Mapping the Great Game

Explorers, Spies, and Maps in 19th-Century Asia

De: Riaz Dean

Narrado por: Zehra Jane Naqvi

In the 19th century, the British and Russian empires were engaged in bitter rivalry for the acquisition of Southern Asian. Although India was the ultimate prize, most of the intrigue and action took place along its northern frontier in Afghanistan, Turkestan, and Tibet. Mapping the region and gaining knowledge of the enemy were crucial to the interests of both sides.

The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India began in the eighteenth century with the aim of creating a detailed map of the subcontinent. Under the leadership of George Everest—whose name was later bestowed to the world's tallest mountain—it mapped the Great Arc running from the country's southern tip to the Himalayas. Much of the work was done by Indian explorers known as Pundits. They were the first to reveal the mysteries of the forbidden city of Lhasa, and discover the true course of Tibet's mighty Tsangpo River.

These explorers performed essential information gathering for the British Empire and filled in large portions of the map of Asia. Their adventurous exploits are vividly recounted in Mapping the Great Game.

©2019 Riaz Dean (P)2022 Tantor

Interesting and Entertaining

This is a highly interesting and entertaining history of the race between Imperial Russia and Victorian Great Britain to map India, Afghanistan, Turkestan and Tibet. The author made sure to include lesser known heroes, even nameless ones, in addition to the famous. It is easy to read, and surprisingly engrossing. I definitely recommend it to those with any interest in this very specific area.

Ms. Naqvi gave an average performance.