Plan der Stadt und Festung Madras in Ost-Indien

Scarce map of Madras (Chennai) published during the Seven Years' War only a few years after the French had attempted unsuccessfully to capture the city from the British in 1758.



An index in the lower-right corner labels buildings of strategic importance including the Governor's House, the Hospital, and the various churches. The strength of Fort St. George, which was founded by the British in 1640, is evident. The city's thick walls with ramparts and numerous batteries dominate the map.



Though it would not yet have been clear to observers in 1760, the failure of the French to capture Madras was a major turning point in the struggle for India, and French influence on the subcontinent would rapidly decline over the following decades as the British assumed dominance.



Original hand-colour. [IC2614]