The beginning of the nineteenth century saw a period of rapid market growth and innovation in the map publishing world. Increased literacy and public interest in new frontiers and colonies overwhelmed the market because it was oriented toward the small, affluent market of the previous century. With the intent to fill this void, The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK) was founded in 1828 in London, by Lord Brougham and a group of men dedicated to the education of the aspiring working class and the Utilitarian ideal of 'Knowledge is Power.' The society produced an array of education materials, but the series of maps was one of their most successful ventures. A number of engravers and printers were used to produce the maps, which eventually exceed 200 sheets, and continued to be published after the Society as a whole ceased to function.

This set features 9 of the 12 SDUK maps showing India under the Raj. The general index map and maps V and VI, which cover the Gulf of Kutch and the area of central India that includes the Malwa region, are missing. Each map covers part of the country in great detail, including a very nice map of Sri Lanka along with India's tip (Map I) and the region of Nepal on sheet X. All are crisp steel engravings with keyboard style borders.

A. India I and Ceylon, dated 1831(13.5 x 10.4").
B. India II Madras Presidency, dated 1831 (13.5 x 10.3").
C. India III Bombay Presidency, dated 1832 (14.5 x 10.3").
D. India IV, dated 1832 (13.9 x 10.4").
E. India VII, dated 1832 (14.6 x 10.2").
F. India Sheet VIII Bengal Presidency, dated 1831 (10.2 x 14.2").
G. India IX, dated 1833 (10.1 x 13.8").
H. India X, dated 1834 (14.3 x 10.4").
I. India XI, dated 1836 (14.0 x 10.3").

References:

Condition: B+

All of the maps feature original outline color and are in very good condition with marginal toning, a few small worm holes, and light scattered foxing appearing on a few of the sheets. A small edge tear on sheet IX has been closed on verso with archival tape.