Exhibition of Rare Maps Reveals Delhi's Lost Landscapes and Waterways
An exhibition of rare historical maps opens a fascinating window into Delhi's landscapes long before the modern metropolis took shape. From the Yamuna River once flowing close to the Red Fort to green and blue stretches that have since disappeared, these documents reveal a city that was lush and fluid, far removed from today's dense urban sprawl.
The Romance of Old Maps: Tracing Lost Landscapes
The exhibition, titled The Romance of Old Maps: Tracing Lost Landscapes, draws from the archives of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). It will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm, featuring maps dating from 1807 to 1984 that trace the evolution of Delhi's natural systems, water bodies, and transportation routes that have been altered or erased over time.
A map from 1807 shows a vast green space that is now known as the Old Railway Station, while subsequent maps depict how the River Yamuna dramatically changed its course through the city. The journey of maps from the early nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century captures the steady replacement of forests and wetlands with concrete structures, documenting Delhi's transformation from a natural landscape to an urban center.
Conservation Insights and Historical Revelations
Manu Bhatnagar, principal director of INTACH, explained that research for conservation efforts across India often leads to the acquisition of old maps. "These maps reveal natural features and urbanization patterns that advance our understanding of the past and indicate directions for the future," said Bhatnagar. "The display includes maps of Delhi from 1807 to 1984. Waterbody features identified from these maps led to the addition and protection of major waterbodies in north Delhi. The maps also show the original extent of the morphological Ridge far beyond the present-day protected Ridge."
Historian Swapna Liddle noted that maps from 1803 show how numerous streams from the ridges used to meet a water channel in southern parts of the city. "This was once the city's natural drainage system. Unplanned development has disrupted it, leaving water with nowhere to go and causing urban flooding after every heavy spell of rain," she explained.
The Journey of the Maps and Broader Collection
The story of how these maps reached INTACH is remarkable in itself. "They were sourced from scrap dealers in Chandni Chowk, flea markets in London, and shops in Shimla over several decades," Bhatnagar revealed.
Beyond maps depicting the gradual fading of natural features, the exhibition includes:
- Guide maps offering navigation perspectives
- Army manoeuvre maps showing military movements
- Cantonment plans detailing military settlements
- Bazaar maps revealing commercial life patterns
These documents collectively offer a comprehensive perspective on Delhi's social, military, and commercial history.
Beyond Delhi: National and International Maps
The display extends well beyond Delhi, featuring:
- Early maps of hill stations including Nainital, Simla, and Mussoorie
- A detailed survey map of Mount Everest
- Swami Pranavananda's 1929 route map of Kailash Mansarovar
- An 1822 map of India's major river systems
- Order-of-battle maps from World War I, including representation of battles such as Neuve Chapelle where Subedar Darwan Singh Negi of the 39th Garhwal Rifles earned the Victoria Cross
This exhibition serves as both a historical record and a conservation tool, revealing how understanding past landscapes can inform future urban planning and environmental protection efforts in Delhi and beyond.
