Rare Old Map of Delhi by Bartholomew, 1893: Shahjahanabad, Jumma Musjid, River Yamuna, Delhi Gate, Cashmere Gate

"Delhi and Environs," a masterful creation by the esteemed cartographer JG Bartholomew in 1893, offers a captivating glimpse into the urban and geographical landscape of Delhi during the late 19th century. This meticulously crafted city street map is a testament to Bartholomew's precision and attention to detail, showcasing the vibrant and historically rich city of Delhi. The map is not just a representation of streets and buildings; it is a window into the past, highlighting the intricate layout and significant landmarks that defined Delhi over a century ago.

The map vividly delineates notable neighborhoods such as Shahjahanabad and Modern Delhi, reflecting the city's architectural and cultural evolution. Shahjahanabad, known for its historical significance, is prominently featured, allowing viewers to trace the ancient streets and significant sites that once formed the heart of the Mughal Empire. Modern Delhi, on the other hand, showcases the burgeoning development and urban planning that was taking place during the British colonial period, offering a fascinating contrast between the old and the new.

Landmarks such as the majestic Jumma Musjid, the imposing Delhi Gate, and the iconic Cashmere Gate are clearly marked, each telling its own story of Delhi's rich heritage. The inclusion of the Mutiny Memorial and Ludlow Castle provides a poignant reminder of the city's tumultuous history, particularly during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. These landmarks are not just points on a map; they are symbols of the city's resilience and its enduring legacy.

The map also highlights the extensive network of roads and railways that connected Delhi to its surroundings, emphasizing the city's role as a major hub of transportation and commerce. Roads like Chandni Chowk and Grand Trunk Road are meticulously labeled, showcasing the arteries that facilitated trade and movement within and beyond the city. The depiction of the River Yamuna, winding its way through the map, adds a natural element to the urban landscape, underscoring the river's importance to the city's geography and history.

Bartholomew's use of color and hachures to indicate relief brings the map to life, offering a three-dimensional perspective of Delhi's terrain. The yellow-colored cantonments stand out, highlighting the military presence that was a significant aspect of the city's landscape during the colonial era. This map is not just a cartographic achievement; it is a historical document that encapsulates the essence of Delhi, making it a valuable addition to any collection of antique maps and a perfect piece for those who appreciate the rich tapestry of history and geography.

Streets and roads on this map

• Ajmere Road
• Alipore Road
• Bank Road
• Barakhamba Road
• Beli Road
• Chandni Chowk
• Circular Road
• Daryaganj Road
• Esplanade Road
• Grand Trunk Road
• Hardinge Road
• Hospital Road
• Jail Road
• Katra Neel Road
• Lothian Road
• Mall Road
• Mathura Road
• Military Road
• Nicholson Road
• Paharganj Road
• Parliament Street
• Queen's Road
• Rajpur Road
• Ridge Road
• Rohtak Road
• Roshanara Road
• Sadar Bazar Road
• Sadr Road
• Shamnath Marg
• Subzi Mandi Road

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Jumma Musjid
• Mutiny Memorial
• Delhi Gate
• Cashmere Gate
• Ludlow Castle
• St. James' Church
• Observatory
• Shahjahanabad
• Modern Delhi
• Firozabad
• Cantonments (colored yellow)
• Railway stations and lines
• River Yamuna
• Old Fort
• Race Course

Historical and design context

• Color map of Delhi and surroundings.
• Shows towns, roads, railroads, ports, landmarks, public buildings, parks, rivers, bridges, and canals.
• Cantonments are colored yellow.
• Relief is shown by hachures.
• Some roads are labelled, but not all.
• Most major landmarks are labelled.
• Date of creation: 1893
• Mapmaker/Publisher: JG Bartholomew
• Urban layout and infrastructure of Delhi and its surroundings in the late 19th century.
• Transportation networks including roads and railroads.
• Military cantonments and their locations.
• Natural features such as rivers and canals.
• Countries and regions shown: India, specifically the region around Delhi.
• Detailed cartographic style with color differentiation for various features.
• Use of hachures to indicate relief.
• Clear labeling of major landmarks and some roads.
• Provides insight into the urban planning and infrastructure of Delhi in the late 19th century.
• Highlights the importance of military cantonments during the British colonial period.
• Reflects the transportation and communication networks of the time.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 40in (100cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.