Just as we can view Maratha documents today, why don't we see maps of their territories or military campaigns from that era? Were such maps never created in the first place? This is a question that has always intrigued me. Some historians, like Shejwalkar, have suggested—likely due to a lack of evidence—that the Marathas lacked the resources to map their kingdom's geography and did not have a precise understanding of their state's boundaries. Consequently, I hadn't really attempted to search for Maratha maps here at the British Library.

Last week, while browsing the Blumhardt Catalogue (a catalogue that deserves a separate post of its own!), I stumbled upon entries that appeared to be maps, so I requested to see them. Initially, I was told I could view them in the 'Maps Room.' However, in the Maps Room, I was informed that since these were manuscripts, they had to be viewed in the 'Asian and African Room.' Such confusion regarding shelfmarks rarely happens at the British Library. But after being sent back and forth a couple more times, I finally asked the curators of both rooms to meet me together and clarify the situation. They apologized for the mix-up (!!), consulted with each other, and arranged for me to view the material—whatever it turned out to be—on Saturday.

I returned to the library on Saturday. The curator of the 'Asian and African Room' called me over and revealed that the material consisted of maps—hand-drawn ones, at that! Because they were on old paper, they carried 'Manuscript' shelfmarks, yet because they were maps, they also had 'Map' shelfmarks. That was the source of the confusion. She further mentioned that these maps had likely not been seen by anyone for the past 80–85 years, and I was fortunate enough to get a look at them; resolving issues with 'shelf marks' is usually not an easy task, but since work on the map collection was currently underway, the process was smoother and faster than usual.

My curiosity was now at its peak. She placed a 3-foot by 3-foot folio in my hands. Upon opening it, I discovered maps in Marathi and the Modi script. There weren't many—perhaps eight or nine sheets—but they were authentic Marathi maps. They included maps of Gwalior, Udaipur/Nathdwara, Baroda, Mathura, Ajmer, Brahmavarta, Agra, and Pratapgarh (a location in Rajasthan).

I am sharing the map of Gwalior here. Several features stand out clearly in it.

• Sarkarwada (administrative complex), the city, and the fort
• The Resident's bungalow and a notation reading "Ek-kapni astil, lashkar nahi" (Only a single company present; no full army contingent)
• Names of Sardars (nobles/commanders) such as Angre, Patankar, Nimbalkar, Hindurao, Ambuji Ghadge, Vamanrao Apte, Raoji Trimbak, and Trimbakpant Kibe
• Positions held by the Paltans (regiments) and the 'Kale Sardar'
• Jinsi artillery (heavy ordnance) and their oxen
• Rivers, wells, and streams (water sources/availability)

No further information regarding these maps is available in the library. There is no clue as to who drew them, when they were created, or which military campaign they pertain to. I will certainly post the other maps in due course, but for now, this evidence leaves no room for doubt: Marathi maps did exist—even if not necessarily from the Peshwa era—and Marathi rulers were indeed planning their military campaigns in a systematic manner.