Indian Maps and Distances

Maps are geographical diagrams that are drawn in accordance with the mathematical position of countries, places, oceans, seas and even locations of specific places on the Earth. There is a close relation between maps and distances because a map of a place besides locating it also helps to gauge the distance it has from another place.

Use of Maps – for centuries of human civilizations maps have been discovered. These have shown new directions to sailors and traders to reach destinations of their trade across oceans and seas. There were maps in the olden days that gave the routes and directions for long distance traveling for sailors and captains of ships. In the modern era maps have been improvised to even provide road directions to people even through the roads and lanes of cities or towns. Even modern days cars phones are fitted with mapping services that helps the user to know various locations of use.

Maps of India – Through the ages of its civilization different kinds of maps were used in India.

• Ancient Maps – The remains of ancient maps show that during the prehistoric and early years of civilization in India maps were made where important locations were highlighted. There is very little evidence to prove the depth of knowledge of scales in such representations. However considering the meticulous planning of the people of Indus valley it is plausible that they had devised a measurement of scale.
• Maps of the middle Ages – Records of land grants in the middle ages as well as location of important places made it important that paintings of maps were charted out. The period of the middle ages may have led to a significant growth of mapping owing to a number of travelers and new rulers who set foot in this country to conquer.
• Modern Maps – In drawing a modern map in India techniques like digitization photographic surveys and printing are employed. Additionally modern technology is also used in the form of satellite imageries, aerial photographs and video surveys.

City Maps – Modern day city maps are very helpful to both the locals as well as tourists who are new and unknown to the map of roads and directions of that place. It is common especially in old patterned cities of India to confuse among roads and their names. A map may be helpful to locate their exact position and a route to take them out of there. Modern technology also employs mapping services in dashboards of cars and even in mobile phone for the same purpose. Additionally it helps car drivers to analyze the change of road routes after specific timings. It also helps tremendously to avoid traffic block areas and create further congestion on roads.

Road Companions – Maps of different locations, places, cities or even bigger maps like those of countries and regions are imperative while one is traveling. It is more important when travel plans are made by road.

• It is easier to locate the point to be reached from the point of present location on a map
• It is easier to calculate the distance and therefore the time that will be required
• In case of a stranger in a new place a standard map helps to reassure oneself of being in the right direction as well as verify direction given by the locals
• It is very helpful in case a person or even a group of people are lost after an accident of any sort to locate their position on a map