A classic atlas of South Asian history, this second impression (following the original impression, published by the University of Chicago Press in 1978) again makes available a work of importance to India scholars. Embracing a period from the Old Stone Age to 1975, Schwartzberg (geography, Univ. of Minnesota) provides over 200 plates covering mainly India but also to varying degrees Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Burma. Each map is beautifully drawn, contains ample descriptive information, and is further accompanied by a historically accurate descriptive text. The atlas is composed of 14 well-balanced sections addressing South Asia's political, cultural, economic, and demographic aspects. Each section also contains a bibliography of works carefully chosen to support the study of each topic. The second impression includes 20 pages of "Addenda and Corrigenda" to the 1978 impression, along with some additional bibliographic entries and the updating of the end-cover chronologies. Schwartzberg indicates his desire to redraw and update certain obsolete plates, presenting substantive arguments. In conclusion, it is fair to recommend this cartographic classic to any appropriate library not possessing the earlier impression. However, neither the new materials nor the significance of the listed corrections demand its acquisition if the first is in hand.
- John F. Riddick, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"In a class by itself--its combination of scholarship, textual material, bibliography, and cartography has not been approached....Rarely does one get a second opportunity to acquire such an important and impressive work. Highly recommended for larger public and all academic libraries with even miminal collections in South Asian materials."--Choice
"One of the significant scholastic achievements of the twentieth century. Like a video through time, HASA's maps plot holy places, tribes, regions, dynasties, religions, modern census data and events of the Indian subcontinent from the Stone Age through the Indus Valley civilization, Vedic era, to the Moghul, British and finally, the post Indian Independence period."--Hinduism Today
"Each map is beautifully drawn, contains ample descriptive information, and is further accompanied by a historically accurate descriptive text."--Library Journal
"A magnificent achievement--the most informative volume on South Asian history I have read, and a great work of historical geography."--New Republic
"Unquestionably the best, biggest, and most ambitious historical atlas of any large area ever produced. Its monumental qualities and contribution to the field will continue to be acknowledged; all students of South Asia will long be indebted to it, and to Professor Schwartzberg."--Journal of Asian Studies
"This new book sets a standard of catholicity, ingenious cartographic and pedagogic devices, meticulous and candid documentation, and comprehensive expertise that sets it apart even in its authoritative genre."--Scientific American
"A magnificent work....The creators of this atlas...particularly Joseph Schwartzberg, have refined and elevated the concept of a historical atlas with this magnum opus. Every scholar and student of South Asia stands in their debt."--Geographical Review
"Schwartzberg's Historical atlas has been a major reference work and research tool for students and scholars of South Asian history, and its re-publication is warmly welcomed."--Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies
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