The first-ever British attempt to map the Mughal empire was by Arctic explorer and surveyor William Baffin in 1619. England’s first ambassador to Mughal India, Sir Thomas Roe, visited Jahangir’s court and managed to gather substantial geographical information that he then passed on to Baffin. The latter then accompanied Roe on his return journey from India to Persia, compiled the data collected and produced an educated impression. Known as Sir Thomas Roe’s Map, it influenced cartographers for over a century, becoming the basis for innumerable future maps of India.

Flemish-born engraver, cartographer and publisher Hendrik Hondius created this particular map of the Mughal Empire, titled Magni Mogolis Imperium, in 1639 using the Baffin map to draw his initial plans, and then expanding it based on other sources, such as travellers’ accounts. The extent of the Mughal domain is clearly shown, bordering the Persian Empire in the west across to Myanmar in the east. Important cities that fell on crucial trade routes, like Delhi, Agra, Gualiar (Gwalior) and Soret (Surat), are clearly demarcated.

The title cartouche at the top left is particularly interesting — two noblemen dressed in Mughal-esque costumes stand on either side of the Mughal insignia, which includes the sun fronted by a lion, and surrounded by names of the kings and their Timurid ancestors. The names end at Jahangir, who was the ruler at the time of Roe’s visit. But our favourites are the whimsical drawings all over the map of animals native to India, like the lion, elephant and tiger.