Research Catalog

Title

Mapping the great game : explorers, spies & maps in nineteenth-century Asia / Riaz Dean.

Author

Dean, Riaz

Publication

• Oxford, UK : Casemate Publishers, 2019.
• ©2019

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xv, 293 pages : illustrations, maps, portraits; 23 cm

Summary

Although the ultimate prize of the Great Game played out between Great Britain and Imperial Russia in the 19th century was India, most of the intrigue and action took place along its northern frontier in Afghanistan, Turkestan and Tibet. Maps and knowledge of the enemy were crucial elements in Britain's struggle to defend the 'jewel in the crown'. The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India had been founded in the 18th century, with the aim of creating a detailed map of the country. While most people today are readily able to identify the world's highest mountain, few know of the man, George Everest, whom it was named after, or the accomplishment that earned him this singular honor. Under his leadership, the Survey of India mapped the Great Arc, which was then lauded as 'one of the greatest works in the whole history of science', though it cost more in monetary terms and human lives than many contemporary Indian wars. Much of the work of the Survey was undertaken by native Indians, known as Pundits, who were trained to explore, spy out and map Central Asia and Tibet. They did this at great personal risk and with meager resources, while traveling entirely on foot. They would be the first to reveal the mysteries of the forbidden city of Lhasa; and discover the true course of Tibet's mighty Tsangpo River. They were the greatest group of explorers the world has seen in recent history - yet they remain the classic unsung heroes of the British Raj. The story of these extraordinary pioneers who explored much of Asia during the 19th century to fill in large portions of its map, and spy out the region for military reasons is often forgotten, but Riaz Dean's vivid account of their exploits, their adventurous spirit and their tenacity in the face of great adversity, all set within the context of the Great Game and the Survey of India, will finally bring them the attention they deserve.

Subjects

• Cartography
• Surveyors
• Asia, Central > History > 19th century
• Cartography > Asia, Central > 19th century > History
• Zentralasien
• Survey of India
• India > Great Trigonometrical Survey
• Asia, Central > Historical geography
• Forschungsreise
• Historical geography
• History
• Kartografie
• 1800-1899
• Surveyors > Asia, Central > 19th century > History
• Central Asia

Genre/Form

History.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 279-282) and index.

Contents

Pt. One The Great Game Begins -- 1.The Early Years -- 2.Britain Attacks to Defend India -- Pt. Two The GTS of India -- 3.Lambton Starts the GTS -- 4.Everest Completes the Great Arc -- Pt. Three The Pundits -- 5.Montgomerie's Native Explorers -- 6.Northwest Frontier and Chinese Turkestan -- 7.Tibet and Lhasa at Last -- 8.The River -- Pt. Four The Great Game Ends -- 9.Russia Advances into Central Asia -- 10.The Final Years.

Call Number

JFE 20-2717

ISBN

• 9781612008141
• 1612008143

OCLC

1139529712

Author

Dean, Riaz, author.

Title

Mapping the great game : explorers, spies & maps in nineteenth-century Asia / Riaz Dean.

Publisher

Oxford, UK : Casemate Publishers, 2019.

Copyright Date

©2019

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 279-282) and index.

Chronological Term

1800-1899

Research Call Number

JFE 20-2717