William Bolts
A Map of Bengal, 1772
16 x 22 in
41 x 56 cm
41 x 56 cm
IC2883
Important map of Bengal compiled by William Bolts, a controversial figure in late 18th century India. Bolts was a Dutch born British merchant who began to work for the British...
Important map of Bengal compiled by William Bolts, a controversial figure in late 18th century India.
Bolts was a Dutch born British merchant who began to work for the British East India Company in Bengal but became very critical of the policies and actions of his employer. In 1772, he published his famous work, “Considerations on India Affairs” in which summerises his criticism. The work was published following his termination of employment with the Company.
He continued to be involved in Indian affairs and he was instrumental in obtaining a charter to trade on behalf of the Holy Roman Empire through the port of Trieste. Unfortunately, his enterprise was not successful. It was followed by several other business schemes such as a fur trading enterprise between the Holy Roman Empire and the Pacific Northwest of America and a prospectus to interest the King of Sweden to establish a colony off the west coast of Australia but none of them earned him a fortune and he died in poverty in Paris 1808.
Nevertheless, his book is highly regarded by historians as a source for the early activities of the British East India Company and the access he would have had to the archives makes this map to be one of the most accurate of the region available at the time.
[IC2883]
Bolts was a Dutch born British merchant who began to work for the British East India Company in Bengal but became very critical of the policies and actions of his employer. In 1772, he published his famous work, “Considerations on India Affairs” in which summerises his criticism. The work was published following his termination of employment with the Company.
He continued to be involved in Indian affairs and he was instrumental in obtaining a charter to trade on behalf of the Holy Roman Empire through the port of Trieste. Unfortunately, his enterprise was not successful. It was followed by several other business schemes such as a fur trading enterprise between the Holy Roman Empire and the Pacific Northwest of America and a prospectus to interest the King of Sweden to establish a colony off the west coast of Australia but none of them earned him a fortune and he died in poverty in Paris 1808.
Nevertheless, his book is highly regarded by historians as a source for the early activities of the British East India Company and the access he would have had to the archives makes this map to be one of the most accurate of the region available at the time.
[IC2883]
