In 1768, that excellent officer, Captain John Jones, got
command of of it [ 6th Batt. of Sepoys ] j ... then at Allah-
abad, from whence it marched to Dinapore the latter end of
tue following year, where it remained until January 1771,
when the whole brigade moved up to the Carnmnassa.
"In the latter end of...f 1772 ], the Eootias... having over-
run the province of Cooss !Behar, this battalion was ordered
to clear it. ... In April at the storm of Delamcotta, one of
the strongest forts in that district, a detachment... gained
great honour. In advancing to the breach.. .the colour-man
waa _ killed, when the standard fell and the men seemed to
recoil; wJbie& being perceived by the late Mr. Harvey [338],
then a Lieutenant in the battalion, he took it up and advanced
to the breach, followed by his men, who were soon masters of
the place" 3 .
Plate XVIII of Rennell's Bengal Atlas gives a view
of Dellamcottah Ft., Bhutan, "inscribed to the
memory of that brave and excellent officer, Capt.
John Jones, who took it by assault on April 1773,
and soon after fell a sacrifice to the unwholesome
climate of Coos Beyhar [229] ".
342
JONES, William,
b. 28-9-46.
Judge of Hicrh Court, Ben.
d. 27-4-94, Calcutta.
3rd son of William Jones, mathematician, DNB., and
Alary, his wife.
Ed. Harrow, 1753-63.
m 1783, Aโ Mโ dau. of Dr. Shipley, Bishop of St.
Asaph.
FRS. 1772 ; Kt. 19-3-83 ; MI. in St. Paul's Cathedral
Calcutta; portraits & bust. EASB. Calcutta
DNB. ; DIB. ; Teignniouth.
Called to Ear, 1774 ; reputation as scholar and writer in
England.
> 1783, Appd. Judge of High Court, Calcutta, his great
interest m the Sanscrit language being chief reason for
accepting appt.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Sailed for India April 1783. Founded Asiatic
Soc. of Bengal 1784, his first presidential address
being on the subject of orthography*.
"During his residence at Calcutta he tried to
solve one of the chief difficulties of translations D f
Oriental Classics into European Languages " by his
system of orthography. This system stood for the
next 80 years as rival to that of Dr. Gilchrist Tavl
[249-50], LH J
Much interested in height of Himalayan peaks
[77.332] and Burrow's survey [165,319].
Besides a Memoir on his life and writings, Lord Teignniouth
edited The Works of Sir William Jones ISO, ".
KELLY, Robert. Mad. Inf.
b. 1738. d. 24-9-90, killed in duel at
Ami 5 .
Ens. 6-10-60 ... Col. 8-11-85.
Nephew of John Barr, of Monaghan in Ulster, who left
him land.
m. ( ? ) Miriam โ , who gave him 3 sons, Robert. Georee
and Hastings Montague, and 1 dau. [ 344 ].
1764, At blockade of Madura and capture of the fort of
Verdagherry 6 .
1766-7, Stationed at Masulipatam and, having
been often employed on engr. duties, was given
charge of defence works at Masulipatam, Ellore, and
other places. Survd. roads leading to Ellore and
along " the Frontiers of Elour and Mustaphanagar
Circars " '.
12-10-67, Reported from Samalcotahs that "much of the
work has been washed away by the excessive rains. ... Just
at this juncture, Gentlemen, I was seised with a violent
disorder which has continued on me ever since, with very
little intermission, and which I have great reason to think
has been another unfortunate cause of the backwardness, of
the work, ... for had I been always present, and able to
oversee the works, I am certain there would have not only
been more done, ... but better done " ".
27-11-67, Appd. to comd. a company in the Eur. Batt.,
but the following year, writes the Council, "as field Engineers
are much wanted with the army under Col. Smith ", we have
ordered Capt. Kelly to return & join him"".
At the end of 1768, left in comd. of fort atKoIar", and the
following March reported that he had beaten off several
attacks. Peace was declared the next month, but Kelly
was now in trouble for having reported that Kolar could not
hold out owing to shortage of provisions, whereas these
proved sufficient to last till peace came. He was brought
to ctml. and acquitted, but Govt, refused to accept the
verdict ; "they consider that Capt. Kelly wished to exaggerate
his difficulties, so as to enhance his own merit ; theยฐBoard
therefore Dismiss Capt. Kelly from the Company's service.
If he makes due apology they are prepared to reinstate him".
Kelly duly wrote " expressing his concern for hi 3 conduct
and the justness of the V,o?. rcl.'s displeasure threal . and request-
ing to be restored to his rank in the Service", which was
granted 1S .
1770, to Trichinopoly with his company of Euro-
peans, 38 strong, and ordered by the Governor to
make a survey on the way, and to put up proposals
for a general survey of the Carnatic. The scheme
he put forward was not taken up, but from this
time onward he lost no opportunity of making all
the surveys he could [ 3, 89-90, 95 ].
rw'K^ EMack MSS - LXflH. 12-12-79. * Williams ( 107,
IJ5J& 2 9-o-66. a Samalcot,65 K/4. *MMC. 12-10-67. "1st Myso
"MMC. 10-7-69 to 28-12-69. 7
109). * As B.I.
e War [ gr ]. 1]
P/6. "Vibarfe. 1(88).
11-7-68. 1257 K/4.
NOTES
343
KELLY
cost of his proposals, and worked out an establish-
ment for a regular survey dept. [263]. Govt,
found the scheme attractive, but could not face the
expense without reference to the Directors, though,
in the meantime thev gave Kelly the allowances
of a major, with permission to do what survey he
could by himself [ 97, 240. 2So I
WhUst this scheme was under consideration,
Kelly acted as CE. to an expn. sent to the west
coast to capture the French settlement 01 Mane,
which surrendered without a siege, 14-3-79- Hc
then spent several months on survey till, in June
17S0 the whole Presidency was mobilised to resist
the invasion of Haidar Ali [97 J- Hector Munro
assembled the army at Conjeeveram, and there
awaited the arrival of Baillie's force from the north,
a reinforcement necessary before he could engage
HaidaT Ali with contidence [40].
โขโขThe country round Conjeeveram [ pi. 9 J being extremely
fiat and woody," it was impossible to reconnoitre e osely with-
out cavalry ; we therefore had uo other means oi Observing
the movements of the enemy than from the- lop o an lugti
pagoda in this city, in which a telescope was ted entirely
unuer the eye of Major Kelly, a vigilant officer, who engaged
to communicate, by signals from this steeple, every mo ion
of the Misore army with the greatest exactness ; this mdeed
was an excellent expedient"! 1 .
Tin- anxious watch was nc avad, for Baillre s force was
intercepted and destroyed on .Sept. lOdi ,40 1- ,
Kelly was now colored to join his batt, at Tsnjore, and
by Jan. 1783 was comdg. a bri. of 4 batta.
During the rains of 1781 and r 7 S 2 he took leave
to Calcutta, and there addressed the G G m C. on
the subject of his surveys, submitting a copy of his
Atlas of the South Peninsula, probably the identi-
cal copy now preserved in S G O. [ 240-3 , pis. 9, 15 ]โข
The Council granted him 30,000 arcot rupees
f 279 n 1 1 but though they wrote home most pressmg-
ly to the Directors, the Court would not face the
expense of a regular survey, nor did Kelly's request
to be made โขโขGeographer to the Company on the
Coast " meet with any better success [203 ].
Haidar Ali d. Dec. 1183 and Sir Eyre Co* .the foHยฐwing
Aoril 1 J 1 The French, who had been supporting tin -My. me
cai, e now received reinforcements under the veteran Bussy
โขo ], h t Lad to bear the bruu. of the **&*โข*ยฃโข<
for the operations of the Bombay army on the M coast
had urawnTiou away from the Camatic [ 125 ]. Kelt, ยซ til
St ยซh Bri took a prominent part in the attack on Cudd-
a re i:T-o-S3, butthe siege was not Passed home after
,.,.โ - arrived from England that peace had been signed.
Kelly now joined Fullarton's army and survd
its marches from Negapatam and Madura to Palgha
and Coimbatore, sending a copy of map with full
report to the supreme Govt. [4, 98, 170, 178-9. ยซ5j-
After the conclusion of peace he set to work to
complete his atlas in addition to his other military
duties [ 242 ]โ m June I7 86 the Directors passed a
copy of Sis map to Rennell, wntting -d Major
Rerinell will take the trouble of calling at India
House, Mr. M. will be happy in submitting it to his.
inspection " li .
quires e a ea 4 yrMC 9C-K-76 S MMC. 19-8-76.
ip.l.mco.tah, 58H/14 ; Anjeugo, 58 D/14 = MMC 24-2-75 'J ยซC 6-3-7ยป MM G. -I b ^ ^
โข570/4. 'Petty chiefs. 'Mack MMS. LXv III, CK to Govt. 20-5-84. MMG ~ i-d>. i.r Misc. 28 ( 661 ).
news reached India that war had broken out between England and Prance. "Mumo [ f.
1-4-71, Appd. to comd. the 9th Batt. of Sepoys ; 1775,
his batt. was Ordered to Bombay to take part m 1st war
against the Marathas [ 121 ].' He was ordered to "leave the
field pieces of the battalion at Trichinopoly, and proceed to
Palamcotah", and thence through Trav-ancore to Anjengo 1 to
embark for Bombay. Before reaching Pilau,, oitah he re-
ported that his batt. objected to making the voyage by sea ;
"the glory of the 9th Battalion is now totady extinguished ;
... on boat tl ship tkev will not go" a [ 4ยฐ ]โ
The Board called for volunteers from other baits, to make
up a unit in then place ; but Kelly meantime had held a
ctiuk. which decided that the - Black acting Commandant
was alone responsible for the mutiny, and. "as the exigency
of the case required, in his opinion, the most exemplary ant,
the most striking mode of inflicting the punishment, he had
caused the Commandant to be blown from a gun, in the
presence of the Battalion, which to the number of 900 men
turned out voluntarily to witness the .Execution : Cap. needy
thinks he trill have no occasion for any recruits, ... and. Ironi
the Behaviour of the Sepoys at the elocution ot the (. ouimau-
di.ut he hopes that there will bo feiv desert ions... : the hoard
commended the manner in wind 1 he handled the situation >
The march proceeded, and on March 6th Kelly was able
to report. "I arrived at Anjengo with my stubborn battalion
at 7 o'clock this morning", and successfully embarked it the
following day. . ,
He wrote fiom Bombay 6-0-75, "I received orders to
march to Salset, with 4 companies of my Sepoys, to repel
the Mahruttas : ... this service being happily enacted, was joined
by the remainder of my Battalion; ... โ commanded . .
mixed force watching the Mahrattas; ... โ depth oi the
monsoon, remaining till 9th August. ...
"Returned to Bombay, hospitals crowded with our men ...
In October [ 1775 ] we marched to Salset again, and after
12 days returned to garrison duty at Bombay" 4 .
He tells of murmurs among the men, and presses lor
double batta, which is eventually grunted, and, 24-7 -/b , the
Bombay Govt, advised madias that the, were ecnou.g him
hack with "the remainder of his Battalion. We mention
with pleasure that Capt. Kelly's conduct whilst under our
,[โ,.,.,, 011s. and particularly in repelling the Jiahratta inva-
sion upon Salsette. has given ns prriect satislaetion '.
1777 Kcllv'sbatt. was ordered 110 to the luhs ot (Jnttooi-t.
to operate against the poligan' on behalf of the Naval, of
Cariiatio I 257 ], but "after sustaining some losโ was lounu
uue.pial to Cue undertaking, and more Battalions and artil-
lery had to be sent. On the force entering the Pollams by
Sluilangur, they [ the polirfir., ] made their submission
When the detachment was withdrawn, Capt. Keiiy was lett
with his Battalion to see order restored, who even m the
hour of submission found it expedient for Ins ecciiriiy to en-
trench hinisell...near Gallia PoUarn, where he remained set end
months and on retiring destroyed 1 he works he had made -
12-4-78 he wrote from Conjeeveram. " On trie Arrival ot
my Battalion from Bombay in the beginning of 17 16. it was
ordered to canton in this village ; ... there hare never been
arv regular barracks. ... [We] put the temporary quarters
into repair; ... just as we had rendered them a little com-
fortable we were ordered to take the field against some
troublesome Polygars in this neighbourhood: II. kept tec
field about 8 months, & on our return to Cantonments, we
foned our quarters very much out of repau again. ... the
'Board refused compensation as no estimate ban been pin up
for previous sanction before the repairs were carried out 3 .
June 177S, Granted leave to go to sea on account
of health ; asked permission to proceed to England,
but changed his mind w , and before the end of the
year put up to Govt, proposals for a regular survey
of the Camatic, with an account of the surveys he
had been carrying out on his own account since
1770 [89-90,272]. He was asked to estimate the
KELL^l 344
In these labours Kelly was at times helped by
Ms eldest son Robert, who writes that he took with
him to England about 1789 " a set of maps of the
Carnatick compiled by the Colonel his father with
vast expence, much labor, and great study, in which
work your petitioner [Robert jr.] assisted in the
intervals of his military occupations " [220] 1 .
1785, Kelly got regular comd. of the 4th Bit, and in 1788
was coindg. the troops at Walajabad 2 . On the outbreak of
war with Tipu in 1700, the Madras G-ovt. received " s a variety
o.t. intelligence concurring in announcing an intended invasion
of the Carnatic by a -very formidable Force of Horse and Foot.
We have been compelled to issue orders for assembling in
the field the greatest part of the Troops cantoned in the
center Division. We have put the whole under the command
of Col. Kelly, an officer of great experience and have entrusted
him with the defence of the country" [312 ] 3 .
Kelly's responsibilities were -very clearly defined ;
"the very heavy expence which will be incurred renders it
necessary that every attention should be paid to oeconomy ; ...
he will keepj tins circumstance constantly in view, and be
very cautious that his recommendations be liable to the
least possible expence. ... Proper attention be paid to the
security of Poonamalee, Tripasore, Conjeveram, and Caran-
gooly, where there are considerable supplies of gram" 4 .
There were endless preparations to be made before the
army could be ready for action, and Kelly had to write to
the CE., 50-9-90, "Why do you send us Engineers without
Tools ? Pray indent immediately for abundance of them" 5 .
The public chafed at the delay, and the Madras Courier of
Sept. loth wrote ;
" The Western Army remain in Camp near Arnee s , panting
with impatience for commencing their plan of operations and
co-operating with the great force in the South, to the general
object" 7 .
Kelly's command was cut off by a shocking tragedy. He
was tailed in duel by a brother officer, Urban Vigors. There
still existed at Ami up to some short time ago, ''an imposing
column, about 65 feet high, ... in the old parade ground in
the Fort. ..." bearing the following inscription : "Robert
Kelly. Sacred to the memory of Colonel Robert Kelly, who
departed this life hi the vicinity of Arnee, September 29th
a.i>. 1790, aet. o2. This monument was erected by Lieut.
Colonel Urban Vigors as a mark of respect for a gallant
soldier". โ " Tradition says that on Col. Kelly's appointment
to command, Vigors spoke of him as an 'old woman' to his
wife, who repeated the remark to Mrs. Kelly, who insisted
upon Kelly obtaining "satisfaction" 1 8.
Kelly is a striking instance of a zealous and prac-
tical surveyor who was at the same time a dis-
tinguished soldier ; there is no doubt that if the
Company had been in a position to spend the money
on the regular survey he proposed J and if the
Nawab could have been persuaded to give his consent
to it, Kelly would have been a most successful Sur-
veyor General, but Madras had to wait 20 years
after his death before such an office was created.
Nothing is known of his wife, Miriam, except that she
d. at St. Thomas' Mount 28-5-1837 j no record has been
found of their marriage ; on the other hand there is a letter
amongst the 1'alk papers. 2-^-S6. which mentions that "the
natural son.. .of Col. Kelly" had arrived in India with com-
mission as ensign s .
Kelly had presented this son, Robert, to the C-in-C. in
17S1 with a letter, "I think he has a Military genius, which
I should be happy to cultivate, and will therefore esteem it a
very particular favor if you will be pleased to recommend
BIOGRAPHICAL
โ addition as a minor cadet on the
him...f
rnent"
The younger Robert himself writes that be "wag born ;โ
India, and at early age sent to Britain for his education
wrnci' deigned linn for the profession of Arms' 1 ; that "inrhl*
year 1782, he was nominated a minor cadet, in G O by th
Governor & Council of Madrass, and returned to Madras
in 1784, and was appointed an Ensign [ 30-10-86 1 to do
duty as Cornet of Cavalry. ... After Lliree years service wa a
obliged to return to England, as well for the re-establishment
of his health, as to present to your Hon'ble Court a set of
Maps of the Carnatick. ... That your petitioner is with
Wife in a most destitute condition" 11 .
On 25-7-80 Kelly had written to his executor forwarding
his will, which he had "mutilated on account of the infamous
ill behaviour of that undutiful boy. I could forgive
behavioiu- to me, but never shall pass over or forgive
ungrateful & undutiful conduct towards Lord Hawke
whom he owed more than Filial duty and affection".
By the amended will he left, of " his property in India,
2/7ths, to my wife Myriam,
i?/7t)iK to my daughter Myriam,
2/7ths to my sor, Hastings iHoiitague,
I/7ths to my son George" ;
whilst he left land in Ireland to George.
Legacies previously made to Robert "now in Emdand"
were struck out, and further, L T do appoint my noble friend
and benefactor Lord Martin Blanden, Lord Hawke 1E , to be
the Guardian of my daughter, in conjunction with my wife",
and acknowledges "the kind patronage already experienced
from bis Lordship" 13 . It is not known how Kelly became
acquainted with Lord Hawke, who lived in Yorkshire and
never visited India.
Kelly's second son, George Robert Abraham, to whom the
Irish estates were left, swore in his application for appt. as
cadet, 13-12-90, that he was son of Colonel Robert Kelly,
and believed that he was born at Ft. St. George in 1773 or
1774. He was appd. Lieut, of Mad. Inf. 22-2-93. . Mai
13-4-1S13, and d. 29-5-1S18; he m. 13-5-1S09, Miss Mac-
dowall, and is said also to have been father of Sir Fitzroy
Kelly, b. 9-10-96 ".
The third son, Hastings Montague, became Ens., Mad. Inf.,
24-7-98, and Col. 5-6-1829. He was made CB., and d.
14-2-1S32, at sea.
In reporting Kelly's death, the Madras Govt, made no
mention of the duel, contenting themselves by saying that he
"departed this life after a few hours illness". The younger
Robert refers to "the sudden and melancholy death of his
father, out off by treachery ( being poisoned ) ".
KIKKPATRXCK, William. Ben. Inf.
b. 1754. d. 22-8-1812.
Ens. 17-1-73 ... Lt Col. 1-1-9S ; Left India 1S01 ;
Maj Gen. 4-6-1811.
Eldest son of Col. James Kirkpatrick, Mad. Est. and
half-bro. to James Achilles Kirkpatriek ( 1764-1 $05) Mad
Est. ( DIB. ).
DNB. ; DIB. ; EIMC. II. ( 454 ) ; Hodson.
In granting permission Tor his return to India in Nov. 17S4,
the Directors ashed the GG in C. to support his publication
of a new Grammar of the Hindoo Dialect 15 .
Rennell's map of the Countries between Delhi and
Candahar, including Cashmere and the Heads of the
Indus [233, pi. 8] included "3 measured, routes
leading into Cashmere from Lahore " and other
material, collected by Kirkpatrick from the Imperial
records at Delhi [ 10 n. 5, 42 ] 16 ,
Feb. 1 79 1, acting Judge Adv. Gen. at ctml. on
Samuel Showers [qvj.
iMiseLR. 89(9). 257P/13. 3R Pol C. 6-8-00. *B Pol C. 6-8-90. "Mack MSS. LXIS. "Ami, 57 F/6 ' CG
7-10-90. ^Cotton (*36)- *?&& *S& (406). "BPC. 12-11-81. "Petition, read 30-1-93; Misc LR 89 (9)'
12 Eldest son oi Edward, 1st Baron Hawke; b. 20-4^44: succeeded as 2nd Baron, 17-10-S1. "Mad Wills 1791 "Cadet
Papers. Vol. 3. ls CCor. 23-11-84. 10 Memoir, 1793 ( xii, 65, S3 ) & MRIO. M 574, 27-6-95.
NOTES 345
i 7 g 3 . Led mission to Nepal, account pub. 1S11, in-
cluding map of route by John Gerard [8, 75, 78].
Nov. 1793. Appd. Resdt. at Hyderabad, and as
such helped Mackenzie's geographical researches
[116,350].
1798-9, Mil. See. to GO. ; 1801, Resit. Poena.
d from taitag laudanum in mistake for a black draught.
KNOX, Ranfnrly 1 . Ben. Inf.
b. between 1730 & 1734 at Sligo.
d 28-1-64, Patna, unm. ; MI.
Ens. ( Mad. ) 6-7-54 ; tr. to Ben. est. Sept. 17o8 ;
I759 , with expu. to Northern Circars, distinguish-
ing Smself at siege of Masulipatam and other ac-
tions Rennell acknowledges use of ยป a MS map
cornptled during Col. Forde's expedition to Masuli-
patam in 1752" which, if not made by Knox, pro-
bably contained his work [91] ยปโ
hi' ir; at tKeii' head"*. .
Nov .759, Present at the capture of Chmsura
and at the capture of Patna in 1760, having made
alamous march of 300 miles from M-shidabad -
,, days with 1200 men, in the month of April to
relief the Patna garrison; Knox himself marched
the whole distance on foot.
so good a. scoond *s t.uit. is" , the
cruelty to detain him b .
However at the special request of the Counci
Knox withdraw his application, and m Feb. 1761
assent with a small body of troops to command
I Mdnapore, which had then only -cent y been
taken over [ I ] ; during the two years he held this
con'and, he employed James Nicol [ qv ] on ^a survey
of the province, and constructed a map of the roads
[31].
KYD
It has been suggested that some of the maps
brought home to Orme by Vansittart [211] may
have been obtained from, if not made by Knox'.
Inly 1763, on the rupture with Mir Kasim [24],
was recalled from Midnapore and took Part in the
battle of โ โ Oodua Nullah " [ 229 ] as QMG. to Adams
for ยซOn arrival at Patna^, Major Adams directed
Major Knox... to examine the enemy's position and
'the defences... with a view to laying down a plan of
attack; Major Knox, who possessed considerable
skill in military engineering, having been educated
at Woolwich [341]. and constantly employed m
Surveying during his course of service in India .
0-12-6, took over command from Adams, but
being already seriously .11 died the following monthโข
KYD, Alexander. Ben. Enp
b. J4-3-54, in Scotland, d. 25-ll-182b.
Ens 11-12-76 โ Lt Gen. 12-8-1819. SG. Bengal
Wapkff SolhlLy in Manchester widow of Edward Hay,
Ben Civ. She d. 22-1-1819, aged 06.
Si arrd. Calcutta on board the NoUi* B teโข : appd.
Ed En" to the army in Oudh, for the special duty of des-
โขTS 1 ^โข 'Si'tiftSSd ยฃยฃ- England and
?3gยซ5."55ยฃ If it'StU f ^defer^f
defence of the provinces 14 .
Dec 1780, posted to Goddard's army in Bombay.
Jng round by sea from Calcutta". 1-1-%, AppA
to act as OMG. to Bengal Dett., and 2-2^4, was
a member "of the committee directed to take 'barge
of the effects of Duncan Stewart [qv.], who had
Hipd on the return march.
Sept 1784. on sick-leave to Chittagong, and spent
seveTal months exploring coast of Arakan for pos-
Sib l e an a SrAPPd 4 . 6 to succeed his uncle Robert [ 347 ]
as J Fort Majorlnd Barrackmaster of Fort William ',
a,, office which he continued to hold under the title
of Town Major", probably till appd^SG
I7 8, Deputed to survey Penang [o, 46-7, -&r j,
andvisited P Kedah and Achin on return journey
the usual speliing of the laird, hi ***ยซ%!!. ยฃST[ qt-Taiso^mlde
.bout 2O0 men [267]. ^ , ยป~ r ' 1 ยซ'Sih Alam [24 n. 6] 'BSOC.
1 Sometimes Eandfurlie or Banfurlie. Kanfurly 1, ....
-^SยปtheS^^
surveys on this eipn. โข Too late to prevent the massacre of EnghshoHicersD, ^ ^ "63B/8.
& T -Sfcโข ยซยป ยฎ- 2 ?T?-ยซ < \! BPC f 2?-5:s 8 0ยฐ 8 ( T '' ยซ Advlte copy^f report to Warren Hastmgs, 24- 1 -8o,
1E.23-J2-70. "J^Xi Ua'st" BM Addl Ms!" iltiv ( 412 ). ยปBPC. 21-1-86.
that he had recovered m August last
KYD
346
BIOGRAPHICAL
the report made by Capt. Kyd of his survey of Prince of
Wales Island, and, wishing to avail myself of the experience
of Sir Archibald Campbell [ 101 n. 9] in deciding upon the
plan to be recommended to the Court of Directors for forti-
fying that Island and the Harbour belongm:; to it, I have
directed Capt. Kyd to proceed to Fort St. George, and to lay
his report... before Sir Archibald Campbell. ... I have been also
induced to make, use of Capt. Kyd's bale 11 ts aa an Engineer in
desiring him to go from madras to Tellieherry to survey and
examine the works and lines at that post, ...that he may
judge necessary to bo mside at a moderate expeiice for securing
Tellieherry against a sudden Native or European attack.
From TeH1.ebeiT.3- Capt. Kyd is directed io proceed to Sickloo
Harbour to ascertain whether it would be practicable to
render it a safe and convenient Port for King's ships in time
of War J [ 47 ].
Kyd reached Teiiidierry in April at a time when that
place was alarmed by a visit of Tipu to the Malabar ("oast ;
bnt his visit was apparently not made with any hcstde inten-
tion, and Kyd was able to send reassuring reports ; lie further
convinced Sir Archibald Campbell "that 'belli cherry does not
possess any advantages for the purposes of commerce, Politics,
or Military operations, and. ..it is for the interest of the Com-
pany to dispose of, or relinquish that settlement as soon as
After surveying Tellieherry and Darmapatam, Kyd visited
Bombay when; he assured Govt, "that the Lines, the repairs
to which had been set on foot some time before the rains
on the appearance of Tippoo in the .neighbourhood, were in
considerable i'orwan.tness when he left Teiiicherry the end of
April, ... nor did he hesitate to give an opinion that the
present Garrison was fully adequate to the protection of the
place, until a reinforcement might be sen!- down with safety" 2 .
Returning from Tellieherry he took with him a consign-
ment of pepper- plants for the .Botanical Garden* at Sibpur,
which his uncle had started, and witb them two Moplahs
"having a competent knowledge of the cultivation of those
plants" 3 .
15-11-88, Appd. "Surveyor General & Comman-
dant of the Fort of Budge Budge [43, 260] ", which
duties did not prevent a visit to Patna the follow-
ing year, which also included a report on buildings
at Monghyr.
Dec. 1789, to the Andaman & Nicobar Is. with a
naval squadron to survey all suitable harbours.
Took obsns. for lat. on Diamond I. [43,49]; made
a complete circuit of the Andaman Is., survd.
Nancowry Harbour, and arrd. back in Calcutta by
end of April 1790 [5, 43, 261, 313].
Both on this trip and on that to Penang he took
Colebrooke as asst. survr., extracts from whose jour-
nals have already been given [47, 48-9, 327-8].
Six mouths later preparations were being made
for a decisive campaign against Tipu, and once more
the GG. chose Kyd for a mission of trust, sending
him down to Madras with the following instruc-
tions ; "The Chief Objects. ..are to learn as correctly
as you can... what is the nature and face of the
country which lies between the passes leading to
the Mysore country and the Center and Southern
Armies; to obtain the most accurate information
possible of the Number and precise situation of the
passes into Tipoo's country; which of them are cal-
culated for the passage of Artillery, and which of
them... naturally strong and defensible [ ris] 1 . You
are likewise to endeavour to make yourself fully
acquainted, for my information when I arrive at
Madras, with the state of the country and roads 5 .
Kyd left Calcutta Nov. itth, and on Lord Corn^
wallis' arrival at Madras joined his staff as ADC,
and throughout the campaigns of 1791 and 1792
took a prominent part in attacks on various forts,
making sketches and plans, and excercising general
control of the various surveys [ 5, 43, 112-3, 130, 175,
177, 187,237].
After the capture of Nundidroog, 18โ 10-91,
Cornwallis " thanked Captain Kyd, his Lordship's
A.D.C., for the zealous and able professional assis-
tance which he gave as an engineer" 6 .
On the conclusion of peace, Kyd carried a survey-
through Coorg down to the Malabar coast, returning
to Calcutta by sea from Anjengo [113]. Again
thinking of his uncle, he brought four cinnamon
plants from Tuticorin 7 .
Towards the end of 1792 he was selected to re-
lieve Blair in the Andamans, and to prepare esti-
mates for fortifying the new harbour, Port Corn-
wallis, in the north island 8 [43, 49, 50}. Feb. 1793,
he handed over the S G.'s office to Colebrooke, and
took over charge in the Andamans on March 5th.
By the custom of the period he continued to draw
full pay and allowances as SG., in addition to ade-
quate table allowance, whilst the unfortunate Cole-
brooke had difficulty in drawing sufficient allowances
to pay office rent and establishment till Kyd re-
signed a year later [ 261, 329].
Soon after his arrival in the Andamans he had proposed
the use of convict labour for clearing heavy timber to make
room for profitable crops 9 . After Ids return to Calcutta he
took with him an Audamanese boy ;es a personal servant' 10 .
The name Kyd I. is still given to an island about 20 miles
N. of Port Hair.
1794, after his estimates for the fortification of
Port Cornwallis had been forwarded to the Directors,
Kyd made another visit to Penang, reporting, Oct.
20th, " I have completed a pretty exact Topogra-
phical survey of the present surface of this island,
and think I shall be able to give a clear account of
the state of the fortifications and the additions that
would be necessary to put this place in a respecta-
ble situation [50] " u .
The following year the Directors decided to aban-
don the Andamans altogether, and in 1796 Kyd
moved all his establishment to Penang, and return-
ed to Calcutta in May. After constructing potvder
magazines at Palta 13 , he was, in 1798, transferred to
Allahabad to superintend the remodelling of its fort-
tifications. It is curious to note that his selection
for this work was made because his plans and es-
timates were preferred to those of the Chief Engineer ;
he had to carry out the works according to his es-
timate "upon Honour", and received a salary of
K.s tsoo during their execution 1 ''.
iBS&Pol U-l-88. 2 BotoCD. 1-1-89. 3 BoMC. 28-10-88. 5 cf. Beatson [312 ]. 5 B Pol C. 10-1-90. 6 MGO.
19-10-91. cf. Vibarl. : -Mackenzie ; Dirom. 7 Arrd. Calcutta, July 1792. CG. 26-7 -92. BBPC. 12-11-92 & Hickcy ill ( 301-2 ).
* B to CD. 18-5-93 (19). "Symes(135). "BPC. 1-12-94 (3). '
20-8-98.
^79 B/6. 13 ef. Goldingham [338]- BS & Sep.
NOTES
347
He remained at Allahabad, for most of the time
in command of the station, until shortly before he
went on furlough in 1804.
There are several records of his receiving distinguished
visitors during this period; the Governor General in Dec.
18"1 and Lord Valencia in 1S03 ; the latter writes. ' ยปi were
at breakfast by gunfire, and immediately ail. awards set oil
to visit Colonel Kyd, the Commanding Officer, at his house
above the Fort, ... Improvement, to Barracks linve been
carried on by Col. Kyd during a 6 years residence, and are
executed 111 a very masterly manner" L
There is some interesting corrcspono.ei.ee between bore, and
the 00., Marquess of Wellesley, in 1304, on the subje ct of ^a
private letter which Kyd had written to Garstm - oil the
Engineers, which had been indiscreetly shown to the GG.
All ended well however, and Kyd took home with hull a
letter oยฃ introduction to the Chairman of Directors, saw m b
that he had "held a confidcmi.il situation m the family ot
Lord Cornwaffis, and other meritorious services 1 prior to the
Mariuess of Wcllesley's arrival in India. He to,"*" ยซ"',
S in the improvement of the works of the Fortress of
Anahabad...with great sldh and integrity to my entire sat.s-
& ยฐThe"eiisting name, Kydgimj, of a suburb of Allahabad is
a reminder of his connection vath that city.
Oct. 1807, on return from furl., appd. C.L. with scat on
SOlitary Board, until he proceeded on furl., Jan, 1810, to me
m London till his death.
LValina now with his family and private We.โ His in.c.e
Hubert died unm.. 1793, and left him the greater part of to
fortune, including House and garde,, at sibpur i n, โ.l cut
crounds. laid out as botanical gardens, were formally trans-
ferred to the Company the following year
Alexander already owned a house in U.i.wnnghee on the
site no.' occupied by the United Service Club, and In. name
Has been civei, toKv.i Si reel which runs past it.
William Hiekey mentions another house which Alexander
had owned in Kidderpore, and had sold to fcaadut Ah of
Ou.Le , ,.heโ Saadat All succeeded as "\ icier of OiiuV 1 . J. ,
he retored the house to Kyd, with an additional loO b.ghas
of ground.
His sons James and Robert ( DIB ) were sent to
England to be trained in ship-building, and on return
took over the docks founded by Henry Watson
[ qv ]. They held jointly the office of Master Ship-
builder to the E.I.C. till 1815.
James kept a series of tidal obsns. at Kidderpore
1806-07 and wrote an important note on The Tides
the Hooghly River; 1835, Memorial to CD. 10
Tracts 146.
Robert d. St. Helena 1820-1, and James 1836,
when the dock-yard was purchased by Govt. -
By their father's will, 18-12-1823 tie house to CThow.
ringhee was left to James, at that time head of the ship-
building firm Messrs Kyd & Co. rr Q โ Aa lames
Bobeit left property to his natural ro โข.-โข?f'i3X
and Alexander, bom to his housek eepe r . L ;โขโขJโขโข
Hirmcock โ "e the v die previously, then lo Lf. Gen- A.ev,iiu.i
Syd of Berigal Engineers, and then to Mrs. Ehnsal, a a.ster of
Lt. Gen. Alexander Kyd" *. . โ os , Wi
The general's youngest son, Alexander, b li9u bapfc
18-1-1802, was, 1823, in business at Abchureh Lane m the
""tilt centarieft the portrait of his wife to her sister Ita.
Morgamand left to a friend "my jade Tortoise and the table
it stands upon, which I hope be will bequeath to the British
Museum or the India House '.
. Valentia ( 167 ). >BM AddlMSS. 13715 ( 21-3, 89),
makes to this distinguished officer, is a single line recordim
nr 1792, Markham ( 67). ' Ben. Wills, 1821. โ Sjlhet Dun.
pberson was most unpopular, not solely on account of his
( 311 ) 13-1
KYD
KYD, Robert. Ben. Inf.
b. 1746. d. 26-5-93, Calcutta. MI.
Memorial urn, Botanical Gardens, Sibpur.
ans 27- 1 0-64 ... Lt. Col. 7-12-82.
Tinele to Alexander Kyd [ยซpl "of an old Forfarshire
fam Bix,ttag,i.hed botanist. MB. : DIB. ; Hodson.
1766 on staff of 1st. Bri. at Monghyr during
" Batta " Mutiny ; sd. general petition snrrendermg
comns. 1-5-66 6 [25 n. 3].
1767, Survd. route of Kinloch's expn. to INepal
[ 75]-
00-1-80 Besd. office as Eort Major and Barrack Master,.
i't.'williain. Warren Hastings writing to Sir Join. Maepherson
who was succeeding as GO., "He assure, mo that if you shall
be pleased to confer the office on his Nephew he himself will
continue to officiate for him till his arrival, [ Alexander was
0,1 sick leave to Chittagong J, and wdl he answerable thai
no Inconvenience shah rise from his resignation of it. He
declares that He has not Health to execute it as he ought,
and wishes to prepare for hisdeparture from the service.
, am โ , , that I shah esteem your acquies-
cence in this eoticitatim as the greatest favour you can
^Ttorequest was granted, and Robert then became See.
to the Mil Dent., though from the following letter He seems
to have lost this post during the retrenchments of 17 So.
Jan. 17S6, wrote home to Warren Hastings from Masnhpattm
.here he had gone for the recovery of his health ; still .eiy
.ick" he discusses botanical subjects, and continues, From
this place I return to Calcutta, under pressure of my present
and mortifying Disappointment. I trust to you for my
being restored by the Court of Directors to such a. appoint-
met as va, deem .oited to my bunted and retired view.. ...
Under the present administration m Bengal I wish not to
holcl any Employ, but shall prefer living m retoemen on
my present leave of absence till I hoar from you ยป. I have
only further to add, that I confidently rely on your protec-
tion fโ Alexander Kv.l whom I trust will not prove unworthy
of the appointment of Town Major & Barrack master, winch
yon was pleased to confer on him, and which he now con-
tinues to hold"*.
Later in the year he resumed appt. of Sec. to the
Mil Dept, and shortly after founded Botanical
Gardens at Sibpur. His enthusiasm for botany
brought him wide correspondence about trees
plants, and vegetables, mostly of economic and
commercial interest. At his death in 1793 he
appears to have been Sec. to Mil. Dept. of Inspec-
tion 10 .
He left the bulk of his property to his nephew Alexander,
"""To my natural child, Nanny, ยฃ 2,000 s the ">'>โข โ =ยซ<=
and educati. in of Ibis .hid I leave to Major Alexander Kyd.
โขThe rest of my fortune I leave to Alexander Kyd to
whom 1 commit the charge and education of my child
Rs 6.000 to Joogoo, mother of my daughter Nanny To
tie other nativelmown as George, m ยปBยซ*ยป , ***TE
iโrc bin, lu bis former master, m alienating bun from Ins
Se (understood R.jpoote ), converting bun to Ohmhamty,
,.,,] โ.,i.af,i.. aim from all future connection with his famuly,
the monthly sum of six rupees during his life on condition of
tte confeuhig to serve Major Alexander Kyd dunng his
residence in India. ...
,. iv ,s 1 i. is-viSM s The only reference that Markham
n Wm., 12-lto l ^ 1 J~ยฃ am Seri โโapitam to the Malabar coast
, His unimportant su..ey hom cermgp ^ , Mac .
โ HHL jaSr^5L-53 โข BM Addl MS. 29.69
โ CG. 30-5-93.
liAW de LAURISTON
348
"The remainder of my fortune, including my House &
Garden at Seebpore, and all monies or effects of mine what-
soever, in Europe and here, to the aforesaid Alexander Kyd.
It is further my desire that I may be buried in mv own
Garden, without the attendance or'Omces of any Priest
whatever. No military ceremony to take place at the
I uneral . The exact place of burial in the Garden was then
specified.
"There are in the house at Seebpore 3 Boxes containing
Botanical drawings of the Plants in the Environs of this.!
Disfiriet, also a Box and several Books containing an un-
finished collection of the Birds indigenous to this "tract, as
also of such as migrate here from "the adjoining frontiers
during the cold and hot weather, also of the Fish freanentaig
the Hoogly ; These having been collected at the Company's
expellee, are public property, and should be transmitted "to
the Court of Directors" 1 .
The following announcement comes from the Gentleman's
Magazine; "July 16th 1799, at Pittenween in Scotland,
Geo. Forrester, Co lie. -tor of Customs at Anstridh^- married
Miss Anne Kyd, daughter of the late Col. Robert Kyd".
LAW de LAURISTON, Jean. French Inf.
bapt. 3-11-19, at St. Rocit, Paris
d. 16-2-97, Paris.
Elder son of William Law *, who settled in Prance and
placed his sons in French service ; the family title, Baron de
Lauriston, was taken from their home in Midlothian, Scotland.
Elder bro. to Jaques- Francois, who rose to be Col in the
service of the French EIC, Jean being a King's officer 3 .
m., 1755, Jeanne Carvalho. a Poj-m, "ne.se lady
1742, Ami. India.
1761, cr. Chevalier de St. Louis ; 1780, Marechal de Camp
DIB. ; Three Frenchmen.
1756, Chief at Cossimbazar ; sheltered English prisoners
sent to Murshidabad after the capture of Calcutta by Surui-
ud-Djiuia, [ 249 n . i ]. The French remained friendly to the
English till news arrd., Jan. 1757, that France and England
had been at war since the proceeding May. Clive and Watson
then captured Chandernagore, March 17,57 [ 222, 309, 311 J.
Under pressure from the English, as well as from
the Nawab, Law was forced to retreat up country
and, pursued by Coote, escaped beyond Ghazipur.
Until 1761 he lived precariously on supplies sent by
Bussy from the south, by his wife from Chinsurah,
and from a secret store at Patna. His force consis-
ted of 175 Europeans and 100 sepoys. Anquetil-
Duperron served with him for a time [309].
Law led his little force to Lucknow, and then to
Delhi, Agra, and to Chhattarpur in Bundelkhand.
In 1759 he joined Shah Alam [24] in his invasion
of Bihar, and in 1761 made a dramatic surrender to
Carnac and Knox*. He was sent down to Calcutta
and the following year deported to France where he
was given an honoured reception.
June 1761, Appd. "Commissaire et Commandant General
...am; Indrs Oneutales "; 1703, Governor of Fondle h-* it v -
though he did not return to India till end of 1764, commis-
sioned to receive back the French settlements on conclusion
of peace ; by the following June he was installed as Chief of
During his wanderings in Upper India he kept
journals and sketches of his marches, which he
passed to D'Anville on his return to France [27., 222,
268]. A copy of his original sketch, together with
his journals in fdbk. form, and his History of Bengal
BIOGRAPHICAL
i75&-6r, is preserved in the British Museum [ 2 22 n
1 j ; letters to Orme as late as 1785 also exists
Rennell used Law's " MS. maps and observations "
m the compilation of his general map of Beneal M
1774 [226n. 6]. 5 VI
LAWMAN, George Augustus. Bom. Art
b. 1750-1. d. Dec. 1802, Edinburgh.
Lieut. Fwkr. 4-3-72 ... Bt. Lt Col. ' 3-5-96 -
Ret. 3-12-99.
"i, 1 ^ 1,0 /" 1 , "; 8 ' ordercd to ^ Presidency from Broach
LENDRUM, John. Bom. Inf
b. 1746( ? ). d. 1783-4.
Ens. 1-10-69 ... Capt. 3-2-79.
Youngest son of George & Mary Lendrum of Moorfield
co. tyrone.
EoPO. 23-4-79, Ordered from Bombay to Broach, for
survey under Turner [ 122 ]
M !Z 83 ' W i? \"L B u"r'- Bom " S< W' taken prisoner' with
Bedโข'"' [ " 5 ] 'โข r ยฐ im ยฐ" i Wha * a Pโข oner ยป'
LENU0N, Walter Caulfield. Mad Eners
b. 1759. d. 3-1-183S.
Eus. 19-10-S2 ... Lt. Col. 1-1-1806 ; fiet. 14-11-1810
Lady-ZKidei!- 95 - ^ *"" ยฐ' M ยป>^eudยซd *
1783, with dett. marching from Ellore through
Ongole against poligars in Cuddapah and Sidout
and survd. route from Ongole ; had many adventures
and suffered from " a violent fever " [ 100].
1786, Stationed at Masulipatam and, at his own
cxpence, explored the Godavari, and offered to make
a detailed survey in return for personal profits on
floating down teak [105]. Made further proposals
for survey of cultivated lands for revenue purposes
[144]. Took sick-leave to China to recover from
fever, losing most of his papers [ 100].
April 1789, Appd. astr. asst. to Topping, and took
series of obsns. for the long, of Madras, being re-
lieved by Goldingham July 1790 [172].
Sept. 1790, Posted to the Centre Army under Kelly [ 344 T,
and given comd. of dett. of Pioneers, regarding duties of
which he received detailed instructions from the CE. 9 . Pre-
sent at most of the important sieges and actions in Mysore
during the compaigns of 1791-2. 1793, Furl, to England on
sick leave.
1795-6, Engr. and See. to Adm, Rainier's expn. to Molucca
Is. *, his journal and report being preserved la .
179S, Proposed a closed harbour at Madras as the only
way to provide secure shelter for shipping, writing a 50 page
memoir on the subject, but nothing done till fifty yeara later".
GO. of 23-6-98, again granted leave to England for his health.
1803, Put up plans of Ft. St. George and Blacktown shew-
ing proposals for embankments and sluices communicating
between sea, and river, with other improvements for the
port 12 .
1 805-6, Engr. in charge of repairs at Seririgapatam.
MACALISTER, Matthew. Mad. Inf.
b. 1757. d. 23-12-1829.
Ens. 30-8-78 ... Bt. Capt. 1-6-96 ; Ret.
Of Bar & RosehiU, Scotland.
ยป Ben P ?P ^-.^"tn * ^^o^ H W ( l*" 1 " 1729 ). DNB. ยป HMS. 774 ( 1059 ). * Three Frenchmen ( 126-9 >.
E ยปBM Add ยซ ( ^Tโข?-27' ^ WarinIndia (202,244). *Mack MSS. LXLX. 6-10-90. = aboutl28=
a. am. Addl. MSS. 138;4 & HMS. 441. " Love ( 503 ). " BM Addl MSS. 13905 ( a, b ).
349
MACKENZIE
and arrd. Madras 2-9-83, Mackenzie being now 28
years of age.
Nothing was said about any appt. to the Engrs.,
and wmenthe official list came out, he was gazetted
Ensign of Infantry from 16-5-83!" [272].
March 1786 the Directors refused his petition "praying to
be removed from the Infantry to the Corps of Engineers"",
but ii'.-ain hod to relent, for in Oct. the Madras Govt, wrote
htmu. saying that from May 23rd they had permitted Ensign
Colin Mackenzie of the Infantry to remove to the Corps of
Engineers", to complete est. ", so the Engr. list of 14-10-86
shows turn as Ens. from 16-5-83.
Soon after his arrival Mackenzie visited the Johnston s at
Madura where Mrs. Johnston was engaged in continuing the
search regarding the early Hindu system of logarithms ".
At the close of 1783 he joined puliation's force
and served in Dindigul and Coimbatore, being attd.
"to a corps of Native troops" in Dindigul valley
during May 1784, in which year he made his first
surveys. >t
He was then transferred to " professional duties "
in Madras and Nellore, and was on survey in the
neighbourhood of Nellore during 1787 [ in ].
Oct.-Nov. 1788, he accompanied the force which
occupied Guntur Circar, and snrvd. the roads from
Nellore to Ongole, and right through the Circar as
far as Chintapalle on the Kistna [ rn-2 ].
In sending him to wait on the C-in-C. with his
plans and reports, the CE. wrote " As they are works
of great Labour and of great merit, undertaken by
that gentleman at his own expence, thro' zeal for the
service at a time the War was likely to be carried
into that Country, I flatter myself you will think
deserving of some mark of your approbation, and
that you will be pleased to grant him such a com-
pensation as may place him on a footing with
Surveyors employed in such service " u .
Jan. 1790 Detailed to make complete survey of
Guntur, but before he could start work war broke
out against Mysore, and he was posted as Engr. to
Gen. Medows's army [no], taking part in the cap-
ture of Palghat, on which the CE. wrote to him
โ " Have received your letter of 22nd informing me of
the fall of Palghautcherry, and I congratulate you
on the credit the Corps has gained, having been
informed their business was not only well, but
speedily, performed " la .
The following account has been given of the siege, "The
batteries opened aeainsc I'alliga.uichorry on the morning oi
21st September. ... Capt. 0โ of the 22nd Barm., and Lieut.
Mackenzie of the Eneineers, who were both here lotmerly,
and knew the place, went to reconnoitre in the evening. ...
Lieut, Mackenzie, with the pioneers and working parties, with
nations and fascines, also came up from the east battery, ...
and m the face of an incessant tire of' mosqiietry and frequent
discharges from a gun on a bastion immediately opposite,
soon converted the top of the glacis into a parapet ' ยซ.
During this campaign Mackenzie survd. the
marches of the army, and also Palghat H [6, III n. I].
im โ ยซ,,,โยซ) M-'abk MEIO M162. 'Bemmiixna*. 11(847-8). ' Biography in hand by Mr. W. C Mack.
- 5r nl Fi^tSurJoTLtml of India. Colonel Colin Mackazi,. 'DSP,.: President of Council, Ceylon 1811-9;
rTvi' ' HC ReoortTp~. So) โข Kenneth Mackenzie, cr. Lord Seafortl. 3-12-71; d. 28-8-81, on voyage to India
Evidence 10 EL Kipott (pat... l-'O-'t - Host,,, <fu of prance Oft Lord ciauicr, of Co. Dumfries. Paymaster at
oomdg. 78th Et. 'Samuel Johnston Mai Cm m. Hester dau.^flraneis, ou _, ^ ^ ^^ โ H&
ยฃS, S) 3ยฃSยฃs^ยฐยฃSSยฃ' ยซยฃ 6-JOsT' -Mackenzie I ( 82 ). - - Bout, of a Detachment under Lt
CoT&tuarffrom Coimbatore to Palghautcherry ". 26-7-90. DDn. 246 ( 14o ).
NOTES
re., 1st, Edinburgh, 12-6-97, Margaret, dan. of Col. Donald
Campbell of Glensaddle.
m., 2nd, 23-12-02, Charlotte, dau. of James Brodie of
Brodie.
Eider bro. to Charles, also Mad. Inf.. (Ens. 12-5-78: Lieut.
27-1-82 ; to Europe on sick leave, 1792 ). Charles is not
likely to have been the sum. mentioned below, who is occa-
aioiiallc referred to as Capt. M.
10-9-80, Taken prisoner at Baillie's disaster [ 40 ], and
not released till, 10-2-84, permitted by Tipu to carry des-
patches from Mangalore to Telhcherry h
1791-2, Snrvd. routes of the Mad. Dett. with the
Nizam during Mysore War [ 115-6]-.
MACKENZIE, Colin. Mad. Engrs.
b. c. 1753, Stornaway, Hebrides Is.
d. 8-5-1831, near Calcutta.
Ens Mad. Inf., 16-5-83 : tr. to Engrs. 23-5-86, ante-
dated to 16-5-83 ... Col. 12-8-1819. SCi. Madras,
1810-16; SG. of India, 1815-21.
Younger son of Murdoch Mackenzie, merchant and 1st
Postmaster of stomawav, unci Barbara his wife.
His elder bro. Alexander d., Hastings, 25-9-1816 ; there
was another bro. Kenneth, and a sister Mary, who, lived all
her life at Stornaway, and. d. nam., "a wealthy old lady ,
29-9-1829. in her 80th year.
A memorial stone to Conn Mackenzie stands in Eye church-
yard, near Stornaway 3 . ,
m 18โ11-1812 at the Lutheran Church Batavia. -Mis.,
Petronella Jaconiiuo Burials, a Dutch lady bom at Trmoo-
malee in Ceylon. After Mackenzie's death she m. Lieut.
Robert page Frdchnor, of the Ben. Inf. ( Hodson ), at the
Cape of Good Hope, 1 8-2-1823.
CB. 4-6-1815. , , . , , , ..
DIB โ DIB. : Wilson. H.H., 2nd Edn. ( bio. sketch )'.
Erom 1778 or earlier, Comptroller of Customs, Stornaway,
the last Of his frequent spells of leave expiring Jan. 178.-, ;
other particulars of his early life are given by his friend
Alexander Johnston ' : "Colonel thickenโข was a native ol
the island of Lewis; as a very young man lie was much
patronized, on account of his matin null leal knowledge, by
the late Lord Sonforth ยซ and my late grandfather, trances,
the fifth Lord Napier of Merchistoun. He was for some time
employed by the latter, who was about to write a. hie oi Ins
ancestor John Nopier, of Merchistoun, the inventor of log-
arithms, to collect for him...an account of the knowledge
which the Hindoos possessed of mathematics, and...ot log-
arithms. , ,^ . V
"Mr Mackenzie, after the death of Lord Napier, became
very desirous of prosecuting his Oriental researches m India
Lord Seaforth, therefore, at his request, got him appointed
to the engineers on the Madras establishment m 1/82 and
save him letters of introduction to the late Lord Macartney,
the then Governor of that presidency, and ro etc father', who
held a high situation under his lordship at Madura.
The nomination to Engineers did not pass through,
and 15-1-83, the Directors refused Mackenzie's
petition "for a passage to Fort St. George to join
the 78th Foot as a Volunteer, or for an appointment
in the Comoany's Military " s . However someone
must have intervened at the last moment, for three
days later a letter issued advising the Madras Govt,
that he had been permitted to sail in the Atlas'
which he probably joined at Portsmouth, for the
Atlas left the Downs 17-1-83, Portsmouth 11-3-S3,
MACKENZIE
In Dec. Lord Comwattis arrd. in Madras to take supreme
comd., and the CE. wrote to Mackenzie, " I hare shown him your
appointment to Guntoor, which vour desire of serving in the
field has suspended;, and my wish that von should have been
employed in the Staff-line of the Corps, whilst with the
Army. ... I put at the same time into his hands vour journal
of the Northern marches" J .
During campaigns of 1791-2 Mackenzie was ADC. to the
CE., first Maule and then Ross, and took a prominent part
m capture of many fortresses, and was several times mentioned
m despatches s. A comment on the capture of Bangalore
given in the Madras Courier of 3-11-91, would h.vdlv n,.-=s
an editor of today; -Lieut. Mackenzie in his depa-t.tu.ent
demonstrated by Ins success in pursuing the object, how
essentially necessary it is, that the practical Engineer should
unite art with science".
1-4-92, at the close of the war, appd. Engr. &
Survr. to the Ellore Dett, now attd. to the Nizam's
service as a Subsidiary Force 3 [ 7, 112, 116].
1792-3, Survd. the districts newiy ceded by Mysore
to the Nizam, " Cuddapah, Cannal, the wild moun-
tains of Yermulla and Nalmulla bounding the Car-
natic as far as the Kistna ". The country was far
from healthy, arid he writes to Ward in after years,
"Your account of your boils... is precisely the same
with myself in 1792, but I had a severe fever imme-
diately after reaching Kurpa; after recovering from
which, my body broke out in boils, and I even lost
the use of my left thigh for some time " 4 .
He survd. the whole course of the Penner past
Cnddapah to Nellore, following it to the sea-coast by
.May 1793 5 .
June 1793, after being "obliged to halt at Ongole
by sickness and deaths among his followers and
cattle " he was ordered " to return without delay to
the Presidency" to take part in the siege of Pondi-
cherry [ 112] 6 .
On his return he continued his survey of the coun-
try between the Penner and the Kistna, and again
he and his party were overwhelmed by fever, and in
1794 retreated to Hyderabad with assistance from
the Nawab of Kurnool [ 299-300].
I 794~5. Made several journeys in company with
Kirkpatrick, the Resdt. [ 116, 345 ], and from Dec.
to April accompanied the Nizam's army on march
against the Marathas, who defeated the Nizam at
Kharda [ 116-S, 174-5, 2 ยฐ5 ]โ
Makenzie then remained at Hyderabad working
on his map of the Deccan, till called down in Oct.
1795 to join expn. to Ceylon, which resulted in capture
of Colombo' and all other Dutch possessions in the
island [117].
As senior Engr. he was instructed to make preparations
tor a long ^cge, -which .,, the cad proved unnecessary as
recounted by James Welsh [ 219 ] ;
"I was towards the end of the year detached to the sea-
coast to make fascines and gabions to carry with us. Our
first rendezvous was Negumbo, about 30 miles north of
Colombo, then in the enemy's possession. ... Here we landed
the fascines and gabions we had made, under the erroneous
impression that we were not likely to find materials in Cevlon
the best wooded country in the world; ... thev wen- a>,er-
warus all served out to the Bombay Grenadier battalion at
Colombo, for firewood" 8 .
350
BIOGRAPHICAL
Mackenzie was still pressing for Colombo prize โ.
several years later, claiming f or โ โโ to ot a hhmS "nk Jh 7
Captain "a. Principal Engineer on that Expedition for whic?
I was ordered down from Hyderabad in 1795 ana sen?!
make the necessary arrangements in tie southern garrHorS
and at Manar' preโขโข to joining General Stnart at leOTmW
( a jonmey of near 900 miles by land and 200 by wateโข Z'
After capture of Colombo he was employed im!
pecting forts on west coast of Ceylon, returnina-
May i 79 6 to Madras, where he stayed a few months
to complete his map of the Deccan. On return
journey to Hyderabad, Sept. I 79 6 to Jan. i 797 , mado
"a military survey" through Guntur [ 112 1.
After a few months at Hyderabad, during which
he visited Gulbarga" he was once more called down
to Madras to make preparations as principal engr
for expn. designed against Manila; this was aban-
doned, and he spent the following cold weather at
Madras preparing a supplement to his map of the
Deccan, and collecting a small staff of assistants'
not returning to Hyderabad till April i 79 8 [ri8
175,286].
In r 79 6 Mackenzie had nrged Govt, to appoint
him Surveyor General at Ft. St. George, and also to
increase his allowances, and this had been referred
home with a strong recommendation [264]. In
Feb. i 79 8 he again pressed for increase of his allow-
ances, and a special allowance of 200 pagodas a
month was sanctioned, and confirmed by the Direc-
tors [281].
He spent the hot weather of 1798 at Hyderabad and we
haโข the, following record ot a visit by the botanist, Dr.
Heyne; The greatest acquisition I made was the friend-
snip ot Capt, Mackenzie, from whose experience and know-
ledge I have derived great benefit, and from whose corres-
pondence I promise myself a rich harvest. He had always
been attentive to minerologieal objects, and had lived a
considerable time in that part of the country where the
unamend mines are situated, so that even had he not been
so industrious m surveying every accessible spot in his neigh-
bourhood, he would have been led to satisfy bis curiosity
respecting the Diamond Mines ; I was not therefore surprised
to had among his papers several descriptions of the different
mines . Then follows a note by Mackenzie dated 29-12-96
on the Diamond Mines at Partes!" 12 .
Towards the end of 1798 orders were received for the march
of the Nizam's forces.. .to take part in the 4th war against
Mysore ; the French force at Hyderabad was broken up in
Oct. [ 117 ], and Mackenzie says that "he was.. .employed in a
confidential position in reconnoitring the French positions
previous to the arrival of our force, and in the measures
which terminated in the dissolution of that Corps".
^ In Dec. he marched with the Nizam's Army, and โ
gives the following account of the journey to Ambur 13
[118]. " From the intimate knowledge acquired in
these surveys I was enabled to suggest the Plan of
the March. ..by the most secure and expeditious
route at a critical time. After crossing the Kistna,
when the Nizam's Contingent approached Tippoo's
Frontier, and it became necessary to turn off into
the Carnatic, when a season of great drought threa-
tened much distress and delay, I voluntarily took
charge of the duty of exploring the country some
marches in front, of clearing the road through defiles
28 _7-, 8 r k . M r?L L ?4?i lยซf ^SurrelSTi^ ^2fiJ ta fJ f' ยซ ยป' ยฐโขยฐ' โขยป**
7-10-1800. ,560,10. ^L^^^aS^^^^o^J^^^ 5S ^
4DDn. 83,
ยฐ DDn. 66,
NOTES
351
MACKENZIE
not before marched with carriages, and of ascertain-
ing the best stages and watering places from Door,
-thro' the several Passes to Tripettyl f about 200
miles". , ,
They reached Arnbur 1-2-99, and Mackenzie con-
tinues " This junction with the Grand Army effected
by a march of 464 miles, at the precise moment it
was ready to move from Amboor, when the delay of
one day might have been highly prejudicial to the
success of the campaign, ...may conhrm the utility
of a previous knowledge of Countries wherein Armies
are to move, and attending to the directions of the
r ยฐ During the march forward into Mysore, the com-
mand of the Nizam's army was entrusted to Arthur
Wellesley whose regiment, the 33rd Foot, was added
to stiffen it- Mackenzie continued as senior fcng
and in this capacity was in close attendance on Wel-
lesley during the celebrated affair of the Sultanpett
Tope on the night of April 5 th-6th. The following
extracts are taken from his journal K
4-4-99 In sight of City of Mysore [ Seimgapatarn ].
k Lm In the evening at 4 p.m., attended Col. U-elk-sley
tolne Gen'r S? viewing theCity. ... Tope in front distant
about ioT yards. Col. Wellesley was ordered to possess him-
^orike'gt 1st Batt, lOtk Ben. Eegt., 2 gnns & Pioneers
well paraded as fast as possible, and about 7 p.m. we moved
Si forward on the road loading towards Sultanpett ; no
ofthe n^a aito ' we tat sigkt of it on the left of the tope.
S the officers at the head of the column deliberated on
the roao to be taken, one of the man said ho observed a hgM
ยฃ front- while we were speaking, a discharge of musquetry
from Xe Tope threw the Party into some confusion; for
being at the moment crowded on a steep narrow bank the
m naturally running to their arms, the expansion of the
whole suddenly overset such as were on the declivity.
but the firin" commencing again from the lope and to our
Sft extend"โข so as to enclose as, the Party were agam
waverrng-ttagrenadier's march was ordered to be beat and
Tt this moment the enemy's fire extending still further to
Wetoey and has been told in man, historic, and bยปg.-.phยปยซ
of the Duke of Welhngton ', though this account by Mackenzie
Ittacned to Col. Wellesley's Division, and who accompanied
โ .โ-, rturin" the whole of the affair in question
- Wellesley and Mackenzie with the Light Company of the
1%d which had got separated from the main body, came
.udclenly on a work of the Enemy's, who opened a heavy fire.
The Light Company, hading themselves unsupported re-
treated rather precipitately, leaving Col. Wellesley and Capt.
Besides any imputation of deficiency of courage mm* *$ยฃ&
ยฃf^a ยฃ Col. Mackenzie, whose *ยฃ%jgยปg,
tt ir ;o d or,Lai:h,r:et*Lldhavehadach.nce of getting
"in'onetf'the" many accounts of this incident it is stated
llHS^S'o^enSom^^Sot
wherTchfficultie, obstructed the progress of the siege. Oh
that old Mackenzie were here s -
Durin" the siege of Seringapatam which followed
Mackenzie was Engr. in charge of the batteries to
the north of the Cauvery, from which side the suc-
cessful assault was delivered [9, โ โ ยซ]. His journal
contains many interesting details; "these minutes
hastily written in moments of fatigue stolen from
relaxation, or from refreshment, may be allowed to
partake of the impression under which they were
noted down from recollection or recent information,
without impeachment of the veracity of the jour-
^The" journal contains several neat little sketches
illustrating the position of batteries at various points.
In a later letter Mackenzie describes his duties du-
ring the siege ; "On joining the Chief Engineer of
the Army on 17th April, I was ordered suddenly
next day over the River, placed in charge of the
Engineer Department with the Bombay Army ...
and from that time to the capture of Seringapatam
directing.. .the whole of the works, approaches and
batterie! on that side...generally by the immediate
orders of the C-in-C. through his staff ยป.
Staff cars were not available in those days j "The Com-
mander inCnief desires to see you i,ยปโ oy ; g^ataon
sends his Palanquin for your accomodation, which will meet
?0 ^cslTwrote of MuT'l shall say nothing of Mackenzie's
n.crit, as a surveyor ; his works arc a strong proof of them.
Se was undi m/coramaud during the campaign, and never
fawTmore zealous, a more diligent or a more , ยซWh offi cer
TV, rio. the siege he conducted operations on the north side
S the Cauverf โ and although the effect of the batterms he
const .ueted Sheen acknowledged and asub.ec, of praยซ
S the Ommtt orders, and notwithstanding that by Ms
exertions during the sieg, he has entirely lost hi, health, U.
TSSTilESSS writes "On the Junction of
th/ BoTb^Vorce, I โข ft**^ fTe Rivet
Engineers' Department with .that Army, no
and had the honor of direct mg the ^ ยซmยป
approaches, and B ยป"ยซโขVth 4prU the day of my taking
fcXs Fmp"tS en'arg^'tne 4t/of May, I bad
.Thupati o7 0,6 .HDn. 48. Sl-10-1803. โข BH Add! MB. ยปโข >i - ) โข, Ho ^^^bS^f ^
MACLEAN 352
rarely more than two or three hours of rest either by night
or day, a degree of exertion which nearly proved fatal to me
in the severe illness which it occasioned" 1 .
In June he was sent up from Madras to assist the
Mysore Commissioners with maps [119], but the
following month he had to return to the coast on ac-
count of ill health. In Sept. he was appd. to charge
of the Survey of Mysore [9, 119], and spent the rest
of the year at Madras making the necessary arrange-
ments, but was not fit enough to move up to Mysore
until March nth 1S00.
The story of his great work on the Mysore survey,
and of other distinguished services will be given in
a later volume, but a summary is noted here ;
Appd. SG. of Madras with effect from 1-12-1810.
CE. with Java Expn. under GO. of 12โ 3โ 11;, CM
special duty in Java till Aug, 1813, and in Bengal
writing up reports till March 1815, when he resumed
duty at Madras.
Appd. SG. of India under GG in C/s letter of
17-4-1815, remaining at Madras until July 1817, when
he moved to Calcutta. Was in bad health almost
from his first arrival at Calcutta, and d. 8-5-1821
whilst cruising on the Hooghly for the benefit of
his health.
Throughout his service he devoted much of his
time to making a vast collection of historical anti-
quities [97], an account of part of which is given in
Wilson's Catalogue of Oriental MSS of Col. Colin
Mackenzie, Calcutta, 1828. A further account is
given, in The Mackenzie Collections by Blagden,
London, 19 16.
MACLEAN, John. Mad. Engrs. & Inf.
d. 12โ2-68, shot through the head, in
action at Tingricotah.
March 1762, Came out on the Engr. list ; 1766, tr. to Mili-
tary, as he ''sees no advancement in Engineers"' - [ 266,. 272 ].
Date nnk. ; Survd. fort & hills of -Santgad, 3G in. W. of
Vellore, and also passes between Mysore and Carnatie 3 .
MACLEOD, Duncan. Ben. Engrs.
b. 20-2-80. d. 8-6-1856.
Ens. 28-11-95 ... Lt Gen. 11-11-1851.
Son of Sheriff Donald Maclrod of Geanies, co. Ross, Advo-
cate, and Margaret his wife.
m., Calcutta. 28-4-1801, Miss Henrietta Caroline Lestock
Fried. Father of Sir Donald Friell Macleod, KCSL, Lt. Govr.
of the Punjab 1865-70, and of Henrietta. Peach, wife of
Robert _B;;ileau Pemberton, Bโข. Inf. a distinguished stxtvt.
DXB.
19-10-98, with Craig's force in Oudh [ 57-8 ] ;
Survd. "hill of Jaujemovv ", 3 coss from Cawnpore;
1800, Survd. route Cawnpore to Etawah & Agra.
Sold to Thomas Wood, of Engrs. [qv] the house
and lands "in Camac St. Calcutta " i , part of which
are now known as Wood St. where the SG. J s office
is now situated.
MALLOCK, โ . Ben.
Visited Sambalpur with Alleyne in 1763 or 1764,
and obsd. lat. [ 30, 153, 300 ] .
Nothing further is known of him.
BIOGRAPHICAL
MANLEY, James. Born. Inf.
b. c. 1762. Drowned. 1-2-99, on passage
from Malabar to Bombay.
Ens. 21-11-82 ... Capt. 4-7-97.
Eldest son of Lt Col. James and Leonora Stanley.
โขI'A-D-tZ, Tahen prisoner in sally from Mandators- 1793
on survey in Malabar with Emmitt [131]; 1796 with
Besdt.s esoort at Poona. ' "~
MANNEVILLETTE. see APRES deMAME-
VILLETTE.
MARSACK, Charles. Ben. Inf.
b. 1735-6. d. Nov. 1820.
Ens. 3-11-65 ... Capt. 26-6-71 ; Head. 27-1-79.
Natural son of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales ( and thus
half-bro. to George III ) by Cointesse Marguerite de Marsac %.
the Comte de Marsac, a Frenchman, came over to England
with the Court of Hanover.
m., before 1784, Charlotte, dau. of Richard Beeher, Ben..
Civ., of Calcutta : father of Robert Marsaek, Ben. Inf
JP. & DL. High Sheriff, Oxon. 1787.
Holzman ( 153 ).
With 1st Bit at Mongbyr and resd. comn. during the
"Batta" Mutiny, 1-5-66 [.000 J; re-admitted under GO. of
11-11-66.
1779, Claimed payment on a bond for Rs. 51,173 for the
sale of a budgrow "and sundry goods supplied.. .at the desire
of the Nabob" of Oudh, with interest at 12% from 3-6-66*-.
1775, "Nawah of Oude is anxious to built a house of
European design, and asks permission for Capt. Marsack to
execute the work" 6 .
1776, Raised a regfc. of cavalry for the STawab of Oudh,
which he comdd. till its transfer to the Company, Aug. 1777.
Refused comd. of one of the newlv raised Sepoy Batts.
12-7-78. . โ ... *โข .
In his instructions for survey of Oudh & Allaha-
bad Dec. 1776, Rennell directed the survr. to connect .
with Capt. Marsack's survey [183]. This survey
was probably that preserved in SGO. up to 1786 i .
as "Marsack's original plans of Oude & Shahabad",
and was probably carried out under Poller's super-
vision 1773-4 [353.
After retirement Marsack bought the Caversharn estate
from Lord Cadogan; he was not a popular squire. "The
strange retinue. ..was held to have polluted the sweet simpli- โข
city of the countryside; ...old French women, Swiss Valets
de Chambre, Black boys, Gen too eoachnien, Mulatto footmen,
and Negro butlers. ... They call Mr. Marsacโ a very worthy
East Indian โ Major Massacre โ and his improvements... โ his
devastation".
"Marsac. ..died, leaving property valued at over 182,000
pounds" T .
MARSDEN, Thomas. Mad. Engrs.
bapt. 15-4โ47. d. 19-3-71, Tripasore.
Ens. 12-11-67 ... Lieut, 26-1-69.
Son of John M&rsden, Director of Bank of Ireland, &
Eleanor his 2nd wife.
Appd. by the Directors in England "3rd Lieut, in
Marine Service at Bombay ; as during my voyage to
India, I have found a sea life does not agree with
my constitution, and having been educated in HM.'s
Royal Academy at Portsmouth, taking the regular
course of Mathematics & Drawing ", applied to the
Mad. Council for appt. to the Engrs. ..and was duly
admitted a Cadet.
*MMC 26-4-1803. 2 MS & Pol. 30-12-(
18-9-75 ( 9 ). ยป Holzman ( 25, 72 ).
3Vibart I (71). * Wood's will, Ben. Wills, :
" BPC, 23-8-79.
6BFG.
MARTIN
is not known how he spent his time till reinstatement
in Ang 1ยฐ 09 ", neither is it known when he was first
"tCttl survey of Calcutta Lands has
oft" made [I1S ยซ]. The heading ; Pยป, tf ยซ
Gauml Srm <-/ <ยปยซ CยปI C ยป(to Lยปยป^ suggests either
that Martin intended to survey the country to the
โขrth and east or that other surveyors were at
Sot LToL eld only find Martin's work in the
=Tr, n =%r s trrerrr^thrs
han P T uly I7 66 Ifie earlier date generally accepted
s taken Lm an office label added at some stock-
Ma^sJy! for he did not reach Calcutta till
-tStrv^whStntl^^tieS
Orro^^-f-themaphepresen
SyS tL^io^^MaSi^ate-
Sinr^and^moveto^agart^.t.
s^ey d Se^ra^-s-outh of the Ganges and
east o, the Hoogbly towards Bakargan] for the
mile maps and this area would cover his survey of
rh^CalcurtaLands. If all this was, however earned
time ne ipaa """*""โ ,
NOTES 353
1,69. one of the only officers to express "his
readiness to continue on the Engineenug list [/2]
and the Council noted him a "a very *gg*ยฃ*
capable young man" 1 . However on 27-6-69 they
had io 'report him to the Directors ..for Factious
and Inflammatory behaviour", and ordered his
dismission from the service of the Company .
March 1760, Appd. to make a large-scale survey of
Blacktown for assessing the value of houses and and
completing this survey by the following Dec. , his sur
veys however, could not be found two years later.
MARTIN, Claud. ยป Ben. Inf.
b t-l-35, at Lyons in Prance,
d. 13-9-1800, Lucknow.
EtT le" at Lucknow. MI. St John ^ Ch CalcuUa.
Regt. c. 17o8. p A ,j^ mv J a n 1761, took service with
After capture of Pondl โข" y f S ree company" of French
U. Bngli,h aยปd 0m ยซ"**โข jJSiii Sailing
soldiers embarking for Bengal m ยซยป d the
Aug. 26th, this =JiP "XT 6 10 6 /'CSur ft. Martin,
Ben. Council wrote to Uad-.i-., ^,''_- ; โโ , sfiYed
an officer of the free company ยฐt ^fXni^him to the
from the Fatten Salam, we purpose ,jm fc
Coast in order to raise ยปยป*" C ยฐโข P a "iยปg%itli you"*, and
from among the prisoners now ^J^, J th tf,
part of the force under Map Adams sen P Na]a
h?l [ $ยฃxยฃStf^ยฅZS2L contains views
ySi-S*-5 ยซยซโ, hoth hy M rt [ ^ 1
Feb. n6f.to%^โข e l d ยฐ f , t Sed"d..L "Blent.
^^SLTS^^SS n3peu to hold the
British mutineers ยซ. , th t .. & eer geant and lot) of
The Directors were jtorfยซยป - S> h t0 be
the French ยปยซ-^ ^n whtk're'Sued in the Army
Calcutta, ... Thel^^^^^Su, Martin
After "flfL.Ts-SS and was in con.d. of two corn-
was promoted Lieut lb 4 โข'โ " , ,, rtl โ โ f ยซโโ,
panies of sepoys m Aug. and preset atM, rf
23-10-84'. In a despatch ";'?, ยฐ ta C P โ 8 and
Chunirgarh, he โข commended for p tim of
^^SS^o^of the country
with 5 companies"'. Promoted Capt. 30 1 00-
Sept. I7 66, it was suggested that as he was "well
verS e P d in' the Business of surveying h should
assist De Gloss in the survey of B ha [~^ J
this time he was involved m the Batta Mutiny
MARTIN
By 1771 his reputation was firmly established and
in Jan. the Supravisor of Nadia asked that as Mar-
tin was passing through on his way to survey the
province of Krishnagar * he might at the same time
make a survey of all the embankments of the dis-
trict, and submit an estimate of putting them into
repair, for there were "some very large tracts of
lands that now lay uncultivated and waste", and
"he must assuredly be a far better judge of these
matters than anybody here, " and this was approved
by Govt.-.
After surveying Krishnagar he was sent to survey
Cooch Behax, but went sick before completing the
work; April 1773, he was present at the capture of
Dellamcottah Fort [ 342 ], his view and plan of which
appear on sheet XVIII of the Bengal Atlas [229].
He had volunteered his services for this small cam-
paign, and the following year Govt, called the atten-
tion of the Directors to the " losses sustained by
Capt. Martin in the attack made upon Chunhicotta 3
by the Boteas when on his duty there of Surveyor,
and without any Military charge. ...We.. .add our
recommendation that you will be pleased to allow
Capt. Martin some compensation for losses amoun-
ting to Sonant Rs. 6625, which he obviously sus-
tained by a spirited and Laudable exertion for the
Publick Service foreign from the Line of his Duty " *
In the As. J., Vol. II, of 1816, is a paper entitled Authen-
tic Anecdotes of the Life of Maj Gen. Claude. Martine. The
author says nothing of his connection with the mutiny of
1766, but makes the following vague reference to his surveys ;
'" Shortly after this promotion [to a company July 1766]
he was employed, .to survey the North- eastern Districts of
Bengal, being an able draughtsman, and in every respect
well qualified for that purpose. When he had completed
his journey to the North-eastern districts he was sent to
Oude to assist in surveying that Province ".
Polier had been ordered to superintend surveys in
Oudh from April 1773, and Martin appears to have
worked under him until surveys were closed in June
1774, when he took service with the Nawab [34].
Dec. 1773, when discussing the appt. of batt.
comdrs. the GG. wrote, " I have also passed by the
following officers who have the claim to sepoy
commands, viz, Capt. Martin. ... The first of these
has ever been employed in the surveying branch and
is a foreigner, altho' in general esteam as a brave
and experienced officer, and a man of strict honour" ;
and the C-m-C. added " as to Capt. Martin, it was
not an objection of detriment to that officer, ...but
a conviction that the service and the Company
would derive more benefits from his abilities in the
surveying branch " ยป.
The Nawab of Oudh. delighted with his eba n.uirso manners
and mechanical skill, asked for his services, and by 1776 he
was Supt. of the Nawab's arsenal at Luc-know 6 .
354
BIOGRAPHICAL
He was borne on the strength of his rest, until atโข 1 ~
m 1779, but states that "I have not drawrl a rupe/&?*
Company since 1776"'. P tconi the j
The artist Hodges [ 337 ] makes the followmsr refโข
a stay at Lucknow daring 1783 s ; "On 16th r Mav or T^ ?
I finished this journey at Lucknow, when the"heatยซ J
fatigue I had suffered brought on a violent dy7eL erv an T d
palpitation at the heart, from which I was long in recove^ *
Colonel Polier [ qv ] received me with his wonted hospital
and I remained with that gentleman about ten days Zv
indisposition, however, rather increasing than abatrng fZ
house being a large bungalow w,,. consequently verv w
and therefore Colonel Martin, who had a large brick houW
had the goodness to invite me to his, where by his great and
mosi friendly care, and the administering of proper remedies
T gradually recovered; to him, therefore, I may now sav f
owe the life I at present enjoy" 8 . ' y
In 1791 he joined the army in Mysore, providing as a gift
to the Company -'sufficient fine horses to mount ยฐa troop"
and taking an active part in several actions as ADC to Lord
CornwaUis, To his great delight he was rewarded' by pro
motion to the rank of Colonel "as an honorary mark of
approbation", and in 1795 was further promoted to Mai
General. J '
He acquired great influence and wealth at
Lucknow 1 ", and built a remarkable house which he
called "Constantia" 11 . He died in 1800, leavin* a
will which is preserved at the India Office, and^is
well worth reading. Besides providing for the indi-
vidual members of his vast household, whose perso-
nal history he gives In detail, . he left ยฃ 25,000 to
each of the cities of Lucknow, Calcntta and Lyons,
with special provision for the establishment of
schools, to which the existing La Martiniere schools
owe their origin [2].
There are several portraits and bnsts of him in
the Victoria Memorial Hall at Calcutta.
MATHER, John. Civil Survr.
Drowned, March 1808, off coast of
England.
Son of Robert Mather, of the Mill at Newburgh, near
Aberdeen, and of Gight near Fyvie, Aberdeen.
MA., Marisehal College, Aberdeen, 1780.
Probably arrd. Madras 1793 or 1794; having been " several
times wrecked in the Eastern Seas "12, it is possible that he
may have been a ship's officer before coming to Madras 13 . ~ : '~
Feb. 1795, Submitted the securities required from persona
not in the services to be allowed to remain in the country 1 ^
Aug. 1794 la , Engaged as "a professional surveyor"
to survey the Baramahal and Salem Districts [7,
113-4, H7> I 94 ]โข Completed the survey by the end of
1798, more than 6,300 sq. miles, and was then pro-
posed for a similar survey of Dindignl but, the sur-
vey of Mysore being a more urgent business, his
services were placed at Mackenzie's disposal in Sept.
1799 [114].
During the Salem survey, drew salary at 25 pagodas a
month up to July 1796, when it was increased to 50, and at
the conclusion of the work was given an additional bonus of
1,000 pags. He asked to be put on contract for future work
for which I am willing to sacrifice 4 or 5 years more of my
w/Vn "fe ยฐl-k r 1TTl- & flM fยซโข nd ' n 9 'Country, MRIO. 52(12). =ESC. 1-2-71. ^20 m. N. of Cooch Behar, 78-
Ji ."ST B ^, CD - . 17 " 1 1 0- 7 4 (83). *B8C. 16-12-73. โ Hffl. (36) *BM Addi MSS 29170, letter to Warren Hastings,
17-1-37. fl i here is a pleasant story of a Marline who accompanied Pearse's Dett. down to Madras in 1781, and helped as a
surgeon; but there is no evidence to show that Cla-.id Martin marched with Pearse, or took part in the Mv^o-e War of 1781-4.
Mil Beptmtorp IT (242). ยปHodges (145). "Blunt. " Description, Bastings' Journal (100? *ยป Aberdeen Journal
Notes & Quenes, 28-10-1908. "31-5-1809. "MPC. Feb. 1795. "In June 1806 he writes that he has been employed on
survey the last 12* years", MPC. S-7-1806.
NOTES
355
best days ยปd ยซ* r; t ;i gj i *^*.*j*--;
tabitta the ยซr?ยฐJg^i32ยซM taforiW. enough to
e"c, I have had, I might bยซ able to complete it m less toe
He further pointed L out ยซiat -he ~ -jS* 5.^
V i, m v,-, .-iiary hnwe.ver liberal, vail mJucs a
ยฃยฃ S^errf SUgJ 5 SS,^th
pursuit attended with such fatigue Ml m> or ,
labor it's done cheerf ah, and ^^.^ ^.^
I consider a good canse >. , entering in to
Hi, "f-'โข ported g ^ ^ Z s ยฐ eedieI
a contract with him may b โ โ monthly
completion of h* "^*ยป*X ยฃ*ยฃยฃยฃ done with the
wmmm
mmmm
power I commit him to your protection .
P Mather laid this letter and his Salem survey be-
fore Mackenzie and the Comnrs. in charge of Mysore,
and obtained a letter from Arthur Wesley ^re-
commending him to be appd. asst. on the forttavna*
ing survey of Mysore. The GG. approved but con-
sidered "the allowance which Mr. Mather recedes
in the revenue Dept. sufficient as a permanent sa-
lary 'โ a farther reward may hereafter be bestowed,
f his assiduity shall continue to deserve such an
indigence "on which Mather wrote to Mackenzie^
"had ever^ reason to expect from the zeal and
diligence I had formerly manifested, and the injury
my'heaith had sustained, the Government would
S, felt more disposed to forward my vยซtoa
point of salary. ... A salary of 50 ?*%<*** ยซ*
barely furnish necessaries and conveniences o I life
sufficient to support constitution healthy and v
morons, under such fatigues with servants Horses
and Keepers, and the hire of cool.es which last
bein- constantly in motion falls very heavy indeed,
seldom less than 15 or 16 Pagodas per month .
To Mather's repeated request .for permanent pro-
vision in case of losing his health. Government re-
pl d โข โข Mr. Mather seems to be too diffident of the
liberality of Govt, towards him, after the Assurances
which have already been conveyed to him .
McCLUER
An account of Mather's services on the Mysore
sutey will be given in another volume; he had to.
resifm owing to ill-health at the end of 1806, and
March 1808 [268].
MAXTONK Charles. Mad. Civ.
bapt. iUl-52. d. 24-3-1809. at
Madras, aged 56.
HatS^^am. Kon? \VS of Cultoouhey,.
by Janet Thomson cfEo* in mth|ure. ^^
and two sons joined Mad. Army.
r 775 Asst. at Vizagapatam and, at Johnston's re-
quest and by authority of the Madras Council wa
sent out to assist on survey [93]- On Johnston s
withdrawal at the end of r 77 6 [342], instruments were
left behind for Maxtone's use, and he completed the
survey of several pargcmas and imnmdans [10-4.
203 ,'Slo Wounded during mutiny of sepoys of
the drear Batt. who objected to being send to serve-
death. MI. at St. Mary's Cem. Madras.
MAXWELL, Hugh. Mad. Civ.
d. 27-10-91, at Madras ; Ml.
IpptlS'rpty's Lands, Madras , surveys of road.
& properties [ 94 3-
McCLUER, John. Bom. Mar.
d. c. 1796, unm.
1st Lieut. 8-1-84.
DNB โข DIB. ; Markham ( 0-b ).
I7 86^)o, Survd. W. coast of Tndia in comd. of
- - rr, ri* c 1-78 20^1; V. Account of the
Experiment [6, 124-5, 17ยฐ. zo 3J . " ' .
Navigation between India and the Gulf of Persia.
"' senfto survey Pelew Is. and New Guinea
sailing from Bombay in Panther 20-8-90; McCluer
Inlet at west end of New Guinea is named after him
"03, submitted resignation in letter which
Panther carried to Bombay, and thus explained his
wish to stay amongst the Pelew islanders ;
"From the many contentions which wo in a manner have
,,0 doubt in the Plan I have formed but to ยซ
jceed" i .
1MMC. 27-1
>MMC. 27-8-99.
"MMC. 6-11-1
โข Bo PC. 20-8-93.
McGOWAN
After two years he wearied of the life and asked to be
rc-instated in the service, but was ]ost at sea on his iournev
towards India.
McGOWAN, John. Ben. Inf.
d. 30-6-98, Cawnpore.
Ens. 15-5-66 ... Col. 26-2-95.
m., Mary โ ; Father of Suetonius McGowan of Ben Inf
Hodson ; As AM. I ( 178 ).
Comn. from the ranks after Batta Mutiny of 1766.
1778. Granted permission to maintain channel
down Cossimbazar R. fit for navigation, and to
collect tolls. To complaints of collecting tolls without
improving navigation as promised, he retorted,
" Upon the faith of your Councils, I commenced this
great undertaking, having for the last r 5 months
been employed on it; in taking accurate surveys &
a level of both Rivers ; in removing some particular
obstructions ; ... I am not an idle Adventurer " 1.
After much discussion, the Council agreed tbat he
โ ' be appointed to survey the Ganges & Cossimbazar
Rivers witti the usual allowances granted to
Surveyors ", and his right to collect tolls was with-
drawn [ 63 ] .
โ A 7 ?. 1 ' โข , h J et E " r - Bri ' โข 2nd - Mysore War, marching
with Pearse's Dett [ 40 ].
GO 4-10-87 ; A few days ago Ma]. McGowan was suddenly
siezecl with every symptom of having been poisoned ; rehef
was fortunately at hand and we are happy to hear that the
Major is in a fair way of recovery. The cause was imme-
diately known to have arisen from the Major's having eaten
โ of a dish prepared in a dirty copper vessel".
1794, March, Comdg. at Anupshahr ; * Oct., Comdg. Left
En. at battle of Bitaurah, Eampur State, 2nd. Rohilla War.
MITCHELL, Arcliibald. Mad. Engrs.
Maj. ( from EA. ) 15-9-70; Eesd. 10-3-74.
Bro, to Capt. Alexander Mitchell ( d. 17-4-74 ) of Mad
Engrs.
m., Madras, 4-9-71, Mary Jane, sister of J. L. Wittever
( or Whitever ), Mad. Engrs.
_ 31-10-64, Appd. Company's Engr. at St. Helena, 1771 ;>
โ in charge of works at Masulipatain ; 1772, Plan of the Masnli-
patam Circars [ gz ].
MONCRIEIT, Bryce. Bom. Engrs.
b. c. 1766. d. 10-1-1802, Bombay.
Ens. ( Inf. ) 26-7-85 ; ( Engrs. ) 14-1-91 ; ... Capt.
Lieut. 8-1-96.
Bo S & Pol. 3-4-90, Attd. as Engr. to Bombay dett.
sent to Malabar under Lt Col. Hartley [ 130 ].
Bo. MC. 20-11-92, Suspended by the Bom. Govt, for mis-
coiimic; two letters, dated 17-2 and 1-3-91, appeared in
an Enghsh newspaper, the Argus of 28-9-91, "signed B M
on engineer m General Abereromby's Army on the Malabar
toast .which, 011 reaching India, were laid before the Conned
by the Governor, General Abereromby himself, as "containing
the grossest expressions on his character and conduct as
well as the measures of Government during the late War'"
When challenged as to the authorship, Moncrieff replied :
I can only say that whenever I wrote my opinion on what
was going on, it was in confidence to a particular friend, and
under the impression that any opinion given on such subjects by
apersoamso very inferior a station could never be considered
as having any weight. I beg leave to express my sense of
the candour with which the General has communicated a
subject which appears so very much to my prejudice" "By
356
BIOGRAPHICAL
which the Board observe tbat although Mr. Moncrieff- j
not acknowledge being the Author of the said lette wf
does not deny it; ...it is evident that he has eoS's'nUij
by his private letters upon the public affair, of thยฐโขSSโ
and has thereby been guilty of disobedience of the orSS 7 i
the Hon'ble Court of Directors, ... and, as he has not rWef
proper to retract or make any apology for Hie eโข3** V
tending to the hurt and dishonour of the CornmaET.
,,ot lie * eaolved 'Wore that he be suspended the seiwil
until the pleasure of the Honourable Company is kno,mโข
we arc of o; an libel w^
occasioned by pique and disappointment in not being Za
firmed m the Staff Office of Pioneer,, which the Hon'ble the
President m Conned deemed an unnecessary expenoe"
the Council at the same lime ivies.-,! an application f mm
Moncrieff for special allowance as "Captain ofSS^tSS
Detachment, the duties of which became particularly severe
from the early season at which the Detachment marched
and through to a Country where it was but seldom, there
were any traces of a Gun road to be found".
On receipt of orders for his suspension, Moncrieff sub-
mitted a letter expressing "his deepest contrition for the
erroneous aspersions contained in his letter"; .."Practitioner
Bngmeer Moncrieff is free to confess that the animadversion
he unhappdy east upon the Commander-in-Chief's character
and actions...were founded on a hasty undigested view o t
circumstances, stimulated by a too sudden impression of a
recent disappointment on his joining the Army"*.
He applied for leave, Calicut, 23-1-93; "Finding
I cannot be employed until the decision of the
Hon'ble the Court of Directors on my suspension can
arrive, and my health having suffered from severe
and frequent attacks of a fever, I am desirous of
trying the effects of a cold climate, [ and ] should be
happy of your permission to proceed to Europe" 5 .
He did not take advantage of the leave sanctioned,
but stayed on in Malabar 6 , and was employed on
surveys [131].
27-12-93, Col. Hartley wrote to him;'" As you
have been so obliging as to offer your servicesin the
line of your prof ession, ...I have therefore to request
that you will be so good as to proceed into that Dis-
trict (Rayamulla) for the purpose of surveying the
same, examining accurately the River and forming
an opinion respecting the most eligible site for
establishing the Post " 7 .
May 1794, at Bombay, reported that he had been employed
on the construction of Barracks at Telhcherry, Cannanore,
etc., and in Nov. asked that he might receive pay for
the period of suspension. Reinstated Sept. 1794, but not
brrsugUt on to full pay as there was no vacancy.
May 1795, the CE. asked that "As I am very much in
want of an officer, ... Ensign Bryee Moncrieff may be ordered
to do duty, as he is at present quite unemployed", and
orders were issued that he should be granted the same pay
and allowances during the period of Ilia suspension which he
would have received had the measure not taken place 8 .
Bo MC. 9-10-95, Appd. to "carry on the survey
in the Province of Malabar, in the room of " Emmitt,
and during 1796 employed on detailed surveys in
Ponnani Dist. [7, 132].
16-2-96, Appd. asst. to the S G., again in the room
of Emmitt, but could not be spared from Malabar,
and in March 1797 was appd. to comd. the newly
formed Corps of Pioneers [ 273 ].
'EPC. 31-5-79. 3 53 L/7. ^CM. 31-10-64
^BoMC. 17 (1795) pp. 907-9. ยซ Bo MC. 18-9-95. '
4 EoMC. 4-1-9;
5 BoMC. 15-3-93. ยซBotoCD. 13-1-94(25),
NOTES
357
MONSERRATE
In this capacity he took part in the <tt> .*ยปยป?โข
War, measuring the road front Cannanore to Serm-
gapatam[n8],and holding charge of the Guides
an ^ter1h g e e warne P too k up the survey of Sonda
and Kanara, ceded to the Company but was^er-
rupted by operations against the Pychy Raja of.
Kot-tayarrTf^], who held out against the British
or sTeral yeal'sl. WeUesley took over command
early in 1800, and wrote, 13 -4-1800, It is, however,
absolutely necessary that the Pyche Ra]ah should
be cosely watched during the monsoon ; no person
?ยซ 7mZ Captain Moncriefi to have the charge of
th ose who will give โ **โ %ยฃยฃ?%*โ โ ยฃ "HI
had great satisfaction m oDserving
intelligence of Captain Moncneff .
Uoad making by the Pioneers, and maps were
aJongttlloucricff-s first responsibilities m this drffi-
oSt and unknown tract, and in submitting a genera
description of the country and its roads he writes
โ I am sorry that time will not admit of my fur-
nish ng the Hon. Col Wellesley with a sketch o
?orioteandWynaad; my original survey m those
districts wasTmed /when my House at Calicut
was Plundered ; and the compiling the papers which
jrr^r^heMarof those Districts which
If ZSrm;^^^-ยซMor r riefiโข
โ th Col Stevenson's force in the Wynad [ 131 ]. and
Tas then granted a few months' leave to Bombay
Xilg an extension in order to visit Sura and
helo the SG. with lus map l 218 "^' โข I โ
dm been kept in Malabar, Reynolds had been strlv-
ST^apSn^ie^lntr^^
I'โf T have eiven the leave for which you wish.
I hop hoteve", for his own sake as well as for that
^SS ^rt^ufgT" Ser than
Jan. 10th 1802"".
MONSERRATE, Father Anthony 8 J.
b 1536. d. 5-3-1600, Salsette, Goa
b. at Vic L Ozona, 30 m. from Monseimt" in Cata-
lonia, Spain.
lL Ja i!eft 5 for India; i 7 -.i-79. ยซ Goa with mi,
sio n to court of Akbar ; landed at Daman and thence
travelled by land to Surat ; leaving Surat 15-1-8ยฐ.
mSon reached Fatehpur Sikri, a dis .tance of .go m.
after 43 days, travelling by way of Taloda Mandu
UiSuSironj.audNarwartpl. 10], where Mouscrrate
was detained some days ;by ยซยซ^
The mission was well received uy
took Monserrate on march to Kabul m 581 : m
capacity of tutor to his secondsou Prince Murad left
Fatebpur Sikri 8-2-81, and returned 1-12-81 . Mon
ferrate himself did not reach Kabul being left
behind at [alaiabad in bad health [149 J-
The following year he was member of embassy
which Akbar despatched to Europe, though it did
"l^on^siorto Abyssinia; capped or, the
way by Arabs, sent to the galleys, and not released
till ISQ6; died four years later. โโ,,โ,โ
On iourney up from Surat in 1780, kept a survey
an? took Z2 A* latitude, taldng further obsns
on road to Kabul which was measured under AKbar s
orfers [to 234 u. 3]. No record of these surveys
was Loโข to Danville or Rennell and they were
first noticed by Thomas Call in 1784 ["J-
Besides other papers Monserrate left a most
interesting account of his journeys and stay at
Akbar's court, entitled Mongolia Legators Com-
Paris' ; which contains not only a list of geogra-
phical positions but also a small map of India that
is reproduced on pi. io[209,2 3 2]. . M โ
The romantic story of the discovery of this M b.
hi CaLtta. 1906. is given in full, with the Latin text
the list of lats. and longs., and the map, m a paper
DV Father Hosten in the Journal of the Asiatic Society
ofBeZg" Hosten describes various pencil remarks
made in the margins, and discusses the possibility
of these being made by Wilford [qv] who was m
ISor. of some of Monserrate's writings, but
Hs that none of Wilford's many quotations agree
exactly with the Calcutta MS'; we may also note
hat Monserrate's latitude of Attack 33 4J , qnotad
by Wilford [ 149], does not appear m the Calcutta Ml.
Y Hosten moreover does not ^^^f^T
presented to the library of the Asiatic Society be-
? r820 and 1822, ; Cornrnentanes of PadreMo^
found buTrfo'bvUsiy did not include the volume
found in 1906; the title Wilford gives to one of his
nuotations is De Legatione Mongolia.
4 It is possible that the pencil comments described
by Father Hosten were made by Thomas Call and
\ll then a comparison of handwriting might w 11
be made with records now preserve d ยป' th ^ IV %
of India or the Imperial Records Department. It
t to be noted, however, that Call must have had
ome mapT and papers that are not contarned in
HcTter^ MS, which makes no mention of con,pass
fX or observation for latitude as described by Call.
, n โข* TISS-OV other letters about Monorieff
s ^r h J- D ^t\\ ,ยซ,,, โข Ob. notice, Bom. Courier
'Oper^ns ^o^d by ^.(79-8!, fcLog JgMJfc 'tt^W ^ " ^T^T
& his Koneers, ^J.^rf^ ML. called ie Monserrate b 5 โ some miter.. ^ M^ยป< >
,eeio, โข. - \ --> โข
1 R-l-1802. M L Souapur Cem
m taHus; Enghsh trar, 8 lrt.on |
JASB. XVIII. 1922(371-4).
^Hence called dc llousermte by son.e ยปยป"โข-โข f 921
1 in the Catholic Herald 0/ India Aug. 1620 & INov.
โ -. 1822. Appx. II.
9 Commentariue ( 515-28 ) &
MONTRESOR
There is another writing of Monserrate'3 in existence, an
abstract from his diary, of which several copies were made
at Goa in 1582. This is entitled Relacam do Equabar Bei dos
Mogores, an English translation of which was published by
Hosten in 1912 ; this contains nothing whatever about Mon-
serrate's journeys, geography, or survey 1 .
References to Monserrate and his writings will be found
in Maclagan ; Smith ; JASB. VIII ( 185-221 ) ; XVII
( 371^1 ) ; AsR. IX Errata & Addenda ; XIV { 454, App ii ) โ
C'ommentarius ; Ben P&P. YIIL ( 219 ) ; XIII ( 297. 313 ) โ
New Magazine, Calcutta, Dec. 1939, No. GO. X ( 437-86 ).
MONTRESOR, Henry Amand. Mad. Engrs
&Inf.
b. c. 1745. d. 10-9-73, Tanjore.
Lieut. ( Engrs. & Inf. ) 8-9-67 ; Resd. Engrs. 26-1-69 โ
Capt. ( Engrs. & Inf. } 25-6-70.
Son of James Gabriel Montresor, HM's Engrs ( Ens
5^-32 ... Col. 25-5-72 ; DNB. ), and his 1st. wife Mary!
of Thurland Hall, Notts. J
m., Madras, 2-10-70, Miss Frances Cleverlv ; left a son, โ
Henry Eyre, and a dan. Prances.
Lieut, "of H.M.'s 14th Regt. of Toot, who, on the reduc-
tion of the youngest Lieutenants in the Regiments in the
year 1763, was reduced and placed upon half-pay; but he,
being an active disposition, and desirous of serving hia King
& Country, memorialized... in 1767.. .for leave to serve in the
EIC.'s service, until he should be ordered back into his
Sovereign's service, all of which was readily granted, and to
retain his half-pay" 2 .
1767, Appd. by- Directors to be sub-Engr. & Lieut.
from date of arrival in Madras, " of whose qualifica-
tions as an Engineer we have received ample testi-
monials; . . . having served the Crown in that Branch
in the Last War. " 3 .
Arrd. Madras during 1st Mysore War [89, 91 ], when it
was resolved that "Mr. Henry Montresor, who came out
with the rank of Sub-Engineer and Lieutenant shah have a
commission given as a Sub-Engineer and Lieutenant in the
Infantry and that he be ordered to proceed to act in the
Eield where most required" 4 . Served before Kolar [ 342 ],
and, 23-6-68, was "shot in the arm, but the ball was
extracted" 5 .
The allowances and prospects of Engr. officers
were in those days not so good as those of the Inf.
[266, 272], and when the Directors ordered that
officers should not hold appts. in more than one
corps, Montresor surrendered his Engr. rank, the
Council noting " that he cannot retain both Military
rank, and position as Engineer. He was already
appointed Lieutenant in the Military line, in con-
sequence of our great want of officers to send to
the Northward, and it being thought he might be
useful in both capacities. He may continue in the
Military Line only" [272 ] 6 . As he is a very cap-
able and deserving young man, he is to be mentioned
in a favourable manner to Court of Directors 6 .
10-6-69, Reported fit for duty and appd. to
superintend the Works in Madras, and on Call's de-
parture the following Feb., took charge of the Engrs
Dept. Whilst holding this charge he compiled a Map
of the Peninsula of India, [3,98, 239], on which the
Council remarked. "Taking into consideration the
pains and trouble Mr. Montresor must have had
compiling the above plan, together with his great
338
BIOGRAPHICAL
merit & abilities in other respects, having had the
charge of the works at this place ever since Mr Call's
departure, in which his conduct hath been much to
our Satisfaction, we could wish it were in our power
to make him some recompense adequate to his.
merits, and as his services in the Engineering Branch
are much wanted at this time, it is agreed to ask
him to continue in that Corps until we can advise
the Court of Directors; in the meantime a com-
mission as sub-Director & Captain of Engineers be
given to him to rank from this day "f.
Before this appt., the Corps of Engrs. in Madras had
fallen to only two officers [ 272 ], and in 1770 the Directors.
sent out a number of officers from England. In June 1771
Montresor complained of his " supersession by Capt. Pittman
in the care of the Contract Buildings", and the Board had
to explain that his appt. had been made " owing to the known
coolness that existed between Capt. Henry Montresor and
the CE., Lt.-Col. Boss [ 94 ]"ยป.
Oct. 1771, at the siege of Tanjoro "much indisposed from
a musket bah which grazed bis head" ยซ.
1772, with other officers employed on survey of
the routes of the detts. operating against poligars
of Mara war I" and Tinnivelly [90]. After comple-
ting โขโ tne Survey from the North gate of Madura
to the South gate of Trichinopoly...I have also taken
particular sketches of the villages. ... As the mon-
soon is now setting in, 1 am led to think I shall not
be wanted in the field for some time... ", so asks for
leave to go to the Presdy. [94] 11 .
About this time his name was put forward for
charge of a survey of the Carnatic [90], but during
the seige of Tanjore in Sept. 1773, the C-in-C after 1
reporting that Montresor was dangerously ill, had
later to report his death.
5-2-70, His widow was admitted a pensioner of Lorct
dive's Fund and, 13-12-80, petitioned for further help,
writing, " Ho was taken very ill in camp at Tanjore before
he had an opportunity of making any provision for his Family,
and died.. .leaving his disconsolate widow in a strange Country,
and in very indigent circumstances with two young children,
all in very great distress " 12 .
MORRISON, Dennis. Ben. Inf.
d. 5-3-76, Calcutta.
Kns. 1-5-64 ... Capt. 1-12-67; Dismd. by otml.
7-10-71.
Came to India as midshipman in HMS. Me.dway, consort-
to HMS. America in which Rennell also was midshipman.
Feb. 1766, Comdg. a small dett. of sepoys sent
against sanydsi fakirs on the borders of Rangpur and
Cooch Behar, where he was supported in action by
Rennell [292, 300].
Made " cursory surveys " in Balasore, Burdwan,
and Midnapore, probably before 1766 [21]. obsd.
for lat. at " Jellasore, Adjudagur, Cossimbazar,
Moorshidabad, Sourie ", and other places 13 .
1767, survd. route across Rajmahal Hills, North
of Dumka.
12-11-70, Killed John Campbell, of Ben. Inf. in duel at
Monghyr, tried by GCM. 20-12-70, and acquitted. Dismd..
by Ctml. 7-10-71, and became Capt. of a country ship.
iJASB. -v-iii. 1912(185-221). 2 Widow's petition, 13-12-80, I Misc. 25 ( 75 ). 3 C D to M. 4-3-67 (35 ). 4 MMC
27^1 1-67. s vibart. I ( 101 ). ยป M M C. 26-1-6!). 'MM C. 25-6-70. ยซMPC. 17-6-71. โข Vibart. I{115). ยป Ramnad,
12 1 Misc. 25 ( 75 ). " Orme MSS. 07 ( 25 ).
58 K [p]. 9]. "MM C. 9-11-72.
NOTES
359
MOULTOlSr
Feb am Asst. Professor of Hindustani at
College of Ft William, and succeeded Gilchnst as-
Professor, l8o+-8';Furl. 1808-10.
1812-13, at PWI., Penang.
l8 -o-i3i3, suspended till the pleasure of the
Directors be tooโข, for "having attempted to dis-
pose oT an English horse to the Nawab of Bengal
for one lakh of Rupees" 10 .
abad; , _ . . . TT, rll ess .. Bs. 10.000'
"AEuropo-nuuloCnanor. ,V. J.lii).....
Curricle .with a pair of law 1 h<โข ! 1 ยปโ <โข$
A tfeezde [ Arab ] Horse โขโ โ โข 00
A largo spotted Europo Dog [ DalmatUB ] gยปยป
Wยปer [of Oudh ] and the garah of Bhu tpore wer ej ยซg
Honorable Profession to vvliici In. be o ma nner
Monat has repeatedly acknowledged in UK muesi ma
"* ^CoZoil^oeordingly placed Monat ancle, ; โขPยซโขยป
and referred the case to the Directors, giving Mouat permis
"on to proceed home to plead his casern person.
The Directors -cutout their orders too jells later , we
Jto no means admit that the Advocate General's opinion
CJ^rยปi tS'i. on.;โขy *ยซ*โ ยซ. - ยซยป **
baveteยปยฐV^=V a r 5 n^Toofยฃe M ยฐtยปd fl n m cou!
Kef/ein' on his voyage to England.
MOULTON, John. Ben. Inf.
b. 27-9-48. d. 16-6-83, Barraekpore.
Son^TBS'Moionrf't^Sy of London; bro. of
Stephen Moulton, of Chancery Lane.
Ed. Meroh. Taylors', 1756-60.
1st Rohilla War, 13M.
v sErancis 1(281) *BMAddlMSS.
โขGrierl 50); diamonds were much used for making r emitt. nceยซ to Europe ^^ S()M t0 a _ Company in 1845.
P 1 ยป^f,L; a '. ( GO. ); iยฃni M ~F^^Wr "&riv1ยป> ยปWO, 17-9-13(69). ยปib. 1-10-13 (79).
u < GDto B. 20-9-15 (6,7).
MOTTE, Thomas. Ben. ; Free Meroh.
b. c. 1730. d. 28-1-1805, Serampore.
m ., Calcutta, 5-1-79, Miss Mary Toucher.,
MR 13-6-62 et sec;., Dispute over plot of land at Mur-
SM f S a d 4-7-65 et m .. Protested against having to sender
the farming of rents in Burdwan, consequent on withdrawal
of Ucenses to free merchants.
I7 66 Sent on mission to Sambalpur by Clive. and
survd. route from Cuttack. Left Calcutta _ 13-3-6ยฐ ,
arrd. Ealasore .7-4-46. Cuttack 6-5-66, Baud
"-5-66, Sambalpur 31-5-66. Had many adventures
but returned in Oct. without any success, either in
political negotiations or in Clive's private business
Fยฐ diamonds. Wrote account of his journey, pub.
'^Trading in diamonds at Benares 1 , and m
I774 said to have "had an appointment of late
aider the post Master for receiving & dispatching
the Dawks at Benares [ 304 ] ' -
-opn 21-8-76 Ordered to withdraw from Oudh but
pleaoed for tiโข ยป ashe has business at Mtaapor., and trade
r^m '4t I y 78ยซ 'unlecuniiry diยซeultie. and his house
faculties a Kttle rmpaired 7 . .
MOUAT, James. Ben. Engrs.
b. c. 1765-6. d. 9-5-1829, at sea.
Una 18-7-82 โขโ โ Lt Col. 29-5-1 824.
Son rfDr. George Mouat, Surg. HM.'s 13th AW?*
Kueoeeded his bro. as Bart, of Inghstoun, 1825 ol the
houseTMowalof B.lquhoUy, and of York Terrace, Regent s
PM m Surgh, 5-9-1809, Wilhelmina, dan of Capt. George
ADC to Sir Rob&rt Abercromby, C-m-U
19-11-94. Appd. Survr. in the Field, and survd.
boundary of the present Kampur State, and line
along foot-hills from the Ramganga R. to Hardwar
r 8 55-6, 167-8. 188, 232 ]. Nov. 1796, permitted
ยป to come to the Presidency preparatory to proceed-
ing to Europe on furlo' for the benefit of his health ,
furl. 27-3-97. till 16-12-1800.
NICOL
BPC. 5-12-76, Recommended by Rennell to be
-asst. to the survr. in Oudh, & Allahabad [ 36].
Aug. 1779, Submitted from Lucknow a number
โ of routes survd. in Oudh, the Doab, and Bundel-
khand [37].
Date unknown, Survd. "part of the Pargannas
north of Calcutta" 1 . 4-7-81, Comdd. batt. at cap-
ture of Chinsura.
JSTCOL, James. Ben. Inf.
d. 4-3-1816, at the Cape of Good Hope.
Ens. 14-11-61 ... Capt. 20-12-64. Resd. May 1766;
Restored, July 1780 ; Lt Gen. 25-9-1803 ; Ret
1-7-1804.
1761-3, Attd. to Knox's force in Midnapore, and
โ employed on surveys south to Balasore [21,28].
July 1763, with Knox to Patna; frequently em-
ployed on surveys [28 ].
MaTch 1764, "Lt. Nicolls was appointed to survey
and lay ont the line of the entrenchment " ; array
was withdrawn to Patna ; Lt. Nicolls " was sent in
advance to examine ford across the Soane ", but
-army diverted to Dinapore. Enemy . were ap-
proaching and "Lt. N. was given up for lost, but
having succeeded in surveying the ford, he arrived
in camp several days after" 3 .
At the battle of Buxar, "Capt. Jennings and Lt.
Nicoll had formerly been employed under Maj.
Carnac in surveying the ground now occupied by
the enemy, and were well acquainted with the loca-
lity" [341].
"When Major Monro ordered it [ 1st Ratt. ] to advance to
attack in flank a battery, ... Lieutenant James Nicol... being
a lieutenant in the battalion, but acting Adjutant to the
Sepoy corps, and as such rode in the suite of the Commander-
in-Chief, immediately dismounted, and gallantly led his
battalion forward ; but he was driven back with considerable
loss, and the corps thrown into great confusion ; however he
soon rallied his men, and kept up with the front until the
enemy were defeated" 3 . Mentioned in orders and thanked
by the President in Council.
1765, with Carnac to Lucknow in comd. of his bodyguard,
and left there, 14-9-65, in charge of the batt. doing guard to
the Nawab-Wazlr*.
1766, In comd. of the loth Sipa-hi Ratt. with 3rd Rri. at
Serajpore, whore Col. Smith was expecting to be attacked by
a force of Marathas. On May 7th the majority of the English
officers submitted a letter resigning their commissions, Nicol
among them. This was part of a concerted plan amongst
the officers of the three brigades on field service, intended as
a protest against conditions of service, but more especially
against a recent order of the President in Council revoking
the custom of allowing double batta for service beyond the
Presdy. town [ 275 n. 7].
Nicol was one of the leading spirits of this "Batta Mutiny",
and when the Council accepted the resignations and ordered
the offenders down to Calcutta, he continued to show a defiant
spirit. He first went to Renares and started in private trade,
and in Dec. 1766 withdrew to Fyzabad. From this place he
was eventually arrested, sent down to Calcutta in custody,
and, Dec. 1767, shipped to England, where he found a warm
champion in the author C&raecioH, who in his Life of Robert
Clive makes Nicol out to have been much maltreated 5 .
1780, Restored by the Directors to rank of Captain, and there-
after had distinguished military career, comdg. a bri. during
the 3rd Mysore War and rising to the rank of Maj. General.
360
BIOGRAPHICAL.
NORRIS, John,
b. c. 1760.
1782;
Mad. Engrs.
d. 28-1-1817.
Ens. Inf. 3-10-81; tr. to Enors
1-1-1803 ; Ret. 25-9-1811
t ofn. lotโข' Ly<U '*' ยฐ ldeSt d * U ' ยฐ !W "- Harco ยฐ rt T ยฐยซtao-
1-7-82, Applied for tr. to Engrs '
ston [ 342 ] at r
โ โ Lt Coh
"to assist Captain John.
M M C. 3-5-85. it was ruled that " Mr. Norris who'
is employed on surveying, can ill be spared' from
this service to destroy the Fortifications at Amboor "
3-6-87. CE. reports that "Mr. Norris has given
general satisfaction on the Survey in which he has
been engaged". 1788-91, and probably longer.
Employed under Board of Revenue on survey of
"grounds for new settlers in the Madras Jagbire"
[143,273].
Jan. 1794, Deputed to survey Devicottai "having
no material duty to perform at Fort St. George "
remaining on this duty till May 1795 [roS]?.
From 1795 employed on normal Engr. duties.
Being stationed at Seringapatam in 1799, became
involved in a dispute about a map with Col. Welles-
ley, who wrote to him, " In the conversation which
passed between you and me yesterday, in the course
of which you told me that you would not furnish
me with a plan of Seringapatam, either for the
Military Board or for my own use, I wrote you a
letter, which I delivered into your hands, in which
I desired to have both". Norris "replied verbally
that all plans were to go to the Chief Engineer,
and from him to the Military Board, and that he
would not furnish me with one ".
Wellesley thereupon reported Norris as "unfit
to be employed as Engineer at Seringapatam" 8 .
Though Govt, agreed that Norris was in the right,
he was transferred from Seringapatam so that he
might not offend the great man again 9 .
NUTHALL, Thomas. Mad. Cav.
b. 1755-6. d. 14-8-1829.
Comet 10-12-85 ... Col. 12-8-1819.
Son of Sir Thomas Nuthall, Solicitor to the Treasury.
{ DNB. ).
m., 1st., Madras, 21-9-95, Eleanor Bromley, who d. Madras
1-9-97.
m., 2nd., Devonshire, Charlotte, dau. of P. R. Webber.
Oct. 1792, Survd. route from Arcott through Ongole
to Hyderabad [n6]iยฐ.
ORME, Robert. Mad. Civ. & Historian.
b. 25-12-28, at Anjengo. d. 13-1-1801.
Writer, Bengal, 1743; tr. to Mad. 1754; Member of
Council; Commy & Aectt. Gen. 1757-8; Ret. 1759.
Son of Alexander Orme 11 , Surg. & Chief of Anjengo
[ 96 n. 1 ] ; when about 2 years old, sent home to an aunt in
Cavendish Sq. London. Ed. Harrow, 1734-41.
DNB. ; DIB.; Holzman (135); Eur. Mag. 39, 1801,
with portrait [ pi. 18 ].
1742, Arrd. Calcutta in the employ of a mercantile firm.
Patron of Dalrymple at Madras [ 330 J.
IE PC. 29-3-87.
ยฐMack MSS. LXVTII.
2 Broome (434). 3 Williams (136-7). i Caraccioli. I (472). ^See also Bolts[223 n. 10].
ib. LXIX. a Supply. Desps, I ( 275 ), 19-7-99. 9 Vibart. 1CI DDn. 266 ( 140 ). " Innes { 504 ).
NOTES
361
On voyage home, 1758-9, captured by the J"nch near
Cape of Good Hope, and taken to France, wajkfeg *ยปfโข
Oct 1760. Purc&sed house in Hade, Bt , and fettled down
to write his History; Vol I. appearing .1763, Vol. H, 1TO.
From abont 176S, Histriographer to EIC. on salary of ยฃ 400
a year.
In his case History and Geography went ever
hand in hand, and all his correspondence shows that
he was just as persistent in asking for maps and
Sketches and geographical information as he was
in asking for facts and narratives. He wrote to
all his friends, civil and military, in Madras and
Bengal, begging for all the information and maps
they could collect, and it was Ins request to Clive
in 1764 that initiated Rennell's great survey of
Bengal [29.2=2, 256]. A number of his letters
written to Clive between 1765 and 1767 are pre-
served at Powis Castle.
Not finding any general map of India suitable
of illustrate his History, he compiled one of his
own his chief dman. being Thomas Kitchen [211].
Amongst his papers now preserved at the India
Office are details regarding the projection of this
map, and astr. positions for control [ 153.223 J.
The map is produced in different forms m Vol III
of his History of the Military Transactions of the
British Nation in Indoostan. from the year 1745 L ยป7 J.
and again in his Historical Tragments of the Mogul
Empire from 1659 [ยซยซ]โข The 2ni ed J' ยฐ f tbK
latter work, 1805, contains a brief biography
Amon-st his correspondence are many letters to
and from D'Anville who showed the greatest inter-
est in his work [ 211, 331 J. He paid his respects to
the Marquis de Bussy during a visit to Pans in 1773
[115.320].
OKPEN, Richard Thomas. Mad. Civ.
Writer, 1778. At home in 1787. d. unm.
Son of Kev. Eiehard Orpen, of KiBowem co. Kerry, &
Mnrv his wife After retirement High Shernff, co. Cork.
Talamcott.h, 1-1-83, Dedicated a map of Tmmvelty to
inch ; map described by Montgomery as poor [III],
OBB, Alexander. Mad. Inf.
b 8-4-64. d. 14-3-1809, at sea.
Ens 6-10-81... LtCol. 25-7-1805; Bet 31-1-1809.
Eldest son oT Alexander & Elizabeth Orr, of Waters.de,
B ยฐยฐ^*tl2-lim, at Madras, Mary Ann, dau. of Ma] Gen.
Wm. Sydenham, Mad. Art.
Lost at sea with wife and 3 children in the Lady Jane
Dundas, on homeward voyage.
,rd Mysore War, 8-11-91, with Ellore Dett., or
Nizam's Subsy. Force, at capture of Gurrumkonda
Ft a โข as Qmr. to the Dett., survd. all its marches
through the Nizam's Dominion " since the beginning
of 1793" till I7ยฐ6 [116] 3 .
U Rev Bd. 5-1-98, Recommended for survey of
Guntur Circar, the Collector writing, "The sketches
which I have seen.. .from Capt. Orr point to to
assiduity & Qualification for his Task, & as I under-
PEABSB
stand he is on the point of quitting the adjutancy
and quartermastership of the nth Regt. I...recom-
mend his offers be accepted [115, 14; J โ
Beatson [311-2] wrote, 10-6-98, "I am not per-
sonally aequinted with Capt. Orr but his correspon-
dence with me on Geographical subjects, & the speci-
mens of his performances, impress me with so high
an opinion of his talent, that I think it is to be
regretted they remain unemployed .
The approach of the 4th Mysore War prevented
further thought of this survey, and Orr was given
comd. of the Guides [in], and frequent reference
to his work during the campaign is made by Allan
[ 30S ] in his Account of the Campaign in Mysore [III,
118 ]>. 1804, QM G.Madras.
An appreciation of his services was pnb. m M G u.
of 3-1-1809, just before his retirement.
PARKER, William Neville. Ben. Art.
b. 4-3-74, in India, d. 18-5-1863, Bath.
Ewkr 6-1-92 ... Capt. 17-9-1807 ; Ret. 10-6-1808.
Son of Bt. Col. John Neville Parker, Ben. Inf., by his
Mg. 1793, at siege of Pondicherry.
1799-1800, Surveys in southern Cmttagong [ 591-
1803 Operations in Ganges-Jumna doab Hurl irom
28-2-1805. 1811-6, Recruiting officer for EIC. m Ireland
and England.
PARROTT, Richard Leveridge. Ben. Engrs.
d. 4-9-72, Monghyr.
Ens. 5-1-69 ; Lieut. 8-11-69.
Son of Mary Parrott. โ k m, v,o
Nothing is known of the circumstances under which he
carried out a large-scale survey of Budge-Budge and the
Hooghly R. [ 52 ]โข
PEARSE Thomas Deane. Ben. Alt.
b. 1741-2 7 . d. 15-6-89, near Calcutta.
TV ยซ B Mai from RA. 2-9-68 ; Col. 12-6-79.
Son of Somas Pearse of Reading, Capt. RN. ( d. 1778),
and Martha his wife ; cousin to T. F. M. Hurnbem tone [9 8 n
13 ] ยป. Made regular remittances from India to his father and
'ยฐ m' ,n Calcutta JLft. lady, Panna Purree who d. 1820.
nXB MB.] EIMC. II (247-50); M,l. ยซยซ*ยซยซ*>โข*โ
I to IV โข' Bm P*P. II ( 305 * 'ยซ!โ )โ J""'โข' m EA ' Meas >
W ยฐ,?!vt h 'RA d Kf ^mmw'sfrvTchn Europe and W.
Iโl"d. I.L 24-6^68; y ,tatiorยซd at Chunar tffl Jrdy
St SfSfiS. Te^^te^Wn I ^ ยซยซ
S'uiand rfta corps I was "โข^"**^ยฃ f
ail who composed it", and. say, he ยปt . himself to wort to
improve the state of the regiment and m 1772 he had ^arranged
for the sueolv of belter material, and was rewarded ere his
death by seeing the corps raised to a high state of disc.phne
and efficiency" 3 .
Pearse was a keen astronomer, and kept up a
regular series of astr. obsns. for lat. and long, at
ens' residence at the Treasury Gate, Ft. William the
results of which, for the period i 7 74-9, ยปยซ<; P" b - m
As r r 154-5. 163. 180. MO !โ He als0 t00k reg
meteorological obsns., the record of which opens in
, ยซ, mo .ins ml ( 85 ) โ Mack MSS. LX. & M R 1 0. M
*S5*ยฃT8 ^"f^'iSS&ESiW" ?&* gโข S bir 5 tni ItVb. but M I. in S. Park St. โem.
shows ^"* >m:s^y- n(iยป9). โขยปยซ* (37,.
PEARSE 362
Nov. 1773, and shows readings taken 3 or 4 times a
day of Barometer, Hygrometer, Thermometer, and
"Wind, with many interesting comments ;
28-1-74. "Sky clear. Saw Saturn, his ring a straight
line, one satellite fibnve him. ...
29-3-74. "It lulled & began again from the HW, then
again died & freshed in the NE., horridly black the SW. from
whence I expect it. Dming this time very little rain fell,
& I was obliged to run out of my tents for fear they should
fall, and my thermometers packed up for -fear of breaking. ...
11-9-74. "TJntill a little before Gunfire the heat was
terrible, the wind was northerly, tho' I know not from what
point, & it brought an horrid stench from the Brick Kiln, or
town, or both. About Gunfire the (lew foil heavily, the air
felt cool and agree bly moist, & the wind getting round to ye
Southward rendered the morning pleasant &โ cool : but before
that, the heat was suffocating & deprived me of all sleep. ...
12-5-76. "The S.ly wind gradually died away, a lull of a
minute intervened, & then came ye NW.'r which raised the
dust to the clouds ; as the force of ye wind increased, the
clouds grew thicker & thicker, & swelled out in the middle,
forming a regular curve, which seemed to he of a consistence
like something solid. When, this mass reached our Zenith,
the storm began. While I have been writing I have several
times smelt tho electricity as when the matter flows from the
sharp point as a conductor, & soh as a Gentleman who is with
me ; from which I conjecture that my Electrical rod is very
much affected, for the Lightning is very frequent without
Thunder. ...
16-9-76. "Thunder in ye NW. from whence a storm
coming on I think I felt an earthquake in three successive
shocks. About one minute ago I was reading & my atten-
tion was taken off by a motion of my chair & a repetition of
it twice after war ils almost confirms me. I heard immedi-
ately after Thunder at a distance. ( It was felt all over the
Town )".
Pearse was a close personal friend of Warren
Hastings, and acted as his second in the duel against
Philip Francis, 17-8-80, reporting details to the
Chairman of Directors in a letter of 4-10-80 1 .
Jan. 17S1, Took comd. of the force that marched
down the east coast to join Eyre Coote's army
against Haider Ali [ 4, 40-2 ].
The great difficulties which he had to meet during
this march through the physical nature of the coun-
try, lack of discipline within the force, duels and
courtmartials, sickness and cholera, and the uncertain
attitude of the Marathas, are vividly described in
his letters [ 40โ1 ] a . Throughout the march to
Madras, which occupied over six months, Pearse
displayed all the qualities of a great leader, and it
was a very great disappointment to him that on
arrival, the Bengal Dett. was split up amongst the
various brigades of the army ; Pearse himself was
given no command nor responsibilities worthy of the
seniority, and was continually passed over by his
juniors, and kept out of the higher commands by
brevets granted to officers of King's troops.
Throughout his correspondence Pearse shows strong
animosity against Coote, which seems to have existed
ever since the C-in-C.'s first arrival in Bengal,
March 1779.
During 17S2, he took a few months leave to Bengal, and
on his return journey, writes the Council, "having offered to
BIOGRAPHICAL
of the Presidency of Fort St. George, this sum w^ ... V
ingly delivered to his charge. The necessity of keeping .SS"
a trust winch m Every mile of the wav Might be exoovdfr
plunder if it were known, made us withhold the entiv of >
upon our records, and prevented our taking any E a V
notice of it to you. ... Col. Pearse arrived and deliverer] K
charge safely in to the Company's Treasury at Madras aeoniT
mgmouropmiOTi some dearec oTerertit. both from the pronolai
itself, which was made at a time when the season woiddnofc
admit of a saie and speedy convey by sea and from his success-
ful execution of it '' 4 .
On this journey, as well as on that of the year
before, Pearse had a perambulator traverse kept of
his route, and took astr. obsns. at all important
halts [154-51-
Took a short spell of leave after being wounded at Cuda-
lore, writing, 26-9-83, "I am quite recovered, that i
my
wound as such is entirely healed, but I am emaciated' and
worn down, and am not likely to get better. ... I had been
banished from camp to avoid the Brevets" 6 .
The dett. was re-assembled under Pea-rse's comd. at -the
end of the war [ 41 ]. "The army was at this time many
months pay in arrears, and there was much discontent, and
in one or two instances the conduct of the troops was highly
insubordinate. By combining that necessary decision of
character, which will ever uphold subordination and discip-
line, and at the same time command respect, with an amiable
and ever zealous interest in the welfare of all ranks under his'
command, Col. Pearse had acquired an ascendancy over the
minds of his native soldiery, which proved of the utmost
value at this time. ... The conduct of the Bengai Detachment,
at the period of their final departure from Madras called
forth the highest praise from Lord Macartney and the Govern-
ment of the Madras Presidency for their past services and
their conduct both in field and in Cantonments".
The troops refused to be sent back to Bengal by
sea, as against their religious prejudices [40, 343 ] 6 ,
and the dett. started its return march 22-4-84, and
after a halt of about 3 months for the monsoon,
arrd. at Gaurhati, opposite Barrackpore, 15-1-85.
Throughout this march a continuous survey of
the route was kept up by Colebrooke, whom Pearse
appd. Survyr. to the dett. 7 and instructed in the
taking of astr. obsns. , a number of which Pearse
made himself at the more important stations [200,
326-7].
Warren Hastings honoured them with an inspection a fow
weeks before his departure from India, and amongst the
rewards issued, l.'eurse himself received a ''Sword of Honour". โ
A few weeks later the C-in-C. held a review at Duin-Dum ;
"When Col. Pearse's detachment of Artillery returned.. .in
1785, they were quartered at Dum-Dum.. .and were there
reviewed in February 1786, by the Commander-in-Chief, on
which occasion Col. Pearse gave an elegant entertainment, at
which were present, besides the Commander-in-Chief and the
Governor General, a very numerous and respectable Com-
pany " 8 .
1787, supported plans for Burrow's astr. survey
[157]- His correspondence is full of references to
other scientific interests.
He describes the Benares observatory [150, 157}
and in a letter of Jan. 1774 writes, "When I left
Calcutta, our army was encamped at Ramgaut, which
is about fifty miles from Delhi on the eastern side of
1 Mil. Repository. I ( 164} j Cateutta Q ds N. ( 879 ); cf. Francis. I ( 309 ). 2 Mil Repository. I (179-248); BenP&P.
ni{76 at seq.) 3 16 rupees each. *B to CD. 3-2-83 ( 16). i Mil. Repository. IV (251). ยซBenP. d> P. VI (266).
'Pearse had great difficulty in persuading Govt, to pass the allowances of dett. staff. ( Ben P. <ยฃ- P. VI f 282 ). e Buckle
(236).
:
NOTES
363
the Ganges, and abont 150 from the Cataract called
the Cow's mouth. It is the source of the Ganges,
for there the stream first takes this name,and there
is the sanctum sanctorum of the Hindoos" 1 .
In a letter to Sir Robert Barker he writes;
"Maskelyne I 155 n. 13 ] has suppressed all my astro-
nomical observations, and had not the civility even
to answer my letters to him, which is rude enough for
a philosopher and a man of science "โข
In another. letter to Sir Robert, dated i 3 -2-38,
after writing " I have not the honour to be a mem-
ber of the Royal Society ""-, he discusses designs for
steam engines, and testifies to the excellent work-
manship of Jesse Ramsden's instruments [206].
During the later year, of hi, life Pยซโข lived in a house rn
Chowrin?hee, and owned 4 other houses, nioludmg one at
"Xotehee Collar,", 5 miles from Calcutt a He die dm 1789
"a few mdes up the Hooghly where he went for atange 01
ยปiv"> "after a iourney to the Sand heads for benefit of his
health, Id Atoned with little benefit after a tagjmd
painful illness whieh he supported with the greato.t firmness
"Vpitr'eT, 'id to Pearse's memory stiU stand, at Dum-
D The Mowing extracts from his will tell something of his
Pri "M 6 a,riea to Punnt, Purree, . native of Hindostau ; marri-
age though kept secret for many years, nj-^S*
โ e 1 โ ' i iiiVu.r ii-it.iv-cwiiriicii vviio bore bnsn (.l.iiaren in ins
Zenat -Tmlyta* Punna Purree Pearse, named
?homยป; Deane Mahomet Pearse, property in Chownnghee
Bought the piece of ground in Chownnghee m 1,82.
"Warren Hastings at his departure presented me with a
diY.3 set" gold, whieh I have lodge in the hands of my
^risaao Humphry* Lieut., my โข_^.^
ScoS ements belonging to him; and I .1 so bequeath t the
^ ThtrTaTstdl preserved letter, from "Panna Pear,." to
Warren Hating,, beautifully written in Persian, with mter-
ltorEngh.h translation, asking for h.s protection for
"M^TeiS " โ . The voung Thomas Deane entered Har.ow
Jan ITS? it the age of 10, and left 1793 ; he entered Onel
Cod Oxford 9-0-05, but nothing further i. known of him.
PERRON, An. ; see ANQUETIL-DUPERKON
PERRY, George. Ben. Engrs.
d. 12-3-86, at Hooghly, Bengal.
Ens. 15-5-83.
SeadrfnMtawhin ยปeomn,.โded by C-in-C. for conm
Enjoyed ยฃ survey of the SE. parts of P^"f C ยปยปโข
Provinces towards Ganjam, but withdrawn during the
retrenchments of 1785 [ 38 ]โ
PITTMAN 9 , Philip. Mad. Engrs.
b. 1740. d. 20-1-75, Vizagapatam.
m Madraf'nra, Mis, Honora Dawke, who after his
deaftm Mr. Taswed- left a son. Gibbon Charles George
Pntresm b Nov. 1773, afterwards Lieet,, Mad. I'mgrs.
Srh, HJl-'s 48th Foot in N. America; 15th Foot,
14-9-60 ; Lieut. 28-7-62.
PLAISTED
13-12-69, Wrote to Directors EIC. refusing appt. of Capt.
of Inf lately granted; was accordingly appd. to Engr,. and
โ *&.ยฃยฃ Wrote torn Injengo submitting " a Plain
Chart of the Islands in Lats. 4ยฐ 3ยฐ' and 4 5ยฐ South
and in the 53ยฐ 3' E. Long, from the mend.an of Paris
rArraraiteisi: The French have taken possession
ffiS^Ljโข informed at the Cape of Good
Hope. I obtained a copy with difficulty from
Mvnheer Berga, Member of Council 1 .
Claimed seniority above Montresor, as My
Lieutenancy was dated the 28th July 1762 . ihe
Council replied that comn. dated from receipt of the
Courts orders, viz. 15-9-70, and refused to super-
cede Montresor [358] 13 .
17-1-72, Ordered to make a survey of Port bt.
George and Blacktown [94].
April 1772, Engr. to Genl. Smith's force operating
in Tinnivelly and Ramnad, and survd. routes and
several forts [oo] 13 .
1773, Ordered to survey of N . Circars, and employ-
ed there till death [3, 92-3, l6 9. 2 ยฐ3. 2 79]-
1795 his son Gibbon was stationed in Vizagapatam,
where he was "frequently employed in Surveys...
making these in the new conquered situations near
his station ' u . _ ..^
There is an undated map preserved in Calcutta
entitled " Sketch of the Island of Salsette , by C.H S.
Pittman, of whom nothing is known 1 '; though he
may have been another son.
PLAISTED, Bartholomew. Mar. Suivt.
Bengal.
d 27-10-87, in Bengal.
Died num. ; Had a cousin Thomas Burnet, of the Strand,
L0 ยฐrยฃ">*P. I ( 98, 102 ) ; VI < 107 ) ; Sandes, I ( 47-8 ).
And. India a, Capt. of ship Knt.
1745, on death of Aloffe, Appd Survr. & fngr on torti
fieations of old Pt. William, making several plan, of the
W "x?if Involved in disputes with the Council;
obtained leave to England; sailing . tarn Calcutta
,8-11-19, touched at Cochin and Bandar Abbas, and
then had adventurous journey across desert, leaving
Basra 15-6-50, and reaching Aleppo 23-7-50.
He walked every day till 9 o'clock, then ndmg a
camel, across which were slung a pair of " Cajavm > ,
in which he and his servant, an Enghsh sailor, balan-
ced each other. "I am the first who crossed it
with a Camel Caravan, and probably have been
the greatest Sufferer on that Account; and perhaps
am the only Person who was at the Trouble of wnt-
ting each Day's Occurrences, after haying been
cooped up in a Cajava for thirteen Hours together
Leaving Aleppo July 30th, he visited Cyprus and
Rhodes, and was kept 20 days in quarantine m the
lazaretto at Marseilles, where he arnved 9-10-50,
visiting Versailles on his way across France, he
reached London 24-n-50 lb -
, , , , ., , 4 rr 1 S-fi-89 s Probably by muhammadan
1M***&* K 23 >- ,"5', IV( f 34 1L VinSf^-BO k) with cod 25-5-89. โข Grier ( f 4 ) โข! Some-
lโv . Sec. to Bd. of Ordnance (Hod,on) ^.W MS 1 05 383 "MM C. 4-3-71. ยป Ornie MSS. 333 ( 32, 34 ).
"k^f^S^^^ -SSKSfcST ยซPlai,tcd ( 39, 91, U,,eยซ*.
PLAISTED
Wrote a long letter 6-8-50, describing journey to
Governor Drake in Calcutta 1 , and pub. account
entitled Journal from Calcutta in Bengal [by Sea to
Busserah, ...to the 2nd edn. of which was added
Account of. the Countries, Cities, and Towns adjacent
to Bengal, "with a Map by Mr. Plaisted" 3 .
Though this map bears a note that it is "collected
from the best authorities ", it is said to be little
superior to that of van den Broeck dated 1660 [221 ] 3 .
Returned to Bengal with order from the Directors for
re-employment and, on death of Robins [311 n.i], held
charge of the fortification works till arrival of Col. Scobt
[51 ] in 1753. In Court letter of 23-1-54 it was ordered
that he should be appd. Master Attendant, or Harbour
Master.
1755, placed under suspension and again returned hoiae,
thus being fortunate to escape the tragedy of the "Black
Hole "[337].
TheDirectors then refused to allow Plaisted toreturn
to Bengal "on account of a turbulent temper and
unbecoming behaviour, lessening the Government in
the eyes of the whole settlement "*, but after two
years he was once more sent out, with the appt. of
Survr. of Works โ >, and sent to Chittagong when that
Province was ceded to the Company at the end of
1760 [14]. "Mr. Bartholomew Plaisted was, in
compliance to your commands, ordered to hold him-
self ready to proceed to Bombay, and accordingly
gave up the office of Surveyor, ...but being after-
wards advised that Mr. Plaisted's assistance would
be very useful in compleating the Surveys of the
River and Coasts near Chittagong, we have employed
him on that service 6 [269].
1760, Employed on surveys of Channel Creek and
waterways to east of the Hooghly, and then survd.
coasts and creeks from S. of Chittagong to Balasore
[1, 151, 152, 184, 283]. He made Chittagong his
headquarters most of the time and was given a seat
on the Council there, the Directors approving that
he "should be given all reasonable encouragement
his services deserve, advantages in trade etc. [ 275 ],
but he is not to rise on the list of Covenanted
Servants "".
In addition to his surveys he drew up Navigation
Instructions for the coast of Chittagong, 9 and obsd.
the transit of Venus during 1761 [ 153]. 1763, with
Verlest's expn. to Cachar; survd. route through
Tripura and return by water to Dacca [82]. Feb.
1765, was survg. the Meghna near LakshmTpur where
Rennell just missed him 9 .
1765, called to Calcutta to join De Gloss in survey
of Burdwan [22]. His last job was a visit in 1767
to "the Factory House at Luckypore...to survey
its situations, and find a proper spot for new Build-
ings" 10 . On return from this trip "departed this
life after a fever of ten days, the 27th October".
The following extract from his will show that standards
of life have changed somewhat since his days ;
364 BIOGRAI
"I... give to all my slaves their libertv an 1
together with all their Cloaths, joys, ยซ or anytime eW?โข'"
have given them, and to Martha, at present" my 1โ i "*?
further the sa-a of a one P^ .,n, o,.,a . โข J e >i give
Seeoncuv, as I was never married, founder the me, -.
to adopt heirs ; my natural and reputed children ยซ.โ
Ann, now in England, under the Care of my esteemed coili '
Mr. Thomas Burnet of the Strand, London โ and โ ยฃยฃ*
now living with me in Calcutta". ""'
He left further bequests to cousin Thomas Burnetftl - m s
to his married sisters; also "if any of my slaves be 'with
child when I die", due provision is made la
Wilford records a story that "Plaisted, while survevii .
some parts of the S,mderb,a,ds. was carried away bv an
alligator, which he mistook for the rotten trunk of a tree" r*
P0LIEB, Anthony ( Antoine Louis Henri l
Ben. Engrs. & Inf. '
b. 1740-1, bapt. 28-2-41, at Lausanne-
Switzerland. Assassinated, 9-2-95
Rosetti, near Avignon.
Ens. ( Inf. ) 1-6-59 ; Capt. Lieut. ( Engrs. ) ll-10-6f>
... Lt.-Col. 12^1-82 ; Eet. 1789.
Younger son of Jarraea - if enri -Etienne Poller of a French
Protestant family which had emigrated to Switzerland in tho
17th century, and Jeanne- IVancohe Moreen de Presses his
wife. '
Nephew of Panl-Phillippe Poller, Major on Mad. Est
killed, Calcutta, I7o8-9. *
m. in France, 20-1-91 Anne-Rose-Louise Berthoudt, dan.
ot Jacob, faioau van Berchem.
Father of KeiTe-Amedee-Charles-Ginllaume-AdoIphe
Cointe de Poher. ^ '
Ed. at Nenfchatel.
Short auto-bio. in preface of Mythologies ass Hindoua, pub
Pans, 1809, prepared from his papers by the Comtesse Polier
bis cousin, a translation of which appears in Govt f7o?'
Calcutta, 15 & 22-1-1818, U q โotยซd freely helow. '
DIB. ,- Diet. bio. des Genevois et den Vaudois โ Official
Statement of Services, PLMS. 90 ( 91-3 ), 21-10-85
1757, Appd. cadet for Ft. St. George, hoping to join his
uncle. "I was born at Lausanne.. .where my family had
became naturalised. My Uncle was in the Enghsh servi
... I had made some progress in my mathematical studies
An opportunity of going to England.. .occurring in 1756 I
went thither in that vear. & embark;โข rโข. rโn;โ ;.
-nโ .^ โ j โ oโ e. VJ ..โ '5J...ru..."ccuiaiL^ _
went thither in that year, & embarking for India in the year
ensuing I arrived there at the age of 18, in June 1758 Den.
rived, by the death of my relation, of the only friend I had
in India, I entered the English service as a cadet, ami after
being engaged m some actions with the French on the Coast
of Orrssa, proceeded to Bengal".
'759, Served under Forde during the campaign in
N. Circars, and survd. route of return march to Ben-
gal ; apparently on Ben. Est. by this time [28,91,
345D.3].
r 7 6o, with Cailla.ud's force to Patna and, โขโ after
that, I was employed as Engineer with the army
that was sent against the Nawab, ...and upon the
termination of the campaign was employed to
superintend the military labours carried on by the
troops ".
"I was shortly afterwards nominated Assistant
Engineer at Calcutta, and in September 1762, suc-
ceeded to the post of Chief Engineer with the rant
lOrmaMSS. VIE { 2095). = Ben P & P. IV( 600 ). ยปLa Touche ( 38 ). ยซCareyI(33) . C D to B 3 3 58 .J
to CD. 16-1-61(167-8). < CD to B. 19-2-66(47). .pnb. by Daljymple. STโuoh,( SS^T >^T โข? o'-7 m
11 tl-om tee r'ortueueae world ice, laeaoiue Jewels. Wright ( 20 n ) m On his ionrnev +e F,,,.โข, 1 eso a r n"
NOTES 365
of Captain " 1 , the Council resolving that, " Lt.
Anthony Polier having served as Sub-Engineer under
Mr. Amphlett [309] these two last seasons with
great Diligence and Assiduty, and naving always
from his Capacity acquitted himself to the Satisfac-
tion of his Superiors, He is now esteemed the most
proper Person upon the Spot to take charge of the
Works [the new Ft. "Wm. ]โ ...
"We have further granted you a commission as
Engineer, with the rank of a Capt. Lieutenant in the
Army, to enable you to maintain the proper sway
and Authority over those who are to, or may in
future, act under your directions " 3 .
It was about this time that Polier made the map
of Midnapore and Burdwan, from which Rennell
borrowed the detail of certain rivers ; a map pro-
bably compiled largely from the work of other
surveyors [21,222,269].
Sept. 3 764, Handed over to Capt. Fleming Martin 3 ,
who had been sent out from England to become CE.,
and " now proceeded to the Army with the command
of a campany of Pioneers" 4 ; probably present at
battle of Buxar; 21-11-64, Appd. Fd. Engr. to the
Army in the Field, and with Munro to Chunar a .
Continuing his own account, 1764-6 ; I was directed to
join the Army about to proceed against the- idahrattas &
Sujah-ud-dowlah, with the title & rank of Engineer which I
wa ยซ allowed to retain. ... After the campaign iva; finished,
I joined the expedition under Lord Olive, and with the rank
of Major commanded the Sipahis of his second Brigade. I
waa so fortunate as to attain the friendship & confidence of
that distinguished Commander, and was entrusted with a
general superintendence and control over the officers of his
army [ whose ] cabals I was principally instrumental in
POLIER
The expn. here referred to was evidently that made by
Clive soon after his return to Bengal, 3-5-65, when he went
up country to settle terms of peace with the Wazir of Oudh
and the exiled Emperor of Dellii [ 24 ].
May 1766, Polier was one of the officers "whose_ attach-
ment to the service, as well as steady adherence to discipline
might securely be relied on", whom Clive took up country to
suppress the "Batta Mutiny", and was specially selected to
go on ahead to collect early news of the situation at Monghyr 7 .
In July he sat as member of ctml. at Bankipore [ 353 ].
June 1767, he is shown as doing duty with the 2nd. Bri. as
Sepoy Major 8 .
It is not clear what appts. he held between 1 767 and 1773.
In 1765 the Directors had written out that lie might succeed
Fiemin" Martin as CE. a , but he never did so, and Martin held
that office till Archibald Campbell arrd. from home in 1769.
Feb. 1768, Polier was in Calcutta "Commanding the
Garrison", and making various reports about "works" on
the Fort 10 .
Both Rennell and Orme refer to a map of Allah-
abad, Oudh, and Bihar, compiled by Polier in 1.768
[222, 226 n- 7].
March 1768, the Directors repeated their order
restricting foreigners to the rank of major [ 333 j,
mentioning Polier by name ; the Council protested
that Poller's excellent service seemed to mark him
i Govt Gaz. 15-1-1818.
Comdt. of Art. BMC. 1-9-68;
15-1-1818. 7 Strachey ( 163-7 ).
aond CE. & Comdt. of Ft. William.
90(91-3' ' '
10-6-74.
&GmL Gas. 15-1-1818.
for exception, n but the Directors did not deign to
reply.
1773, Appd. to the service of the Wazir of Oudh, who had
asked for an engineer and architect for "compleating the
Works of his new Town of Eyzabad". This provided, the
GG. noted, "a creditable Employ for an Officer of long
Services and distinguished merit and abilities, who was pre-
cluded by the standing orders of the Company from nsmg
in the Service, being a Foreigner, and of course could not
perform actual service in the Army without being subject to-
the command of many officers who were his juniors i2 .
Polier accordingly left Calcutta for Fyzabad, where
he " adopted the habits & customs of the natives of
the country" '".
Here he was given charge of the surveyors work-
ing in Oudh [2,34,226,354]; "The service which
was officially committed to his charge, of Superin-
tending the Surveys in that Quarter, was given in
consequence of the great distance of the Surveyors
from the Surveyor General, whose residence for some
time has been at Dacca, in the opposite extremity
of Bengal [235], and for which duty Major Polier
was amply qualified both by his Education and
considerable Practice. In that part of his duty he
receives his instructions from the Surveyor General
and transmits his information to him " li .
Col Champion, who eomdd. the Company's forces in the
Rohilla campaign of 1774 [224], complained of Pollers
disrespect ; "nor has Major Polier, who is also m the Nabob s
Court, thought proper, tho' an officer in the Army, to show
me any part of that respect which it was his duty to have
manifested". โ "You must be surprized at the Viziers,
conduct. Major Poker's was also extraordinary ; he neither
offered his services to me, nor asked permission to as^st tins
Nabob's Troops in the action, but remained on his Elephant
seven miles in the rear, and, tho' he was in the lines next day,
he did not think proper to pay me the usual congratulatory
compliments. ... .
"But what I understand gives the greatest, and indeed a
isgust, is that Major Poker, whose behaviour has
-, a ^d this division of the Army with a moat unfavour-
able opinion of him, should be permitted to reside at the
Nabob's Court and visit him at pleasure, whilst at the same
time Officers of distinguished merit are altogether denied
admittance to his presence" 15 .
The GG., Warren Hastings, replied. May loth, 1 have
written to Major Polier to proceed immediately to Eizabad,
or if the Vizier should not have any further occasion for his
services, to return to the Presidency. ... I am much con-
cerned at this behaviour in an officer, whom I have ever
hitherto known to have been observant of the common
civilities of life, and equally the duties of his profession. ...
I have hitherto entertained an esteem for Maj. Polier as an
officer and a Gentleman". The following month Champion
writes that "Polier went off yesterday morning witnovns domg
me the favour of a visit" 1S .
Later in the year Polier "was called upon to accompany
Suiah-ud-Dowlah in a campaign, and joined at the Siege of
Agra under Najef Khan, & contributed essentially to the
reduction of tke place". _ p _,,.,
This adventure awoke the strong opposition ot Philip
Francis and his fellow Councillors, who were only too glad
to find an opportunity for interfering with a protege of the
GO and in spite of every argument that Hastings could
bring forward, they insisted that Poker had no right what-
BPC. 11-10-62. *Capt. Ben. Engrs. & CE. under CM. 12-10-63; Bead 1768 to become
igain resd. Oct. 1769. 'BtoCD. 28-11-64 ( 36 ). *Caraccioh II ( 63 ). Govt, ยฉa*
*HMS. 198; BSC. 14-1-67. ยปCD. to B. 24-12-65 ( 2o); Polier himself says that b
iยฐBSC. 16-2-68; BPC. 20-7-68(2,). " B to CD. 1&-9-68 ( 1^-9 ).
"Minute by GO.] BS C. 19-12-74. ยปHMS. 221 (41), 3-4-74, 20-4-74.
general
"HMS.
POLIER 366
BIOGRAPHICAL
โ ever, whilst still in the Company's service, to join the military
adventures of the Wazir. The GG. was over-ruled and Poller
recalled to Calcutta 1 . He writes, "Finding that the services
of ten years were requited with injustice and suspicion, I
determined to quit the Company's employ altogether, and
resigned it, in November 1775".
He returned to Byzabad without permission, but Sujah-
ud-Towlah had died and the new Wazir was called on by the
Council to expel hini ; so he went to Delhi and took service
with the Emperor, and was granted the command of 1,000
men, and two jagua, one of them "the purganna of Kair in
the Sircar of Agra" 3 . He quarrelled with the people of his
jdglrs and had to give them up.
May 1780, under the influence of Eyre Coote, he
was permitted to return to Oudh and restored to his
former post as Engineer and Architect, but the appt.
was annulled, March 17S2. He was re-admitted to
the Company's service with the rank of Bt. Lt.
Colonel, but not to serve in any corps, and received
permission to settle at Lucknow 3 .
Whilst at Lucknow he undertook to build the
monument to Cleveland at Bkagalpur 1 ; and the
artist Wm. Hodges spent about 10 days with him in
17S3 5 [334]-
Oct. 1785, his offer to superintend a survey of the
Upper Provinces was refused 5 . He wrote several
historical memoirs, including a History of the Sikhs ;
collected MSS., and was the first European to obtain
a complete copy of the Vedas, which is now in the
British Museum.
In his Memoir of 1793 Rennell acknowledges a
map of the Punjab by some unnamed European,
sent to him by Polier [ 233 ].
1779, Put in a claim for "Hs. 2,76,935, the Balance of an
account arising from sundry transactions between him and
the Nabob ; ... large commissions for Army Clothing, stores,
... executed for HE. ; ... Arrears of pay and allowances ; ...
suras lent by him to H.E.". The Resident remarked that
"There is a dispute between the Nabob and Major Poller
regarding some articles of this account, but as the Major has
produced Receipts & vouchers for most of the charges...! see
no reason to doubt the authenticity of the account. ... He
thinks himself entitled to the legal Interest of 12% which as
some of the transactions are of 3 to 5 years standing must
greatly swell the balance" 7 .
July 1786, wrote to Hastings that he had " now
received payment of the greater part of his debt
from the Wizier, and am making preparations for
return to Europe " 8 . He was allowed to proceed to
Europe on half pay before the end of the year,
arriving England July 1788.
5-1-SS, Sir Wm. Jones gave him a letter of introduction
to Dr. Pord, Principal of Magdelen Hall, Oxford ; " Give me
leave to recommand to your kind attention Colonel Polier,
who will deliver this to you at Oxford. He presents to the
university an extremely rare work in Sanscrit, a copy of the
four vedas, or Indian scriptures, which confirm, instead of
opposing, the .Mosaic account of the creation, and of the
deluge. He is himself one of the best disposed and best
informed men who ever left India", and on 11-10-90, Jones
wrote again thanking Dr. Pord "for your kind attentions to
Colonel Polier"".
Polier settled in Lausanne for a few years and moved to
Rosetti in Prance 1792, from which year also he drew a
pension from Lord Olive's Fund. In 17^95 his housp
possessions were plundered by robbers of the Revolution ^a
he was murdered in their defence. -'>-.โ and
His portrait appears in Zoffany's picture Col. Mordauni'*
Cock Fight. ' " ' * '
PORTSMOUTH, William. Ben. Engrs.
d. April 1769.
Ens. 1-11-67.
Left his estate to his mother and three sisters, and men-
tioncd two bros.-in-law, John & James Pitt of London
presumably bros. to his " beloved wife".
In will sd. Dacca 17-7-67, John Adams [ 308 ] men- : :'
tions Portsmouth as "lately my assistant in survey- j
ing ", at which time Portsmouth must have been a
cadet waiting for admission 10 [266].
Dec. 1767, Send on survey to Midnapore with an
escort of a company of Sepoys, and survd. roads in
" Bissenpour ", the Dummoodah and Dalkisor '*
rivers, and part of " Pachete ", all in the Manbhum
and Midnapore Districts 11 [33, 225].
When writing his will, Aug. 1768, he was "sick
and weak in body", and, 10โ5-69, Wm. Thackeray 13
wrote from Calcutta to the Resdt. at Midnapore.
" I am directed by Mr. Carrier 13 to inform you that
he has received your favour of 3rd inst., and is
extremely sorry to hear of the death of Mr. Ports-
mouth. He requests yon will forward to him all
such papers and drafts as you may find relative to
his surveys" 1 *.
In his will Portsmouth left "to Mr. John Blair of Calcutta,
my Slave Boy, and choice of either of my horses" ls .
PRINGLE, Andrew. Ben. Inf.
d. 1803.
Ens. 22-11-71 ... Capt. 26-2-81 ; Resd. 17-12-92.
Bro. to Col. Robert Pringle.
m., Lncknow, 5-6-90, Cordelia, dan. of Lt Col. John
Portnom, Ben. Engrs. [ 334 ], by whom he had two sons and
two daus.
18-10โ74, with corps of Lt. Inf. stationed in
Jungleterry, survd. country between Rajmahal Hills
and Madhupur, the present Santal Pargana.s [35]-
Whilst at Deoghar, became involved in disputes
with the local revenue farmer, and was led by zeal
to take somewhat high-handed action, which met
with severe disapproval from the Supreme Council,
and led to his removal from Jungleterry [ 295 ],
Two years later, when Rennell asked for his
services again, Gen. Clavering, C-in-C, objected;
"Whilst he was acting in this Quality, a complaint
was made to me, that he had seized and confiscated
the effects of โ . I wrote to Captain Brown in whose
Battalion Ensign Pringle was, & find that he had
taken the managment of the Revenue Collecting into
his own hands . . . for the sake of the inhabitants,
as a punishment for the repeated acts of oppression
and injustice that he had heard had been committed,
... The Board, not being willing to ruin the young
man by bringing him to a courtmartial, . . . ordered
IBS & P. 24-2-75(11). 2 BM. Addl. MSS. 29138(34-47); letter to Warren Hastings. = ib. 29145 (160); letter
thanking Warren Hastings. 4 Grier ( 309 ). * Hodges ( 145). ยซHMS, 90 (91-3). 'BPC. 23-8-79 ; of. Marsao [352]
S BM Addl MSS. 29170 ( 129). s Teignmouth. II ( 133, 201 ). " Midnapore Dist. B. I. (275). n I0 Maps. I. AC. 13.
12 Brother-in-law to James Rennell [qv]. 13 Governor of Bengal, 1769-72. 14 Midnapore Dist. B. I, (455) 10-5-69. 1B Ben.
Wills. 154-63 (54).
NOTES
367
PRINGLE
Capt. Pringle, wherein he informs me that the King
of Travancore, tho' he treated him with great civility,
wonld by no means allow him a passage by the
direct and good road through his country, and under
the pretence of an escort, carried him as a prisoner
under the care of a Subadar and 20 Seapoys , the
Subadar told him he was not allowed to strike into
the Country 200 yards from the sea Beach, nor must
he hold conference with anyone, not even the Porfsi-
gmse Missionaries. ... Captain Pringle was to
embark on board... for Tellicherry, from whence I
shall soon hear from him again " 9 [ 96 ].
March 17S0, put forward a scheme for establish-
ing the Corps of Guides on a permanent footing for
the collection of surveys and military information ;
at the same time submitted his 3rd. Book of Roads,
and asked for brevet rank as Captain and an increase
of allowances, both of which were sanctioned
[279-80].
July 17S0, Surveying near Ongole 1 " when Haidar
Ali invaded the Carnatic, and reported, 27-7-S0,
that he found " the villages deserted on account of
Plundering Horsemen ".
The following week he wrote to the Select
Committee, "LtCol. Baillie has just communica-
ted.. .orders for me to join the Army; ...shall... lose
no time in getting to the Southward, leaving my
company of Guides under Col. Baillie's command.
Thinking that you would forgive me for quitting
the inglorious employment of a Surveyor, to render
what service I could in a more Military line, I have
accompanied Col. Baillie thus far on his expedition,
and intended to have remained under his command
until I knew your pleasure respecting my situation " u .
He pushed on, and joined Hector Munro's staff at
Conjeevarani, whilst Baillie marched steadily on to
disaster [96].
From now till the end of the war 111 1784 Pringle
was engaged on suryg. the routes of the armies mar-
ching to and from through the Carnatic, and on
general " intelligence " work. He was present at
the capture of Karuuguli, and mentioned in Coote's
despatches of 21-1-S1. After the war he submitted
to Government a complete Book of the Roads of the
Carnatic several copies of which are still preserved;
the Book was accompanied by a plan [ 97, 169, 184,
199, 287].
46 the Indiii omoe is preserved a most interesting letter
tram Pringle to Sir Hector Monro, who had incurred great
public criticism for not taking rigorous action to prevent the
disaster to Baillie's force at Perarobakkam>- or. 1U-J-*" ;
Pringle writes from "Bowanygunj, near Chdlimibiuir ,
16 0-85, replying to o different letters from Monro; after
explaining fiat ho had not written before because he had
aid others to send home their opinion that Baillie had
brought hi. oianta upon mmself,-he continues 1 am
at present employed in examining all the BemK Dy
which the Army may hare occasion to march, and cannot
without running risk, nay without a cerfmrog. o. ยป-"! too
most beneficial appointment I have ever had m my lite,
proceed to Madras, at a time when, irom the sickness of the
kl,'p,9 ! ยซ^d^bยปam,68M/ll. For vindication of Munro v. Cox it Stuart (28 S).
him to rejoin his regiment, and not to be permitted
to return to surveying business " 1 .
However Warren Hastings did not think this
should bar his re-employment; "I have a good
opinion of Mr. Pringle's abilities as a surveyor, and
consent to his being employed in that Character on
any service, provided it be not in the Jungleterry
District" .
Pringle was accordingly sent to complete the
survey of Cooch Behar, a matter of about three
months work, and then returned to his unit at
Midnapore, April 1777 [ 36, 183 n. 1 ].
During 1778, on survey of Subarnarekha Rโ and
1779, in Shahabad [ 37 ]. 1783, Sent the SG. - a plan
of Rhotas and its dependencies " '-, writing, "I should
deem myself highly honoured in receiving your ins-
tructions to make a survey of the Purgunnah of
Rotas, in order to ascertain its true extent and
value", ...but retrenchment was now the order of
the day, and no more surveys could be sanctioned
[38] 3 -
1782 Head, and settled at Luclmoir to engage in eononrrce ,
in 1794 he was arranging terms for soppljrtrg the tompony
with i .(Hill tons ol sugar, and in a cod. to his will srl. Luelmow
July 1801 he says that he was "deeply engaged 111 commercial
P ยฐ Shortly 'after this he went home with a letter to the
Directors from the GG. ; "Introduces Mr. Andrew Prmgle, a
most respectable merchant who lias long resided at Lucknow,
and whose general conduct has met my partrcukvr approba-
tion He has recently been employed in tire management of
an important branch of the Company's Investment m (hide โข.
PRINGLE, John. Mad. Inf.
d. 27-5-88, Cuddalore.
Ens. 7-12-70 ... Capt. 2-ll-83._
Nephew to John Shield of Islington, London, and bro. to
Mary, wife of William Shawe, of Dalkeith, Edinburgh,
d. uiun., leaving a natural dan., b. c. Oct. 1784.
Arid. Madras 14-8-70. .
1775 the C-in-C. reported that Prmgle bad deyrsed an
improvomonfrn the fisangofthe Ramrod to the Carbine ,
and "has been at great expeneo and I rouble 111 completing
this, and attending to its tryal at Cuddalore ยป. In acknow-
k doing this " very materia] Improvement", tho Directors sent
out, "to Lieut. Pringle, a neat Euzee with his own Improve-
ment, as a complimentary Acknowledgement of lus Merit .
Aug. 1775, with 1st Batt., 1st Bri., at Palanicottab ; June
1776 with 16th Batt.
1777, Submitted two books of survd. roads, and
survey of the Tanjore anient; Appd. Capt. in Corps
of Guides from Aug. 1777 [ 4. 95, 272 ]โ
28-8-77, with Cosby's force which assembled at
Sholinghur", and after a short campaign defeated the
troops of Baton Sams. 177 8 , Wounded at the siege
of Pondicherry.
Jan. 1779, Attd. to Brathwaite's force which
marched from Trichinopoly through Madura, and
across the Ghats to Anjengo, where it was to embark
for the capture of the French settlement of Male.
In his capacity as Capt. of Guides, Pringle was sent
in advance on general intelligence duty. Brathwaite
reported, 4-2-79 ; " I have received a letter from
1
368
BIOGRAPHIC^
"When we consider the
RANKEN
Treasury, Government is obliged to suspend the most neces-
sary services. ... I mstantly sent to Madras for every paper
I had, recollecting that amongst the rest there was the tripli-
cate ot a Letter, ivritt.cn by me, a ud signed by you. positively
ordering Colonel Baillie to march on in the night, which,
letter I despatched from the Camp at Conjeveram.
"My heart bleeds when I reflect on the unkind return you
have met with for all the eminent Services you have per-
formed. ... It shall be my endeavour, I assure you, to set
this matter in its true light to ah the world. For the present
on my own affairs, I will only give you my sineerest thanks
tor advancing the gUu pounds on account of my infirm sister
whose soul is now with GOD who gave it" 1 .
The " beneficial appointment " above referred to
was the result of a proposal which Prfngle had put
forward that he should be put on special duty to
extend his surveys to all the roads of the Camatic
and make a complete survey of the country [97,
170,257], on sanctioning which the Council con-
sented "to Capt. Pringle drawing Major's pay
during the periods of his absence upon service, in
addition to the other allowances enjoyed by him in
the field".
In 1786 fresh orders were issued for the est. of
the Corps of Guides, and Pringle was appd. Major
of Guides [6, 109, 287I.
Two years later he died near Cuddalore, reputedly
" through taking by mistake some violent medicine
instead of common salts". He was buried at
Christ Church, Old Town, Cuddalore, where an
inscription to his memory existed 3 .
EANKEN3, Charles. Ben. Inf.
b. 1751-2. d. 9-4-1802,
Ens. 1769 ... Ca.pt. 16-11-80 ; ITurl, 2-11-85.
Eldest son of Rev. John Rankin, Presbyterian minister at
Antrim, and Sarah his wife ; bro. of John A: WiHam llanhin
both of Ben. Inf.
m., 18-1-87, Mary, dan. of Rev. Moses Grant, rector of
Holton, co. Pembroke ; father of John Grant Ranken, Ben
Inf. ; M I. St. Mary's churchyard, Hornsey.
Hodson.
Sept. 1776, ordered on survey of Ramgarh, with
Dodsworth as asst. [334], but survey was suspended
4 months later owing to disturbed state of country
[ 36, 270]. Resuming work some time later, Ranken
writes, " In the month of July 1781, when on a
Survey of the Mahratta Frontier, your memorialist
recetved an order from the Governor General to
attend him immediately in Calcutta.
" The Supreme Council then ordered me to under-
take and complete a road. ..from Calcutta, in a
straight line through the Hills and Jungles, to
Chunar-Gur* for the more safe and expeditious con-
veyance of letters, and the more easy communica-
tion and march of the Army through the Provinces,
it being nearer than the old road by 140 miles"
[38]'.
He was promised 50,000 Sicca rupees as personal
remuneration, and the Directors were astounded at
such extravagance ; "This undertaking we find is to
cost the Company at least two lakhs and a half rupees.
ll_6-a6 HM .^n 2 ^ 3( r, 3 iQ_o ! โ S , tt , - I1 ,โ 'O' 11 โข members of family spell name Rankin. '63K/I6. 'MiscLR. 7S (2o5),.
"Ben to Mil Bd., 10-11-91 & Carroll's Code. "B to CD. 31-10-95 (49). C Cor. 5-12-86.
they are unable to pay the Troops ( 362 )..., we are " t . ?* โ
ed at the measure ; nor can we ยฃthhold our surprise *t^l
enormous gratuity, which we can by no mean, asseยฃ"'51
but if upon the completion of the business, the officer suโขn
appear entitled to some Reward, we will... take the S3
into our consideration. ... However as the business wi.fr}!
m great forwardness by the time cf your receipt hereof *
have only to enjoin you never to exceed the sum of R s 16 00rt
per annum for keeping the road in repair ; and to direct that
all future projects of this kind be submitted to our consider!
tion before you carry them into execution "*.
The Council replied,
"We have intimated the purport of your orders concerning
the reward of Capt. Rankin for this service to him and at
the most difficult part of the Road is completed we h a v P
desired him to finish the remainder of it in the manner he
intended, when the restriction which you have been pleased
to lay for the expence of its repairs shall be punctually
attended to. * y
"We cannot quit this subject without remarking how-
hard it is that we should receive, your censure for an act for
which we did think ourselves entitled to your approbation
J-he distance of Chunar from Calcutta by the present Road
is 600 miles it will be reduced to 398 exactly by that now
making. The passes m its course over the most impracticable
parts of the Western quarters of Bengal, thro 1 Woods, Rocks
and Hills, hitherto impassable; the whole expence on the'
estimate^ the Commission be included will be Sicca Its.
15-11-84, Ranken submitted "plan and measure-
ments of the public Road lately completed from
Fort William to Chunarghur, via Raganathpoor and
Sheergotty " [38 n. io] 8 , and, when reporting the
final completion, the Council wrote ; " The Trial of
some months has fully evinced its utility; the Dauks
pass with greater Rapidity throughout the Provinces,
at a reduced rate, and your troops effect their
Marches with facility and without any impedi-
ment. ...
"We think it but Justice due to Capt. Ranken to recom-
mend his Claim to your favourable consideration, and to-
express our hopes that it still be admitted.
We have positively directed that the annual expence of
repairs shall not exceed.. .16,000 rupees, or 40 rupees per Mile" 9 .
Ranken then applied for permission to "retire for three
years, ...my pay continuing in Bengal. The state of my
health very much impaired by a iate and severe illness, and
the situation of my private affairs jointly, compel me to-
solicit this favour " 10 . This leave was duty sanctioned, and
he reported his arrival in England 11-6-86, at the same time
praying for payment of the Rs. 50,000 that had been promised ;
m their despatch to Bengal, 22-12-86, the Directors gave
directions for the payment of this sum, and ordered "report
on the state and condition of the road to be annually trans-
mitted home, and also account of expenees on repairs which
are not to exceed Rs. 16,000 annually"".
His brothers John and William continued in succession,
to maintain the road after his departure on furl., in the
capacity of "Superintendent of the Military Road".
Rs. 40 per mile on 442 miles was allowed each year from
17S9 for the upkeep, a regular report behig required "from,
the Qnarfcemnasitei General and from the Collectors of" Districts-
that the road has been kept in a proper state of repair " 13 .
In 1791 it was ruled that a further sum of "Sicca Rupees-
1,000 per annum is to be allowed to Capt. Rankin, Superinten-
dent of the Military Road, for cutting down the jungle con-
tiguous to the road" 13 .
' il
NOTES
369
RENNELL
M P C. 10-1-84, under resolution of 28-10-83,
Appd, "to assist in the Engineer's ofEce with the
usual Field allowances formerly granted to Sur-
veyors", and employed on copying plans for the
Directors [97, 245].
Amongst the maps he copied was one of Pittman
and Johnston's survey of the Chicacole drear, which
the Directors considered " unwieldy " though an
'* elegant map" [93, 252-3].
In 1791 the C E. reported that " Baron Reichel is
the only one [ surveyor ] under my direction out of
the corps; lie has "been hitherto employed in pre-
paring Plans for the Court of Directors, whose appro-
bation you will perceive he has merited " [ 273 ] 4 .
The Baron's narrative continues; "The natural desire
which every man has of improving \\\a situation in li.le induced
Baron Seiche] to solicit.. .the Employ long vacant of Civil
Architect, ...but Sir Archibald Campbell having declined to
favour the application, Baron Reichel, in; the year 1790,
requested his friends in London to solicit the Court of Directors
for the said employ in his behalf. But how different was the
result of his nattering expectations, when. ..an immediate
order. ..came out, "It is our positive order that the Baron
Reichel, who we are informed is at your Presidency, be
not permitted to reside within the limits of any of our
settlements" s .
The Baron was accordingly discharged from the CB's.
office, but after an appeal and a recommendation from Madras,
the Directors relented ; "As this gentleman proceeded to
Madras without our licence, and even after he had recovered
a compensation for having been removed from an appoint-
ment in the Corps of Engineers, ... he could have no case of
complaint if we were to adhere to our former orders ; but
from the... testimonials you transmit of his faithful and up-
right demeanour, ...we authorise him to remain.. .so long
as he shall continue.. .to merit that Indulgence " 6 .
After yet another petition for re-instatement, the
Directors approved that this may he allowed, hut
the C E. had by this time filled his place, and Ms
services were offered to Topping who replied,
"I have known Baron Reichel these nine years
past, and ... he always appeared to me a man of
Merit, Talents, and good character, and ... I have
no doubt but that he may be very usefully employed
in my Department " 7 , and that is the last that we
hear of the Baron.
RENNELL, James. Ben Engrs.
b. 3-12-42. d. 29-3-1830.
Ens. 9-^64 ... Maj. 20-1-75 ; Resd. 9-J-77. S G.
Bengal, 1767-77.
Son of John Bunnell, Capt. of Art., killed on active service
in the Pays Bas, 1748, & Ann Clark, his wife who, on her 2nd
marriage, became Sirs. Ann Elliott.
b. at Upcott, s near Chudleigh in Devonshire; brought
up and ed. by the Rev. Gilbert Burrington 3 , Vicar of Chud-
ยฐm'., Calcutta, 15-10-72, Jane, dau. of the Rev. Thomas
Thackeray, Headmaster of Harrow School, and sister to
William Makepeace Thackeray, Ben. Civ., grandfather to
the novelist ; she d. 1810.
1st dau. Jane, b. June 1773, d. Dacca 29-7-74. M I.
2nd. dau., also Jane, b. St. Helena, Oct. or Nov. 1777,
m., 5-10-1S09, John Trernayne Rodd RN., afterwards Vice
Adm., KCB. Her grandson, James Reimell Rodd, was cr.
Baron 1933, becoming 1st Lord Rennell 10 .
ina it^t-m 2MR.C fl-7-AO 3Mpn 12-12-94 Petition of Baron Reichel. i Mack MSS. lxix. 7-1-91. 6 CD
toll 5-Im 4 9-2-St32) โข'p0. IS-lti โ One of his father's two forms. โข His guardian. ยปb. 9-11-1868;
d. 2-7-1941, succeeded by eldest son, Francis James Rennell Rodd, b. 1895.
Ranken's house and premise* in Chov. ringhee were sold in
1793 1 , and he was struck off the strength the same year.
BEAD, Alexander. Mad. Inf.
b. c. 1751. d. 19-5-1804, Malta.
Ens. 18-5-72 ... Col. 1-5-1804 ; Fori. 9-4-1S0O
till death.
Son of Alexander Read of Torbeg, and Blizabefi] Wedder-
burn; his sister Jean was mother of Alexander Beatson
Left one or two sons ; uncle to Alexander Read, Mad. Civ.
Bradshaw ( 217-9 ).
Taken prisoner at Baillie's disaster, 10-9-80 [40] ;
released at treaty of Mangalore, 11-3-84.
1788, in charge of Intelligence Dept. with force
occupying Guntur, making cursory survey of roads
between Penner and Godavari rivers [ no].
1789-90, Comdg. at Ambur, in charge of Intelli-
gence Dept. ; 1791-2, 3rd Mysore War, in charge of
transport of supplies.
1792-9, in civil charge Baramahal and Salem dists.
as Supt. of Revenue, the first military officer to
receive such appt. After making rapid sketch of
the country during 1793 [ TI 3> 193 i _ employed
Mather on geographical survey and, with aid of
three military officers and native staff, completed
the first raiatwari settlement and survey made by
the English in India. His system of a 30 year
revenue settlement formed, in its main essentials,
the foundation of the Madras and Bombay systems
for the next sixty years [ 7, 144-5 ]โ
1799, 4th Mysore War, comdg. a dett., captured
hill fort " Shulagherry ", 15-3-99-
6-5-99, Resigned his station as Superintendent of
Baramahal and Salem 2 .
REICHEL, Thomas Joseph.
Draughtsman in G E's. office, Madras,
28-10-83 ; Discharged 1791.
"In 1780 Baron Reichel. ..offered his services as
an Engineer to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors...
who, induced by. . .the length of his services in the
Austrian Army, came to a resolution of appointing
him a Captain in their Corps of Engineers on the
establishment of Madras.
" But, after the annual election of six new
Directors in April, ...the Court... thought proper to
rescind it [the appt. ], on a plea that as a foreigner
he was not eligible to so high a rank in their service,
but voted him one hundred guineas as a compensa-
tion for the expences he had incurred in preparing
to go to India.
" Baron Reichel, being at that time married to a
Lady who had some property at Madras, which, to rea-
lize, required her presence in India, and being un-
aware that a permission from the Court of Directors
was necessary to go to one of their settlements,
they proceeded without applying for one via Bagdad,
Bussorah, Bombay, and arrived at Madras in June
RENNELL 370
Eldest son Thomas, b. Kov. 1779, d. unm. 1846;
son, William, b. Jan. 1781, Ben. Civ. 1-11-98 ; dsp. 25-7-1819
at Fatehgarh [ inf. ].
FRS. 1781.
DN B.; DIB.; HMS. 765 & 815 ( Letters to Burrington
and others ); Eur. Mag. 1802 ; Century Scries ; Yule ; Hunter
( 75-81 ).
Jan. 1756, Joined navy as midshipman shortly
before outbreak of the 7 years war between England
and France. 1758, on service with naval force off
north coast of Brittany ; during the action at
St. Cast, Sept. nth, "Young Rennell was... engaged
in taking notes and bearings for. ..a plan of St. Cast
Bay, showing the positions and movements of troops
and ships, and the surroundings of this disastrous
action" 1 .
At end of 1759, volunteered for service in East
Indies, and joined frigate America, Feb. 1760, at
Portsmouth ; provided himself with a quadrant
and drawing instruments [ 200 ], and wrote home,
4-3-60, " There is a gentleman sent on board who is
a compleat draughtsman, and will teach it to me ".
Had a rough passage out, and wrote from Fort St. David,
30-9-60 ; "Capt. H. ( of America ) has behaved very badly,
having used his fists to me and another officer, and a stick
to others. This Capt. H. is at best no better than a bully,
for he had his nose pulled publickly by a common Negro at
Madagascar and took no notice of it ".
At Madras he tr. to the Grafton to serve under his first
captain, Capt. Parker and, 6-10-60, took part in a successful
raid by which boats from the English Fleet at Cuddalore cut
out a large French frigate and an Indiaman off Pondicherry
under very heavy fire ; Rennell had volunteered to make
the preliminary reconnaissance 2 .
During a visit to Trincomalee in Nov. he made a
survey of the harbour, " by means of which I flatter
myself that I have gone a great length towards gain-
ing both his [Capt. Parker's] and Mr. C's esteem/'
1 made some draughts of Harbours on our Passage
out, copies of which I presented to Capt. P. ; ... I
have since found means to make myself master of
surveying, &c, and shah according to your advice
practice it whenever I find opportunity, especially as
Capt. P. has promised to assist me in anything of
that kind " 3 .
20-2-61, writes that he has been promoted to be
Master's mate, salary ยฃ. 35 a year, and is still study-
ing surveying. The Grafton was at Bombay Aug.
1761, and in Dec. at island of Diego Rayes, where
Rennell surveyed the anchorage*.
21-3-62, writes that Capt. Parker could promise
no promotion, and advised him to enter EI C's
service ; the following month he accepted an offer
to accompany expn. to far east led by Dalrymplc
in one of the Company's ships [330].
Kept a " Journal of a voyage to the Sooloo Islands
& the N.W. Coast of Borneo 5 . ...
"Having leave of Capt. Hyde Parker of HM.'s
ship Grafton to accompany Mr. Dalrymple in a voy-
age to Sooloo Isds. & China, in the capacity of his
Companion & Asst. Drman, or Surveyor, I left the
BIOGRAPHICAL
Grafton in Madras Roads, the 9th April 1762 & sfcTrt
ashore at Madras for the recovery of my health tin
such time as Mr. D. was Ready to embark. . Hjjf
the goods shipped on the London to be Commanded
by Mr. Dalrymple, remainder to follow. ... Mr D
had accidently touched at Sooloo in 1761, & promised %
to trade with the islanders "[ 330 ].
10-6-62, Embarked on the London, a ship of i=;o โ
tons, and sailed the following day; his journal runs
to over 100 pages, and tells of surveys in company
with Dalrymple, many adventures, and much sick-
ness, small pox, and scurvy.
After passing through the Nicobar Is. on the way-
back, they took 19 days with light winds to
Pulicat 6 " where being quite destitute of Provisions
wood, and water, We ran into Pullicatt Islands and
made a signal of distress, we having at this time
more than 100 People on Board. ... The same day
(March 19th 1763) I left the Ship in Pullicatt,
having leave of Mr. Dalrymple to retnrn to Madras.
"The Charts, Plans, & views belonging to, and
mentioned in this voyage, were all lost in the ship
Union in Madras Roads in October 1763; this Book
being saved by remaining on shore. Copies of most
of these plans &c. are in the hands of Alexander
Dalrymple Esq. lately gone to Europe''. J. Rennell.
Ft. St. George ", 30-10-63.
All hope of further advancement in the Navy being
extinguished by the Peace of Paris, Feb. 1763, Rennell took
his discharge in July, and after refusing " command of one
of the Company's ship of War " e obtained command "of a
fine ship of 200 tons, drawing ยฃ 200 a year pay, besides
trade ". The Union was however sunk off Madras during a
hurricane which lasted from Oct. 20th to 23rd, and sank all
the ships in the Roads 9 except one ; " every moveable belong-
ing to me was on board, so that I saved nothing but what
remained, on my back. I fear the loss of the ship and Cargoe
has also ruined my merchant " 10 .
"About six weeks after the loss of my large vessel (which
happened the 21st October 17133 ) I was appointed to command
a small ship in the service of a very worthy Merchant who
was half ruined by the same storm ".
Whilst commanding this ship, the snow Neptune 11 ,
Rennell survd. the coast from Calimere Point to
Tondi (pi. 9), a survey extended by Stevens the
following year [ 87 ] and used in his Map of Hindoos-
tan twenty years later.
"A private friend of mine recommended me to Mr. Palk
[ 87. n. 9 ] as proper person to superintend the disembark-
ation of the troops to be employed in that expedition [ the
Siege of Madura]. ... The last grand detachment being
landed, I returned to Ft. St. George the latter end of February
[1764] when the Governor and Council were pleased to
signify their approbation of my conduct by.. .a handsome
"I left Ft. St. George the beginning of March,
and returned to my Owner's Port, from whence I
was ordered to make a voyage to Bengali. ... On
my arrival in Bengali I met with my worthy friend
Capt. Tinker, who commands the King's Squadron
here, ... [who] hearing me mentioned in a genteel
1 Century Series (20-2). 2 Yule. 3 HMS. 765,31-1-61. * Rodriguez, 19ยฐ 40' S.; 63ยฐ 25' E. ;BM AddlMSS. 33765(24).
S BM Addl MSS. 19299. e 66 C/7. ' By way of Manila [330]; Dalrymple pub. several of Rennell's surveys later. 10. Maps
II. AC. 36 (28 et seq). & HMS. 765, 1-6-63. s There was ten no sheltered harbour at Madras [348]. "HMS. 765,7-11-
63 ; Orme MSS. 21 ( 170 ). " Obviously not the Neptune in which Dalrymple sailed for Sulu Is. in July 1763 [ 330 ].
NOTES 3"<
manner by Mr. Carnac, the Command er-in- Chi ef
[to whom Rennell had introductions], ...waited on
Mr. Vansittart the Governor the same night, &
produced me a Commission for Surveyor General of
the East India Company's Dominions in Bengali;
before I was scarce apprised of the matter, and a
few days after, I had another Commission sent me
for Practitioner Engineer in the Citadel erecting at
Calcutta, near Fort William. ... After having stayed
a month at Fort William I was ordered on ser-
vice" 1 .
Rennell was certainly not made Surveyor Gene-
ral at this time, and the only official record of his
appt. is the following Resolution of 9-4-64 ;
" Mr. Hugh Cameron [ 13. 324-5 ] who was employed
...as a Surveyorof the New Landshaving deceased
the 16th ulto.; It is agreed to appoint Mr. James
Rennell in his room, who is recommended to us as
a capable person, & by specimens of some Surveys
made by him, which the President now lays before
the Board, promises to be a very useful servant [ 269 ].
"Ordered that the Secretary do advise him & the
Committee of New Lands of bis appointment,
acquainting them that he is to receive the same
allowances as the late Mr. Cameron " [ 2, 275, ] 2 .
Rennell did not however carry on Cameron's
survey of the 24Parganas. He sent home later a
memento of his month at Ft. William in the form
of " a plan of the new Citadel, but it is not quite
exact, as indeed it is not my duty to send one that
is so" s .
On May 6th he received orders to make a survey
of the Ganges in search for a navigable channel
giving communication with Calcutta, and the account
of his work already given [ 17-21, 182 ] is taken mainly
from his Journal, now at the Victoria Memorial in
Calcutta.
Leaving Calcutta by boat, 7-5-64 [ r 7. 28 3]-> ne
started work on May 19th at Jalangi on the
Ganges and worked down river to Dacca, where he
spent a few months of the rains, recovering from
bouts of fever. He then carried his survey down
the Meghna to LakshmTpur and the following year
up the Brahmaputra as far as Goalpara on the bor-
ders of Assam [ 151-2, 201 ].
May 1765, Clive arrived in Bengal for his second
tour with his interest in maps already stimulated by
correspondence with Orme; his attention being
directed to Rennell by Carnac's recommendation,
he sent orders in October for him to start a general
survey of Bengal [ 20, 22 ].
Rennell was joined on Dec. nth by Richards, of
whom he writes, " I have now company at all times ;
and luckily for me, the gentleman proves a very
agreable and cheerful companion " [22, 270, 291, 381].
They left the Brahmaputra and surveyed right
across Rangpur and back to the Cooch Behar border,
where, in Feb. 1766, they fell in with a company of
sepoys commanded by Rennell's sailor friend Dennis
t RENNELL
Morrison [358], and engaged against a band of
sanyasi marauders [23,292,300]. Joining in the-
fray, Rennell was badly cut about ;
"Morrison escaped unhurt; Richards, my brother
officer, received only a slight wound and fought his
way off ; my Armenian assistant was killed and the
sepoy Adjutant much wounded. ... I was put in a
palankeen, and Morrison made an attack on the
enemy and cut most of them to pieces. I was now
in a most shocking condition indeed, being de-
prived of the use of both my arms ; ... a cut of sabre
had cut through my right shoulder bone, and laid
me open for nearly a foot down my back, cutting
thro' and wounding some of my ribs. I had besides
a cut on the left elbow which took off the muscular
part of the breadth of a hand, a stab in the arm,
and a large cut on the head 4 . ...
" I followed the Detachment in my Palankeen,
and was embarked on a small boat for Dacca the
23rd. The 26th I arrived at that place and for the
first time got Assistance from a Surgeon, having
been near 6 days without the least Assistance " D .
After three months he was out on survey again, but he felt
the effects for a long time ; and over twelve montha later
wrote to his guardian, 10-3-67, "I findrny constitution terribly
hurt by the Accident I mentioned, ...and tho' it neither
affects my Appetite or spirits, yet I am not capable of going:
through the fatigues I formerly was. ... I neither presented
a mark to weather or diseases, my spareness of Body effectually
preventing it. My Arm is very weak, and during the whole
cold Season past I have had little use of it except for writ-
ing or drawing, for the shoulder Bone now lies immeciiately
under the thin covering of the scar "โ
Again, 25-9-67, " I am at present rather better than
I have been since I was wounded, for I had an intermitting
Fever for near nine months after I got up ; t'was to the great
surprise of the Doctors that I recovered from the first Disaster ;
for there was something extraordinary in the length of time
that elapsed between the time I got wounded, and my being
first drest, for in this Climate the flesh of a European soon
mortifies under such circumstances ".
Still in a weak state, he had made an easy trip
to Chittagong and back during June, but was smit-
ten by malaria, the scourge of that noisome cli-
mate; " on my return from Islamabad towards
Dacca, I was seized with a fever and ague, and con-
tinued very ill till near the middle of July" 6 .
Nov. 1766, he was out again with Richards to
survey the rivers of Pabna and Rajshahi, and
then hurried down to Calcutta " by reason of the
sudden departure of Lord Clive ". They reached
Calcutta at end of Dec, and spent the next month
" compiling and copying maps tor Lord Clive ", who
sailed at the end of Jan. [24].
Before leaving Clive acknowledged Rennell's good
work by appointing him Surveyor General, 1-1-67
[31], and Rennell writes, 10-3-67; " In the begin-
ning of the year I had a new Appointment of Sur-
veyor General of the 3 Provinces of Bengali, Bahar,
and Orixa, ( whereas before I was only Surveyor of
the Company's Territories given them by the Nabob )
and since I wrote you last I have had two steps in
(78).
1 HMS. 765, 1-9-64.
2 B P C. 9-4-64.
โขHIS. 765m-12-64.
sLaTouche (74).
KENNELL
my military capacity. From Lieut, to Capt Lieut.
[ 267 ] and from that to Captain & Director of En-
gineers [266]. I have at present 3 1 above me in
the Corps of Engineers " [ 26 ] .
For the next seven years Rennell and his sur-
veyors continued to extend their surveys east and
west over the Company's territories and beyond the
frontiers where possible. Rennell himself took the
countries to the north of the Ganges from Purnea
on the west to Sylhet on the east, which he was
able to reach by boat from Dacca, where he spent
about three months of the rains every year, and
where he compiled his maps as the surveys came in
to him [2, 32-3 222-7].
He was an intimate friend of both Verelst &
Carrier, Chiefs of the factories at Chittagong and
Dacca, who followed as Governors after Clive's
departure, and Rennell was frequently called down
to Calcutta on business connected with his maps.
25-9-67. he writes home from Calcutta, "My
Employers.. .have offered me an easier tho ' not so
lucrative a post as my present one 2 , however I am
resolved to persevere. ... I was ordered down from
the Western parts of the Kingdom to this place in
order to form a map of the Provinces, which is to
go home by the first ship. I arrived here in the
beginning of August, just after the commencement
of the rainy season ".
Dec. 1767, after leaving Calcutta, he went north
and survd. the borders of Assam near Rangamati,
working up to the foot of the Bhutan Hills until
driven back by the Bhutanese [32, 76) pi. 5], and
during the nest two years he survd. the eastern
districts including Sylhet [82-3].
May 176S, again called, down to Calcutta, and whilst there
" engaged on the destruction of the fortifications clandestinely
erected at. Oha.rulerrei.gcre". "I have some suspicion of being
kept in Calcutta next year, however I shall do my utmost
to disengage myself from 50 disagreable a place" a .
He did not get away till December, and his fears were
justified for he was in Calcutta from May 1769, employed
with the CE. on the survey and demolition of "the ditch
and Rampart of Chandernagore... which was constructed
round the Eoundries of that Settlement. ... ThisRampart was
found to be a definite work of fortification, and not merely an
embankment to protect against flooding ", as the French
had represented it 1 . 1772, when he was in Calcutta for his
marriage, he was sent to C handsโข ago re to report on the
damage done by river floods, and reported that it seemed
" no more than what is experienced all over the country
by the heavy Rains", and could not possibly be due to the
demolition of the works the French had been building round
their colony 5 .
At the end of 1770 he was working westwards
through Rajshahi and had an exciting encounter
with a turbulent zaminddr, Cadder Beg, who turned
out his whole village to stop the survey ; Rennell
managed to get out of the situation without disaster
by shewing patience and firmness, and Cadder Beg
was duly dealt with by the authorities [292-3].
Two months later be was warned of the approach
of large bands of Sanyasi fakirs, who were taking
3 ? 2 BIOGRAPHICAL
advantage of the distressed state of the country
from two sucessive seasons of disastrous famine to
swarm through Dinajpur "laying all the principal
towns under contribution ". Rennell gave informa-
tion to the Council at Murshidabad, who sent seve-
ral companies of sepoys to cooperate under his
orders. He was not long in seeking out their main
body, which was severely handled and driven across
the borders of Pumeah in complete disorder [ 293 1.
It was just before this that he had an adventure with a
leopard which had jumped upon him, after wounding five
of his men ; he succeeded in killing it by thrusting his bayonet
down its throat 8 .
We find bub few references to duties other than survey.
In 1770, the Chief at Dacca writes, "I have delayed to for-
ward a plan of a building I would propose to erect in the
Kelleh [ fort ] for the purpose of accommodating the
Supravisor and his Assistants, as well as for transacting
the business, because I had no one who could give me a
design; Captain Reimeil is lately arrived here, and at mv
desire has prepared a Plan and Elevation of a Building
which I submit to your approval before it ia carried into
execution. Conceiving that it will be the most expeditious
method of Building by Contract, I desired Captain Rennell
together with the plan, to give in proposals for executing'
in case he should be wished to undertake it upon contract."
Rennell's estimate was to build it for Rs. 24,825/6/3, exclud-
ing the cost of old bricks from the fort 7 . So apparently
he had acquired some practical knowledge of the duties < "
an engineer since abandoning his nautical life.
About this time he began to think his survey:
were sufficiently advanced to allow him to retire,
but was doubtful whether he could afford to do s
As early as 1764 he had written; "I hope to return
to my native Country in a very few years in easy
Circumstances, as I have only set my mind on 5
or 6000 pounds. My allowances on my present
Establishment are ยฃ, 900 sterling per annum, which
with other perquisites amounts in all to just a
1000, and I can enjoy, my Friend, my bottle and
all the necessaries of Life for 400 " 8 .
It is difficult to see how he got at these figures,
for even after he had been made Surveyor General
three years later, he only drew Rs. 600 a month
as S G. and Captain, or with exchange at 8 rupees
to the pound, J? 900 a year [274]; he also drew
Rs, 518 for the pay of his assistants and fol-
lowers, but could hardly regard this as "perqui-
sites" [276]. Another source of income was how-
ever open to him for the first few years of his
service, and that was Private Trade, which was the
established right of all civil servants, and open to
military officers in a small way. His letters make
scattered references to his moderate success in
this line ;
16-11-67, Left in Calcutta ยฃ 800 to he remitted to England.
"The Company has forbidden Europeans not in their service
to trade in Bengal, and many such are starving in Calcutta. .
I am no small sufferer by the restrictions laid on trading,
as 1 cannot at present employ above half of my little
Fortune ' '.
1โ7โ68, No fortunes now to be made in Bengal. ... Allow-
ed to remit only ยฃ250 a year.
20-7-69, Cannot yet return to England, having saved
only ยฃ 6000.
1 Fleming Martin De Glosg ; Huygens,
BM.K; 115 (147.1a). S BSC. 22-10-72.
2 Nothing further is known about this.
6 H M S. 765. 8-2-71. 7 B S C. 10-11-70.
3 HMS. 765,
-HMS. 765, 1-
1-7-68.
4 Map,
NOTES
373
RENNELL
1-9-70, Owing to poor health determined to retire in 1771,
... Company's servants confined to trade in cloth and tea.
30-10-70, Has ยฃ 2500 worth of cloth lying unsold in
Calcutta. Cannot return to England as soon as he expected
as his survey will not be finished h
18-1VU, to Robert Palk, "By the Regulations I find
myself too rich a man to partake of the provision [ a pen-
sion ]. ... If the makers of these Regulations think that a man
can subsist genteely on the sum allotted, my only wish is
that their fortunes may be stinted to it. ... I find myself
very well during the cold season, but the heats and
damps of the other season are too powerful for the
present relaxed state of my nerves. I could therefore wish
myself at home" 2 .
11โ11โ71, To Burrington, sends instructions about his
money, which he thinks will ultimately amount to about
ยฃ 9000. la eager to go home. India is too unsettled to leave
property in, so he wishes it well secured in England, where
he will probably many, as be is now scarce 29 years of age.
4^1-72, Nearly died of fever in November.
15-3-72, Is disappointed to hear that it will be difficult
to keep a family in England on ยฃ 300 or ยฃ 400 a year, but
intends to try to do so.
7-9-72, Having thought over the deamess of living in
England, proposes to stay longer in India. 'Tis impossible
that I can go home this year, as I cannot remit a single farth-
ing. ... I have tried my interest with the Council to get me
recommended for a Pension.
"My expences during the last year have been nearly ยฃ 1000
a year. With that sum a Batchelor can keep a handsome
table, a sufficient number of ser\ ants, and a Carriage. House
Rent I am allowed by the Company, as being in. their service,
and of late I have been settled at. "Dacca, where the different
rates of living between that and Calcutta bear the same pro-
portion as between Country and City in England ; by this
you may judge how expensive living it is in Calcutta. I came
down here on business with the new Governor [ Hastings ]
about six weeks ago, and in about six weeks more shall return
to Dacca, whore I shall be settled for. ..14 months more ;
and then. ..go to England". His very next letter announced
his marriage.
In 1765, wdien he was not yet 23 years of age, he had
written to his guardian, L1 1 have had some thoughts of
fetting a Partner ( if I could meet with an agreable one ) but
find that Paulines are so very expensive in this Country,
that I am afraid to venture ; so that I must endeavour to
mortify those desires till my Arrival in Tvngland".
The story of his engagement and marriage is
here quoted from The Thackeray $ in India. "In
1771, William Makepeace Thackeray, grandfather to
the novelist, was transferred from Calcutta to Dacca
to be Factor. ... He took with him his two sisters,
Henrietta, aged 25, and Jane aged 32. The elder
sister, although not a beauty, was a kind unaffected
woman, of whom her mother predicted, if there is
a sensible man in India he will find out Jane. One
of the most sensible had already found her out
while on a visit to Governor Carrier in Calcutta, and
was waiting at Dacca to welcome her ! โ James
Rermell. . . .
" In the autumn they became engaged, and next
year the family party went on a visit to Mr. Cartier
in Calcutta" . Jane was married from Mr. Carrier's
house to Major Rennell on 15-10-72, and they
returned to Dacca 3 .
Their first child, born July 1773, died a year later,
and Rennell wrote ; " I had lost my little girl, who
promised to be a sprightly healthy child, but un-
fortunately died in cutting her teeth. God Al-
mighty, I hope, will give me another'' 4 .
Quoting again from Hunter, " A silver model of her tomb'
...still remains an heirloom hi the family. ...
"The lcm.< of their firstborn, the common tribute paid by
our predecessors in India for British rule, combined with
Rennell's ill health from wounds and fever to make them cast
longing eyes homeward. ... They got their only change of
air by voyaging up and down the rivers in thatched country
boats. Their sole sanitarium was t.'i.e Chittagong coast-strip,
...now considered a malarious tract, then the one poor
health-resort. ... Writing thence in 1776, Rennell described
it as the Montpelier of Bengal " [ 374 ] 5 .
Jan. 1776, Rennell, writes of his prospects of retiring,.
"I thank God Mrs. Rennell and myself look no further than
for the mere conveniences of life ; so that what would be-
a trifling pittance to many, will be affluence to us" 6 , and
later, "Mrs. "Rennell remains at Dacca for the present, as^
journeying hi this part of Bengali at this Season, will not suit
with women. And having mentioned Mrs. Rennell I cannot
help repeating how supremely happy I am in possession of
such a woman " 7 .
After his marriage Rennell occupied himself mostly
at Dacca, compiling his maps of Bengal, a complete
set of which he submitted to Government early in
1774 [224]. Later in the year Government ordered
the withdrawal of all surveyors from the field, and
Rennell continued at Dacca, filling in and extending
his maps from such material as he could collect,
[33-4,226]. His health gave him much anxiety;
in Feb. 1775 he wrote to Hastings, from Dacca.
" Honorable Sir, On the 3rd inst. I had the honor
to inform you that I was under the necessity of
changing the air; lam now returned to this place,
and am nearly in the same reduced state as when
I left it. ... As a sudden turn of my disorder may
make it necessary for me to remove either to Chitta-
gong or seaward, I request the favour of your
permission to proceed thither if necessary" 8 .
He now felt at liberty to close his labours in the
unattractive, unhealthy, country of Eastern Bengal,
and sent in his first request to retire on a pension,
in those days an almost unknown privilege.
" My Circumstances and Situation in Life reduce
me to the necessity of making the following Applica-
tion to you, in hopes that by the favor of your
Patronage, my case may be represented to my honor-
able Employers ; from whose Justice and Human-
ity alone I may expect the accomplishment of my
just Desires; namely the being enabled to retire from
this Country; where, by means of a painful and
laborious Service of 13 years, and by various Acci-
dents of Wounds and Sickness, my health is so bad,
that lam advised by my physicians to lose no time
in quitting a Place, in which I have experienced no
tolerable degree of Health for these eight years past ;
and in which if hard Necessity compels me to stay,
I can only expect to linger out a few years longer.
Yet, however necessary it may be to change my
Situation, the slenderness of my Means will not
permit me to live in England, encumbered as I am
by a large Family 9 , and disabled from pursuing any
active Employment by reason of my Maims, and the
, iflMS. 765. . 2 Palk MSS. (167). 3 Hunter ( 73-8 ). ยซHMS. 765, 26-12-75.
(260). 'HMS. 765, i6-10-76. ยปB PC._ 24^2-75. . ^His. wife only.
s Hunter (96). "Talk MSS.
RENNELL
374
ruined State of my constitution ; unless my Honor-
able Employers would generously assist me "\
' In forwarding this application to the Directors, the Council
wrote- "He has resolved not to leave India before he has
โ completed the work which he has still in hand. His wishes
.afterwards are centred in retiring with a competency. ... Capt.
Rennell himself began this business, and has carried it on in a
inannt-r haidlv Lo be equalled. - Beside*, his toUl abstinence
from any obnoxious pursuits of Wealth, added to the ler-
severance and Courage manifested in the Dangers to which
he has been frequently exposed, render him an Object ready
deserving of your favour " a .
The Directors replied in guarded terms which hardly gave
Rennell the assurance he was looking for ;
"We approve of Mr. Rennell's promotion to Major, and
have taken into consideration your very earnest recommenda-
tion of him for a further Gratuity, which we are induced to
think will merit our further consideration when he returns
to England" 3 . โ., ,
But Eennell was most anxious about his health ; It tne
Chittigong air does not speedily recover me, I must go to
Madras ; if I recover, I shall return to Dacca, where I am
building a Magazine &o. I heartily wish that I was enabled
to try my native air, hut the state of my receipts will not
allow of it. I had hopes of the Company, but their last
General letter speaks in too gmcral ferns. ... After my last
illness of Jany. and Feby. 1775, I enjoyed better Health than
I had experienced at any time since I received the wounds
in 1766 ; till the beginning of June last, when by an incon-
siderate trick uf bathing in cold water whilst overheated, I
was siezed with an innamation in the Bowels, and had a narrow
escape. My Bowels have never been composed since that
time and I have just removed to this Place [ Islamabad,
or Chiltagong] which is reckoned the Montpelier of Bengali.
This is a hilly Country bordering on the Sea, and at the
S.E. extremity of Bengal " 4 .
To the Council he made this further application,
" A trial of my native air has long been advised,
although the slenderness of my means has not
allowed me to make the experiment. But now
that I have a prospect of being made easy at the
conclusion of my labours, I shall cheerfully exert
myself during the course of another year ; at the
close of which I expect to see my work compleated ;
and I then propose, with your permission, to go to
England, and avail myself of the promises of the
Honble Court of Directors.
"But as I desire not to eat the bread of idleness,
but rather to make myself as useful as possible
even after my return to England, I take the liberty
...to submit. ..a scheme which I flatter myself you
will approve of"; his scheme being to work up "a
General Map of All Ilindoostan" from the material
collected at the India House [212] 5 .
The Council took prompt action, and not only
forwarded Rennell's address with a strong recom-
mendation, but on their own responsibility gave him
permission to return at once to England ; " The great
decline of Major Rennell's health, owing partly to
the intemperature of the climate, to which the nature
of his employments has unavoidably exposed him,
and partly to the dangerous wounds which he re-
ceived from Sinassies and others in the course of his
Surveys, & the state of his fortune, which even after
BIOGRAPHICAL
a long period, the most useful of services, is too
slender to admit of his retiring to England without
some certainty of support, have induced us to ga
beyond the letter of his request, and as the best
means that occurred to us of fulfilling the benevo-
lent intentions which you have been pleased to
expressed towards him, ...we have agreed unsolici-
ted to allow him to retire to Europe upon a pension
of five hundred rupees per month, being merely the
amount of his pay without Batta, subject to your
confirmation or reversal. ... "
"We think it incumbent on ns on this occassion,
to place his character in the strongest point of
view, ...by calling to your remembrance that you
owe to his genius and unremitting labours, a com-
pleat Geographical Survey of. those extensive Pro-
vinces, begun and finished under his direction,
and a great part of it executed immediately by
himself " 6 .
Rennell was busy right up to the last, having,
since Oct. 1776 persuaded Govt, to send out
surveyors to fill in various gaps [ 35-6 ] ; he issued
his last detailed instructions, submitted his final
reports, handed in his instruments, and sailed from
Calcutta 9-4-77.
The following extracts are taken from letters
written just before he left India ;
21-12-76, "The Governor General & Council have
now settled a handsome pension on me for life ( sub-
ject however to the Confirmation or reversal of the
Company at home ) payable in Bengali, but to be 1
remitted annually to England ; . . . Rs. 500 a month
which may be reckoned about ยฃ 600 per annum ".
5-2-77, "I am now on my way to Calcutta in order to
embark on the Ashburnham. ... My present dependence, is
on the Company's pension ; as I have by no means enough
of rny own to five on".
4-3-77, "My Health is greatly restored. We left Dacca
the 2nd February and arrived here [ Calcutta ] the 20th. ... I
think the mercantile part of this settlement is advancing
fast towards ruin" '.
He wrote to Warren Hastings after arrival home,
"Yon will have heard, Sir, that we stayed four months
at St. Helena, waiting for a little girl, which we have brought
home with us. During that time I made a survey 01 the.
Island, and Fortifications : and, I believe, made a pretty
compleat investigation of the strength.. .uf the latter . โ โ
He wrote to his guardian, 24^2-78, I have been rn Town
several days, and yet have but just finished the lasK or
visiting the Directors and other great People. I can form
but a poor judgement of what they intend doing lor me; in
will be little I fear, but I wiU not lose it for want of applica-
t10 " My present lodgings are in Oxford Street, near the comer
of Orchard Street, No 199, and I belieโข I sha-U keep them
some time in preference to my old lodgings m Surrey St.,
Str Again, 5-3-78, "When I set out for ^onshore I sh*n
take Bath in my way, in order to visit Russell and Richards ,
staying with his friend Russell*. ,, B10f โ 7l
26-1-81, he wrote to Hastings trom. Nassau bt ยฐ [ 3 77J
" I am now settled in town ; having taken a house for a term,
and furnished it" 11 .
Petition, 25-9-74; VM._ El bt. 1884. ^^^^.''VitS.m in ". :-
1 HM S. 766, 16-10-76. 'BIO. 5-12-76 ( 6 ).
Calcutta busing world since 1777. โข B M Addl MSS. 29140 l-o-78 343).
surveyor [ 3S2-3 ]. ยซ Now Suffolk St. Cavendish Sq. " B M Addl MSS. 29147 ( 191 )
17-10-74 (60). 'CDtoB. 5-4-76 (8).
โ HIS. 765. There have been pessimists m too
โข H MS. 765. Probably not George Russell, tm
1
NOTES
375
RENNELL
He was always fond of Bath, and wrote from there, "I am
somewhat better for the change of air, and have begun to
drink the waters" 1 .
His first anxiety after reaching London was to get the
Directors to confirm his pension, and he writes to Hastings,
1-5V78, "My business was finished at the India House last
โ week ; & I am to have ยฃ 400 a year paid in England, in lieu
of the pension which you wen- pleased to fix for me in Bengal.
I am confident, ( I was so before I left India ) that any sum
you had fixed would be beat down here by men accustomed to
drive Bargains. Not but that a few of the Directors, more
liberal than the rest, wanted to give me the whole ; but were
overruled. Be it as it will, it is a very handsome Pension,
and I once more thank you for getting it for me, and I shall
still continue to thank vou during the course of my whole
life" 2 .
The Directors wrote officially to Bengal, "Having
maturely considered your recommendation in favour
of Major Renneli, ami the many and signal Services
he has rendered to the Company, and finding that,
in consequence of the sufferings and hardships he
has undergone in the course of a long painful duty,
he is disabled from continuing longer in India. We
have resolved to gratify him with an annuity of 400
pounds, payable in England, in lieu of the pension
of 500 rupees per month which you had allowed
him " 3 . This annuity was to commence from Christ-
mas 1777.
Two years later, on his own application, the Direc-
tors raised the pension to i> 600 a year, equivalent
to the sum originally suggested by the Bengal
Government i .
After he had settled down in London Rennell's
first thought was the engraving and publication of
his Bengal maps ; he could not persuade the Directors
to. undertake this, hut they made him cash advances,
and allowed him to send copies out to Bengal
by Company's ships [ 167^1,229]. The first consign-
ment was sent out before July 1780, and other
editions followed in rapid succession and were
soon sold off [228-30]. This promptness in getting
the work of the surveyors out to officials working in
the country is a striking instance of Rennell's public
spirit and enterprise, and a great contrast to the
official policy of the period.
Even before the printing of the Bengal Atlas began,
he had made a start on the compilation of his
Map of Hindoostan, and had the first edition ready
by the end of 1782 [4-5]. A full account of the
several editions has already been given [212-5].
Perhaps his most striking innovation was in showing
the Tsangpo. and Brahmaputra as one river [78-80,
pis. 1, 14], whilst one of his most notable archaisms
was the retention of the strange westerly sweep of
the upper Ganges [71-3, pL 1 ]โ
More important than the maps were his Memoirs
which gave a detailed account of their construction;
and established him as a geographer and man of
letters ; he fell naturally into the position of the
Company's adviser on all geographical matters
though he held no official appointment as such [ 164,
217 n. 2, 251-2]. 1781, he was elected F R S.,
reading a paper on the Ganges and Brahmaputra,
which, besides discussing their origins, described the
extraordinary changes effected by action of their
floods in the low lands [79. 213 ] 5 . In 1791 he was
awarded the Society's Copley medal. In 1792 he
published a special map to illustrate the campaigns
in Mysore, and such was his promptitude to " sieze
the opportunity " that by the end of the year he had
got out a second edition to illustrate the cessions
made by Tipu at the Treaty of Seringapatam signed
in March [ 111]. He also produced a new edition of
his map of the South Peninsula shewing the great
additions made to geography by the campaigns of the
3rd Mysore War; issue was made on December 7th,
which, considering the six months transit between
India and England, and the time required by en-
graving, indicates a promptness that would hardly
be outdone in the 20th century [244].
Rennell was particularly unselfish in the help he
gave to other authors in advice or the provision of
geographical material, and often in the compilation
of a special map.
1796, the Directors consulted him about Colebraoke's
proposals for cutting a canal between the Ganges a-ud U.ooghiy
rivers ; and in his reply bo remarks ; "The advantages of a
nearer route to and from Calcutta and the Upper Provinces-
has always been self evident ; more especially as the direct
passage continues to be shut up during so large a portion of
the whole year. ... Bat this evil arises from natural causes,
and which appear to be not easily remediable. ...
"I am clearly of opinion chat unless the opening from the
Ganges... downwards to. ..the place proposed to be cut
through, should be found to be of a sufficient depth, at
the driest season, that no ecrpence whatever ought to be
incurred, for admitting a bare sufficiency of water now, the
chances are against its continuing open long" 6 . ... The
proposal was abandoned, and Rennelf's arguments have
not since been refuted [ 64 ].
1791, he advised against the publication of Call's
Atlas, as the map over which so much labour had
been spent was already altogether out of date [217].
He now extended his interests to other countries.
Between 1800 and 1810 the whole of Europe became
interested in Persia as a possible scene of Napoleon's
ambitions, and Rennell corresponded with Warren
at the Madras Observatory about material for a
map. Warren was able to supply work done by
Webbe and Pope with Malcolm's mission of 1S00
[286], and wrote, 25-2-1807, "I shall. ..always feel
particularly gratified that the temporary charge...
has afforded me an opportunity of communicating
with a person so eminently entitled to the venera-
tion of all Geographers, and particularly of those
whose long residence in this country has enable them
fully to appreciate the merits of your extensive and
important labours ". To which Rennell replied,
1-3-1808; "You flatter me most agreably when you
tell me that my labors have been beneficial to the
society in which you are at present", and went on
to refer to bis own work as that of a pioneer [ Title
page, 215].
1 To the Directors, 15-5-84. Misc L R. 174 ( 177 ). ยปBM Addl MSB. 29140 ( 343 }. ! CD to B. 7-5-78 { 18 ). . * M.
7-11-81. sPhil. Traits. Ixxi. 1781 (87). 6 D D. 114 ( a), 10-3-96.
EENNELL 376
.He wrote again 17.-1-1809,- "I am now constructing
Southern Syria and Lower Egypt, which is all that remains
to be done in the 6th sheet of the Comparative Geography,
the 5th, which includes all your matter, being now in the
Engraver's hands. The French Book on Egypt is not arri-
ved, nor has Bonaparte allowed any one Book published
in Prance for near IS months past to come to our hands;
so that the King of a country prevents his subjects from
obtaining their frill, measure of Fame ; for surely the French
Savants look to this country for a large portion of it,
as we to them. Nothing can shew the littleness of a mind so
much as this ; no one is to be a partaker of Glory with him".
Regarding this major work of his, an Atlas of the Com-
p'lratioe Geography of Western Asia 1 [ 208 ] he continues, "Lord
Grenville, before his resignation, obtained from His Majesty
a grant of ยฃ 2000 as an aid towards the execution of my
work (estimated at ยฃ3000). His Lordship went out late in
March 1807, but I did not get the money till July, when
the Engravers were set to work"-.
Rennell had correspondence with Warren Hastings on a
numher of subjects ; and in 1802 Hastings, in a paper on
the subject of Ocean Currents [ 377 ], commented thus on an
earlier paper by Kennel! ; " Of the nature of these currents
no scientific account was ever given to the Public till the
year 1797, when Major lleimoli printed a short tract accom-
panied with a Chart of the South coast of Africa, in which
the lines of the currents setting round that coast were accura-
tely laid down and described. The authority of Major
Rennell on all points of a Geographical nature, but more
eflpeeiany such as are connected with the Geography of
India, is unquestionably of the first credit, due not more
to the numerous authentic materials to which he has access,
than to the peculiarity of his talents, and the industry and
sagacity with which he is known to have applied them. This
praise is not mean as a compliment to him, but to impress
my sense of the truth of these documents " 3 ,
Rennell was not happy in his criticisms of
Lambton's proposals for a Trigonometrical Survey,
wliich had been referred to him in 1800 together
With Mackenzie's Plan for the survey of Mysore.
Lambton's proposals had been entitled Plan of a
Mathematical and Geographical Survey, and Rennell
quite misunderstood them ; he assumed thatLambton
meant to carry out independent astronomical obser-
vations, to which Mackenzie and his assistants would
tie their topographical survey, and he argued that
the plan was wasteful and unnecessary. He also
quite misunderstood the proposals for Dr. Heyne's
Botanical survey of Mysore, and for establishing
a Botanical garden at Bangalore; "the plants of the
country, meant to be collected into it, must of
course grow spontaneously in the country itself".
Both Lambton and Mackenzie were put to much
pains to answer his criticisms, and their replies
completely satisfied the Directors and Rennell him-
self. The criticism was however very disturbing to
Lambton. who was fighting a lone hand in support
of his large ideas ; and the following comment by
Warren is particularly interesting, as he was serving
with Lambton very shortly after Rennell's note had
arrived ;
" We think very highly of the father of our Indian
Geography, and yield to no one in admiration of his
sagacity and skill in combining heterogeneous
materials, and extracting from conflicting statements
results so nearly approaching to truth, as to leave
BIOGRAPHIC^
little to his successors beyond the task of confixmine
his statements, but.. .science was not his forte
nor had he carried his acquirements in mathematical
learing to the level of his contemporaries in
Europe. ... Colonel Wellesley might justly observe
in comparing his opinion with that set forth i^
Colonel Lambton's prospectus, 'one or the other
must be very ignorant '. Maskelyne, then Astro-
nomer Royal, at the request of his relative Lord
Clive 4 ... having explained to Major Rennell the real
nature of the survey, the latter very handsomely
came forward and declared to the Court that he had
been misinformed ; and wrote also to Capt. Lambton
to urge him to prosecute his labours 5 ".
Warren's paper first appeared in a Madras news-
paper soon after Lambton's death, and this is
probably the first recorded reference to Rennell as
"the Father of Indian Geography", an expression
also used by Blacker in a letter to Govt, dated
3-3-24 6 -
In 1823 the Directors were discussing their scheme
for the i-inch Atlas of India, and wrote out, *' We
have caused enquiry to be made of that distinguished
Geographer Major Rennell as to the beat mode of
obtaining a complete map of India within a reason-
able time, and we transmit... a copy of a memo-
randum which we have received from him "?.
Rennell had been more impressed with the necessity
of speed in order to cover the enormous area of India
than with any thought of high accuracy or permanence ;
and wrote, "The survey in contemplation can of course
be no other than a very General one; ...a general delinea-
tion of the roads, mountains with their passes, courses of
rivers, and boundaries of the large districts, and not a
military survey, is required.
"Ail idea, therefore, of mensuration, or of a series of
triangles over the country, is out of the question, and accord-
ing to my opinion, the only mode in which the work can be
accomplished with such a degree of general accuracy as is
consistent with the required dispatch, is to obtain, in the
first instance, a series of celestial observations of latitudes
and longitudes, by which a sufficient number of geographical
points at proper intervals may be determined, in order to
regulate the scale of the map, and to furnish the means of
correcting that of the cursory surveys, by which the intervals
between those points must be filled up " s .
He worked out details of such a acheme, and advocated
the appointment of a special astronomer, with an assistant,
to lay down the points of control, instead of continuing the
Great Trigunomei.ri.eaI Survey.
His note was written a few days before Lambton's
death, so it fell to Valentine Blacker, during his first
year as S G., to make reply; which he did in an able
letter pointing out the unsatisfactory nature of
astronomical control, and the urgent importance of
the rigid framework of GTS.; "The character of that
distinguished geographer for talent, industry, and
literature, is so well established that his opinions on
the subjects to which so much of his attention
has been successfully directed, claim immediate
respect. But there is a distinction between geo-
graphy and geodesy ; and the latter is the object of the
present inquiry. Notwithstanding Major Rennell's
im โ Vnh -- ; c 31 - %ยฅโ ??: ] T 8 " 7 T 1809 ' * B M AJcU M 88 -" 29333 ( 213 ) & 29178 ( 135 ). 'Governor of Madras, 17y8-iS03.
* Gleanings m Science, II (77) March 1830. e D Dn. 2O4(60^._ .'.CD.toB. 29-10-1823 (.50)... * D Dn. 205 ( 48 ), 28-2-1823.
NOTES
377
RENNELL
-celebrity chiefly rests on the ingenious use and
sagacious reasoning with which he has turned to
account a variety of uncertain authorities [213], and
, that his Bengal Atlas, although said to be founded on
actual survey, depends neither on measured base or
triangulation, ...he is evidently aware that trans-
cendent geodetic methods are now employed in
Europe, however he may have overlooked their later
progress in this country " J .
Blacker agreed, however, that there were tracts,
such as Bengal, " whose nature forbids the approach
of the Great Trigonometrical Survey ", and that astr.
control would have to be employed in these, though
on somewhat different lines to those proposed by
Rennell.
It should be remembered that at the time he made
these recommendations Rennell was over eighty
years of age ; he was unable to realise that India was
now very fairly covered by cursory surveys of the
nature he was recommending, and that all surveyors
were employing astr. control of a sort, except where
the GTS. rendered it unnecessary. What was now
wanted was a uniform map of a higher class al-
together.
It is not possible here to go into all the varied
interests which filled Rennell's later life. As
Markham writes, "Though Rennell continued to
labour zealously in the interests of Indian Geography
for the remainder of his life, he welcomed all geo-
graphical material, and warmly supported all explorers .
His great work The Geographical System of Herodotus
examined and explained was pub. 1800, and in 1816
it was followed by his Geographical Illustrations of
the Retreat of the Ten Thousand. " In 1798 he was
assisting Mungo Park in the arrangement of his
African travels 3 ". He devoted much attention
.to the subject of winds and currents of the Indian
Ocean [ 376 ], making a study of the log-books of the
Indiamen, and his conclusions, entitled Investiga-
tions of the Currents of the Atlantic Ocean, were
published after his death.
Amongst other publications were, Result of Astronomical
' obserations in North America. 17'J-l.- -Atlas of Western Asia,
in six sheets, 1SO0-1S1O., โ besides numerous papers pub. in
the Philosophical Transactions of the R S.
His name has been given to an island off the coast of
Chile, and to one of the easternmost of the Solomon Is. in
the Pacific, to an ocean current near the Scilly Is., a mountain
in jSTorth Canada, and a bay in British Columbia.
He wa "^ ' r โข 1802,
of the Imperial Academy of St. Petersburg, and of the Royal
Society of Gottingen.
1825, he was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Society
of literature ; "The Royal Society of Literature have pre-
sented to this venerable gentleman one of their gold medals.
On the 5th May, a deputation waited upon Mm, at his own
house in Nassau Street, consisting of the President, the
Bishop of St. David's, Sir Wm. Onseley, Archdeacon Nares
etc., when the medal was presented by the Bishop" 3 .
In describing the original foundation of the Royal Geo-
graphical Society, Professor Mill says that Rennell had often
discussed with the members of the African Association
and the Raleigh Club the possibility of founding a Goegra-
โ pkical Society, but that he "died while the Society was
being organized, or he would have been the most honoured
member of its first Council. He received the posthumous
honours of a founder, for on the centenary of his death,
29-3-1930, the President and Council of the Royal Geo-
grphieal Society attended the morning service in Westminster
Abbey, and laid a memorial wreath on Ms grave, close
to that of Livingstone, and marked only by the initials
J.R. and the date 4 .
So much has been written 5 of his personal charm that
we need only add the following extract from a letter he
wrote to Warren Hastings from Nassau St., 10-9-1816,
"Capt. and Mrs. Rodd are in Cornwall, and have taken
away with them my little playmate, their son' 6 .
He lived to a ripe old age; "After he had reached his
S6th year he possessed the full vigour of all Ms intellectual
faculties, and though suffering little short of martyrdom
from frequent attacks of the gout, he still devoted many
hours of each day to his favourite pursuit"''.
" When upwards of 87 years of age, he slipped
from his arm-chair, and broke his thigh. He hardly
left his bed again, and died on March 29th 1830 " s .
He was buried at "Westminster Abbey, and the
Abbey Register shows that he was " buried at noon
of 6 April 1S30 in the nave of the Abbey by the
Very Reverend The Dean ", and notes the expenses
for his coffin and the penalty for " burying in
Linen ".
On a window ledge of the Chapel under the NW,
Tower, at the west end of the nave, is a bronze bust
by Hagbolt, and a tablet with the following inscrip-
tion ; " Major James Rennell โ DiedMarch 29 1830 โ
In his 88th year โ His useful life โ Firm character
and high talents โ are amply exhibited in his work โ
and need no other Monument. This Tablet โ there-
fore merely recordsโ that this celebrated man was
buried โ near this spot".
In 1903 a bronze copy of the Hagbolt bust, specially m;tde
by W.H. Thorne.y croft, was presented to the Victoria .Memo-
rial at Calcutta by Sir James Rennell Rodd, later Lord
Rennell 9 . A plaster copy is at the rooms of the Royal
Geogiapliieal Society.
There are in the family two coloured wax models by
Hagbolt, obviously taken before the construction of his bust,
and also a Wedgewood plaque, whilst a third wax model
"was presented to Sir Henry Yule by Major Reimcli's
only surviving grand -daughter in 1882. He left it to
Sir Joesph Hooker in 1890, who presented it to the Royal
Society" 10 -
There are three porcelain medallions, executed at Sevres
"from a model", inscribed on reverse "Portrait fait en
1S26". Lady 11 odd presented one to the Royal Geographical
Society, one to the Ablatio Society of Bengal, and, apparently
one to the India Office, which was transferred to the South
Kensington Museum 11 . In her letter to Calcutta, 27-12-1843,
Lady Rodd writes; "tier Ladyship had it excuted at Sevres,
during her late visit to Paris, by desire of the French Institute,
and she feels anxious to send a copy to India, where Major
RenneD's fame has ever been duly appreciated" 12 .
*SG.to Govt. 11-8-1824 (SO to 54). 2 The Account of BfangO Park's first, exnn. cun:.:uned M.uyyr ItrundVs Memoir on
the Geography of Africawith. maps; 1817; Markham { 401-2). = As J. XIX ( S3 ). 4 Miil(21). e Hunter f 73-8 J' Lad y
Ritchie in " L'Art d'Etre Grandpere." in From the Porch, 1913. s Mrs. Bayne's Memorials of the Thackeray Family, BM
AddlMSS. 29190 (516). 7 Markham (402). 8 Porter (401). ยฐVM. Exbt. 396; photograph on pi. 9. "Century Series
(323-4) u Yule ( Frontispiece & p. 2 ). The Calcutta medallion has been reproduced in Ben. Atlas, reprint of 1911; La
Touche ; So Ben. P & P. X ( 183 ). la Progs. As. Soc. 13-11-1844 ( 1014 ).
REYNOLDS 378
BIOGRAPHICAL
M. A. Shee, exbt. Royal Academy 1 Si S, sold for isn
ยฃ I M 0. Ill ( 87 ) ; Sandes I ( 102 ). & 'Mli
MI. St. John's Church, St. John's Wood Road
_ Arrd. India 1772 at age of 14; "Entering imme-
diately... on active service, he continued during the
course of the twelve following years in the Hon'ble
discharge of his professional duties, including those
of an Engineer, ...against the Mahrattas and Tippoo
Sultaun, from the reduction of Broach [18-11-72.1
till the attacks on Dubhoy [18-1-80], at which he
was wounded ; and thereafter on service with Gen-
eral Goddard, at the reduction of Ahmedabad
[ 15-2-80 ], the siege of Bassein [captured 11-12-S0]
and the capture of Arnaul ; and on the occasion of.
that General's memorable retreat from the Ghauts
to Panwell [April 1781 ], at which arduous crisis...
was attached to the Rear Guard of that Army, and
was twice wounded " 11 .
During these campaigns survd. many routes on his
own initiative besides part of Broach pargana [ 122 ].
Dec. 1782, Appd. "Secretary to Brigadier General
Mathews, and Surveyor General to the Army [265]"
sent from Bombay to Kanara, and "having... pro-
ceeded in Command of a Detachment of six Gren-
adier companies of native Infantry... had thence the
opportunity of bearing a very creditable share in
the lengthened and gallant defence of Onore, which
was not given up till the Peace of 178413 ^ I25 ] **,
Survd. about 60 miles of coast and country up to
the Ghats [125, 176-7] before being shut up in
Onore. In forwarding his map to the Directors,
the Council described him as "one of the most pro-
mising and valuable officers on our Establishment " 13 .
On return to Bombay, appd. Survr. [265,273],
and put to survey Bombay and Salsette Is. [120,147]'.
Early 1785, deputed to accompany Charles Malet
on mission to Sindhia, and survd. route through
Malwa to Muttra [ 6, 126-7, 253-4 ]โ Sindhia did not
welcome the mission very warmly. Amongst his
presents to Malet "was an ornament composed of
false stones, but this was probably nothing unusual,
for the presents received from the Emperor at Delhi
included "false jewelry, a broken-down pony, and an
elephant with a great ulcerated wound on its back" 11 .
The party then marched to Cawnpore and thence
by river to Calcutta, returning to Bombay by sea
.[137]-
Early the next year Malet and Reynolds went up
to Poona and joined the Peshwa's army at Badami,
where the Marathas were at war with . Tipu. This
gave Reynolds his first line of survey through the
unknown country of the Deccan. Pleading that the
climate of Poona did not suit him, he then marched
down to Surat by another new route, and made his
regular headquarters there till the end of his service
[127-8, 177, 205].
* Exbt 'n?* Mi ?"i n X ? V ( f 9 - '" , ^ Esbfc " ? 96 โข 3 ^produced, Thackeray ( 11 ) & ( rever3 ed ) Sandes II ( 188 ).
'BMAHd^rW T^???f d ' ^^^P 7 ^n^T^lT*?' & MiIL 6 C-don& Ridley were contemporary & independent.
OninTiS-' 1* f ( U' > n, ^l t0 ยฐ^ 1 - 11 - 1816 < 76 )โ ' Ben Willa, 1828. 'o C D to Bo. 7-9-1808 ( 10 )/ ยป Bo
GO. 10-2-180,. "ib. 10-2-07. " Bo to CD. 28-12-84 {9). ยป Narrative by Surg. Cruso; Forbes IV ( 1-106
It is obvious that these medallions were made from one of
Hagholt's wax models, which must therefore have boon
taken at least four years before RennelTs death.
In his biography of Rennell, JM. Walckenaer. Sec. of the
Institut dc France, writes of these medallions; "Le portrait
de Rennell a etc tres bieii grave, et un beau basrelief de sa
tete, vue de profil, a ete execute en porcelaine par les habiles
artistes de la Manufacture de Sevres. Son eloge a ete
prononce dans la seance publique de Institute de France,
le2 aout 18-12, par Tauteui'decet article" 1 .
There is also a marble bust, sculptor unknown, bequeath-
ed to the National Portrait Gallery in 1892 by Major James
Rennell Rodd, Lord RennelTs father. This was apparently
taken from a death mask; it has several slight differences
from Hagbolt's bust and has not the same kindly expression 3 .
Tho following pur trait 3 are known;
First : A small oval painting in uniform, painted in India
when he was about 35 years of age, viz. c. 1777, ina-kin" a
pair with a similar one of ' his wife, now with the Hon.
Francis Rodd.
Second ; A crayon portrait, 3 half length, in profile to
observer's left, signed by George Dance, 15-2-94, now in
the NaLiunal Portrait Gallery*.
Third : A miniature by E. Scott, painted for Lord
Spencer a great friend of Rennell.
This was engraved, first by A. Cardon 6 , pub. in 1799 1 . and
again, slightly smaller, by W. Ridley, pub. in the Eur. 3Iag.
of 1802, and reproduced here on pi. 19 B .
There is a distinct resemblance in character and pose
between these three portraits, which represent a man of under
40, rather than 52, as Rennell would have been at the time
of the Dance portrait.
Fourth : A portrait in oils by Opie, of which nothing
was known till after 1930, in the possession of the Hon.
Francis Rodd. It represents a man rather older than is
shown in the portraits already described. We have, however,
no evidence that Rennell ever sat to Opie who d. 1S07.
The following additional particulars are given
about Rennell's second son, William, who obviously
did not inherit his father's abilities and character.
Ben. Civ. ; Writer 1-11-9S ; arrd. Calcutta Jan. 1800
with introduction from his father to the GG., Marquess
WeUesley 7 .
From 1812, Collector of Dacca, where he was not a success
as he was " not qualified for the proper discharge of so res-
ponsible an office; ...nevertheless not incompetent to the
exercise of public functions of an easier and less responsible
nature".
29-3-1S16, Appd. Depy. Collector of Customs at Benares
"a situation which involves the performance of comparatively
easy duties" 8 .
d. Fatehgarh, 25-7-1819, without issue.
m., before 1815, Miss Millicent Lucas, who d. Fatehgarh
1828, mentioning in her will her mother. Mistress Millicent
Lucas ; her bra. Mr. Robert Lucas ; two sisters Elizabeth
and Sarah Lucas ; a sister Mistress David Todd, and a sister
Mistress Wilham Browne ; also her sister-in-law Mistress
Rodd of Devonshire 9 .
REYNOLDS, Charles. Bom. Inf.
b. e. 1756-S. d. 24^6-1819.
Ens. 20-7-75 ... Lt. Gen. 4-6-1814 ; Resd.
2-3-1807".
S G. Bombay, 1796-1807 [ 265 ].
A bro., William, attorney at Folkestone, had two sons,
George and John, both on Bom. Est.
m., 1811, Mary (Williams?), who d. at Pigeon House
Ft., Dublin, 5-10-1834.
Left a dau. Elizabeth Ann, and two sons, Charles
Williams and John Williams. A niece, Eliza both Reynolds
m. Wm. Lenn, Bom. Inf., 4-11-1816.
Plate 19.
s a
< a
% t -
s3.s
Plate 20.
CHAKLZS REYKGLDt,
SURVEYOR GENERAL, KOMEAY; 1796โ160?.
NOTES
Dec. r 7 8 7 , Submitted his first map of Western
India, which he was proud to explain as a great
advance on Rennell's Map of Hindoostan, pub. less
than 5 years before [131-2, 2I7] . He contmued
his routes from one part of the Deccan to another
working with as little display as possible, and in
1788 made a remarkable journey through Navpur
Hyderabad, Masnlipatam, and on to Madras re-
turning by a different route [ 115, iz 7 -8]. He' was
planning yet another journey at the end of the year
when he was stopped by orders from GG. who
was particularly anxious to avoid offending the
Marathas m view of an impending break with Tipu
[6, 128].
April 1790, on out break of 3rd Mysore War
Appd. AD fiMG . to the force sent to Malabar under
LtCol. Hartley', and during the next two years
made the first surveys ever carried out in that
country [7, I2 8, r 3 o, i 79] . At the close of the war
in 1792 he carried a survey from Sexingapatam to
Hyderabad and then on through Berar to Agra
[116, r 32 ]. We hear of him on the way, through
the following letter from the Resdt. with Sindhia;
"Ogeine, 1-12-92. Capt. Reynolds arrived some days
ago at Bonrkoonpore', at which place he...is stopped by
mformation of Aleah Bhye having prohibited the passing โf
any number of armed men at the Uhant of the Nurbuddah on
bis intended route.
rโข* I ,- ll T doa f" tolle ? ยป tett ยซ "> her, requesting to permit
Captain Reynolds and his party to pass, and have engaged โ
that they will commit no disturbances in her districts; I
forwarded to Capt. Reynolds before he left Hyderabad
Passports and Letters of Recommendation from Scindia to
bis principal Officers 3 .
May 1793, Reached Agra, and there made the
acquaintance of Dr. Hunter, who greatly appreciated
the interest taken by Reynolds in his surveys
[56, 168]. '
From Agra, obtained permission to go down to
Calcutta, where he put forward a scheme that he
had been considering for several years, the comp-
letion of a large-scale map of Western India, which
should deal particularly with the areas beyond the
Company's territories. He was given authority to
proceed at once on a survey of Sindhia's territories
[8, 55] and, besides an escort of Bengal troops
with two English officers, was given Blunt as asst.
survr., and a special allowance of Rs. Soo a month
for contingent expences [282]. When passing
through Delhi, he and his officers were received by
the Emperor [ 301-2 ].
April i 794 , Recalled to Bombay to attend a ctml โข
the following particulars of part of his journey from
imcknow being taken from the journal of a travel-
ling companion.
"May 4th. 42 miles from Cawnporc, Capt. Reynolds
jomcd - this morning โ. his way from Lueknow toTโt
and I was fortunate m the likelihood of having his company
for the greater part of the long journey before me " '
-May 9th. Hawaii, on the Jumna ; Mav 13th Gwalioi
May 22nd. Sironj ; June 3rd, Bnrhanpnr.
379
REYNOLDS
They marched from 16 to 24 miles a day, trave]hn K in
palankeens. Near the crossing of the Chambal Reynolds's
servants and escort had a scuffle with some villagers over the
requisitioning of a guide ; one of Reynolds's khitinatgar, and
two oi the villagers were killed, but no serious notice seems
โ to have been taken of the incident* [298].
The ctml. at Bombay had to do with the sale of captured
goods during the war of 1791 in Malabar, and the allegation
was that vanolis officers, inekidinc Revnoils had been
makmg illicit profits.
''A court of enquiry had recommended that Capt Rey-
nolds should be brought to a Con rt Martini for his conduct "
but the court reported later, " The Officers are still of opinion
that Captain Reynold.' conduct was very culpable, but not
jo much so as they hitherto believed it. In consideration of
the very high character which Capt. Reynolds has ever
borne in the service, and of his merits as an officer, they con-
sent to drop the prosecution. ... They deem the transaction
regarding the purchase of Captured property highly dis-
honorable, but from what Capt. Reynolds has set forth in his
SSm 7? ," re ^"" b T d t0 beMere Ms intentions are not so,
and that he has been deceived and misled by his associates. ยป
On tors report "the Commander in Chief readily agree,
to the charges exhorted against Captain Reynolds being
withdrawn and the matter dropt" E
iv, 1 ? โโข rdnl ยฃ ? he ยซโขlts to the Directors the Council re-
port that previous to Captain Reynolds' being concerned
m the purchase of the lurruk.bad captured property he
bore the most honorable character", and in their reply tie
lhiectors express great satisfaction at the sentence being
honourable, and also direct that no other proceeding, shal
be held respecting Capt. Reynolds "ยซ.
Reynolds now returned to Surat where he re-
mained for the next 12 yeais working on his great
map [ 132, 2l 7 - 9 , 246, 248, 253, 258, 282 ], being
appd. SG. on the Bombay est. in Jan. 1896 [ 265 1.
There was considerable discussion as to whether
he should continue to draw the monthly allowance
of Rs. 800 which had been allowed to him by the
Bengal Govt, in r 793 , especially as he was no longer
out on field work himself; but he urged that his
expenses,- mostly in the pay of his native surveyors
were far greater than would be covered even by this
allowance. "My expenses oyer and above my al-
lowances have added very considerably to the
tax on my private fortune; and from fifty thousand
rupees at the time of my laying my plan before
Government [in l 793 ] it had increased to upwards
of seventy thousand rupees "7. [132, 2 i8, 234, 282
28 7 ^]. He was permitted to retain this allow-
ance in addition to his salary as SG. [282], and in
i 7 99 the Directors ordered that all the expenses of
his native surveyors should be charged to Govt
[288-9].
They grew very impatient as year after year went
by with the map no nearer completion. Reynolds
explained the- delay partly by the continuous flow
of new information brought in by his surveyors, and
partly by the failure of Govt, to give him a capable
asst. [218-9, 273],
He was very anxious that the map should be the
best possible, and much hurt at what he considered
to be obstruction on the part of the S G. in Bengal
alleging that there was reluctance to send him
copies of surveys from that side [255, 254-5 ] ' on
ยซCDtโ!o^-9 6 ^l MC B 2 U 4 r _t n or ,MC/3 ' ' BP ยฐ- 21 - 12 - 92 ' '^MAddlMSS. 13582 (83). . B oMC. 1-8-94.
BBYNOLDS
380
BIOGRAPHICAL
the other hand we find a friendly enquiry from
Mackenzie in a note to Johnson, " Please give my
respects to Colonel Reynolds, I hope he is well.
Were it possible to procure draftsmen, I should
send him copies of the general plan [of the Mysore
Survey] but when I go up to Mysore I may have
that in my power. Has he any intention of going
home ?" 1 .
At last, after repeated representations, Moncrieff
was allowed to join him at Surat for a few months
in 1801 [219,357], an d by 1804 he had a regular staff
of three assts. He was deeply grieved at Moncrieff' s
death, and writes from Cambay, 17-11-1802;
"I remained at Surat until the 11th when, finding iny
health somewhat improved, altho' I had an attack of my
fever during my stay there, I embarked on my way back
and arrived here the 13th: I am sorry to say that...! found
tie change from Cambay did not preserve me from the
fever... having now also the symptoms of the rc-approach of
my complaint.
"It is this constant succession of ill health, with the con-
sequent slow progress of my work, and the extreme difficulty
of my situation from, the want of such assistance as similar
talents only to what Capt. Moncrieff possessed. ... The
affliction I have suffered from Capt. JVfoncrieff's loss is only
known to myself, and to the state of despair it opened to me
with respect to my work I attribute much of my ill health.
I had more to do than I could get through with. I saw no
hopes before me. It was needless publicly to wail. I could
offer no remedy. ...
"Apprehensive from the critical state of my health for
a considerable time past that I should be forced to quit
Cambay for a short time, ...I consulted Dr. Moir, and...
requested, of him. ..to meet me at Surat. ... By the last
post I have received his letter wherein he states the absolute
necessity for my taking immediate steps for my safety,
and his willingness to meet my wishes by coming to Surat,
but regrets from the present state of the medical line at
Bombay the impossibility of his asking permission, there
being few of the profession left there to perform the neces-
sary duties.
"My heath is so very much deranged that there ia an
absolute necessity for my returning to England as soon as
possible, and it will be very painful to me that this part of
my work should be imperfect when I give it in. ... Indepen-
dent of the febrile attacks I am so constantly exposed to,
I am affected in another way that renders my stay in this
country to be actually at the risk of my existence, but I
refrain from applying for leave on a sick certificate, in the
hopes of being able to finish it here. ...
"From the month of August 1801 to the present
month of November, I have had a full eight months
of sickness. ... My constitution is so injured and
my sickness every year gains ground so rapidly on
me, that I do assure you that nothing but the dis-
grace it would be to me to quit while my people are
still detained beyond my power of recall. . . .
" Was I ever to preserve my health, my sight is
now seriously injured, that I am totally unable to do
anything by candle light, or even by daylight, to give
the constant application to it I was used to do 3 [237].
At last, Jan. 1807, the map was so far completed
that he was able to tear himself away, and depart
for England, taking with him a copy of the great
work to present in person to his masters in London.
An interesting account of a visit to Reynolds in
1804 is given by James Welsh [219]; "One of
the greatest treats, however, which I enjoy at Surat
was the acquaintance of Colonel Reynolds, the
Surveyor General, who lived in a garden house some
distance from the town ; and as he has since. ..quitted
this world for a better, I may venture to express the
opinion I then formed without the fear of hurting
his delicacy.
" A soldier of thirty three years service in the
East, he had suffered much from fever, and yet
appeared a hale young man ; such is one of the ad-
vantages of temperance. With a fine manly person
and genteel address, he possessed more knowledge
of the country than any man I have ever conversed
with in India. . . .
" A similarity of pursuits soon leads to confidence
and intimacy; I gave Colonel Reynolds copies of my
routes in directions where he had not an oppor-
tunity of surveying himself ; and he very kindly
allowed me to peruse such of his manuscripts as
contained any information I required.
" At parting, also, he presented me with an English
Perambulator, which proved of the utmost service
to me in correcting any errors in my late routes after
leaving the army ; having brought a theodolite only
to take bearings, and computing my distances by a
watch" 3 [184].
After receiving a copy of the map the Directors
expressed themselves satisfied " that Colonel Rey-
nolds has fully established his claim to remuneration,
...and, taking into our consideration the labour and
magnitude of the work itself, the expences incurred
by Col. Reynolds, both in the early stages of the
Business ... and subsequently in its progress, from
inadequate amount of the allowances granted him;
taking also into consideration. ..that he forebore to
draw any part of the field allowances attached to his
rank or situation, ... which according to a calculation
made here may amount to about Rs. 75,000; We
have on all these accounts resolved to present
Colonel Reynolds with the sum of Two Lacks of
Rupees as a remuneration for his services in the
Execution of the Map as compensation for all claims,
... at &f per annum from the period of his departure
from Bombay, which is stated to have been on the
2nd March 1807 4 .
The map was never published, but was incor-
porated into most of the maps of the next thirty
years, and for some distant areas it remained the
unchallenged authority for even longer.
Northing is known of Reynolds' life after retire-
ment except that he married and settled in a house
in Portland Place, London.
RICHARDS, William. Ben. Engrs.
b. c. 1745.
Ens. 12-12-64 ... Capt. 1-4-69 ; Bead. 2-12-76.
Probably the son of William Richards of Cardiff who
matriculated at Oriel Coll. Oxon. 21-5-62, aged 17.
Three of his own sons, including Gen. Sir William Richards,
KCB. ( 1778-1861 ), were in Bengal Army.
Came to India as Art. cadet, but gazetted to Engrs.
iDDn. 66, 23-1-1803. 2 BoMC. 25-10-18'
, I ( 243 ).
* CD to Bo. 7-9-89 (10).
NOTES
RITCHIE
11-12-65, Joined Rennell as Asst. Survr.; des-
cribed as "a very agreable and cheerful com-
panion" [22, 270, 371]; wounded in action against
sanyasis, 21-2-66, north of Kurigram [23, 292, 371].
From 1766, Employed on surveys in E. Bengal
and Chittagong [13, 22-4, 33, 152,225]; i76Sto 1771,
from Purneah along the north bank of the Ganges
to Saran [21, 27, 33, 225] ; 1772, Shahabad, malting a
plan and report on the fortress at Rohtas [32, 234 269].
Presumably recalled with other surveyors June
I 774 [34]. and on engr. duties Ft. William 1775.
5-10-76, Applied for leave to Europe; "I beg your per-
mission of leave to proceed on a Voyage to Sue/, as the means
of getting the better of a nervous complaint in my Head,
occasionally attended with paralytic symptoms, which I have
acquired in this country during a course of upwards of twelve
years Service in the Corps of Engineers ; but if I should find
on my arrival there, that I have received no benefit by the
passage, I may then bo permitted to resign.. ,& proceed to
England.
"As the coasts of the Red Sea between Jcdda and Suez
are little known to Europeans aa well as the navigation
thereof ; if during the voyage I can be thought of any service
therein to future Navigators. I will endeavour to execute any
directions you may be pleased to give me" 1 .
The Council granted the leave and accepted his
offer to survey the Ked Sea; "His abilities as a
surveyor have been shewn by the large share which
he has had in forming the Maps of these Provinces ".
Dec. 1776, Left Calcutta, reporting arrival in
England the following Oct.; Jan. 1778, on hearing
of Rennell's resignation, applied to succeed as S G.,
and in Nov. the Directors appd. him as such in
preference to Thomas Call, who had been nominated
by the Council at Calcutta. Never returned to India,
and in Jan. 1781 resigned on account of health [260].
Nothing is known of his life in England except
that in 1778 he was living at Bath, where Rennell
visited him [374].
RIND. James Nathaniel. Ben. Inf.
d. 1814.
Ens. 21-5-79 ... Maj. 30-9-1803 ; Ret. 15-1-1804.
Of Livelands, co. Stirling.
m., possibly 1805, Aime, dau. of Maurice Evans, his
eldest son being born July 1806; father of James Nathaniel
and William James Bind, both of Ben. Inf.
Lieut. Bom. Mar. 17-8-78. Cadet, Ben. Inf. I0-9-7S 2 .
"Was a cadet of 1778, before which he was in the Sea
Hue. ... In November 1779, before his appointment of cadet
was known in Bengal, he was an officer belonging to the
li-tyijal Charlotte, armed ship". ...
"When the Bengal Armed Ships returned to Calcutta in
1779, I was the officer who remained in charge of the Royal
Charlotte, moored close to the Bankshall"โ he describes a
fire on shore, and his energetic attempts to save property ;โ
refused reward from the local Board of Trade, out now
petitions Directors to grant some compensation 3 .
r785, Asst. to Resdt. at Delhi; 1786, Submitted to
SG. map of "The Sick Country and of that of the
neighbourhood of Delhi ", for which Govt, granted
him Rs. 4,000 [42, 233].
1787-90, with 17th Batt. Sepoys; survd. various
routes, Etawab to Aligarh; Kalpi to Nagpur; Nar-
bada R. toMirzapur; also the Ganges from Allah-
abad to Benares.
18-11-93, Appd. Adj. & Qmr. 1st. Sepoy Bri. ;:
15-11-94 till Jan. 1801, Bri. Maj. 1st. Bri.; Furl.
4-4-1801 till retirement.
In reporting on Rind's surveys [ 42 ], the S G.
writes "As it would appear that Mr. Rind has
provided himself with every necessary instrument,
both for surveying, and for Astronomical Observa-
tions, and must also have had a number of people-
employed, his expence...must have been considerable,,
and should I think be reimbursed him * ".
RITCHIE, John 5 . Marine Survr. Bengal.
Employed from 1767 till retirement 1786.
B P C. 22-11-86 ( 14 B ), Ritchie states that he had.
been a Mariner, and that " about the latter end of
September, or the beginning of October, 1767, he
was employed by the Governor and Council of
Bengal as Surveyor to tbe Marine Department,
and. ..that... his employment... was incessant and.
exceedingly laborious " [ 15-7, 21 ].
24-3-69, Chief & Council of Chittagong reported ;
"We have furnished Mr. John Ritchie. ..with. ..1000
Rupees for the use of the vessels employed on
Surveys under his command " G .
BPC. 23-6-69 " Mr. Ritchie, who was employed in
taking surveys to the Eastward, is returned, and
submits a Plan of the Sands & Coast from the
Island of Sagor to the Eastern Shore" [33, 50 ]\
Continued surveying the coasts and Islands, inclu-
ding the Andaman & Nicobar Is. [ 16, 47, 225 J, until
1773, and in 1774, Rennell submitted a complete
series of Charts of the Bay of Bengal compiled from
Ritchie's surveys [17. 153,224, 269].
1773, Sent on survey to Oudh, and presumably
placed under Polier [ 34 ] : โ
BPC. 22-11-86, "Mr. Hastings sometimes employed him
upon Land Surveys, and not imfrequently upon what he
called Military Surveys ; that in the year 1773, he, tbe said
John Bitchie, being ordered up to the Province of On.de. upon
one of those Surveys, and there being thus no channel of
payment.. .for the allowances of surveyors out of the British
Provinces, his salary became greatly in arrears, and upon
his return to Calcutta... the new members of the Board of
Council, General Clavering, Col. Monson, and Mr. Francis,
refused their assent to the payment of his arrears, on account,
as it was alleged, of their irregularity. ... The said three
members of the Council, who were then a Majority, therefore
continued him in his said office of Marine Surveyor, and be
has so continued therein to the present time ; that his estab-
lished allowance. .from the end of October 1773 to the end
of Eebry. 1776.. .has not been paid to him". He further
claimed "for Money which he actually expended for Boats
from Calcutta, to Fy/.abad and from thence back to Calcutta " s .
From this claim it woulr! appear that he was not released
from survey in Oudh till the end of 1775 ; and that his allow-
ance as surveyor was 500 arcol rupees a month.
In 1777 Ritchie asked that Govt, would fit out
a special expedition for the survey of the Andaman
Is. and coast of Aracan, but this proposal was
shelved [ 17 ]ยฐ.
1 B P C. 28-10-76 ( IS ). "- cf. J. S. Ewart. 3 Petition from Rind, Misc LR. 7-2-1803. * B P C. 11-9-89. 5 Wrongly
called Jarmis in Dalryniplfs's list, of Charts. * dhittagong Dist. Ji. ( 297 ). " B PC. 23-6-69. ยปBPC. 22-11-86 B 1 CciiiA
40-1777 (41-3), 2-1-77. f
ROBERTSON 382
B#-Ct 5-12-86, Applied for leave to England, "The condi-
tion of my health being such ay requires a:i immediate change
of cliuiate ; ... after a series of 19 years continuous service
in the office of Marine Surveyor, I hope there is no impro-
priety in my requesting the favor, also.. .to continue my
allowance to me. ...
"It is a small salary, and the receipt of it has been the
only advantage I have ever reaped from the Company's
Service, and because my Line of Service, from its singularity,
has had no gradation of advancement, ... whilst its Duties
have been uncommonly severe, uncommonly hazardous, and
equally unprofitable ; for what advantage could be obtained
from tracking a Labyrinth of Woods and Rivers '! Or from
exploring the, Shoals of a shelving and broken Sea Coast ?
All of which uninhabited, and seldom visited, except perhaps
in the disastrous case of shipwreck.
"In the meantime it has been from my Labours,
that the Hon'ble Company have obtained all
authentic knowledge of the Sea Coast and Tide
Rivers of their possessions in Bengal, together with
other services more immediately important and
beneficial" [45, 101, 204].
Arrd. England Sept. 1787, and apparently never returned
to India, though he applied i.o do .so in .March 1791.
Not to be confused with a John Ritchie, "Surveyor of
Cargoes", who was allowed a pension of ยฃ40, from April
1790, C M. 28-4-90.
ROBERTSON, Alexander. Mad. Inf.
b. 1762. d. 4-4-1825.
Ens. 12-5-79 ... LtCol. 20-8-1805. Ret. 28-2-1809
1781-2, Explored roads round Nellore [ too ].
Survd. Dindigul Dist., date unkn. ; map 2i miles to an
inch, "with Table of Bearings & Distances" 1 .
ROBERTSON 2 , Thomas, Ben. Engrs.
b; 1762-3. d. 18-6-1831, Calcutta ;
MI. S. Park St. Cem.
Ens. 17-7-82 ... Col. 5-6-1829.
m., 1st., Edinburgh, a dau. of Wm. Hamilton ; she d. at
โ sea, July 1807. m., 2nd., a lady who d. at Selkirk Manse,
18-11-1822.
Country Cadet of 1781.
Probably employed on survey of Calcutta under
Mark Wood, as in May 1785 it was ruled that he and
Wood were not entitled to draw survey allowances,
being Engrs. [ 5, 52-3, 270, 277 ] 3 .
July 1787, Asst. Engr. at Cawnpore. March 1793,
on duty under CE. Ft. William. BGO. 13-3-94,
"now on duty at Chittagong, is appointed Engineer
to Lt Col. Erskine's Detachment", and employed on
survey of the southern frontier of the province [59].
G O. 5โ12-96, Furl, to Europe for 3 years, return-
ing 12-12โ 1800.
1S02-4, on survey of eastern Sundarbans.
ROBINSON, Edward. Ben. Engrs.
d. Nov. 1781, Bhagalpur, of dropsy ; M I.
Ens. 23-10-73 ... Capt. 29-1-81.
1780, Survey of Budge Budge and Hooghly R. [ 54 ], and
probably on survoy oยฃ Calcutta as referred to in B P C. 5-4-S4
[ 52 ]; Thos. Robertson [ sup. ] was then an ensign.
1781, on survey with Maj. Popham's dett., Gwalior
[324. 325 ] 4 -
BIOGRAPHICAL
ROSE, Alexander. Ben. Inf.
b. c. 1737. d. 17-10-69, Calcutta. %
Ens. H Mi's 54th/52nd Eoot. 1-1-56 ; Arrd Ir,a; r
Sept. 1768; tr. aa Capt. under B II C. 1-9-68. '
Surveys in Muzaffarpur & Saran [ 29 n. 4 ] 5 . ,
ROSS, Patrick. Mad. Engrs.
b. c. 1740. d. 24-8-1804. .
Ens. HM.'s Engrs. 19-5-58 ; Principal Engr. & Lt Col
Mad. 15-9-70; CE.; Furl. 1778-82 and 1793-7 โ
Maj Gen. before 17S9; Ret. 1-1-1803.
2nd son of Patrick Ross of Tnvernethy &โ Susanna Douglas
his wife, of Strathenrie, co. Eife.
m., Madras, 25โ12โ77, Mary Clara Ma-ule, ait; Lei- to Georgi
Maule, Mad. Engrs. ; left a son Robert Charles Ross ( 1783-
1816), Mad. Civ.
M P. Horsham, 1802. DN B.; DIB.
Sent out in 1770 to succeed John Call as C E. [322]
... Responsible for all surveys earned out by Engr.
officers; see especially his instructions for survey
of Northern CircSrs, 1773 [92, 169, 203].
See also account of Dugood's ctml. 1775, one
charge being Dugood's alleged defamation of Ross's
professional attainments [335].
1783, Recommended the appt. of a Surveyor
General at Ft. St. George, and the est. of a corps of
surveyors [ 263 ].
Responsible as C E. for custody of maps and
surveys and for the compilation of general maps [ 239,
251, 256-7]. His official letter -books are preserved
at the India Office [ 24 n. 9 ] s ,
1791โ 2, 3rd. Mysore War [173 n. 3].
179S-9, C E. at Presidency during 4th Mysore
War, whilst Gent [244 n. 4] was C E. with Grand
Army [ 312 ] ; sd. C E. f Maj Gen., at Madras, April 1S00.
RUSSELL, Claud. Mad. Civ.
bapt. 8-10-32. d. 17-4-1820. ; -
Writer, Ben. Civ. 1752 j tr. to Mad. CM. 24-4-71.
3rd. son of John Russell of Eraidshaw, by his 2nd. wife,
Mary.
m., Madras, 17-10-77, Leonora, natural dau. of George,
1st. Baron Pigofc [ 143 n. 8 ].
1776., Nomination as Resdt. Tanjore started the
dispute between Pigot and Council [256 n. 6, 330 ] 7 .
24-7-82, Appd. Chief at Vizagapatam ; Oct. 1782,
helped Pearse in obsns. for long. [ 155 ].
Recorded routes to Jcypore & Bhadrachalam 8 ,
both of which journeys must in those days have
been charged with adventure 9 .
RUSSELL, George. Bsn. Inf.
b. 1742-3. d. 6-12-1827.
Ens. 29-1-67 ; Resd. 30-12-74 ; Re-admitted 20-2-83 ;
Furl. 21-12-1803 ; Lt Gen. 4-6-1813.
One of his daus. m., Calcutta, 1S19, Sir David Elliott
KC SI., Mad. CSv.
8-4-67, on survey in Ramgarh in company with
Carter [26, 270, 326].
1767-71, Survd. "the country between the Soane
and the Caramnassa Rivers, as also the Roads from
Patna to Daoudnagur, & fromPatna to Moneah, and
J-DDn. 246 (55).
* India Gazette, 28-11-81.
โ โ > M cmoir, 1793(244).
2 Frequently Hobinson. :
3 0rmeMSS. 60 (4S)& 134.
โ go. Dept. of Inspection, 12-5-85; of Robert Kyd. BPC. 5-4-84.
ยซ Mack MSS.LXVIII-IX. ' Carmichael ( 220 ). " s 65 J-9 ; 66 C-14.
NOTES
โ
the course of the Soarie 'below Daoudnagur "/ which
would approximately correspond to the present
Shahabad Dist. [33, 225] 1 . - "โข
I 77i-4. Supt. of Works at Bcrhampore.
1778-9, William Hickey records a visit to "Salt, Hill;
found some of the party up, -engaged at hazard, "to which
several were greatly addicted, especially Major George Russell,
who about four years ago, had returned from Bengal with a
fortune of upwards of forty thousand pounds, the whole of
which he had squandered away or lost at the gaming table,
he at the period I became, acquainted with him not having
five hundred pounds loft" 3 .
To recoup his losses Russell had to return to Bengal, and
Hickey narrates that "the arrival of the litl] / , ,
announced. This was an English fifty gun ship taken by
Mr. Suffren on his way to India [ 321 ]. On board this ship
at the time of. her being captured was my London fHcnd
Major George Eussell. ... Whilst laying at St. Helena, the
Hannibal touched there, and. Ma lor Resell bein<* intimate
with her commander, he offered to take him on to Madras. ..
The Major, therefore, removed to the Hannibal, which off
the Cape unluckily fell in with Suffren's squadron and was
taken. ... While upon the voyage he fell in with a Danish
Indiaman bound to Tranquebar, and Major Russell, obtaining
the French Captain's leave, after giving his parole not to
serve until exchanged, went on board the Dane" 3 .
Hickey writes later, "On the 31st August [ 1789 J I left
town to spend a few days, as I frequently did. with my iVii-nd
Major George Russell at Barrackpore. ... Major Russell
although he bad attained the rank of a field officer, knew
nothing of military tactics, never having done a dav'c duty
or relieved a guard. He had acquired a very handsome
fortune by building the Barrackpore [ Berhampore ? ] bar-
racks and other public edifices, which, as already observed, he
squandered away at the gaming table in England, and then
returned to India to endeavour to acquire a second com-
petence. ..." Then follows a story of Russell being left as
senior officer commanding the troops and getting through his
parades with the help of the adjutant 4 .
SARTORIUS, John Conrad. Bom. Engrs.
b. c. 1740. d. 10-12-1801, Cannanore :
MI.
Lieut. 21-7-75 ... Col. 1-1-98.
His will mentions relatives in Germany.
m., Bombay, AnnabeUa Eliza, dau. of Mr. G. E. Rose โข
father of Adm. Sir George Rose Sartorius, GCB. (DNB.).
I 7 8 3~4. CE - at defence of Mangalore. 1785, to
survey Salsette I. [120,147]. T 786, Engr., Survr.,
and OC. Troops, with expn. to Chagos I. (123).
Dec. 1790, with Frederick's dett. at siege of
Dharvvar, taking over comd. on Frederick's death,
March 1701 ; led dett. back to Bombay via Poona
[128,187].
From 1792, Charge of defence works and survey
of frontiers, Malabar, till death; commd. the Engrs.,
and submitted maps of the province [ 131-2 ].
CE. Bom. Army during the 4th Mysore War, 1790^
and present at capture of Seringapatarh [ 118, 312]!
SCHLEGEL, Charles Augustus ( Carl Christian
August ) . Corps of Hanoverians [ 99 n. 4].
b. at end of 1761, Hanover; d. 9-9-89,
Madras.
Ens. 13-8-81 ; Lieut. 13-1-89.
Son of Johann Adolf Schlegel, preacher, schoolmaster, and
poet, and his wife, dau. of the Mathematician, Hubseh.
383 SHOWERS
Bro. to August Wilhelm von Schlegel ( 1767-1.845), Sanscrit
scholar, and translator into German of 11 olavยซ of Shakespeare
who assumed the von in 1814 ( DIB).
1 1778, Lance- Corp oral in the Regt. of Linsinยซen ('10th
Inf. Regfc. ): โ .',โ )"โ
The British army being engaged in the American
War of Independence, King George III placed the
15th & 16th Regts. of Hanoverian Electoral troops
at the disposal of the EIC. for the war against
Haidar Ali [4, 40, 99 n. 4].
Arrd. Madras, Oct. 1782, as Adj. 16th Regt., which
become the 14th. from 1785.
1788, Completed a striking map of the Camatic
now preserved at B M., which reveals him as a good
surveyor and no mean geographer [99, 169, 185,
243].' lie also wrote a book on the military geo-
graphy of the Carnatic at the desire of the Governor.
After the arrival of re-hrforcemeats to the Hanoverian
Gorps m 1787, he became involved in quarrels with the new
officers, wrote a scurrilous poem, and was accused of other
breaches of discipline. Whilst the latter accusations were
not proved, he was convicted by ctml on the count of the
offensive poem, but the period of arrest already served was
considered sufficient punishment. The court took notice
of his voluntary labour on the map, conimendin<r "dessen
1 : โ โ : โ '*+โ Einsicht und naehahmenswurdige Apolic-
SC(H)OULEK, Robert. Mad. Inf.
d. 22-0-89.
Ens. 26-10-68 ... Capt. 16-7-7".
. m., Madras, 11-9-83, Miss Elizabeth Bellew ; Father of
James Brathwaite Scouler ( 17S4-18I2 ) Mad. Inf.
1777, on detail survey of roads of Madras Town
[94]-
SCOTT, Andrew. Mad. Civ.
b. 1752-3. d. 21-1-1825, Ft. St. George -
MX. ยฐ
Writer 1773 ... Senior Mereh., Masulipatam 1790.
1774, Appd. to survey lauds of Masulipatam [ 143 ], and
survd. Nizanipatnam in that dist. [ no ].
SCOTT, Samuel. Mad. Engrs.
d. 20-8-73, Valiam 6 .
Ens. 12-2-73.
MPC. 19-2-73, "well qualified to answer Mr. Barnard's
purpose, ...appointed to assist him" in finishing the maps
of the Jagir [ 142 ].
SHAW, James, Mariner.
Master Attendant at Chittagong.
B P C. 9-1-64, in the marine, service at Chittagong, " Lu be
employed in sounding & surveying the Coast & River, con-
ducting Vessels out or in, etc. " [ 14-5 ].
SHOWERS, Samuel Howe. Ben. Inf.
b. 1745, New England, d. 12-10-1827.
Ens. 27-12-64 ... Lt Col. 28-5-86 ; Dismd. 1-9-93.
m. 1st, Calcutta, Miss Ann Hammond, who d. 4-5-78
Patna, aged 25.
m. 2nd, Calcutta, 13-11-79, Melian, widow of William -Dare
of Ben. Inf. who had been drowned at sea; she d. 1-1-1834
aged 87.
Father of Charles Lionel & Howe Daniel Showers, both of
Ben. Inf., besides 4, other sons.
Sailed for India 20-2-64 ; Posted to 1st Eur. Regt. 13-8-65.
1 1 Maps. I. A C. 13. ยซ Hickey, II ( 315-6 ). a ib _ TII / 6 o_3 ) cf John Bvres
Archives. Report 5237 ( 38 ) of 23-12-1938. ยซ58N/2.
ib. Ill 350-1). * Hanover State
SMITH
.;โ โ . i
BIOGRAPHICAL
1766-9, Employed constantly or surveys by Col.
Richard Smith, OC. 2nd. Bri. on the western frontier
[24, 29, 223]. 1768, on mission to Raja of Nagpur;
survd. road from Allahabad [295-6]. Many of his
maps are preserved, all beautifully drawn ; there are
also records of astr. obsns. for lat. at Lucknow and
elsewhere [226 n. 6] 1 . Wo record of surveys later
than 1769.
Furl. 1788 till 1790 ; on return to Calcutta, whilst on
half -pay as supernumerary LtCol., waiting for a vacancy,
he became the central figure at a ctml. that created a great
stir. Suspected by Lieut. O'Halloran of misconduct with
Mrs. O'Halloran, he was brought to ctml. on a charge of
disgraceful conduct in refusing to meet O'H's challenge to a
duel. The trial lasted from Jan. loth to Peb. 15th 1791,
and in spite of his apparently reasonable deft-nco that letters
had gone astray, the Court found Showers guilty, and ordered
Ids discharge from the service [ 309, 344 ]. Two weeks later
O 'Hailoran completely withdrew his charges ;
"The reluctance I imagined he shewed to acquiesce in my
desire of a personal interview, arose from a different motive
than that which I attributed io him โ it arose from an earnest
desire to exonerate Mrs. O'Halloran of the most distant
shadow of guilt before he gratified my wish. I have dropped
the action I commenced against him in the Supreme Court
of Judicature. ... I am alone, dese ruin 17 of censure for my
โ pri'.c-ipitatiotb.
On the orders of the Directors, O'Halloran was tried by
ctml. for defamation of character, and was found not guilty,
"it appearing to the Court that he had sufficient apparent
cause to warrant the accusations he preferred " [ of refusing
to meet a challenge] 3 .
The sentence of the ctml. on Showers was confirmed by
the Directors 3 , and in spite of many petitions, they stead-
fastly refused to re-instate him.
Melian Showers, his wife, warmly supported him through-
out this trouble, having been soon convinced of his innocence,
and did her best to prevent any duel by getting a warrant
out for the arrest of 'Hailoran. It was on her application
to the Directors that Showers obtained a copy of the pro-
ceedings of the ctml. which he pub. hi 1796, together with
O'H's letter of retraction*.
CM. 2-6-95, Showers was granted an annuity of ยฃ 180
from the Contingent Fund.
It is said that the marriage with Melian Dare had been
"arranged" by Marian Hastings, and that "it was a miser-
able marriage, for Showers was a violent man from whom
she separated after 'shocking recriminations' and scenes in
public", also that Showers refused her any share in his
pension "since she left him of her own accord" 5 . There is
no indication of such trouble in the records of the ctml.
SMITH, The Rev. Willliam.
" Outside the Service *'.
Has not been identified, though there were many of his
name in Holy Orders who might fit e . He would probably
have been under 30 years of age at the time of his survey.
Bo to C D. 28-2-77 ( 37 ) ; " Came to Bengal as private
Tutor to a young Gentleman there" [ 154 ].
July 1775, Col. Monson [31 n. 1 ] proposed that he
should be appd. survr. with Upton's mission to
Poona [ 30-1 ], and Smith records that " as I was not
particularly employed in the duties of my function,
the Superior Council were also pleased to honour me
with an appointment and the necessary instruc-
tions ".
He discusses the prospect of discovering new and
valuable products, particularly of medical value
in the country they were to pass through ; " One such
secret would undoubtedly be a handsome fortune to
a European of the faculty ; I had accordingly
proposed to make these several enquiries. ... I was
favoured with other Instructions, which were deli-
vered with so much necessary precaution, to avoid
any suspicion in people so jealous of Europeans, and
who might thereby cause difficulties and obstacles
to be thrown in the way : and the nature of the
journey was altogether such, that it afforded but
few means and opportunities of making these
enquiries, and I was obliged to relinquish all
thoughts of carrying them into execution " 7 .
On the march from Kalpi to Poona, Oct.-Dec,
Smith kept up a continuous survey, taking regular
obsns. for lat. and long., and continued down to
Bombay the following month. [2, 31, 154, 176, 185,
200, 268 ] His survey was the first continuous line
measured across the centre of India, and was a
notable achievement.
His journal contained " 55 large Folio pages closely
written, & of these one half are figures & Astronomi-
cal Observations " 8 .
FromPoona he submitted a paper on the determina-
tion of longitude, with a claim on the " Board of Longi-
tude " at the Admiralty for the offered reward [ 151,
154]. " Soon after my arrival at Poorunder 9 , I began
to work up the Observations conformable to the
Method I had proposed; ...it became necessary to
settle the theory previous to that work, which has
cost me abundantly more trouble then I had first
apprehended. ... I have at length succeeded beyond
ray expectations, and improved much on the plan I
had first adopted. Just before the rough copy was
finished, I received. . .the Accompanying Abstract
of an Act of Parliament, which gives me some hope
of a gratuity for the performance ; I should therefore
rather chuse to decline my former intention of it's
appearing in our Philosophical transactions 10 , as
mentioned to you on a former occasion, and wish to
have it communicated to the Honble Commissioners
for the discovery of the Longitude at Sea, with a
view of its being put on due trial, and claiming a
Competition for the reward" 11 .
The paper was referred to the Astronomer Royal
who "reported that. ..he finds that the same is
not new, and that it is not practicable at sea with
sufficient exactness" 13 .
From Poona he visited Bombay and obsd. the-
long, there, and on other occasions he obsd. the long,
at Cochin and Calcutta [ 154, 179].
โ โขEM ArldlMSS. 15739 & Orine MSS. 6S&33& * Calcutta Mag. V (July-Dec. 1793). 3 CDtoB. 1-3-93 (24)^
BS & MO. 9-9-93. i The Proceedings at Large on the Trial of S H. Showers Esq., ...; 10 Tract. 23. The story of the
ctml. by Hickey, IV ( 21-2 ) is much distorted. = Grier (315-6); Murray (265). 6 eg. Bev. Win. Smith, Curate, Thorney
Abbey, or. Peterborough, wrote to B S. 11-2-67; BMAddlMSS. 28512. T Journal, BMAddlMSS. 29213. 3 Misc.
L R. 89 ( 207 ). "20 in. S E of Poona. "Though not on records of ft S. this suggests that Smith was, or wished to he, a
F R Sโ and suggests identity with the curate of Thorney Abbey [ sup ]. n Letter to Col. Monson, B P C. 23-12-75. 12 Board
of Long. Progs.. 22-11-77 & 7-3-78.
NOTES
It was over a year before he submitted any results
of his survey, and he writes to the G G in C,
"Poonah, Sept. 14th 1776. ... I have been much
concerned and grow uneasy at not being able to
transmit to you the Particulars, . . . and though you
specified no limited Time, and seemed not to expect
them before my Return to Calcutta, yet f confess
our long stay here ought to have been productive of
something in that way. . . . But the progress of my
work has gone on much more slowly than I had
apprehended. ... I hope soon to present Colonel
Upton with a Copy of my Journal "i.
He eventually travelled hack by Balasore 3 , and
wrote to the Council again "Calcutta, 25-8-77; The
ill state of health which Providence has been pleased
to afflict me with, laid me under the disagreable
necessity of leaving Col. Upton at Poonah, and going
to Bombay for Assistance, which prevented my
returning with him; and also from completing my
journal. ... A map of the tract now only remains
to complete it agreable to my wish ; ...but since...
a more favourable opportunity of complying with
the advice of the Doctors in going to England cannot
occur, I. . .entreat your permission. . .to lay my
journal before the Hon'ble Board as it is ; [I]
promise to finish the map, if it please God, and send
it at the first opportunity. ... I also beg leave to
return my sincerest thanks.. .for the appointment
you were pleased to honor me with... ," viz. Surveyor
to the mission 3 .
After selling Lis quadrant to Pearse [ 200 ], he sailed from
Calcutta in the Egmont taking home on behalf of a friend
"2 bags, the first containing 1000 Pagodas and 218 Znkeens
or Venetians, the second containing 1100 Pagodasโ in all
2100 Pagodas and 218 Znkeensโ which I hope will sell for
about ยฃ 1000 sterling. The Pagodas are better than those
generally sent from Madrasโ for example, the Madras Pagoda
passes for 3 Rs. & annas [ 278 n. 7 ], and the Hyderabad
Pagodas, being those I have now sent, pass for Ks. 3 As. 14,
and very often Rs. 4, as they are heavier and much better
gold"*.
He wrote again, " Cape of Good Hope. 29-1-78.
The hypochondriac complaint, which laid me under
the necessity of returning home, and being also seized
with a fever on my way to Madras, prevented me
from sending you the plan of the tract to Poonah...
for the completion of my journal. ... I thank God I
am much recovered, and during my stay here have
done the best my health and time would permit to
finish that plan ; indeed the places of resting each
day are accurately laid down ; but in other respects,
I was not able to pay the attention I wished ; and
very much regret the necessity of omitting most of
the hills, mountains, and every embellishment, as
well as ornament, I had intended ; it is however,
intelligible, and by the help of which and my journal]
another person may draw a more accurate and
complete one " 5 .
The Egmont called at St. Helena with Smith on
385 STEVENS
board and sailed for England 8-3-78, but it was not
until i-x-79 that he handed in his map to the
Directors e .
Whilst at Poona Smith had asked the Bombay Govt, to
appt. bim Chaplain at Surat, which was recommended to the
Directors, "'as this gentleman bears a general good character,
and from bis astronomical knowledge and other qualifi cations
may prove exceedingly useful" '. The Directors approved,
but after arrival in England Smith decided not to take up
the appt. 8 .
Nothing further is known of his later life in England ;
there are several Wm. Smith's who were appd. to livings in
England about this time, one of whom, appd. Rector of
West Kirby in Cheshire 1780, d. 1787.
St. PAUL 9 , Jean-Baptiste. French Inf.
b. 1729, Mezieres, France.
d. 7-4-92, Pondicherry.
Sept. 1768, Capitaine des grenadiers au Bait, de lTnde โ
It Colonel c. 1783.
m., Mademoiselle Francoise Quentin de la Metrie, of
Madras ; his eldest, son. .Francois Jean Antoine, b. "Prmdidierrv
23-10-86, d. 24-6-1822.
Chevalier de l'Ordre royal et militaire de St. Louis.
1750, Attd. to the bri. of Germans with Eussy to Hyder-
abad and Aurangabad and, according to Duperron, survd
rind mapped the marches [ ri5 ].
STEVENS, William. Mad. Engrs.
Killed in action, Pondicherry, 14-10-78.
Ens. 7-1-64 ... Maj. 11-3-74.
Son of Mrs. Ann Stevens, who was granted a pension from
Lord Clive's fund, 21-5-83 ; d. unm.
July 1764, at siege of Madura.
1765, deputed to search for a navigable channel
through Adam's Bridge and Talk Strait; spent several
weeks during Feb. and March on survey without
success [ 87],
June 1765, at capture of " Beam Naique's Pollam "
from Tripasur K> and employed " to open the woods
and destroy the strongholds. ..of Trivallore " n .
From Nov, 1765, Engr. at Masulipatam, employed
on fortifications and works. Submitted plan of fort
at Kondapalli [112 n. 8] and country round, referring
to "Mons. Bussy's Chart [115]"; also "a small
scale sketch showing country from Masulipatam to
Kondapilly along Kistna, and along Coast north-
wards to Sittiavaram [92] " 12 , 8-9-66, Report on
works required for defence of Vizagapatam.
Board record that "Mr. Stevens is tho only Engineer who
is not on the Civil List, and is a most deserving young man,
and a great acquisition to that Corps ", and the following
month they report; " Wu cannot avoid mentioning the parti-
cular Merit of Mr. Wm. Stevens ; ... He is a very great acquisi-
tion to that Corps, and, indeed, such are his Capacity and
assiduity that we can venture to assure your Honors so
promising a servant is very seldom to be met with [154]" "_
r772, Survd. Coringa Bay as a possible shelter for
the Company's ships [ 101, 103].
Continued to be employed on Engr. works and
occasional surveys at Masulipatam, till in 1773
ordered on survey of the southern Circars [ 3, 92-3,
no, J; a few weeks later "ordered to repair to the
ยปB PC. 23-12
70.
Mb.:
. โโ, Map 16, "Padree Smith's route from Poonah to Ballasore
Macpherson (318); tin, _bot>k contains a reproduction of Smith's map. 5BPC. 5-10-78. ยซCM.
28-2-77. ^CM. 15-1-79. "Sometimes " de St. Pain ". W66 C/4 "Tiravallur
ยซ 65 K/ll ; M M C, N. Circars, 4-4-66, " M to C D. 22-1-67 ( 111 ) Ilru ^ a11 ^
ib. 25-8-77.
1-1-79. ' Bo to C D.
57 0/16; MS. & Pol. 24-8-65
STEWART 386
Presidency for the Reduction of Tanj ore " [ 93 ] l .
After the capture of Tanjore, appd. to charge of the
works at that place and survd. its neighbourhood
[95.203].
1778, Acting C E. in. the absence of Ross [ 3S2 ], and Oct.
14th killed at the siege of Pond ioherry. "He had conducted
the two different attacks 011 the Fort with uncommon exer-
tion, and fell only two days before the Surrender. He was
a, man of great ability in his profession, and possessed suck
integrity and zeal, as rendered him a most valuable servant
of the Company " 2 .
Gen. Hector Munro reported 25-10-78, "Major Stevens,
the C E., went immediately to repair the gallery, and on his
return. ..he was unfortunately wounded by a cannon ball and
died that evening. In him fclociety have lost an honest man
& the Company a most gallant soldier " 3 .
"There was at Pottanur, on the high road 4 miles west
of Pondicherry, close to the French Frontier, a monument to
his memory, erected by Maj Gen. Sir Hector Munro. "*.
In a letter to the Directors, 13-3-79, the Madras Council
wrote, "Maj. Win. Stevens... this diligent & faithful servant,
tho' employed in situations which have been supposed
extremely hic.rn.tive to others, litis diet! worth no more than
ยฃ S0O, & his family at home are likely to be distressed by the
loss of the little support that he was able to afford them
while living.
" The character of Major Stevens and his long and faithfull
services to tho Company, plead strongly in favor of those
relations who were so poor".
Rennell acknowledged the use of many surveys
by Stevens [271]; the coast of Palk Strait from
Negapatam to Tondi ; Masulipatam to Coringa Bay;
Yanam 5 to Masulipatam and a survey of Kistna R.
from Eazwada to the sea e .
Took astr. obsns. in company with Pringle [ 169,
170], who sometimes wrongly calls him. Stevenson;
there had been a "William Stevenson in the Mad.
Engrs., Ens, 1757, but he died 1765, and there is no
record of his having been employed on surveys.
STEWART, Charles. Bom. Civ.
b. June 1748. d. 1783, unm. ; poisoned
whilst prisoner in Mysore 7 .
Son of James Stewart, Sheriff, co. Kinross.
Jan. 1779, after disaster of Vadgaon, Surrendered
with Wm. Farmer as hostage to Marathas ; kept up
survey of marches [ 121 ] till released at Goddard's
camp near Baroda 9-3โ So 8 .
2-12-82, Appd. Paymaster & Commissary to Force
proceeding to Malabar Coast under Mathews [ 125 ] ;
taken prisoner at Bednur April 1783.
STEWART, Duncan. Ren. Inf.
b. 1756 in Scotland.
d. 15-1-84, in camp at "Kohaary
Nullah" [345].
Ens. 7-8-76 ; Lieut. 24-7-7S.
EIMC. III. 450.
18-2-72, Left England as midshipman in Duke of Albany,
East Indiaman : wrecked on iSaisdhcads at mouth of Hoofhly
R., July 1772.
1772, ADC. to Sir Archibald Campbell [ 101 n. cj ]. Appd.
Inf. cadet, and Asst. Engr.
BIOGRAPHICAL
1774-5, with 17th Batt. Sepoys. Midnapore Disfc. ; 1776
Ens. 10th Batt. ?
March 1779, Appd. Survr. to Goddard's Dett., .
having already survd. route of the march from
Burhanpur to Surat [4, 39, 155].
A paper found amoagat his effects, and accepted as a
will, appd. William Stewart of Hollsode, near Lochmaben,
as executor in Europe. Left annuity to his mother, and to
his cousin Mrs. Watson, and mentioned annneleMr. Campbell.
STEWART, Patrick 9 . Ben. Engrs. Killed
in action, 6-2-92, Seringapatam.
Ens. 30-9-81 ; Lient. 1-11-82.
Sou of William Stewart, of Loin maris took, Lord Provost
of Perth, and Christian his wife.
d. unm. ; name on cenotaph at Bangalore.
1781, hi campaign against Cbet Singh of Benares [3511.8].
1-8-87 Appd. Dman. in S G.'s office, resd. March 1789
[ 236, 271, 277 ].
On Engr. duties Ft. William till ordered on military
service to Mysore, 15-8-91.
Left 1000 current rupees to Hark Wood "as a small.
Testimony of my regard for him", and also Rs. 500 to Thomas
Wood, of Engrs 10 .
STEWART, William. Ben. Inf.
bapfc. 10-6-63. d. 14-9-95, Hyderabad.
Lieut. 2-9-81.
!
d. unm., leaving 4 natural children.
Sailed in Neptune 3-6-80, aged 17 ; tr. as Pract. Engr. to
Mad. Est. May 1781, but did not join.
Survd. road between Agra and Delhi 11 , possibly
after joining escort to Resdt. with Sindhia in July
1787.
1790, Appd. Asst. Resdt. Hyderabad, and survd.
route from Agra through Gwalior and Aurangabad
to Pangal where he joined the Nizam's camp, 5-7-90
[56]. Leaving Pangal 12-2-91 with Nizam's troops,
survd. route to Bangalore to join the Grand Army
[ 116]. After close of the war made surveys round
Bangalore, and through Cuddapah to Pangal [ir3] 13 .
Continued as Asst. Resdt. at Hyderabad till death.
In his will, appd. his bro. Thomas Ruddirnan Steuart,
physician, and Charles Steuart, writer to the Syguet, Edin-
burgh, to be executors, still maintaining the form "Stewart"
for his own name.
STOKOE, Joseph Hind. Ben. Engrs.
d. 12-1-1801, Penang.
Ens. 20-7-82 ... Bt. Capt. 8-1-9S.
1779, Signed, probably as compiler or dman. only, a
reduced map of Coddani';- march Kiilpi to Surat [ 122 n. 2].
Asst. Engr. to Col. Morgan's Dett., and under G 0. of 1-11-83
appd. A Q M G to Ben. Dett. on return march from Bombay.
BMC. 14-1-90, on "Survey of the old Powder Molls,
Pultah Factory & Fort Gloucester".
STUART, Alexander. Ben.
B P C. 12-1-67, "Mr. Stewart", Asst. Survr. under Plaisted
on survey of Channel Creek, drawing Rs. 250 a month
2S3 [ Identity uncertain ].
BPC. 15-8-68, withdrawn from survey of Calcutta Lands-
on account of unsatisfactory work [ r37 ].
'HMC. 15-7-73. 2 MtoCD. 22-10-78. 3 B S C C. 30-11-78.
65 L/I. 6 Memoir, 1793, passim. 7 Late War in India, I ( 201 ). a
1791-2. " Memoir, 1793 ( 68 n ). 12 Bo S & Pol. 23-11-92.
4 Cotton ( 157 ). 5 French settlement, 5 sq. m.,
( 105 ). ยป Also known as Peter. "ยป Ben. Wills.
NOTES
SUL(L)IVAN, John. Mad. Civ.
b. 0-4-48. d. 31-10-1839.
Writer, 1771 ... Sen. Merch. 1774 ; Resd. 15-2-S5
toon oยฑ Benjamin Sullivan of Cork.
"โข 23 ~% W ; L ? d V Henrietta Anne Barbara Hobart, dan.
of George, Earl of Bucks.
Burke's Peerage.
Prom 1774, Member of Council at Masuiipatam, where
Sterne s Eliza Draper stayed with him i. Author of Observa-
tions respecting the (Jtrcdr of Masuiipatam.
-a i?S? , '" Appd ' Eesc,t โ TaB iยปre ; assisted organzation of
Fullarton s army [ 98 ]. Sent Eennell map of south India
authorship unstated [ 243 ].
Settled at Riching's Park, Bucks ; 1S01-5, Under-Sec. at
War.
SYDENHAM, Benjamin. Mad. Engrs
bapt. 24-9-77, Madras,
d. 15-3-1828, Bruges, unm.
โข, E ยฐ S ' 12 -?-94 ... Ctat.l-1-.1S06,- ItaL 13-7-1808.
it dest son of Ma) Cen. Win. Sydenham, Mad. Art. and
Amelia his wife ; minor cadet 1789 ; ed. Harrow 1789-93
Bro. to George and Thomas \ iiif], both of Mad In f
History of 1^ Sydenham Famh,, C. F. Sydenham. 1928
. -โข , r 12 ; 9,J V "' dl! ''eJ to join Mackenzie at Raiiiiifid for cxpn.
K> Colombo [117,350]ยฎ.
1797-8, Adj. of Engrs'. at Madras.
1798, Appd. Asst. to Mackenzie, Engr. & Surveyor
to the Nizam's Dett. ; April, Survey from Kllore to
Hyderabad; astr. obsns. at Hyderabad [175].
22-10-98, Present at disarming of French force
Left Hyderabad with English Dett. 13-12-^)8, making
survey of march & reaching Ambur 21-2-99, after
visit to Madras [ 118, 203 ]ยป,
After resignation become Comnr. of Excise.
SYDENHAM, Thomas. Mad. Inf.
bapt. 3-3-80, at Madras.
d. 28-8-1816, Geneva.
Lieut. 5-12-94; Capt. 26-3-1802; Read. 4-5-1810.
r sโข 1 ' B eT t S*- A โข M ' Sy*" 1 โข'. ยป<โข fcro- of Benjamin
I sup 1; ed. at Harrow ; rnmor cadet Jan. I7S9
m St. George's Hanover So,., 19-12-1803, Mrs. Frances
rlmibury, who d,, Hyderabad. 23-10-1807
D I B. ; O M. 1810, n ( 374 ) ; As J. 1S16, II.
27-1-99, as Lieut, of Guides during 4 th Mysore
War, sent to meet Nizam's Dett. on its arrival from
Hyderabad to conduct it into Ambur [ riS] Suc-
ceeded to comd. of Guides after fall of Seringapatam
[in].
In July sent to Seringapatam to collect informa-
tion regarding new boundary of Mysore and after
waiting a month for instruments, commenced survey
of that boundary between Gazalhatti and Pmigamiru ยซ
Measured a 3 -miIe base, but astr. obsns. were interrup-
ted by boisterous weather, and not completed
lnen "a violent attack of the fever and ague
a distemper common in the districts, obliged me
to repair to Seringapatam for the benefit of medical
assistance. It was with unfeigned regret that I
felt my precarious state of health, the natural con-
sequence of so violent an attack, would oblige me
387
TAVERNTER
/ 1-8, I' Wri ! h -'- S Ia ; k ' MSS. kh. * Journal
! j. f 'โข m ' of Hyderabad, 56 K/7.
to relinquish... a work which I had undertaken with
so much pleasure [li8, r9 4 ]". He abandoned the
survey, went down to Madras, and was appd. Persian
Translator, 20โ10-99.
lonl^fr 1800 ' AH>i S60rotar y to the Resdt. at Hyderabad
leOH, Resd. owing to ill-health, and returned to^Eradand
where he went into residence at Christ Church, Oxford
Returning to India 1801, Became P.esdt. at Poona, and
then at, Hyderabad. Rosd. 1810, and returned onee more to
Ungland, where he did distinguished work in the Diplo-
โข5-18lT Ce ' becomir, g EnT ยฐy Extraordinary to Lisbon
TAVERNIER, Baron d'Anbonne Jcan-
Baptiste. French Mereh. & Traveller,
b. 1605, Paris, d. 1686, Moscow.
EranTeilomKwerp "* "" ^ rt ยฐ ยป ad 8cttkd ยป
m. 1662, at Paris.
, Is lv * id *ยฐ hm e ยปH goo* and diamonds to the value of
3 rnnhon francs to Louis XIV, who ennobled him in 1669
tagktfcbยปn,of Aubonne in Switzerland, but had to
seh it later to clear his debts.
On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1785, moved
to Switzerland, and then to Berlin.
Diet. Generate ; La Grande Encyclopedic ; Bah.
Made several expeditions from one end of India
to another. No scientist, but kept detailed
accounts of his journeys, particulars of which
especially distances in coss. helped early geographers
to work out the relative positions of places visited
[ 10, 13 n. 13, 78, 118, 233],
An account of his six voyages to India was pub-
hshed in Pans in 1676, and an English translation
by Ball in 1889 s .
1st.โ 1631, to Persia, returning to Europe 1632
2nd.โ r6 3 8, to Persia, to Dacca 1640, Agra 1640-1
Surat 1641, Ahmedabad ; sailed for Europe 1642 '
โ. 3 ' d -~ z f* 3 ' to Persi a. to Snrat 1645, Golconda",
Kistna, Vengurla? Goa; then to Java whence he
sailed for Holland 1649.
4th.โ Left Paris 1651, to Masulipatam July 17S2
Madras, Golconda, Surat, Ahmedabad, sailing for
Europe 1654.
5th.โ Left Paris 1657, Isfahan till 1659, Masulipa-
tam May rSsg, Surat 1660, Sholapurt Returned
Pans 1662, and married.
6th.โ Left Paris 1663, Persia till 1665 Surat
Gwahor, Agra; visited "Great Mogul" at Delhi'
Tahanabadยป, Patna, Dacca. Left Surat 1667 for
Isfahan ; Paris 1668.
In the account of his own journey from Basra to
Aleppo, Plaisted [363] writes scornfully of the
accuracy of these records; "Tavernier...has so far
deviated from the true State of Tilings in crossing
the Desert, that was I not aware his Voyages were
collected after he had done travelling ( mostly from
his memory); I should have been suspicious that
many things, delivered as his, had been the produce
of some of those Chamber Geographers" 1 ".
4s!/9 ' H .ยซ0/i? 8E, ?n "f/b 11 ' ' Isdext0 travel., OrmeMSS. 240
ten/3. 47 0/14. "One of the ancient cities of Delhi. โขยป Plaisted
TERRANNEATJ
188
BIOGRAPHICAL
TERRANNEAU, Etienne -Charles Cossard 1 de.
Ben. Art.
d. 1765, in India ; hanged himself.
Lieut. 1756 ; Capt. Lieut.
m., 2nd. Anne .
March 17o7, a French officer of Art., serving in Chander-
nagore during sicge[3ii]; quarrelled with the Governor
and deserted to the British March 9th. Clive wrote to Adm.
Watson, 1S-3-57 ; "The only artillery officer at (Jharnagore
is come over to us ; he gives a very favourable account of
matters" 2 ; givenacomn. in the Company's Artillery [266].
"Had served with credit in the south of India, and had
lost an arm in his countries service ' ' s .
"Bore the recollection of his treachery very well for at
least eight years, rising to the rank of Capt. Lieutenant in
the Company's Artillery, and at last hanged himself owing
to the misconduct of his wife " *.
His map, already described [221-2], was undated,
and was apparently compiled from his own obsns.
and such information and maps as he collected dur-
ing military service up-country. He probably
served during the campaign round Patna, 1760-1, and
in his will of Sept. 1763 5 notes that he was "now
ordered on an expedition against Cossim Ally Cawn
[24.345]"-
TIEFFENTHALER 6 , Father Joseph. S J.
b. 24^7-1710. d. 5-7-85, Lucknow.
Born at Bolzana ' in the Austrian Tyrol j S J. 9-10-29.
Left Germany 1740 for Spain ; to the Phillipines 1742.
and then hy way of Goa to Surat, 1743 ; worked in India till
death. Good linguist, mathematician, and astronomer, and
devoted to geography.
. Bernoulli ; Blunt ; Noti ; Maclagan { 137-8 ).
From Surat his first journey was to Daman and
back; 1744, moved to Agra, via Broach, Udaipur. and
Dig, making astr. obsns. on the way. Obsd. lat. of
Agra, and in 1745 visited Jai Singh's observatory at
Muttra [ 150].
1746, left Agra for Delhi, and thence to Narwar,
Central India, where he ministered to Christian
Community for the next 18 years. 1750, travelled
to Goa via Malwa and Bombay ; then by Surat,
Bombay, Guzerat, and Marwar, to Ajmer, and re-
turned to Narwar 1751, making other expeditions
later [11].
After suppression of the Jesuit order [12], and
death of the Armenian Governor at Narwar
"Tieffentaller found himself one day a pastor with-
out a flock; worse yet; he was a penniless man,
wanting even the necessaries of life. ... He con-
ceived the bold plan of making his way to Bengal,
and appealing to the charity of the English ".
In 1765 therefore he travelled down to Calcutta,
keeping surveys all the way, "la Boussule a la
main" 8 . Having there apparently found the help he
needed, he travelled up to Lucknow, and settled in
Oudh for the remainder of his life. Till 1771 he
was continually on the move making astr. obsns. and
surveys, employing also one or more local assistants
"versed in Geography", whom he sent to explore
the sources of the Ganges and Gogra [5, 11-2, 72-3,
151, 222].
1775, Sent home from Fyzabad a large collection
of maps and geographical papers ; as Jesuit hdqrs.
were now closed he sent the maps to Duperron at
Paris and the writings, all in Latin, to Copenhagen.
Duperron published the maps with commentary of
his own, and a general map on reduced scale [ 72,
309โ10], and Bernoulli reproduced these both in
German and French, with translation of Tieffen-
thaler's major works, the chief of which was his
DescHptio Indiae, a gazetteer of India, with account
of his travels, [ 11-2, 80, 214, pi. 6, 309-10 ].
Amongst other papers sent home, all in Latin,
were,
"Indian Astronomy and Astrology".
" Natural History of India ; animals, birds, trees,
plants and flowers ; also Meteorological Observations
covering a space of 26 years, with astr. obsns.
covering the same period ".
" Course of the Ganges, together with a descrip-
tion of the villages and cities lying on both banks ".
" Course of the Ganges, from Priaga or Chlabado 9 ,
to Calcutta, explored with the aid of a magnetic
needle ".
"Course of the Jumna, which is numbered among
the great rivers ".
"Other Geographical maps, which show various
coasts of India".
"Drawings of Cities and Forts, Temples, Idols,
and Mountains ".
"Catalogue of the Places, whose Geographical
Latitude has been observed ".
"A paper entitled "De Longitudine et Latitudine
Indiae " i0 .
Amongst several of his papers that reached Orme
are a letter to General Richard Smith, and a review
of D'Anville's maps, in which he points out that,.
"Pour Connoitre le Latitude et Longitude, la
grandeur des villes considerables de lTnde, leurs
situations, et autres choses remarquables de cette
vaste Empire, on consultera la description latine
faite par le P. J.T. S. J." 11 .
Some of his maps reached Thomas Call in Calcutta
by 1784 [ 12 ], probably through Wilford [ 397 ], who
visited TieSenthaler at Lucknow in 1784, a year
before his death.
An account has already been given of the use that
Rennell made of the publications by Duperron and
Bernoulli, and how he had subsequently to reject
Tieffenthaler's version of the upper course of the
Ganges [72-3].
Though he died at Lucknow, Tieffenthaler's body
was interred at the Padri Tolla cemetery at Agra,
where the headquarters of the "Mogor" Mission
had been for many years.
a ,-(. nam e bem ยง Cossard. 2 Orme MSS. X ( 2388 ). ^ Three Frenchmen (il). "DodweU {43). "Ben.Wil
i7bu. "bpellmg oi Imp. tin-.; elsovliere sometimes -thaller or -taller, the Utter being used by himself. 1 Sometime Botaei
or^ozem ยซ Bernoulli, 11(292). => Allahabad. " Bibliotheque de la Societe de JeSus. Sommervogel, 8 J. Paris :
NOTES
TIRETTA \ Edward. Civil Architect,
Calcutta.
in., Angelica de Carrion. -'
1768, Engaged in building contracts etc. in Calcutta 3 .
1780, Appd. Civil Architect; Jan. 1781, Appd.
Surveyor and Registrar to the Commissioners 91
Police; started detailed survey and levelling of
Calcutta city, but lack of funds led to its comple-
tion by Engineer officers [ 52, 268 ].
Probably best known for the lottery bearing Ms name,
which he ran for many years ; Hastings writes home to his
wife, 6-2-84, "Tiretta'a Lottery is drawn and the Prints lias
fallen to himself" 3 .
1792, still Civil Architect, and in CO. 21-1-93 there was
adv. the "Sale by auction, House & Extensive Gardens,
Grounds, & Offices, at present occupied by Mr. Edward
Tiretta, valued, with house & offices opposite together in
Tiretta's Lottery, at Sicca Es. 60,000 ".
C Cf. 24-4-94, "at a General Quarters Session of the Peace
at the Town Hall, Mr. Edward Tiretta was appointed Surveyor
to the Court".
1797, Wrote to Hastings to congratulate him on the result
of the trial and to introduce his siatcr-indaw, Miss Josephin
Carrion, who was going to England to receive "an Education
suitable to her birth, and my family" 4 .
TOPPING, Michael. Mar. Survr. & Astronomer.
b. c. 1747. d. 7-1-96, Masulipatam ; M I.
Nothing hae been found about his family, education, or
early life, but his sound knowledge of mathematics, astronomy,
and survey, and the fact that the course of instruction he laid
down for the Surveying School in 1795 was "the same that
is followed at Christ's College" 6 , suggest that he may have
been educated at Christ's Hospital, London. His name is
not found in the school registers 8 , but it is known that the
mathematical master of those days took private pupils, one
of whom was Warren Hastings.
Topping arrd. Madras 1785, and, presumably on
his voyage out, made astr. obsns. near the Maldivc
Is. and along the coast of Ceylon, as noted by
Rennell who adopted "Mr. Topping's observations
of latitude and longitude in 1785 " of the *' north-
most Maldive Island ", and says that "when oppo-
site to it on the north, he counted 32 islands "">.
In the Town Major's Register of 1 9-1-89 he is
shewn as "Surveyor, arrived from England in 1785,
by permission of Government" 8 .
The inscription on his tomb [ 392-3 ] states definite-
ly that he was sent out to India for the purposes of
astronomy, and that his expenses for the journey
were paid by the Company; he himself says that
his services commenced before he reached India
[392], and though no confirmation has been found
in official records, it is possible that he was sent out
at the suggestion of Dalrymple, who had inspired
the orders for the survey of both the east and west
coasts [125,164]. Topping's methods of survey in
many ways resemble those recommended by
Dalrymple [ 184, 190 ].
1 TJescribed :
389
TOPPING
Nov. 1786, he had made a journey by land from,
Masulipatam to Calcutta, fixing the position of every
important place on the way [ 101, 170, 202-3 2-
He made the return journey in the Company's-
ship Walpdle 9 , and the Council write to the Directors,
"We forward herewith a journal kept by Mr. Topping
on board your ship Walpole during her passage from
Kedgree to Madras in 1787, with a chart of the Bay
of Bengal shewing the effects of the currents on the
ship's course, and the position of certain places on
the coast" 10 , to which the Directors replied; "The
communication of like materials, when a proper
number can be accumulated, will be extremely use-
ful in giving a rational foundation for a theory of
the currents in the Indian Seas, a perfect knowledge
of which would be of the utmost importance in
-Peace or War" 11 (.376, 377].
The Council then deputed him to survey the-
Coromandel coast towards the south, taking astr.
obsns. with instruments he had brought out from
England [5-6, 101-3].
Before setting out on this survey Topping arrang-
ed for the use of Petrie's private' observatory, with;
John Goldingham as observer, to take obsns. of
Jupiter's satellites at Madras corresponding with his
field obsns. [ 171-2 ].
As he could not get a ship, he made his survey
entirely by land, observing a series of triangles along,
the coast. Leaving Madras at the end of Jan. 1788'
he returned in Dec, reporting "that I have made
considerable progress in my Survey of the Sea Coast
southward; and that, being advanced as far as-
Kistnapatam, a distance of near 300 miles from
Madras, I have left my instruments and other imple-
ments at that place, in order to continue as soon as
possible" 12 [ 190-1, 200].
In another account 13 he writes, " In all the opera-
tions I have had no one to assist 1
:cept a party
of black fellows to carry my flags [102,290]. I
need not tell you how many thousands of miles I
have travelled to take the angles; nor what the
labour and fatigue of such a work must be in this-
burning climate, where I have frequently had the
Thermometer at 106 in my Tent ".
He was sucn an ardent advocate of regular trian-
gulation that it would be interesting to know whether
he had ever had experience of triangulation before
he came to India [174, 175, 190, 193]. He was, in-
deed, the only surveyor before Lambton who had
expressed any conception of a great trigonometrical
survey of India, though it is doubtful whether he
had the necessary knowledge of geodesy to have
carried such a work through himself [190]. Topping
would indeed have been thrilled had he known of
Lambton's great work that was so soon to come, and.
that his own coastal series would be incorporated
... . Wg on his w^.'s tomb ; probably Indicating his origin from Tarvis, in the Julian Alps, 60 m. N.
ol Ineste a t U ^9-jMW. 3 Gner ( 242 . Mb. 230 . 5 D Dn. 133 (302), 17-1-1807. "No record found
at Admiralty nor India Office. ยป Memoir, 1793 ( 45-7 ). No record found amongst Dalrymple's papers, from whS Rennell
might have go such mfonwHon. - t 0. List of Eur. Inhabitants Ft. St George. - Probably between 18-4-87 and TuTs?
10. Logs; Walpole. M M to C D. 1-3-S8 ( 11 ). ยซ C D to M. 8-4-80. "M PC. 8-12-88. *โข"'"'
,3 Pkil. Trails. 1792, I (9
-114).
TOPPING
into Lambton's triangulation of the South Peninsula
to fix the position of Point Calimere l .
At Madras he arranged for the purchase of a small
cutter, shewing a sailor's experience in selecting one
that should be admirably suited for his coastal sur-
veys [ 103 ]. He was not able, however, to complete
his survey to the south, for the Directors had called
for a survey of the Bay of Coringa and the mouths
of the Godavari R. and a report whether there was
any safe accommodation for large ships during
stormy weather.
He started this survey -Aug. 1789, finding his cut-
ter Mary of the utmost service : and sent in his
charts from Masulipatam before the end of Feb.
1790 [103.172].
It is a decided compliment to Topping that his
survey and report on Coringa Bay and the Godavari
should have been considered of sufficient importance
to be pub. by the Mad. Govt, in 1855, and that the
Marine officers who were employed on examination
of "the Harbours and Ports of the Northern
Circars " in that year, found themselves "in full
-agreement" him 9 .
During 1790 he raised the question of establishing
a Govt, observatory at Madras, and with the
Council's approval started looking for a suitable
building and site, and was eventually allowed to
purchase "Mr. Garrow's garden house including the
grounds" in Sept. 1791, and to commence building
[163, 172-3, 338> 348].
After a vigorous controversy with the C E. about
designs and plans, he was allowed to proceed, and
the observatory was ready before the end of 1792
ยฃ104, 173,180].
He had many other duties whilst the observatory
was being discussed and constructed.
In a letter dated 20-8-88 the Directors had sug-
gested that, among other tasks, he might "be
employed in determining the positions of places on
the east side of the Bay of Bengal down to Prince
of Wales's Island, and from thence, by Acheen,
down the West coast of Sumatra to the Strait of
Sunda ; in the course of which voyage he will be
attentive to take views of all the lands ".
He was not able to carry out so ambitious a
programme, but the following extracts are taken
from his journal of a voyage made between Sept.
1790 and March 1791 which was pub. by the Mad.
Govt, in 1855, with the comment that copies of
"Topping's journals & Sea-Logs on his several
cruises across the Bay of Bengal, (which for method
and accuracy have never been surpassed)" will be
available when required 3 .
Journal of a Voyage in the Bay of Bengal, under-
taken with a view towards ascertaining the set and
velocity of the currents in that extensive gulf.
"Encouraged by the approbation bestowed. ..on
my former attempt to discover the course of the
currents in the Bay, I embarked in September 1790
1 Lambton's Report, D Du. 63 { 279 ), 11-2-1812.
390 BIOGRAPHICAL
on board a small cutter that had been provided for
my coast surveying. ... In this vessel I left Madras
the 25th September 1790, taking with me my two
Chronometers, and some* other instruments (173,
203). ...
** After putting into Nancovery* in bad weather,
I proceeded to Prince of Wales Island, from whence
I originally proposed to coast the Straits of Malacca
with the Chronometers, but was dissuaded,.. by the
friendly advice of Mr. Light [46], who represented
to me the hazard I was about to incur of being cut
off by the Malays, at that time assembled in large
bodies with armed Prows, for the purpose of attack-
ing his Island. ...
"During my stay at Pinang, I commenced and
made considerable progress in a Survey of that
safe and well situated Harbour; but the Malay
pirates presently interrupted and frustrated the
undertaking, by carrying off my signals, and engag-
ing the attention of every one at that place ".
After remarking on the currents of the Bay he
continues, "Besides 18 drawings or views of land,
there is subjoined to this journal a Series of Obser-
vations made for determining theLatitude.Longitude,
and variation of the magnetic Needle at Prince of
Wales Island ".
Extracts from the "Log of the cutter Mary, from the
Southern Nicobar to Nancovery Island".
6-10-90. "When we left Madras we had on board not
more than eight casks of water, the most we could stow,
and three of these we were obliged to lash upon deck. Yester-
day morning we opened our fifth cask, and during the gale the
hoops had all started from, our largest cask ( a new one, just
received from the Company's stores ) ; and our quantum was
there by reduced to two forty -gallon casks, or six days water
only with economy.
" The driving of the rain had killed almost all the remnant
of our livestock. This state of things made it absolutely
necessary for us to seek some port of safety where we might
meet with a speedy supply, and it was lucky for us that the
fine accessible harbour of Waneovery happened to he under
our lee at the time [ 16 ]. ...
" Went on shore. ..but found no European there to support,
with due parade, the King of Denmark's presumtive authority
in the island. A country-born, Dutch- descended, Serjeant,
was Commanda?it of the place. ... The whole duty required
of them seemed to be, to hoist a Swallow -tailed Danish Mag
upon a bamboo pole ; to take charge of three or four old,
ill-mounted, unserviceable iron guns, and a few rounds of
powder and ball, given them for the defence of the settlement I
and (the most difficult task of all) to preserve themselves
from the pressing attacks of hunger and disease [ 48-9 ]. ...
"Landed at Pinang October 23rd. Saluted the Fort with
9 guns, which was immediately returned by an equal number".
Describes attacks by Malay pirates ; sailed from Penang,
23-12-90.
"Jan. 1st. Sailed into Port Cornwallis [ 48, 49 ] ; ...
anchored on the North side of Chatham Island. ... Landed;
...found there the Superintendent, Mr. Blair [ 313] ". Took
astr. obsns. with Blair, and describes the island and people.
"There are several other harbours in the Great Andaman
besides Port Cornwallis. Capt. Blair has surveyed the whole,
and constructed a general Chart of the Island upon an
extended scale. This, when it comes to be published, will be
a valuable acquisition to geography, as it not only contains
information of a new and very useful kind, but is a work of
2 Mad. Sel. XIX 1S55 ( 1 ).
3 ib.
1 Nancowry Harbour
NOTES
great labor and merit, and such an one ought for the security
of the ships that navigate the Bay of Bengal, to have been
executed many years ago".
Topping's journal contains a description of "Quedah,
(pronounced Kuddah)" and other ports, "Chiefly from the
information of Francis Light Esq" 1 .
He arrived back at Coringa, 10โ3โ91, after visiting
Calcutta.
On return to Madras Topping had to attend to
the affairs of the observatory, and, the campaign
against Tipu being in full swing, took up the cons-
truction of gun carriages, There was some discussion
in the Council as to whether he should not carry-
out a survey required at Masulipatam, or continue
his survey towards Cape Coraorin, but he suggested
that, rather than undertake distant surveys at such
a time, he might with Goldingham's assistance carry
out the survey of the Pulicat and Armagon shoals,
and still keep in touch with the work going on at
the observatory [ 104, 181 n. 3. 192, 338 1.
This was approved, one of the members noting ; "I agree
to the resolution because; Mr. Topping's attention is at present
required by a duty of more immediate importance than
either, namely the business of his contract for Gun carriages,
which was confided to him in the expectation that his singular
mechanical abilities would produce considerable improvement
in the construction of that essential article. The Military
Board have lately given him an order for making up sixteen
18-pounder Gun carriages, and the ships with timber from
Pegu are just arrived ; if then there be any solid ground
for the above expectation. ..Mr. Topping could not at present
proceed to the distance of Cape Comorin, with convenience
either to himself or the other Branch of the public service
entrusted to him" 2 .
In 1789 Topping had put in papers and drawings of a
"new depressing Gun-carriage", or "screw-coin" which ho
had devised. The local Corodt. of Art. thought very highly
of this, writing 31-7-92; "the ease with it is worked, and
the certainty with which a gun may be laid by it, surpassed
any idea I had formed ; I am fully convinced of the great
advantage which will be found by using it with all heavy
guns. ... I am also much pleased with the experiments I have
seen made with your covered-way carriage, which will cer-
tainly answer fully the purpose for which you constructed
it".
The designs were sent to the Royal Military Repository
in "England, but were found to have been anticipated in
principle by contrivances of greater simplicity and practical
Topping seems to have stayed in Madras through-
out 1792, occupied with the observatory, whilst the
Pulicat shoals were survd. by Goldingham [104,167,
369].
Orders now came from the Directors that he
should survey the Kistna and Godavari deltas for
irrigation purposes. After a visit to the Tanjore
anicut [106] he left Madras, with Caldwell as asst.,
at the end of March 1793, to start the new survey
from Masulipatam, The following Feb. he submitted
a report on his survey and levelling, and made
recommendations for a more detailed survey [7,
105-6].
He then took up the question of the drainage of Masuli-
patam and its surroundings, reporting 17-12-94, "I take the
391 TOPPING
liberty of laying before Government a survey of the Post and
.Environs of Masulipatam, made- by myself during the course
of my late operations in the Circar.
"Having frequently noticed the situation of the Fort of
โ Masulipatam in a Swamp or Morass; and being convinced
that the unhealthiness of the Garrison there has arisen
principally from the putrid Vapours exhaled from the low
and Marshy grounds that surround it, I turned my thoughts
towards the natural remedy โ draining and embanking. ...
"Situations on the Sea-Coast are found hi general to be
healthy ; Masuhpatam is the only exception to the rule that
falls within my immediate knowledge. ... Perhaps, therefore,
if that place were to be secured from the effects of the Sea
and Land floods, it would be as healthy a situation as any
one on this Coast *<
"The service suffers a great and melancholy loss of Euro-
peans annually at Ellore. The intense heat there during the
months of May and June are such as scarcely any European
constitution can endure. At that season the borders of the
Sea are the natural Retreats of those who dread the incle-
mency of the weather, and even Masuhpatam itself, under all
its past and present disadvantages has been found beneficial
to many who would probably have fallen a sacrifice to the
rigors of the Climate had they remained at Ellore". After
discussing the proposal to move cantonments from Ellore to
Bczwada, he continues; "Perhaps however if Masulipatam
were to be improved in the manner I have suggested, the
Climate there, owing to the Vicinity of the Sea, might have
the advantage for European constitutions".
His suggestion was approved, and in March 1795, he
submitted "a full report and plan of the embankment scheme
he proposes for purifying the putrid swamp which infests the
garrison and its neighbourhood". He was ordered to put
the work in hand and "to observe as strict an economy.. .aa
the service will possibly admit" 6 .
Amongst maps preserved at Madras 30 years
later was one " 250 yards to an inch. The Port and
Environs of Masulipatam, with the Embankments,
Canal of Navigation, and other improvements exe-
cuted in 1795-6".
M R C. 7-11-95, the Council wrote that though the President
was "fully sensible of the utility of the works you have
carried on at Masuhpatam, he shall be apprehensive that
they may eventually be detrimental to the public service,
should they be found to engage too much of your attention โ
and prevent your abilities being directed to the particular
objects for which you have been specially appointed " 6 .
At the same time Topping was ordered to visit "the
Havetlies of Chicacolc and Vizagapatam " [ 144 n. r ], where
considerable devastation had been caused by the destruction
of the banks of the tanks, and on. Nov. 13th he reported
from Masulipatam "that a fortunate interval in my opera-
tions at this place enables me to visit the Chicacole and
Vizagapafam Havellies without detriment to my present
undertaking ". This was his last work, for he returned with
raging fever, and died at Masulipatam, Jan. 7th 1796.
It is particularly disappointing that we know
nothing of Topping's early life or education, for he
had outstanding talent and strong character, and had
he been a convenanted civil or military servant would
undoubtedly have risen to high rank [ 193, 268].
In a letter of 16-5-92, the Directors appd. him
"Astronomer and Surveyor", and gave him control
of all surveys that were not of a military nature
[ 2 53- 257 ]. He urged that such responsibilities were
rightly those of a Surveyor General, and in their letter
of 23-4-94 the Directors appd. him " Company's
1 Oriental Repertory, I. & Mad. Sel. XIX ( 47-50 ). 2 MP C. 27-12-91. 3 C D to M. 15-6-93 ( 85, 94 ). * c/. M to C D.
4-11-1767 ( 34), "Masulipatam... does not appear to be remarkably unhealthy, and when the Ditch and Sluices are finished..!
we are given to hope that the offensive Exhalations formerly arising from the Slime and Mud which surrounded the place will
in a great measure be removed ". * M M C. 17-3-95. 6 D Dn. 246 ( 112 ).
TOPPTNG
392
BIOGRAPHICAL
Astronomer and Geographical Marine Surveyor "
under the Madras Presdy., without however making
any increase to his allowances [ 263-4, 2o ยฐ- 3 I2 ]โ
Topping protested against this lack of consideration,
pointing out that in addition to the duties specified there was
also "the office I virtually 1111 of Civil Engineer", and he
urges "the length of time I have toiled in the service, the
rigors and disappointment I have experienced, and my
perseverance in adhering to the Company's Employ, through
every species of difficulty and disappointment. ...
"The con v en [-hi tod sei'vants of the company come out at
an early period of life to India, and rise by sure, if not rapid,
steps into situations of trust and emolument. The military
candidates for fame and reward have also the advantage of
rising rank, as well as the pleading prospects of future indepen-
dence to excite their activity for public good ; Doth have
their proh.-shiunal knowledge at first to acquire, and are for
some years after their arrival little more than Noviciates in
the service of the Company. With Me, however, circum-
stances have been somewhat different ; My services com-
menced even before my landing upon the coast of India ; at
a riper season of life than usual ; nor has my situation been
attended with the advantages of rising rank and con-
sequence, or official emolument of any kind above my bare
He urged that "the sacrifice I have made of every other
prospect in life to the service of the Company ; the losaes
I have sustained by that sacrifice, and a long and tedious
absence from my family ( whose presence in this expensive
country my present scanty allowances will by no means
admit of my being consoled with ) are deserving of more
than a bare supply for the current expences a person in my
responsible situation must of necessity incur ; and that,
perpetual exile from my native home would be but an ill
recompence for my faithful and zealous exertions to serve
the company" 1 .
The office of Civil Engineer to which Topping re-
fers covered various irrigation projects [ 107-8], and
to meet his lament, he was appd. " Superintendent
of Tank Repairs and Watercourses ", with an extra
allowance of 400 pagodas a month, drawn from the
Revenue Dept., and apparently his first increase of
pay since first appt. [280].
Probahly his most valuable contribution, after the
founding of the Observatory, was his suggestion of
an est. of asst. survrs., and of a school for their
training; this he put forward in Jan. 1794, and all
preliminary arrangements for recruiting the first
batch of boys and starting the school were made by
him [108, 145,283-4].
It is a tribute to his abilities that after his death
his duties were distributed amongst three officers; to
Goldingham the duties of Astronomer in charge of
the Observatory, Marine Surveyor, and Superinten-
dent of the Surveying School ; to Beatson the survey
for the "Watering of the Circars ", and to Caldwell
the duties of Superintendent of Tank Repairs.
Amongst difficulties to which Topping referred as "un-
pleasant circumstances that have occurred, ... numerous
difficulties, embarassments, and jealous oppositions T have
encountered, for want of ray official situation being duly
confirmed and supported", were encounters with Capt.
George Johnstone, in charge of Engrs. at Masulipatam.
Johnstone tried to interfere with Caldwell who was uncertain
whom to obey ; he removed " a shed in which a boat was
being built"; "siezed and detained some dead stumps"
felled in the course of Topping's work ; and "publicly mena- โ i
to imprison Mr. Topping in the Main Guard" 2 .
The Council wrote to Johnstone "cautioning him agaL
throwing any further impediments in the way of Mr. Topping"
... and to state the authority by which he considered the
Portia wood felled by Mr. Topping.. .as his private property".
They also wrote to the C-in-C. expressing "great displeasure
at Capt. Johnstone's conduct in constantly impeding the
works of Mr. Topping" 3 .
On the other hand the Council had to write to Topping
"disapproving the style of his letter to Col. B โ of 21st-
August, and recommending that in preferring complaints, 1
express himself in terms more suitable to official corres-
pondence". It is disappointing that the offending letter has
not been preserved.
Five years later, Johnstone's conduct at Masulipatam led,
Jan. 1800, to his arrest, ctml., and dismissal 1 .
In another letter Topping points out the trials of
a surveyor's life, which require " a constitution cap-
able of enduring the greatest fatigues, in the most
trying and destructive climate ; The Hon'ble Board
will be pleased to recollect the mortality occasioned
in the Circars by the unhealthiness of last season,
when, even at Masulipatam, besides some thousands
of the unhappy natives, full two thirds of the
Gentlemen established there by the Company died
between the months of May and November; and
yet none of the latter were exposed to the severities
of the weather ; but enjoyed the comfort of capacious
Houses, a regular and tranquil employment, and
even the luxury, during the hot season, of air arti-
ficially cooled to a refreshing temperature" 5 .
Topping had other interests besides his work; "An issue
of Boyd's Hircarah of January 1794 supplies an account of
a concert of sacred music at St. Mary's Church in aid of the
Male Orphan Asylum. Mr. Michael Topping acted as organist,
Capt. Beatson with Messrs. โ โ โ and Caldwell took the
violins" 6 .
The artist Wm. Hodges writes "The annexed plate, a
view of the great Pagoda at Tanjore, is from a picturewhieh
I painted from an accurate drawing made by Mr. Topping,
an ingenious friend of mine, now on a survey of the coast
of Coromandel".
It would be interesting to know how far Hodges commits
himself by referring to Topping as a "friend of mine".
Hodges was in India from 177S-S4. leaving before Topping's
arrival, and there was hardly time for theni to have met hi
the interval before Topping reached India in 1785, which
would imply that their friendship dated before Hodges left
England.
Another possible clue to Topping's curly associates is that
in 1789 ho sent the account of his survey of the coast to
Tiberius Cavallo, BBS. [ 191 ]. Amongst MSS. preserved at
the observatory many years later, but unfortunately no
longer extant, were Topping's Journal of Oct. 1783 ; his
Log Books of 1785, and 1789-91 ; and a Book of Views 7 .
The following epitaph was inscribed on his tomb
at Masulipatam; " H. S. E. s integer et urbanus, cui
summae fuerunt animi dotes ad extremum fovit,
machinarum minus artifex, necnon in Uteris huma-
nioribus ac musicis veratus, 9 Michael Topping, :
thematicus admodum solers ; ingenii multa quidem
pignora posteris l " reliquit et missus in has regiones
astronomiam excolere, societatis mercaturae in India
oriental! n faciendae sumptibus, speculam sideralem
juxta sancti Georgii arcem formavit etposuit; officio
'MEC. 7-2-95. 2 Vibart. I (280). 3 M M C. 200-1795 ( 4058 ). * Vibart, I { 412 ). s MP C. Feb. 1794. J
14-2-94. ยซ Love III ( 444 ). T D Dn. 127, 21-10-1811 & later. e Hie Sepultus est. 9 read versatus. JD read
11 " the society trading in East India ". .._.*. *
NOTES
393
TURNER
functo promittens majora occubuit febri, Jany. 7th.
A.D. 1796, aetat 48."
This may be interpreted, "Here lies buried an
honest gentlemen, Michael Topping, of great intel-
lectual gifts which he cultivated till his end; of out-
standing mechanical ability, and at the same time
versed in letters and music. He has left to posteri-
ty many proofs of his ability, and having been sent
out to this country at the expence of the E I C. for
the advancement of Astronomy, he designed and
erected near Fort St. George an astronomical obser-
vatory; having fulfilled this trust, and giving
promise of yet greater achievements, he succumbed
to a fever, January 7th 1796, aged 48".
Of his domestic life, wo have recorded hia letter of 1795 *
[392]; in Ms will he "leaves all property to my dear &
excellent friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Picart, late of Montrieul
Summer in the Kingdom of France ; ... in event of Elizabeth
Picart not being living, the estate to pass to Elizabeth and
Sarah, her daughters".
Administration was granted to "Cecil Smith 2 , Mrs. Eliza-
beth Smith, and John Goklingham ; the first the son-in-law,
the second the daughter, and the third the friend of Michael
Topping".
CM. 1-12-90, "Miss Elizabeth Topping allowed to proceed
to her friends in Madras" 5 she was married to Cecil Smith
10-5-93. Though Elizabeth thus appears to have joined her
father in 1791, her mother and sister Sarah did not arrive
till after his death ; C G. 14-7-96 ; "Following list of persons
who were for many years prisoners with the French had been
permitted to embark on a French ship for Madras ; they
arrived at Tranquebar on 19th ult. ; ...Mrs. & Miss Topping".
The only other Topping whose connection with India has
been found is a Timothy Topping, son of Timothy & Sarah ;
b. London, 18-10-81, and appd. 4th mate of the Indiaman
United Kingdom in 1801.
Admiralty Records show a George Topping, Chaplain in
1747, and a William Topping, Lieut. 1761-3.
For one reason and another Topping seems to be
the most intriguing figure amongst all our surveyors
of 18th century [ 193 268 ], and here is his autograph,
^^-^^-^y<^^d^
s^^Ci^tf
TORRIANO, .John Samuel. Bom. Art.
b. 1750-1. d. 27-2-1825.
Ewkr. 28-1-68 ... Maj. 14-9-84 ; Bet. 1788.
. Son of Charles Torriano, Capt. El, and Jane his wife.
Family irom Thurn and Taxis, Wurtembere
Ed. SMA. g
m., Bombay, 2-10-87, Miss Jane Boys.
Acctt G^T d So7 W d 1S 8 lI 9f UifVrยฐ ยฐ T Trf i^' 1809 ' J < 38 >โ aMad - CiT - > Writer 1790 ' CM Auditor 1800;
Acctt Gen. 1807 d. 8-12-1813, at Cape of Good Hope. miM0.ll (lit). Mb; Forbes {107). ยซWill pr
z-4-8.5; U 0. .troops reports vacancy eaused by his death, 9-4-83 ยซtยป~-~ W:h_ 1โข iaa *ยป ,4_ -^ โ ,โ _ %:'
8 ib. 3-12-77.
DIB.; EI MO. II (117); Spring gives portrait from a
miniature. ML, Kensington Church.
Arrd. Bombay 1768; 1770, accompanied as survr.
and dman, a secret embassy to Poona, which
was turned back owing to French influence, 1772.
Appd. " one of the surveyors of the extensive forti-
fications then carrying on at Bombay ", and then
comdd. the Art. at Surat. Distinguished himself
in the wars against Marathas [ 121 ].
1776, " accompanied the British ambassador
[Mostyn] to Poonah, in the command of his...
guard... ; but with secret directions from the Select
Committee at Bombay, to take privately such surveys
of the roads and views of the forts as could be
effected without alarming the Mahratta Government,
and, to more effectually accomplish this purpose, he
travelled to Aurangabad and other cities in the
Peninsula of India. On his return to Bombay in
1777 he delivered in. ..his surveys and other docu-
ments; ... for his services he received the thanks
of Government, and the rank of Brevet Captain of
Artillery " s .
Reynolds embodied this survey into his map of
1787 {tar].
Comdd. Art. with Goddard's army 1789-81, and at
capture of Onore 6-1-83, and after the disaster at
Hydernagar or Bednur, held Onore against siege and
blockade with great determination and skill for seven
months* [125, 378]
TURNER, Charles. Bom. Engrs.
b. 1744. d. shortly before 7-4-83 5 ;
Bombay.
Fwkr. (Art) Nov. 1767; to Engrs. on formation
2-8-75 ; ... Maj. 26-12-81.
Son of Mary Turner, and nephew of Bev. "William Young
of Helmingliain, near Ipswich, and of Edward Young,
Surg. BK. e '
Left a natural son, Charles Turner,
b., 25-3-81, to "my Housekeeper Mary
Lull-house" ยฐ.
25-8-72, employed in the Art.
Laboratory at Bombay, Appd. to
survey Bom. I. [ 147].
Nov. r772, as 1st Lieut. Art.
" assisted as Engineer at the reduc-
tion of Broach ", and, r4th Dec,
directed "to take charge of the
Fortifications and Public Build-
ings " there. Recalled to continue
, survey at Bombay, 29-11-72, and
again 19-10-73, but no record of
such return, and eventually drew
pay as Engr. at Broach 14-12-72 to 31โ 12-77 [273]?.
I 775. witn Keating 's force to Ahmedabad [121].
1777, Elected for tr. to Engrs. as Capt.; antedated
to 2-8-75 8 -
April 1770, Stationed at Bombay; ordered to
return to Broach to complete survey previously
8 Bom, Wills, 1783 (32-5).
7 Bo PC. 23-8-80.
TURNER
commenced there. Survey and map completed and
sd. 25-8-82 [ 4,122 ] ; astr. obsns. at Broach [ 176 J.
TURNER, Samuel. Ben. Inf.
b. c. 1759. d. 2-1-1802, London.
Ens. 1780 ... Capt. 18-3-99.
Son of John & Ann Turner ; 1st cousin of Warren Hastings.
F BR 15-1-1801. DNB.;DIB.
April 17S0, Sailed for India at age of 22. Joined Hastings
at Bankipore March 1781, and appd. ADC.toGG. 27-3-81.
With G G. at Benares on outbreak of Chet Singh's rebellion -
and on flight to Chunar Aug. 21-2 [ 35 n. 8 ].
1782, Comdt. G G.'s Bodyguard till furl, on account of
bad health, Feb. 1797.
Embassy to Tibet, 9-1-83 till March 1784,
travelling by way of Bhutan [ 74, 332 ] ; con-
vinced that Tsangpo was one with Brahmeputra
[80]. Author of An Account of an Embassy to the
Court of the Teshoo Lama in Tibet. "This relation
was published in 1800 K ... It is exceedingly curious
and interesting. The author whose amiable manners
and good qnalities had endeared him to his friends,
was siezed with an apoplexy as he was walking the
streets of London, and died within a few days" 3 .
XJPJOHN, Aaron. Printer & Dman.
d. 21-6-1800, Calcutta.
Son of James & Mary Upjohn, England.
4th Asst. to S G. 3-10-99.
"Reached India in the humble capacity of bassoon player
in a ship's band" 3 .
"I came to India in the year 1785, bringing with me
several respectable Letters of Recommendation" to the
Governor of Madras and to Colonel Sydenham [361, 387] ; " but
owing to misfortunes, unsuccessful connections in business,
I am now involved in a Debt of so serious a nature, that
almost precludes the Possibility of my ever revisiting Eng-
It was possibly Upjohn who put the following adv. into
the local paper, GG. 4-8-85. "Just arrived ; A Person who
is acquainted with Architecture, Land and Marine Survey,
having been under the first masters in England. He has
been in most parts of the world and speaks French and
Italian ".
Printed the Calcutta Chronicle for Baillie [310] and in
1792 Owned one sixth share in the paper and press.
1 79 1, Commenced a large scale survey of Calcutta
and environs, as a commercial venture, and the
following year issued an adv., CG. 19-7-92 "Plan of
the River from Fort William to Sooksaugor. Mr.
"Upjohn, under the pressure of the late unfortunate
change in his circumstances solicits the encourage-
ment of the Public.
" A neat & accurate plan at the moderate price of
One Gold Mohur. Impression taken from Copper
plates elegantly engraved, ... and to render the plan
convenient for the pocket, it will be fixed on a small
roller about S inches in length. Mr. Upjohn pledges
himself that, should the accuracy of Delineation &
Neatness of execution not meet with the Appro-
bation of those who may oblige him with their names
the amount of subscription shall be immediately
returned ".
394 BIOGRAPHICAL
1794, Issued his "Map of the Town of Calcutta
audits environs", of which Govt. took. 40 copies
at Rs. 60 each. He is said to have completed and pub-
lished the map in " 18 months, a feat which so fax
from obtaining praise, was censured by his contem-
porary critics, as proof of careless haste, as they
considered that such an undertaking required at
least i\ years for its proper completion 5 [ 54 ] ".
Shortly after this became Head Dman. in S G.'s
office and, Oct. 1799, appd. Junior Asst. fi [271].
The following month, Appd. to survey the coast of
Chittagong, and in spite of constant ill-health carried
survey down to Cox's Bazar, where heavy weather
early in April stopped further work to south ; left
an interesting journal [ 65-6, 268-9 ]-
Nominated Richard Blechynden of Calcutta as
one of his executors.
WALFIELD, . Bon.
Nothing further known.
Cursory survey of the "Junglebari & Isamot" creeks
before 1770 7 .
WATHERSTONE, Dalhousle*. Ben. Inf.
d. before 1803.
Ens. 19-11-71 ... Capt. 24-2-81 ; Read. Nov. 1782.
m. Jane, dau. of Rev. Thomas Walker.
Paymaster with Goddard's Detfc. and, on breakdown of
Elliot's mission [ 39 ], sent by Goddard to Nagpur, keeping
survey of route from Hoshangabad to Nagpur 8 .
Inherited considerable share of Goddard's estate of
ยฃ 106,000, and became MP".
WATSON, Henry. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1737. d. 17-9-86, Dover.
Capt. 1-6-64; ... LtCol. 10-1-75;
Eesd. 8-1-8$ [258].
Son of a grazier at Holbeaeh; Ed. KM A.
m., Calcutta, 28-6-80, Maria Theresa, sister of Thomas
Kearnan, Ben. Inf.; left one dau. who m. George Evans, 4th
Bar mi Carhery.
DNB.; DIB.; Eur. Mag. Dec. 1786 (497), with portrait
by John Smart, in uniform of 52nd Eoot.
Ens. H M's 52nd Foot, 27-12-55 ; ... Lieut. H M's Engrs.
17-3-59 ; H M's 97th Foot 23-2-62 ; Capt. 104th Foot 4-2-63.
To Bengal 1764 ; resd. 1772, and returned to England.
10-1-75, Appd. CE. Bengal; arrd. Nov. 1777.
17-8-79, Second to Philip Francis in duel with Hastings
[362]; 1780, Founded dockyards at Calcutta [347].
"To Colo ne] Watson rmqiiestiotiFibiy belongs the honor of
having established the first dockyards in Bengal. ... He-
obtained a grant of land from Government at Kidderpore. ...
His works were commenced in 1780 ; and the nest year he
launched the Nonsuch frigate of 36 guns. ...
'"He devoted his time and his fortune to this national
undertaking for eight year3, and in 17S8 launched another
frigate, the Surprize, of 32 guns ; but his resources were by
this time exhausted ; after having sunk ten lakhs of Rupees
in his dockyard, he was obliged to reKnqaish it" 11 .
Patron of Francis Wilford [ 395 ].
Friend and patron of Reuben Burrow from 1775 ;
persuaded him to come to India, and had him appd.
instructor to Engr. officers in astronomy for survey
purposes [ 156, 157, 163, 270].
1 Repub. m French, Paris. 1800. 2 Teignmouth. II, ( 18 ). s Blechynden ( 183 ). * B P C. 11-11-93. ยป Blechynden
( 183 } S BG 0. 4-10-99. ' Possibly in 78 P. Orme MSS. xi. s Name wrongly given as Daniel. Wills ( 61-1 ). "Memoir,
1793(236). "Holzman (28, 167). "Peview of Joseph's map of Hooghly R. ; Calcutta Review III.
. NOTES
395
WILFORD
WELLS, Edmund. Ben. Inf.
b. 1755-6. d. 12-11-94, Rampiir 1 , - of
wounds received in action.
Ens. 6-10-80 ; Lieut. 6-7-81.
Prom" Stratfbrd-on- Avon ; d. unm. ; M I. St. John's Church-
yard, Calcutta.
1786-7, Adj. 14th Batt. Sepoys. ADC. to Col. John
Fullarton till 5-2-90.
Bri. Map to Cockerell's Dett. which marched down
the east coast, leaving Midnapore 22-3-90, arriving
Con j ee veram - 1-8-90. During return march, start-
ing from JSTellore 28-9-92 and closing in Bengal
21-1-03, Wells survd. route by compass and per-
ambulator, with frequent lat. obsns. 3 [43].
Comdg. troops in Andaman Is. 1793-4, under Kyd [ 346 ],
occasionally acting as Supt. ; :2nd Roliilla "War, severely
wounded 26-10-94.
WELLS 4 , William. Ben. Art.
d. 15โ8-55, Calcutta.
Ens., Aug, 1753 ; Lieut.
CM. 8-11-52, Appd. Lieut, of the Company of Art. on
the Coast of Coromandel ; arrd. Madras, Aug. 1753, and
moved to Ft. William, apparently exchanging with Robert
Barker [ 311 ] 5 .
1753, Survd. Ft. William and part of Calcutta. His plan
shows house No. 27 as occupied by "Capt. Wills" [51 ] B .
Left in charge of the works at Ft. William on SbOtt'a
transfer to Madras, 18-3-54 [ 93 ].
WENDEL, Father Francis Zavler. S J.
d. 20-3-1803, Lucknow.
Belgian or German by birth.
Came to India 1751 ; 1763 at Lucknow ; 1769 sent to
Agra, and '"seems to have resided at Lucknow and Agra for
the greater part of his life".
"Fathers W r endel and Tieffenthaller [ 3S8 ] were for many
years closely Kaaooiatod, ... Wendel, though not a writer
like... Tieffenthaller, had also something of the geographer in
him. A Russian named Czeraichef had travelled in 1780
from Bukhara through Kashmir to Lucknow, and Father
Wendel interested himself in his experiences, communicating
the diary of his travels to the learned Colonel Wilford
[ 396-7 ] at Benares.
"He himself, in 1764, prepared and sent to the
erudite Anquetil Duperron [309-10] a map showing
the strategical position of the Mogul and British
armies at the time of the battle Buxar. ... He was
also the author of a Memoir on the Land of the
Rajputs and Other Provinces to the South and South-
west of Agra, with a Map which he drew up in
1779. โ โ โ afterwards presented by Colonel Popham
to the famous geographer Major Eennell. These
labours of Father Wendel were stated by Rennell <
to have been most useful to him in the preparation
of his own great map of Hindustan " s .
Thomas Call incorporated a survey of the country
north-west of Delhi by "Padries Windell & Tieffen-
thaller " into his Atlas of India [ 12, 233 ] .
Amongst the Orme papers are a number of letters from
Wendel to Richard Smith, written from Agra, probably
between 1767 and 1770, about political affairs 9 .
After the death of Tieffenthaler, Wendel remained the
โ sole survivor of the old Jesuit "Mogor Mission :i and he also
was buried at Agra [ 388 ].
WERSEBE, Hermann Martin Christian von.
Corps of Hanoverians [ 99 n. 4,383 ].-
b. 1754. d. 21-12-85, Arcot.
Son of Otto Wilbelm von Wersebe, High-court Assessor,
and Lord of the Manor, Neuhaus, Hanover.
Having served in the ranks from 1770, became Cornet
10th Cav. 22-1-74 ; Lieut. 15th Inf. 21-7-81 ; Capt. shortly
after 6-8-84".
Arrd. Madras Oct. 1782.
1783, Served with Hanoverians under Fullarton
against poligars of south peninsula, at capture of
Palghat, and about Tanjore, where "Lieutenants
von Wersebe & du Piatt [334-5 ] specially distin-
guished themselves" 11 . Continued with the army
in south as Engr. and Survr.; Fullarton intended
to return to Europe overland by Arabia and Egypt
taking Wersebe with him as survr., but had to
abandon the proposal owing to ill-health, and
Wersebe remained in India till his death 15 .
His route surveys and map of Tanjore, are quoted
by Rennell, Mackenzie, and Schlegel, and are era-
bodied in Faden's published map [98-9,220,243],
WHEELER, Thomas Lucas. HM's 100th
Foot 13 .
Lieut. 8-S-80 ; Capt. 36-4-83,
1782, with regt. under Humberstone [125]; wounded
during retreat from Palghat in Oct. "; Prisoner in Mysore ;
released March 1784, and survd. march down to Madras [99 ].
WHITEMAN or WITTMAN, Charles Henray.
Bom. Inf.
b. 1745. bur. 1-2-88.
Ens. 10-1-73 ... Capt. 21-6-84.
hviously of German origin.
in., Jane โ ; and permitted [CM. 17-3-79] to take
her with him to Bombay.
1772, aa cadet, Aest. to Charles Turner on survey of
Bombay [ 147 ].
1777-8, made unsuccessful attempt to recruit German
nvtiiicers, 011 bubal f Directors, for Art. Company to be raised
in Bombay [ CM. 25-6-7S, etc. ].
WILFORD, Francis. Ben. Engrs.
b. 1750-1. d. 3-9-1822, Benares; ML
Ens. 21-12-81 ... Invalid List from 20โ 0โ 1812 ...
Bt Lt Col. 4-6-1814.
No record of parentage, or of arrival in India. It has
been suggested 1 Com menhir tut .i2(j m ) that he was of Hano-
verian or Swiss origin ; no confirmation has been found, and
name points to his being English, at any rate on the male
side.
Bio. note, Blunt.
1781, Appd. cadet at Calcutta on recommenda-
tion of Henry Watson [ 394].
BPC. 13-2-86 (15); Thomas Call records that
Wilford had "been in my office upwards of six years ",
so he was obviously working as dman. in SG.'s
office for some time before appt. as cadet [271 ].
โ -oSP/l. a 57P/9. *Oardew (56 etseq); 1) Dn. 270 (30). *Sometimes \yrongly shewn as Wills. 5 Wilson CR ft
( IQ6 11 ). E Ben 1' & P. II ( 13 ) ; H M S. 773 ( 893 ). ยป Memoir, 1793 ( vii ). ยซ Maclagan ( 141 et passim ). โข Orme USS
112. ,0 Hannver State A rehire*. Report 5237 38 of 23 12 1938. " Wyllv (441 ). ia Hanover State Archives Letter
881/82, 2-3-1931). ยป Disbanded 1785. ยซ Late War in Asia I (467).
WILFORD
396
BIOGRAPHICAL
April & May 1782, Survd. river channels between
Ktmlna and Dacca 1 [51], and, apparently in Jan. &
Feb. 17S3, survd. channels from the Ganges, Cossim-
bazar, and Jalangl rivers, giving in his journal a most
interesting discussion 011 the silting up of the rivers
of Bengal and their possible control [ 63 ].
BPC. 6-10-83 [21]; Call describes him as "a
Gentleman of the first Geographical abilities in
India", and in 1786 writes; "I am much indebted
to Lieutenant Wilford... for his assistance in the
construction of the Map of India, whose Merit &
Zeal I cannot sufficiently applaud. ... He., .till lately
was allowed about 250 Rupees a month as assistant ;
the sum is so trifling, and his services so necessary
for the continuation and completion of the work, ...
that I must humbly intreat your Hon'ble Board will
be pleased to restore to him an allowance he so
much deserves" 2 [235, 277-8].
Wilford continued in SG.'s office till the end of
1788 [ 217 n. 4 ], completing reductions of Call's
Atlas, and was then sent up to survey the zamlwdavi
of Benares. An account has already been given of
the frequent delays he experienced during the
survey of the boundaries [43-5], which he spent in
the study of ancient Hindu Geography ;
"A few year3 after my arrival in India, I began to Study
the ancient history and geography of the country ; and,
of course, endeavoured to procure some regular works 011 the
subject ; ... through mere chance, several geographical tracts
In Sanscrit fell into my hands : ... they are very scarce, and
the owners unwilling either to part with them, or to allow any
copy to be made, particularly for strangers. For they say
that it is highly improper to impart any knowledge of the
state of their country to foreigners ; and they consider these
geographical works as copies of the archives of the government
of their country" 3 .
"In the meantime I have given myself up entirely to the
pursuit and study of antiquity from the Hindu Books, and
I am happy to say that my success has- even exceeded my
most Sanguine expectations. ... This work, when complete.
will niake a large quarto volume and is divided into three
sections. The first is entirely Geographical ; ... The Second
is Historical; ...these two sections are nearly finished; the
third section will contain the origin and progress of the
Braminicate Religions" 4 .
1794, Wilford's claim to succeed Kyd as SG. was
considered, but it was decided to appoint Colebrooke,
his senior in army rank [261].
June 1794, the Benares survey was closed down,
but Wilford was allowed to remain there, keeping
his allowances, to continue his geographical and
historical researches ; the Resdt. pointing out, "even
in a general and national point of view, the impor-
tance of continuing that Gentleman at this place,
as well as of the Government affording him such
farther encouragement. . .to prosecute his valuable
Researches. ... Considering all Mr. Wilford's attain-
ments in the essential points of an acquaintance as
well with the Eastern as the Western languages,
joined to the zeal and Ardour that by his former
publications he has already shown, ... it seems to me
very doubtful whether any person may again.. .be
found so fully competent to do justice to any
similar undertaking.
"The new map of the Upper Parts of India, which
Lieut. Wilford has procured such ample materials
for, at a very considerable expence, ...may also...
appear to you. ..to deserve the attention of Govern-
ment [234,397]".
The GG. was fully sympathetic; "The Board are
well acquainted with Lieut. Wilford's professional
abilities, and with his successful application of
them. ... They must also. ..have obtained a know-
ledge of his zeal and success in researches into the
literature of the Hindoos, particularly their Geo-
graphy, in which his extraordinary discoveries., .may
certainly be expected to throw considerable light on
the ancient history of India. ... Lieut. Wilford's
talents and knowledge of the Greek and Roman, as
well as the Sanscrit, languages, render him peculiar-
ly qualified to pursue discoveries of this nature. ...
3 have no hesitation in proposing... that he be
allowed to remain at Benares in his present situa-
tion, with an additional allowance of 600 Rupees
per mensem " 5 .
To the Directors, the Council explained that, ' : Iu deter-
mining this allowance, we estimated generally the charges
he must incur in securing a numerous collection of Books
not easily to be met with, and emplying a competent Number
of learned Native A^i;;tants" B .
Wilford remained at Benares for the rest of liis life, devoting
himself to research, and writing many interesting papers on
ancient geography and history, but after a few years he made
the unpleasant discovery that he was being imposed upon by
liis head pandit. He gives a fall account of this discovery in
an essay published in 1S05 ;
''Though I never entertained the least doubt concerning
the genuineness of my vouchers, ... I resolved once more to
make a general collation of my vouchers with the originals,
before my essay went out of my hands. ... I soon perceived, i
that whenever the word Swelu/it was introduced, the writing
was somewhat different, and that the paper was of a different
colour, as if stained. Surprised at this strange appearance,
I held the page to the light, and perceived immediately that
there was an erasure, and that some size had been applied. ...
I was thunderstruck. ... I recollected my essay on Egypt,
and instantly referred to the originals which I had quoted in
it ; my fears were but too soon realised, the same deception,
the same erasures, appeared to have pervaded them".
He found that these' forgeries had all been carried out by
the pandit whose transcripts from the original documents he
had trusted implicitly ;
"As the money for his establishment passed through his
hands, his avaricious disposition led him to embezzle the
whole, and to attempt to perform the task alone, which was
impracticable. In order to avoid the trouble of consulting
books, he conceived the idea of framing legends from what
he recollected from the Puranas, and from what had picked
up in conversation with me. ... Many of the legends were
very correct, except in the name of the country, which ho
generally altered into that of either Egypt, or Swetam.
" His forgeries were of three kinds ; in the first, there was
only a, word or two altered. In the second, such legends as
had undergone a more material alteration ; and in the third,
all those which lie had altered from memory ; ... afterwards
sensible of the danger of bis detection, he was induced to
attempt the most daring falsification of the originals" 7 .
The "Earny on Egypt and the Nile" had been published
in 1792. and had attracted the attention of Sir William Jones
1 B P C. 24-5-82 ( 22-3 ) 2 BPC. 13-2-S6. 3 As R. XIV. 1822, ( 374 ).
SB P 0. 13-6-94. โข B to C D. 1S-S-94 ( 45 ). 7 A* R. VIII. 1805 ( 247-253 ).
'From Wilford. 10-5-91 : B P C. 13-6-94.
NOTES
397
WOOD
[ 342 ], and Wttford writes, "I shall ever lament that I was
the cause of Sir William Jones being thus misled like myself.
I have shewn that I was exposed to imposition, first, from
the nature of my literary pursuits, and, in the second place,
from the confidence which I reposed in the integrity of my
native assistants, and more particularly my chief pandit.
This no longer exists, and of course no similar deception
can now take place" 1 .
His many essays, from 1805 inclusive, are free from anv
suspicion of sueh im posture, but are of interest mainly to
students of Hindu philosophy and oomparative geography.
A remarkable tribute to the value of his researches is made
by the African explorer J.H. Speke 4 , who say;; that Wil ford's
account of the Nile in his essay of 1792 gave him the clue to
the source of that river, and testifies to "the substantia]
correctness" of the ancient Sanscrit account 8 .
Wilford's theories propounded from his old Sanscrit books
have been described as "hazardous" but, as Father Hosten
writes, ''Wilford was, no doubt, very bold, hut throughout
his writings there is a ring of honesty which cannot be mis-
taken"*.
Of more immediate value to the geography, of
India was his Map of the Countries West of Delhi...
to ascertain the track of Alexander [234] which he
completed by 1804. The map was a tremendous
advance on anything that had been produced before,
and stretched as far as Sukkur and Dera Ghazi Khan
on the south-west, Kabul on the west, and to Chitral
and Gilgit on the north. For the collection of
material he employed a Muh am m ad dan surveyor for
several years [ 234 287 ], and in addition to his Hindu
books he had a MS. journal of Father Monserrate.
L357] dating from about 1590 [ 149, 234*1.3, pi. ion.],
Great interest attaches to Wilford's possession of
this M S., which may have been given to him by
Tieffenthaler whom he visited at Lucknow in 1784
[388]. Hosten has discussed the possibility of the
Calcutta M S. of Monserrate's Commentaries having
been in Wilford's possession, and comes to the con-
clusion that though this M S. is scattered with
pencil notes ยฐ obviously made by an English geogra-
pher interested in the Punjab, yet, as not one of his
many quotations from Monserrate tit the Calcutta
MS., Wilford is unlikely to have possessed that
copy, and must have made his quotations from an-
other MSS. 6 ; this is confirmed by the fact that he
presented two volumes of Monserrate's commen-
taries to the Asiatic Society [357].
1S01, Wilford's appt. and allowance as an Asst. in
SG.'s office was struck off "as sinecure" [271],
and on his protesting that his situation at Benares
had met with the approval of the Directors 7 the
G G in C. made up his allowances to their former
amount, being " desirous of giving every proper
encouragement to Capt. Wilford in the prosecution
of his literary studies " s .
1800, became Sec. to "the Committee which took over
the management of the .Sanscrit College at Benares, and for
some years he practically ruled the institution" 9 . Was- a
regular contributor to the publications of the As. Soc. of
Boiisral. HTnoi-igst in-- esi.a\ a heirif :
โ As K. Iff, 1792, Egypt and the Nile ; VI, 1792, On Mount
Caucasus; Ylll, 1805, The sacred Isles in the Went, con-
cerning the Hindu geography of India; XIV, 1822, The
Ancient Geography of India.
J. &.iยง, B. 1851. Oomparative Essay on the Ancient Geog-
raphy of India.
Hosten comments on the wide extent of his learning - r
"Where had lie obtained his marvellous libmry from, including
scarce Jesuit MSS., and rare old Latin and Greek books on
travel and geography" 10 ? [ 395 ] ; hie contacts with Tieffen-
thaler and Wendel would explain this.
He never married, but the following extracts from his will
tell something of his domes Lie esliiblislmjeut ; " unto KhanuMl
Sahib, the mother of my children. ..20 highas of land on west-
side of Muhammedan burying ground... near town of Calcutta ;
17 bighas of land at Russapiigla. 24-Pargannas ; 20 Bighas
of land at Sicrowri near Benares.
Three of his daughters married officers of Ben. Inf. ; but
his only son, "Frederick M. "Wilford, was born, through the
visitation of God, with an Hemiplegy, and hath since his
birth been visited with various! distressing bodily comphdnts.
such. as the loss of the use of his lower limbs.. .education
greatly neglected ; ... of weak understanding " n .
WOOD Mark. Ben. Engrs. '
b. 16-3-50. d. 6-2-1829.
Ens. 7-7-72 ... Col. 26-2-95. Resd. 14-2-93
S G. Bengal. !78i.i-S [ 260 n. 1 ].
Grandson of Mark Wood of Largo, Perth, and eldest son
of Alexander &. Jean Wood. Bro. to Adin. Sir James -Uhol
Wood, KCBโ RN.;i Sir George Wood, KCB.; Andrew
Lievit. B N. ; and Thomas. Mad. Engrs. [ 39S ]. 1st cousin to
Thomas Wood. Den. Engrs. [ 398 ].
m., Calcutta, 17-5-86, Rachel, dan. of Robert Dashwood โ
she d. 1802. Left a son, Mark, b. 11-12-94, who succeeded'
as 2nd Bart. &dsp. 1837 when the baronetcy beeinnr evtinct
cr. Bart. 3-10-1808. MP. for Milborne Port 1794 for
Newark 1794 ; for Gatton 1802-18.
DNS.; DIB.; EI MO. I (113); Memorials of the
Woods of Largo, by F. M. Montagu, 1863.
1770, Arrd. Calcutta as midshipman in the Bute
Indiaman; GO. 20-11-70, Appd. cadet to do duty
with Engrs.
T775, Fd. Engr. with 2nd. Bri.; i 777 , Fd. Engr-
with Stibbert's force in Oudh [ 37]. B M C. 12-2-78,
Furl, on sick certificate, " having for two years past
been troubled with a severe bilious disorder".
1779, Invited by the Directors to return to India with
despatches, "represented to be of infinite importance to the-
British Nation. ... Although only returned from India, a few
months, and the re-establishment of health, as well as many
family matters, called for my residence in Britain for a year,
I was led to acquiesce. ...
"Eor the greater security of the Despatches, they were-
pleased to associate in the charge with me, an Officer of the-
Bombay Establishment whom I never had before seen, and
to -ivhodc viiUiacter I was an entire stranger" 12 .
Whilst Wood was to travel with his copy of the despatches,
via Suez, a duplicate copy was sent hv Basra, and triplicate
copy went by ship round the Gape.
With his companion, James Noland, he left London
24-3-79, and travelled by way of Brussels, through Germany
to Venice, and thence via Alexandria and "Grand Cairo"
to Suez ; they embarked at Suez, 27-5-79, on a small vessel
of the Bombay Marine, and, 8-6-79, anchored in Mocha Roads
where they met Chevalier St, Lubin, whose embassy to the
Peshwa at Poona had caused alarm, and hastened war with
the Marathas [ 4 ].
,* q i VI ] f e ยซ? m o, utb * ( ยซ*ยป )โ " Memorial ohehsk in Kensington Gardens, London. "Speie's Discovery of
the boiirce of the A tie, quoted by Sastn ( xvn, xxxviii ). * Oommen/onu, < 526 j. ^Hosten asks where specimens of Wil
ford s handwriting may be found; possibly amongst Original Consultations with Imp. Records Dept New Delhi- BPC
' Oommenturu,. s ( Fr2G-'.)0 : 093-702 ). 7 C D to B. 3-7-95 (148); '"BMC*
"Wood's narrative, H MS. 456 D( 241).
18-2-1802 ( 7) ) bears an excellent' autograph.
30-7-1801. โขBlunt. โขJ AS B.XVllL 1922.
'Ben. Wills. 1822.
WOOD
They readied Madras, July 2nd, ami Calcutta, Ju!y 14th.
"We were furnisher] with a very ample credit for the
โ expences of our Journey, but scarcely had we reached the
continent of Europe" write Wood, ''when my companion
.assumed to himself the sole charge of the Money ".
He had some difficulty in getting payment of his allowances
for this journey, and was at pains to explain that he had
made nothing out of the sum provided for their expenses;
Noland had told the Madras Government -'that the nature
of the journey did not admit of his keeping any account",
and they "desired that the balance hi- reported to be remain-
ing might be divided betwixt us", but Wood ''thought it
incumbent upon me to refuse to participate or reap any
advantage from the balance;" and urged that he should be
paid his legitimate allowances, though "if jolting over the
rugged roads in Germany, Stewed during a month in summer
on board a dirty Sclavonian boat, or roasted on the desert
of Suez and upon the Red Seaโ in all of which situations I can
avow my living was not much to be envied โ can be deemed
a proper recompense, I acknowledge I have been most amply
rewarded" 1 .
During 1780 and 1781 Wood was employed on
" a survey of the river and country on the western
bank of the Hughly River from $ankrail to Budge
Budge, showing sands and soundings at low water
โ etc", and in the cold weather of 1782-3 he made a
survey of Channel Creek [ 50],
June 1784, he was at Dinapore, employed on the
โ construction and repair of barracks, and three
months later was back at Calcutta, " commanding at
Manicolly Point" 5 .
Some time between 1780 and T784 he was in
charge of surveys of the Hooghly and of Calcutta,
on which several Engr. officers were employed.
Three maps of this survey are preserved at the
BM., two of which seem to have been actually
drawn by Wood, and beautifully drawn they are
{38,52-4]
Feb. 1786, Appd. SG., and continued to comd. at
Budge Budge, or "Manicolly Point", and to supt.
the construction of the barracks and fort there
[261]; his time as S G. was uneventful [43,216,
2 35-*]- His orders for Burrow's programme of
astr. obsns. met with that outspoken gentleman's
unqualified disapproval [157, 158, 161, 318].
BGO. 26-11-88, Appd. CE., and on the departure
โ of Kyd and his assts. to the Mysore War at the end
of 1790 assumed charge of maps and plans in S G O.
!>37 ]โ
13-2-93, Resd. appt. and sailed from Calcutta with wife
and family in the Busbridge 3 . During the voyage home
reported on fortifications of St. Helena 1 . Soon after his
return, consulted by the Directors and had an interview with
Lord Cornwallis on the subject of reforms for the Company's
army in India 6 .
1705, Received by King George 111 and presented him
with an ivory model of Ft, William.
Said to have brought from India ยฃ 200,000 6 , which could
certainly not have been acquired during his surveys, nor by
virtue of his office as Surveyor General ! Purchased the
estate uf Piereelield, on the ba-nks of the Wye;
Editor of a small book entitled A Smew of the Origin,
Progress a ihI Remit* of the. lair. War with Ti-ppoo Sidtaait, 1800,
comprising two letters from friends in India, copies of certain
official papers, and a general map.
398 BIOGRAPIHCAL
WOOD, Thomas. Mad. Engrs.
b. 1770. d. 6-8-1800, Ami; MI.
Ens. 14-7-88 ... Bt Capt. 1-6-98.
Bro. to Mark Wood, Ben. Engrs. [ sup 1.
m., 1796, Mary, dan. of Maj Gen. Sir Eccles Nixon and.
left one dau.
From July 1786, Dman. in 8 G 0. Calcutta [ 236 J.
M M C. 14-3-88, allowed 40 pagodas a month as Dman to
CE. Madras' [245]; 18-9-90, Permitted to join Centre
Army as Engrยซ; still employed as Dman. 1-8-92.
WOOD, Thomas. Ben. Engrs.
b. June 1765. d. 22-1-1834-, Calcutta.
Ens. 18-0-85 ... Col. 25-6-1830.
Son of Robert & Anne Wood ; 1st cousin to Mark & Thomas
Wood [ vup ].
m. 1st,, hefore 1793, โ ; m. 2nd., Calcutta. 30-10-1S27
.Miss bhz.Li.cth Peirce.
Left 5 sons, James & Robert both in Bengal 1831 ; William โ
Henry ( 1817-90), Bom. Engrs.: and George ; and 3 dans!
Margaret ; Jane ; and Anne who m. Capt, William Reynolds
CB. 4-6-1813.
16-1-83, Appd. Inf. cadet; sailing in the Vanaittart
BPC. 18-12-83, Applied, Calcutta, 22-11-83, for tr. to
Engrs., -my inclination leading me to serve in the Corps" โ
sanctioned from 12-11-83.
CO. 15-8-91, Ordered to join the Army in Mysore.
9-10-92, to proceed with Capt. Welsh's Dett. to
Assam as Survr., joining at Gauhati 7-12-92. Com-
menced survey from the point where Rennell left off
near Goalpara in. 1765, and by April 1794, when the
expn. was recalled, had completed the survey of the
Brahmaputra as far as the mouth of the Dikho,
besides making a circuit up to the Bhutan border
through Darrang [ 8, 80-2].
The following are extracts from some of his
letters to Colebrooke ;
24-10-93, after telling that he is moving up the
river with an advance dett, " I have at last gpt a
decision on my allowances, but I could not get
those of a Surveyor of rivers; while I am so em-
ployed they very generously pay my boats, and
leave me to make the best of the rest " [ 276 n. 1 ] .
"We promise to have a pleasant party, at least it will be
so to me, compared with my last year's excursions, in all of
which I was solum cum sola ; ... Gwahatty is a vile place in
my opinion, and I hope never to be there again for any
length of time : indeed never to see it until 1 am on my way
down to Bengal " i0 .
10-4-94, "Accept.. .of my sincere congratulations on
your becoming Surveyor General \ 261 j, an office for which
you are so eminently qualified. ... We went to a place called
Jorhaut 11 ; ...at first it was not thought proper that I should
be sun-eying until we had had a meeting with the Boorah
Goosaine, as they are ah very jealous of our intentions. &
after we had met the Gosaine, in place of surveying, M, & I
found ourselves under the necessity of fighting for several
days ; ... we had only 18 sepoys, however with them we beat
our opponents { 2000 ) in two pitched battles in one day,
and for two or three days more had a shot at them now and
then & regularly offered them battle, which however they
declined. We killed about fifty of their best men and one
of their Sirdars; the wounded In proportion. On our side
they murdered a naique and sepoy, whom they unfortunately
Report to Govt. B P 0. 29-.0-80 ( 24 }. ef. official account I Maps. MS. (72). 2 BPC 10-9-84 (17) ยซCG
?' ^P^v'./P <1ยฐ>" -" tlMW --* 32 (31). 'Diary of Joseph Farington, II (94). ' Mack. ; MSN Ix/iii, l-S^
ix. u Ben. Wills. 1834. ยซ D Dn. 15 ( 13). "Jorhat, 83 J/1.
NOTES
got hold of in the jungles, and wounded a havildar and three
sepoys, none however dangerously. In this sort of employ-
ment M. and I continued until the 2nd of March at Joorhaut,
wtien orders came from Capt. Welsh for our immediate
return. ...
" I had surveyed about half the way up to Joor-
haut but most fortunately for me, the day we fell
in with the Moahmarriahs, ray instruments were
with the boats. If I had had them with me, I
should most certainly have lost them all, for our
followers, missing our tracks in the jungles, fell in
with our enemy, and were obliged to make a run for
it. By this I lost a horse, pistols, etc., and my
sice 1 received a wound in the breast from a spear,
and an arrow in the back. ... Capt. Welsh was very
upset even with our victories as he was in hopes to
have persuaded these people by gentle means to
acknowledge and receive their former lord and
master [Si]"-.
27-4-94, again from Rangpur s , after regretting
the proposals to withdraw from Assam; "If we do
move from Rangpore the rst July, all I shall be
able to do previous to that, will be surveying from
where the detachment disembarked to proceed to
this place, which is the only mode I have of ascer-
taining its situation; ...to survey the road hence
to Gurgaon, formerly the capital, and afterwards to
make a particular survey of Rangpore. ... We have not
heard anything lately relative to the Moahmarriahs,
but had it not been for that cursed order, . . . we
should ere this have given them another dressing. ...
We were all very much disappointed, for besides
glory, we expected to have got some prize money.
... As I lay my account with the worst happening,
viz. being ordered with the Detachment into Bengal,
may I request your interest and application for my
being appointed an assistant in your office; ...I
believe there is a vacancy in it at present. ...
" I had flattered myself next season to have had
it in my power to clear up Major Rennell's doubts
relative to the source of the Burrampooter, and
I find it totally impossible to obtain any infor-
mation from the natives to be depended upon
[78-80].
"We have here at present a number of Mugloos,
subjects of the Munnypoor Rajah [82]. M. & I have
had a pressing invitation to go to Munnypoor, and
I will thank you to ascertain whether... Govern-
ment will allow of my going there as surveyor. ...
Don't mention a word of it, however, unless Capt.
Welsh is positively recalled, as I would much prefer
tracing the Burrampooter to any trip of that kind" 1 .
The dett. was withdrawn without Wood being
able to take obsns. to fix Rungpur or visit Manipur;
he returned to Ft. William, and stayed there work-
ing on his maps till Jan. 1795 [ 82 ].
Feb. 1795, appd. Asst. and Survr. to Symes on
embassy to Ava, aud prepared a map of the frra-
waddy that was found of the utmost value during
the Burmese war of 18-24-6 [ 8, 84, 85 ].
9 WOOD
GO. 8-12-96, "Appointed to the field in room
of Lieutenant Mouat ", and directed to proceed to
Cawnpore, where Craig's army was watching the
movements of the Afghan king, Zaman Shah, who
was believed to be meditating an attack on Delhi
and Oudh [55-6, 57].
GO. of C-in-C, 29-1-97, ordered " to proceed to
the field without delay", but as at the same time
he was appd. 4th Asst, in the S GO. 5 , he probably re-
mained in Calcutta till Sept. 1798 when he was sent
up by river to join the Army as survr., and for the
next two years was kept busy on surveys of eastern
Oudh [57-9, 64-5, 271]. He writes to the S G. 6-6-99,
from Cawnpore, "I will thank you to ascertain, as
soon as you possibly can, whether r am to be em-
ployed as a surveyor next cold season or not. If not,
I shall do everything in my power to get down
to yon again, for I detest and abominate this
station" 11 .
At the end of 1799, sent on a survey from Cawn-
pore, through Bahraich^, and then along the foot of
the hills to Hardwar, and down the Ganges back to
Cawnpore [8,58]. 14-3-1800, reports progress to the
SG.;"You mention that I might complete the
whole in 64 easy marches, but, my good friend, you
was not aware of the manner in which Sir Jas.
Craig was to order me to survey the Ganges. Since
leaving Hardwar I have measured upwards of 360
miles, and by the time I return to this again, ...
it will amount to about 400 miles, besides which,
you are to take into account the time that was
necessarily employed in examining fords, gauts, etc.
... I wish, my dear Colebrooke, I was once again
at Cawnpore ; they will never get me to undertake
such a job in so short a time, and without any assis-
tance. I assure you on my honour that I would
not go through the same again if they would give me
a year's allowances. A survey of such an extent
ought not to have been begun upon by a single
person, in my humble opinion, but allowing it was,
more time ought to have been given to him. ... I
hope they will compensate for my losses, expenses
etc. ... The latter you will easily believe were very
heavy, when I had carriage to provide for all the
necessary people, and I have had the misfortune to
expend one camel, a horse, a perambulator, and
worse than all, a theodolite, knocked to pieces by
the man failing who carried it. Fortunately I had
duplicates of all except the camel. ...
" As I am perfectly tired of my survey, and the
weather of late intensely hot. you may suppose I
will make the best of my way to Cawnpore, but it
is a matter of great doubt with me whether I will
be able to continue the survey so far, as the winds
blow so strong, and bring such clouds of sand along
with them, that I am sometimes almost blinded and
suffocated with it.
" If I possibly can I will continue if,, ...if not it
must just wait until another opportunity "s.
<33).
iG
. .7, -,_" V !?- ', 7- , ( ** \ 7. = imilar account, Johnstone ( 85 ). "The old capital of Assam, 83 Jffi W. * D Dn. 15
BMC 27-1-93 (45). 'DDa. 15(77). '6315/10. *Dl_>n. 15(113).
WOOD
He wrote from Cawnpore, April 30th., reporting
completion of the survey.
It is not surprising that Wood was very disgusted
when he found his allowances refused because he
had not complied with regulations and sent in copies
of his fieldbooks as his survey progressed [197].
" The whole of my allowances have been retrenched
by the M. A. G. for a noncompliance with the regula-
tions laid down for surveyors. ... Little did I expect
this would have been the case, when for 5 months I
was labouring- from morning to night. ... To have
copied my field books, allow me to assure you, was
completely out of my power; ...they consist of at
least 128 pages of foolscap paper, written close and
small" 1 .
Full allowances for the field work were eventually
passed, but he was only allowed four months re-
duced allowances for protraction and mapping,
though he did not finish his maps till December
1801. It was not until 1807 that he obtained any
further allowances for this period, and he bore much
resentment over the matter, Colebrooke writing to
Sackville in 1806 ; " Should you proceed to Allah-
abad. . .you might have the advantage of a few lessons
400 BIOGRAPHICAL
with the Theodolite, and sextant from Captain Wood
who is a very able surveyor, as well as practical
Astronomer. But do not hint that I advised you to
apply to him for any instruction of that kind, as.
we have unfortunately not been upon the best of
terms since he left surveying, though I have done
every thing in my power to conciliate him "-.
An account of his later surveys, and a reference
to his distinguished career as engineer, will be given
in another volume.
In his will he left " to his son James, the house
and lands purchased by me of Capt. Duncan Macleod
of the Corps of Engineers, and situate in Camac St.
in Chowringhee ", and to his son Robert "the ad-
joining estate, now occupied by him [ 352 ] '% From
these estates the present Wood Street derived its
name, making it a most appropriate situation for
the headquarter offices of the Survey of India.
WOOBTNGTON, Charles. Bom. Engrs.
b. 10-3-70. d. 27-1-93, probably in
Malabar.
Ens. 27-1-91.
1792-3, on survey in Malabar [ 131 ],
1 DDn. 15 (119), 24-5-1800.. ^DDn. 79, 27-8-1806. a Een. Wills 1834.
INDEX
[Surveyors s
vvs in thjc Alphabetical List of Biographical Notes are not repeated in this Index].
Abercrombv, General Sir Robert (1740-1827); DNB. ;
DIB. ; 130, 131, 356, 359.
Abu-1-Fazl { 1551-1602 ), Akbar's minister, 133.
Accuracy:- โ Astronomical Observations, 151โ5, 152, 163.
171, 172, 180 :โ Maps, 15, 29, 33, 123, 166-7, 223, 226,
227 ; pi. 11 n. : โ Surveys, 2, 34, 98, 103, 183, 184,
226 ; v. Errors.
Achin, Sumatra ( Hobson-Jobson, Acheen ), 16, 47, 48,
327 345 390.
Adams :โ Maj. Thomas { d. 1764 ) ; DIB. ; 229. 345,
353 :โ instrument -maker { d. 1772 ), 206.
Adam's Bridge, 87, 385.
Adventures, 25, 34, 291-9; v. Fighting; Obstruction;
Robbery, etc.
Afghanistan, 220, 232-4 ; v. Kabul ; Kandahar.
Africa, 377, 397.
Agra, 11, 56, 116, 132, 176, 365, 386, 387 j pis. 1, 8, 10,
11 : โ Jesuit headquarters, 68, 69, 150. 388, 395:โ
Maps, 29, 219 n.2, 222, 227 :โ position, 149, 150, 168,
213, 320 ; pi. 10 n. tโ Surveys, 10 11, 12. 35, 36, 56,
57, 149, 339, 379.
Ain-i-Akbari, 67, 133, 148-9, ICO, 208 n.4, 319.
Air-conditioned Houses, 392.
Ajmer, 11, 219 n.2, 233, 234, 246: pi. 1, Agimere ;
pi. 11.
Akbar { 1542-1605 ), Emperor of Delhi, 10, 71. 357 :โ
Jesuit mission to, 11, 68, 209, 357 ; pi. 10 n. sโ
Revenue Surveys, 133โ5, 141.
Akbar-nama, 133.
Alexander the Great ( 356-323 b g. ), 76, 207, 220. 232,
234.
Allahabad, 30, 34, 132, 276, 304. 332, 336, 340, 342,
346-7, 384, 400 :โ Maps, 227, 229, 365 iโ position,
160, 163 :โ Surveys, 8, 11, 29. 33, 35, 36, 38. 183, 188,
314, 332, 333, 340, 342, 352, 360.
Allai'ot, Hugo, cartographer, 209.
Allen, James ( b. 1784 ), asst. revenue surveyor, 109. 284,
286.
Alligator. 364.
Allowances :โ Audit delays, 197, 278, 381, 400 :โ Bengal,
158, 196-7, 269, 275-S. 371. 372, 396, 399 : โ -Bombay.
281-2, 379, 380 :โ Madras, 278-81, 350, 354-5,
392 :โ Military, 275-G :โ Surveyor of Hirers. 274,
276, 277, 398 :โ Surveyor General. 260, 274-5. 346 :โ
S G's. Office, 235-6, 262-3, 277, 396.
Almagest-, astronomical treatise. 148. 160.
Almanacs, 156, 174. 268. 316.
Aloffe, John ( d. 1745 ) ; Sandes. I ( 44 ) ; 51, 363.
Alves, Walter, ship T s captain before 1780, 83 n.ll.
Amarkantak, Central Provinces. 29. 60. 299.
America :-UW. Coast. 202, 336, 33S : โ War of Indepen-
dence, 383.
ar/un ( Hob-son- Job/son. ami-ou )'; land surveyor. l'.H. 135,
138-40, 147.
Andaman Is. ( Hobson-Jobson ). 390. 395 :โ Charts. 16, 84,
313 :โ Convict Settlement, 50, 346 :โ Islanders, 16.
47-9, 313, 328. 346, 390 :โ Survey bv :โ Blair, 5.
47-9, 123, 313, 390 :โ Kyd. 5. 43, 48-9. 327-8, 346 :โ
Ritchie, 2, 16, 17, 45-6.
Anderson, James ( 1757-1833 ) : Ben. Inf., Hodson ; 39,
325.
Andrade, Father Antonio de ( 1580-1634 ), 68.
Anicut (Hobson-Jobson), masonry dam: โ Godavari.
107 : โ Tanjore, 95, 106, 321, 367, 391.
Anjengo ( Hobson-Jobson, Angongo ), West Coast. 96, 125,
176, 334, 343, 346, 360, 367 ; pis. 1, 9.
Antiquite Gfograpluque de. I'Inde, 211, 331.
Arab Geographers, 1. 10, 148, 208, 210, 220 ; pi. 4.
Arabia. 122, 313. 395.
Arakan :โ Coast, 14, 15, 16. 17, 46, 160, 327. 345, 381 : โ
Kingdom, 223 :โ River, 46, 85 ; pis. 3, 11, 14, 16.
Arcot, Nawab of, v. Camatic.
Area :โ Measurement of, 94, 134, 135, 144, 146 :โ of
Rennell's Surveys, 2, 213, 226, 228.
Armagon Shoals, v. Shoals.
Armenians : โ Governor of Narwar, 338 :โ Surveyor, 17,
23, 283, 292, 371 :โ Travellers, 76.
Arnold, watchmaker, 153, 165, 175, 202, 203, 204, 317.
Arrian. Flavius (cad. 96-180 ), Greek historian, 220.
Arsenals, 199, 203, 290.
Artillery :โ Bengal, 13, 51, 267, 338, 361, 395 : โ Bombay,
3, 120, 267, 273. 324, 333, 341, 348, 393, 395:โ
Establishments, 269 :โ French. 222, 388 :โ Madras,
267, 311, 329, 336, 337, 395 :โ Royal, 316, 356, 361.
Artists, 309, 321, 328 n.6, 337 : v. Daniell ; Hodges ;
Home; Portraits; Sketches.
Ascoli, F. D. ( c. 1915 ), Ben. Civ., 226.
Asiatic -.^Researches, 73, 154, 162, 175, 361 : โ -Society of
Bengal, 250, 319, 342, 377, 397 ; pi. 10 n. : โ Journal
of, 357.
Asoka Pillars, 167.
Assam ( Hobson-Jobson ). 73. 7S-83, 209, 223 : โ Rennell's-
Survey of frontier, 2. 8, 20, 228, 229, 291, 371, 379 :โ
Welsh's Expedition, 8, 80-2, 398-9 ; pis. 1, 14.
Assessment of Revenue, v. Land Revenue.
Assistant :โ Revenue Surveyors, v. Revenue : โ Survey-
ors : โ Bengal, 17, 22, 31, 46, 47, 55, 158, 269, 270,
313, 314:โ Bombay, 128, 131, 132, 273, 301, 335 r
356 : โ Madras, 92, 98, 117 : v. European Assistants.
Assistants : โ Civil, v. Civil : โ to Surveyor General :โ โ โ
Bengal, 65, 235-7. 261. 271, 275, 277-8, 309, 314, 32-7,
328, 339, 397, 399 :โ Bombay, 218-9, 357, 379, 380.
Astrolabe, 148, 149, 150, 151, 170, 206.
Astronomer. 376, 388, 400: โ Company's, at Madras, 6,
172-4. 263-4. 268. 337-8 : v. Goklmgham ; Topping :โ
Royal. 153. 155, 316. 384; v. Maskelyne.
Astronomical :โ Control of Survey. 57, 70. 101-2, 148-81,
160, 207, 210, 213, 240. 232, 234, 376-7 j pi. 7 n. :โ
Observations :โ Bengal, 4, 22, 31, 41, 47, 56, 148-68,
182, 185, 186, 222, 314-5, 318, 336, 361-2, 385 :โ
Bombay, 176-9. 384, 394: โ Jesuit Missionaries, v.
Jesuit :โ Madras, 6, 98, 113, 169-75, 194, 195, 211
n.3, 337, 338, 386, 389, 390 ; v. Observatory : โ
Computation of, 163, 164, 168, 171, 197, 252.
285 :โ Survey of Reuben Burrow, 5, 43, 155-67, 168,
232. 271, 313. 318. 398 ;โ Positions, v. Geographical
Positions: โ -Tables, or Ephemerides. 148, 150, 151,
156, 163, 171, 177. 180.
Astronomy, 157, 270-1, 310, 318, 389 ; V. Hindu.
Alias of India, i-inch, x, 226, 229, 376.
Atlas : โ Bengal, v. Bengal Atlas: โ Call's. 5, 11, 12, 38,
43, 215-7, 232. 248.' 253-4, 271. 323. 375, 395, 396 :โ
Companion to Bengal AUas, 226. 227 :โ Kelly's, 3, 97,
240-2, 248, 257, 343 : pis. 9, 15 :โ projected by Orme,
212.
Attock. 55. 149, 209. 232, 233, 357 : pis. 1, 8, 11.
Auditor :โ Civil. 230 :โ Military, 197, 278.
Aurangabad, 115. 116. 121. 128. 132, 385. 386. 393;
pi. 1.
Ava, 8. 15. 82. 83 -4. 85. 316 : v. Burma.
Azevado, Father ( 1578-1660 ), 68.
Azimuth, or amplitude. Observations. 151. 152, 165. 170,
175. 188, 191, 193.'
Badrinath, 72, 78, 161, 286.
Baggage Coolies, 276. 279, 289, 291, i
Baghdad, pi. 4 n.
Index
Baillie, Colonel VVm. ( d. 1782 ) j DNB. -, DIB. ;
367 :โ 's Disaster, 4, 40, 97, 343, 349, 367, 369.
Baird, General Sir David, Bart. (1757-1829); DNB;
DIB.; 9, 30S.
Bake, or Blake, Herman ( c. 1670 ), German adventurer,
It E. Journal, LVIII, March. 1944 ( 6 ), 147.
Baker, George, ship's captain c. 1750-60, 83-4, 330.
Bakshi, or paymaster ( Hobson-Jobson ), 302, 337.
Balaghat ( Hobson-Jobson ), 244 ; pis. 3, 12, Balaguata.
Balambangan I., N. of Borneo, 330, 340.
Baluchistan, 218.
Bamboo : -signal poles, 191, 194 : โ groves, 51 : โ measur-
ing rods, 134, 165, 166 ; v. measurement : โ weapons,
158.
โ band-o-bast ( Hobso-n-J obson ), 135, 137. ; v- Land
Pi e venue.
Bangalore, Mysore, 113, 129, 170, 328, 386 ; pis. I, 9.
Baramahal {Hobson-Jobson, Barramuhul ), Salem, 89,
LI0, U3, 144-5, 193, 273, 314, 369; pi. 9 :โ Survey
by:โ Allan. Ill, 193, 244 n.5 -.โMather, 7, 113-4,
194, 265, 354.
Bark, or quinine, 131.
barl-i II id {.>โ -: ( Hobjo-n-JahbOti. burkuiKtauzO ), 25, 80, 289,
291, 292.
Barbier, Father, S J". ( c. 1720 ), 152.
Barnard, Nicholas ( d. 1764 ), Mad. Engrs., 311.
Baroda, 121, 126, 386 ; pi. 11, Broclur ; pi. 12 :โ Gaeckwar
of, 123.
Barometer, 158, 204, 205, 302.
Barrack- master, 314, 345, 347.
Barrackpore, 336, 339. 359. 383.
Barren I., 47, 327.
Barros, Jean de ( 1496-1570). Portuguese historian, 78,
210. 221.
Basalat Jang { d. 1782 ), S6 n.2, 111, 241 ; pi. 9 n.
Base-lines, 102, 114, 182, 191, 194, 195, 198, 290, 299.
Bassein, Bombay, 121, 122 ; pis. 1. 10.
Bath, Somerset, 312, 315, 325, 326, 337, 361, 374-5, 381,
383.
batta ( Hobson-Jobson ), 274-80, 287-8, 343, 360 ; v.
Mutiny.
Battalion, commanders of, 40, 273.
Bay of Bengal, 15, 45-7, 123, 152 n.9, 173, 340, 381, 389,
390 391
Bearings observed, 96, 97, 99, 104, 111, 184-9, 193; v.
Compass ; Theodolite.
Bears, 25.
Bednur, or Nagar, Mysore, 4, 125, 176, 242, 341, 348, 386,
393 ; pi. 1, Bednore ; pi. 12, Bendor.
Beliary, 110 ; pi. 9, Bailari.
Benares, 233, 304, 327, 332, 359, 394, 397; pis. 1, 11,
Bannara: โ Centre of learning, 150,318,396 ;pl. 13:โ
District, 35, 44 n.l :โ Observatory, 150, 156: โ
position, 148, 154, 160, 326 :โ Raja of, v. Chet
Singh :โ Survey, 11, 35, 38, 42, 43-5, 167, 183, 326,
336, 340, 396.
Bencoolen, Sumatra ( Hobson-Jobson ), 153.
Bengal :โ Cession to E I C, 12, 24 :โ Maps, 210, 221-31,
373 ; pis. 13, 14 : โ Nawab of, 1, 24 ; v. Mir Jafar ;
Mir Kasim :โ Survev by Rennell, vii, 2, 17-36, 84, 160.
Bengal Atlas, Rennell's, 212, 227-30, 375, 377.
Benumg, R. ( c. 1750 ), engraver, 93.
Borar. 38 n.5 ; pis. 1, 11 :โ Maps, 246 :โ Raja, v. NSgpiir :
-^Surveys, 7, 38, 59, 116, 118, 309, 314, 379.
Bernier. Dr. Francis ( d. 1688 ), 232.
Bernoulli, Jean (1744-1807): AR, Berlin, 1763;
DIB. ; Bnay. Brit., 11 n.i.5, 72, 214, 310, 315;
pi. 6 n.
Berthoud, Ferdinand ( 1727-1807 ), Swiss clockmaker,
Ency. Brit, ; 202.
Bertoli, Ferando, cartographer. 208 ; pi. 2.
Bhils, 126.
Bhonsla Raja, v. Nagpur.
Bhopal, 39 ; pi. 1, Bopaltol.
Bhutan, 23, 26 n.7, 34, 36, 69, 73-5, 81, 204, 225, 228,
229, 332, 342, 394,
20, 23, 67, 76, 77, 159, 332, 3'
Tibet, 23 n.5, 74, 75, 210, 223.
โMountains,
-Name applied to
Bluivanese, 32, 74, 292, 342, 354, 372.
bigahs, 134, 135, 137, 138.
Bihar, 319, 348 ; pi. 1, Bahar ; pis. 13, 14 ; v Patna โ โ
Cession, 24 :โ Maps, 223, 224-8, 230, 365 โ โ S, lrvfln
2, 24-7, 29, 33, 332. 333, 353. survey.
Bird :^James (1797-1864), Bom. Med., 220 :โ John
( 1709-50 ), iustrnmen.t-ma.kcr, DNB. ; 200 n 5
'โ Black .llo.le of Calcutta"', 337. 304.
"Black people", 87, 100, 134, 138, 191, 320, 389.
Blacker, Valentine (1778-1826), Mad. Cav โข SG
1823-6 : DNB. ; DIB. ; 163, 215, 225-6, 272.'
Blacktown, Madras ( Hobson-Jobson }, now Georgetown
94, 103, 311, 314, 341, 348, 353, 363.
Blake, Herman, v. Bake.
Blakiston, John ( 1785-1867 ), Mad. Engrs., 351.
Blanks on maps, 38, 129, 161, 210, 226, 242, 269 ; pi. 13 n .
Bleehynden, Richard ; Calcutta, c. 1790-1815, 394.
Board of Revenue, Madras, 143-6, 284-5.
Boats: โ accidents, 17, 18, 27, 66, 159 :โ building, 392;
v. Ship -building : โ supply, 18, 19, 23, 26โ7, 59 66
102-3, 109, 283, 324, 371, 372, 381, 398 ; v. budgarow.
Boisseau, Jean { b. c. 1700), draughtsman from Pondi-
cherry, 236, 237 n.4, 339.
Bokhara, 395.
Bolts, Win. ( 1735-1808), DNB. ; DIB. ; 223, 360 n.5 :โ
Map Of Bengal, 30, 223.
Bombay, vii, 3, 4, 6, 31, 120-32, 147, 176-8, 265, 303 :โ
Fort & Town, 120, 147, 313, 315, 333, 393, 395 -.โ
Island & Harbour, 3, 120, 126, 147, 378, 393 :โ
Marine, 6, 42, 123-5, 155, 203, 313, 336, 355, 381,
397 : โ position, 154, 160, 176, 177, 178, 181, 338,
340, 384.
Borders of Maps, 225, 226.
Borneo, 83 n.ll, 183, 316, 330, 339, 370.
Botanical: โ Gardens, Sibpur, 105 n.6, 316, 340-8: โ
Survey, 316, 376.
Botanist, 105, 338, 347, 350.
Boundaries : โ fixing of, 137 : โ on Maps, 54, 225, 242 ;
pi. 1: โ -Mysore, 88-9, 119 :โ Nizam's territories,
118 :โ Survey of, 33, 44-5, 131, 183, 396.
Bourchier, Richard ( d. 1770 ) ; Governer of Bombay,
1750-60 : 324.
Bourdonnais, Admiral Mabe de la, 93.
Bourzet, cartographer, 99.
Bowyer, R., cartographer, pi. 9 n.
Boyd's Hirkarah, Madras newspaper, 392.
Brahmaputra R. ( Hobson-Jobson, Burrampooter }, 19 n.2,
21, 72, 74, 78-80, 209, 223; pis. 1, 3 nโ 13, 14 :โ
Identity with Tsang-po, v. Tsang-po : โ Journey of
Burrow, 15S-9, 163 n.8 :โ Map of, 229 :โ Memoir by
Rrnnell, 79 n.6, 213, 375 :โ Survey by :-โ Rennell, 2,
8, 19-20, 222, 291, 371 :โ Wood, 8, 81, 84, 398, 399.
Brahman: โ Assistant at Observatory, 174; โ Maps, 161,
208, 238, 309 :โ Learned Men. 150, 156, 158, 160-1;
v. Hindu.
Brahuians, 102, 107, 304.
Brathwaite, Sir John ; Maj. Gen.. 1800 ; DIB. ; 96, 367.
Bristow, John ( 1750-1802 ) ; Ben. Civ., 1769 ; 168, 313,
326.
British Museum, viii, 222, 243, 325, 331, 348, 383; pis.
2, 11, 12. 13, 16.
Brittridge ( c. 1790 ), engraver, 313, 388.
Broach, Gujarat, 3, 121, 147, 378, 393 ; pis. 1, 2, Baroehe ;
pis. 11, 12, 16 : โ parganu. survey of, 3, 4,1 22โ3,
176 n.14, 341, 348, 378 :โ Position, 176, 394.
Brceck, Mattheus van dern { c. 1660 ), 221, 364.
Brohier. John, Mad. Art. & Engrs. ; B. E. Journal, March
1944, LVIII (5); 93,309.
Brown, Archibald ( d. 1825 ) ; Mad. Inf., 1768 ; 334.
Browne, James { 1743/4-92 ), Ben. Inf., Hodson ; DIB. ;
295 n.2, 366.
budgarow ( Hobson-Jobson ), 18 n.l, 27, 319, 332 ; V.
Boats.
Budge Budge, 52, 54, 261, 325, 346, 361, 398 ; pi. 14. โ
Buffalos, wild, 20, 26, 32.
Building construction & repairs, 323. 338. 343, 347, 356,
365, 372, 383, 398.
Bullocks, pack, 289, 301.
Index
Bundelkhand, 11, 27, 29-30, 38, 183 n.3, 221, 222, 315,
360.
Burdwan, pis. 13, Burda ; 14 : โ Cession to E I C, 1, 21,
136 :โ Maps of, 167, 225, 231, 365 :โ Position, 311 :โ
Survey, 2, 21-2, 225, 227, 333, 365.
Burhanpur, C P., 30, 31, 39, 121, 298, 321, 326, 379, 386 ;
pis. 11, 12, Brampore :โ position, 176.
Burma, 8, 83-5, 316 ; v. Ava ; Pegu.
Burmans, 46, S2, 85.
Burmesfl Wars :โ 1824-6 ; 1852-3 ; S2, 85, 399.
Burrard, Sir Sidney Gerald { 1860-1943 ) : RE.: is, x,
260 n.ll.
Burrow, Charles ( 17S1-1803 ), Mad. Inf., 316, 320.
Bussy's inarches in the Deccan, 115, 117, 118, 170, 245,
320, 385.
Buxa Duars, 74 n.13, 76 ; pi. 5.
Buxar, Battle of, 24, 28, 341, 353, 360, 395 ; pi. 11.
Cabral, Father John ( b. 1599 ), Wessels, 69.
Caeella, Father Stephen ( 1585-1630 ), Wessels, 69.
Caehar, 82, 83, 151, 223, 364; pi. 11.
Cadastral Surveys, 145 ; v. Revenue Surveys.
Cadder Bog, 292-3, 372.
Cadets, 90, 156, 266, 273, 325. 342, 314, 366, 380, 381,
382,386,387,395,
Caillaud, General John ( 1724-1812 ), DNB. ; DIB. ;
91,-322,364.
Calcutta, 12, 160, 318, 327, 337, 312, 317, 359, 361,
364-5 :โ Capture of, 1756, 12 n.13, 51, 54, 348:โ
Civil Architect, 389 :โ Lands, Survey of, 51, 137,
250, 311. 353, 386:โ Large-scale Surveys, 5, 38,
51-1, 65, 250, 270, 310, 314, 382, 391, 395, 398:โ
Lottery, 389: โ Maps of, 51, 53-4 :โ position, 153,
154, 167, 168, 180-1. 223, 329, 340, 341, 361, 384;
v. Fort William :โ Rennell's visits-. 24. 262. 371, 372 ;
v. Surveyor General's Office :โ Theatre, 323, 329
:โ Views of, 310, 328.
Calicut, Malabar, 86, 123, 125, 130, 179, 308, 332, 356;
pis. 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 16.
Calimere Point, li n.3, 101, 370, 390 ; pis. 9, 12.
Calmette, Father, S J., 86 ; v. Lettres Edifiantes, XIII
( 360 ).
Camels, 60, 160, 187, 296, 363, 399.
Campbell : Sir Archibald ( 1739-91 ) ; DNB. ; DIB. ;
Sandos II (329-30); 101 n.9-, 102, 110, 128, 170,
190, 346, 365, 386 :โ John ( c. 1745-70 ) ; Ben. Inf.,
Hodson ; 358. : โ John ; Clan Campbell 143 ( 1751-
1803) or 144 ( 1754-80) ; 325.
Canals, 93, 105, 335 ; v. Irrigation ; Tolly's Nullah.
Canary Is., 242 n.2 ; v. Ferro.
Cannanore, Malabar, 7, 130, 178, 356, 357; pis. 2, 3, 9,
12, 16.
Cantelli da Vignola, Venetian cartographer, 208, 221.
Canton, China, 173, 181, 330, 338, 340.
Cantonments, 41, 270. 343. 391.
Cape : of Good Hope, 267, 310, 339, 363, 383, 385, 393 n.2,
397 ;โ Town, 336, 337 :โ Verde Is., pi. 10 n.
Capuchin Mission, 69, 70, 75.
Caraccioli, Charles, author, 251, 360.
Carmelite Mission, 86.
Carnac, Colonel John { 1716-1800 ) ; DNB.; DIB. ;
345, 348, 360, 371.
Camatkt { Hobson-Jobson โ }, 1, 96, 98, 314; pis. 1, ;โ
Cession to Companv, 7, 107 n.6 ; pi. 1 ": โ Maps of
86, 99, 220, 238-10,"211, 242, 322, 341, 383 :โ Navab
of (or of Arcot ) : โ Dost AH, 142 : โ Muhammad Ali
( 1717-95 ), DIB. ; 3, 86, 91, 107 n.6. 141, 142, 240,
33T:โ Survey of, 87-8, 89-91, 95, 97, 99, 170, 212',
337,312,367.
Carpenter, 290, 3M.
Carte de VInde, bv D'A'nville, 1, 89, 210-1, 213, 222,
223, 331; pi. 13.
Cartier, John (1733-1802); Ben. Civ.; BIB.; 366.
372, 373.
Cash ;โ Madras coin ( Hobson-Jobson ), 278 n.7 : โ supply
of,.Iยซ, 19, 39, 10, 160-1, 319, 362,
Caspian Sea, 214, 233.
Cassini, Italian astronomers ; four generations at Paris
Observatory, Jean Dominique ( 1625-1712 ) ; Jaques
(1677-1756); Cesar Francois (1711-84); Jaques
Dominique ( 1758-1815 ) ; Ency. Brit. ; 176.
Catalogue of Maps, 202, 256, 258.
Cathay ( Hobson-Jobson ), 68.
Cathedral, Madras, 321.
Cattle, census of, 142, 146.
Caucasus, or Himalaya, Mountains, 67, 6S, 71, 220, 397 ;
also Emodi, Imaus, pis. S, 10.
Cauvery II., 95, 99, 106, 111, 321 ; pi. 9, Cavery.
Cavallo, Tiberius ( 1749-1S09 ), F R S., Ency. Brit. ; 102,
392.
Cawnpore, 58, 160, 163, 399, 400.
Ceded Districts. Madras (Hobson-Jobson): โ 1j92, 113,
244 ; pi. 1 :โ 1799, 112, 116, 119 n.3, 144 ; pi. 1.
Central :โ Asia, 68, 70, 209, 210 iโ Provinces, 63, 214 n.l,
363.
Certificate upon honour, 235, 301,-338.
Cession of Territory :โ to the E I C, 1, 7, 12, 21, 24, 86,
86 n.7. 91. 107 n.6. 111. 113, 119 n.3. 131, 135-6;
pi, 1 :โ to the Nizam, 116, 119 n.3.
Cevlon, 87, 112, 170, 207, 350, 389; v. Colombo :โ Maps,
238, 239, 244.
Chagos I., 123-4, 313, 335, 383 ; pi. 2, Isole don Garzia,
Chains :โ Brass, 205 :โ Gunter's, 185, 198, 205, 320:โ
Measuring, 182, 183, 189, 198, 206 :โ steel, Ramsden's,
165. 166, 194, 1'98.
Chambal R., 40, 127, 298 ; pi. 10, Samballus f.
Champion, Colonel Alexander (d. 1793); DIB. ; Kodson ;
224, 315, 365.
Chandernagore, 11, 150, 222, 309, 311. 314-5, 348. 38S ;
pi. 13, Sandernagor ; pi. 14.
Channel Creek, Hooghly R., 15, 17, 50-1, 283, 321, 364,
386; 398.
Chaplains, 2, 30-1, 153, 154, 267, 268, 334, 339, 381-5,
Chapman, Charles (1752-1809); Ben. Civ., 1771; 39,
42, 296, 336.
Charles II, of England ( 1630-85 ), DNB., 120.
Charts, marine : โ Custody, 66 ; โ Publication, 15, 221 n.7,
251, 310, 330, 340; v. Nautical Charts: โ Ritchie's,
17, 224.
Chiu.iisgarh, C. P., 60.
Cheduba I., 15. 43, 160, 204, 298, 318.
Chenab R,, 232 ; pi. 8, Chuuaub ; pi. 10, Chenao ; pi. 11,
Chonab.
Chet Singh, of Benares ( d. 1810 ) ; DIB. ; 35, 386,394.
Chhatarpur, BundeSkhand, 11, 30, 348.
Chiamay Lake (Hobson-Jobson), 78, 84, 209, 211;
pis. 3 nโ 11, 16, Cayamay Lago.
Chief Engineer : -Bengal, 31, 36, 50 n.6, 51, 52, 216, 237,
252, 258, 260, 261, 270, 309, 323, 325, 346, 347,
364-5, 394, 398 :โ Bombay, 258, 315, 356: โ Field
armies, 118, 125, 312, 321 :โ Madras, 3, 24 n.5, 87,
88, 92, 100, 112, 173, 175, 239, 240, 244, 247, 251,
252, 254, 256-7, 263, 264, 271-3, 296, 311, 321, 322,
334, 335, 338, 319. 350, 351, 381, 386, 390, 392, 398.
Chilka Lake, 41 n.8, 211, 325.
Chin Hills, Burma,. 84 n.l.
China, 10, 68, 74, 84, 85, 100, 166, 210, 223, 237, 330,
341, 348 ; v. Canton ; Peking :โ Jesuits in, 69, 70,
70 ; pi. 7 n.
Chine, Description de la, Du Hald?-, 70, 210 ; pi. 7 n.
Chinese travellers, 208.
Chindwiii R., 85.
Chitral. 67, 234, 287.
Chittagong, 316, 345, 372, 373, 374, 383 ; pis. 1, It),
' Chandekan;, pi. 11, Chatigan ; pi. 13, Shatigan ;
pis. 14, 16, Satigan :โ Cession to E I C, 1, 21, 136 :โ
position, 152, 157, 221 :โ Revenue survey, 136-7,
138 :โ Survev of :~-of Coast, 2, 14-5. 46, 65-6, 151,
225, 250, 269, 364, 383, 394 :โ of District, 23, 59,
225, 333, 361.
Cholera, 41, 362,
Chorornandel Coant, i\ Coromatidel.
ChotaNagpur, 2, 30, 33, 35, 36, 42n.4,225, 228. 294, 324,
326, 33C ; pis. 1, 14 ; v. Ramgarh.
Index
Chowringhee, Calcutta. 51. 58. 05, 168,202. 347 363
400.
Christ's Hospital School, 389.
Chronometers, 46, 124, 158. 163, 175 170 177 181 190
194, 202-3.. 204, 320. 336, 390; v. Clocks: Time-
keepers: โ Rates of, 159, 162, 166. 171, 177 203
Ch-uars, 29-1., 300, 326.
Chumalhari Peak, 77.
Chunar, or Chunargarh, 35, 38, 59-61, 167, 202 289 314
323, 327, 353, 359. 361, 365, 394 ; pi. 1.
Circars, Northern ( Hobson-Jobson ), 309, 320, 329. 390,
392 ; pi. 1 : โ Cession to E I C, 3, 24, 91 :โ Forde's
Expedition, 91, 345, 364 :โ Peach's Expedition, 26,
91-2, 329, 330, 337 :โ Revenue Survey, 143. 145 :โ
Surveys & Maps, 3. 59, 61-2, 106, 169, '220, 247, 329.
342, 356, 363, 369, 382, 385.
Circles, reflecting, 199.
Circumfercntor, 192, 201, 206.
City Surveys, v. Benares ; Bombay ; Calcutta ; Madras.
Civil : appointment held in addition to Military oommls-
sion, 266, 311, 322, 329, 334, 385 :โ Engineer, 51
266, 272, 309, 338, 363-4 :โ Officials, 135-41, 142,
143-5, 272-3, 295 : โ Servants : โ Establishments A
Pay, 136, 138, 275 ;โ Surveys by, 92-3, 94, 100
267-8, 272, 309, 311, 321, 322, 329, 332. 334, 339,
341, 355, 361.
Classification of land & soil, 13, 134, 146.
Clavering, General Sir John ( 1722-77 ) ; DNB โ DIB โ
224, 239, 270, 295, 366, 381.
Cleveland, Augustus ( 1755-84 ), Ben. Civ., DNB โ
DIB. ; 37, 162, 366.
Climate, adverse, 2, 3, 6, 106, 113, 274, 284, 312 3->5 333
342.
Clive :โ Edward ( 1754-1839 ) ; 2nd Baron ; Governor of
Madras 1798-1803; 376 :โ Robert (1724-74), 1st
Baron; DNB. ; DIB.; 2. 266, 322 .โขโ Calcutta,
1757-8, 12, 135, 311, 314, 345, 348 :โ s Fund, 385 :โ
return as Governor, 1765-7,2, 19, 22, 24, 365 :โ orders
Survey of Bengal & Bihar, 20, 22, 25 :โ interest in
Diamonds, 30, 359:โ 's jaglr, v. Jaglr :โ collection
of Maps, 24, 211, 223, 250, 251. 322 :โ departure from
Bengal, 24, 260 : โ Death, 24 n.5 :โ Lady, 326
Clocks, 153, 172, 340 ; v. Timekeepers.
Coast :โ East, v. East :โ West, v. Malabar :โ The, viz.
Coromandel, 143, 263, 264, 343.
Coastal Surveys, 2, 3, 13-7, 45-7, 65-6, 101-5, 123-5,
151, 183-4, 190-3, 224, 271, 310, 313, 327-8, 330-1,
336, 338, 339-40, 345, 355 C, 363-4, 381, 390, 392 ;โ
astronomical observations. 151, 152. 157, 176.
Coast-line of India, 151, 152, 157, 176, 210, 238- pis 2
3, 11 u.
Cochin, 113, 123, 130, 154, 176, 178, 179, 341, 384 : pis. 1,
2, 12.
Cockerell's march, E. Coast, 43, 395.
Coimbatore, 98, 111, 112, 114, 119, 321. 334. 349 : pis. 1, 9.
Coldstream, W.M. ( 1869-1943 ), R.E. : 230 n.l.
Colebrooke :โ Sir George ( 1729-1818 ). 2nd Bart., 45 n.2,
326:โ Sir Henry T. (1765-1837); Ben. Civ.;
DNB.; DIB.; 73, 77, 326 : โ James ( 1772-1S16 ),
Mad. Inf. ; 326 :โ Richard ( 1800-68 ), Ben. Inf. ;
Hodson; 326.
Colgong, Bihar, 37, 64, 05, 102, 310. 329 ; pi. 13, Calegam.
Collectors of Districts :โ Bengal. 2S n.9. 66, 136. 138-9,
140, 167, 231, 257-8, 260 :โ Madras, 7, 107, 114-5,
145-7, 285.
Colombo, 117, 334, 350.
Colours for maps. 54, 87. 111. 146, 225, 237, 242 243-
pi. 10 n.
Commander-in-Chief: โ Bengal, 261, 262. 274, 311, 326,
344, 354, 359, 362 ; v. Clavering -, Coote etc. :โ
Bombay, 258, 281, 356 :โ -Madras. 95, 96, 97, 321,
367.
CJominzntartu-x, v. MoiiKerrate.
Commerce, 73-4, 251, 330, 359, 367, 372-3 : v. Trade.
Commissary General's Department, 271, 277, 309, 386.
Committee of Circuit, Madras, 143.
Communications, interior, 1, 14, 17 ; v. Distance Tables ;
Roads.
Comorin, Cape, 86, 102, 109. 157, 169, 238 239 ^14. wa
391 ; pis. I, 2, Capo Cumeri ; pis. 3, 12. ' '
Companion Atlas, v. Atlas.
Comparative Geography, v. Geography.
Compass ( Hobson-Jobson, Kumpass ), 11, 28 30 75 isg
185, 200-1, 204, 205, 337, 340 :โ Azimuth^ 5o'. loo'
177, 200-1, 205 :โ bearings, 184-8 :โ Pocket, 185*
186, 187, 188, 193, 200-1, 205, 234, 395 :โ Variation
of, v. Variation,
Conjeeveram, Carnatic, 97, 311, 334, 343, 344, 395 ; pis. 9,
12, Congeveram.
Contingent expenses, 235, 276-7, 280, 379.
Contract, payment by, 354-5.
Controlling Committee of Revenue, Bengal, 136.
co-mtoopula { Hohxon -Jobw/i.. comuopulv )', Mi-ulra-s servant
290.
Convict settlement, v. Andaman Is.
Cooeh Behar, 23, 35, 36, 69, 74, 225, 227 269 ^92 342
354, 35S, 367 ; pi. 1, Coos Beyar.
Coorg, 7, 113, 130, 131, 346 ; pi. 12, Curiga.
Co-operation between Presidencies, 56, 253-6.
Coote, General Sir Eyre ( 1726-83 ) ; DNB โข DIB โข 4
40, 96, 97, 242, 274, 320, 321, 332, 334, 338.
Copies of :โ Maps : โ for Directors, 5, 45, 215 235-7 245
250-3, 264, 333, 362, 369 :โ forbidden, 262 :โ Field-
books & Journals, 57, 58, 196-7, 251, 271, 339, 400 -
v. Fieldbooks ; Journals.
Coringa Bay, 6, 101, 103-4, 105, 172, 191-2, 385, 386
390, 391.
CornwaUis:โ Charles (1738-1805); 1st Marquess ; DNB.-
DIB.; 8, 44, 81 n.14, 118, 141, 144. 160, 161. 261
273, 345, 346. 398 :โ Mysore Campaign, 6, 111, 112
115, 118, 129, 308, 312, 350, 354 ; v. Governor
General : โ Admiral Sir Wm. ( 1744-1819 ) ; DNB โ
Ency. Brit. ; 5, 48, 49, 327.
Coromandel Coast ( Hobson-Jobson ), viii, 5, 16, 86, 101-5
110, 157, 164, 166, 190-2, 200, 238, 239, 248. 311^
314, 322, 328,331, 389, 395 ; pis. 2, 3, 12; v. East
Coast : โ danger to ships, 14, 47, 101, 336.
Correspondence-, 392.
Correspondent Observations, v. Longitude.
Corrupt practices, revenue surveys, 133, 138-40, 144 147
Cosby, Col. Sir Henry, (1743-1822); DNB.; DIB.;
367.
eoss ( Hobson-Jobson, ), 10, 40, 76, 151, 247, 387.
cossids, ( Hobson-Jobson ), 42, 286, 303, 304, 336 ; v.
harkara-s.
Cossimbazu-r R. (JHobeon-Jobson), S, 17, 21, 63, 221, 225,
301, 333, 356, 396 ; pis. 13, 14.
Cotton, General Sir Arthur Thomas ( 1803-99 ) ; DNB. ;
DIB.; 107.
Couchman, Brigadier Sir Harold ( b. 1882 ), viii, s.
Court Minutes, I 0., viii.
Courtmartials, 132, 309. 333, 334, 335, 337, 342, 344, 353,
358, 359, 362, 365, 379, 382, 383, 384, 392.
Cow's Mouth, v. Ganges R., Source of.
Craig, General Sir James Henrv ( 1748-1812 ) ; DNB. ;
DIB. ; 57, 352, 399.
Crawford, Charles (1760-1836); Ben. Inf., Hodson;
SG. 1813-5; 315, 329:
Crawfurd, Dr. John (1783-1868); DNB.; DIB.;
JEncy. Brit. ; 316.
Criticisms of :โ Bennett's maps, 6, 57, 98, 126. 127, 166-7,
179, 219, 225, 226 :โ other surveys, 114, 132, 156,
194. .
Crown Library, B M., viii.
Crosthwait, Colonel Herbert L. ( 1867-1939 ), C I E., R.E. ;
viii.
Cruso, Dr. Thos. (1755-1802); Bom. Med., Crawford
II (33) ; Crawford's List ; 126, 341. 378 n.14.
Cuddapah, 100, 112, 116, 119 n.3, 348, 350, 386 ; pis. 1, 0.-
Cultivated land, Survey of, 1, 105-6, 108-9. 133,. 139-41,
146-7.
Cursory Survev, 16. 21, 22, 36, 182, 183, 223, 334. ' '"-
Custody of Maps. 212. 237. 256-9, 327. 382. '
Cutch, 132, 246,287. โ " '
Cuttack, Orissa, 28. 30, 39', 42, 153, 199; 223, 294, 296,
304, 309, 325, 332 ; pis. 1, 13, Catek. : โ ',โขโ >''
Index
โ Cyclometers, 15$, 198-
C-z-emiehef, Russian traveller, 395.
Dacca : โ Rennell's survey, IS, 20, 32, 225, 229, 230, 231,
283, 371, 373, 373 :โ other surveys, 14. 78, 82 157
313, 318, 364, 387, 396 ; pis. 1, 11, 13, 14.
Dalby, Isaac ( 1744-1824 ), DNB., 165, 166, 319.
Bailing, General Sir John ( c. 173 1-98 ) ; 1st Bart -
C-in-C., Madras, 1784-6: 99.
dandi, or boatman { Hobnon-.Jobson ), 283.
Danes, 338: โ at Nancowry, 16, 48-9, 390: โ at Seram-
pore, 359.
Daniell:โ Thos. ( 1749-1840 ),FRS. :โ Wm.( 1769-1837)
artists; in India, 1784-93 ; DNB. ; DIB - 73 78
328 n.6, 338.
Danish ship, 383.
Dare, Wm. ( d. c. 1774 ) ; Ben. Inf., Hodson : 383.
David, Thos. ( 1783-9S ), asst. revenue surveyor, 284, 286.
Davidson, Alexander ( 1740-91 ) โ Mad Civ " 1760 โข 17S
Davies,โ { c. 1620 ), 120.
Dawson, George ( 1733-1812 ), Mad. Civ., 88, 311.
Deeean ( Hobson-Johson ) : pi. 2 Dec am ; pis. 3, 10, 11
12, 16, v. Nizam's Dominions: โ Surveys, 7 115-8
132, 179, 350 rโ Maps, 117, 245, 246, 350 :โ Maratha'
6, 128-30, 217, 37S ; v. Dharwar.
De Filippi, Cav. Filippo f 1869-1938 ), 69, 79.
De Meuron, Lt Col. Henry David ( 1751/2-1804 J, 97.
Degree :- measurement of. 5, 43, 156, 164-6 172 n 3 310
318-9, 331 :โ Squares, 3, 240, 242, 248 โ pi '9 โ _!
Tables of length, 248.
Delhi., 27, 34, 149, 224, 348, 388 ; pis. 1, 3, 6, K, 10, 11,
113 :โ Emperors of, v. Emperors : โ Map-:. 29 219 n 2
221-2, 227, 229, 233, 315 :โ position, 148, 149, 224 :~
Roads, 10, 234, 386 : pi. 10 n. ; Surveys, 35, 36 57
314,339. '
Delisle, Guillaurae ( 1675-1726 ), French cartographer 1
67, 176,209, 238.
Desert, Great Indian, 219.
Deserters, 40, 324, 336.
Desideri, Father Ippolito { Hippolyto ) ( 1684-1733 )
68-9, 71-2, 79-80. '
Despatches to & from Europe, 303, 308, 312.
Devieottai, Tanjore, 86, 102, 108-9, 114, 143, 195 -'80
311, 321, 329, 360 ; pi. 9, Divicote.
dewani, granted to E I C, 24, 91.
Dbarwar, Deeean, 7, 128, 129, 177, 335, 341, 3S3 โข pi 1
dhooli, 300, 301 ; v. palanquin.
Diamond .-โHarbour, Hooghlv R., 51, 313 -โIsland
327-8.
Diamonds, 30, 322, 350, 359, 387 ; pi. 13.
Dindi.gul, Madras. 7, 113, 114, 146, 2S5, 2S6 349 334
382 : pis. 1, 9. ' '
Dinwiddie, Dr. James ( d. 1815 ), ISO, 340
Directors of the E I C, 318. 348, 379, 384, 385, 391 :โ call
for : โ Economy, 240, 245, 263, 368, 375 :โ Maps, v.
Maps : Copies of maps :โ Survevs, 22 87-8 141 -'50
251, 390, 391 :โ Members of Court, 308, 326, 332. '
Dirt.-Lpliiis;, 40, 343, 353, 362.
Disguise, travelling in. 233.
Dismissal, 256, 262, 277, 324, 330, 333, 334 340 34* 353
358, 383, 392. ' *
Disputes, 173, 272 :โ armed, 291, 292-3, 294-5, 297, 298,
379 ; v. Adventures ; Obstruction.
Distances: โ computed from time, 39, 75-6 159 184 186
189, 196, 234, 380 ; pi. 7 n. :โ along meridian,- 20, ISSt,
\โข โข *77' redueed for winding of-roads, 10, 184-9,
230 :โ Tables, 214, 230 : v. Measurement ; Roads.
District :โ Maps, Bengal, 231, 257-8 :โ Officers, v. Collec-
tors :โ Surveys :- -Bengal, 134, 247 :โ Madras. 113-5,
146-7, 193-5, 272, 285-6.
Districts 01- provinces of Bengal, 227.
โ doabs :โ Definition ( Hobson-Jobson ), 55 n. 2 :โ Ganges-
Jumna, 8, 42, 55, 161, 164 n.l. 228. 229, 232, 345
361 ; pis. 6, 8 :โ of the Punjab, 233 ; pi. 8 :โ
Tungabliadia Kisfna, 116.
Dockyards :โ Bombay, 303 :โ Calcutta. 303, 347, 394.
Doctors, v. Surgeons.:- -native, 301.
Doltoncl, instrument -makers :โ John { 1706-61 ) F B, 9
1761:โ Peter (1730-1820) & his nephew' George
( 1774-1852), FRS.; DNB.; 171, 200, 206.
Dorman, Thomas Benjamin ( d., Madras, 28-10-87 ) ;
Mad. Engrs. 1787 ( country cadet ), 245
D'Orville, v. Orville.
Doncker, Hendrick, cartographer, 209-
Drainage, 65, 321, 391.
Drake, Roger ( d. 1765), Ben. Civ., 1737- Governor.
Calcutta., 1752-8, DIB. ; 364.
Draughtsmen :โ Allowances, 276, 277, 281, 398 โ โ
Calcutta, 50 n.6, 231, 234-7, 244 n.8, 252, 258 262
263, 271, 386, 394, 395, 398 :โ Madras, 90, 243, 245
252, 335, 380.
Draughtsmanship, 229, 236. 245. 317, 321, 35-4, 369. 370,
384.
Drawing :โ of Maps, 143, 226, 234-7, 258 ;โ materials,
235, 237 :โ Paper, 37, 142, 187, 193, 224, 235, 236,
237, 247 :โ shrinkage of, 184, 216, 237.
Duels, 309, 337, 342, 344, 358, 362, 384, 394.
Du Halde, Father ( 1674-1743 ), 70, 79, SO, 86, 149 210 โ
pi. 7 n.
Du Pre, Josias ( c. 1/21-80) Mad. Civ. 1752. 89, 90; v.
governors, Madras.
Du Val, Father, 127 n.7.
Dunn, Samuel ( d. 1794 ) ; cartographer ; DNB. 1 333
223, n.8.
Dupleix, Joseph Francois ( 1697-1793 ), Ency. Brit., 1.
Dury. Andrew ( 0. 1770 ), cartographer 227
Dutch, S3, 87, 103 n.l, 123, 153 n.10, 176, 221 :โ Maps
83, 84, 208-9, 221, 223, 238.
Dysentery, 324, 325, 329, 354.
Eamshaw, Thomas (1749-1829); clockmaker ; DNB โ
202.
.Earthquake, 1762, 15, 362.
East Coast, 5-6, 14 n.l, 59, 178 :โ CockcrelTs march,
43 : โ Pearse's marches, 4, 40-2, 154-5 185 270
326-7. 334, 340, 355, 362 :โ Ritchie's survey, 2,' I6-7)
45: โ Topping's survey, 6, 101-5, 160, 170-1, 190-2'
253, 338, 339, 389 ; v. Commandel Coast.
Eunt India Pilot, 169 n.2, 200.
Ecclesiastical Records, I 0,, viii.
Eclipses of : โ Jupiter's satellites, v. Jupiter : โ Sun or
Moon, 149, 150, 151, 154, 156. 168, 169, 176, 180.
Economy, 36, 38, 235-6, 275-6, 276-8, 367-8, 368 j v.
Directors.
Education of Officers, 266.
Egypt, 330, 395, 396, 397 ; v. Overland route.
Uidmgton. ( Edington ? ), Colonel James ( d. 1800 ), III.
Electric Battery, 204.
.Elephants : โ riding or baggage, 290. 365, 378 : โ wild ">0
32, 220.
Elliot, Alexander Kynymnound ( d. 1778); Ben. Civ โ
297 :โ Mission to Nagpur, 30 n.8, 39-40, 325, 394.
Ellore Detachment, v. Nizam's Subsidiary Force.
Embankments. 22, 51, 316, 333, 354, 391.
Emperors of Delhi, 10, 11, 24, 55. 121, 127 133 >34
301-2, 365. 366, 378. 379. 387 ; v. Humavun, d. 1550 โข
- โ Akbar, 1556-1605 : โ Jahangir, 1605-27 : Shah-
jaha-n, 1627-5S : โ Aurangzeb, 1658-..: .. \lamgir
II, d. 1759 :โ Shah Alam, 1771-1806.
Engineers : โ Chief, v. Chief Engineers : โ -Civil, v. Civil :
Militarv : โ Bengal, 2, 52, 53, 261, 266-7, 275 325
332. 333, 334, 372, 382. 398 :โ Bombay, 258 2lV
273, 281, 333 : โ Madras, 173, 266-7, 271-2, 279 28l'
335, 344, 353, 358, 385 :โ Aptitude for survey, 29'
267, 270, 273 :โ His Majesty's, 101 n.9. 270.
Engraving :โ Maps, 15, 27. 53, S7 ns. 3, 4. 88, 123 n3
143, 167, 212, 217, 223, 224, 227, 228, 231, 252. 25!,'
268, 310, 375. 394 :โ Marine Charts. 15, 17, 184:โ
Views by Aqua Tinfa, 308, 309, 310, 328.
Epitaph, Michael Topping, 392-3.
Eratosthenes ( c. 276-196 b c. ), Greek geographer, Encu.
Brit. ; 207, 220.
Errors & inaccuracies, 14, 15, 149, 157 163 170 189-90
196, 243, 331, 339 ; pi. 10 n. ; v. Accuracy ; Criticism!
Index
Escorts :โ Bengal, 25, 20, 34, 59, 61. 183. 276. 282 2M
296, 300-1, 323, 326:โ Bombay, 132 '287 298
301-2, 379 :โ Madras, 96.
European Civil Assistants : โ Bengal. 15, 17, 25, 270
283 : โ -Madras, v. Revenue Surveyors.
Everest, Sir George ( 1790-1800 } ; Ben. Art. ; DNB. โข
DIB.; Hodson ; vii, ix, 15S n.4, 166. 213 226
311ii.:>, 368 n.S.
Exact Surveys, 18, 22, 1S2, 222 ; v. Cursory surveys.
Exchange of Surveys, 216, 21S, 379-80: v. Co-operation
Expenses rโ Bengal, 13 n.12, 52, 250, 275-6, 277;โ
Bombay, 380 : โ Life in India, 372-3 : โ Madras-, 90,
145, 240 ;โ Map Drawing, 216, 252, 253 -โMap
Publication, 212, 227-9, 259 :โ Military Expeditions,
91 :โ Travelling, 39S.
Explorers, Indian, 12, 286-7 ; v. Surveyors.
Eyesight, failure of, 212. 237, 322, 331 ; v. Short Sight.
Ea Hian, Chinese traveller, ( c. a n_ +00 ). 20S.
Factories of E I C, 13, 14, 17, 86, 91, 90 a 1 120 153 n 10
266,291,320. ' ' :
Eaden, Win., cartographer, 39 n.2, 220, 223, 243, 395.
fal.'i.-rs. 00. v. mnyasi.
Famine, 106, 159, 372.
fanam, coin ( Bobmm-Jobson ), 98, 278 n.7.
Farington, Joseph, 398 n.O.
Farmer, Wm. Samuel { b. 1746 ), Bom. Civ. 1703. 121.
Farming of land revenues. 130, 138, 141 n7 142 144
295, 359, 366.
Farquhar, Robert ( d. 1778 ), 39, 325.
Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's capital, 11, 127 n.l, 149, 357;
pi. 5, Fattipour ; pis. 10, 11, Fetipore.
Felfchaui, Robert Owen ( d. 1789 ). Ben. Inf. 1707. Hodson,
293.
Ferro I,, Longitude from, 170, 208, 242 ; pis 9 13
Fever, 18-9. 26, 27, 32, 39, 100, 131, 158, 295, 299. 313,
335, 340, 348. 350, 350, 371, 373, 380, 391, 393.
Fieldbooks, viii, 185-8, 195-7 ;โ Copies of, v. Copies
Fields, Survey of. 134, 144. 189 ; v. ryotnoari.
Fighting, 23, 130, 341, 398-9 ; v. Adventures : Disputes;
Obstruction.
Figure of the Earth, 160, 248.
Fir- Trees, 20, 23, 20, 333.
Fireworker, Artillery, 260, 329, 333, 337, 338, 341 348
361 ; v. Artillery.
Flags, signal, 189, 190, 192, 194, 389, 390.
Fletcher, Colonel Robert ( d. 1776 ), DIB,, 353.
Followers, Establishment & Pay, 276, 289 4J0 : v. Lascars.
Forde, Francis ( d. 1769/70 ) ; Ency. Brit. โ ' Ben. Inf โข
91, 339, 345, 304, 399.
Fords, Survey of, 38, 58, 1S3.
Foreigners :โ employment of, 230 tโ promotion barred,
333, 354, 305, 309.
Foresti ; engineer, Fort William, 17+2-4: Sandes. I
( 46-7 ) ; 61.
Forests, or woods. 32, 34. 30, 58. 183. 225. 242, 315
Forrest ;โ Arthur ( c. 1755-1802): HM's. 58th Foot,
1773; Mad. Engrs. 1786: 321 :โ Captain Thomas
(c. 1729-1802): E I C's. Mar. service; DNB.;
DIB. ; 45-0, 83 n.ll, 202, 330.
Fort St. David, Cuddalore. 110, 304, 311 n.l, 322.
Fort St. George. Madras, 93-4, 311, 329, 338. 340. 303.
Fort William, Calcutta :โ College, 250. 337, 340. 359 : โ
Old, 13. 51, 309, 337, 363, 304 :โ New, 13, 333, 337,
305 : โ plan of works, 250 : โ -quarters in, 154, 202, 361
Forts, Survey of, 51, 87, 89. 92. 110. 112, 110. 183, 201
314, 315, 385.
Fortnoin. John ( d. 1779); Ben. Engrs.. Hodson: 334,
300.
Fortunes made in India, 269. 322, 352, 372-3 374 383
398.
Fougeron, J., draughtsman. 235.
France :โ Institute of, 377, 37S :โ King of, 180.
Francis. Sir Philip (1740-1818); DNB.; DIB.: 39,
134, 141, 224, 303, 345. 35(1, 362. 365. 381, 394.
L'raneklm, Wm.. (1703-1830); Ben. Inf., "Hodson:
30] -2.
Fraudulent documents or surveys, 103. 138, 139-40 147
Frederick, Colonel Charles (1748-91); HM's. Etiws
1703; tr. to Bom. Inf. 1771 ; 128, 177, 335, 341
Free Merchants, 359, 372.
French :โ Capture by, 313, 321, 361, 383, 393 :โ in
Carnatie, 1, 86, 271, 336, 343 :โ in Chandornagore,
372, 388 : โ Company under Martin, 353 : โ East
India Company, 1, 210, 239, 320, 353 :-โ Geographers,
310, 331, 385;โ in Hyderabad, 91, 117, 175, 320,
350, 385 :โ Jesuits, 70 ns. 3. 9, 314 :โ Language, 333,
394:โ Maps, 1, 123. 209-11, 223, 239 :--with Mara-
thas, 393, 397 :โ Merchants, 387 :โ Survey, 87,
93 :โ Surveyors, 1, 221-2, 268, 330, 348, 353-4, 385,
388 :โ Wars with, 1, 50, SO, 91, 93. 320, 321, 336,
343 n.10.
Freyre, Father, 68 n.lo.
Emms. Gemma ( c. 1550 ), astronomer, 202.
Fryer, Dr. John ( d. 1733 ) ; E R S. ; DNB. ; 120.
Fulcher, Robert Page ( 1800-84 ) ; Ben. Inf., Hodson โ
349.
Fullarton : โ Colonel Jolin, 395 :โ โ Colonel Wm { 1754-
180S ) ; DNB. ; DIB, ; 251, 349, 395 :โ marches
of, 4, 98, 170, 179, 185, 213, 214, 321. 343, 387.
Furlough rules, 207.
Gabelsberger, Father ( d. c, 1740 ). 150.
Gandak ft., 17 n.g, 26, 27, 75, 221, 333 ; pi. 13, Kandoc.
Ganga Rโ 45, 209, 210, 212 : pis. 3 n., 11, 12, 13.
Ganges R,, 1, 21 n.12, 107, 211. 220. 233; pi. 10n.:โ
Oliu-nsies of wiirse. 21, G4-5, 220 :โ Reimell's memoir,
79 n.O, 213, 375 :โ Sources of, 08, 70, 71-3, 80, 209,
303 ; pis. 1, 6n., 7n., Sn. 21 :โ Surveys by :โ Jesuit
missionaries, 11, 151. 314. 315 : pi. 6 n. :โ Rennell
2, 17-9, 21, 23, 222, 229, 247, 371 :โ Colebrooke, 8,
04-5, 327, 329 : โ other surveyors, 21, 26-7, 37 58
163 n.8, 209, 210-1, 225. 316. 333. 338. 340. 399.
Ganges-Hooghly passage, 2, 17-8. 63-4. 329, 339, 396.
Gangotri, Cow's Mouth, 71, 72. 363 ; pi. 6,
Gardner, Robert ( 1781-9S ). asst. revenue surveyor
284, 285.
Garhwal, 338 ; pi. 6 ; v. Srlnaaar.
Garo Hills. 2, 19-20, 20 n.l. 34. 83 ; pi. 14, Ganws.
Garrow, Edwardf 1751-1820 ) : Mad. Civ. 1769 ; 173. 390.
Garstin, John ( 1750-1820 ). Ben. Engrs,. riod.-mi, 52 53
101, 204, 328, 347.
Gastaldi, Giacopo di, cartographer. 70, 208 : pi. 16.
Gauhati, Assam, 8, 80. 81. 83 n.l, 398.
Gazalhatti Pass, Mysore. Ill n.5, 273 ; pi. 9, Gazle
Hatty.
Gent, Wm. ( d. 1811 ) ; Mad. Engrs. 1772-1802 ; 244 n.4.
Gentet, J'aspar, cartographer, 23S.
Gentii, v. Le Gentil.
Geodesy, 376-7, 3S9.
Geographer to the: โ Company. 5, 97-8, 251, 26'-} 343
375 :โ King, 211 n.7, 220,' 223 n.ll.
Geographical :โ โ or nautical. Miles, 151, 207. 227 n.4. 247,
248 ; v. Miles :โ Positions, lists of. 148. 149. 100. (62,
169, 208, 232, 357.
Geography : -Comparative. 20S, 211, 376, 397 :โ Father
of Indian, 376.
Geometrical Survey. 190, v. Trigonometrical Survev.
George III, of England ( 173~8-1820 ) : DNB. : ' Ency.
Brit. 243, 352. 398.
Gerard, Alexander (1792-1839): Ben. Inf., Hudson;
DNB. ; DIB. ; 337.
Germans, 115, 383, 385. 395 ; v. Hanoverians.
Gersoppa Falls, N. Canara. 130 n.4.
Ghaggar R., Punjab, 219 ; pi. 8.
(J hat* ( tlobso-n-Jobvo-n, Ghauts ). v. Western.
Gilgit, Kashmir, 234, 397.
Gillespie, James, draughtsman, 245 n.l.
Giorgi, Father Antonio ( b. 1711 ), 75.
Globes, 204.
Glossary, revenue survey, 135.
Goa, 10, 12, 129, 335, 341, 387; pis. 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12,
16 :โ Jesuit hdqrs.. 11, 68. 357, 358, 388 :โ position,
129, 149, 150, 176, 177 ; pi. 10 n.
Index
GoalpftBa, Assam, 19, 73, 77. 78, 79, 80. 157, 159, 318,
398 ; pi. 14.
Godavari R. ( Hobson- Job-son ). 100, 103. 110, 121, 144,
210 n.8, 239, 321, 348, S69, 390, 991 ; pis. 1, 2, 12,
as name of town : โ Irrigation survev, 7, 93, 105-7,
173, 321, 335.
Goddard. Thomas ( 1740-83 ) ; Ben. Inf., Hodaon j
DNB. ; DIB. ; 35n.3, 38, 121 : โ March to Bombay,
4, 38-40, 121-2, 154, 155, 321, 324, 325, 326, 386,
394 :โ Campaign 1779-82, 122, 345, 378, 386, 393.
Godfrey, Samuel ( b. 1784 ), asst. revenue surveyor. 284.
28 6.
Goes, Brother Benedict de ( d. 1607 ), Wessels, OS.
Gogia. R., 11-2, 72, 73, 151, 220. 315 ; pi. 0.
Golam Mohamcd, 30, 42.
Golconda, 38, 387 ; pis. 1, 12.
Golding, Win. ( d. 1706 ) ; Ben. Engrs., Hodson ; 204.
Goos, Pieter, cartographer, 209.
Gorakhpuv, 58.
gosain, v. Purangir.
Gout, 158, 181, 377.
Governors of :โ Bengal, v. Drake, 1752-8 ; Clive, 1758-80 ;
Vansittart, 17(50-4; Clive, 1785-7; Verelst, 1767-9;
Cartier. 1769-72; Hastings. 1772-3 :โ Madras, v.
Pigot, 1755-63; Palk, 1763-7; Du Pre, 1770-3: ...
Pigot, 1775-6 ; Rumbold. 1777-S1 ; Macartuev.
1781-5; Campbell, 1786-9; Clive, 1798-1803;!..
Munro, 1820-7.
Governors .General, 9, 104, 118, 162, 280, 298, 304. 332,
354, 359, 3(57 ; v. Hastings. 1773-85 ; fttacpfaersen,
1785-6; Comwallis, 1786-93, 1805; Shore, 1793-8;
Mornington, or Wellesley, 1798-1805.
Graaf, van den ; Governor of Ceylon 1790 ; 244.
Graham, John, apprenticed surveyor 1816, 244 n.7.
Granary, or yolu. at Bankipore, Patna., 161.
Grant, Peter Warden ( 1794-1828 ) ; Ben. Inf., Hodson ;
85.
GTatuitv. to surveyors, 57, 242, 277, 278, 281, 282, 343
368. 380, 381.
Great Trigonometrical Survev, vii, ix x. 37(5-7. 389.
Greek Geographers. 1, 207, 220, 397.
Gregory & Wright, instrument-makers, 178.
Grose. John Henry ( 1760-83 ) ; Bom. Civ. ; DNB. :
DIB. : 120.
Grueber. Father Joliann ( 1623-80 ), Weasels, 69, 140,
150 : pi. 7 n.
Guides : โ Bombay, 357 :โ Captain of, Madras, 4, 95-7,
257, 279-80. 237. 308, 312, 321, 3(51, 367, 387 :โ
Corps of, Madras C, 90-1, 107, 109-11, 118. 272, 311,
337 :โ Local, 230, 295. 290, 298-9 ; v. harkaras.
Gujarat, Bombay, 4, 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 128, 134
176, 219, 246, 287 ; pis. 2, 3, 12, 16, Guzerate.
gujars, 58.
Gujrat. Punjab, 71 n.ll ; pi. 8, Gujerat.
Gumti R., Oudh, 29, 221, 295 ; pi. 6, Goomty R.
Gun: โ Carriages, 391 : โ Foundry, 153, 333 :โ Powder
47. 322, 324, 390.
Guns, 390.
Guntiir Circar, 0, 86 n.2, 111 ; pl s . ]., 9 :โ Survey of, 99,
107, 111-2, 114-5, 147. 174, 186, 332, 342, 349.
Gurkhas. 75.
Gwalior, 66, 126, 315, 324, 325, 382, 386, 3S7 :โ Maharaja
of, v. Sindhia.
H M'b. :โ Sth British Pencibles. 337 : โ Regts. of Foot : โ
14th, 358 :โ 33rd. 9, 118, 351 :โ 52nd, 394 :โ 65th,
335 : โ 78th, 349. 349 n.6 :โ 84th. 324 :โ 97th, 394 โ โ
100th, 99 n.l, 332 :โ 104th, 394.
Hacke, Win. ( c. 1680 ). cartographer. 221.
Hadley, John (1682-1744), F R S. ; DNB.: 199: v.
Quadrant.
Halifizee's Map of Gujarat, 123.
Haidar Ali, of Mysore ( 1717-82 ). DIB., 4. 9, 40, 88 n.S,
96, 98, 241, 242, 320, 334, 343. 367, 383.
Hand-printing on Maps. 322. 330.
Hannibal. H M S., 321, 383.
Hanoverians, Corps of, 99, 243, 317, 334-5, 383, 395.
Harbours : --Andaman & Nicobar Is., 5, 16, 17, 46โ50,
346 : โ Chittagong & Arakan Coasts, 5, 14, 15, 46,
47, 345: โ Coromandel Coast, 6, 101, 103-4, 385,
390 :โ Survev of, 370.
Hard-war, 8, 37, 43, 55-6, 58, 71, 73, 77, 157, 219, 314,
338, 359, 399 ; pis. 6, 8, 11 :โ position, 160, 161, 162,
163, 234, 318.
harkaras, or messengers { Hobson -J obson }, 18 n.5, 25 38,
60, 89, 95, 96, 110, 230, 240, 241, 26a, 276, 286, 289,
303, 304 : v. cossids : guides : โ Reports &. Surveys
from, 58, 112, 188.
Harris: โ General Sir George (1746-1829); cr. Baron.
1815; DNB. ; DIB.; 30S, 312, 351 :โ John ; map
publisher c. 1700 ; 93.
Harrison : โ John ( 1693-1776 ), clockmaker, DNB. T
202 : โ -W., engraver, 22S : โ Phillips & Harrison,
engravers, 1788: 243.
Hartley. James ( 1745-99); Bom. Inf.; DNB.; DIB}
113 n.3, 130, 313, 356, 379.
Hastings: โ Marian, 332, 359- โ Warren : โ Governor of
Bengal, 1772 : โ Governor General, 1773-85, 37, 40,
41, 74, 260, 303, 314, 325 n.12, 347, 384, 389, 394 :โ
Interest in; โ Burrow, 156, 157, 162-3, 318:โ
Rennell, 212, 224, 227, 228, 274 :โ other surveyors,
39, 208, 362, 363, 365. 367 :โ nermanent settlement,
140-1 : โ Trial of, 315, 359.
hast-o-biid, 135, 137, 140.
hath-, 135.
have.li lands, 144 n.l, 391.
Hawke, Lord, Martin Blanden ( b. 1744 ), 344.
Hayter, George, ship's captain 1768-72, 83 n.ll.
Heat, 155, 399 ; v. Climate.
Height of : โ hills & mountains, 20, 23, 34, 83, 124, 244 : โ
Himalaya Peaks, v. Peaks.
Honekell, Tilman ( 1751-99 ) ; Ben. Civ. 1769 ; 159.
Herbert :โ James Dowling ( 1791-1833 ) ; Ben. Inf.,
Hodson; 79 :โ Wm. (1718-95). hy dr ographer ,
DIB.; 211, 304,331.
Heron, Colonel Alexander : cashiered 1755 ; 87, 341.
Heyne, Dr. Benjamin ( d. 1819 ), Mad. Med., 350, 376.
Hickey, Win., diarist, 303 n.li. 328, 347, 383, 384 n.4.
Hij'li, Midnaporf! ( Hobson- J obson, Hidgelee ), 50; pi. 13,
Ingeli ; pi. 14.
Hills :โ Drawing of, 29, 221, 242, 243, 385 :โ Observ-
ations from, 142, 190, 193, 194-5 ;โ Survev of 124
185, 186, 187, 188.
Himalaya Range, 1, 67-70, 76-8, 209, 338; pis. 5, 6, 7,
8, If), 14, Bhutan ; Caucasus ; v. Peaks.
Hindu :โ Astronomy & Mathematics. 56 n.I2, 148, 156,
160. 161, 318, 319, 332, 349 :โ Geography, 123,
208, 319, 396:โ Literature, 78, 208, 268, 364, 366,
397 ; v. Sanscrit.
Hindu Knsh Range ( Hobson- J obson ), 67, 287.
Hindustan ( Hobson-Jobscn ), 67.
Hindustani language, 250. 337, 340, 344, 359.
Hirst, Lt. Colonel Frederick Christian ( 1874-1938 ), Indian
Army, viii, 182, 226, 227.
Historv of:โ India, 113, 214, 239, 361, 396 :โ Mysore
wars, 312, 328-9 : โ Orme's, 211-2, 239, 322.
Hiuen Tsiang. Chinese traveller (cad. 630 ), 208.
Hodges, Wm. (1744-97), RA. ; DNB.: DIB.: 337
354, 366, 392.
Hodgson, John Anthony ( 1777-1848); Ben. Inf., Hod-
son; SG. 1821-3, 1826-9; 72, 163.
Hodson, Major V. C. P., Indian Army, x.
Holkar. Maharaja of Indore, 126, 334.
Hohvell. John Zephrmia. ; Ben. Civ. ; author of Inter -vxti/uj
Historical tiventv, 1766, etc. : 337.
Home, Robert ( 1711-98 ), artist, 328 n.5. ; pi. 9 n.
Home farms, Madras, 94, 142-3, 331, 335.
Honavar, v. Onorc.
Hooghly R. ( IT obson- J obson), 1, 17, 50-1, 53-4, 103
211,225, 228, 309, 310, 311, 321, 361 ; pis. 13 nโ 14 :โ
passage from Ganges, v. Ganges-Hooghly Passage.
Hook, J. ( c. 1750 ), cartographer, 239.
Hooker, Sir Joseph Dalton ( 1817-1911 ) ; G C S I -
botanist ; India 18*7-51 ; P R S. 1872-7; DNB,'-
Bnc<j. Brit. ; 377.
Index
Horizon, artificial, 162, 168, 171, 175, 177, 200 205 200
Horse Allowance, 94, 279, 280.
Horses or ponies, 26, 60, 61, 62, 130, 299, 322 323 339
354, 359, 363, 366. 398, 399.
Hoshangabad, Central Provinces, 38-9, 326 ; pi. l,
Hussingabad.
Hosten, Father Joseph, 357, 358, 397 -pi 10 n
House Kent, 235, 274, 373 ; v. Rent.
Hoxton, John { c. 1730 ), surveyor, 93.
-tlimuvymi ( 1508-56 ), Mughal Emperor, 120.
Humberstone, Colonel Thomas Frederick Mackenzie
C 1753-83 ), 125, 251, 308, 361 -โmarch from W
Coast, 4, 99, 179, 213, 243, 332.
Hume, assistant to Engineer at Madras 1754, 93.
Hunter, Sir Wm. Wilson ( 1840-1900 ) ; DNB. ; DIB. ;
Hurdis, Thomas Bowyer ( d. 1808, aged 37 ), Mad. Civ.,
Huydekoper, Johann, cartographer, 209.
Hutton, Dr. Charles (1737-1823); FRS โข DNB โ
248, 316, 317. ' '
Hyderabad, Decc-an, 7, 43, 61, 91, 115-8, 128 132 248
297, 299, 314, 345, 350, 379, 385, 386, 387 โ pis l'
12 : โ position, 175.
Hydrographer to :โ Admiralty, 330, 331 โ โ E I C 45
251, 268, 330, 331:โ King, 211 n.12, 268
Hydrophobia, 60, 33R
Hygrometer, 362.
Ibn Haukal ( c. 050 ), geographer, 208, 220 ; pi 4 n
Ill-health, v. Sickness.
Imperial :โ Library, Calcutta, vii, viii, 221 :โ Record
Department, New Delhi, 357.
Impey, Lady ; wife of Sir Elijah ( 1732-1809 ) : DNB โ
DIB.; 359.
inam lands, v.jaulr.
Index Maps, viii, 33, 224 ; pi. 21.
India :โ House, 22, 212, 251, 309, 343, 374, 375 -โOffice
viii, is, 377.
Indiamen, 14 n.2, 16, 317, 330, 3S3, 386, 393, 397 โ
Captains of, 45-6, S3, 203, 204 n.5, 205, 317 328
330, 332, 339-40, 363.
Indian :โ Explorers, v. Explorers ;โ Ocean, 180 n 3
184 n.2. ' '
Indigo, 77 n.10, 340
Indus, Mihran, Nilab, or Sind, R., 149, 214 220 233 234
246, 287, 336 ; pis. 4, 8, 10 :โ Country adjacent to'
218,219, 232:โ Sources of, 68, 71-2, 76, 209 ; pi. 8n
Infantry :โ Establishments, 266, 267 :โ Officers 'as Sur-
veyors, 267-8, 269 ; โ service preferred to Engineers
266, 272, 352, 358.
Ink, drawing, 237.
Inhabitants : โ Assistance from, 34, 295-6, 298, 299-300 :โ
Census of, 142, 146 :โ Objections to Survey, 23, 27,
156, 291-9 ; v. Obstruction : โ Timidity. 25." 90 294
Inland Navigation, Map of, 214, 229, 230.
Inspector of Revenue Surveys, v. Revenue Surveys.
Instruments : Astronomical, 164-6, 172, 173 175-7
198, 199-200, 203-6, 381, 389 :โ Concealment of, 75'
297, 299:โ Cost of, 203-5, 277, 278, 279 :โ Custody
of, 36, 263-4 :โ Indents for, 203, 205-6 :โ โ -Mathe-
matical & Survey, 198-206, 398 :โ Makers of, 206,
v. Adams, Bird, Dollond ; Ramsden ; Troughton :โ
Reflecting, 199-200 ; v. Circles : Quadrants ; Sextants :
โSale of, 203, 204, 321, 342 :โ Supply of 90 165
203-6.
Instructions! to Surveyors, 25, 36, 47, 55-6, 59, 65-6 87
102, 124, 137, 141-2, 145-6, 152, 157, 182-3, 187-8*
190, 194-5, 261.
Interpreters, 28 n.3, 141, 142, 262, 279, 280, 283.
Intoxication, 44, 319.
Irrawaddy R., or River of Ava, 8, 79, 83-5, 316, 399 โ
pis. 3, 16.
Irrigation: โ Channels, survey of, 95, 114, 146, 335-
Surveys, 7, 105-7, 108-9, 192-3, 312, 321, 391, 392.
Islamabad, Chittagong town, 14 n.8, 23, 66, 152 ; pi. 14.
Istakhari, Arab geographer, 220.
โ โ : |j
'8, 389 n.l : โ Lang!
jdglr ( Hobson-Jobson, Jagheer ) :โ dive's, 136 ;โ4nam
lands, S6 n.2, 133, 135, 137, 366 :โ of Madras, ยซ
Madras.
Jai Singh Sawai II, of Jaipur ( 1686-1743 ), DIB โข
149-51, 314, 388.
Jaintia, Assam, 83, 227 n.10.
Jaipur, Rajputana, 10, 11, 149-50, 234, 314.
Jalalabad, 149, 357 ; pi. 10, Gelalabad.
jama, or jama band:, ( Hobson.-J ' ob-non , Jumina ), 134 135
137, 145.
Jantar Mantar, v. Observatory Delhi
Japan, 338.
jarib, or chain, 134, 135 ; v. Chain.
Jartoux, Father ( c. 1750 ), 149.
Jats, country of, 29.
Java, 352, 387.
Jefferys, Thomas ( d. 1771 ), car&gSBapher ; DNB -
viii, 169, 211, 223, 238. 239. 240, 249.
Jesuit Missionaries, ix, 1, 10-2, 67, 76, 86, 238, 268, 314,
331, 357, 388, 395 : โ Astronomical GbwervaUous by
1, 5, 11-2, 69, 70, 149-51, 152, 169, 170 n.7, 176 268
314-5, 357, 3S8 :โ in China, 70-1, 149, 210 ; pi. 7 n.
i โ Literature, 397 : โ Surveys, 10-2, 07-70. '
.Je*i[^, Society of, 10 n.7. 12.
Jhelum R., 232 ns.5, 7. 9, 233 n.8 ; pi, 10, Jehlam
Jodhpur, Rajputana, 219; pi. 1.
Johnson, John Ambrose ( b. 1779 ), asst. revenue surveyor
284, 285. '
Johnston, Alexander, senr, ( b. 1750), 349 n.7 - Sir
Alexander, his son, ( 1775-1849). DNB., MSn 2 349
Johnstone, George ; Mad. Engrs. 1787 ; tlism. 1300 ;' 273^
Journals, viii :โ Copies of, v. Copies :โ maintenance of,
125, 195-7, 278;โ Blair, 124 n.l :โ Blunt, 60-2 โ โ
Burrow, 158-9, 160-3, 167, 316-8 :โ Colebrooke 46
49, 313, 327-8:โ De Gloss, 25-7, 333 :โ Cuttack-
Niigpur. 39-40. 296-7 :โ Mackenzie, 331 :โ RennelL
17 n.ll, 18 n.3, 32, 182, 371 :โ Ritchie, 16, 45, 47 :โ
Smith. 31, 185 : โ Topping, 191-3, 390, 392 โ
Upjohn, 66.
Joys, or jewels ( Bobson-Jobson ), 364 n.ll.
Jumna R., 116, 127, 209, 210n.9;pls. 0, IQn 11- .
Surveys by : โ - Hoare, 8, 57. 168, 300, 339 :โ other
surveyors, 11, 38, 314, 341.
Junction of Surveys, 169, 183, 195.
Jungle :โ Clearing of, 25, 50. 109 :โ Surveys through 3
18, 19, 25, 26, 29, 31, 34, 58, 59, 60, 61, 81, 184, 187*
Jungleterry ( Hobson-Jobson ), 32, 34, 35, 37, 183 225
227, 269-70, 295, 366-7 : v. Sant.3.1 Parganas.
Jupiter's Satellites. 59, SI, 149-55, 159, 162, 163 167-72
174, 175, 177, 180-1, 320. 389 ; v. Longitude Observa-
Kabul, 55, 68, 208, 233, 234, 397 j pis. 1, 2, Cabul ; pi. 10;
Chabul ; pis. 11, 16 : โ Akbar's expedition. 10, II, 209-
pl. 10 n. ; โ position, 148-9.
Kailas, or Kentai^e, Mount, 69, 71. 73 : pi. 7.
Kalpi, on Jumna, 4, 31,38.43,309.314,321. 337 384 386
Kanai-a, 132, 238. 341. 357 ; pi, 12 ; v. Sonda
Kandahar, 148, 149, 214, 232. 233. 344 ; pis. 2, 11 16
Kang-hi, Emperor- of China ( e. 1700 ), 70.
Inn'unffos, 12, 133. 135.
Kammnrasa R., the W. frontier of Bihar -'4 -'9 341
382,395. " ' ' '
Karens, of Burma, 84.
Kashmir :โ mountains of. 80 : โ survey of road 10 68
69, 344 : โ valley of. 67. 74. 133, 208 -'09 232 233 -'
pis. 1, 8, 10, 21. '
Kathmwar, 123, 124.
Katmandu. Nopal, G9, 75, 78 ; pi. 14.
Kearnan, Thomas { ), Ben. Inf., 394.
Keating, Colonel ( 1734-80 ) ;Bom, Art. 1764 ; CE. Bom-
bay, 1774 ; Sandes, II ( 178, 329 ) ; 121, 123.
I
Index
Kedah, Malava [Bobson-Jobson Quedda ), 40. 47. 327,
345, 391."
Kelly :โ George Kobert Abraham ( 1773/4-1818), Mad.
Inf. :โ Hastings Montague ( c. 1785-18:32 ), Mad.
Inf. :โ Robert, junr.( b. c. 1771 ), Mad Cav. ; 342,
344.
Kempenfelt, Vice-Adm. Richard ( 1718-82 ), R N. : of
HIS Royal George ; DNB.; Ency. Brit.; 317, 330.
khalasi ( Hobson-Jobson, classy >, 189, 289.
Kharda, battle of, 116, 130, 336, 350.
Khasia & Jaintia Hills, S3.
Khbnds, S, 60, 61, 299.
Khotan, Central Asia, 68.
Khyber Pass, pi. 10, Cayber.
Kidderpore Docks, v. Dockyards.
Kinloeh's expedition to Nepal, 75, 347.
kista-bud, 135, 137.
Kistna R., 7, 104, 105-7, 109, 110, 112, 173,312, 33S, 350,
368, 385, 387, 391 ; pis. 1, 9, Kristna.
Kitchen, Thomas ( c. 1760), cartographer, 211-2, 222
361.
Klumine, Father, 243.
Kodaikanal Observatory, 173 n.7, 174.
Konkan, along west coast, 121, 122, 238 n.l, 246, 341 โ
pi. 10.
Kosi R., 21, 77 n.10 ; pi. 14, Koss, Cosa, Coosy R.
Kulu, 68.
Kumaun Hills, 56, 68, 77, 161, 234, 318 ; pi. 6, Kemaoon.
Kurnool, Madras, 112, 116, 119 n.3, 350.
Kyd;โ James (1786-1836} & Robert ( d. 1820/1);
DIB. ; shipbuilders ; 347 : โ Street, Calcutta, 347.
La Caille, Abbe de ( 1713-62 ), astronomer, 310.
La Rochette, L .S. de ( c. 1780 ), cartographer, 220.
La Tour, Brion de, cartographer, 211 n.9.
Lacam. Benjamin ( 1738-1813 ), engineer, 50, 321.
Laccadive Is., 124, 125.
Ladakh, 68, 69, 71, 74 ; p!s. 7, 8, Latac.
Lakes, 84, 85 ; v. Chiamay, Chilka, Mfinasarawar.
Lakhya R., lower Brahmaputra, 158, 209 211 ^29-
pls. 13, 14.
Lahore, 148, 176, 214, 232, 233, 234 ; pis. 1, 3, 8, 10, 11, 16,
Lama map of Tibet, 1, 70-1, 72, 73, 209 ; pis. 7, 8 n.
Lambton, Lt Col. Wm. ( c. 1756-1823 ) ; DNB. ; DIB. -
9, 166, 198, 303, 340, 389 :โ Triangulation bv. 194.
195, 390.
Land : โ Measurement of, v. Measurement :โ Ownership,
133 :โ Records, Director of, 226 : โ Revenue ; assess-
ment & settlement, 113, 133-47, 226 ; v. Ryotwari : โ
exactions of, 133, 137, 138, 140, 144 : โ Survey, v.
Revenue Survey.
Languages, knowledge of, 285, 333, 336, 394, 396; v.
Hindustani, Sanscrit.
Lascars ( Hobson-Jobson ), 25. 102 195 '>76 ->79 Ll 89
290. ' " '
Latin motto, 209.
Latitude : โ Observations bv : โ Burrow, 155-67, 186-7,
317, 318:โ Colebrooke," 4, 41, 112, 155. 167-8, 186,
327, 328, 329 :โ Monserrate, 11, 149, 357 ; pi. 10 n โ
โRennell, 19, 24, 151-2, 222 :โ Topping, 170-4, 190,
191, 192: โ other surveyors.- โ Bengal, 32, 35, 57
58-9, 66, 148-68, 185, 186. 206, 340," 358, 384, 395 :โ
Bombay, 187 :โ Madras, 169-70, 174-5, 184 ; v.
'Astronomical Obsoi-va turns : Parallels of, 248.
Lawrence, Maj Gen. Stringer (1697-1775); DNB.; DIB.;
87 : โ Memorial.. .School, Madras, 283 n.7.
Le Gentil. Guillaume ( 1725-92 ), scientist, Nature 153
(1S4); 154, 156, 180. โ โข
Le Roy, Pierre ( c: 1750 ); clockmaker, 202.
Legal value of Rennell J s maps, 226.
Leh, Ladakh, 68, ; pis. 7, 8. ..:,..
Leopard, 372.'
Leshe, Mathew ( d. 1778 ) ; H Mi's. 48th and 76th Foot โ
Lt Col. Ben. Inf., 1767 ; 38, 321. โ '
Lettren Edtfiantcs...{ Jesuit ), 11, 70 n.9, 238.
Levels,- Surrey of, 7, 52, 63, 64, 65, 106-7, '146 192 194
290, 389, 391'. -.:,.''
Levelling instrument. 204, 205, 206.
Lewis, Brig. Sir Clinton ( b. 1885 ), R E., x.
Lhasa, Tibet, 69, 70, 74, 80, 149 : pis. 7, 14.
Light, Francis ( 1740-94 ), DIB., 46, 327 n.3, 390.
Lighthouses, 45,
Lincoln, Henry ( b. 1779 ), asst. revenue surveyor, 284,
286.
Lindley, , astronomer, c. 1790, 181.
Lines of latitude & longitude, or Map graticule, 223, 239 ;
v. Meridian.
Little's Detachment with Marathas, 30, 128, 187 299
335, 341.
Livingstone, David ( 1813-73 ) ; DNB. ; Ency. Brit โ 377
Log-line, 184, 187, 204.
Logarithms, 349.
Longitude : โ Correspondent Obsns. for, 6, 102, 150, 151
162, 163, 167, 171, 173, 174, 195, 389 :โ Method of
determination, 316, 317, 319-20 ;โ reward offered,
151, 154, 162, 202 :โ Fundamental ; Calcutta &
Madras, 180-1, 223, 244 :โ Lines of, v. Meridian:โ
Observations : โ Bengal, 59, 81, 149-68, 1S8 : โ
Bombay, 123, 178, 340 : โ Madras, 101, 112, 169-75 -
โerrors of, 149, 150, 152, 209, 214 n.4 ; pi. 10 n.
Loss of Surveys & Maps, 83, 94, 100, 119, 183, 227. 231,
252, 256-7, 258, 353, 370.
Lucknow, 29 ra.6, 44, 55, 58, 314, 353, 366. 367, 379, 384,
388,395, 397; pis. 1, 6.
Lukiang R., v. Salween.
Lunacy, 321.
Lunar: โ Observations, 124, 154, 169, 172, 177, 180, 181
310, 317, 319 ; v. Eclipses :โ Tables, 151.
Macartney, George. Earl (1737-1806): DNB.; DIB.-
99 n.9, 166, 322, 329, 349, 362.
Macfarland, Father J., S J., ix.
Machlin, engineer, Madras, e. 1770, 94.
Mackenzie : โ Collection of Historical Antiquities, 352 : โ
MBS., viii.
Macpherson, Sir John ( 1745-1821 ), Bart., DNB. ;
DIB.; 347.
Macrabie, Alexander ( d. 1776 ) ; Ben. Civ. ; DIB. ; 134.
Madras ( Hobson-Jobson ), 86 : โ City Maps & Surveys,
93-5, 341, 355, 383 :โ Ja0r .โ- cession of, 3, 24,
86 :โ survey of, 3, 88, 141-3, 169 n.6, 189-90, 227,
239, 244, 272, 285, 311, 314, 322, 323, 331 n.l, 383:
Harbour or roads, 16, 348, 370 : โ -Maps, viii :โ
position, 169, 180-1, 331, 348 :โ Sieges ; 1746 ;
1758-9 ; 93-4, 322, 330 ; v. Fort St. George.
Madura, 86, 87, 90, 98, 321, 334, 341, 349 ; pis. 1, 9,
12 :โ Maps, 23S, 239, 314 :โ Position, 185 :โ Siege;
1763-4; 311,322, 342, 385.
Magee, Wm. notary public, Calcutta, c. 1760, 153, 154.
Magnetic :โ Observations, 156, 169, 180 n.3 : โ Variation,
v. Variation.
Mahanadi R., Orissa, 22 n.2, 30.
Mahe, Malabar, 123, 125, 17S, 308, 309, 329, 333, 342,
343, 367 ; pi. 9.
Makra-n, 69, 123.
Malabar :โ Coast, 3, 4, 86, 124-5, 130, 157, 178-9, 220,
23S, 239, 242, 308, 310, 313, 340, 355, 357, 386;
v. West Coast :โ Province, 7, 113, 128, 130-1, 383;
pis. 2, 12 :โ Survey of, 7; 130-2, 178; 298-9, 313,
336, 341, 352, 356, 379, 383.
Malacca, Straits ot ( Hobson-Jobson ), 336, 390. โ
Malays, 327, 390.
Malcolm. Sir John (1769-1833); Mad. Inf.; DNB.;
DIB. ; 286, 375:
Maldive Is. ( Hobson-Jobson ), 124, 170, 211 n;3, 238
389; pis. 2, 3, 12.
Male Asylum School, Madras, 283, 392.
Malet, Sir Charles Warre ( 1752/3-1815 ) : Bart. ; F R S. โข
DNB.; DIB. ; 120, 123, 126-8, 130, 297, 299,. 378. ' -
malguzari, 135, 138. - , โ -
Malwa, 6, 31, 56 n.16, 126-7, 214, 246; pi. 11, Malvay ;
v. Ujjain. โ
Manasarowar Lake, 68, 69, 70 n.7, 72; 80, 209 ; pis. 6, 7,
Mapama Talai ; pi. 10, Masarvor.
I
Index
Mandelslo, John, of Mecklenburg : traveller c. 1630 ; 127
176.
Manila, Phillipine Is., 117, 329, 330, 350, 370 n.7.
Manipur, or Meckley ( Mobson Johaon, Murmeopore ), 82,
84 n.8, 399 ; pi. 14.
Map of : โ Hindoostan :โ by Gall, v. Atlas : โ -by Rennell,
viii, 4, 29-30, 126, 127, 212-5, 239, 248, 251, 252,
374, 375 ; pis. 6, 14 iโ by Revnolds, 132, 217-9, 246,
248 -.โPunjab, by Wilford, 234 ; v. Punjab.
Maps: โ of JwMa; general, 1, 207-9, 219-20, 247, 248,
252 :โ by D'Anville, v. Carte de l'lnde : โ by Mon-
serrate, 11, 68, 209, 357; pis. 8 n., 10 :โ by Orme,
211-2, 222, 361 :โ of Bengal, general, 2, 21, 24, 33,
35, 221-31; pis. 13, 14:โ of Bombay, 246, 372,
379: โ of Madras, viii, 238-44, 388 โ - -for Army,
28-9,54,96-7, 110-1, 113,224,240-1 :โ for Directors,
35, 236 ; v. Copies: โ Construction of, 183, 248, 252-3,
375 : Custody of, v. Custody ; โ Drawing of, v.
Drawing:โ Fair Copies, 216, 224^ 226, 227: โ Index
of, v. Index:โ Memoirs of 1, 4, 210, 211, 217, 225,
239, 331; v. Memoir: โ of South Peninsula, v.
Peninsula r~ Pictorial, 93, 123 208, 238, 242; pis. 2,
3 :โ as Private Propertv, 211, 223, 250-1, 254-5, 256,
258 :โ Provincial, of Bengal 33-4, 224-7, 231, 248,
257-8 : โ publication undesirable, 127, 224 : โ of Pun-
jab, v. Punjab : โ Reliability, 29, v. Accuracy.
Maratha Wars :โ 1st, 1775-6, "3, 121 n.l, 123, 343:โ
2nd. 1778-82, 4, 40, 96, 122. 397.
Mamthas, 6, 7, 24, 34, 38, 40, 55, 60, 113, 121, 128, 296 n.8,
341, 379, 386 ; v. Nagpur ; Peshwa ; Sindhia :โ
dislike of Survey, 6, 127-8, 297. 298, 393 :โ Wars
against Nizam, 60, 116, 127, 130, 320, 336, 350, 378.
Marches, v. Routes.
Marco Polo, v. Polo.
Marine : โ Board, Bengal, 05 : โ Bombay, v. Bombay : โ
Charts, v. Charts, Nautical : โ Survey Department,
Bengal, 66 : โ Surveying, methods of, 183-4, 190: โ
Surveyor, Madras, 7, 174. 264, 392 : โ Surveyors, 2,
14-7, 45-6, 123-5, 310, 313, 363-4, 381-2, 389:โ
Surveys, v. Coastal Surveys.
Mariners :โ observations by, 1, 151, 184 : โ as surveyors,
5, 170 n.6, 175, 267,381.
Markham's Memoir on the, Indian Surveys, vii, ix. 331,
347 n-3.
Marriage, amenities of, 322, 373.
Marshall, John, arrd. Bengal 1669, 17 n.5, 67, 76.
Martaban, Burma, 85.
Martin :โ โ Fleming ; Capt. 11 A. ; Cup t. Ben. Engrs., 1704;
CE. Bengal, 1763-9; LtCol. Ben. Art. 1767; 365,
372 n.l.
Martiniere Schools, 2, 269, 354.
Mascall, Joseph { d, 1779/80 ) ; Bom. Mar. 1772 ; 123, 313.
Maskelyne, Nevil (1732-1811); F R S. ; DNB. ; Ency.
Brit. ; 155, 180, 316, 363, 376 ; v. Astronomer Royal.
Master Attendant, or Harbour Master, 50, 364.
Masulipatam ( Hobson-J obson ), 6, 86, 91, 101, 112, 127,
170, 206, 249, 310, 311, 329, 342, 345, 347, 383, 385,
387, 389, 390, 391, 392 ; pis. 1, 3, 9 :โ position, 101,
171, 175, 181, 340 ;โ Surveys, 3, 92, 106, 107, 110,
143, 244, 312, 321, 335, 348, 356, 389, 386.
Mathematics, 155-6, 157, 165 n.l, 189, 268, 270-1, 316-20,
349, 383, 388, 389, 393.
Mathews, Brig. General Sir Richard { d. 1783 ), 125, 348,
378, 386.
Maule, George ( d. 1793 ) ; Mad. Engrs., 1770 ; 173, 205,
350, 382.
Mauritius, 321.
May, John Stuart ; Supervisor of Nadia Rivers, c. 1830, 21.
McCarthy, Jeremiah, marine surveyor, 65.
Measurement : of distances, pi. 7 n. ; i>. Distances ; Reads :
โof land, 134-7, 142-4: โ hv rods or ropes, 10, 134,
165, 19-1.
Meekley, v. Manipur.
Medical : โ -assistance, 26 : โCertificates, 267. 311. 323,
336, 397 :โ Officers, v. Surgeons.
Medicines & Drugs, 158, v. Bark.
Medowe, General Sir Wm. (1738-1813); DNB.; DIB.;
112, 308.
: Megasthenes, Greek geographer ( c . 300 b v ) 207
Meghna R., 15, 19, 152. 157, 222, 229, 364. 371 โ p i 14
i Memoir of a Map of Hindooxtar, , Renuell : s, viii ->i 9 e
; pis. 1, 21. ' - 1 โ > โข
: Memoirs of Map Compilation, v. Maps.
Mercator, Gerard ( 1512-94), cartographer, Ency. Brit
208-9; pis. 3, 11 n.
Mercury, v. Quicksilver :โ Planet, transit of, 150.
Meridian. : โ distances, v. Distances : โ map lines. 180 1S3
193, 223, 225, 229. 239, 24S : pis. 5 11, 10 n. 1 3 n, 16 n :
โlocation of, 316.
Mem, Mount ; of Hindu geography : 208.
Meteorological observations," 154, 174. 311. 327, 361-ยฐ
Micrometers, 200.
Mldnapore, 41, 395 ; pi. 13, Medinapur ; pi. 14 :โ cession
to E I C, 21, 24 n.8, 136 :โ District, 386 :โ position,
lo2 : โ T^evenue Sm-vey, 1.37 :โ Surveys, 21-2 28
32, 33, 35, 225, 227, 294-5. 300, 308. 323, 333. 336-7
345, 360, 365, 366.
Military : โ Commanders, denied control of Engineer sur-
veyors, 272-3 :โ Establishments, 266-7 : โ Maps &
Surveys, v. Maps for Army :โ Roittes, v. Route
Surveys :โ Service, amomticrs of. 355, 392.
Miles: โ English Statute, 228 n.6, 247, 248 :โ Geogra-
phical or nautical, v. Geographical.
Minicoy I. ( Ilohson-Jobnun ), 124.
Mir Jafar ( 1691-1765 ), Nawab of Bon^U, OIB โ 1> n 7
135, 136 n.3. " ' " ._ " '
Mir Kasim { d. 1777 ), Nawab of Bengal, DIB โ 2$ n 7
24, 136, 345, 353, 388. " '
Mirza Mughal Beg. surveyor, 234, 287.
Missionaries, Jesuit, v. Jesuit.
Mitra, Rai Sahib A. Kโ ( b. 1880 ) Survey of India, viii
Mogili Pass, v. Mughli.
Mogol, v. Mughal.
Moll Herman ( c. 1720 ), cartographer, 78, 209 '^11
Molucca Is., 348.
Monkeys, 16.
Mons Imaus, or Himalaya, 67, 220 : pis. 8, 10.
Monserrafce's: โ Commentar-ms, 149, 232, 357, 397, pi. 10 n:
โ โ Map of India, v. Map.
Monson : โ Colonel George ( 1730-76 ) ; DNB. ; DIB โ
31 n.l, 224, 381, 384 :โ Brig. General Hon. Wm*
{ 1760-1807 ) ; H M's, 76th Foot ; DNB. ; 334.
Monaoon, or Rains ( Hobson-Jobeon, J, 16, 18, 20 26 37
41, 47, 101, 104, 109, 125, 128, 157, 160, 165, 279.
Montgomerie, Duncan ( 1789-1878 ), Mad. Cav., Ill, 114,
194, 308, 361.
Moor, or Muhammadan ( Hobson-Jobson ), 300.
Moor's Operation* of Capt. Little's Detachment, 129-30, 341.
Morgan, Charles; H M's. 5th Foot, 1762: Capt. Ben.
Inf., 1765; ret. 1800; 122, 38&
Mornington, Lord ( 1742/3-181:9) ; later Marquess
Wellesley ( qv ), 8, 264, 308, 312; v. Governor General.
Mosquito net, 162.
Mostyn's Embassy to Poona, 121, 393.
Mount Dilli, Malabar Coast {Hobson-Jobson, Delly,
Mount ), 123, 131, 178, 333, 340.
Mountains, v. Himalaya : Hills.
Mountford, Francis ( 1790-1824 ), Mad. Inf., 132.
Mughal Empire, also Mogol, Mogolistan, 22, 79, 221 n.6 ;
v. Emperors.
Mughli Pass, 111 n.5, 312 ; pi. 9.
Multan, 234, 287 ; pis. 3, 4 n.. It, 16 n.
Munro :โ General Sir Hector (1726-1805); DNB. โ
DIB.; 4. 96, 329, 343, 367, 38t>:โ Sir Thomas
(1761-1827); Bart.; Mad. Inf.; DNB.' DIB โ
144.
munskis, on survey,, 38, 286. 287.
Murang, Nepal, 23, 67, 76, 225, 228-; pi. 14, Morung.
Murder & violence, 60, 62, 80 n.6, 309, 34-> n.8 ; w. Disputes.
Murshidabad ( Hobson-J obson. Muxabad ), 12 64 135,
162 n.4, 228, 293, 309, 345, 348, 358 : pis. 1, 13,
Moesudabad ; pi. 14,-
Musieal talent, 392, 393, 39*.
Musk-deer, 76.
Mutiny -.โbattor-, 1766, 25 n.l. 275 n.7, 336; 340, 347,
352, 353, 356, 360, 365 :โ other, 343, 353, 35fr.
Index
Mysore, S6, 88, 119 n.3, 238; pi. 1, references; pi. 9,
Maissur; v. Haiciar Ali ; Tipu : โ Boundary, 89, 194,
314, 387 : โ Commissioners of 17S9, 9, 119, 264 352
355:-โ Survey, 9, 86, 112-3, 114, 119, 179, 187, 239
254, 352, 354, 355, 376 :โ Wars:โ 1st, 1767-8, 89 91
311, 322, 337, 342, 358 :โ 2nd, 1781-4, 4, 40, 41
96-9, 125, 311, 321, 334, 335, 338, 349, 352, 362
367 ;โ 3rd, 1790-2, 6-7, 43, 110-1, 112-3, 115-6
12S-30, 165 n.4, 173 n.l. 179, 214, 237, 253 287,
30S, 309, 312, 313, 334, 346, 348, 349 -00, 3-54, 356
361, 369, 375, 386, 398, :โ 4th, 1799, 9, 118-9. 30S
312, 334, 337, 350, 357, 361. 383, 387.
Nadia, or Krishnagar, Bengal, 21, 63, 158, 165, 319, 329
354 ; pi. 13, Nudia ; pi. 14, Nuddea.
Nagpur, 6, 29, 30, 42. 394 ; pi. 1 : โ or Berar, Raja of, 4,
24 n.S, 38 n.5, 40, 59, 127 n.ll, 294, 296, 3S4 โ โ
Routes to, 296, 301, 325-6, 332, 337 :โ Surveys by
Swart, 4, 42, 155, 28G.
Names:โ of Places, 34, 187, 196, 209 n.6, 211, 214,
215 n.3 : โ Spelling of, v. Orthography.
Na.ncov.TY Harbour, o, 16, 48-9, 328, 346. 390 ; v. Nicobar
Is.
Napier, John, of Merchistoun ( 1550-1617 1 โ DNB โ
349.
Napoleon Bonaparte, 375, 370.
Narbada R., 30, 31, 38, 127, 155, 246, 315, 379.
Narcondam I., east of Andaman Is., 16, 46, 47.
Nawab of:โ Arcot or Carnatic, v. Carnatic
v. Mir Jafar ; Mir Kaslm.
Nasir-ud-din, astronomer, 148.
Native : โ or Indian-born, Assistants, 283 n.S, 283-4 : โ
Followers, v. "Black People" : khaldsis ; Lascars : โ
Surveyors, v. Surveyors, Indian.
Natives, v. Inhabitants.
Natural Families, 311, 320, 323-4, 326, 336 344 345
347, 352, 355, 364, 367, 393.
Nautical :โ Charts, 45, 330-1 ; v. Charts :- Miles, v. Geo-
graphical :โ Surveys, v. Coastal Surveys :โ Tables
169, v. East Indian Pilot.
Naval Officers, 5, 12-3, 48, 209, 271, 338-9, 358, 369 370
Navigable Rivers, 13-4, 17, 51, 229, 230.
Navigation : โ Dangers of, 157, 386 ; v. Shipwrecks :
Instructions &. Guides, 14-5, 45, 46, 124 174 -Ky>
364. *
Negapatam, 4. 98, 103, 239, 339. 342, 343, 360 โ pis 1 3
9, 12. ' y
Negrais, Cape, Burma, 46, 83, 327, 328
Nellore, 41, 97, 100, 111, 112, 155, 186, 322, 349, 395 -
pis. 1, 9.
Nepal, 8, 23 n.4, 67, 69, 70, 75-6, 208, 337, 345, 347 โ
pis. 1, 14; v. Katmandu.
Neptune Orientals, atlas, 14, 15, 310.
New Guinea. 355.
Nicobar Is., 48-9, 327, 370, 390 ; V. Nancowry :โ Survey
of, 2, 16, 43, 328, 346. "
Nicburh. Carsten. ; Map of Bombay, 1764 ; 120
Night marches, 41, 61, 1S4, IS7, 304.
Nizam Ali, of Hyderabad ; assumed ride, 1761 - d 1803 โ
DIB. ; 61-2, 91, 112, 115, 116, 128, 337 :โ Army 7'
116, IIS, 130, 336, 350-1, 386 :โ Subsidiary Force'
7, 112, 115-7, 175, 215, 349, 350, 361 :โ Territories'
81, 115-S, 297, 299 ; pis. 1, 9 :โ maps of, 115-7 VW,
245.
Noel, Father Francesco ( c. 1700 ), 86, 176.
No(w)kmd, James (1740/1-80); Ben. & Bom. Inf. โ 397-8
Northern Circars, v. Circars.
Noti, Father S., S J., 150.
Nufct, Justinian, ship's captain 1779, 204.
oarts, or palm groves, 147.
Observation post, 343.
Observatory :โ Benares, 150, 156-7, 311, 318 :โ Colaba
176 n.ll :โ Delhi, Jantar Mantar, 150, 314 ;โ Jaipur'
150, 314 : โ Madras, ix, 6. 104, 167, 172-4 181 195*
26S, 338, 390, 391, 392, 393 :โ Greenwich,' 180-1 โ โ
Muttra, 150, 388 :โ Paris, 150, 315 :โ Peking, 70 149-
โ Petrie's, 6, 102, 171-2, 338, 389 :โ Samarqand,
148: โ suggested by Burrow for Calcutta, 162-3- โ
Ujjain, 150, 151.
Obstruction to surveyors, 32, 109, 118, 131 140 14?
158, 159, 291-9, 300 ; v. Adventures.
Ocean Cm-rents, 376, 377, 389, 390.
O'LTalloran, Joseph (1763-1843); Ben. Inf โ DNB โ
DIB. ; 309, 384.
Onore, or Honavar ( Hobson-Jobson, Honore ) 125 238
378, 393; pis. 1, 3, 9, 12, 16.
Oodua Nullah, v. Undwah.
Ordnance: โ Board of, London, 156, 166, 317: โ Master
General of, 317 :โ Survey, 105 n.l.
Orissa, 2, 22, 24 n.S, 28, 30, 33, 38, 40, 314 j pis. 2, 3, 11,.
12, 13, 14, 16 ; v. Cuttack : -Coast, 15, 101, 340.
Ornie MSS-, viii, 395.
Ornamentation on Maps, 385, v. Maps, pictorial.
Orphan Asylum, v. Male Asylum.
Orrery, model of solar system, 204.
Orthography, 239, 248-50, 333, 337, 342.
Orville, Albert d\ Father ( 1621-62), Wessels. 69, 149;:
pi. 7 n. ; sometimes D'Orville.
Ottewill, W. T. ( d. 1940 ), viii.
Oudh, 2, 55, 57, 224, 352, 388, 397; pis. 1, 6 :โ Maps,
222, 227, 229, 232, 365 :โ Survey :โ of Boundary,
44-5 :โ under Polier, 2, 33, 34, 352, 354, 365, 381 :
โother, 8, 11, 35, 36, 37, 55, 58, 183, 316, 399:โ
Wazir or Nawab of, 24, 33, 34, 55, 58, 269, 315 347
352, 354, 360, 365, 366 ; v. Shuja-ud-D-mla ( 1731-75)
DIB. ; Asaf-ud-Daula ( 1775-97 ) ; Saadat-Ali Khan
( 1797-1814).
Overland route, to and from Europe ( Hobson-Jobson )
233, 303, 308, 312, 337, 341, 363, 369, 381, 395, 397.
Ovmgfcon's Map of Bombay, 120.
1a :โ gold com, 278-81, 385 :โ temple, 84, 195, 392 -
pi. 7 n.
Palamau, 35. 36, 225, 228, 276, 294, 324 ; pi. 14.
eaianqmii ( Hoixon-JoUon ), 28. 39, 94. LS5. 186 228 279
280, 2S9, 304, 351, 371, 379.
PakrhiU, Malabar, 4, 98, 99, 112, 125, 130, 131, 178 179 n 1
321, 341, 343, 349, 395.
Palk :โ Rev. Sir Robert ( 1717-9S ) ; Bart. ; Governor
Madras ; DNB. ; DIB. โ 87 n.9, 322, 370 :โ Papers
344 .-โStrait, 87 n.9, 102, 178, 385, 386.
Palmer, Win. ( 1740-1816 ), Ben Inf., 56.
Palmyras Point, 14 n.3, 17, 45, 157, 167, 229; pis. 3, 10
11, C. das Palmas ; pis. 12, 13.
Palnad, Guntur, 97, 107, 110, 116, 193, 311 ; pi. 9.
Pangal, Nizam's Dominions, 116, 129, 386.
Panoramas, 49 n.7, 186, 187, 188, 328.
Paper : โ Drawing, v. Drawing :โ Tracing, 45, 236-^7, 252.
pargana .'โbattalions, 267, 300 โ โ -limits, 27, 33 37 135 โ
โ survev of 134, 136, 137, 146, 231.
Paris 310, 315, 387.
Park, Mungo ( 1771-1806 ), explorer, DNB., 377.
Parker, Vice-Adm. Sir Hyde ( 1713-82); UN โข Bart โข
DNB. โ 370.
Parliament, Members of, 308, 311, 322, 326, 329 337 38'->
394, 397.
Parole, 383.
Parsis, 309.
partdl, or check measure, 139-40.
Passes, Survey of: โ Bengal, 1, 2, 25, 225, 326, 340 341-
Madras, S9, 97, 109, 110, 133. 240. 211, 308 31? 314
346, 352.
. ? parw&nas, 59. 127, 128, 29(5, 297 299 379
Pathans, 29, 39, 299.
Patna ( Hobson-Jobson ), 17 n.5, 24, 69, 76 221 2 9 2
225,294, 318,348,360,364, 382. 387. 38s':pls 'l 13*
14 :โ position, 149, 157, 158, 161; pi 10 a*โ
Massacre, 309, 345 n.8.
Pay, v. Allowances.
Paybills, 278.
Paymaster General, 59, 268, 275.
Peach's campaigns, ; v. Circars.
Index
Peaks : โ Himalayan, 76-8., 159, 332, 334 : โ Height of 77
326.
Pearse's marches, v. East Coast.
Pearse, Thomas Deane Mahomet, son of Col, T. D.
Pearse, 363.
Pedometer, 75.
Pegu .( Hobson-Jobson ), 14, 46, S4-5, 103, 340 391 ; v.
Burma.
Peking, China, I, 69, 149.
Pemberton. Robert Boileau ( 1798-1840 ) ; Ben. Inf. ;
DNB. ; 352.
Penang, or Prince of Wales' I., 5, 46-7, 50, 171 n.5, 327,
345, 346, 359, 386. 390.
Pendulum, length of, 169.
Peninsula, South :โ Maps of:โ by Rennell, 179, 214,
243-4, 253, 375, 390 :โ bv D'Anville, 89, 210, 239,
240: โ by others, 1, 3, 179, 211 n.9, 222,238, 239,
241-3, 243-4, 387 ; pis. 9, 15 ; v. Atlas, Kelly's :โ
Width of, 178-9, 304.
Penna di Billi, Father Francesco Orazio della ( 16S0-1747)
70.
Pensions, 2, 36, 237, 260, 267, 268, 331, 339, 355, 373,
374, 375.
Pentagraph, 89, 204, 205.
Pepper, 346.
Perambakham disaster, 40 n.7, 367 ; v. Baillie.
Perambulator, or wheel, 57, 75, 99, 100, 183, 184, 188,
189, 192, 198-9, 204, 205, 206, 3S0, 399 :โ Damaged,
41,98, 198, 199, 334 :โ Madras pattern, 97, 199,
327 : โ Traverse, v. Traverse.
Pereira, J. V. ( c. 1800 ), draughtsman, 284.
Permanent Settlement rโ of Bengal, S, 140-1, 144, 226: โ
suggested for Madras, 145.
Persia, 69, 123, 233, 337, 375, 3S7 :โ mission to, 286,
375.
Persian : โGeographers, 10, 148, 220 :โ Gulf, 310, 313,
337 ; pis. 2, 4 : โ Language, 249 : โ Secretary or Inter-
preter, 332 :โ Map, 233, 333.
Peshwa, 6, 115, 116, 121, 126, 127, 204, 336, 378,
Petrie, Wm. ( d. 1S16 ) ; Mad. Civ. ; DIB. ; 102, 171-2,
33S.
Philosophical Transactions, v. Royal Society.
Physical Geography, 226.
Pigot, George (1719-77); Baron; DNB. ; DIB. ; 16,
143, 256, 303, 325 n.13, 330, 341, 382; v. Governor,
Madras.
Pilots on Hooghly R... 50, 51.
Pioneers: โ Bengal, 333, 365 :โ Bombay, 7, 132, 273,
356, 357 :โ Madras, 348.
Pir Panjal, mountain range, 'IS.
Pirates, 125, 390.
Pitt, Thomas ( 1653-1726 ), Governor of Madras, 1697-
1709 ; grandfather of Wm. Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham ;
DNB. ; Ency. Brit. ; 93.
Pittman : C. H. S., Bom. Inf. ( ? ), 363 :โ Gibbon Charles
George ( 1773-98 ), Mad. Engrs., 363.
Planetable, 113, 193, 263.
Plassey, Battle of, 1, 12, 229, 345 ; pi. 14.
Pliny the Elder (cad. 23-79 ), Ency. Brit., 207, 220.
Plunder, 82, 293, 299, 311, 357, 367 ; v. Adventures.
Point Calimere, v. Calimere.
Poison, 159, 344, 345, 348, 356, 368.
Poland, 333.
Polaris, or pole-star, 151, 154, 165.
Police : โ -Commissioners of, Calcutta, 52, 53, 389 ; โ
Superintendent of. 359 : โ thdna, 231.
Poller, Paul Phillippe ( 1711-59 ), Mad. Inf., 364.
poligars, or pettv oliksfs, (Hobson-Jobson). 313, 3-18. 358,
395.
Political :โ Divisions, 114, 214, 228, 238; pis. \, 9; V.
Boundaries:- -Missions, 31, 39, 42, 121, 184, 270;
v. Cnapman ; Mostyn; Poona.
Polo, Marco ( c. 1254-1324 ), 70 ; pi. 16.
Pondicherry, 1, 86, 309, 310, 314, 320, 385 ; pis. 1, 9 :โ
position, 169, 17S, 180 :โ Siege of, 1761, 87. 322,
353 :โ 1777, 311. 367, 386 :โ 1793, 112, 350.
Pons, Father ( c. 1730 ), 150.
Poona, 127, 128, 129, 130, 297, 303, 335, 336, 37$ &ยซa
384-5, 393, 397; pi. 1 :โ Upton's Mission to : > W
121, 122 n.2, 154. ' ' '
Pope, Sylvester ( b. 1781), asst. revenue surveyor, 284
286, 375.
Pope's Line, of longitude, pis. 3, 10 n.
Popham, Colonel, 395, v. Gwalior.
Port :โ Blair, South Andaman I., first called Port Corn-
wallis, 48, 49, 173, 313, 328, 346 :โ Cornwall] a.
North Andaman I., 49, 50, 346, 390, v. Andaman Is.
Portability of Maps, 228.
Portraits :โ Dalrymple, 330 ; pi. 17 :โ Orme, 380 ; pi.
IS :โ Pearse, 361 :โ Polier, 366 :โ Rennell, 377-8 ;
pi. 19 :โ Reynolds, 378 ; pi. 20 :โ Torriano, 393 :โ
Watson, 394.
Portugal, 12, 120.
Portuguese, 121 : โ Astronomers, 150, 176 ; Charts, 16,
86, 129 :โ Clerks, 262 :โ Draughtsmen, 235 -.โJesuits
68 ns.9, 12, 69 ns.6, 8, 129, 367.
Postal services, 303 -1. 309, 368.
Postmasters, 304, 309, 359.
Rotates, 4S.
Pots, Edward Ephraim ( 1750-1832 ) ; Ben. Civ., 1772 โ 204.
Precious stones, 3S5 ; v. Diamonds.
Preparis I., north of Andaman Is., 16, 46.
Presents, 16, 62, 204, 297, 299, 300, 301-2, 378.
Prevost, Abbe, 176 n.6.
Price, Joseph j ship's captain, 1775-9 ; pamphleteer ; 336.
Prince of Wales I., v. Penang.
Printing : โ Invention of, 208 : โ of Maps, 42, 167 ; v.
Publication.
Prisoners :โ with French, v. French : โ in Mysore 99
341, 348, 352, 386, 395.
Priviito possession of Maps, v. Maps.
Prize-money, 263, 399.
Progress Reports, 196. 197, 262, 271, 273, 284, 296.
Projection of Maps, 216, 242, 248.
Protraction of Surveys, 183, 186, 187, 188, 189, 195, 248.
Provinces, v. Districts.
Provincial Maps, v. Maps.
Ptolemv, Claudius Ptolernaus, Greek geographer ( c,
ad. 150 ), 67, 71, 148, 160, 207, 208, 210.
Publication of Maps, 45, 212, 228-9, 251, 330-1 ; v.
Printing.
Publishers of'-MtiDS, oroiessi.onai, 256, 259.
Pulieat, Madras ( Hobson-Jobson ), 102, 104, 238, 239,
330, 391 ; pi. 2, Paloacata ; pis. 3, 9, 12.
Pundits, 160, 161, 300, 396, 397.
Punjab, 8, 214, 232-4, 246, 333, 397; pis. 1 n., S, 11,
Penjab;.pl. 21: โ Rivers, 232, 233; pi. 10 n. r โ
Wilford's Map, 234, 287, 396, 397 ; pis. 8, 11.
Purangir, ijitssain or pandit ( HobsoiiโJobdon, Gosain ), 74.
Purchase of Maps, 213. 256, 259.
Purnea, 23 n.3, 32, 77, 137, 227, 308 ; pi. 14.
Pvchv Raja of Kottavam . Malaljar, 132. 357.
Pybus, John ( 1727-89 ) ; Mad. Civ., 1742 ; 322, 385.
Quadrant, 14, 50, 76, 89, 153, 154, 158, 169, 170, 172,
198, 199-200, 203. 204, 205, 206, 370; v. Sextant:โ
Hadley's, 19, 82, 151, 171, 174, ISO, 1S2, 184, 199,
200 :โ with Stand, 172, 191, 200, 205.
Quartermaster General: โ Bengal, 43, 196, 224, 326: โ
Madras, 90, 257, 308, 361.
Quicksands, 26, 27.
Quicksilver, 162, 170, 200, 205, 298.
Quinine, v. Bark.
Qutb Minar, Delhi, 314.
, v. Hydrophobia.
Raghuba Rao. Marat.ha pretender ( c. 1775 ), DIB., 121.
Rainfall, 50.
Rains, v. Monsoon.
Rai'yat ; rai'atwari ; v. rvot ; ryotwari.
Rajahmundry, 62, 91, 105, 144, 314; pi. 1.
Rajmnhal. 2-6. 35, 37, 225; pi. 13, Raji-Mohol ; pi. 14:โ
Hills .25 n.2, 33, 34, 225, 310, 315, 340, 358.
Index
RajputSna, S, 132, 240, 395; pi. 1, Rajpoots; pi. 11,
Asmere ; v. Ajmer ; Jaipur ; Jodhpur.
Rameswaram, 87, 102 ; pi. 9.
Kamganga K-, Rohilkhand, 55, 56, 58, 359 ; pi. 6.
Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, 26. 35, 36, 225, 228, 294. 324, 325
326, 336, 368. 3*2 : pis. 1, 14.
Ramnad, 90, 321, 334, 363, 387 ; pis. 1, 9, Ramanada-
param.
Rampur State, 8, 55-6, 160, 356, 359 J pis. 1, 6, Rampour.
Rams den, Jesse ( 1735-1800 ), instrument -maker, DNB
155, 165, 166, 192, 193, 200, 204, 206.
Rangamati, Goalpara, 22, 32, 72, 78, SO, 83, 225, 372 -
pis. 13, 14.
Rangoon, 84.
Kangpur :โ Assam, 81, 399 :โ Bengal, 20, 23, 77, 80 291
358, 371 ; pi. 14, Rungpour.
Ranks, civil and military, 266-7.
Ratanpur, C.P., 30, 39 n.12, 60 ; pi. 1, Ruttunpour.
Rauseh, Daniel ( d. c. 1798 ), 80, 82, 159.
Recess months, 277, 278.
Records, preservation of, vii.
Red Sea, 310, 341, 381, 398.
Refraction, 151, 156, 169.
Regis, Father ( 1663-1738 ), 70, 149 ; pi. 7 n.
Regulations : โ Log-books & Charts, 45, 46, 252 : โ Pay &
Allowances, 275-7, 281 : โ Route Surveys, 43, 196 :โ
Snrveyor General, 256, 261-2 ; โ Surveyors, 197 271
273, 279.
Relando, Hadriano, cartographer, 208, 238.
Rennell : โ 1st Baron, James Rennell Rodd, grandson of
John Tremayne Rodd ( qv ), 377 : โ Wm. (1781 1819)
Ben. Civ., 370, 378.
Rent of: โ House, v. House :โ Office, 235, 262-3, 346.
Resection from 3 known points, 192.
Resignation, temporary, 267, 315, 323, 336, 337.
Retrenchments of 1785, 5, 38, 235. 270, 27-1 276 286 347
367, 368.
Revenue :โ Board of, Madras, 145, 146-7, 284-5, 321 :
Extortion of, 291, 295. 298 :โ Settlement, v. Land
Revenue.
Revenue Surveys : vii : โ Bengal, viii, 1, 8, 13, 109, 133-41
325, 337 :โ Bombay, viii, 132, 134, 147 :โ Madras, 7,
113, 114, 133, 141-7 :โ Fraudulent work, 139, 140:
โ Glossary, v. Glossary : โ Inspector of, Madras, 7,
145-6, 285, 338 :โ Native :โ measurers, 8, 134โ
138-9, 144 ; v. amlns :โ systems, 134, 137-8, 144-5 โข
โ Regulations, 144, 145.
Revenue Surveyors, Assistant, Madras, 7, 108-9 194-5
206, 284-6. ยฃ
Rewah, or Baghelkhand, 29, 60, 326 ; pi. 1.
Rhinoceros ( Hobson-Jobson ), 20, 25, 26, 32.
Rice, price of, 60.
Richmond, Charles, 3rd Duko of ( 1735-1806 ) - M G O
1782-95 ; 317.
Ricketts, John Henry ( 1767-92 ), Ben. Engrs., 321.
Bikbifceab, on Ganges, 71 n.5 ; pi. 6, Rikikes.
Ringrose, John ; Bom. Marine, 1st Lieut. 1784 ; 123.
River :โข โ Embankments, v. Embankments :โ Journeys, 1
17, 304 :โ Surveys, 2, 11, 17-24, 27, 38, 50-1 57*
59, 63-5, 182, 183, 185-9, 304, 327, 329, 333, 396;
V. Ganges ; Ganges-Hooghlv passage ; HoogMy โ
Jumna.
Rivers of Bengal, 63, 64, 375 :โ Rennell's Maps, 21
222-3, 225, 229, 230.
Road:โ Grand Trunk, 38 n.10:โ Tables & Maps, 214
230, 261. F
Roads, 38, 59, 113, 234, 238, 240, 243, 244 :โ Measure-
ment of, 10, 142, 167, 183, 184-7, 193, 220, 357 โขโ
Prmgle s Books of. 95-7. 170. 184, 287, 367.
Robbers <t bandits, 60. 68. SO, 126. 129-30 161 175
204,293,296,301,304.
Robins, Benjamin (1797-51), Engr. General; F R S. ;
DNB. ; B E. Journal, LVIIT, March 1944(5); 311
322, 364. l " '
Robinson, John ( b. 1784 ), asst. revenue surveyor 284
Roche, David { d. 1779); G M. 1774 (471)-'hM's
Foot ; 337.
Rocque, John ( c. 1750 ), cartographer, 93.
Rodd :-โ Viee-Adra. Sir John Tremayne ( m. Jane Rennell,
1809 ) ; De Brett's Peerage โ 369 :โ Lady, 377
Roe, Sir Thomas ( 1581-1644 ), DNB., 71 n .8, 209, 310.
Rohilkhand, or Rohilla country ( Hobson-Jobson ) 8 29
34, 37, 55, 56, 58, 160-1, 163, 167, 232, 286, 318",
329 ; pi. 6.
Rohilla Wars :โ 1774, 34 n.7, 76, 224 315 395 ^65 โ โ
1794, 55, 356, 395. '
Rohtas, 25, 29, 37, 223, 225, 367, 381 ; pis. 1, 13.
Ross, James ( b. 1784 ), asst. revenue surveyor, 284 286
Rothmeyer, F. L., Hanoverian Sergt., c. 1785 - draughts-
man ; 243.
Route Surveys :โ Bengal, 27-31, 38-42, 185-9 :โ Bombay
121-3, 125, 187 :โ Madras, 3, 89-90, 05-100, 109-11
115-9, 184-7 : โ Rules for, 43, 196, 239, 270, 271 '
v. Regulations.
"Roxburgh, Dr. (1751-1815); botanist: Mad Med-
DNB. ; DIB. ; 105.
Roy, General Wm. ( 1726-90 ) ; F R S. ; DNB. โ Encv
Bril. ; 164, 165, 198, 202, 248, 318.
Royal Artificers, 316.
Royal : โ Asiatic Society, viii : โ Astronomical Society
viii : โ Geographical Society, 377.
Royal George, HM S., 317, 330.
Royal Military :โ Academy, Woolwich, 156 n 1 189 248
266, 272, 311, 316, 317, 330, 333, 341, 345 :'โ College
Marlow, 165 n.l. 6
Royal Society, ix, 102, 153, 165 n.2, 319, 377, 384 n.10
โ Fellows of; Blair, Barker, Buchanan, John Call
Dalrymple, Thomas Daniell, Davis, Hirst, Wm. Jones
Malet, Rennell, Roy, Staunton, Stewart, Troughton
Samuel Turner -.โPhilosophical Transactions of, 248
Kumbold, Sir Thomas (1736-91); Bart.; Mad. Civ
DNB. ; DIB. ; 241, 322 ; v. Governors, Madras.
Rupees ( II nhmn-.'l obfton. Rupee ; sicca ) - arcol - sicca
sonat ; 202, 205, 274 n.3, 279 n.l.
Russians, 395.
Ryder, Colonel C. H. Dudley ( b. 1868), C B. โ CIE
D S O. ; S G. India, 1919-24 ; viii.
Ryot, or rai'yat, ( Hobson-Jobson ), peasant 133-4
137-41, 144, 230, 295, 300 ; v. Inhabitants.
Ryotwan system, 134, 135, 144, 145, 369 ; v. Land Revenue
Sackville, Frederick ( 1785-1827 ), Ben. Inf., 39 n.4.
Sadanund's Map of Gujaratj 123.
Safety of travel, 296-7.
Sagar :โ L, Hooghly Rโ 13, 159 :โ Roads, 327 ; pis. 13, 14
Sailors, v. Mariners.
Salary, v. Allowances.
Salem District, 7, 110 n.8, 113-4, 144-5, 193, 194, 273
369 ; pi. 9, Sailum ; v. Baramahal.
Salsette I. : โ Bombay ( Hebsen-Jobson ) 3 120 121 343
363, 378, 383 :โ Goa, 357. '
Salt Lakes of Calcutta, 12, 13, 311.
Salween, Lukiang, or Martaban R., 84, 85 316- pi 3
Manthabam. ' > r โข >
Sambalpur, 30, 41, 153, 223, 309, 352, 359; pis. 1, 13,
Sumelpur.
Sanpo R., v. Tsang-po.
Sanscrit literature, 156, 160, 208, 268, 319, 320 366 383
396 ; v. Hindu.
Sanson, French cartographers ; Nicolas, Guillaume &
Adrian { 1600-1718 ), 67, 209 ; pis. 11 12
Santal Parganas, 34 n.9, 225, 326, 366 ; v. Jungleterry
sa.nyu.Hi. fnk>r.i (' Hobson-Jobson. ^unvasee ) โ >'! " -' >r i7 "'ยซ",
292, 300, 371, 372, 374, 381. '
Satellites, v. Jupiter.
Saunders, Dr. Robert, Ben. Med., 1782-90; Crawford's
List ; 74, 77.
Saussure, โ asst. to Engr., Madras, 93.
Sayer & Bennett, map publishers, 227
Scale of:โ Maps, 15, 51, 208, 210, 213, 214 218 226
III: ii'MCSC"^ : - Surveys ' '*โ 3 '' 141 ' lsi
Index
Schall, Father Adam ("1589-1666 ), S J., 149.
Sckereseddin, historian, 15th century, 11 n.<&.
School, v. Surveying School.
Science Museum, South Kensington, 166 n 4 201
Sct> " -r: ? 1 - Car ยฐ line Fl ' edei ' iek ( d. 1 754 ) ; Engr. General,
1753-4; DIB,; Sandes : 51, 93, 364, 395 :โ Mad.
Est. c. 1780, 110.
Serafton, Luke ( d. 1769 at sea), Ben. Civ โ DIB โ 51
Scurvy, 48, 338, 370.
Sea, Deaths at, 38 n.14, 310, 315, 323, 332, 339 352 354
355, 356, 359, 361, 382, 383.
Seaforth, Kenneth Mackenzie, Earl of ic 1744-811
99 n.l, 349. l >'
Sea -passages ; Calcutta-Madras, 101, 303 328 332-
Europe-India, 303, 309, 339-40 :โ to Far East
303, 330, 339, 370 :โ West Coast, 303, 324.
reey:โ Maps & Plans, 15, 227. 256, 257 262 273-โ
Surveys, 6, 75, 116, 121, 127, 156, 207, 299 315
"Select Picket", 266, 325.
Sepoy Detachments, 23, 90-1, 292, 293, 294-5
Sepoys rโ on Escort, 60, 61, 62, 159, 291, 294-5, 299,
300 :โ Objection to sea-travel, 40, 343, 362 โ โ
Women-folk on service, 60, 61.
Seringapatam, 7, 89, 98, 110, 112-3, 118-9, 129 130
249, 328, 334, 335, 337, 360, 3S6 :โ Capture of
4-5-99 ; 9, 118, 308, 312, 328, 337, 341, 351 383 โ
Position, 177 :โ Treaty of, v. Treaty.
Settlement of Revenues, v. Land Revenue :โ - Permanent,
v. Permanent : โ ryotwari, v. Land Revenue.
Sextant, 148, 151, 155, 158, 162, 163, 165, 168, 175 177
178, 182, 198, 199-200, 204, 205 :โ Hadiey's 170
174, 180. 191. 192, 200, 206 ; v. Quadrant
Shah Alam ( 1738-1806 }, Shahzada & Emperor of Delhi โ
DIB. ; 24 n.6, 301 2, 345, 348.
Shahjehan, emperor of Delhi, 1627-58, 234.
Shahabad District, 33, 37, 141, 225, 367, 383.
Shakespeare, Wm., poet & playwright, 3'83.
Shan States, Burma, 84.
Sharks, 49.
Sheep, 62.
Sherwill, W. S. ( 1815-90 ), Ben. Inf., 21 n.5
Shipbuilding, 20 n.9, 103, 303, 333, 343.
.Ships :โ Logs, 45, 251, 331, 390 :โ Sailing, 46, 47 n 1 66
102-4, 125,269, 303, 324, 336, 381, 385, 389, 39o'
392, 394 ; v. Indiamen ; โ wrecked or lost, 5, 14 4o'
50, 101, 104, 1<J0, 268, 310, 339, 353, 354, 355, 382 '
Shoals :โ m rivers, 18, 27, 51 :โ of ArmaRon & Pulicat
16, 102, 104, 105, 391 ; pis. 3, 9, 12.
Shore, Sir John ( 1751-1834 ), 1st Baron Teignmouth -
Ben. Civ., 1769 ; DNB. ; DIB. ; 81, 141, 217 281
282, 342 ; v. Governor General.
Short Sight, 335.
Shuja-ud-DauIa (1731-75), DIB., 315, 365, 366; v.
Oudh.
Siam, 85, 314.
Sickness, or ill-health, interrupting survey, 18, 57 158
159, 161, 325, 335, 342, 348, 364, 385.
Sidu Harbour, Sumatra, 47โ8, 345-6.
Signalling, visual, 311, 368 n.8.
Signals, 104-5, 191, 192, 194; v. Flags.
Signature of Surveyor, 183.
Sikhs, 58, 302, 366 ; pis. 1, 8, Seiks :โ Map of Country,
42, 233, 381.
sikligdr { Hobson-Jobson, Sicleegur ), knife grinder, 262
290.
Silk industry, 225.
Sind, 8, 234, 246 ; pi. 4 :โ Coast, 123, 313. โ
Sindliia, Mara l ha Chief ; Mahiidji Kao ( 1730-94 ) ; DIB. โ
6, 56, 116, 121, 123, 126-7, 302, 324, 378, 379, 386 :โ
succeeded in 1794 by Daulat Rao (1779-1827),
eventually Maharaja of Gwalior : โ Country of 4?
65, 340, 379.
Singapore, 330.
Singraula, south Mirzapur, 60 n.7.
Sketches, or views, by : โ Anburey, viii, 43, 309 : โ Cole-
brooke, 112, 187, 328-9 :โ others, 73, 159, 229, 308
310,313, 321, 339, 351, 353, 390, 392 ; pi. 9 a.; v.
Artists ; Etchings.
Skyi y^Sr^2f stus (c " 1780) ' Bom " Marine ' I0 -
Slaves ( Hobson-Jobson ), 49, 323, 334, 336, 364 306
Smith:โ Cecil (1772-1813); Mad. Civ., 1789- 393โ.
General Joseph ( c. 1733-90 ), DNB., 90 95 a 3 โ โ
Brig. Richard ( d. 1803 ) ; C-in-C, Bengal, 1768-70 -
Holzrnan; 24, 25, 26, 29, 211, 222, 322, 340, 360ยฐ
38 1780 95 :โ Wmiam Btuc ยฎ> merchant, arrd. 'india
Smith, or brazier, 290, 301
Snakes, 19, 44, 158.
Snow :โ sailing vessel, 16, 47 n.l, 87, 370 :โ upon the
mountains, 68, 76-8.
Snowy Range, of Himalaya, 76-8 ; pi. 21 โ v Peaks
Son R. 25, 29, 60, 221, 223, 315, 333,'360, 382; 383;
pi. 1, Soane ; pi. 13, Son-su.
Sonda, North Kanara, 131 n.l, 357.
Soundings : โ Marine survey, 16, 66, 87 102 103 104
125, 184, 192 :โ River survey, 50, 54, 66, 39S. '
South Perunsula, v. Peninsula.
Spanish, 330, 336.
Speke, John Harming ( 1827-64 ), explorer DNB 397
Spelling of Names ^personal, 249 :โ of place's, v. Ortho-
graphy.
Srinagar :โ Garhwal, 73, 78, 320, 338 ; pis. 6 S n "1 -โ
Kashmir, v. Kashmir. โ
St. Helena, 312, 356, 374, 383, 385, 398.
St. Lublin, Chevalier ( c. 1780 ), 397.
St. Thomas' Mount, Madras, 41.
Stancliffe, instrument -maker, 171, 175 191.
Standard Measures, 182, 191, 194' 195,' 198.'
Stands for Measuring rods, 191.
Starvation, v. Famine.
Stationery supply, 276.
Staunton, Sir George Leonard ( 1737-1801 ) ; Sec. to
Macartneys mission to China, 1792-4; FRS.-
DNB. ; 99.
Sterling exchange, 274, 275, 278, 280, 281n.l0
Stevenson :โ Maj Gen. James Daniel ( d. 1805 ) โข Mad
Cav., Cant. 1784; 367 :โ Wm. (1739-65); Mad!
Engrs. 1757 ; 386.
Stewart, John ( 1749-1822) ; Mad. Civ. 1763 โข FRS โ
DNB. ; Ency. BHt. j 74, 80 n.3.
Stibbert, General ; C-in-C. Bengal 1784-6 ; 397.
Stone marks, or Bench-marks, 192.
Storage of Maps, v. Custody.
Storms, 18, 27, 124, 162, 390.
Strabo, Greek geographer, 220.
Stratton, George ( 1733/4-1800 ) ; Mad. Civ. 1751 ;
recalled, 1776/7 ; 92.
Street names, 52, 53, 94, 95.
Strobel, Father, astronomer, c. 1740, 150.
Stuart : โ General James ; DNB. ; DIB. ; 96 : โ Joseph
( 1741-1815 ) ; DNB. ; Royal Mil. Calendar ; 95 n.4
279.
Stud at Pusa, 332.
S;ibยซidiary Force, v. Nizam.
Suez, 303, 397, 398.
Suffre(i)n St. Tropez, Admiral Pierre Andre de (1729-88)
DIB. ; Ency. Brit. โ 383.
Suicide, 24 n.5, 388.
Sulphur, 47.
Sultanpett tope, Mysore, 351.
Sulu Is., NB. of Borneo, 330, 339.
Sumatra, 47 ns.2, 3, 153 n.10, 345, 390 ; v. Achin ; Sidu.
birndaroans {Hobson-Jobson), 2, 13 14 15 is n q r-z
159, 225, 227, 229, 318, 364. '
Sunrise & Sunset,, 76, 77, 192, 230.
Supplies, 40, 60, 62, 158-9, 291, 296, 299.
Supravisors, or supervisors, 130, 137 138* 266
SUr HT9 d n D r ala l i731/6 " 57 } ; Naw ^ b of ' Ben gal ; DIB.
Surat {Hobson-Jobson), 4, 11, 120 121 199 \9ยฑ 140
302, 333, 385, 387, 388; pis. 1, 2 3 II ' 12 16-โ
?^ 01 1' โ 149 ' 176 ; P L 10 n - โ โ Reynolds' hdW, 8, -
126-8, 132, 219, 258, 357. .
Surgeons & Doctors, 41, 56, 74, 84, 126, 267 315 340
v. Cruso ; Gilchrist j Hunter ; Saunders.
Index
Survey ;โ Definition, 89 :โ closed down, 34, 38, 277 286 โข
โof England, 317 :โ. Methods of, 182-95 :โ unwel-
come to Nawab of Carnatic, 90-1 :โ Ships 15 16
17 47-9, 102-4, 123-4, 125, 313, 355 : - -rel,ability of'
v. Accuracy ; Errors ;โ welcomed by Kawab of Oudh
58.
Surveying School, Madras, ix, 7, 108, 114-5 174 194
199, 268, 283-5, 338, 389, 392 :โ Boys from' W
114-5, 117, 145-7. ' '
Surveyor Generals :โ Bengal :โ Rennell, 31-2, 260 369
371 โRichards, 260, 381 :โ Thomas Call 37' 26o'
323 :โ Mark Wood, 43, 260-1, 397, 398 vโ -Kyd 43'
261, 327, 346:โ Colebrooke, 55, 261,321) 3<,fi Vw โ -
Bombay, 265, 378, 379 :โ Field Armies, 4*9 118
273, 312, 378 :โ of India, 260, 352 :โ proposed for
Madras, 108, 119, 263-5, 343, 350, 352 391--> โ
Office, Calcutta, 235-7, 258, 262-3, 271 ''90 314
327, 329, 394, 398, 400 :โ form of Plural, 260 n.l โ
Relations with Government, 260. 262, 274.
Surveyor of ;_R; vorSj โ. Allowances ; Works, 363-4
โ Surveyors :โ Bengal, 33-4, 36, 182-3, 269-71 :โ Bombay
273:โ Madras, 108, 170 n.6, 271-3; v. Revenue
Surveyors : โ "out of the Service", 2C8-9 : โ Military
Officers, 266-8, 269 ;โ unsuccessful, 137, 197, 273 -
Indian:โ with Reg^lds, 132, 218, 234, 282, 287-0
302, 379 : โ with 6Bher rurveyors, 234, 286-7, 397 ;
v. Explorers :โ on Revenue & Tank Surveys, 144-5'
Suspension for misconduct, 314, 356, 359, 364.
Sutlej R. { Hobson-Jobson, Sutledge ), 68, 70, 72, 232 n 7 โข
pi. 8, Setlege. ' '
Swedes, 314, 333.
Switzerland, 314, 364, 387, 395.
Sydenham, Wm. ( 1752-1801 ) ; Mad. Art. ; DIB. ; 361,
โ Sylhet, 32, 53, 82, 83, 225, 372; pis. 1, 14 .โRevenue
Survey of, 140.
Symbols, 221, 224.
Symes' Embassy to Ava, 8, 84, 316, 399.
Tables :โ Astronomical, *.. Astronomical :โ Distances v
T.ยปa I ยฃ g n Syr 2 ยซยฐ graphicaI Positions ' "' G ^'^ h ^'
Tandy, Sir Edward ( b. 1871 ) ; B B. ; S G. 1924-8; vii
Tanjore, 86 n.7, 133, 241, 321, 335, 338, 3S7, 392 395 โ
pis. 1, 9, 12, Tanjaor :_ Anient, v. Anient :โ Maps
& Surveys, 86, 95, 23S, 243 :โ position, 170 โ
S? e ยซยซ : ~ยฐ Ct - 1,7i ' 35S:-Sept. 1773, 90, 93, 337,
lioo, job.
Tank Repairs :โ Department of, 107-9 :โ Superintendent
of, 108, 114, 146, 286, 321, 392
l S 89,?84"ยฐ39"i 7 ยฐ''" n) โข ยฐ* 'โข""'"'>""- U2 ' "ยซโข 1OT.
Tartary'i Tartars, 67, 74, 223 ; pis. 7 n., 11.
Taxila, Punjab, 232.
Taylor, W, Cheke ( d. 1778 ), Ben. Inf., 1767, 293 โ
less likely to be Thos. Taylor, Ben. Inf., ( ' d. 1769 โ
Tea ^)73 '' C ยฐยฐ 0h Beh5 ''' 1773 '
Teak, 58, 103, 105, 303, 348, 391.
reignmouth, v. Shore.
Telegraph Towers, v. Signalling.
Tehagarhi Pass 25 โ.2, 162 ; pis. 13, 14.
Telheherry Malabar, 125, 130, 308, 324, 33'
307 ; pis. 1, 9.
Tenasserim coast, 46, 340.
Tent, 389 :โ Allowance, 279-80 โTransport, 2S9
Terrestial Attraction, 156, 316 P
Terry, Rov. Edward ( 1690-1660 ), DNB. 71
TeshuLamaof Tibet, 74.
Test, Wra., Bom. Marine, 49 n 7 313
Tha ?fiTโขo^- M '" ยฃei v e *ยฐยฐ : - Ben ' C "' ( 1749-1813 ),
Tw โข:* 9 ' 3 _ 73 โขโ "ยป"hst, his grandson (181 1-63 ), 373
Theodolite : r Bearmg s & intersections, 7, 68, 170 180,
187 1S8, 189, 194:โ Compass, 172, 200.
Theodolites, 90, 165, 1S2, 185, 103, 198 "01 "04 "05
206, 279, 326, 399, 400 " '
, 346, 356,
Thermometers, 158, 194, 204, 205, 206, 362 389
Thevenot, Melehe/.edok ( c. 1650), US 221 n 2 239
Thomas, Father, 169, 176.
Thomas's journey from Nagpur, 1782, 39-40 296-7
Trimmer, Sir Henry Landor (1813-1906); Ben 'Art โข
KCSI;IES,;Sa 1861-77 ; DIB โ yii
Tibet, 23 n.5, 32, 67, 68, 69-71, 73-5, 80, 223, 314, 332,
394 ; pis. 7 nโ 14 ; v. Lhasa. : โ Maps of. 1, 67 7 [' 000'
210 ; pi. 7. ' '
Tidal observations, 103, 177, 347
Tigers, 19, 20, 25, 26, 32, 58, 296.
Timbrel], Andrew ( 1768-1850 ), ship's captain, 20ยป
Inne :-โ observations for, v. Astronomical obsns. :โ for
computation of Distances, v. Distances
Time-keepers, 151, 155, 15S, 159, 160, 165, 173, 195 202-3-
v. Chronometers ; Clocks.
Timui โ 1โ Emperor ( captured Delhi 1398 ), 232 ;โ Shah
of Kabul ( d. 1793 ), 55, 161.
f'.ndal* ( Hobson-Jobson ) 289
limnvelly, 87, 98, 239, 341, 358, 361, 363 ; pi. 9
Tipu Sultan of Mysore ( 1753-99 ), DIB., 4 6 7 9 43
98, 99, 110, 111, 113, 125, 127 i.5, 130 131 13" 14,
308, 312, 343, 346, 391, 398 j pis. i, 21. " ' ^
Tista R., 20, 21, 23, 24, 36 ; pis 5, 14
lodar Mall, Akbar's minister, 133-4, 135
Tolls, navigation, 63, 65 n.7, 356.
Tolly's Nullah, 63, 64, 65
Toone, Sweny (1746-1835); Ben. Inf. 1764- G G ',
Bodyguard 1773 : Director, E I C. 1788-1801 โข 224
Topographical Survey, 88, 108 114 119 '
Topping, Timothy < b. 1781 ), mariner, 393.
Tomano, ยปm. Harcourt ( 1749-1820), Mad. Civ. 94 300
lorsedillas. Treaty of ( 1494 ), pi 10 a
Tower^of London School for Artillery cadets, 156, 316,
Town Major ,โ Calcutta, 345 :โ Madras, 111, 31' 339
Towns :-L,st of 187 .โlarge-scale Surveys of, 87, 239 โ
v. Calcutta, Madras. '
Tracing iโ Glass, 205, 216 ;โ Paper v Paper
&, 7 t 4, 8 % ?03 ' 275 ' 3I4 > 330, '332f 359, 364, 370
o'-โ <> ; ". Commerce.
Training of Surveyors, 182, 267, 270-1.
Transliteration of names, v. Orthography
Travancore,96, 130,238,211, 242, 343, 367, pis. I, 9 โ 12
Traverse Mta, 142 189, 190 =_by' Perambulator;
Treaties w A, ' J ' , ^ l 62 ' S95 โ ยปโข Perambulator
Ireate, with -ยปawabs of Bengal, 1757-60, 1, 12 n.7,
-1 n.7, 135, 136 :โ Emperor of Delhi, 1765 24 91โ
Nizam 1768, 91, 111โ1790, 115 โ Marath.s โ
Porandhar, 1776, 121 :_ Salbai, 1782 l'l 105 :_
US, 131 5 '244 6 375 MyS ยฐ ^e โข Serin S a P<*"=. 1792, 1, li 3>
Trees, obstructing vision, 102, 186 191 343
Tre ^d.^?, ri Bei. 1 C r,, 2 8 5 4 ) . ; 3 3 B 9 m: ^ ^ "โข '
Tria^gation, 6, 99, 102-3, H2, 114, 142, 183, 135, 190-1,
Tnchmopoly, 86, 90, 185, 311, 321, 335, 336 341 35s โ
pis. 1, 9 ; Position 170. ' '
Trigonometrical Survey proposed, ix, 166 190 389
Tnpnra or Tipperah, 67 n.l, 83, 225 ; pis 2, 14 Tipera
Tl0n | h Rยฐ S ยฐ:, ยฃS? K { 'Stโข ยป ^E, ;
Tsang-po Kโ 69, 74, S4, 209 ; pi. 7 n. โidentity with
Brahmaputra, 69, 72, 74, 79-80, 314, 375, 392 ; pis
Tsaparang on upper Sutlej, 68 ; pi. 6, Chaparang.
linp-ibhaitra R., 7, 109, 115, 116, 129, 335 โข nl S
"fbrns'. 1 '" 4 " 1308 ' ' Mad ' Civ ' 1762 '= *ยฐ Wland,
Turkish Geographers, 148, 232
Turkistan, country of the Turks, 208
โข,fโขยฐ,T L b " 1782 >โ asst ' ยซโขe ^vevor 109
n.l, 114, 195, 284, 286
Turtles, 159, 327-8.
Twenty-four Parganas ( Hobson-Jobson ), 135-6 137 130.
-Cession of 1, 135, pi, I, ref,. /-Survey, vni >
12-3, 324, 337 j v. Calcutta Lands. '
Index
Ujjain { Hobson-Jobson, Oojyne ), 6, 56, 126, 150; pi. 1,
Ougein ; pi. 10, Usen ; pi. 11, Ougel : โ position.
151.
Ulugh-beg { d. 1449 ), astronomer, 148.
Undwah Nala, Battle of, 229, 345, 353 โ pi. 14, Ouda-
Uniform, 302.
United Service Club, Calcutta, 347.
Units of Measure, 134, 135; v. b-igaks; Geographical
miles ; hath ; koss.
Upper Provinces of Bengal, 230, 232.
Upton, Colonel John, 385 : โ his Mission to Poona, v.
Poona.
Valontia, Lord, George Annesley (1770-1841); visited
India 1803 ; DIB. ; 347.
Valentyn, Francois, cartographer c. 1700, 221.
van Bleau, cartographer, 221.
Vansittarfc, Henry ( 1732-69/70 ) ; DNB. ; DIB.
17 n.ll, 30, 251, 309, 339, 371; v. Governor of
Bengal :โ collection of Maps, 211, 222, 223, 250 n.5,
339, 345.
Variation of Compass, 26, 59, 66, 81, 151, 152, 156,
175, 177, 17S. 182, 184, 185, 186, 1SS, 192, 200.
201, 390.
Venetian Geographers, 208 n.6 ; v. Italians.
Venus, transit of; 10. Tract 44, 3-6-1769; 153-4, 169.
180, 200, 339, 364.
Verelst, Henry { d. 1785 ) ; DNB. ; DIB. ; 22, 26, 27
33 n.l, 137, 372 : โ expedition to Cachar, 23, S2, 151
364 ; v. Cachar.
Verniers, 199, 201.
Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta, 308 n.10, 328, 354.
371, 377.
Views, v. Sketches.
Vignola, v. Cantelli.
Vigors, Urban ( 1747-1815 } ; Mad. Inf., 1768 ; 344.
Villages, 141, 142, 145, 193, 195, 226 ;โ statistics of, 146.
Vincent-Maria, Father, 86.
Visscher, Nicolaum, cartographer, 209.
Vizagapatam, 41, 59, 91, 320, 363, 382, 385, 391 ; pis. 1,
12, Vixaopatan :โ position, 155 :โ Survey & Maps,
92-3, 143, 246, 342, 363.
Volcanos, 30, 47, 327.
Wade, James ; Hooghly Pilot ; pension
from 1803; 51.
Wadgaon, disaster of, 121, 386.
Wainganga R., 8, 30 n.12, 60.
Wales, John ( d. 1810 ), Bom. Marine, 49
Walker :โ James, map-engraver, 104
James Thomas { 1826-96 ) : CB.,
Engrs. 1844; S G. & S T S. 1S7S-S1
Wandtwash, Carnatic. 86, 99, 311, 320, 3.'
vash.
120 p.m.
a.7, 124, 313.
n.6 : โ Maj Gen.
F R S. ; Bom.
Warangal, Nizam's Dominions, 92, 115, 116, 170, 337-
pl. 1, Warangole.
Ward, Benjamin Swain { 1786-1835 }, Mad. Inf., 350
Warren, John ( 1769-1830), H M's. 33rd Foot, 215 n 2
375, 376. '
Watches, v. Chronometers ; Timekeepers.
Water, fresh, 390.
Watercourses, Survey of, 142, 145, 146.
Watson, Admiral Charles ( 1714-57 ), DNB., 12, 388.
Waugh, Andrew Scott ( c. 1807-77 ) ; K C B. ; Ben. Engrs.
1S27 : S G. & S T S. 1843-62 ; vii, ix, 36.
Wazir of Oudh, v. Oudh.
Webbe :โ Charles ( 1782-98 ), asst. revenue surveyor, 284,
285:โ Josiali (1768-1804); Mad. Civ.; DIB. ;
264 : โ Wm. ( b. 1784/5 ), asst. revenue surveyor.
284, 286, 375.
Wellesley :โ Richard Cowley ( 1760-1842 ) ; 2nd Earl of
Mornington 1781; 1st Baron Wellesley 1797; 1st
Marquess 1799 ; DNB. ; DIB. ; 347, 371 ; v.
Governor-General ; Mornington: โ the Hon.: โ Arthur
( 1769-1852 ) ; future Duke of Wellington ; DNB โ
118, 264, 308, 341, 351, 357, 376 :โ Henry ( 1773-
1847 ), DNB., 264.
Welsh :โ James ( 1775-1861 ), Mad. Inf., 219, 350, 380 :
โ Thomas ( d. 1822 ), Ben. Cav., 8, 80-2, 398', 399 ;
178, 203, 310, 340, 355,
โ India .
; aetg. Govt.
3 G. Bombay,
West Coast, 6, 123-5,
389 ; v. Malabar.
Western :โ Ghats, 98, 125, 129, 367 ; pis. 12, 21 :
Map of, v. Map of Hindooatan, Reynolds.
Westminster Abbey, 101 n.9, 377. .
White ; Professor Joseph, DNB., 333 :โ a Journey from
Nagpur, 39.
Whitehill, John ( b. 1735 ) ; Mad. Civ. 1752 ;
of Madras 1777, 1780 ; dism. 1780 ; 303.
Williams, Monier ( 1777-1823 ) ; Bom. Inf. ;
1807-15 ; 7, 132.
Witt, de, cartographer, 209.
Wood Street, Calcutta, 352, 400.
Wounded Officers, 23, 292, 321, 338, 342, 355, 358, 367,
371, 378, 381, 395.
Writer ( Hobson-Jobson ) :โ โ Clerk, 280, 301 : โ junior grade
of civil service, 266.
Wynad, Malabar, 131, 132 n.3, 357.
Wyl-d's Map of Peninsula, 99, 113 n.3.
Yarkand, 68.
Yule :โ Sir Henry { 1820-89 ), DNB., 168 n.4, 377 :โ
Udny ( c. 1700-1830 ), Ben. Inf., 168 n.4.
Zaman Shah, of Kabul ( c. 1800 ), 55, 57-8, 218, 232, 399.
zamindars (Hobson-Jobson, Zemindar), 105, 133-5, 137-41,
144, 291.
Zenith Sectors, 165, 166,316.
Zoffany, Johann ( 1733-1S10), artist of Ratisbon, 366.