Carte de la Partie Supérieure de l'Inde en deçà du Gange
Cartographer / Artist: Rigobert Bonne
Date Created: c. 1780
Medium: Copperplate engraving with hand coloring
Physical Dimensions: 14.9 × 9.0 inches
Geographic Scope: Northern India, Bengal, Mughal Empire
Archive Catalog ID: fp9-img-2228
Provenance: The Dr. Joseph R. Rubini Archive
Collection: Renaissance & Classical European Cartography
This finely detailed late 18th-century French copperplate map by Rigobert Bonne depicts Northern India and the heartland of the Mughal Empire, stretching from the western coast of Concan and Gujarat across to Bengal, Assam, and northern regions bordering Tibet. An inset map in the corner highlights the complex hydrography of the Mouths of the Ganges (Bouches du Gange), illustrating key river routes, anchorages, and coastal settlements essential for maritime trade. Rigobert Bonne, serving as the Hydrographer to the Royal Navy of France, was renowned for his geographical precision and clear cartographic style. The map delineates major regional kingdoms, provincial borders, mountain ranges, and prominent urban centers such as Delhi, Agra, Calcutta, and Surat, offering a comprehensive view of the subcontinent during a pivotal period of European mercantile expansion.
Condition: Light uniform age toning with minor scattered foxing along outer margins.. Original hand-colored outline remains vivid and well-defined.. Minor edge wear and handling creases along sheet margins, not affecting the printed image.




