DESCRIPTION
The world of mortals is abstracted as a diagram of concentric circles. The blue circles and narrow streamer like (often symmetrical configurations) that traverse these represent water whilst the buff in- between areas represent land masses. The central circle is of particular significance as it depicts Jambudvipa (the island of the wood apple trees) which includes the Indian sub-continent with the cosmic Mount Meru at its the very centre. The inner-continent is encircled by two oceans and two further continents; the outer most landmass ends amorphously with a chain of mountains and shrines with sages or Jinas at the four quarters. This is why such depictions are often called adhaidvipa pata or paintings of the two-and-a half continents.
Reference: Nanda, Vivek, and Alexander Johnson. Cosmology to Cartography a Cultural Journey of Indian Maps from the Collections of Kalakriti Archives, Hyderabad and National Museum. New Delhi: National Museum, 2015.
Artist Name
Unknown Artist from Rajasthan
Width
695 mm
Width Range
610 mm - 24 inches to 1220 mm - 48 inches
Height
705 mm
Height Range
610 mm - 24 inches to 1220 mm - 48 inches
Medium
Opaque watercolor on cotton
Specifications
From the Prshant Lahoti Collection, part of Kalakriti Archives, Hyderabad. A private archive comprising of collection of historical maps, photographs, and popular prints of Indian Sub-continent.
Provenance
From the Prshant Lahoti Collection, part of Kalakriti Archives, Hyderabad. A private archive comprising of collection of historical maps, photographs, and popular prints of Indian Sub-continent.
Framing
With Framing
Year
mid-17th Century
