Map of Bengal by van der Aa after Valentijn, 1726

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This is an original antique map titled “Nieuwe Kaart van ’t Koninryk van Bengale,” published by Pieter van der Aa … Read more This is an original antique map titled “Nieuwe Kaart van ’t Koninryk van Bengale,” published by Pieter van der Aa in Leiden in 1726. The map depicts the Kingdom of Bengal and surrounding regions, based on earlier work by François Valentijn, a Dutch East India Company (VOC) official and historian whose extensive writings on Asia were among the most important early European sources. The engraving covers the Bengal region (modern-day Bangladesh and West Bengal, India), showing detailed river systems including the Ganges and its distributaries flowing into the Gulf of Bengal. Major towns, cities, and kingdoms are labelled in Dutch, such as Orixa (Orissa), Arracan, Tipera (Tripura), and Cos Assam (Assam). Mountain ranges are represented pictorially with stylised hachured peaks, while fertile plains are indicated with field patterns, adding visual texture to the map. In the upper right is an elegant title cartouche with dedication to VOC officials, referencing Mathijs van den Broecke, a director in Bengal, and Johannes Lennep. A compass rose is positioned at the bottom, enhancing its decorative maritime appeal, with north oriented to the right as typical for Dutch maps of Asian regions in this period.

Condition: Good condition. Strong impression with later hand colouring. Light age toning, faint foxing mainly in margins, and some creasing along original fold lines as issued. Fully suitable for framing. See less