A map of India showing the latest political borders issued in the official Parliamentary Papers. Showing direct British possessions, states under British protection and independent states. 

Parliamentary Papers maps were issued for administrative papers and the work of the Civil Service. They are usually thematic, focusing on one particular geographical aspect. They are also extremely rare, as they were printed in very small numbers for administrative use only.

This example was issued in 1853, a particularly pivotal date. It was shortly after the conquest of the Sikh Empire in the north west yet at the same time, it was the last days of the British East India Company. As the map shows, by this point, the Company was in control of most of India with very few areas outlined in green (independent States). 

A list of the lower part also shows the date of acquisitions of the regions of the country from 1661 to 1850. 

Original colour. [IC3063]