Rare Old Map of Kashmir, Pakistan & Afghanistan by Bartholomew, 1959: Karachi, Indus River, Hindu Kush, Kabul, Lahore

The "Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan" map, meticulously crafted by the esteemed cartographer JG Bartholomew in 1959, is a masterful representation of the geopolitical and physical landscapes of these regions during a pivotal period in history. Bartholomew, known for his precision and artistry, brings to life the intricate tapestry of South Asia, capturing the essence of its diverse topography and complex political boundaries. This map is not just a navigational tool but a historical document that reflects the post-independence era of Pakistan and the ongoing geopolitical dynamics of the region.

This map is a visual symphony of relief and depth, with gradient tints illustrating the majestic mountains and valleys, and spot heights marking the towering peaks of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges. The rivers, including the mighty Indus and Kabul, weave through the landscape, their courses meticulously charted. The Arabian Sea's gradient depths are depicted with a nuanced palette, providing a sense of the underwater topography that complements the terrestrial features. The map's design is a testament to Bartholomew's expertise in cartographic representation, blending scientific accuracy with aesthetic appeal.

The political boundaries delineated on this map are a reflection of the historical context of the late 1950s. The borders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the disputed regions of Kashmir are clearly marked, providing insight into the geopolitical tensions and territorial claims of the time. The provincial boundaries within Pakistan and Afghanistan further illustrate the administrative divisions that were crucial for governance and control. This map serves as a window into the political landscape of South Asia, offering a glimpse into the complexities and challenges faced by these nations.

Cities and towns are prominently featured, with Karachi, Lahore, and Kabul standing out as major urban centers. The map also highlights other significant settlements such as Peshawar, Quetta, and Srinagar, each with its own unique historical and cultural significance. These urban areas are interconnected by a network of railways and major roads, reflecting the infrastructure development and connectivity of the region. The detailed depiction of these human settlements provides a comprehensive view of the population distribution and urbanization patterns of the time.

In addition to its geographical and political significance, this map is a work of art that showcases the cartographic excellence of JG Bartholomew. His ability to combine detailed topographical information with elegant design elements makes this map a valuable addition to any collection. It is not only a tool for understanding the physical and political landscape of Pakistan, Kashmir, and Afghanistan but also a piece of history that captures the essence of a bygone era. This map is a testament to Bartholomew's legacy as one of the foremost cartographers of his time.

Cities and towns on this map

• Pakistan
• Karachi (modern-day population: ~14.9 million)
• Lahore (modern-day population: ~11.1 million)
• Rawalpindi (modern-day population: ~2.1 million)
• Peshawar (modern-day population: ~1.97 million)
• Quetta (modern-day population: ~1.1 million)
• Multan (modern-day population: ~1.87 million)
• Hyderabad (modern-day population: ~1.73 million)
• Faisalabad (modern-day population: ~3.2 million)
• Sialkot (modern-day population: ~0.9 million)

• Sukkur (modern-day population: ~0.55 million)

• Afghanistan

• Kabul (modern-day population: ~4.6 million)
• Kandahar (modern-day population: ~0.6 million)

• Herat (modern-day population: ~0.5 million)

• Kashmir

• Srinagar (modern-day population: ~1.2 million)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Inset maps:
• Inset of Karachi and its surroundings.
• Inset of the eastern regions, likely including parts of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
• Bodies of water:
• Arabian Sea
• Indus River
• Kabul River
• Various smaller rivers and lakes
• Borders:
• International borders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and regions of Kashmir.
• Provincial and regional boundaries within Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Mountains:
• Hindu Kush
• Karakoram Range
• Various other mountain ranges and peaks marked with spot heights.
• Other notable features:
• Railways and major roads.
• Various topographical features such as plains, deserts, and valleys.

Historical and design context

• Full-color map.
• Relief shown by gradient tints and spot heights in feet.
• Depth shown by gradient tints and soundings.
• Prime meridian is Greenwich.
• No. 1721, and Nov. 58, marked on the lower corners of plate.
• "The Times Atlas" marked on the upper left corner.
• When the map was made: 1959
• Mapmaker or publisher: JG Bartholomew
• Context about the mapmaker: JG Bartholomew was a notable Scottish cartographer known for his detailed and accurate maps. He was affiliated with The Times Atlas, a renowned atlas series.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Political boundaries and regions.
• Physical geography, including mountains, rivers, and relief.
• Depth of bodies of water.
• Context about themes: The map provides a detailed view of the geopolitical and physical landscape of the region during the late 1950s, capturing significant historical context such as post-independence borders and regional topography.
• Countries and regions shown on the map:
• Pakistan
• Kashmir
• Afghanistan
• Context about the design or style of the map: The map uses gradient tints to show relief and depth, with spot heights in feet, adhering to the style of mid-20th-century cartography. It includes detailed geographical features and political boundaries.
• Historical significance or context: The map captures a critical period in South Asian history, shortly after the independence of Pakistan in 1947 and amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

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 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 40in (100cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.